The Broncos have signed outside linebacker/defensive end Baraka Atkins to a future contract. He will be officially added to Denver’s roster at the conclusion of the 2009 NFL season in February.
A fourth-year defensive end out of the University of Miami, Atkins entered the league as a fourth-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2007 NFL Draft. He was with Seattle from 2007-08, totaling 28 tackles and two sacks in 21 games. The 25-year-old was on the 49ers’ active roster in 2009, but did not appear in a game.
As a member of the Hurricanes, Atkins played in 49 games, totaling 45 starts, 175 tackles (84 solo), 18 sacks and nine pass breakups.
– Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Baraka Atkins, Future Contract
gives nolan another toy
lets see what he can do…
Do you think he ever played Mortal Kombat???
“Finish Him”
“Baraka Wins”
“Fatality”
this is good our d is gonna improve a lot!!
cant wait for nest season!!
I absolutely love this pick up. Im a huge Miami hurricanes fan and Atkins was one of those guys that you could always count on to be where he needed to be on very play. He’s had a under the radar career but he does have the chance to break out.
Solid back up, I love our linebackers Doom, DJ Tacklin Machine, Mario and Andra Davis, love them all solid linebacking core….I just want to see a studd punter in 2010, and a solid every game returner and line to get sured up in the draft or free agency….our team is solid, only going to improve from here on out. Lets turn knocking on the door to walking through the door (e.g. playoffs) Go Broncos!
24 champbailey, d.j. 55, Bdawk20, are you guys for real? This guy didn’t even play a single down all of last year while active on the Niners roster, and what a great pick up this is…. I guess just any news will excite you… how weird…
brian, about your last post on the previous blog, I was thinking something along the same line when thinking about the folks who are upset at Turner and Dennison leaving for Washington and Houston respectively. This is absolutely normal in the NFL, it’s called loyalty, both those guys come from the Shanahan coaching tree and are simply rejoining their ranks, one with Shanny, one with long time Shanny’s right arm Kubiak. In the same loyalty, to the Belicheck coaching tree, McD has brought a lot of N-E players along and probably a few more coaches and players will follow suit as they become available. Of course when free agency will come along, Shanahan will contact us about some of our players availibility, and there is nothing wrong with that, it’s not stabbing you in the back, it’s just loyalty, it’s not the Denver Patriots, or the Washington Broncos, it’s just the way the NFL functions, with loyalty, like a family would, these Belicheck and Shanahan eras have lasted so long and produced so much they have sprout many offsprings and they stick together. In a way I think it’s refreshing to see loyalty can still have a place in the NFL.
Yea and Tom Brady sat on the bench behind Drew Bledsoe. So whats your point baylinorcrush?
baylin….maybe he could be a good pickup? I like the optimism of the guys above though! The more I think to the draft the more I watch film of McClain and Cody. Even though Cody is a force he seems to slow down in the 4th Quarter. I still like him and he is one heck of a NT but I dont think his ethic will cut it in McD land. McClain is an awesome ILB and he does all things well including stopping the run. I think he would make a great addition opposite DJ in the middle. Watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miJwMCgaxKo. There is a part two which focuses on coverage skills too. I like what I see.
There are also a few mocks that have Chad Jones FS from LSU coming to us in the 2nd round. I like the selection because Jones is a great coverage safety, can blitz, is a great tackler, and is very powerful. He also can pitch too (not that is relevant but one of a few people that has a NCAA championship ring in FB and baseball). He also returns punts too. Would be a great pickup and could learn from Dawkins, Hill, Champ, and Goodman.
yeah I dont see where this guy is a huge pick up, looks like were adding depth, and why is everybody hating on the punter, if our team is losing because of a punter we have bigger issues, like idk a quarterback that cant really threaten anybody deep or a running game that is inconsistant and has hard time converting on 3rd and short or the new fad of the madden era in the nfl of 4th and short,
d.j.55 – I think that what he means is a LB that doesnt get any reps or any game time (not even on special teams) usually is not going to be a starter or even second string. This guy most likely will end up on practice squad or special teams if he is lucky. Yes Brady sat on bench behind Bledsoe but there is only one Qb and they dont play special teams.
Come on people lets be positive about this. The Hurricanes have produced very productive players. Maybe the reason why this kid didint start was because he was playing for a defense that already had stout players. He plays LB and DE wich fits McD. I mean signing this guy cant make us any worse can it? I dont recall us having a standout DE so lets give this guy a chance.
As for the draft…. lets get McClain. He really is the smartest pick for us. Great skills and a leader!!!!!
As for that comment about the safety from LSU I highly doubt we’ll draft a saftey after we took 2 last year, and both show a lot of promise.
I would prefer us to take either an OL like that one guy I keep hearing about Itapi or something.
