Denver • Focused solely as he is on helping the Buffalo Bills end the NFL's longest current playoff drought at 14 years, Kyle Orton was in no mood to reflect on his time in Denver as he prepared to face his former team.
Asked how he looked at his three seasons with the Broncos, which included both the best year of his career in 2009 and his worst season two years later when he succumbed to Tebowmania, Orton demurred.
"I'm pretty happy. I've got some good friends back there," Orton said. "That's pretty much about it."
His five-minute conference call with Denver reporters came to an abrupt end when he was later asked what comes to mind when he thinks about Denver.
"The mountains," he replied, then added "See ya," and hung up.
This isn't Orton's first trip back to the Rockies. The Broncos granted him his release in 2011 when Tim Tebow leapfrogged him, and Orton quickly signed with Kansas City. He returned to Denver on New Year's Day to help the Chiefs beat Tebow and the Broncos 7-3 in a game that helped convince John Elway to pursue Peyton Manning three months later.
"I think Kyle Orton is very underrated," Broncos safety Rahim Moore said. "I think in Buffalo that he's found a home. They've given him chances to play, and he's been winning games for them."
Orton has gone 5-3 as Buffalo's starter, putting the Bills (7-5) on the cusp of their first non-losing season in a decade.
Saints' Payton, Ryan dismiss spats
Sean Payton wonders what people would say about his relationship with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan if they saw the Saints coaches digging candy out of a jar in Ryan's office while reviewing game video.
On the sideline, Payton and Ryan have been seen barking back and forth numerous times when the Saints' defense has been gashed. After a recent practice, it sounded as if the coaches were on a public relations campaign to make sure their partnership isn't unduly judged by their sometimes testy sideline relationship.
"I don't admire many people outside of my own family. But Sean's at the top of the list," said Ryan, son of former NFL coach Buddy Ryan and brother of current New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. "You know, people don't know Sean. They don't know this guy's a great father, a great man. He's genuine. He's the easiest guy in the world to work for because he's just good people And they see us, whatever, talking on the sideline. I mean, give me a break.
"The two best coaches in the league right now are Sean and Bill Belichick," Ryan continued. "I've been fortunate to work for both. And both of them have ripped my [rear end] on the sideline."
Ryan joined New Orleans in 2013, inheriting a defense that in 2012 had allowed an NFL-record 7,042 yards. In one season, Ryan improved the unit enough that it ranked fourth in yards allowed.
Packers CB questionable for Monday
Sam Shields' availability for Green Bay's game Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons is in question with the Packers cornerback yet to be cleared from a concussion.
Coach Mike McCarthy said he would give Shields "every opportunity" to play against the Falcons.
Shields was listed as questionable Saturday on the Packers' final injury report. The five-year veteran got hurt during last week's win over New England.
McCarthy said that once Shields is cleared, the coaching staff must still determine if he's ready.
The Packers are deep at cornerback, though they wouldn't mind having Shields back after Atlanta gained 500 yards against Arizona last week.
The Falcons might also get veteran wideout Roddy White back from a sore ankle. He returned to practice on a limited basis Saturday.
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