The NFL Scouting Combine is just around the corner, but the Broncos front office is also hard at work preparing for the free agent market.
Free agency begins on March 13, and General Manager Brian Xanders said Denver has a plan on how to attack the signing period.
“We plan to be aggressive and smart at the same time and try to get some good signings in here, some valued signings that help contribute to wins,” Xanders said. “We also have to address signing our own unrestricted free agents, and we also have the free agency market. So we will have a plan for that. We have a long term vision, too.”
The team’s list of potential unrestricted free agents is as follows:
LS David Binn
DT Brodrick Bunkey
S Brian Dawkins
TE Daniel Fells
LB Mario Haggan
DE Derrick Harvey
OL Russ Hochstein
DE Jason Hunter
FB Spencer Larsen
LB Joe Mays
K Matt Prater
QB Brady Quinn
G Manny Ramirez
TE Dante Rosario
WR Eddie Royal
DT Marcus Thomas
CB Jonathan Wilhite
LB Wesley Woodyard
At his end-of-season press conference, Xanders was asked if the Broncos have more room under the salary cap to make transactions than most NFL franchises.
“That’s fair to say,” he said. “(Owner/CEO) Pat Bowlen is a committed owner, a very aggressive owner. I think this year we spent 98 percent to our cash budget. We have always been on the aggressive side there.”
-Gray Caldwell
After what we were able to do in Free agency and the Draft last year with a very short window I am very confident that we are going to make the right moves this year too. I can’t wait to find out!
what are some very good FA for our defense.. since we have plenty of money
Yeah they did an excellent job last year, I was way impressed. Can’t wait to see whats gonna happen this offseason.
DO, I think we are going to surprise some poeple in who we might go after. I`m not saying we`ll make a huge splash, but we`ve got quite a bit we can spend if EFX wants to. No going overboard. We got to sign our own FA`s to boot. For staters, Matt Prater, Brodrick Bunkley, and Wesley Woodyard. IMO
Thanks for the heads up Gray. Good to know.
RBF1, Aussies blog is http://broncosarebest.blogspot.com/ … he is always current. Been going strong for about2/3 yrs now.
Bunkley, Royal, Wilhite, Woodyard, Marcus Thomas, Joe Mays, Brady Quinn, Spencer Larssen, Mario Hagan and of course Prater. Just some names from that list I would like back … some stars/potential stars like Bunk and Royal. Others just great depth.
I believe in a passing league a run first offense can thrive. Teams are forced to adjust to all the passers they will face, as a result, they will be a littl bit more susceptible to the run game.
Doubt we blow anyone away with big signings but at least some quality players like Okoye. Good but won’t break the bank. Guys like that. Maybe a veteran safety since Dawk won’t be around most likely. Just make a splash a real one, not all the money we have been given to aging DL that keep getting hurt. Actual quality signings please.
TRB
millertime2 says:
February 17, 2012 at 11:20 am
DO thought I was the only fish on here LOL, but anyways went on Ebay yesterday and bought a bottle for $14 so thanks alot for letting me know it was on their buddie. Tide I have a brooze on my chin, from it hitting the desk top when you revealed your true Identity LMAO thats so cool, you have alot of knowledge for a girl, thats great have a good day.
Thanks for the link TRB…. much appreciated.
I just accessed walterfootball.com and they’ve changed their pick for Broncos from DE Fletcher Cox to SS Mark Barron from Alabama with 25th pick.
This, I believe, is an excellent article about player evaluation from NFLN. Some of the mistakes that Michael Lombardi discusses seem to be ones that the Broncos are trying hard to avoid. As a former GM himself, he gives a great perspective and speaks from experience. Definitely worth the read, especially since we’re headed to the Combine, FA, and the draft.
For anyone interested:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8270a10b/article/talent-misevaluation-why-do-players-slip-through-the-cracks
I saw that also Royal. Barrons a Dawk type SS in the box. I would be pleased if we got him. He had bouble hernia surguery a week ago but should be ready by camp.
I got problems this morning and can`t spell worth a darn. LOL
Im personally not a fan of Barons speed. Wouldn’t shock me if they did tho. But i’d rather we went after a safety in FA. And Bruton is alot better than most think IMO. I would just rather not waste a 1st on a S before we give last years picks a chance. But then again we may also miss out on a prime Safety. He won’t be at the combine which also worries me. Won’t be able to see his numbers. Plus it may be because of injury (not sure) and you dont draft injured. Gimme a DT or CB or MLB (prefrably vontaze) before a S. But maybe rumors/speculations are true rahim moore playing CB? Hmmm… TRB
A brooze? That’s funny, Miller, but I’m so sorry you hurt yourself. More like an old(ish) lady than a girl, but thanks! Put some ice on that chin, now, ya heah? Or put some beer on some ice, whichever you prefer.
