Moreno returns to Broncos practice

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09/01/2010 -

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Denver Broncos' injured backfield is beginning to get healthy.

Knowshon Moreno was back at practice Tuesday, one month after the starting running back hurt his right hamstring on the opening live drill of training camp.

Moreno said he was ``80-some percent'' healed.

``I think I'll be over it,'' said Moreno, who couldn't guarantee his availability for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener in Jacksonville. ``At the same time, you never know with a hamstring.''

Moreno likely won't play in the Broncos' preseason finale at Minnesota on Thursday night, a game in which Denver's starters are expected to play some, if not most, of the first quarter.

Still, it's significant that the Broncos' projected top three tailbacks - Moreno, Correll Buckhalter and LenDale White - are practicing together for the first time.

``In order to have a good season it all starts in practice,'' Buckhalter said. ``So we're all happy to be out here.''

Buckhalter returned to practice Aug. 24 and, at the time, was far away from the point where he could confidently say he was ready to initiate and take contact. But that week of work has done him good, and his anticipated role in the preseason finale now is welcomed.

``I'm definitely excited about the opportunity to go out there and play and establish that relationship with my linemen and get all of us on one accord so we can have a successful season,'' Buckhalter said.

White won't be around when the regular season starts because he's suspended four games by the NFL under its substance-abuse policy. So the Vikings game will be his last chance to play until October.

Less definitive is Moreno's status.

It's the second straight season he's missed most of August with a significant injury. He sprained his left medial collateral ligament in the 2009 preseason opener then carried the ball eight times in Week 1.

Moreno wasn't getting into specifics about his injury Tuesday and would only say he ``feels good'' and that his priority is regaining his stamina.

``I don't want to call it a setback. It was just an adversity he's got to push through and he's had to push through,'' coach Josh McDaniels said. ``He's handled it the best he could and he's eager to get out there. I think that's where he is mentally.''

Moreno was wearing an orange jersey at practice, alerting players to lay off on contact. He's been studying his playbook and attending meetings in addition to receiving treatment.

``He missed the same period of time last year in training camp so he's gone through this before. He started the season off and really hadn't played much in the preseason. We're kind of in the same boat,'' McDaniels said. ``Hopefully we can start faster with him this year once we start playing the regular season, as soon as he's healthy.''

In addition to Buckhalter's debut, the key to watch in the Vikings game is the continuing competition between rookie Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn for the backup quarterback job.

Quinn, acquired in the offseason, hasn't pulled away for the job and McDaniels called it a ``competitive situation.''

``Both players have done some good things. Both players have turned it over,'' McDaniels said. ``Both players have been able to function in the 2-minute offense. And both players have plenty of room to improve. From that standpoint, I think this game will probably help us determine kind of where we see everything.

``But certainly I don't think either one of them has done so much that either guy has removed himself from the competition at all.''

Quinn remains listed as the backup on the team's depth chart. But he's completed only 51.4 percent of his passes and has yet to throw a TD pass. His 55.1 rating is the worst on the team.

Tebow has been marginally better at 56.5 percent with a scoring toss to Eric Decker against Pittsburgh on Sunday night, along with an interception that led to a Steelers touchdown.

Quinn was asked afterward whether he felt he'd done enough to clinch the No. 2 job.

``It's honestly something I'm not focusing on, I think, until that situation presents itself,'' he said.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.