I read on footballsfuture.com that Leon Washington is going to be a FA. It’d be a great pickup.
Give me your oppinions please.
FOREEVER A BRONCOS FAN!!!!!!!
I’m for anything that works. I think Mike Nolan took a mess and worked a miracle this season with the defense so I’m going to trust his judgement and his eye. He drafted Patrick Willis for the 49ers who is a stud. Elvis set the Broncos single season sack record this year with Nolan as the boss. I’m for whatever helps us win. That’s it. The Tom Brady comment is true. I’m not saying this new linebacker guy is Tom Brady but….he might be what we need. Ray Lewis wasn’t always the man in Baltimore either. Niether was Rod Smith, Eddy Mac, T. Davis, Shannon Sharpe and they worked out well for us.
We need a DE/OLB to compliment Doom on the opposite side, trust me this is not it, this is ST material as Cody rightfully said, even if he played opposite side of Doom you think teams would pay him enough respect to single block Doom, didn’t think so. There is nothing wrong with cheerleading, guys, but I don’t have to buy into it is all, I’m trying to be realistic about this, are you guys the same guys who thought we might go all the way this year? Probably. I said 8-8, what did you say?
We definately need some depth at DL,I say we need a NT then a DE/OLB,our run defense isn’t very good.I like Cody,if he loses about 30 or 40 pounds.
What do you think about this McNabb to Denver rumor??? That would be interesting.
Now, that’s WAY more exciting than this guy. LOL.
If Dan Williams DT -Tennessee falls to the 2nd round he would be a steal 6’2 320 pounds and he don’t fall off in the 4th qtr,I’ve seen him play he’s a beast.
Is Baraka going to pan out?????if so he could be a compliment to Doom on the other side.I for one don’t know anything about him.
Actually dont think this is a bad pick up….sure its not a blockbuster deal but im a firm believe that a different team and system can give a player with potential some room to grow…he might just compliment what we do…and maybe he is good in coverage and slacking in other territoes…point is, the more additions the better…maybe the best man win…at least they are looking for some youth….and while Ayers was a dissapointment in his rookie season…I have a feeling he will be much better…and McBath was my fave addition last year….I believe he is the future of our safety core after Dawk and Hill go.
The problem with this is that, he looks undersized which will make him a OLB, maybe special teams, not a possible future DE for us. We need size and even if this guy had potential to be great, it would be in LB not on the Line and we need help desperately on the line…..
I also love me some Hurricane Defenders…lets hope he has the potential to be like DJ….u never know…Many thought Cedric Benson was a bust lol
I would say its a decent pick up, Atkins has a very good size for a DE and average speed but I don’t think he would make a great OLB.
he is
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight: 268 lb
We gonna need way bigger especially with only 3 on the line. Even Kenny Peterson is 300 lbs….and i dont see him going anywhere since he and mcd are close or w/e
anyone heard the rumor going around…marshall to the seahawks for dion branch and draft picks? anyone wanna chime in on this one?
better be a number 1 and two or three
I think some of us don’t know what the roles of the NTs and DEs in a 3-4 defense are. with the exception of the NT name a superstar DE in a 3-4 defense…not too many right? it’s because they are role players, their job is to hold the line of scrimmage not so much to pass rush and stop the run. basically their job is to keep the oline off the LBs who are more athletic and can make the plays. thats why you see a ton of sacks by LBs in a 3-4 system and not so many by the d-line, where as in a 4-3 system LBs are in coverage more often then not and the DL gets the sacks. this guy is a perfect fit for a LB in the 3-4 system. they need to be a bit more stout than LBs in a 4-3 system.
marshall to seahawks for branch and picks? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
That better be with 2 number 1s, 2 number 2s and a number 3 pick. Branch is OLD and declining. No thank you. I would rather trade Marshall to the Redskins for Haynesworth and picks and Redskins eat some of his salary
they we’re saying we would basically be offering Marshall at a steal just to be rid of him…i don’t see why we don’t just franchise him and make a team that wants him give us 2 1st rnd. picks…we’d then trade both of those 1st rnd. picks to move up from #11 to #9 to get a “G” rated for the 4th rnd. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, man I hope we don’t botch this one.
emaldo, two weeks ago we were talking draft here and I said I thought Seattle would be one of the most interested team in Marshall, so we could trade him for their #6 pick and a third, then approach the Rams and give them those two picks for their #1 and we pick Suh. Crazy stuff, hey?
I would want someone who has the same size/athletics as Marshall and they’re only two other receivers that I like. Vincent Jackson(FA this year) or Larry Fitzgerald(I wish)
Other options we could sign: Miles Austin and Braylon Edwards who are both in the FA this year. Oh and the trouble maker TO is a FA too…..We can’t handle TO Jr doubt we could handle Sr.