DO, a fish? That was hilarious! Thanks for the chuckle.
Lunch is over, back to yard work. Later….
This is what they have listed for Barrons’ strength and weaknesses:
Strengths:
Very Instinctive
Playmaker
Hard hitter
Form tackler
Excellent in run support
Plays well in tackle box
Smart
Athletic
Plus ball skills
Takes good angles
Can cover tight ends and backs
Bigger than most safeties
Durable
Experienced 3-year starter
Weaknesses:
Had coverage lapses in 2010
Lacks elite speed, but runs well
i think we need Royal, Thomas, and Dawkins. Royal and Dawkins are my heroes and Thomas had a great season. we need to make smart decisions i think we had a great season and this season will be even better now that they know how to work together.
Just utubed Barron that guys a beast, sure could use some talent like that in the back end.
OK Bronco friends have to get outside its a beautiful day here in Victorville, Ca, had snow 2days ago, and today its in the mid 70s you gotta love it. Talk at yall later. Bronc on
There are alot of young talented safties available this FA. And by young I mean 28 and younger. As young as 25. I know thier teams will be trying hard to retain them but if we ever were to go for it on a position, it would be Safety. We haven’t had good safety play in so long, John Lynch and Dawk just filled up holes long enough.
TRB
Yeah TRB – I’ve heard that rumor around town re: Rahim Moore possibly being switched over to CB, however haven’t read anything on it.
It makes sense though, as he has good speed and is a ball hawk. Just needs to work on form tackling.
TRB, then most likely we`ll pick, DT, CB, or MLB with our #1 pick. Less than a month for FA to star.
well … CBs sure ain’t known for thier tackling like safeties are thats for sure. As a safety however, he has mainly played zone I would imagine … not man … which is required as a CB. I believe he ran a 4.5 too which isn’t that fast. But coming from a safety position he will have good size. All speculation however until we hear the real word.
TRB
Royal, Have you heard that on sports talk radio about Moore playing CB herhaps?
yup strand FA will dictate SO much. And if we aren’t as aggressive as Xanders claims (last year the claimed aggression we never saw) … my guess will be as good as any for that first round pick. I actually wouldn’t mind a Center early in this years draft either … Walton is the weak link in my book. Good depth tho and still young.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/323850-williams-taking-discount-for-texans?sct=nfl_bf1_a5&eref=fromSI&eref=fromSI
BRING HIM TO DENVER!!!!!!!
I know so little about O-line type stuff. I never played football in any manner except with neighborhood kids when I was a kid.
Interesting conclusion on Moore before the draft:
Conclusion: It’s not often that you hear the endorsement of a move from safety to cornerback at the NFL level, but unless Moore goes to a team in which there are no designated free and strong safety positions, he may be best in the NFL as a nickel cornerback. That’s not the non-starting role it used to be; with teams passing more and more, and doing so from shotgun three times more often than a decade ago, you’ll see nickel defenses as the standard.
This makes the nickel corner a most valuable entity in any defense, and I think Moore would be the perfect fit in that role. He’s got enough second-level speed to trail slot receivers from off coverage, but he’s also got the aggressive on-field temperament required to take on running backs and other screen/swing receivers at or near the line of scrimmage. Babineaux served well as a nickel corner for several years before the Seahawks drafted Earl Thomas(notes) and changed their coverage concepts; Moore could have the same type of “big-play” potential that Babineaux has enjoyed.
And the first scenario mentioned was the reason he ended up as a safety … so maybe CB is his best bet.
TRB
No strand…not on sports radio.
Just from some co-workers & friends who state they know someone, who know someone.. Always hard to say if it’s true or not.
Thats typical football garb but always fun to talk about. LOL
4.5 for Moore… thought he was quicker than that… thanks.
TRB – where did you hear the rumor re: Moore.. twitter?
I played Safety but at a lower level and we were all required to be good form tacklers regardless of playing CB for Safety… times have changed.. lol.
Trb,
Wilhite? I don’t think we need him we have HArris, Sydquan, Vaughn and champ and possibly a 1st or 2nd rnd CB coming
MillerTime,
No Problem man I hope I can get one too got a day until bid is done.
Us Fish have got to stay together… But not secretly that’s AA
Thanks for the link Tide.. great article.
Man, I just got caught up AGAIN!!! Nice Tide glad to hear I have some company LOL. Everyone here is great and very welcoming. I sure don’t know as much about football then the rest but I learn more and more everyday. I have been so very busy with just 19 days left before the move. If any of you hear me talk about moving again to a different place please please please SMACK ME!!!!!
Furniture ordered…..CHECK
Mattresses delivered……CHECK
Lights scheduled to be turned on…..CHECK
Phone scheduled to be installed…….CHECK
Super speed internet…….CHECK
Direct TV scheduled install…..CHECK
Reserved the UHAUL…..CHECK
Advertising the moving sale……CHECK
Quitting job (last day next Friday)…..CHECK
Started packing…….CHECK
Bed clothes and curtains ordered……CHECK
And that is just the start. I have been so stressed and not sleeping that I have a broken blood vessel in my eye so I look stoned. I even considered buying stuff to make strawberry daqueries but thought better of it. Anyways now lets talk some football.
I feel a lot like weather man about Rainey. Living in Florida and being a Gator fan I have watched what that kid can do and he can be an impact player like Woodhead only he is much faster and more agile. It was always a beautiful thing to watch him and Demps play. We need a WR like Harvin but I know that is hard to find. I watched the Vikings game last night and besides the playoff win that is my favorite game. You know how everyone says that Tim was surrounded by great talent? Harvin, Hernandez, Cooper and Nelson are all great players but if you look at some of their Gator interviews they would be the first ones to say that Tim pushed them and made everyone around him better. So they owe their success to Tim IMO.
I also agree that we did some good things in the draft and FA last year and 3 names really stick out to me. MaGahee was a fantastic pick up and I think he still has a few great years left in the tank. Von Miller will be a beast for years to come. Chris Harris was such an awesome pick up. He is all over the place making an impact. You hear his name called almost as much as Champ’s. I can’t believe that he was not drafted and our FO was smart enough to see his potential.
Harris Played Safety @ KU and I think since he is small no teams thought he would be able to play safety in the NFL not sure y they never thought of making him a CB but hey that’s good for us
If Harris can improve on his coverage game then he could be a beast for us. His tackling has always been top notch add that with good coverage and you have a shut down CB.
Read
Discuss
Detroit’s Cliff Avril and Houston’s Mario Williams are two of the most prominent defensive players set to become free agents this offseason. While Williams has indicated that money might not be the most important factor with regard to where he signs, Avril on Thursday expressed almost the opposite sentiment.
“There’s no such thing as a hometown discount in the NFL,” Avril said in an interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Once you can’t play anymore, they’re going to let you go, so you definitely have to strike gold when you can.”
2012′s notable free agents
Matt Flynn highlights a group of intriguing players waiting to hit the free agent market. Here’s a list of some of the more notable ones. More …
That was after Avril had said while he would like to remain a Lion, he “know(s) it’s a business, and you only hit free agency once or twice in your career, so you definitely have to take advantage of it.”
Avril added that he isn’t partial to any particular possible suitor, saying that he is interested in teams that would utilize him as a pass rusher.
“I kind of think the Lions will try to do the right thing, I guess,” he said. “A lot of teams don’t think the Lions will let me hit free agency. But a few teams have called.”
On Friday, Avril explained to the Free Press that he has not actually had official contact with teams yet, which would be a violation of the NFL’s tampering rules.
“No other teams, per se, like general managers or anybody has called me or anything like that,” Avril told the newspaper. “But I know a lot of guys that I’ve played with or guys that have seen me play have told me that their coaches have brought me up in a sense of, ‘Dang, that guy can play; wouldn’t mind having him’-type thing. Never official-type things or anything like that.”
Teams are prohibited from reaching out to players before March 13, when the free-agency period officially begins.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the newspaper that what Avril said was hearsay and not proof of tampering.
Avril finished his fourth season with 11 sacks, tying him at 11th in the league. He was a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and has 30 sacks and one interception (which he returned for a touchdown) in his career
Avril would be a very good pick up, what do you guys think
Honestly I don’t know much about him
Detroit Lions DE 6’3 260 11 sacks last yr, hes 25yrs old. He has 30 sacks in his four yr stint with the lions, he would probably cost alittle money tho. But thats almost better then the draft hes an established player already, has the stats to prove that, he still has alot left in the Tank.
I don`t no much about him either, but he sounds promising on the field. And 11 sacks, pretty darn good.
I`m vying for Chris Rainey in the draft. Man, I can hardly wait.
Shaz, we know its not polite to hit a gal. Atleast I won`t. LOL
I did see Avril play in Denver this past season when Lions came to town. He stripped ball from Tebow and took it to the house for a score. He is super quick with his first step. Don’t think Lions will let him go but you never know.
That was him?! I remember that play. Ha! Ouch!!
I get what you’re saying TRB as it more prevelant to be a “form tackler” at Safety. Moore just needs to learn how to breakdown and tackle, period.