How to run the Broncos' Free Agency when (and if) it opens
We are in a very abset situation with the lockout and we don’t know how or when it will be resolved. The fact is that I live in Brazil and I have no sources of news on this subject. My focus therefore is to suggest what to do once (and if) the Free Agency market is open.
My start is looking who are our FA players this year:
RB - Laurence Maroney, 26 years old;
TE - Daniel Graham, 31 years old;
RT - Ryan Harris, 26 years old;
DT - Justin Bannan, 32 years old;
NT - Jamal Williams, 35 years old;
DT - Ronald Fields, 29 years old;
DT - Marcus Thomas, 25 years old;
LB - Wesley Woodyard, 25 years old;
K - Matt Prater, 27 years old.
Here is my course of action:
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1- In the first instant that the market opens, I would resign Matt Prater without thinking twice. There are no high level options to replace our young and great kicker who is in Denver since 2007. His FG percentage is 77% (his longest is a 59yds FG against the NYJ last year - the 8th longest in NFL) and he is a very good kickoffer. |
2- We need to fill the holes in the biggest need of the team for 2011: Defensive Tackle.
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2a. The best option is to make a huge effort to sign Barry Cofield (6ft 4in and 306lb). This great DT is only 27 years old and is an excellent run stuffer (our biggest problem in the past season), who can fairly rush the passer too, or collapse the pocket. Here we must invest most of our money with a big contract. |
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2b. Now it’s time to go after Justin Bannan (6ft 3in and 310lb). Our free agent DT is very likely to play a stud season in 2011, being the immediate depth for Vickerson-Cofield. In a 4-3 defense he can stuff the run plays better than we did in 2010. |
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2c. Having invested some money in this position so far, Marcus Thomas (6ft 3in and 316lb) becomes our best option for more depth. Drafted in 2007, he is still a young and promising player who can improve his game in the next years. It’s very interesting to keep him on the roster. |
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3- I’m very skeptical about Orlando Franklin playing RT as I am about Zane Beadles too. While Beadles is still raw for this job, Franklin showed a very good upgrade to our running game, but he has a huge lack of pass protection. Knowing he would have to protect Tebow’s blindside, there is no other choice but to resign Ryan Harris (6ft 5in and 300lb). Besides a good pass protector, he will have a very important hole in the Zone Block Scheme running plays. We drafted him in 2007 and he still has much to do for our team if he can remains healthy. |
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4- As Moreno is injury prone, we must find a good partner to have depth at RB position and split the job with him. DeAngelo Williams (5ft 8in and 217lb) is our man. Besides being young, he has worked with John Fox, so with his signing we would have a great corp of HBs for some years. |
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5- With DJ Williams, Nate Irving and Von Miller as the most likely starters, we finalize the Free Agency upgrading the depth of our LB corps. Mike Mohamed is quite unlikely to join the team or to make the bench with Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard (already RFA). In that sense, I would invest in the signing of James Anderson (6ft 2in and 235lb) as our sam. Besides being a great backup for Miller in some downs, he’s a great tackler and plays well dropping to cover TEs/Slots. With 130 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2010, he still has the advantage of having worked with Fox since 2006, when he was drafted by the Panthers. |
With those signs I accomplish my mission in the Free Agency market for 2011, if there is one, strengthening our roster punctually:
Resigns: Matt Prater, Justin Bannan, Marcus Thomas and Ryan Harris.
New signs: Barry Cofield, DeAngelo Williams and James Anderson.
Keep as RFA: Wesley Woodyard
GO BRONCOS!
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Comments
I agree. DeAngelo is going to cost too much to be worth bringing in. I would prefer a younger and cheaper option. Assuming Lendale White is healthy, we have a decent 1-2 with Moreno and White. A third back is certainly needed.
I actually like our depth at Linebacker after the draft. I would much rather see us sign two DT than to bring in a player like Anderson. Would he be a slight upgrade? Yes, but we have more pressing needs along the defensive front.
If by decent you mean below avearge...
yes we have a “decent” 1-2 punch. Both players would not start for another team in our division and it would be hard to find a team where they would be starters. Lets just say the broncos don’t have to worry about missing any calls for trades on either player. Having said this, I would not overpay for a running back either. The worst thing you can do is panic in a the situation the broncos are in. Upgrading talent takes time and you always need to get good value for it.
