When quarterback Caleb Hanie arrived at Colorado State University as a freshman, tight end Joel Dreessen was a senior.
Hanie joked Monday that he remembered Dreessen not only because he learned from that senior class, but the older players also didn’t hesitate to pick on him.
The two remained in touch, and now both are back in Colorado, signing with the Broncos as free agents.
“It feels good to be back in the Denver area,” Hanie said. “I loved Colorado and still do, and always thought about living back there, so what a great opportunity for me and my family.”
Dreessen called it a “dream come true,” coming back to where he played his high school and college football, living so close to some of his family members.
But joining the Broncos wasn’t all about the location.
Both players mentioned the addition of Peyton Manning as one of the draws to putting on orange and blue.
“It’s no secret that Peyton Manning makes everybody he plays with better,” Dreessen said. “Obviously for that opportunity, I’m very excited about that, and I’m hoping to get a lot better.”
But even more than that, both said it feels like an exciting time to be a Bronco.
Dreessen, who called himself a “complete tight end” that can both catch and block, said watching some of Denver’s wins last season has him excited “to build on that experience.”
Hanie agreed.
“Being on a good team was another factor,” the quarterback said. “Last year they had a great team and a great defense and their offensive line is stellar. They have a couple young receivers that are promising with (Eric) Decker and Demaryius (Thomas) and (Matthew) Willis -– and they just signed Andre Caldwell, too. What’s not to like about it?”
Tags: Caleb Hanie, Joel Dreessen
2- Time College Champion, Heisman Winner, AP All American. Takes the Broncos from a 1-4 start and single-handedly drives them into the playoffs with 6 game winning drives including beating the Steelers. Sorry but all the fools who say he can’t play QB or that he can’t win a SB are idiots and absolutly clueless. The guy is a winner, his attitude, personality and leadership skills are second to none. Sanchize-Not has zero leadership skills besides being a lousy QB and that is a major problem.
Go Teeeeeeeeeebowwwwwwwwww Whoooooooooaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is FLBroncoGators name frank? These people follow him and pollute blogs haha but NYJETS blog was already polluted
I have no idea if thats him or not. Sounds like him a bit. No bashing of our FO though.
Jim McMahon won a Super Bowl with the Bears in the 1985 as a starter and then won a Super Bowl in 1996 as a member of the Green Bay Packers backing up Brett Favre at QB.
2 teams I believe lol
Backups have. No QB has STARTED for two teams and won a SB.
Even before Peyton Manning missed all of the 2011 season because of complications from four neck procedures, some scouts had already noticed the 13-year veteran quarterback’s velocity suffering. Check back later for Albert Breer’s take on the possibility of Manning returning to his Hall of Fame form.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d827e5495/article/what-has-changed-in-power-rankings-since-free-agency-began
The article that goes with that.
I wonder if that is the reason he had the surgery, even still I believe the most important part of his game is that he can outsmart the other team.
Former Broncos safety John Lynch has been where Peyton Manning is — in the free-agent market having had neck surgery performed by noted back and spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, whose list of patients is an NFL who’s who.
And that should go a long way toward alleviating concerns that teams might have about Manning’s health. In February, Watkins publicly cleared Manning to resume his football career.
“(Watkins) is just so well respected,” said Lynch, who had neck surgery in 2004 before he signed with the Broncos. “I said I don’t want to retire, but we just won a world championship. I have kids. If you tell me that’s what I should do, I’ll begrudgingly do it if it’s the best thing. But he took a look, said, ‘We’re going to do this, we’re going to do that and you’ll be fine.’ After that, I felt a lot better because his word carries such weight.
“And that’s big for Peyton. Once Dr. Watkins sent a letter to teams saying I was OK, teams were like, ‘All right, we’re good.’ ”
Lynch, a close friend of the quarterback, said Manning is likely at the point where his recovery has taken off, especially in terms of the regeneration of nerves that were affected by the original neck injury.
“I had damaged the nerves pretty good,” Lynch said. “It took a long while to heal, so I know what he’s going through. And it’s frustrating because other injuries you’re used to being able to work through. If they say six weeks, you think you can come back in three if you just out-work it. This one goes slow. ”
Still talking. Reports of a deal between free-agent wide receiver Eddie Royal and former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and the Redskins were premature.
The two sides continued to talk Wednesday, but two NFL sources said no deal had been signed as of early Wednesday evening. Negotiations on a deal broke down Tuesday night when it had appeared that a two-year, $12 million deal was in place.
The Redskins, who signed free-agent wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan on Tuesday, still are talking to Royal’s representatives, but Royal seems to be listening to other offers now that the Redskins have signed two other receivers.
Shanahan made Royal the 42nd pick of the 2008 draft, and Royal had his best season with 91 catches as a rookie in Shanahan’s last year with the Broncos.
Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
You insult the Broncos organization by continually suggests Manning isn’t physically up to the task of leading the Broncos to victory. They have surely done their due dilagence in researching his medical history before signing him and giving him all that $$$. Give it a rest, he is one of the greatest QB’s to every play the game and is probably more healthy than most QB”s that have ever played at his age.. He has had few serious injurues throughout his football career. Move on to something else more pertinent like the draft.
Go Broncos!
TT, was projected in the 3 or 4 rd, but Mcdooooo*** traded down in the first, just reading some post from last night, someone said that the 3rd round is to early for Burfict.
Imready, hope that isnt directed to me , I support manning whole hartedly, thats why I posted that article. Yesterday, BT, wanted me to find someone that had the same surgery then manning, and , came back to be successful. He played safety also, much more dangerous, manning is fine, and , hard at work.
Interesting to read on previous QB’s who went to Super Bowl with two different Teams.
Earl Morrall – Baltimore Colts (1971) W (took over in SB for injured Johnny Unitas).
Earl Morrall – Miami Dolphins (1973) W (backed up during season when Bob Griese was injured).
Craig Morton – Dallas Cowboys (1971) L
Craig Morton – Denver Broncos (1978) L
Kurt Warner – St. Louis Rams – (2000) W
Kurt Warner – Arizona Cardinals – (2009) L
As mentioned Jim McMahon, although I don’t believe he played during the season… 1996.
Could Peyton Manning be the 4th??
Man I hope so Royal, wouldnt that be something. It might take till next yr, but I think he can get us their now doudt.
This isn’t that big a deal
When Cutler took over, people thought plummer should still be the guy and it was a mistake. When Orton came to town some said good riddance to cutler some believed in Orton and said he was a winner (so much for that) some thought it was mistake. When TT took over some were on board some were not. Now its manning and you cannot blame people who are not unboard. Its like the cutler trade and Orton coming in. Sure u may say its different because manning is the best to ever play (IMO) but it doesn’t change the fact that people believed in Tebow. The divide is not a Tebow thing, its a thing that has existed before him and long after him. You also can’t bash the guy and expect the people that like him not to say anything because he is not starting anymore, same with cutler and was with Orton. Just because people believe its a wrong decision doesn’t make them non fans. Carnage said multiple times that he supported the Broncos not Tebow, last I checked at the time Tebow was the QB of the team. People won’t just “get over it” … even if u think it works like that, it doesn’t, cuz when it was other peoples turn that didn’t like the starting QB whether it was Tebow or whoever, they voiced thier opinions and didn’t just “get over it” but now that things are in thier favor, expecting someone else to get over it, its not gonna happen. I always took the wait and see approach with Tebow but my belief was that he would be good some was that he would never be good. Same with manning, some think he will come back stronger, some don’t think he will, wait and see is the only thing that works. Not everyone is always willing to bet all in on your horse and when TT was the selection and there was alot of bru ha ha nobody bashed those for speaking out as “not supporting the front office” … so lets keep things in perspective, ideas will differ even when it comes to who is drafted, just the way it is and will always be. Now using the great wait and see approach we will see if it was the right decision if Manning does good and tebow does bad or vice versa. Its not just a neck injury, its also deteriorating health, endurance and skill that comes with age, those are undeniable facts but everyone heals and lasts differently, hopefully manning plays at a high level for a long time, but u cannot keep pointing to his past as a reason his future will be so bright. Doesn’t work like that. But if anyone can do it, its manning and we are seeing what full support looks like with the additions they are getting him. Lets just wait and see folks, reading the same battles day in and day out is exhausting … reminds me of the PP v Dareus thing last year.
