Eric Decker (87) scores on a 90-yard punt return against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Memorial weekend has come and gone, so that means we are one step closer to the start of the 2012 football season.  To help fill the days of the long, hot summer ahead of us, I am continuing my look back at some of the games the Broncos have had against teams they will face in 2012.  Week Four of the 2012 season marks the Broncos’ first divisional battle, and that finds the Oakland Raiders visiting Denver.  The Raiders will be led by ex-Bronco Defensive Coordinator, Dennis Allen, in his first head coaching role.  Even though the September 30th matchup is the Broncos’ first game against an AFC West team, the Raiders are opening their 2012 campaign against the San Diego Chargers.  In 2011, the Raiders also opened their season with a game against a division foe – the Denver Broncos.  Continue reading for a brief overview of that season opener.

(more…)

The Broncos need a strong QB sitting behind Tim Tebow. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

As much as you may like Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos need help at quarterback. Brady Quinn is likely on his way out the door (how could he take another year on the Denver pine after his stint with the team?), and Adam Weber, although fun to watch last preseason, isn’t quite ready to fill in as Tebow’s primary backup.

That leaves the Broncos with a lot of ideas to bat around.

Do they work on bringing in a well known free agent to help Tebow’s progress? The veteran QB would be someone Tebow could compete against in camp and pick the brain of a QB who has been in the league for a while. Picking up an experienced could also potentially save the Broncos season should Tebow get hurt in the middle of 2012.

On the other hand, the Broncos could let John Elway work with Tebow in the offseason and bank on the fact that the QB will improve under the Hall of Famer. The Broncos could look to the draft and select someone early on in case Tebow doesn’t work out long term.

For the sake of today’s article, let’s look at the list of potential free agent QBs.
(more…)

Carson Palmer enters the AFC West with a fresh attitude. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

In AFC West news, the Oakland Raiders have acquired quarterback Carson Palmer. This news comes courtesy of Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

Jason Campbell broke his collar bone in week 6, and the Raiders were in desperate need of an experienced quarterback. That’s why they traded away a first round pick in the 2012  draft and a conditional first round pick in the 2013 draft to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Palmer has not taken a snap for the Bengals this season because he wants to be traded.He threatened the team with retirement if they did not trade him.Palmer, however, still believes that he has some goof football left in him. He’s been working out former NFL QB Ken O’Brien.

The Raiders also looked into trading for Eagles’ backup Vince Young. However, Hue Jackson wanted to be reunited with Palmer. Jackson was the Bengals wide receivers coach early in Palmer’s career.

This takes away virtually any possibility that Kyle Orton will be traded by today’s 4:00 p.m. ET trade deadline.

Make sure to follow Predominantly Orange on Facebook and on Twitter.