Yes Moreno could “put it all together” and have a great year. The problem is, Moreno lacks game speed or at least has so far in his career. He lacks the speed to get to the edge. You don’t have to be blazing fast, but you need enough speed to get to the corner. If you can’t get to the corner, you need to be able to run through contact. Moreno has not show this ability with any consistency or even many flashes. He does posses good lateral movement and good hands. With a good offensive line, he could be reasonably successful but so could many, many running backs. He is intriguing as a receiver. I would like to see him succeed, he seems to be a good guy and a team guy.
Sad truth is, given their recent histories Moreno and White are a below average backfield for the NFL. I would be willing to give Moreno another year before I did something drastic or overpaid for a running back. I would try to pick up someone on the cheap though, in case Moreno needed to be replaced.
by Keyworthpunch on Jun 6, 2011 9:25 AM MDT up reply actions
Like many other RB's Moreno needs more touches.
Even with our crappy O-line (really I feel it was the scheme!) Moreno has shown promise when given more than 20 carries. The sad thing is he was only averaging 13 carries per game. He has a decent YPC and should have fresh legs. If he can stay healthy he needs to be given a chance to establish a rhythym and given holes to run through. Many of those carries where he got 1-2 yards were carries when he was hit 5 yards deep in the backfield. Barry Sanders was the only back I have seen to have decent rushing numbers while getting consistantly hit in the backfield.
"The problem with quotes in internet signatures is 90% of them are made up -Ghandi"
Team G Carr Yds YPG Avg TD Fum Fum Lost
DeAngelo Williams CAR 6 87 361 60.2 4.1 1 1 1
Knowshon Moreno DEN 13 182 779 59.9 4.3 5 3 2
Ok, here is a statistical comparison between DeAngelo Williams and Knowshon from last season.
So I ask, how much is DeAngelo worth?
I know that hating on Moreno is the popular thing to do these days, but he was a decent back last year, especially given the young offensive line and lack of commitment to the running game, not to mention his nagging injuries. It is hard to get to the corner when you keep getting hit in the backfield. Once he was healthy and the line started gelling, Knowshon performed at a reasonable level.
By the way, DeAngelo and Knowshon ranked 22nd and 23rd respectively in YPG last season, lower than the starting backs from Oakland and KC, but above those from San Diego, so your comment that Knowshon would not start for any other team in our division is a bit of an overstatement as well.
So thinking about all your thoughts,
Tim Hightower could be a good move here. He was tendered as a 5th round pick, and we would upgrade a lot our 3rd down running plays.
In fact, I agree to Keyworthpunch and I think our HBs corp are below average for the NFL. I like them all.. they are team guys who do their bests… but Moreno needs help, and he isn’t the solution for our run yet. Maybe he can improve in a few years. We hope so!
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Moreno/Orton are the favorite whipping boys now
I’ll take Moreno anyday. In comparison who besides Floyd and TD in the Broncos history can you argue for? Armstrong? One great year, blew hamstrings and done.
I’ll argue that Moreno is a more talented Sammie Winder. Remember him? Everyone’s favorite whipping boy of the mid 1980’s? Reeves tried and tried to replace him, but he did everything good with a ton of effort behind every move.
Was he slow? Yep. Did he block? Yes. Did he Hillis (fumble)? Rarely. Did he bust his butt for the extra yard? Oh hell yeah! Did he catch? Yeppers. Was he a workhorse? Absolutely.
Does anybody remember Lydell Mitchell?
Make those miracles happen - Jon Keyworth
Truth has no agenda - Glenn Beck
I'm curious
What has Moreno done that has you defending him? I think he has a way to go to be a “featured” back, but I don’t hate him. It would be nice if he wasn’t winded after every run and if he could make a safety miss in the open field.
Sorry, but Clinton Portis was vastly superior and I’d take Mike Anderson over Know any day of the week. Moreno doesn’t have the speed or elusiveness of a smaller back, and because of his size, he doesnt overpower defenders either.
