Denver Broncos will Focus on Defense in the brand new 2006-2007 NFL Football Season

Denver Broncos will need DEFENSE to survive the brand new 2006-2007 NFL football season.

Staring down at media members from a makeshift podium at the Broncos' Dove Valley headquarters, John Lynch metaphorically said he wants the same view when it comes to final NFL team defensive statistics this season.

The star safety believes the 2006 Broncos defense can be at the top of the heap.

''I've been on a No. 1 defense before (with Tampa Bay in 2002) and I think this team has the ability to do that this year,'' Lynch said.

Last season, the Broncos finished 15th in the 32-team NFL in total yards allowed per game (312.9), with their pass defense ranked 29th (227.7). The run defense finished second (85.2).

Lynch, 34, comes into his 14th season tanned and feeling as fit as he has in his NFL career. He played in every game last season for the first time in four years and believes he can do it again.

''Fitness is something I take a lot of pride in,'' Lynch said. ''I'm excited about this group, the way we've worked this entire offseason. Even in my 14th year, I'm looking forward to getting into training camp.''

The Broncos were the last NFL team to conduct their mini-camps, something Lynch said might work to their advantage.

''A typical schedule gives guys, essentially, a month off at the end (of mini-camp), and I think players like that. But I can understand where (Broncos coach Mike Shanahan) is coming from,'' Lynch said.

''This is a game where, if you're not doing it on a regular basis, it's out of sight, out of mind. I think it's smart to be playing football, not just to be working out, close to camp. This keeps it fresh in everyone's minds, and we'll come into camp, I think, sharper because of that.''

Can DEFENSE see the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl XLI? Here are more odds from Bodog on some NFL football teams and their odds to win the Super Bowl in Miami, Florida:

Denver Broncos 10/1

Dallas Cowboys 12/1

New England Patriots 8/1

Indianapolis Colts 6/1

Seattle Seahawks 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

New Orleans Saints ready for new NFL Season

The New Orleans Saints are ready for the brand new NFL Season.

All these started when the Saints named former Cowboys assistant Sean Payton new head coach last January. The first-time head coach has sent the message since then that there is a new sheriff in town by unloading dead weight.

For starters, he traded aging offensive tackle Wayne Gandy to the Falcons. Then he sent flop former first-round pick Johnathan Sullivan packing for New England due in part to the defensive tackle's lethargic approach to practicing. Given Payton's desire for a fresh start, we won't be surprised if he shows other veterans the door this summer.

The Saints had two other major additions during the offseason. First, they signed quarterback Drew Brees despite the fact that he underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason. Then they selected running back Reggie Bush in the entry draft back in April.

The Saints also picked up wide receiver David Patten via the trade with the Patriots, and signed former Rams backup Jamie Martin. Former Vikings running back Michael Bennett was added prior to the draft, but the addition of Bush will probably result in Bennett being traded.

Payton has done his best to fend off talk of a running back controversy between Bush and incumbent starter Deuce McAllister. However, McAllister is coming off a knee injury and you can be sure the coaching staff will be watching him very closely.

Payton continues to say both backs will be featured in the offense and hasn't offered much explanation as to as to how he intends to distribute the carries. Brees has looked good in mini camp workouts and was throwing 40-yard passes.

Of course, there is still concern any time a quarterback is trying to come back from surgery on his passing arm, so the battle for the primary backup job between Martin and Todd Bouman is one to pay attention to.

What will be the fate of these New Orleans Saints heading to the brand new NFL season? Can the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl this year? Bet on Bodog today.

Washington Redskins Safety, Sean Taylor, is Sued

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was sued by a man who said the NFL player brandished a gun and repeatedly hit him during a fight last June.

Ryan Hill filed the suit on June 27 in Miami Dade Circuit Court and is seeking $15,000 in damages from Taylor. The lawsuit states that Hill was bruised, incurred medical expenses and lost wages because of the fight.

Taylor, 23, reached a deal with prosecutors last month after they agreed to drop felony charges against him stemming from the fight. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in the assault case and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

An altercation broke out on June 1, 2005, after Taylor and some friends went looking for people who had allegedly stolen his all-terrain vehicles. Taylor struck Hill ''with his fists several times,'' and called him a thief. After the initial fight, Taylor left and returned to the scene with more friends and ''pointed an assault rifle'' at Hill, the lawsuit said.

''This is a useless, ridiculous lawsuit,'' Taylor's attorney Richard Sharpstein said Monday. ''Hill stole Sean's property. Hill baited him, lured him and suckered him into a fight.''

Calls placed to Hill's attorney, Leonardo Canton, were not immediately returned after hours Monday.

Taylor, a former University of Miami standout, signed a seven-year, $18 million contract with the Redskins after he was drafted in 2004. He has six interceptions and 120 tackles in two NFL seasons, but has become almost as well-known for his troubles.

Taylor has been fined seven times during his professional career for late hits and other infractions, including a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a January playoff game. He was also fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium.

Is this a bad omen to the rest of the Washington Redskins heading to the brand new NFL season? Can Sean Taylor lead the Washington Redskins win the Super Bowl this year? Bet on Bodog today.