Broncos deal with J.J. Arrington back on

by John Bena on Mar 4, 2009 3:49 PM MST in Denver Broncos Roster Moves

The Denver Post is reporting that the on-again, off-again deal between the Denver Broncos and RB J.J. Arrington is on again as the two agreed to a 4-year / $10 million contract this afternoon.

As Mike Klis reports, the Broncos are collecting running backs --

By signing three tailbacks, McDaniels is bringing another piece of the New England offensive formula to Denver. The Pats often played three tailbacks, and rarely use a 25-carry workhorse during a game. Buckhalter likely remain as the Broncos' starting tailback with the more powerful Jordan getting a few series and short-yardage carries. Arrington will compete for the third-down, pass-receiving role.

The signings all but assure current Bronco free-agent tailbacks Michael Pittman and Tatum Bell won't return. It also means the Broncos' holdover tailback stable of Selvin Young, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis will have to compete for a roster spot during training camp.

While I agree that Pittman and Young are history, and that Torain is going to have to fight hard to keep his job, I think Josh McDaniels is going to find a spot on this offense for Peyton Hillis. That is, unless Hillis' injury doesn't heal over the off-season.

The Broncos also re-signed one of their own, agreeing to terms with DT Kenny Peterson. Peterson played H.S. football with McDaniels and his younger brother in Canton, OH.

The Broncos now have 11 new bodies. We'll talk all about what it means tonight on MHR Radio - 8PM est / 6PM mst,

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Comments

I still think we should have retained Ebenezer Ekuban.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Mar 4, 2009 4:02 PM MST reply actions

Really big turnover.

This is going to be different than with Shanny. I do not think you would see these guys if Shanahan were here. Obviously, we have the pieces to run McD’s system. Nolan will be great with the d, but we need a ton more players. We have a boatload of spots open. Role players help win Championships. ala the kicker and ls.

I don’t know about Ek. I would rather see a different guy.

How many 'f' characters do you see in the folowing sencence?

Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years.

Answer: 6

by broncodude793 on Mar 4, 2009 4:06 PM MST up reply actions

Sure looks like we'll be betting heavy on D in the draft this year.

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy...Just solid guy not souper star break you bank. I turn guy." - Horvil Tiki

by broncosmontana on Mar 4, 2009 4:14 PM MST up reply actions

especialy that line

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 4, 2009 4:48 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe they still will.

He hasn’t signed somewhere else yet has he?

by Kapiti on Mar 4, 2009 4:15 PM MST up reply actions

Sorry….ready to see all of the retreads go….spare parts for toooooo long….bye Engleburger and Ek…..reminds me of the Carreker days….Tyson Jackson come on down.

by yallas on Mar 4, 2009 4:19 PM MST up reply actions

I like Ekuban a lot

He’s a solid veteran who deserves at least a backup role. However, he’s already on the small side for a DE, so I can understand why X-Man and Jedi McD aren’t interested putting him into a 3-4.
Some lucky 4-3 team out there will sign him and get a productive player.

"Battle not with stupid, lest ye become stupid, and if you gaze into the Internet, the Internet gazes also into you" -R. K. Milholland

by jack_ on Mar 4, 2009 5:49 PM MST up reply actions

yes

eck could still be effective, especially with the switch. big eck fan, myself

taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.

by davecheffy on Mar 4, 2009 8:03 PM MST up reply actions

This is a devious strategy by McDaniels

We’re going to sign every free-agent running back we can get our hands on.

Fast forward to midseason, when teams lost one or two backs to injury:

“Well now we need a tailback. What do we do?”

“Get Denver on the phone. They have like 17 left.”

We’ll hold all the cards!

by Shoemaker on Mar 4, 2009 4:08 PM MST reply actions

17 after the first 8 go down.

How many 'f' characters do you see in the folowing sencence?

Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years.

Answer: 6

by broncodude793 on Mar 4, 2009 4:10 PM MST up reply actions

Exactly.

25 running backs should be enough to see us through a season.

…Right?

by Shoemaker on Mar 4, 2009 4:16 PM MST up reply actions

I hope so.

That leaves very few spots for everyone else. haha.

How many 'f' characters do you see in the folowing sencence?

Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years.

Answer: 6

by broncodude793 on Mar 4, 2009 4:22 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe we can teach some of them to long snap

so they don’t waste roster spots.

"Battle not with stupid, lest ye become stupid, and if you gaze into the Internet, the Internet gazes also into you" -R. K. Milholland

by jack_ on Mar 4, 2009 5:50 PM MST up reply actions

Then it goes as such:

Xanders- “Broncos front office this is the professor how may I help you”
Team XYZ- “Uh yes professor, we need one of your tailbacks.”
Xanders- “Reeeeeally well I see that you have a fine 5th round draft pick in your pocket.”
Team XYZ- “Well we were hoping to use that next year.”
Xanders- “well dont you want to make it to next year? I mean without a tailback how many games can you win?”
Team XYZ- “gotta point there so about that #5 pick”
Xanders- “well I dunno you took so long I may just want your #3”
Team XYZ- “how about our #5 AND 7?”
Xanders- “Sold here are the right to Travis Henry!”