His performance in the second half of the year is encouraging, but I’m guessing that that’s the best we’re going to get from him: no game-changing runs, just slow and steady and about 4 ypc. To me, that’s the epitome of a second option at RB. I don’t know what indication he’s given since coming to Denver that he’s anything more than that.
by EddieRoyalwithCheese on Jun 6, 2011 10:57 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
well stated agree 100%. I'd add:
Olandis Gary
Bobby Humphrey
Rueben Droughns
Moreno isn’t a featured type (but was drafted as one) I see him as a sewell-type with less talent and height. Its not hate just opinion based on watching games over the years
just slow and steady and about 4 ypc
Sold! That sounds pretty good actually
Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.
Yeah, I dont get the hate on Moreno. He was really putting it together at end of season...but then again, i dont get the love for Ryan Harris either so what do i know. I think he plays soft!
FIRE DE MAURICE SMITH...he can go suck dog balls for all I care!
NFLPA??? National Fools and Lame Pricks Association!
ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT WE HAVE IN TEBOW? Watching Kyle orton is like watching re-runs of the Brady Bunch...you always know whats going to happen and makes you feel sick at the end!
"I actually watched the World Cup. I HATE baseball. Hockey’s over. Hey, at least we have the WNBA. Oh, man. I’m making a noose. Want one?"
Harv Neptune.
Moreno has shown flashes of quality, but they have been inconsistent at best and, perhaps most importantly, he is VERY injury-prone. I have my doubts as to whether he will ever put a 16-game season together, and I strongly suspect that he will be out of the league within three seasons. With more touches and a lot of luck, he may become a bona fide #1 guy, but it looks highly doubtful at this point if for no other reason than his lack of durability. Insurance at the RB position is essential.
You cut a guy you just drafted especially the way this off season is going.
Mike Mohamed is actually going to surprise some people who never got a chance to watch him play in college. I live in Tucson Arizona now so i watch allot of PAC 10 football and he was a physical & smart MLB for Cal. He will definately be a great special teams player for the Broncos next year and i think he has great upside for the future of this team. I like the rest of the moves listed above not sure we’ll be able to pull in DeAngelo though.
Hope you are right..
..and Mohamed surprises us all. Trading Orton will make a good space in terms of salary cap to have a good team.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Nice work fabio
I am really excited to see who we get on the dline. Cofield would be a huge upgrade and could instantly change the outlook of our defense that is already looking to be pretty good. I would like bannan back as well but could care less about Thomas.
My only disagreement would be Anderson. I don’t think we need anymore LB and Anderson will probably want to Start somewhere and I dont see it happening here.
by jshaw546 on Jun 5, 2011 9:23 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
lets get
Jerome Harrison! think we could get him on the cheap and has a lot of upside.
Anderson would want too much money, and want to be starter.
You spent to much
although all this sounds great (except the james anderson move which i think is expensive and unnecessary) but you have to chose your free agents , you can’t have it all. If you sign a high profile DT like Barry Coefield i think you don’t have the cash to also take a high profile player like Deangelo williams so , yes i would take Cofield Over Williams but you cant have both man.
by JulianPerez22 on Jun 5, 2011 10:38 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Undercap salary..
I agree with broncs27, who said that he doesn’t care about the money. The Broncos were undercap, and we made some moves (like cutting Jamal Williams who was going to receive 1M for another year) in this way. So if we can keep the salary cap ok, I don’t care about how much money it would cost. It’s not my money, it’s Bowlen’s… All I want is a great team and winning a SuperBowl again in few years.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
I would be very happy to see this happen
But you have to keep price in mind when it comes to FA, and this would be breaking the bank, just from my point of view. All three new FA’s would want big contracts, up near the top of their positional pay grades, especially Coefield and Williams. Add in Prater and Harris will want upgrades in their contract situation as well, it would be to pricy in my mind. I would put as much money into Coefield, we need a stud DT, no matter what, he would add the most to the team as well. Williams would upgrade our RB situation, and Anderson would be nice, but would want to start, but only Coefield would be a huge plus to the team. Coefield would help our front seven significantly, I don’t see Williams or Anderson adding nearly the benefit he does.
Sadly, FA signings rarely go along the lines of us getting everyone we want, and I think picking one or two of the new guys would be more likely then adding three big new contracts to the team.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Undercap salary..
