Hopefully at some point soon, NFL teams will get back to the business of football. When they do, no one can say they didn’t have time to plan.
While all the labor issues remain on the front burner, NFL teams have been able to plot their strategies for free agency. I have to believe the Broncos have a plan in place once the time comes.
And when the time does come, it is clear the Broncos have some moves they need to make. Among them, in my opinion:
1 – BOLSTER THE DEFENSIVE LINE. I thought they would do this through the draft but I’ll take the word of John Elway, Brian Xanders and John Fox and wait to see what happens. When asked at various times about the defensive line, they all have said the Broncos have a plan in place for free agency. I have to believe part of that plan includes signing at least one, if not more, defensive lineman.
In going over the list of free agent defensive linemen that will be available, there are some guys who have not only had some darn good seasons, but also figure to have plenty of gas left in the tank.
I have no idea what the chances are that the Broncos could land any of them but among the interesting names are Justin Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Ray Edwards Charles Johnson, Mathias Kiwanuka, Marcus Spears and, even though he is a linebacker, Tamba Hali.
Again, let me be clear that I am simply tossing out names to help illustrate the point that there are some quality veteran defensive linemen the Broncos can go after in free agency. Let’s hope they are able to sign at least one.
2 – SIGN A RUNNING BACK. I’m not too disappointed the Broncos decided against drafting a running back. Like defensive linemen, there is a lot to be said for signing a guy who has a proven track record in the NFL. And there are a handful of free agent running backs that fit the bill.
At the top of my list, of course, is DeAngelo Williams. If there is a team that figures to have as good of a shot as any, it would have to be the Broncos, assuming they make a run at him. Williams played for current Broncos head coach John Fox in Carolina.
Coach Fox has made no secret of the fact that he wants to run the ball. That has to be a plus for someone looking for a new situation. Granted, the Broncos’ offensive line has had some issues but let’s hope the Broncos can bring in a quality back.
There are certainly some intriguing names on the free agent list. They include Pierre Thomas, Joseph Addai, Michael Bush, Cedric Benson and Ahmad Bradshaw. If the Broncos were able to add a quality veteran running back, it would not only take some of the pressure off of Knowshon Moreno and others, but it would also add to the talent and depth at the position. And we all know how important depth is at running back.
3 – SORT OUT THE QUARTERBACK SITUATION. I know, I’m jumping the gun on this one. This will get solved at some point but since there is no football right now, I can only wonder how this will shake down.
Will the Broncos trade Kyle Orton? Is Tim Tebow ready to take over? Does Brady Quinn figure into the mix at all? Will it truly be an open competition?
Part of me wants to see the starter be the guy who earns it. You know, the “may the best man win” approach.
I also have to admit part of me wants to see the Broncos go with Tebow so we can get an idea if he could possibly be the number one guy long-term. If he can, then the Broncos will be set at that position for a long time. If he can’t, then while it might be a really long year, there is the possibility of being in position to draft that Andrew Luck guy out of Stanford. I hear he is pretty good.
There are lots of questions but few answers right now. Let’s hope the labor issues get resolved soon and we can get back to football.
What would you like to see the Broncos do in free agency? What are you looking forward to most once football is back? Feel free to post your thoughts. I always enjoy them.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
Beautiful song huh? Ya thats them. They are a 3 peice band from New Orleans.
I remember Axe, heck ya.
I haven`t heard any Axe in over 20 years, freaky.
Hell I tried to climb a real steep bank on the other side of the creek,after my BIL and my son climbed it,but I took it a little faster and turned a little quicker,and we didn’t make it,but rolled back down the bank,and before I could gas it again she cussed me out and jumped off in the creek,so I said F it and climbed the hill and left her arse in the creek,she ran and jumped back on the ATV,Hell I know what I’m doing!!!!!!
AXE…………steal another fantasy…..
I hear you dude. Woman are fearful bro. You`ll be the first to tell me.
AXE..Jennifer!!!!!!!!!
I remember there first album cover. I can`t remember any of their songs to this day. I had their first album on cassette back then in the dinosaur days. lol
We had a Helluva blat tho dude….we rode in the backwoods untill I thought that it was time to head home(damn I was buzzing) then I drank untill I passed out.lol.
Axe…..NEMESIS…”I think you’ll remember tonight”!!!!!!!
LMFAO
All i remember is their first album being a light blue cover.
Axe Offering…Video Inspiration!!!!!!!!!
Heck, I forgot all about them.
Damn it’s 3:00AM here dude,and I ain’t even plastered yet,guess it’s one of those rock hard nights……..feel sorry for the wifey tonight…LMAO!!!!
WHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH!!!!!!!
God dude. 3:00 A.M. No Nooky tonight. BEER ALL NIGHT LONG.
FLY, BE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude I gotta get offa here…so so sorry but it’s time to put the rythem in motion..if you know what I mean,lol.
I hear ya. I`m tired bro, Later. Have a good one dude.
No Nooky 4 you…but for me,now that’s a different story dude,it’s waitin 4 me………..LMAO!!!!!!
