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NFL

Joseph: Broncos committed to Lynch, Siemian

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph strongly reaffirmed the team’s commitment Tuesday to either Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch being the team’s starter at quarterback in 2017.

While executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway has ultimate control over the team’s roster and the Broncos could change course in the weeks and months to come, Elway, Joseph and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy have now all said publicly the Broncos’ current plan is to choose between Siemian and Lynch.

Asked Tuesday, when he formally introduced the team’s new coaching staff, if he was committed to Siemian and Lynch, Joseph said:

“Absolutely, I am. They’re both smart guys. Obviously different skill sets, but I’m committed to both of those kids. They’re good football players and we’ve got to build around those guys. That’s going to help those guys play better. Obviously up front, protecting those guys better, helping them play better.”

McCoy was also asked what he thought of the idea of the Broncos potentially bringing in a veteran quarterback to compete with the two.

“I’m happy with the two guys we have,” McCoy said. “That’s our No. 1 focus right now, to get the two quarterbacks we have on our roster ready to play.”

Trevor Siemian started 14 games in 2016, his second season in the NFL. Paxton Lynch, who was the Broncos’ first-round draft pick last year, started in the other two games for Denver. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Elway has also said the team’s plan is “to proceed” with Siemian and Lynch. But the addition of a veteran quarterback — Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys is the player most fans speculate about in drive time — continues to be a topic of conversation outside of the team given Siemian will enter just his third season in ’17 and Lynch his second.

Elway has always made it clear any and all potential moves are discussed by the team and that any decision would have to make sense financially against the salary cap as well as from a roster-building perspective over the long haul.

To bring in a veteran quarterback would impact how much time on the practice field the Broncos could give Siemian and Lynch and could potentially slow the development of one, or both, of the quarterbacks.

Romo’s contract is not one the Broncos would take in a trade, so the Broncos wouldn’t even consider a high-priced player like him at the position unless he was released. And even then Elway and Joseph continue to say they see Siemian and Lynch battling for the job.

“Absolutely, that’s my vision and that’s what we’re going to go for,” Joseph said Tuesday.

“They’re two talented players and we’re going to play the best guy,” McCoy said. “They’ll come in and compete and go from there.”

Siemian started 14 games this past season and finished 8-6 as a starter with 3,401 yards to go with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Siemian was battered at times because of the Broncos’ spotty play in the offensive line as well as the team’s inability to consistently run the ball.

Siemian is currently recovering from offseason surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but has said he expects to be ready when the offseason program begins in April.

Last week in Houston during the Super Bowl buildup former Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Siemian has the “smarts, he’s got the arm,” to be a starter, but also that Siemian had to learn to protect himself better as well.

Lynch made two starts and showed his potential as well as the distance he must cover to be ready to be a starter — “we knew it was going to take some time,” Kubiak said — as he finished with 497 yards passing to go with two touchdowns and one interception.

McCoy said Tuesday both quarterbacks can look forward to plenty of work to take home each night as the new playbook is installed when the offseason program begins.

NFL

Pats, fans celebrate in snowy, windy Boston

BOSTON — Tens of thousands of fans weathered cold, snowy and windy conditions to line the streets of Boston on Tuesday as part of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI championship parade.

On the traditional duck boats that have been used to celebrate championships of all professional sports teams in town, players enjoyed the moment as loud music blared, and red, white and blue confetti shot into the air. Owner Robert Kraft held the Lombardi trophy high above his head to lead the way, quarterback Tom Brady played catch with those along the route who threw footballs in his direction, and tight end Rob Gronkowski chugged beers and then spiked the can to the delight of the raucous onlookers, many of whom held up anti-Roger Goodell signs.

After the high-energy ride, Kraft, coach Bill Belichick, Brady, safety Devin McCourty and Gronkowski were among those to address the crowd, as all five of the franchise’s Lombardi trophies were on hand.

“I told you we were going to bring this sucker home, and we brought it home!” Brady told the crowd, with his 7-year-old son Benny by his side.

Gronkowski, who didn’t play in the Super Bowl after landing on season-ending injured reserve in early December because of his back, told the crowd he looked forward to winning a sixth.

“When we get six, your boy right here is going to be part of six, baby!” Gronkowski said as Brady smiled standing next to him. “This team worked so hard to be right here where they’re at. I love these guys so much. I know I wasn’t part of playing in the game, but I love being part of this team.”

Tom Brady played catch with those along the parade route who threw footballs in his direction. Charles Krupa/AP Photo

At one point, the crowd chanted, “We want six! We want six!”

“Hands down, this is my favorite event I’ve been to. Twice now in my life,” Gronkowski told reporters. “That’s just motivating me more.”

Meanwhile, Belichick, who at one point was taking selfies with running back Dion Lewis, shared with the crowd his admiration for the team that won the fifth.

