Broncos will be smart and cheap this offseason

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 2:47 PM MST

I see all these posts popping about potential Free Agent signings. It's fun to speculate, but some of you guys are saying we get Mario Williams, Cortland Finnegan, AND Peyton Hillis or somone. We have to lower our expectations. I think EFX will look into signing a big name FA or 2, but won't overpay.

This past offseason we were connected too Mebane, DeAngelo Williams, Charles Johnson and a few other big names, but didnt over pay. I expect it to be the same this year. They will get some value signing. I'll throw out a few names who could be some nice additions.

This is in no specific order

Ryan Grant RB:

He's older, and would come cheap. I wouldnt be fond of the signing, but would add another McGahee type back who would be an upgrade over Ball and Johnson

Mike Tolbert: RB/FB

Personally, i'd love this signing. He's a tank and can play FB and RB. Would be a nice versatile weapon. Plus he's a reliable catcher out of the backfield. He's still young and doesnt have many miles on his legs

Pierre Garcon WR:

Speedy guy who would be a nice addition to our WR's. Does tend to have a case of the dropsies once in awhile, but he couldnt be much worse than Eddie Royal.

Robert Meachem WR:

Solid WR who hasnt lived up to his potential. Another deep threat who would be a nice addition with Decker and Thomas

Scott Chandler TE:

A big blocking TE who can be a threat in the passing game once in awhile. Would fit right in as a blocker in our offense,

Joel Dressen TE:

A decent WR threat. Could play the role Dante Rosario played this year. He's a colorado guy i believe so lets bring him home.

Sammie Lee Hill DT:

A solid run stuffer who got lost in the mix in Detroit. He's young(25) and has size(6'4 330lbs) Would be a nice addition to our DL.

Jason Jones DT:

A Solid pass rushing DT who would give us what our D is sorely missing, a pass rush up the middle

Dan Connor ILB:

A favorite among many around here, and i'm one of them. Yes we have Nate Irving, but veteran depth is needed. Connor has been stuck behind John Beason, one of the best ILBer's in the game. Would be an instant upgrade over mays.

Rocky McIntosh OLB:

can play ILB and OLB. And if we let Woodyard leave(which is possible, he can start on other teams) we need a back-up. Always been a fan of rocky, and he would fit in well in this D

William Middleton CB:

William Middleton doesn't have much NFL experience, but he handled himself really well in relief of Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis in 2011. He's a young corner with loads of potential.

Terrell Thomas CB:

A solid starting corner in this league. Is coming off a Torn ACL, but it happened in August so he should be healthy by Training camp. Would come cheap after coming off injury.

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Some key holes could be filled here

I REALLY like Tolbert as a nasty blocking FB that can also run and catch could help put our run game over the top. Jason Jones would absolutely make my entire off season, which could open up some important options in the draft. Picking up a quality LB and CB in FA would give us a solid foundation to draft from a position of BPA rather than position needs.

Right now I’m leaning towards trading back to pick up more picks, say something like trading our way out of the first for an additional 2nd and maybe 4th.

"Peace, a journey without distance to a place we have never left."

by BroncoCUbuffs on Jan 22, 2012 3:23 PM MST reply actions

Yeah i want to trade back.

Not too far back though, i’d say no farther then the 10-12th pick in the 2nd. It really depends if anyone falls though. If there’s a guy who fell who was supposed to be a top 15 pick at our spot, i wouldnt.

I’d love tolbert. He can be a nasty runner too. Jones if healthy would be huge. His big year came when the titans ran the wide nine scheme. Philly, Detroit and probably St Louis will be running that scheme, so he might so there.

Personally i’d love to get Sammie Lee Hill. Young and big.

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 3:36 PM MST up reply actions

Not fan of trade back

We will not fill all holes in one year, so it si not critical to have more picks. But the earlier you pick, the better talent is available and the higher the chance of hitting the pick. Later picks are more frequently missed. I’d say pick best talent available, not a bunch of hopefuls.

by si_ice on Jan 22, 2012 3:40 PM MST up reply actions

Every pick is a bunch of hopefulls

really depends the draft board and what the offer is.

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 3:42 PM MST up reply actions

Trade back

Definitely at 25 I think we can get good value in the 2nd rd for that pick…. unless Kirkpatrick drops #wishfulthinking

by pr_rasta on Jan 22, 2012 7:59 PM MST up reply actions

I'm curious as to whether there may be a vet or two we could package in a trade, say DJ?

"Peace, a journey without distance to a place we have never left."

by BroncoCUbuffs on Jan 22, 2012 4:01 PM MST up reply actions

DJ could be traded

Woodyard can start in his place

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 4:05 PM MST up reply actions

Sorry, Wood is not as good as DJ. Why downgrade the position?

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 22, 2012 5:59 PM MST up reply actions

Simply put (and I kind of hate to say it)

Mike Tolbert is a beast. Human bowling ball.

"If you went to the Fair with this guy and you played that game where you have to throw the ball through the hole..... he may never get it through the hole, but he's still gonna be walking away with all the stuffed animals!" Prime's commentary on our very own Tim Tebow!!!

"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.

"If I had to choose between an abundance of football intelligence, or football wisdom, I'd choose wisdom every single time...... John Fox has enough football wisdom to be carried in a dump truck." Me!

by PaleHorse78 on Jan 22, 2012 5:15 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

seems to fit into the type of back Fox likes

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 5:44 PM MST up reply actions

I salivate over the thought of McGahee, Moreno, Tolbert and Fannin as our backfield.

I’d salivate more with McGahee, Miller, Moreno and Fannin though.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 22, 2012 6:00 PM MST up reply actions

I'd be surprised if Moreno or Fannin is on the roster

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 6:13 PM MST up reply actions

Get rid of Know go Moreno coming off ACL and hasnt done anything w/the Broncos! Like M.Fanin, draft David Wilson VTech and Darrell Scott from South Florida! So Mcgahee, D.Wilson, Mike Tolbert fb/rb, Darrell Scott S Florida,Lance Ball and Mario Fanin if ok from ACL

by BRONCOFAN4LF on Jan 22, 2012 7:14 PM MST up reply actions

Cut Ball from that list and I'm good with it. Highly doubt we carry 6 RB

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 23, 2012 8:11 AM MST up reply actions

and fannin

by Scotty Payne on Jan 23, 2012 8:52 AM MST up reply actions

why fannin when we haven't had the chance to see what he can do?

He impressed everyone in camp enough that they put him no IR.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 23, 2012 1:30 PM MST up reply actions

Agreed on Tolbert

He would be my #1 choice out of the group listed. He would be great from a versatility standpoint. Is he going to block, run or catch a pass. No tipping when he is in the game.

2nd choice would be TE, and I think you hit on a couple nice names. Would not be surprised to see a FA upgrade there, and some pressure on the younger guys to step up or get moved out. Not sure I am too high on the rest of the list, I suppose I would have to see what we do with our guys first, probably Thomas would be next on my list, but even with the injury he will command a good payday.

by brettden on Jan 22, 2012 9:38 PM MST up reply actions

IDK Scotty

I do agree they will most certainly be smart, but I think they’ll make a decent little splash. Cheap isn’t always smart, but a lot of times it is.

I’d love to see us upgrade through any means possible…. Joe Mays, Andre Goodman, and some of the reserve D-Lineman have to be replaced.

"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.

by PaleHorse78 on Jan 22, 2012 3:24 PM MST reply actions

I expect them to make a splash, but a smart one

Won’t spend big, but will spend smart. Don’t expect us going all in on one player. EFX’s focus is building through the draft.

I could see them spending on a DB or DL.

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 3:30 PM MST up reply actions

yes - agreed

I would actually prefer a veteran DB or two. I’m hoping we draft us an athletic UT… should be a few of them around in the late 1st / 2nd.

"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.

by PaleHorse78 on Jan 22, 2012 4:18 PM MST up reply actions

I'd take either or.

DT’s take a few years to mature, so a vet would be nice for a few years until they mature. If we could get a DT and a CB or S or all 3 via free agency, i’d feel good heading into the draft

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 4:27 PM MST up reply actions

I understand

but I believe we already have a pretty good veteran presence in the DT core. 2 of them counting Bunkley, who is slowly turning into a seasoned vet. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Ty Warren. We didn’t pay him all that money to give up that easily on the Super Bowl Champ. I’m actually foaming at the mouth right now thinking about a DT rotation of Ty Warren, Brodrick Bunkley, _________ (insert name from the 1st/2nd round), and either Big Vick ~ Marcus Thomas ~ Ryan McBean ~ Mitch Unrein. Something tells me we’re going to let a few of those guys walk.

I’d be very happy if we landed Worthy, Crick, Thompson… a nasty youngster.

"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.

by PaleHorse78 on Jan 22, 2012 5:13 PM MST up reply actions

Well all 3 are Free Agents...Bunkley, Thomas, McBean

so we need to sign them back, or a few replacements regardless i think

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 5:43 PM MST up reply actions

I say let McBean and Big Vick walk (unless he puts his weight back on).

Bunkley, Thomas, Jason Jones and Sammie Lee Hill please.

Then we can draft a DE in round 1 to come in for Ayers on 3rd downs.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 22, 2012 6:02 PM MST up reply actions

A guy i forgot to mention was Safety, Tom Zbikowski

could be a decent starter, solid special teamer, and just a tough guy. Always been a fan of him

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 3:37 PM MST reply actions

I love that guy

I wanted him last year, and I did not know Baltimore only signed him to a one year deal. He’s a great special teamer, and I believe he could be a Jim Leonhard type player for a franchise. He’s one tough cookie (don’t call him Rudy though, he’ll throw a hissy).

"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another." The Bible, by way of Tim Tebow.

by PaleHorse78 on Jan 22, 2012 5:16 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, he's a boxer too. Not a guy i'd want to piss off

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 5:41 PM MST up reply actions

Anyone know how fast he is?

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 22, 2012 6:03 PM MST up reply actions

4.52 at the combine.

24 reps of 225!! Guy’s stacked.

by H-bizzle on Jan 23, 2012 7:37 AM MST up reply actions

Nice. Thats pretty darn good safety speed.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 23, 2012 8:09 AM MST up reply actions

For sure.

I’ve read some opinions that he’s closer to 4.4 but didn’t quite show it at the combine, and that his game speed is much faster than the number show. I’d be happy with that pickup.

by H-bizzle on Jan 23, 2012 8:26 AM MST up reply actions

There are some good ideas here.

I have said before that I would love to see Tolbert come to Denver, and I like the other guys you suggested as well. I would be happy to see any of these guys in a Bronco uniform, with the possible exception of Ryan Grant. We caught lightning in a bottle with McGahee and I don’t know if we could get that lucky again bringing in an older back with a history of injury trouble.

Never let them see you bleed.
My shit always works sometimes.

by the_prodigal_fan on Jan 22, 2012 4:37 PM MST reply actions

Yeah Grant isnt high on my list, but would be a target i could see EFX going after

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 4:48 PM MST up reply actions

Some great names here.

We’d immediately solve some problems on D with those DTs you mentioned and Dan Connor. Those 3 have now become my prize gets for FA :). I could see Detroit letting Sammie walk but not sure if the Titans let Jones go. I’d love to have both though and Them along with Bunkley and Thomas would be great.

I would love Tolbert and Dressen too but if we got the 3 above we could draft RB with our #1 pick and get a guy like Miller and I’m actually fine with going into camp with Fells (who is under rated – we didn’t use him like St. Louis did and it showed) and Virgil and Julius.

Thanks a ton for bringing up the names of some of these guys.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 22, 2012 4:39 PM MST reply actions

No problem man

Tolbert and Hill are my two favorites out of the list. I’d love to get Connor too. I think they will let jones walk. For some reason they played him at DE this season, so i could see him wanting to go elsewhere.

I agree, if we sign a few vets along the DL and a veteran CB i think we will go RB in the 1st round. I’d use Tolbert at FB/RB. I didnt mind fells, i think we could have used him more, idk why we didnt.

