BRONCOS
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – They were frustrated a year ago when Tim Tebow didn’t target them very often – and often missed his targets when he did. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have flourished with Peyton Manning under center, combining for 179 catches, 2,498 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. They’re two of the biggest reasons the Broncos (13-3) haven’t lost in three months and will take an 11-game winning streak into their AFC divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens (11-6) on Saturday. Having Manning around can do wonders for young receivers, but only if they work hard and stay healthy, the two ingredients that allowed this pair of third-year pros to put aside a history of injuries and have bust-out seasons.
TEBOW DOUBTFUL FOR JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Tim Tebow won’t be playing for his hometown team. The Jacksonville Jaguars made it clear Thursday that they have no plans to pursue the popular and polarizing New York Jets backup quarterback. The Jets are likely to release the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and Jacksonville native during the offseason, and many believed Tebow would land with the Jaguars. ESPN quoted a source who said it was a “virtual certainty” that Tebow would play in Jacksonville in 2013. But new general manager David Caldwell nixed that idea at his introductory news conference, saying, “I can’t imagine a scenario in which he’ll be a Jacksonville Jaguar – even if he’s released.” Owner Shad Khan asked former GM Gene Smith to acquire Tebow last March, but the left-hander chose the Jets.
HONOLULU (AP) – The first full-field event of the 2013 PGA season is in progress in Honolulu. The early clubhouse lead at the Sony Open was taken by Scott Piercy of the U.S. with a 6-under-64. The defending champion is Johnson Wagner
GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) – Jack Taylor, the young man who set the NCAA scoring record with 138 points in a game in November, has a broken wrist and is done for the season. Taylor made headlines on Nov. 12 when he scored 138 points against Faith Baptist Bible College. He heads to the sidelines with a per-game average of 36.3 points.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip will be back in a car for next month’s season-opening race. It’s a one-race deal as the team will use full-time driver David Stremme the rest of the season.
CLEVELAND (AP) – The Cleveland Browns reportedly met for a second time with former Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt (WIHZ’-en-hunt) about their coaching vacancy. A person familiar with the meeting says the two sides met today. Whisenhunt was recently fired after six seasons with the Cardinals.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Doug Marrone, the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, has named his offense and defensive coordinators. Joining him from Syracuse as offensive coordinator is Nathaniel Hackett, while Mike Pettine is leaving the Jets to become defensive coordinator.