“Let me tell you, these players, they worked harder than any team I’ve ever coached. They came to work every day and there were no days off,” he said, slowing down to deliver his message before chanting “no days off” eight times as he thrust the Lombardi trophy into the air with his left hand in hopes of having the fans — many of whom were taking the day off to attend the parade — join him.

Right around the time Belichick was making his remarks, tight end Martellus Bennett said to reporters the overflowing crowd reminded him of “Ferris Bueller on his day off,” a reference to the 1986 movie starring Matthew Broderick.

“A lot of kids, apparently they didn’t go to school today,” Bennett cracked. “I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t have either.”

Meanwhile, running back James White, who set a Super Bowl record with 14 receptions and returned from a Monday trip to Disney World, was called forward by McCourty as players wanted White to be recognized by the crowd.

NFL

White forgot to keep ball from SB game winner

New England Patriots running back James White can’t tell you what happened to the football from the final play of Super Bowl LI.

White scored the winning touchdown in overtime as the Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons, 34-28. What happened to the ball after that is anyone’s guess, White told “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday.

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“I actually don’t know what I did with it,” White said. “I left it on the ground and started running.”

White is hopeful that an equipment manager grabbed the ball and that it is in the possession of the Patriots.

“I wasn’t thinking in that moment. I was too busy sprinting down the field,” he said.

White said he did keep the football from the first touchdown he scored in the historic comeback. White had 14 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown and added two rushing touchdowns in the victory.

After the game, his teammates, including MVP Tom Brady, were quick to say he deserved a share of the MVP honor. In years past, the Super Bowl MVP award came with a car. After the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, Brady was awarded MVP and gave the truck to Malcolm Butler, who made the game-saving interception in the final seconds.

Brady said he would do the same this year with White — but there is no truck to give. According to an NFL spokesman, a vehicle hasn’t been part of the MVP award for the past two Super Bowls.

White was asked about Brady’s promise of the truck and said, “I haven’t actually received it yet. I don’t know how that works.”

White said, “it’s pretty cool that he’s humble enough to give me the car,” adding that Brady is a “great teammate.”

It is unknown if Brady still plans to give White a vehicle of some kind.

ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss contributed to this report.

NFL

Falcons GM: Extension imminent for Trufant

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant, who suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in November, will receive a lucrative contract extension at some point in the spring, general manager Thomas Dimitroff told ESPN on Tuesday.

Trufant, the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, is signed through 2017 after the Falcons exercised their fifth-year option for $8,026,000. Taking such a measure, however, doesn’t prevent the sides from negotiating a long-term deal.

“He’s a top-tier corner, no question about it,” Dimitroff said of Trufant. “We believe that he’s going to do some excellent things for us into the future.”

Dimitroff previously voiced intentions to reward MVP candidate Matt Ryan with an extension that could make him the league’s highest-paid player. The GM also reiterated plans to speak with running back Devonta Freeman’s camp about an extension as he approaches the final season of his rookie deal.

“Our focus in free agency is to, again, focus on the guys on our team to get them done first,” Dimitroff said. “It’s probably this year more than any, it’s where our focus is.”

Falcons CB Desmond Trufant, who suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in November, said he’ll be ready by the time OTAs begin in May. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Dimitroff said the emergence of former second-round pick Jalen Collins in Trufant’s absence hasn’t altered any plans.

“Trufant’s value has not dropped at all,” Dimitroff said. “We are really excited about having Trufant back and [Robert] Alford back and Jalen Collins back and Brian Poole back. And then the other guys who have contributed to us this year in [C.J.] Goodwin and Deji Olatoye. Those guys are a real cool and encouraging group of secondary [players], and the guy who is at the front of that is Trufant.”

Trufant could be line for a contract in the neighborhood of $13 million to $15 million per season, which would put him on par with some of the league’s other top cornerbacks. The Redskins’ Josh Norman makes $15 million per season as part of his five-year, $75 million deal, which included $50 million guaranteed. Trufant also saw fellow cornerback Alford rewarded with a four-year, $38 million extension that included $21 million guaranteed.

Alford was a second-round pick in the same draft class as Trufant.

“I mean, that’s what we work for, right?” Trufant said. “But I’m just focused on being healthy, being a better player and being a better man. Everything else will take care of itself. I’m just letting my agent and all them handle that. When it’s time, it’s time.”

Trufant said he’s midway through the rehab process and hopes to be back on the field in time for organized team activities in May. The Falcons have to forfeit the first three days of those activities for violating NFL/NFLPA rules prohibiting excessive contact during offseason workouts.

“They’ve got a plan for me, the trainers,” Trufant said. “By that time, I’ll definitely be healthy. I’m just focused on that.”

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