This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Former Pro Bowl center Dan Koppen, who spent nine season snapping the ball to Tom Brady in New England, will now have the chance to work with Peyton Manning.
Koppen signed with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, two weeks after his release from the New England Patriots, where he played from 2003-11.
Koppen, who turns 33 on Wednesday, adds experience and depth to the interior line and might push starting center J.D. Walton for playing time.
Manning was sacked twice in his Denver debut, a 31-19 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday, once when it appeared the wrong line call shifted everyone to the right and led to left tackle Ryan Clady having no one to block. Running back Knowshon Moreno was left to block two men, and Pittsburgh linebacker Jason Worilds dropped Manning for an 8-yard loss.
Goodell, four players to meet
The NFL confirms that Commissioner Roger Goodell has agreed to meet with four players whose suspensions in connection with the bounty investigation were recently lifted by an appeals panel. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday no dates have been set for the meetings.
Goodell is reconsidering whether to hand down revised suspensions to Saints linebacker Jon Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove.
Raiders
Raiders • Receiver Jacoby Ford will undergo surgery on his injured left foot. Coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday that Ford decided to have the operation after consulting with a specialist in North Carolina when the injury did not heal as quickly as hoped. Ford hurt his foot on Aug. 17 in an exhibition game against Arizona. Ford missed six games with the same injury last season.
Allen said the team is considering its options to replace Ford. The Raiders could place Ford on a new short-term injured reserve list, which would sideline him for at least six weeks.