FanPost

Should We Pick Up Mike Peterson?

I found this from M. Lombardi, national Football post:

FROM MICHAEL C. WRIGHT OF THE FLORIDA TIMES UNION… Peterson stood on the sidelines in a sweatsuit Sunday while his teammates routed the Lions 38-14. The next day, Del Rio lauded the play of Peterson’s replacement, Daryl Smith (who replaced an injured Peterson for six games last season), while sidestepping questions about Peterson. "My plan right now is to dance around this one and move on to the next subject," Del Rio said Monday. On Wednesday, he said: "I’m not going to get drawn into a discussion about that today." The team’s first major addition in free agency under Del Rio in 2003, Peterson appears to have fallen out of favor despite being one of the team’s most productive players and its leader on defense. According to statistics compiled by the team, Peterson leads the Jaguars with 85 tackles—despite missing a game. Smith, who hasn’t missed a snap, ranks second with 81 stops. Peterson is the team’s lone captain named solely by teammates, and he earned that designation several days after Del Rio appointed the team’s other captains himself. Peterson was critical of the organization during training camp because of its reluctance to extend his contract, which is currently in its last year. Asked about the possibility of suffering a fate similar to defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (traded to Buffalo) and Deon Grant (not re-signed, now with Seattle), Peterson seemed upbeat about his prospects. "I’m a different breed, though. I go down swinging," Peterson said. "I won’t really just accept it. I’m not just going to hand it to anybody on a platter."

This locker room is a mess and Del Rio is not dealing with the problems at hand. His avoidance of the issue is not going to win him any favors either. Whatever the key issue is with Petersen, Del Rio needs to move forward and he needs to deal with it man to man and move past it. If he cannot, then this will linger in the locker room. This is one of those situations where you cannot use the Law of Three Leadership rules, because Peterson was one of those players who use to do whatever was asked of him and was team captain. So it is in the best interest of the team that Del Rio work on a solution and not walk around the building counting the days until Peterson is a free agent.

So, here's a question. Should the Broncos take a run at this man? He's in the last year of his contract. Despite what was called insubordination, he was elected captain by his teammates and is popular with them. He's a very good MLB and we need a team leader on the defense. Sad as I am to say it, Larsen probably isn't going to be a MLB anytime soon, if at all. An elite Mike, even a ten year veteran, could really help us out. If we're going to pay elite dollars, is this a good place for them?

He's 6'1, 238. he doesn't miss games - Has started 117 of 120 games in nine seasons with career totals of 1,226 tackles (704 solo), 18.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, five forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. But if he's been fighting with Shanahan's friend, Jack Del Rio, would he be more problem or solution?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR.