NFL free agency is underway and the Broncos have already made a splash. Safety Brian Dawkins makes the move from Philadelphia to Denver and he is in the fold.
There are also multiple report that the organization is also close to signing safety Renaldo Hill, running back Correll Buckhalter, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney and longsnapper Lonie Paxton.
It seems like a good possibility the moves are imminent and if they indeed come to pass, I like them.
First off, the Broncos would presumably have their two starting safeties and upgraded the back end of their defense.
Dawkins is a seven-time Pro Bowler who spent 13 seasons with the Eagles. Yes, he is 35 years old. But he still plays at a high level and, by all accounts, is a tremendous presence in the locker room.
He also comes to Denver ready to go all out.
“We’re all jacked,” Dawkins said on Saturday. “I’m jumping around with my words because I’m so emotionally excited about this opportunity.”
Dawkins said he knew early on that head coach Josh McDaniels wanted him wearing orange and blue and while it was emotional to leave Philadelphia, Dawkins knew it was the right decision.
“Just hearing Josh and how excited he was and how much they wanted me here. I was not just a want for them. They felt like (it was) a necessity for me to be here and that’s something every player wants to feel from an organization.”
Hill figures to step in as the starting free safety. There is little doubt the Broncos would have upgraded the safety position if Hill joins Dawkins in Denver.
The same can be said for running back, if all the paperwork gets done with Buckhalter. Yes, he comes with some miles on the tires—he is 30 years old and has had a handful of knee injuries—but he is a tough runner who can be productive.
He is an established pro, something the Broncos desperately needed at the running back position. Peyton Hillis and Ryan Torain seem to have talent. But one has to feel better about the position with Buckhalter and Arrington in the fold. And who knows? Maybe Derrick Ward will also find Denver to his liking. He seems to like enough to visit Dove Valley.
The bottom line is that, assuming the Broncos get everything done with the players they are reportedly close to signing, I believe they Broncos are a better football team today and free agency is only a few days old as we write this.
They are better at the safety position. They are better at the running back position. And Gaffney should be a good fit as the third or fourth wide receiver.
The Broncos probably aren’t done, either.
Along with reportedly visiting with Ward, the Broncos are likely looking to shore up the cornerback spot. There are reports that they’ll be talking with Andre Goodman, who started 16 games for the Dolphins last year.
There is no doubt the Broncos have more work to do. But they seem to be off to a good start.
What do you think the Broncos should do next?
Thanks for reading,
Mike
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I agree Whitebronco, this is looking like fantasy football the way he is runnign things. found your post quite hilarious and true at the same time.
While many (myself included wished shanny got 1 more year) are putting down McDanny, and calling for his firing because of some of his idiotic moves and all. I know we are all wishing and praying with every fiber of our being that he makes us eat our words.
Bronco Fans hate mediocrity, after all that what shannahan was fired for after 3 years of not making playoffs. We consider that failure and refuse to sit through another heartbreak season.
ORANGE CRUSH ALL DAY!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
It is hard for me to understand yet another running back being signed. Will any of these guys be better than Hillis? I sure hope we get some good defensive linemen & line backers in the draft because it doesn’t look like it is happening in free agency.
When I read some of the posts here it’s like people are expecting the Offense to be similar to what we’ve grown accustomed to. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Do you really think Mike left his play book in the top drawer of his desk with yellow highlights and sticky notes all over it so the next coach would know how to run the offense? Paleeease! And regardless of how much we all love and respect Shanahan, Mike is a .500 coach over the past 3 seasons. so it was time for him to move on.
Why do you think Pat Bowlen hired JMcD in the first place? Because Josh sold him on his philosophy, his methodology and his mode of operation. He got the job because Pat saw that he was going to be COMPLETELY different than Mike, and that’s why you change Head coaches. You don’t change coaches so the new coach can keep what’s working well and fix what’s broken. C’mon people! That’s not the way sports, business, or people in general work.
I would be WAY more concerned if JMcD wasn’t shaking things up REALLY GOOD from the bottom all the way to the top. That is an absolute MUST if you are going to change the atmosphere of an organization. You have to rattle complacency and mediocrity out of everything from the towels in the locker room to the paint on the walls! Yes, they even change the paint it’s true!
So far JMcD is doing an absolute superb job in FA and making this, not HIS team, but a NEW team. The question is, will it work? Only time will tell that because it all comes down to chemistry. Great teams have great chemistry and I can guarantee you that he knows what it smells like being around the Patriots all these years.
I know, I hate that team as much as anyone, BUT I do respect them as an organization. They have smart coaches, smart players and great chemistry.
