Alive! » Toronto manager said the current injury is something t

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos coach John Fox returned to work Monday, four weeks after open-heart surgery, his newfound energy matching his renowned enthusiasm. "I feel tremendous. As my surgeon said, I had a valve that was the size of a pinhead and now its the size of a 50-cent piece," Fox said. "Obviously, the doctors feel good about me getting back to work. I actually would have preferred to be back sooner, but there was a pretty hard deadline of four weeks post-surgery and I honoured that and here I am." Truth is, Fox has been telecommuting for weeks. As soon as he was released from the hospital after having his aortic valve repaired, a surgery he had hoped to put off until after the Super Bowl, Fox set up a sort of command centre at his off-season home in Charlotte, N.C., some 200 yards from the spot on the golf course where he fell ill on Nov. 2 during the Broncos bye. Not only was he in daily contact with defensive co-ordinator Jack Del Rio, who guided the Broncos (10-2) to three wins in four games during in his absence, but Fox was also in constant communication with his captains, including quarterback Peyton Manning, over the toughest stretch of Denvers season. Fox was able to keep track of his team on his big-screen TV on game days and on his iPad play book, watching cut-ups of practices and helping to formulate game plans. "Other than that I was in another state, (it was) much the same as what I would have done in my office at Dove Valley," Fox said. "I want to be careful how I say that. I was involved, just like everybody in this building is involved. Like I said, its not one guy. Its a team. And its a lot of people doing their job. As I mentioned before, its a tribute to the staff and the players that did a tremendous job as I went on the longest bye week in history." Del Rio maintained his defensive play-calling duties while he was interim head coach and he allowed offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase to continue calling plays for Manning & Co. Fox admitted there were times he cringed at the play-calling while watching the games on TV. "In fairness, a couple times," he said, chuckling. "But Im sure a lot of people do the same thing when Im doing that. Its just part of the game." Fox and his wife, Robin, flew home on team owner Pat Bowlens jet on Wednesday and at Del Rios suggestion he visited with the team on Thanksgiving morning, then watched from his home in Denver as the Broncos beat the Chiefs 35-28 Sunday at Kansas City to take charge of the AFC West. Executive Vice-President John Elway presented Del Rio with a game ball afterward. "It was special to have John Elway recognize the things I did," Del Rio said, "but I basically want to say that is just a representation of what we all did. It wasnt about me; it was a collective effort of all the players, coaches, trainers, equipment guys that had to pull together in Coach Foxs absence." On Monday, Fox drove into work and was greeted by hugs and handshakes. Players said he flashed that famous smile all day long. "I had open-heart surgery and watching those games was harder than any pain I felt during that rehab," Fox said. "He stood up there in front of us in the team meeting and told us he feels better than ever," tight end Joel Dreessen said. Fox said he lost 10 pounds, and "Im actually in better shape now than I was a month ago." He said he has no restrictions, but isnt going to push it, either. "Yeah. Im going to be smart," he said. "If all of a sudden I cant hold my eyes open, Im going to go home. Like I said, the last three weeks, Ive been operating pretty much like I did the first eight games of the season. Its not like Im moving furniture or doing roofs. I sit somewhere and watch football." Hes not sure yet whether hell coach from the booth or the sideline Sunday when the Broncos host Tennessee (5-7). "Im going to see how I feel. I havent been to a practice yet. But it wont make a big difference. Im in communication with everybody whether theyre in the press box or on the field," Fox said. Adidas Nmd Shoes On Sale . Following the Ford Womens World Curling Championship gold medal match that attracted record-breaking audiences to TSN, the networks exclusive live coverage of the tournament begins Saturday at 7am et/4am pt with Canadas opening draw against Denmark. Wholesale Adidas Nmd . - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin has cleared league-mandated concussion protocol and has returned to practice as a full participant. http://www.discountadidasnmd.com/ . Manager Ryan Nelsen has confirmed Brazilian No. 1 Julio Cesar will be rested for Wednesdays first leg of the semifinal. That opens the door for Bendik, who started 33 games for Toronto last season. 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With Jimenez having undergone Tommy John surgery on the same elbow last season, the Toronto manager said the current injury is something that "gets your attention." "Well see. We dont know how bad it is," Gibbons said before Saturdays game against Kansas City at Rogers Centre. "His nerve flared up on him. Hes had some history so we just have to see how bad that iis .dddddddddddd.. hopefully its just a day or two and he can come up here." Jimenez appeared in eight games with the Bisons this season, hitting .233 with a double and a walk, after being promoted from double-A New Hampshire two weeks ago. In 50 games with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Jimenez hit .283 with a .324 on-base percentage. Gibbons said Mike Nickeas will most likely be the fall-back guy if Jimenez cant make the trip. Nickeas, a Vancouver native, has played 57 games with the Bisons this season, hitting .164 with a .255 OBP. Over 73 career big-league games with the New York Mets, Nickeas has 31 hits, 19 RBIs and two home runs. Gibbons also said that relievers Dustin McGowan and Steve Delabar, who were placed on the disabled list in early August, were expected to join the team when rosters expand. ' ' '