Knowing the enemy daily links 6/16

We here at Silver & Black Pride have decided to start running a daily series with links to stories of interest from the AFC West and from the NFL in general. A good way to get to know the rivals a little bit better is by reading up on them and we have decided to help you out with some of that.

AFC WEST

Broncos:

The Denver Broncos are no fools when it comes to the players they have been adding to their team under GM John Elway. Now it has come time for them to start retaining some of their serious talent and it all begins with their top receiver Demaryius Thomas who has been offered a new 5-year deal.

Demayrius Thomas gets 5-year offer - ESPN

Speaking of all the talent those pesky Broncos have, Mile High Report has an interesting breakdown of their position battles too.

What''s trending? Broncos positional battles - Mile High Report

Chiefs:

The Kansas City Chiefs have an interesting battle themselves going on about whether or not to retain the services of QB Alex Smith beyond this season. He has been pretty good for them but he is asking for some serious coin on a long term deal. Whether or not he is worth that could depend on his relationship with WR Dwayne Bowe, and that relationship seems to be getting better.

Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe: Alex Smith like a brother-in-law - NFL.com

Someone who wont have to worry about his contract for awhile is 1st round selection Dee Ford. He has been the talk of camp for the Chiefs, so much so that he has invoked the names of Derrick Thomas and Von Miller in comparison for his pass rushing prowess.

Chiefs' Dee Ford was asked about Derrick Thomas, Von Miller Comparisons - Arrowhead Pride

Chargers:

The San Diego Chargers former coach Don Coryell is often referred to as Air Coryell for his introduction of one of the first high powered passing offenses in the NFL. He is often considered one of the biggest influences to today's NFL and so it is a bit of a shock that he is not a Hall of Famer yet. Interesting enough, one of San DIego's own bloggers has put forth some reasons for why the famous couch has not made the cut yet.

Does Don Coryell REALLY belong in the Hall of Fame? - Bolts from the Blue

After reading about a former Chargers coach you might be interested in the current one too. Mike McCoy had a pretty damn good rookie season as coach for San Diego and he is concentrating on changing the culture there as he moves forward in his career.

Mike McCoy shifts the Chargers culture - Bolts from the Blue

NFL

In sad news around the league, legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Chuck Knoll passed away this weekend. Even though he was a chief rival of the Raiders in the 70's and not much liked by fans of the Silver and Black, he was definitely still very much respected. He belongs with John Madden and Vince Lombardi in the conversation for who was the best coach in NFL history.  RIP Chuck Knoll.

Four-Time Super Bowl winner Chuck Knoll was his era's great underrated genius - Sports Illustrated

Last and definitely least, there is Johnny Football and the Cleveland Browns. The Browns took an odd approach this year after drafting the biggest celebrity in the 2014 NFL Draft. They took Johnny Manziel to be the face of the franchise, but then they proceeded to try and tame the beast that is Johnny Football. Cleveland coach Mike Pettine is trying to set the record straight on why they handled Johnny the way that they have.

Pettine defends Browns' handling of Johnny Manziel - NFL.com