TRB
Like sndvl & strand mentioned, the no-huddle offense will have the AFC West opponents gasping for air, as they can’t substitute.
Thx for the post on Lynch story, miller.
Never thought in a million years Manning would be our QB!
Here’s how I see it.
Football is a business, you have the league and the owners, the players (employees) and the fans (stakeholders & customers). The company (team) want to be the best, why, for the money why else. The players obviously want to get their paycheck, their paycheck comes from our hard earned paychecks. As an employee you should be doing your due diligence to better the company and so should the owner, as they did with some of the FA signings. As a stakeholder and customer we should also be doing out due diligence to make sure the company that we’re investing our money in is doing the same. I’ve never encountered an investor that blindly throws money at something…and been able to sustain that type of success. You voice your concerns, the companies have stakeholder meetings where they allow the stakeholders to see what is going on with the company they’re investing their money into. The same way on gameday the teams show off what they’ve done to better the team. Just because you question what the company is doing doesn’t mean you don’t want to invest your money..but it’s all about the money and it always will be. Since football is a business, and we’re the stakeholders, I don’t see why questioning the company about what they’re doing is bad or makes you less of a fan. Just the way it doesn’t make you less of an investor. In the end if you’re not asking questions or voicing your opinion then you’re not doing your job as a stakeholder to keep the company in check. Difference is in a real business when the company makes questionable decisions the stakeholders have more leverage. In sports the fans have no leverage and we never will.
I am excited to have some decent signings in Denver. I don’t understand the Tight End Signings though??? Why didn’t we get a Dallas Clark or a Jeremy Shockey??? Did they want too much money?
Anyway, the Tight Ends we did pick-up both seemed like back-ups and no better than what we already have/had in Denver. As far as the other signings go I just don’t know enough about these guys to make a guess as to how they will play?!
I like to think the whole team is moving forward and we are signing really good players, but I was disappointed we did not sign either of the 2 best FA TE’s.
GO BRONCOS!!!
I think the TE signings were for veteran experience. Also Tamme has some familiarity with Manning. Hopefully they can help our young TE develope into good receiving TEs. Too bad we didn’t keep Sheffler.
And schneider comes through in the clutch with one of his patented analogies lol
027C, Broncos had health concerns about Dallas Clark (doesn’t have the immunity PM does) so they got PM the next best thing. Tamme, a guy he has succeeded with in the past. Joel Dreesen is also a great recieving TE. Shockey I personally would not touch with a 10 foot pole. Just me tho.
TRB
Both of these TE’s are very good signings.imo.
Surprised Saturday was not signed more than anyone else.
Outbid by the Pack, who did have their Center retire. Walton should be fine. Manning will help him.
I will say that while Tebow was very mobile which helped him escape a lot of potential sacks Manning has the ability to make quick reads and get the ball out of his hands much quicker. I think that will help take some of the pressure off of our offensive line and help Manning stay upright for the most part. However lets not forget that our o-line is still pretty young but they’re getting better, we just need depth.
my newest mock
Rd1: Michael Brockers: his stock fell dramatically but hes a gamer he will be a force
Rd2: Doug Martin: teams pass on RB’s all the time this is why i believe Martin will be available here Fannin and Martin will be our future
Rd3: Tommy Streeter: young beast of a WR will give PM another weapon with hands of glue
Rd4a: Nick Foles: Young QB to learn behind PM he could be the future
Rd4b: Vontaze Burfict: wouldnt like picking Burfict here but if hes there i think Fox and Del Rio will roll the dice
Chris Kuper now the veteran O-lineman and will be 30 yrs old by end of year. Last report on him, was he should be ready for training camp.
Ryan Clady now listed on 315lbs instead of his 325 lbs. Not sure if he played at lighter weight this past season.
