Broncos Install 'Holliday Rule' for Dynamic Return Man and Other AFC West News

Trindon Holliday has two return touchdowns in the last two weeks. The first was a 105-yard kickoff return touchdown and the second was a 76-yard punt return touchdown that should have been a touchback.

Holliday prematurely flipped the ball out of his hand prior to crossing the goal line on the punt return after nearly doing the same thing on his kick return touchdown. The replay official erred when he did not initiate an instant replay review.

The Broncos are now installing what Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post calls the “Holliday rule,” which requires Holliday to bring the ball back to the sideline and hand it to special-teams coach Jeff Rodgers. If Holliday finds his way to the end zone again this season, it’s a safe bet he’ll get across the goal line before his celebratory flip.

Elvis Dumervil is out this week (and potentially longer) with what the Broncos are calling a strained shoulder that is not torn, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Linebacker D.J. Williams returned to the Broncos on Monday (per Klis) and if he can’t help make up for the loss of Dumervil, the Broncos might need a few more Holliday return touchdowns just so Peyton Manning doesn’t have to wind himself.

Other AFC West News

Oakland

Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times reports that the Raiders aren’t planning on making wholesale changes during the season, according to Dennis Allen.

Paul Gutierrez of CSN Bay Area says the Raiders’ problem on defense is a lack of consistency.

Kansas City

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says the Chiefs discovered a new way to fail on Monday night.

Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star says that the points the Chiefs lost due to penalties came back to haunt the Chiefs.  

Covitz also reports that quarterback Brady Quinn has been cleared to return to action.

San Diego

Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego says the Chargers’ biggest game of the season this Sunday is preceded by the low point of the season for the team.

Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego says the Chargers are irked by their inability to finish games.