Agreed with Cody, the trade should in no way, shape or form, include Branch, we have no need for him at all.
Even if we lose Marshall, WR position is not a priority, we need a running game after taking care of the D line. On my list of priorities, a tall WR was # 12…
… my list:
A LARGE NT to occupy the middle.
Two BIG DL to stop the run.
A sizable Center and
two BIG Guards to operate the power blocking scheme successfully.
Two STOUT power RB’s.
One DE/OLB to compliment the pass rush opposite of DOOM.
One ILB to stop the run.
One receiving TE with sure hands.
One TALL WR’s.
One full size CB (not a half pint like Phonzy).
Draft Terrance Cody. Sign either Seymour or Kampman out of FA. Attempt to sign Carlos Rogers(Redskins) OL there’s Jahri Evans and Logan Mankins. TE Owen Daniels. Ronnie Brown and Pierre Thomas both are restricted though. Quite a few big name WR in FA.
Basically just throwing out some names that in FA in baylino list.
Man you are quick on your feet, deify, impressive.
I’ve been looking at the 2010 FA so I remember a few names, forgot Vince Wilfork though.
BTW, Mike Bell is not restricted, they can keep Thomas and let go of Bell, I’d take him, Shanahan had a personality conflict with him, I sure don’t.
i always liked Bell but is he a McD type of guy though will be the question
Throwing another name onto the table: Darren Sproles a good “change up” RB plus an excellent returner.
I would believe so, he is 6′, 225lbs, and a downhill runner, would fit the power scheme real well and top that with the fact that he was not an old Shanny guy, he let him go, so no bad ties there.
Rather go all out for Cribbs.
Deify, since you mention “change up ” back, I’m going to say something that will probably make many here mad, but I think in the power scheme running game that we are now pretty sure to go to exclusively since Turner and Dennison are gone, Moreno might become that “change up” back. This will start a discussion. LOL.
we wont be able to get cribbs or sproles, cleveland would be stupid to trade cribbs, (he is under contract for 3 more seasons) san diego knows LT is getting old so they will keep sproles, Im still saying a qb if bradstrater is the career backup that we drafted him for and try to get a qb, sew up some o-line to help the short running game out and still tweak on the defense because it is old espically the secondary, and we gave up way too many rushing yards at the end of the year,
I agree with you, baylinorcrush, about Morino. Once the OL is rebuilt for the offense McDaniels want to run, I think Morino could become one of the premier backs in the league.
I think moreno will be a great back once he catches up to the speed of the nfl, it seemed like he was hestating to much in the backfield and waiting for the hole to develop instead of just hitting the line and trusting the that hole will be there and he is fast enough if he does need to break it outside he can, it just seemed like once he made the decision to finally hit the gap it would be filled by the time he got there, he didnt dance around and hesitate in college and that was what made him so dangerous
I also think a lot of folks will be surprised by Orton’s abilities once that OL has the right players for McDaniels’ offense.
Not down with any Marshall trades…
Shanny clashed with Mike Bell cuz he suffered from serious fumblelitis, and still put a couple on the turf this year not to mention injury prone
With dennison gone we are in a power system for good now. I still think Moreno can do good enough in a power system but with better plays and blocking…it wasnt so much what wells did but did u see the plays the called for him against GB top D….the flood gates opened…I blame the plays and blocking more than i do Moreno…anything Moreno got was cuz he faught for it himself…always sneaking under like 3 tacklers for extra yards….Ill never forget the spin he did when he was basically caught in the back field…the kid will be good…I believe it…Hightower isnt big but he runs well in ARI too…Beanie only got 18 pounds on Moreno…Moreno would sooooo kick ass in zone blocking tho….even clady who had only given up half a sack was given up a few…
I didn’t expect that kind of reply, CompUser, but I hope you are right and Moreno becomes one of the top backs in the league.
Cribbs does not want to play in Cleveland, plain and simple, contract or not, an unhappy player is always inches away from being traded, I’m going to keep an eye out on this one.
We need some more Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles We got Robert Ayers which is there for ever Sack you see Dumervil get dumervil is good haggan good Dj Excellent and Andre Davis is Good so we need to boost up the line the punter and get rid of Chris simms and move up Brandstater
The problem with Simms is the money, I guess all we can do is eat his contract, a la Shanny, nobody will want him. Bummer.
I’m a huge Bronco fan, but I don’t really analyze the games much, and don’t generally remember specifics plays like a lot of folks do. But I seem to recall several times watching Moreno that he seemed to be just on the edge of busting loose. It’s because of that, I think that with the right guys on the O line, he will get the blocking he needs, better holes will open and stay open longer, and he will have the speed and confidence to blast through them. But like I said, I don’t really study the game, I just watch it and enjoy it.