So far Josh has my vote of confidence! He’s doing precisely what needs to be done to get us from a .500 team that can’t beat KC no matter how bad they suck to AFC West Champs. NFL fans across the country really don’t take the Broncos too seriously and the Chargers are already the favorite to win the division next season. I don’t know about you but that pisses me off!
Now is there anybody else out there who feels the same way? Let’s hear from you because all of the “HE’S AN IDIOT” crap is getting really old.
aSharpeIdea_84….I for one agree completely with you!
and…
1. The running backs were unproven and injury prone…though I think Hillis has a good chance to stay.
2. I like Sheffler but this isn’t Shanny’s offense so we need a blocker.
3. The offense did need work. Teams let us march down the field knowing we were terrible in the red zone.
4. I like all the signings except replacing Leach.
We had SIXTEEN games last year to show everyone who we were as a Team. I don’t know what team some of you were watching, but I wasn’t too impressed with the Broncos I was watching. No consistency AT ALL. We couldn’t even win ONE of those last few games. If I remember correctly, there were DAYS AND DAYS of blogs stating that we NEED a new coach and players with HEART. THAT’S WHAT WERE GETTING!!! THIS IS WHAT WE ALL ASKED FOR!!! Settle down and let’s see how this goes. From the looks of it, I’d guess about 2% of you bloggers support McDaniels, or will at least give him a chance. I bet when the season rolls around and we start winning, the other 98% of you are going to have a sudden change of heart. I’m not saying McDaniels is our savior at all at this point, but he’s obviously motivated and he’s got a plan. Shanahan had neither of those for the last number of years. We NEEDED a change. We NEEDED some energy. We couldn’t even get our “star” players to play with any heart or consistency last year!!! Does anyone else remember watching Brandon “Butterfingers” Marshall, Jay “Throw It Away” Cutler, or Dre “I Blew It Again” Bly, single handedly piss the game away? I do. And every other player just followed along. It was like when one person gave up, or screwed up, they all gave up. It was REDICULOUSLY noticeable.
When there is a coaching change, nobody is “above the law” and untouchable. McDaniels was brought in to change things up, and he’s obviously doing just that. We can’t expect him to have to baby anyone that thinks THEY are the Team (hint,hint…Cutler). The way Cutler reacted to being involved in trade talks was totally “third grade”, not “third year”.
He needs to STAY AWAY FROM MAKING MEDIA COMMENTS!!! It’s definitely not his strong suit. He needs to start showing leadership on the field and on the sideline. When he overthrew his receivers, I don’t remember them yelling at HIM on their way back to the huddle. I support Jay and think he is going to be a constant Pro Bowler at some point, but he has alot of growing to do. That’s very promising considering how good he already is at his young age.
I’d hate to see some of my favorite players go too, but then again, maybe they’re not YOUR favorite player…Maybe YOU wanted them to get traded…Maybe I wish that YOUR favorite player get traded. We can’t ALL be happy with EVERY move the new coach makes. That doesn’t mean we hang the guy before the season even starts though. My point is, I really do believe McDaniels is going to build us a good, talented roster to compete in ’09. I’m sure we’ll be better than last year, mark my words. I just can’t imagine being any worse. Hopefully getting BLOWN OUT by the Chargers every time we meet is a thing of the past.
It’s going to be a very tough schedule this year, so let’s come together and support our Team!!!
It’s a new era and a new Team in Denver. We’ll all have to get used to it.
Go Broncos!!!
i’m so sick of people sayng crap about Mcd. I was a big Shanny fan. not only that i love the broncos. Look here people Mcd is the coach Shanny is gone. Under the team we had we have not made the playoffs. The team could not even win one game to get to the playoffs. So changes had to happen. I remember last season blogging, and people on this site were mad because we didnt make any big changes. and now that they are we don’t like it. Shame on us for being hypocrites. that fact is how much we don’t like to say it but he comes from a winning program. And that what we need. all i here why so many Rb look there not going to keep everyone last year we would of loved to have all these RB. So lets all just relax sit back and injoy the ride
aSharpeIdea_84,
It took me awhile to write my last entry, so I just got around to reading your latest. Well put. It seems as though everyone has forgotten that we BEGGED for a new coach. Well, didn’t any of you think there was going to be risks to that? You either get a coach that’s a good fit, or you get a coach that can’t handle it. I like it so far. I’m going to wait to see how this pans out when it really matters…WHEN THE SEASON BEGINS!!!
Go Broncos!!!
