John Leyba, The Denver Post)
After a blockbuster trade fizzled, all 6 feet, 7 inches and 311 pounds of star offensive tackle Joe Thomas could cast the long shadow of what-if on the Broncos from here to the Super Bowl.
With the clock ticking down on quarterback Peyton Manning's brilliant career and nobody certain how many more NFL seasons 71-year-old franchise owner Pat Bowlen will live to see, it must of have been extremely difficult to walk away from a deal with Cleveland for Thomas, an eight-time Pro Bowler who plays the Broncos' greatest position of need.