Broncos Changes Already Underway [VIDEO]

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen knows what a great season looks like.   This season wasn't one of them.In a letter sent to season ticket holders, Bowlen thanked Broncos fans for bringing the passion back to the stadium in this, the first season with Peyton Manning in a Denver uniform.   Denver finished 13-3 and had top seeding in the playoffs but lost to Baltimore in the divisional round in double-overtime on Saturday.

Broncos' Mike McCoy hired as Chargers coach

Mike McCoy's interview with San Diego went so well that both sides felt he was a perfect fit to become the Chargers' new coach.  He had one thing to do, though, before accepting the offer, so it was a good thing Chargers President Dean Spanos' private plane was at his disposal. McCoy, then the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator, flew home to talk to his wife, Kellie, saying he "might get in a little trouble" if he made a decision without doing so.   Tuesday morning, McCoy, his wife and their two children were back on the same plane, returning to San Diego to take the job.

The 40-year-old McCoy, introduced later Tuesday, replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith on Dec. 31 after the Chargers finished 7-9.  The move came three days after top-seeded Denver was eliminated from the playoffs in a double-overtime loss to Baltimore.

 

Broncos cut ties with secondary coach

The Denver Broncos have promoted Cory Undlin to secondary coach, replacing Ron Milus.   A person with the team who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the club doesn't speak publicly about coaches' contracts stressed the decision wasn't a result of Baltimore's tying 70-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds of regulation Saturday night.  The Broncos went on to lose 38-35 in double overtime, ending their 11-game winning streak that had made them the odds-on Super Bowl favorites.  He was in his second stint with the Broncos, who hadn't allowed a 300-yard passer all season before giving up 331 to Joe Flacco last weekend.

 

Ryan Clady pulls out of Pro Bowl game

Ryan Clady has withdrawn from the Pro Bowl because of an injury, presumably the balky shoulder that bothered him during the Denver Broncos' first-round bye but which didn't prevent him from playing in their loss to Baltimore.   Clady will be replaced by Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth.

The Broncos might still get five players to the Pro Bowl because Demaryius Thomas is next in line at receiver.   Thomas would get his first trip to the annual all-star game if New England beats the Ravens in the AFC championship this weekend because Patriots receiver Wes Welker would have to skip the Jan. 27 game to prepare for the Super Bowl.   Thomas would then join teammates Peyton Manning, Von Miller, Champ Bailey and Elvis Dumervil in Honolulu.  (AP)