GETTER DONE!
This article get me stoked about the Bronco’s for next season. And unless I am taking words out of context they are hinting that we will run the zone blocking scheme.
“With our head coach, John Fox, he is determined to run the ball. When I was in Carolina with him, we had a two-headed monster every week. From our first transaction made in free agency with Stephen Davis back in 2003, he and DeShaun Foster led us to the Super Bowl running the football. Then we had DeShaun and DeAngelo (Williams), then we got Jonathan Stewart from Oregon once DeShaun left and went to San Francisco. So we will do a great job running the football and get back to the way Terrell (Davis) used to run the ball here.”
All the running that they are talking about required the zone blocking scheme in that paragraph so it might be a hint? Anyone else see it?
http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Coordinators-Talk-Philosophy/410bfb18-53d4-4d7e-91fd-713a950ba5b5
So that tells me that we are going to draft a RB every other year most likely. Those RB`s mention know how to play their position. They played RB well for Fox`s system. Thats encouraging.
BFE, it`s tee off time. Rock on dude!
I excite myself thinking about the day after they reach an agreement and begin the league year!…Rookie signings, free agentcy, Tim Tebow at the Broncos facility along with Von Miller, The Broncos TV videos that will show the whole team practicing and player interviews, the overflow of news that allows us to talk about something on the blogs…obviously that all wouldn’t happen the day after, but you know what I mean! I hope these selfish A-holes get a deal done soon!
I’M BORED! haha
Hey guys, perhaps u already heard what Brandon Lloyd said on NFL Network regarding r qb situation, but he basically said that TT made him “buy into the hype” based on his play and that ” he’s a special, special kid.” Regarding Orton, he said he throws the most catchable ball he’s ever caught, but I believe he said that before, and really, that’s not saying much considering where he’s been. Just wanted to cloud up the qb quandry a little more…
Lloyd was praising Tebow at the end of last year,I think the players know that we have the best chance of winning with Tebow at the helm.jomho.
Hey imready! I just got off my boat, LOL.
Well I just got off my rocker. lol
Bailey landed on the top 100 tonight…47 I think? Nice to see, but I wonder what corners are ahead of him? Only one should be Reavis.
is it just me or should the broncos think about wearing those rediculous 1960s throwbacks again? just think about it, we never lost a game in those uni’s (6-0) but when we took them off, we went downhill. we also played tough teams that year during that 6-0 stretch (Patriots, Chargers, Cowboys).. i think we should wear them again because the oposing players hate looking at them.. and those jerseys made NFL top 10 jerseys of all time on NFL network lol.. IMO
While we are at it, we never lost a superbowl since we went to the navy jerseys style (2-0), so why going back to the orange one (0-4)?
I got a solution, let’s do the yellow/brown socks, navy jerseys and orange helmets so everyone is happy, LOL.
BTW, our first helmets were black with just the players # on the side in white, followed by all orange helmets with a funky with horse on them, then the blue ones with the orange D and the white horse and finally now the navy ones with the white horse head and orange hair.
For what it’s worth Legwold reminds us that Dennis Allen was not Fox’s first or even second choice for our defensive coordinator position:
Allen, however, was not Fox’s first choice. The job had been offered to former Falcons and Seahawks coach Jim Mora (the son of former Saints and Colts coach Jim Mora), but Mora elected to keep his TV job for the time being, given he’s still being paid by the Seahawks.
Fox also gave consideration to his former defensive coordinator in Carolina, Mike Trgovac . Trgovac, who is the defensive line coach in Green Bay, was not really looking to move his family with a daughter in high school, and the team was also in the Super Bowl when Fox was trying to make the hire.
Fox wanted the new Broncos staff in place to attend the Senior Bowl at the end of January and begin the draft preparations as a group. He would have had to wait on interviewing Trgovac until after the Super Bowl, so Fox moved on.
With Allen not even being the first or second choice I sure hope we can turn our defense around. I just hope that we don’t go through another defensive coordinator at the end of THIS season. DC have become like socks and underwear for us.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but here is Rivera’s reaction to the players workout in Carolina attended by more than 50 players!!!:
Rivera was not allowed to attend the workouts, but was pleased with the turnout. “I think it’s part of growing as a team, stepping up and taking the ownership because when you have a piece of you invested in things, I think you tend to make more of a commitment. And that’s what these guys have done,” Rivera said. “I can’t be more proud of the fact that we’ve had a lot of guys take charge and we had a lot of guys show up. I think they understand what it takes.”
I wish I could say that about our team as a whole, other than Dawkins and a dozen or so players working out together I haven’t seen much of a team spirit here at all. I bet Fox is envious of the enthusiasm shown by his old team. I know I am.
Brown and yellow socks Brian, haha.
Wow, more than 50 players showed up. You’d think the teams like ourselves that had a poor last season would be the ones showing up in numbers like that for workouts. I’m surprised at the numbers that showed up for Carolina, but I’m even more surprised that it is Carolina. Then again, worst record in the NFL last season doesn’t leave a good taste in your mouth. Neither does having the 2nd worst record..yuck!
Here are some of the details from an article dated May 31st, notice how all their draftees attended except one!!!:
The Carolina Panthers’ locked-out players began informal team workouts today at Charlotte Christian.
They worked out for two hours — running, doing drills and catching passes — on a hot artificial turf field on a morning when temperatures were pushing 90 degrees.
No media members were present to chronicle the proceedings — which is exactly how the organizers wanted it.
“I think when you win two games, you don’t have any business worrying about publicity or exposure,” left tackle Jordan Gross said after the workout. “We want to focus on getting to know our teammates, the new guys. To focus without distractions.
“Not worry about completion percentages being taken note of or who was in shape, who wasn’t. What guys were there and weren’t. We had an outstanding attendance and it went real well.”
Gross said more than 50 players showed up for the first of eight scheduled sessions over the next two weeks. No. 1 draft choice Cam Newton was there, as was every rookie except one who was finishing classes, according to Gross.
A few things obviously stick out:
1. None of our rookies have ever attended anything.
2. There was more media at our workouts than players, while there were none in Carolina.
3. They have a serious dose of reality at Carolina when Gross says “I think when you win two games, you don’t have any business worrying about publicity or exposure.”
4. Is it because we won 4 games and finished second worse in the entire league that we don’t have an ounce of that humility, a la Tebow’s publicity tour (money, money, money)….
I think it goes to show that this “love of the game” mentality is all but gone from the NFL. However, Carolina seems to be showing a glimmer of what’s left of it. Gotta give props to them, they obviously don’t want to be “THAT” team again next season. I honestly envy them, sure wish our guys would have shown up in numbers like that. Thing is Dawkins footed the bill, but if everyone would just chip in then it wouldn’t seem like such a burden for one person to shell out the dough for the facilities and trainers and hotels and stuff.
Bill Williamson has this over at esp.com, re: AFC West TE’s.
1. Antonio Gates, San Diego: Gates, in my mind, is the premier tight end in the NFL. He was having a stunning season in 2010, before injuries derailed it. He is still in his prime and he is a major weapon.
2. Zach Miller, Oakland: Miller made his first Pro Bowl in 2010. I don’t expect it to be his last. Miller is among a strong group of young tight ends in the NFL. He is a quarterback’s dream, who is always open. He is the complete package. He has great hands. He can stretch the field and he’s an underrated blocker.
3. Tony Moeaki, Kansas City: Watch out for this kid. He looks like he can be special. Moeaki had 47 catches and was a force as a rookie. The 2010 third-round pick is big, fast and very agile. There are going to be many pretty catches in his future. He can really block, too. I think he’s a future Pro Bowler.
4. Richard Quinn, Denver: After three gems, there is a major drop-off here. Quinn is simply a blocking tight end. But Denver doesn’t have any other tight ends with real NFL experience now that they cut Daniel Graham. Denver could get a tight end in free agency and it drafted tight ends Julius Thomas (fourth round) and Virgil Green (seventh round). I could see both of those players getting playing time as rookies.
Not hard to rank these AFC West Tight Ends, and with us we already knew we would be last, as this position was just about obsolete in McD’s Offense, with pass offense.
Do you guys think Green will emerge as a rookie TE?
Julius Thomas has some untapped potential.
Gronkowski or Quinn will be gone… who do we keep between these two??
Bay, I want football to start on time just as much as you do but I`m not the slightest bit concerned about the Carolina workouts vs our Bronco`s workouts and who doe`s and doesn`t show up. I`ll start griping when a new CBA finally gets agreed upon and signed and these lazy players can get back to work. At the time being this offseason trash is all irrelevant. It all adds up to sqaut. Just as long as our players stay in shape is wall I ask.
Royal, I`d keep Quinn. He still has potential, and a blocking TE at that which will be great for two TE sets. McD didn`t utilize Quinn but held him back. Give Quinn another shot I think.
I agree, Gronkowsit was brought in soley because his brother plays for the Patirots and McD was basically trying to go off the Patriot mold. Quinn I think has some potential.
Gronkowski
Thanks strand and brian for feedback. I’m hoping both rookies will make the Team. I agree about Quinn.
Your wecome Royal. And both of the TE`s we drafted are promising. The Johns have a game plan in general and I`m excited about our future Bronco`s. I`m looking forward to see who we grab at RB and FB when FA hits. I`m not the slightest concrnerned about Tim Tebow, he`ll be ready at the dropp of a hat.
And I`m also looking forward to see who we pick up as our DT or DT`s. Same goe`s for RB`s and FB`s, (plural).
I am hoping that the work outs in Carolina are a product of Fox that he can pump into the Broncos. As far as Allen goes I hope he brings a similar style of D from the Saints the force alot of turn overs which is always a good thing. The tight ends we drafted are very promising and I agree with Brian about Gronkowski about we picked him up because of his brother. Just like I believe Casey will not be even close to as good as Clay is.