ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Jack Del Rio only wanted to talk about the Cowboys, not the Trojans. In his first for-the-record comments since his names been bandied about as a possible replacement for Lane Kiffin at USC, Del Rio declined Thursday to address speculation he might return to his alma mater. Asked if hed been contacted by USC, the Denver Broncos defensive co-ordinator said, "No. No. No, theres nothing to speak on that subject. Im really here to talk about the Cowboys and our preparation in getting ready for them." That was it. No outright denial of interest. No reiteration that hes committed to seeing this thing through in Denver. Thats how his players see it, though. "We feel like hes going to be here," safety David Bruton said. "We have a great thing going here and weve definitely thrived under his tutelage, so it cant be anything we worry about." The Broncos (4-0), owners of the NFLs stingiest run defence, visit Dallas (2-2) this weekend. Kiffin was fired Sunday and replaced by interim coach Ed Orgeron, but Del Rios name quickly rose to the top of the rumour mill as a potential replacement because of his ties to USC, where he was an All-American linebacker in the 1980s and also teammates with Mark McGwire and Randy Johnson on the Trojans baseball team. There was even an erroneous sighting of Del Rio at LAX Sunday night that set Twitter abuzz, which Broncos coach John Fox got a big kick out of, seeing how he was sitting across from him at a Denver steakhouse celebrating their big win over the Eagles. Earlier this week, Fox said Del Rio, who is under contract through February, was "definitely qualified" for the USC position but was focused on his current job. Asked whether hed allow Del Rio to pursue the position if hes interested, Fox demurred, saying: "Ive seen plenty of job openings in my life in football. Like always, there are 8,000 candidates. Any point that it gets serious and potential, well keep you posted." Although it generally works the other way around, there is precedent for NFL coaches going to the college ranks. Bill OBrien finished out his contract as the New England Patriots offensive co-ordinator before going to Penn State last year. In 2007, Bobby Petrino resigned as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after 13 games to become Arkansass head coach. Del Rio joined Foxs staff in Denver last year after serving as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-11, and the Broncos had the leagues No. 2 defence last year. By returning to Denver this year, he became the first Broncos defensive co-ordinator to serve consecutive seasons since Larry Coyer in 2006. Without having to learn a new scheme, Denvers defenders built upon that foundation and have served as productive partners to Peyton Mannings high-powered offence. The Broncos are outscoring opponents by an average of 45-23 and theyve won 15 straight regular-season games by seven or more points, the second-longest streak behind the 1941-42 Bears (16). Del Rio has done a deft job of keeping the Broncos rolling without their two superstars. All-Pro linebacker Von Miller is serving a six-game drug suspension and perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey (foot) missed the first month of the season. Keep this up and Del Rios name could surface for any number of head coaching jobs in the NFL this off-season. "Thats just the nature of the business," Bruton said. "You expect change and if theres not change, its a great thing." Chatter about Del Rios potential candidacy at USC apparently stops at the locker room door, though. "We dont think or talk about stuff like that," defensive end Robert Ayers said. "Were in the here and now. Thats where he is, thats where we are." Del Rios style is a big hit with the Broncos, Ayers said: "I think hes a great NFL defensive co-ordinator. Hes proven that over his long time here as a great defensive mind in the pro game. And heck, weve done nothing but improve each year. So, his resume speaks for itself." Bruton said that while Del Rio hasnt addressed the USC speculation directly with the players, he certainly doesnt seem distracted at all, and neither do the players. "We know its a business. We know that hes going to take care of it professionally, whatever the situation may bring," Bruton said. "His top priority, and hes definitely shown it, is us." Notes: LB Danny Trevathan was a full participant at practice 24 hours after being carted off the field with a knee injury. ... WR Eric Decker (ankle) returned to practice. ... K Matt Prater was limited with a right calf injury. Leighton Baines and James McCarthy are back in contention for Everton when they host Premier League strugglers Swansea City on Saturday. Everton will be looking to bounce back from their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea before the international break at Goodison Park against a Swansea side without a league win in 10 games.Bob Bradley is still without a victory as Swansea boss but he will be boosted by the news Nathan Dyer returns to the squad after recovering from ankle surgery. Team newsGareth Barry misses out as he serves a one-match suspension, but the Toffees can call on Idrissa Gueye again as his own ban now complete. Gareth Barry is suspended for Evertons crash with Swansea For the visitors, Dyer, who has featured only once in the Premier League this season, returned to full training this week after two months out and is set for a place on the bench at Goodison Park.Jefferson Montero has been given the all clear to play with a cast on his broken hand, but the Ecuador winger might be given extra time to recover fully after only returning to training on Thursday. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price OptaDespite securing their best Premier League start in 38 years with 13 points from their opening five games, Everton appear to have slumped, winning just one of their last seven games in all competitions.Star striker Romelu Lukaku has scored 12 goals from his last 12 appearances for club and country, including an 11-minute hat-trick at Sunderland in September Evertons Romelu Lukaku has scored 12 times in his last 12 matches for club and country Gareth Barry sits in third place when it comes to career Premier League appearances. He has made 606 to his name, with only Ryan Giggs (632) and Frank Lampard (609) having played more.Swansea are currently on their worst run without a Premier League victory, failing to secure a win from 10 games. Highlights - Swansea 1-3 Manchester Utd They bagged just five points from their opening 11 games in their worst ever start to the league,Six home PL games - only Sunderland (1) have won fewer at home.dddddddddddd Not won any of last seven home PL games.The Swans are without a win in seven home games in all competitions this season, losing five. Bob Bradley is still looking for his first win as Swansea boss Mersons predictionI cant see anything but an Everton win here. I know they got a good hiding at Chelsea, but if Chelsea keep playing like that, a lot of teams will be on the end of that.But Swansea are struggling. I like Bob Bradley, and Paul Williams has just come in to help him out, but is that a Bob Bradley appointment? Its a bit of a strange one for me.I think Everton will get back on track here with a comfortable win.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 Highlights - Chelsea 5-0 Everton BettingEverton are Sky Bets 3/5 favourites for the victory, with Swansea up against odds of 17/4 while the draw is priced at 3/1.Romelu Lukaku is the clear favourite in the first goalscorer betting at 3/1 and is 6/5 to net in a Toffees win, while Gylfi Sigurdsson, Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston are all tied at the head of Swanseas side of the market at 9/1 apiece.Everton v Swansea is part of this weekends Soccer Saturday Super 6 line-up, with £250,000 up for grabs. Enter your predictions here.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! ' ' '