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 5, 2009 6:55 PM MST up reply actions

This reminds me of NE's WR frenzy of 2007.

Snapping up all the guys available and keeping the ones that could still compete. And as a strategy, that didn’t turn out too badly, considering they landed both Moss and Welker that year.

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy...Just solid guy not souper star break you bank. I turn guy." - Horvil Tiki

by broncosmontana on Mar 4, 2009 4:13 PM MST reply actions

Maybe his head got dislodged

I actually like what McDaniels is doing with the running backs…I really like Arrington and he will be Kevin Faulk on 3rd down….I was really tired of watching Shanahan’s offense and was ready for the change (just not at QB)

by yallas on Mar 4, 2009 4:16 PM MST reply actions

worst case, he’ll be an solid returner and hopefully allow royal to focus on WR more

by bushwah on Mar 4, 2009 4:48 PM MST up reply actions

I don't mind not having a 25-carry workhorse,

as long as we can get an effective running game that will force opponents to respect it.

2007-08 MVP: Kobe Bryant

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 9

by weazel on Mar 4, 2009 4:22 PM MST reply actions

Should we conversely infer

that you wouldn’t mind having a handful of running backs split 25 carries as long as the running game is effective?

"Battle not with stupid, lest ye become stupid, and if you gaze into the Internet, the Internet gazes also into you" -R. K. Milholland

by jack_ on Mar 4, 2009 5:52 PM MST up reply actions

I meant I don't need a featured back.

If we split the carries between three guys I will be happy as long as we have an effective running game. It would be nice to have a featured back, however a solid running game that opponents have to respect will be fine.

2007-08 MVP: Kobe Bryant

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 9

by weazel on Mar 4, 2009 8:11 PM MST up reply actions

Another signed

Broncos agreed to terms with QB Chris Simms on a two-year contract.

Some national columnists may call this an indication Denver will put Jay Cutler back on the trade block, but it isn’t. Simms, would couldn’t beat out a mentally shaky Vince Young for the No. 2 spot on Tennessee’s depth chart last year, will be a backup. It’s possible Denver adds more competition.

the internet? that thing is still around?
~Homer Simpson

by ktown on Mar 4, 2009 4:59 PM MST reply actions

I won't be able to listen tonight.

I hope we discuss how we are going to accomodate all these signings and remain below the 80 man roster maximum. Remember, we still have nine draftees to account for so we will realistically have 71 slots.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
the behind in your avatar is not a male behind - Zappa 02/18/09

by firstfan on Mar 4, 2009 5:21 PM MST reply actions

Thee's a trick teams do every year...

They will carry close to 80 guys heading into the draft, then release several to make way for draft picks and CFAs. Expect to see a number of marginal players released in April and May.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Mar 4, 2009 5:56 PM MST up reply actions

With such a wide variety of backs it will make it hard for teams to plan against one specific back.

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Mar 4, 2009 6:02 PM MST reply actions

if Hillis

doesn’t have a roster spot then I know McD is insane.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Mar 4, 2009 6:56 PM MST reply actions

Hillis will start at fullback

I think that this is great. Now we can really focus on defense in this years draft. With 9 picks, the signing of 3 running backs, and a 3rd wide out we should be able to pick up at least 6 defensive picks this year. A draft like that would make me very happy. McDaniels has done a good job of bringing in guys to play on HIS team and play his philosophy. After too many mediocre teams, I am really starting to enjoy the change. One thing that I have to say is that McDaniels is ready to play ball. He also has a lot of energy. We lacked energy the last couple of seasons.
But back to Hillis, this makes me think that we are going to have the best dual threat in the backfield in all of football. McDaniels is not stupid and everyone saw what Payton did last year. He can catch anything that comes his way, get 5 yards a carry, and block. Fullbacks are rarely perceived as threats, but he is a serious threat. With all the other offense weapons that will be on the field why not have a weapon in a fullback. Just a thought that gets me really excited about next season. Go Broncos.

by telliemrich on Mar 4, 2009 7:38 PM MST reply actions

Actually...

back when teams ran the Pro Set the full back often carried the ball. Franco Harris was technically a FB.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Mar 4, 2009 7:58 PM MST up reply actions

I don't know much,

but Hillis and his Mile High Saluting, two-defender carrying, bull-dozing, yard-gaining, and catch-making had BETTER stay in Denver! I LOVE that guy! He embodies the Broncos for me in the way he played last season.

-Harvey J. Neptune

"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi

by HarvJNep2n on Mar 4, 2009 9:20 PM MST up reply actions

Jordan is a good bruiser, I hope he can play for at least two seasons

I agree, Larsen shouldn’t get any bigger. I am getting tired of his bone crushing hits knocking the pixels off my TV, once they fall to the floor they are very hard to find.

by Arctic Bronco on Mar 4, 2009 10:41 PM MST reply actions