defending champion having snatched victory in a play-off after a m

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Long snapper Thomas Gafford wasnt ready for retirement. So the veteran of eight NFL seasons kept in shape and snapped twice a week this season with some buddies in Houston while waiting for another chance.That opportunity came in Denver, where he flew on Thanksgiving Day for a tryout. The Broncos needed a temporary replacement for Casey Kreiter, who strained a calf earlier in the week.Its a funny league, man. I went into this season committing to myself that I was going to stay ready for anything at any time. So, it happened at any time, Gafford said Friday after his first practice. Ive been working hard to stay ready, and Im confident Ill step in and do well.Gafford will snap for punter Riley Dixon and kicker Brandon McManus on Sunday when the Broncos (7-3) face the Chiefs (7-3), one of his former teams.His job security beyond that is anybodys guess. Coach Gary Kubiak has characterized Kreiter as day to day and said he didnt think hed be sidelined for several weeks like tight end Virgil Green and tackle Donald Stephenson were earlier this season.To make room for Gafford, the Broncos waived second-year nose tackle Darius Kilgo. The rotational mainstay had played in all but one game this year to go with a dozen games, including the playoffs, as a rookie.Kilgo, a former sixth-round draft pick out of Maryland, had five tackles this season. The Broncos are crossing their fingers that another team doesnt claim him off waivers before they have the chance to bring him back.Earlier in the week, the Broncos waived cornerback Taurean Nixon to make room for wide receiver Marlon Brown, and this latest move left them with an odd-looking roster that includes two long snappers, just five defensive linemen and seven wide receivers.Those rosters are week to week this time of year, Kubiak said.The Broncos decided to risk exposing Kilgo on waivers rather than have fifth-year defensive end Billy Winn, whos only snapped in practice, fill in.The moves also show faith in defensive end Derek Wolfes health. He returned to practice this week after missing just one game with a fractured right elbow and sticking around during the bye week to work on his physical conditioning.He looks really good, Kubiak said. Weve been going with five (defensive linemen on game days) anyway here lately.Kubiak noted that special teams coach Joe DeCamillis was familiar with Gafford, who played for the Chiefs from 2008-14 and split last season with the Bears (11 games) and Raiders (three games).So, a lot of work catching him up today, Kubiak said, but he did a good job and hell make up some more ground tomorrow.Gafford said hes busy learning blocking schemes and studying film to learn about his fellow linemen. But he said the easy part was getting to know his holder and kicker and the way they like having the ball snapped.I think weve probably got it down, even after one day, Gafford said. I think well do well together.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Cheap MLB Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Colorado Rockies Jerseys . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. http://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-todd-helton-jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Cheap Rockies Jerseys .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2.Rich Beem believes Rickie Fowler can bounce back from his Quail Hollow disappointment and mount a serious title defence at this week’s Players Championship. Fowler took a one-shot lead into the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship, but ended two strokes back in tied-fourth after a disappointing two-over 74 on Sunday.James Hahn went on to claim a play-off victory over Robert Castro at the first extra hole, while Fowler was left to settle for a seventh top-10 finish in 11 worldwide starts during 2016. Fowler and Rory McIlroy both finished the week on seven under The world No 5 heads to TPC Sawgrass this week as defending champion having snatched victory in a play-off after a memorable finale last time around, and Beem fully expects Fowler to contend again.He was in contention going to Sunday but didnt have his best stuff, Beem told Sky Sports. He has to clean that up a little bit, but you have to feel excited for him becaause he is starting to come into form.ddddddddddddThis time last year was when he really blossomed and won the Players Championship and youve got to like his chances. TPC Sawgrass 17th hole has produced a number of memorable moments through the years Hes very confident and you can see that in the way he talks and walks; everything he does just exudes confidence.Id have a hard time betting against him, but I also have a long laundry list of players I couldnt bet against, so it should make for an exciting week.Click on the video above to hear more from Rich Beems TPC Sawgrass preview with Sarah Stirk Watch the Players Championship throughout week from May 12-15 live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf Also See: Recap: Fowler wins thriller 2015 Sawgrass highlights Ewen: Splendid Sawgrass Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '