Hello Broncos Country! Oh my goodness, how exciting has free agency been?! There have been so many interesting trades, and I think Coach McDaniels and the Broncos organization have been doing an awesome job! McDaniels is really getting down to business and making this offseason count! Free Agency officially started on February 27, and from about the first minute, the Broncos started making big plays.
Let’s start off with a rundown of who we’ve acquired so far. I don’t know about you guys, but sometimes I lose track of all the new signings, because there is just so much news coming from every team! So let’s start from the beginning! Our first acquisition was Brian Dawkins from the Philadelphia Eagles, who signed a 2-year contract. Dawkins is a powerhouse safety and has been selected to the Pro Bowl seven times – this is just what our defense needs! The day after signing Dawkins, the Broncos added three more unrestricted free-agents to the roster: Correll Buckhalter, Jabar Gaffney, and Lonie Paxton. Buckhalter is a running back, who also comes from the Philadelphia Eagles. Gaffney is a wide receiver from the New England Patriots, and Paxton is a long snapper, also from the Patriots (so I’m guessing Coach knows a few secrets about these two!!)
Immediately after hearing the announcements of the signings, I simply had to find out a little more about these new players that will be sporting our fabulous orange and blue this fall. And after reading up on them, I am so excited to see what they are going to produce on the field! They are all talented, experienced players of the highest caliber. Buckhalter comes to Denver for his ninth season, having played the first eight with the Eagles. And last season, he played 14 of the 16 games. Gaffney joins Denver in his eighth season, previously playing for New England and the Houston Texans. Gaffney had playing time in all 16 games in 2008, and in 2007, he appeared in every game, assisting the team in reaching the first 16-0 record in NFL history — sounds good to me!! Paxton, also from the Patriots, will join the Broncos for his 10th season. He played 155 games for the Patriots, helping the team win three Super Bowls, six division titles and eight winning seasons out of the nine years he was there. And he has not missed a game in the last five seasons — now that’s a dedicated player!
After signing three offensive players, the Broncos switched their focus to the defensive side of the ball the next day, adding three more players. Andra Davis, linebacker from the Cleveland Browns, will be joining us as he enters his eighth season in the league. Renaldo Hill, safety from the Miami Dolphins, will be in his ninth season as he becomes a Bronco. And Darrell Reid, defensive tackle from Indianapolis, comes to Denver in his fifth year, spending his first four season with the Colts.
But the signings don’t stop there! The next day, the Broncos added two more noteworthy players to the list of acquired free agents: Andre’ Goodman and Ronnie Fields. Goodman is a cornerback who played for the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions. Fields is a defensive tackle from the San Francisco 49ers who joins the Broncos after spending his first four years with the 49ers. And good news here – he played under Mike Nolan, who is now our defensive coordinator!!
And sending the free agent count into double digits, LaMont Jordan becomes the 10th player to be signed by the Broncos in less than a week! Jordan spent three years with the Raiders, four with Jets and last year in New England, making him another new player who is familiar with McDaniels’ system.
Well that sure is an impressive list! I am very excited about all of our new acquisitions, and I think they will bring a very important aspect to the Broncos that we have been lacking – veteran leadership. The Broncos are a young team that is tremendously talented and exceptionally strong. The young energy on the team is most definitely a huge factor in the future success of the Broncos. But with this energy and passion, a team must also have a nucleus of experience and knowledge. When combined, these two dimensions create a perfect balance –- a balance that, throughout history, has been a characteristic of all teams who have achieved truly monumental success. The players we have attained in free agency thus far are all highly respected in their positions, each bringing to the Broncos their own wisdom and leadership and each helping to create that perfect balance here in Denver. I believe all of these players will play a pivotal role in the 2009 season and will be a great complement to Cutler, Marshall, Royal, and many others who make up the young core of this team. I cannot wait to see all the progress this offseason and watch how all of these players work together to become a powerful and motivated team.
I’m sure there will be much more news to come with the rest of free agency, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! What are all of your thoughts on the next moves we should make???
Have a wonderful day!!
Tags: 2009, Free Agency, Romi Bean, Uncategorized
I agree with Denwu, we’re sure to see some big plays from Buckhalter this year. We had a few of our own last year, but I think we’re in really good shape picking him up. Hopefully we can stay healthy this year.
Like 2champ4pickSIX said,
“Remember who our coach is guys, came from NE (SPREAD OFFENSE) the one we based our’s off of last year cuz Cutler liked it so much! They use a lot of 4 WR sets, TE’s to block and HB to catch out of the backfield, FB to run block as well as catch out of the backfield.”
I can’t wait to see some of our new offensive plays. It’s expected that we’re supposed to pass alot, so I really hope Hillis has more than a supporting role. I hope he’s healthy and ready for a big year. “Honky Tonk” is going to tear it up! I also think Buckhalter is going to shine. He picks up lots of extra yards from making great moves. We need to get more consistent on getting our first downs. Throwing 50yd bombs and scoring right away is great, but it just sends the defense right back out. They need to rest and we need to control the clock.
It’s going to be important to get some solid defensive picks in the draft. Dawkins will prove to be the energetic mentor we’ve been looking for, but for only a handful of years at most. It would be nice to get some young defensive guys in here that will learn from him, grow with our system, and actually stick around for a long time.
Go Broncos!!! Go Broncos Cheerleaders!!!
To: slicvic12- I won’t make that mistake again.lol
Here’s for a huge new contract for Jay Cutler… just to assure us and Jay of the team’s good faith. McCoach has blundered so far, lets see if he can get it right on Wednesday.
I predict Cutler in Denver for his whole career will bring Championships… unless McCoach continues to screw relations up with his best players (not to mention his fans).
I have always been loyal to my Denver Broncos. This (whole saga) is the first time I have ever been this mad at a coach.
Mr. Bowlen, please don’t give the rookie (McRookie) too long a leash until he gets a few years under his belt.
Sincerely, Cutlerizer
I hear you slicvic12. I am just tired of people wanting Shanahan back. It’s time to move on and I, seem to be in the minority, am excited that McD is our coach.
I think the whole Cutler thing has been blown way out of proportion. I would’ve been very disappointed if the Cutler/Cassel deal went through. However, Cutler is a bit arrogant, which is OK, but it shows true insecurity 99% of the time. I don’t think he was a cry baby though which I’ve seen on every blog I’ve read, including Broncos fans.
If you heard the interview, he wasn’t whining or crying at all! He was very level headed and had a very good point. He was just saying that he was caught off guard and would be disappointed if he got traded because he liked playing here. He is NOT a cry baby in the least IMHO. Look at T.O. last year. That’s a cry baby. Getting thrown to 18 times in one game, having numerous key drops and then complaining about not getting the ball? Not even in the same league as Cutler.
Besides, McD claims these teams came calling to him, so why shouldn’t I believe him? There is no logical reason not to believe him. The HUGE question I have, which is hardly even talked about, is why did Belichick give Cassel and Vrabel up for only a 2nd round pick? That is crazy! Scott Pioli and he must have something going on and/or he is trying to make things tough on McD. Maybe he doesn’t want McD to have huge success because there is some animosity there for him leaving I don’t know. But getting only a 2nd round pick for those two players is VERY strange.
And L.T. isn’t done elwayfan7-98, mark my words. He has been fighting injuries the past two years. If he can get and stay healthy, he will once again be at the top. I don’t think he’s going to take a pay cut, and the Chargers’ offer is on the table. So there you have it. He could be going somewhere else.
I am hopeful that Buckhalter will lose the injury bug himself and get the chance to play to his potential because I agree with Denwu that he could be special.
If there’s anybody out there actually excited about this season and excited about McDaniels being our coach then please speak up because it sure seems that the majority of the fans, at least on the blogs, are very much against McD and I really don’t understand why.
Jay Cutler reportedly has a roster bonus of $12 million in 2011.
He also has a $4 million bonus next season, which is sure to be paid. The new Josh McDaniels Broncos will have two seasons worth of data to figure out if they truly believe Cutler is their franchise quarterback.
Source: ProFootballTalk
Im glad Mcdenver gave him a bonus but I wish we would of extended his contract.
The Bills just signed TO to a 1 year deal, im kinda surprised by this move
Here is our defense as of right now by position:
Safetys
Barrett, Josh S 6′ 2″ 225 24
Dawkins, Brian S 6′ 0″ 210 35
Fox, Vernon S 5′ 10″ 203 29
Hill, Renaldo S 5′ 11″ 205 30
Jones, Herana-Daze S 5′ 11″ 205 26
Cornerbacks
Bailey, Champ CB 6′ 0″ 192 30
Bell, Josh CB 5′ 11″ 177 23
Goodman, Andre’ CB 5′ 10″ 190 30
Moulton, Rashod CB 5′ 11″ 184 29
Williams, Jack CB 5′ 9″ 185 23
Linebackers
Bailey, Boss LB 6′ 3″ 232 29
Davis, Andra LB 6′ 1″ 250 30
Green, Louis LB 6′ 3″ 237 29
Haggan, Mario LB 6′ 3″ 263 28
Larsen, Spencer FB/LB 6′ 2″ 240 24
Moss, Jarvis LB 6′ 6″ 265 24
Williams, D.J. LB 6′ 1″ 240 26
Woodyard, Wesley LB 6′ 1″ 230 22
Defensive ends
DE Clemons, Nic 6′ 6″ 300 28 3rd yr
DE Powell, Carlton 6′ 3″ 300 23 2nd yr
DE Crowder, Tim 6′ 4″ 275 23 3rd yr
DE Peterson, Kenny 6′ 3″ 300 30 7th yr
DE Dumervil, Elvis 5′ 11″ 260 24 4th yr
DE McBean, Ryan 6′ 5″ 290 24
Nose Tackles
NT Fields, Ronnie 6′ 2″ 315 27 6th yr
NT Askew, Matthias 6′ 5″ 302 26 4th yr
NT Thomas, Marcus 6′ 3″ 305 23 3rd yr
NT Reid, Darrell 6′ 2″ 288 26
Some people I would like to see go:
Jones, Herana-Daze S 5′ 11″ 205 26
Green, Louis LB 6′ 3″ 237 29
DE Clemons, Nic 6′ 6″ 300 28 3rd yr
WE need to pick up a few DE and NT before the draft. I hope we focus on D-line during are first few picks of the draft.
What are your guys thoughts
I’m concerned about Boss Bailey’s durability issues. If he stays healthy, ok, but if he gets all banged up before the regular season this year (which seems likely based on last year), it may mean going a different direction.
I think we’re still missing something at linebacker.
The only certain starter is Williams.
I’m hopeful for big things from Larsen and Woodyard, but this might be a homer’s dream.
Hey Romi,
I got to see you on Channel 4 Sunday night (on the Sporty Show). Wow, you were great. Georgous, funny, knowledgeable - knowing you from your blogs none of that surprises me.
Congratulations on a great job.
Don
i absolutely love the moves…especially at running back! we will get to the bottom of this situation by bringing in so many guys that ONE of them has to be the guy!!!! you really cant miss with as many as we have….i love the fact that we got brian dawkins……we missed john lynch last year but i wouldn’t have that traitor on my team anyways…so what we lost lynch…we got brian dawkins instead so we didnt lose a step there at all…i like the fact we also signed Andre Davis! our linebackers are a bit thin though…i would like to see atleast 2 or 3 real good linebackers signed! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE DERRICK BROOKS COME TO DENVER! There are still a lot of REAL GOOD football players out there! just hoping denver can get some more talent on the defensive side of the ball in free agency….which brings me to another guy who could do some good maybe…D.J. HACKETT FROM THE PANTHERS! that would be GREAT signing him, if he wants to come here!!! with us missing marshall for what might be half the year…..if we’re lucky it might be less….i think he would be a Great number 3 or so..
Nice job Romi…although i think you were just typing what someone else had written…it still takes some talent to type!!! j/k
The starting safeties should be Josh Barrett because he has the size and speed out of all the broncos safeties, and Brian Dawkins should also be the starting safety.
OK i’m pissed. Yes its about cutler. Ive been a broncos fan as long as i can remember and if cutler goes so do I. Bowlen hasn’t taken into account his losses from this deal. Both in lost fans and revenues. you can call me a fair weather fan but its in Cutler i trust, not McDaniel. so i may be wearing a different jersey come the fall, just like my boy. and i’m proposing a boycott until the top brass has appeased cutler. and publicly stated that he is the future of the organization. Whos with me!!!!!!!!! Cutler fan for life.
Romi, you sure named your artical right “Free Agency Frenzy” b/c it has been one weather anyone wanted it or not.
Romi,
I don’t know where you stand in the Cutler saga, but hopefully you want him to remain in Denver. It would be great if you could support that cause by signing my petition to keep him here. Please forward to the other girls on the team and to the players as well if you have their contact info. Thanks for a great blog, you are awesome!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Cutler/index.html
Hi Romi,
I didn’t realise that you beautiful ladies were back on site.
Love your succinct and comprehensive blog on free agency. I don’t know but I just feel the energy and excitement in the way you write.
However I find it difficult to get too excited by all these changes because we still have the draft to come and even then nothing is ever set in concrete until the Coach makes his final roster pick. On top of that last year we got so many injuries that all our plans went scew wiff. What if all the running backs end up on injured reserve again?
I have to say that the first excitement I get from the new season is the cheerleader auditions. There is something extra-special about cheerleaders. I think you all set such high standards and act as great role models.
So good luck at the auditions Romi,
best wishes,
Rex
Hi Romi,
It was great to see that you will be on the squad again this year. Like most of your pen pals, I had voted for you on line and had little doubt you would be on the squad. Still, I can imagine it’s really tough competition with so many wonderful girls and I’m sure it’s a relief for you to have the auditions over with. So congratulations to you and the other 25 girls on this year’s team.
I’m hoping to get a chance to see you at FanFare and just wondered if there will be any photo ops / chances for autographs there.
Hope you’re getting some well deserved R&R and look forward to hearing from you.
Don