If denver doesnt make peyton hillis 1 or 2 rb. i wont watch next year! that dude is amazing and i think anyone who really watched a single game with him in it would agree.! He is better then BUCKHALTER down with MC FA GG ET! im sick of this NEW ENGLAND look alike team he is building! IF IT ISNT BROKE DONT FIX IT! IF WE HAD A D WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE AFC LAST YEAR! and now everything is different . im just sick of dumb people making dumb decisions that make more then all of us combined!
illinoisbroncofan – This ain’t New England?
Precisely! They won 3 Super Bowls this decade, remember? We could use some of whatever they’re drinking. And we got it. Josh McDaniels.
I understand your frustration and yes, it does look like sometimes all the RB’s being signed and no D-linemen being signed doesn’t make sense….from our perspective.
The truth is we don’t really know what goes into evaluating these players. But I do know that KC as of the end of last year were 1 in their last 18 games or so and who was that one win against? They didn’t just beat us they SPANKED us. In fact we got our @$$’s kicked 5 times last season.
JMcD’s resume speaks for itself and Bowlen is a pretty smart cookie. He hired him for a reason so let’s be happy that we got what we wanted, a new coach, and wait and see how it pans out.
Remember they were calling for Coughlin’s head as well as Manning’s head two years ago in NY and then they went on and won the Super Bowl.
Ya think they love ‘em now?
FYI to ALL,
OUR OFFENSE WAS BROKE!!! They were never, ever, ever, EEEEEVER consistent. That’s NOT an efficient, reliable, turn-key offense folks. ANYONE who says we didn’t need adjustments on offense is just plain ignorant to our many stalls last year. How many times can you say three and out real fast? Well, that’s how fast our offense can produce them. That’s why we needed a TRUE RB, not some fourth, fifth, or sixth string guy that did good for a spell but then, in turn, got hurt themselves. Did you ever think that maybe that’s why they got hurt, because they were thrown into trying to play beyond their abilities? RB is a very demanding position. If you’re not a true RB, it’s going to show REAL QUICK, which it did for many of our players.
And just so you all know, I think Hillis really was, and IS, the REAL DEAL. He’s going to be on the depth chart for sure.
Go Broncos!!!
The person whos falt this entire problem falls on the owner Pat Bowlin. He fires Shanahan because he has too much control. But then he gives control to a guy that wants to trade the teams franchise QB. WOW . Ok Cassel had one good year, but Cutler is comming off a pro bowl year.
If Josh McDaniels is a good offensive mind, wouldn’t he know Cutler is and will always be a better QB than Matt ”one good year” Cassel ???????????
in rebutle to buckn bronco i agree and disagree. our offense in my opinion sucked! BUT, we were still a highly effective one, and also top ranked! and putting up numbers is ALLL a offense should do! And all that matters! the only way we won last year was because of our O and the only reason we lost ( well everything but the last three) was because of D. NOt my opinion. STATS show that! we need ALOT of of help on both sides! BUT it is not time to (RE VAMP) our O! Maybe some changes, but not whats going on! Lots of wasted money! we dont need GAFNEY, and WE DONT NEED ARRINGTON
ESPN News says that Dallas has released T.O.
If that is indeed true, should the Broncos give him a look?
HA! Just kidding. I was just thinking maybe he could come in and provide some positive leadership and help keep Marshall out of trouble. lol
ha i dont even think we have enough money to get owens now lol
aShapreIdea_84
Bring in TO????? The Toxic Orafice is three for three in destroying team chemistry. Better idea, get the Chargers to sign him.
Bring in T.O.?
Yes, by all means…bring him into a locker room with an erratic, irritable QB, a WR who (aptly named ‘Baby T.O.’ ) throws tantrums if the ball doesn’t come his way and a young coach who has a bit of a “Napoleon complex”…because THAT won’t spell disaster or anything.
I would listen for replies, but I would not be able to hear them over the gale-force winds created by the collective sigh of relief coming from a headquarters building in Irving Texas.
Stop worrying if Peyton Hillis will have a role with the Broncos next season. He will. Heath Evans has played an important role in the New England Patriots offense the past few seasons and Hillis will likely have the same role if not more in Denver’s offense next season.
I don’t think Selvin Young will make it on the opening day roster and Ryan Torain will be placed on the PUP List to start the season.