I agree with broncs27, who said that he doesn’t care about the money. The Broncos were undercap, and we made some moves (like cutting Jamal Williams who was going to receive 1M for another year) in this way. So if we can keep the salary cap ok, I don’t care about how much money it would cost. It’s not my money, it’s Bowlen’s… All I want is a great team and winning a SuperBowl again in few years.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Nice post
DeAngelo is gonna fetch a high price tag. I think that will keep him away from Denver more than anything. Xanders has repeatedly said this team will build through the draft, and only get stop gaps in FA. I like Williams but he doesn’t fit that, we’d be getting into a bidding war with a bunch of teams and would have to give him ridiculous money, which someone eventually will.
I like your take on the DT’s. Even if we get a big time guy Thomas should be signed, as you said. Prater is a must. If Anderson hits the market, I think he’ll be one of those backups who has starting potential which will lead someone to give him starting money. I don’t see us matching that and if he hits the market I think he’d like a shot at the SAM spot, which he won’t get here.
Harris is kinda tricky. Clearly the new regime doesn’t like him. I think they’ll “offer” some BS contract which is dirt cheap. So if no one does sign him he’ll come back with his tail between his legs and be a backup. Otherwise he’ll take his best offer (which won’t be here) and compete for a starting job. I feel bad, he’s played well enough not to deserve that, but the injuries are scary and Harris is far from the Fox RT.
If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.
I agree..
..with Xanders saying we must build the Broncos through the draft. But the 2nd worst team of the NFL in 2010 needs to fill some holes with urgency. I don’t want a wildcard next year, but I want a Super Bowl in a few years. But I don’t want another 4-12 too. Let’s see how it all will be, and how agressive EFX will be in free agency at all. Thanks for your comment.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
It'll be interesting to see how active in free agency John Elway is.
by tiderfootball09 on Jun 6, 2011 12:13 AM MDT reply actions
If FA plays out like this I would be okay with it. I think Williams is going somewhere else though, and I get the feeling Harris is leaving. Also if we sign another LB, I hope we take a shot at Barret Rudd. Him with DJ and Miller would be fierce.
"If we cannot find a way, we will make one." -Hannibal
by AvalancheRescueDog on Jun 6, 2011 12:52 AM MDT reply actions
James Anderson was on my wish list... prior to the draft
Now… He’s a no go.
I believe in the fat DTs, even though that’s become somewhat less popular lately. I still like Jamal williams over Justin Bannan for this system. Course, I still like Fat albert as a main target also, so take it with grain of salt.
Great post. rec
Von. Doom. Pow!
I think Thomas should be a priority over Bannan. I like Deangelo but would also love to see Michael Bush
I don’t think we’ll target a LB.
Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.
Why is everyone so worries about how much a player will cost?
I mean its not like its our money. In a sense yea we pay for the tickets and merchandise but if bowlen wants all these players who are we to say no he’s too expensive? I think it would be better of just worrying would to sign and who not to sign and not worry about the price tag unless we are paying for it ourselves. It’s also my understanding that the Broncos were so far undercap in ’09 and hardly spent any last year it should be no problem to sign whomever we want. Not trying to be rude but in the same breathe, who are we to say…
by broncs27 on Jun 6, 2011 6:58 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
proof reading is a lost art.
Just worry about who to sign*
by broncs27 on Jun 6, 2011 6:59 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
That's my point.
I don’t care about Bowlen’s money. If we can be under the salary cap, that’s fine to me. I don’t want a wildcard next year, but I want is a great team and winning a SuperBowl again in few years. If we need to spend a lot of money, for me it’s ok. Bowlen won a ton of money from the Broncos among all those years…
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Given a salary cap (assuming there is one in the new CBA, and further assuming that there will be a new CBA), every dollar spent on one player is a dollar not available to spend on other areas of need. Even if there is a soft cap with some sort of luxury tax, fiscal efficiency is vital for the future heath of the franchise both financially and on the field.
I'd like to see these moves of course
But that RB will COST maybe too much and we still need DB help.
Can’t do it all of course.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. DA
Looks good to me. I’d rather have Sproles than Williams, but your moves make sense.
Thanks for no resigning Maroney. Let that McD misfire end up elsewhere.
Welcome to Denver Von Miller.
I like Sproles..
But I think he lost some speed this season. Who knows how good he will play the next one… So he is an unecessary risk to take this moment.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
News Flash
The world isnt ending…. So 2011 will not be the last NFL season… which means we don’t need to over pay DTs or RBs or anybody for that matter. The Broncos are not built to win the super bowl this year… so why panic when there will be DTs in the 2012 offseason and DTs in the 2012 draft.
Further…. FA won’t save this D. Scheme is what clearly failed us in the past. We had a decent D.C. in 2009 and our defense played well until McD started poking his nose in on the other side of the ball. Other than that, we have had bums… and our defense has played like trash. New coach in 2011… new scheme.. lets see how the current players play in the new scheme before we panic and sign expensive FAs.
I think..
we must build the Broncos through the draft. But the 2nd worst team of the NFL in 2010 needs to fill some holes with urgency. I don’t want a wildcard next year, but I want a Super Bowl in a few years. But I don’t want another 4-12 too. Let’s see how it all will be, and how agressive EFX will be in free agency at all. Thanks for your comment.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
What part of Brasil?
I lived in Sao Paulo for a few years after high school. Eat some coxinhas and feijaoda for me.
trumanj
Oh really! I’m from Sao Paulo… I was born here, and lived for my entire life in the same place. If you come again to Brazil, contact me. So we can have some beers and talk about Broncos… of course eating some coxinhas and feijoada (on wednesdays LOL). My facebook profile is FABIO THAILANDES… the link is here on my SBN profile page, find me there so we can talk.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Nice job with your writeup, Fabio . . .
Regarding your moves, I don’t see anything wrong with any of them . . .
-
BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!
Not bad
I think DeAngelo is definitely on their radar, but he would command top dollar. The Broncos do have plenty of cap space. After drafting Miller and Irving, we won’t be signing a big name LB. Since Bannan and Cofield play 1 tech, either works for me, but having both wouldn’t be bad. I think they do resign Thomas to play 3 tech with Vickerson. They need another couple of DT bodies though and I don’t know who they would take. Mebane would work for me too if they re-sign Bannan.
Nice write up.
Here is my personal list:
1. Matt Prater
2. Brandon Mebane
3. Deangelo Williams
4. Marcus Thomas
5. Justin Bannan
6. Mike Karney (FB)
Fabio, Front Page! NICE!
I would make two changes. I would not sign Anderson as I think Mike Mohamed will surprise us all. He gets results and has a non-stop motor. The second change would be signing Harris. Not because I don’t like him, but I think Franklin will surprise as well. They will make up for his pass blocking deficiencies by shading a TE or FB to his side.
Got your plane tickets yet for the game?
I am proud to admit that I promoted it. lol
It was well put together AND it talked about the 2011 football season. The constant drum of lockout coverage was beginning to make my eyes glassy…
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
The artist formerly known as ZAPPA
I hope you are right, topnation.
Two surprises like these would be very welcome in our rebuilding process. I really want you to be right, but if you’re not what would be your plan B for those 2 spots?
Tim, first of all thank you for the promotion. It is an honor for me to be a Bronco and be part of MHR, I hope to contribute always here with ideas and thoughts of my part of the continent. Then, if you have any news about the lockout please share it. It’s very annoying not having anyone to talk about football, Broncos.. and even on this abset lockout. I wonder how great it’s for you guys out there who can argue about the Broncos with neighbors, coworkers, and friends at the pub etc. This year I’ll finally know the Invesco Field and I hope to see a big victory there.
Thanks for the comments.
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Tim..
By the way, as you can see above in my post, your “imagem / text” template worked. Do you remember teaching me this? LOL
I bleed Orange & Blue.
Maroney is only 26?
He runs like he is 46.
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
You are being generous.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
The artist formerly known as ZAPPA
Yeah
Runs? That IS generous. Lol
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk
by KaptainKirk on Jun 6, 2011 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
Good points. Gingerly dances into the pile?
We see a wonderful sun-soaked city nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Enos sees nickels and dimes.
by Bob in Boulder on Jun 6, 2011 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions
Still too generous.
Leisurely jogs to the closest defensive player?
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"They said I couldn't be a high school quarterback, they said I couldn't get a D1 scholarship. You're not good enough, you're not skilled enough. They said I couldn't win a heisman. They said I couldn't win a national championship. They said I wouldn't be a first round draft pick. They said I couldn't play in the league. Appreciate that." - Tim Tebow.
nice write up and agree
I think we all will be liking Moreno more if Williams come is a nice change of pace and he wont be run down or injured hopefully

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