New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees calls a play in the huddle during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field on September 21, 2008. The Saints will visit Denver again on October 28, 2012 (Mandatory Credit: Andrew Carpenean-US PRESSWIRE)

In approximately eleven weeks the 2012 NFL season will be upon us.   Considering that it has been 5-1/2 months since the 2011 season came to an end in New England, we are well over the hump and on the very edge of another Bronco season.   To help pass the time between now and the start of the regular season, I am continuing my look back at past Bronco games against teams they will face in 2012.   Next up – the New Orleans Saints.

After getting a week off with their bye in Week Seven, the Broncos will make their second appearance of the season on Sunday Night Football when Drew Brees and the Sean Payton-less New Orleans Saints make their sixth trip in franchise history to Colorado to face the Broncos.   The Broncos have won four of the five contests held in Denver.   Continue reading for a brief synopsis of the five games in Denver.

(more…)

Rick Upchurch is often mentioned as one of the fastest players in NFL history. (NFL.com)

Former Denver Bronco Rick Upchurch was the best punt returner in the NFL at one time. During his NFL career, he led the league in punt return average three times and in punt return touchdowns three times. During his stint with the Broncos (1975-1983), he made it to the Pro Bowl four times.

Now the former wide receiver and special teams all-star is battling cancer and raising money for his chemotherapy treatments.

Upchurch has a form of leukemia, and a fundraiser was held for him in Pueblo on Sunday. According to Pueblo’s Chieftain, Upchurch’s chemotherapy costs $10,000 per month.

“I am not the first and I won’t be the last (to have cancer), so for all the cancer survivors and everybody that is going through it right now, we are all going through it together and we can defeat this.” - Upchurch to the Chieftain  

We wish Upchurch the best in his fight. If you wish to help, contact Anthony Mestas for more details. anthonym@chieftain.com

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