Manny Ramirez signed for depth at Guard position. Chris Clarke had quite a bit of playing time last season. I missed on status of Russ Hochstein.. was he cut or did he retire?
Alaskan…
With a 1st round pick you cannot take soo much risks! Poe was a starter for 3 years playing against mediocre talent and he never dominated!! You have to get someone with huge potential and someone that has backed up his 1st round grade. Here is a video that backs up my statement! Cox and Still are both very dominant that disrupts offensive lines!
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d827e2e16/Better-for-Seattle-Brockers-or-Poe
You look at why we took Von Miller last year was due to his immense potential and his stats that proved he was a beast on a consistent level!
If it was up to me I would trade all the way up to get Morris Claiborne! We missed on Peterson last year by taking Miller, which I wanted Miller anyways, but Claiborne is a can’t miss talent just like Miller was last year. We need a CB badly. I know we just signed Porter but I would DIE to have Claiborne! I know that wont happen because we desperately need DT but I want him really bad!
But we need two really good DT in this draft at least! I would love for one of those to be either Still or Cox, hopefully if one of those guys are still there at 25.
Poe has not played against superior teams,so therefore I would take Cox over any DT in the draft,just me!
BFE – been meaning to ask you.. what’s your take on Vick Ballard, (RB) as I know you watch the SEC quite a bit.
You had some good feedback on Fletcher Cox!
I agree with imready’s 6:13 post!!!!!!!!!
Our FO isn’t stupid,just like all the rest of the teams that wanted Manning,they knew he was injured,but he WAS cleared by several doctors to play again,so quit using that as an excuse!
Tebow is gone and so is the circus show that follows him,I’m ready for a conventional passing QB like Manning that can pass the football without having to use trickery to do it.
You wanna talk about Manning getting injured?
Tebow had a bruised sternum,and cracked ribs in the last game he played!
ILMSDB
BFE
rbf1,Ballard will be a good RB in the NFL,imo.He hits the hole fast and hard and runs low to the ground,also has great hands too!…plus he is good on short yardage,not sure which round he is projected to in tho.
Thx BFE much appreciated – he should be going in rds 4-5 according to some mocks.
I wish the team would add some depth at Runningback! We have had times in Denver when we just don’t have enough backs (due to injury) and it is a place we have good players (Willis Magahee) but can they play a full season with being hurt or tired? Probably not.
PERHAPS that will be something we address in the draft too. I like Doug Martin the mighty muscle hamster (gymn rat), but not sure he could produce in the NFL or not. Also like the two big name SEC Studs, but not sure they will still be available when we draft?!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Im actually rather sick of seeing people getting bashed for expressing their concerns about Manning. Those of us that do have them does NOT mean we are “questioning” “bashning” or “insulting” our FO. Many people have concerns about players. Many had concerns about Tebow. So like i said before why cant we express our concerns? Everytime we do we “insulting” our FO or some S***. Like i said they have seen him throw and I trust their judgement. However, that doesnt mean I still dont have concerns. Has anyone seen how he can play after getting hit a couple times? No no one has. And guess what? Every game the QB gets hit. Not sacked necessarily. But hit yes. I have not seen a game where the QB wasnt hit to the ground at least once. No one on here wants to see Manning seriously hurt. I hope that he goes on the be the first QB to start and win a SB for two different teams. I hope Manning can play at the same level as before. Throwing in and out of game situation is NOT the same thing. No one has seen him in that situation. I highly doubt its been affected but we dont know.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d827e518a/article/manning-showed-signs-of-wearing-down-before-neck-issues
Mannings velocity was declining BEFORE his injury. But from what i hear its just as good if not better now. Which gives me even more hope.
AB whats up brother, did you get my 6:08 post, John lynch had the same injury, and came back to start at safety, and , you know he was a stud. But everyone heels different, we will have to see.
NEW BLOG
millertime response to 11:05 on new blog.
Caleb Hanie couldn’t win his way out of a wet paper bag for the bears last year, and now we think he is a good idea for our back-up? No thanks! This is us pulling a colts. We are putting evrything on peyton and will be in a world of hurt if something happens to him.