Why Denver wants the CBA done and done by March 4th

Maybe more than anyone else, John Elway, and the rest of the Denver Broncos need this CBA mess to get fixed up as soon as possible. If it gets done it gives Denver the flexibility this off-season, to begin a quick, effective rebuilidng process, starting with the defense. If the CBA gets done they will be able to solve multiple personnel issues. Including the QB situation, Bailey, and the rest of the defense.

First of all the Champ Bailey saga, can be solved by simply applying the franchise tag to the 10-time Pro Bowler, and frankly both sides would be okay with this but would much rather get a long(er)-term deal done (somewhere in the 4 year range). Maybe to show respect to Bailey add an opt-out clause if they don't make the playoffs after the second year, but that's my opinion. The fact is Denver NEEDS Champ in their secondary, no matter what they do in the draft. So most importantly this off-season for Denver is re-signing Champ Bailey. And doing this before the draft helps the Broncos moving forward the rest of the off-season. If Bailey leaves, or if it is unsure if he is staying, a corner back MUST be taken with that #2 pick. If we know he is staying, based on what else Denver does through trades and free agency, they could still potentially take Peterson, and have a tandem of Bailey and Peterson, now how fun would that be to watch?

Now let me move on to the QB "controversy which could be an entire post in and of itself. Tim Tebow is clearly the fan favorite, and it looks as if Orton is the odd man out, except he may not be able to leave if the CBA doesn't get done, and then there could be a divided locker room, which is an invitation for another disastrous season. Elway can't come out and say that Tebow is the starter, because then Orton loses all of his trade value at that point. This is just my opinion but before the draft Orton's value will be at its highest, and many are saying Denver would trade him for a 3rd and 4th, or a second. If it were up to me I would attempt to offer a trade that consisted of Orton, and one of their second round picks for a mid to high first round, or Orton and say a 4th for a late first early 2nd. A little off topic but Royal and Orton for a first might also work, which would give Denver 4 draft picks in the top 36, a perfect storm for rebuilding.

This year's free agency will be extremely important to Denver, because it will help dictate what they do in later trades, and the draft. In my opinion during the free agency period Denver should focus on adding a some more offensive firepower, by this I mean adding some play makers like guys such as Deangelo Williams and a scoring threat at Tight End such as Owen Daniels, by adding just those two guys that gives Denver a very interesting offense, because they will clearly be a run first team, but they have the receivers to attack down field when they need to, giving them balance, something that every team strives for. And on defensive, I would like to see them add depth primarily on the interior part of the line and/or Linebackers. I think that though the secondary needs improvement, Denver would be better suited addressing that issue in the draft. I don't have anyone specific in mind, I'll leave that up to the John's, but they shouldn't be looking to revamp the defense in free agency, because that won't work, but they can find quality veteran Role-Players that can definitely help.

The draft is where future Super Bowls are won and lost, and of all the phases of the first off-season under the new regime this will be the most important. This is also the most important reason that the CBA gets done before the draft. As I said before Kyle Orton's value from now until the draft is the highest it will ever be, there have also been some Eddie Royal trade rumors. If the CBA is done in time it will give Denver unlimited flexibility with what they want to do with their picks/trades. I am not going to give you guys a full mock draft, but I will say that whatever happens with Champ Bailey, if Patrick Peterson is on the board, they should take him, after that I would like to see them draft primarily defense. A couple guys I would like to see Denver target include; Jaquizz Rodgers RB (OSU), Casey Mathews LB (Oregon) (Clay Mathew's brother), and D.J. Williams TE (Arkansas), Kelvin Sheppard LB (LSU), Tyler Sash S (IOWA) (hard hitting safety/best pick six of the year).

Thanks for reading and please be easy on the comments, because this is my first FanPost.

Go Broncos