I for one, do not see what is wrong with bring in NE players or PHILLY players. if they are better than what we have sign them. if they don’t work in preseason then cut them. what is the big deal?
for those of you that think our O was great are true bronco fans b/c LOVE IS BLIND
royalbroncofan1, I think Seatle is in love with Crabtree but it’s no longer as big a need. I see Seatle needs out weighing want and they need help up front on the D like most TEAMS, I see them going after Raji, unless for some strange reason Curry is available.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
well, we signed QB C. Simms.
can we get roy williams d/b out of dallas and stay under cap? this would be a good move.
is there anything more on theD-line.
i just went to the dallas web site. to see about williams. and they have a new report about every 3 hours. when we needed info the most where were our reporters? we beg for info on every “cutler thing” and you all left us out there. every 3 hours, come on, this one is 3-1-09.
texark-fan,
We’ve all seen too clearly lately, that those “rapid reports”, are all a bunch of BS! Those stupid reporters make up articles FULL of their personal assumptions the moment the real new stops flowing. THAT”S when the BS starts getting shoveled to us. The worst part is, once it’s out there, nine out of ten people believe the crap. I’d rather wait a day or two and get THE REAL STORY. What’s the point of reading “we may” or “we might”. I want to read “we did” or “we didn’t”.
Go Broncos!!!
I don’t think we should get Roy Williams even if we had the money bc he has had coverage issues. Coverage issues is one of the main things we struggled with on defense last season. Think about it…. he had coverage issues and Dallas had a good pass rush. He struggled bc he was always looking for the big hit.
bucknbronco the reports from the dallas site were all the we did type. they did cut T O. they did cut williams. BUT after the cutler things i can very well see your point about no rumors. that is not what i am asking for, just more and quicker info.
We need to go after a DE now, maybe Jason Taylor or McDougle.
Kudos to Jerry Jones. His interview regarding the reason for the release of TO was quite civilized. His words on TO sounded sincere, and it sounded like it was strictly a business descision based on a number of factors, not just his ego.
Go Broncos!!!
I don’t mean to be rude but why is everyone so upset about the RB’s we signed?
I think we as fans become too attached to the potential of a player. Selvin Young showed flashes, Torain played about a half a game! Pittman was solid and I do love Hillis.
I think we will carry 5 RB’s on the roster. So this is fine with me and I really hope Torain and Hillis stick.
JONNY7: What did you mean “revamping our offense”? We still have the entire O line, Cutler, 2 Brandons, Royal, Graham.
I know Sheffler is on the block and I don’t like it but adding a receiver and RB with experience in this system doesn’t seem like revamping to me.
The Broncos will essentially line up with almost everyone from last year on offense. This new offense will put Cutler in the shotgun, which he loves, and feature 3 and 4 receiver sets. We needed Gaffney for that and RB’s that can catch the ball. Hillis can do that so hopefully he is safe.
I’m cool with the changes on offense. Just my opinion though.
Chris Simms? Good Lord, it just keeps getting worse……… No wait, There`s still pacman and TO.
mikew007, i am with you on ‘why is everyone so upset about the running backs we signed?’ so i went to the roster. we needed r/b in a bad way.
torain R
boyd R
hall 2nd year
young 2nd year
if you are the new coach and after you have trimed the fat and this is all you have left you would go after RBs also.
i am not saying these are not good players just young.
The O line isn’t untouched anymore. Erik Pears is gone… to the Raiders!!
Btw, I’d love to see Jason Taylor in our D line, with that new 3-4 plans. But I think there’s not enough money left. So, I hope Raji’d be still available for pick 12.
Raiders also signed former Bronco Cooper Carglile (spelling)
Cooper Carlisle has been with them for a few years now. Last played with us in 2006.
Mr. Bowlen, What did you do?
I really think were going to the superbowl this year!! As long as no more drama or bs comes up…i really do think that we should keep sheffler!! He is one of the best tight ends in the league!!
Thanks royalbroncofan1, I meant to say re-signed Cooper Carlisle
You’re right mikew007. Well put.
I keep hearing Scheffler is on the trading block but the only place I’ve ever seen it reported was in the DP by Klis. It’s possible many people think it’s a fact because it was reported in four different articles on what I believe were successive days but all by ONE writer.
Is he bored or does he have a scoop?
Not even our friend, Chris Mortenson, has picked up on it. He’s been quiet for a few days, hmmm I wonder why? Could it be because Cutler is still here and Shanahan is not in KC as reported by Mortenson?
I guess my point is we don’t know and really haven’t heard from anyone in the know that it will. I, for one, will wait and see.
No prob – Monodono… you meant to say re-signed..(got it). I sure wish we could keep Scheffler. McDaniels should into the possibility of incorporating his talent into his offensive game plan. He definitely has good speed for a TE his size and can get separation from the LB’s trying to cover him. With his vertical he can also go up high for a pass over the middle….(tough to defend). He has soft hands and has made spectacular catches for our Team. I wish Tony the best !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m with you BroncofaninIL, No one but Klis has said anything about Scheffler being traded. I think He will stay and I also think Coach McDaniels will use TE’s more ni Denver than in NE.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Here is my lates mock Defense,
NT
NT Fields, Ronnie 6′ 2″ 315 27 6th yr
NT Askew, Matthias 6′ 5″ 302 26 4th yr
NT B.J. Raji 6-2/334/ SR- Boston College (1st rd Draft)
NT/LDE Thomas, Marcus 6′ 3″ 305 23 3rd yr
DE
LDE Clemons, Nic 6′ 6″ 300 28 3rd yr
LDE Powell, Carlton 6′ 3″ 300 23 2nd yr
RDE Crowder, Tim 6′ 4″ 275 23 3rd yr
RDE Peterson, Kenny 6′ 3″ 300 30 7th yr
LB
ROLB Moss, Jarvis 6′ 6″ 265 24 3rd yr
ROLB Dumervil, Elvis 5′ 11″ 260 24 4th yr
LOLB Marcus Freeman 6-1/235/ SR- Ohio State (3rd rd Draft)
LOLB Bailey, Boss 6′ 3″ 232 29 7th yr
LOLB/ROLB/SS Woodyard, Wesley 6′ 1″ 230 22 2nd yr
RILB Williams, D.J. 6′ 1″ 240 26 6th yr
RILB/FB Larsen, Spencer 6′ 2″ 240 24 2nd yr
LILB Davis, Andra 6′ 1″ 250 30 9th yr
LILB Haggan, Mario 6′ 3″ 263 28 7th yr
S
FS Dawkins, Brian 6′ 0″ 210 35 15th yr
FS Hill, Renaldo 5′ 11″ 205 30 10th yr
SS Barrett, Josh 6′ 2″ 225 24 2nd yr
SS William Moore 6-1/223/ SR- Missouri ( 2nd rd Draft)
CB
CB Bailey, Champ 6′ 0″ 192 30 11th yr
CB Goodman, Andre’ 5′ 10″ 190 30 9th yr
CB Bell, Josh 5′ 11″ 177 23 2nd yr
CB Paymah, Karl 6′ 0″ 195 26 5th yr UFA
Obviously We cant have 4 NT, and 9 LB’s and Raji in the first rd at #12 is a little far fetched, but Moore is the best Safety available and He is projected around the 48th pick and Freeman is also projected to be around the 79th pick these two could really help.
Then maybe we trade down and pick up Ron Brace in the second.
Food for thought. I also like Paymah over Travis Daniels out of Cleveland which The Broncos may be looking at. What do you guy’s think about tradeing down the 12th pick?
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Here is our D now. Who will stay and Who will go?
Askew, Matthias DT 6′ 5″ 302 26
Bailey, Boss LB 6′ 3″ 232 29
Bailey, Champ CB 6′ 0″ 192 30
Barrett, Josh S 6′ 2″ 225 24
Bell, Josh CB 5′ 11″ 177 23
Clemons, Nic DT 6′ 6″ 300 28
Crowder, Tim DE 6′ 4″ 275 23
Davis, Andra LB 6′ 1″ 250 30
Dawkins, Brian S 6′ 0″ 210 35
Dumervil, Elvis DE 5′ 11″ 260 24
Fields, Ronnie DT 6′ 2″ 315 27
Fox, Vernon S 5′ 10″ 203 29
Goodman, Andre’ CB 5′ 10″ 190 30
Green, Louis LB 6′ 3″ 237 29
Haggan, Mario LB 6′ 3″ 263 28
Hill, Renaldo S 5′ 11″ 205 30
Jones, Herana-Daze S 5′ 11″ 205 26
Larsen, Spencer FB/LB 6′ 2″ 240 24
McBean, Ryan DE 6′ 5″ 290 24
Moss, Jarvis DE 6′ 6″ 265 24
Moulton, Rashod CB 5′ 11″ 184 29
Powell, Carlton DT 6′ 3″ 300 23
Reid, Darrell DT 6′ 2″ 288 26
Thomas, Marcus DT 6′ 3″ 305 23
Williams, D.J. LB 6′ 1″ 240 26
Williams, Jack CB 5′ 9″ 185 23
Woodyard, Wesley LB 6′ 1″ 230 22
Pending NFL approval
Peterson, Kenny DT 6′ 3″ 300 30
This is just whats current, and Coach McDaniels is still looking around then The Draft will bring a few. Thats alot of players for 20-25 positions. Who will stay and who will go?
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
when the big meeting day? the one between the coach and the qb