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 4:48 PM MST up reply actions

I'm curious about it too. It seemed we were ready to incorporate some TEs into the passing game after what we did in the draft.

Then in TC it seemed like Julius was tearing it up. I imagine that especially after the switch to Tebow and when we tried to really get the power running game going that we used them a lot more to block than catch passes. Plus if they were the #3 or #4 option in the progression then maybe Tim never got to them.

I just really wish that we’d draw up some plays specifically for the TEs. It seems like Green is athletic enough that he can be a coverage nightmare. Maybe he is just taking a while to develop?

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 22, 2012 5:52 PM MST up reply actions

Fells

yeah. i actually liked the signing of fells. just thought they would use him more.

by broncosfan1129 on Jan 23, 2012 4:36 AM MST up reply actions

Just curious Scotty, did you get tired before the Safeties?

This is one of our most important veteran positions we need…

Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Jan 22, 2012 4:51 PM MST reply actions

haha nah i skipped them because we have gone over the safety position ALOT on here

wanted to point out a few names that havent been mentioned on here much

by Scotty Payne on Jan 22, 2012 5:41 PM MST up reply actions

Realistic

I think this approach is pretty realistic for what I expect the offseason to be. I’d love to have Dan Connor and Garcon, but we’ll see. I tend to expect the unexpected when it comes to our free agent signings.

by pr_rasta on Jan 22, 2012 8:10 PM MST reply actions

Maybe 4 or 5 guys get brought in

At least that is what I think. Then we have 7 guys from the draft, plus another 10-15 UDFA. Maybe from our final 53 we bring back about 45 guys, plus practice squad that is around 80 or so total and I think the offseason roster limit is 90. Maybe more lower tier FA signings? Either way I expect we will bring back most of our own FA players, even if they don’t make the roster at the end of camp.

by brettden on Jan 22, 2012 9:44 PM MST up reply actions

That be awesome if Dreesen would come here

from good ol’ (heavy sarcasm) Ft Morgan. I really dont think any of the TE’s you listed would be an upgrade over Fells/Rosario

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"When John Elway is standing in lava with a football, he will stay there and sink until you're open"
-Seanbaby

by Calikula on Jan 22, 2012 9:00 PM MST reply actions

Picking any player that is an upgrade of who we have is a good thing.

Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Jan 22, 2012 11:25 PM MST reply actions

And...Rec'd Scotty

Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Jan 22, 2012 11:26 PM MST up reply actions

I don't

think there will be that many needs once we resign (hopefully) our guys.
Re-sign Quinn. Maybe ad camp fodder. Done.
Re-sign Fells. Him and our two young guys at TE. Done.
If Royal re-signs WR is set except maybe one in the later part of the draft.
If Mays re-signs it should tell you EFX isn’t looking for MLB.
If Thomas, Bunkley and McBean all re-sign the DT position is pretty full. Probably still get a draft pick though. We do have Unrein to cut.
If Prater doesn’t re-sign we need a new kicker.
If our backup DEs leave we need lower round DEs. Well we do anyway. Ours are not very good.
If Dawkins retires our D sucks. Hey, it was proven at the end of the year. You all saw it.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
John Wooden

Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

by Digger24 on Jan 23, 2012 8:21 AM MST reply actions

doubt quinn comes back

i could see us getting a blocking TE, Let Green and other said blocking TE take over for the 2 TE sets, and split Thomas wide and use him around the offense.

WR is not set if royal comes back, he stinks as a WR. We need to sign another vet, or draft 1-2 guys. WR is a weakness right now.

Highly doubt Mays comes back, he doesnt fit what we do, he was the best we had right now so that’s why he started, doubt he stays.

We NEED to resign bunk. Thomas maybe, both will want long term contracts after playing on 1 year contract

We’ll be stupid if we let our clutch kicker walk

DE will be a surprise pick up early in the draft i think. We have Ayers and Doom. Ayers can stop the run, Doom is a undersized pass rusher. I think we need to address this position badly. Fox drafted alot of DE’s in his time in carolina, so i could see him taking 1 or 2 this year.

We need to learn to play without dawk

by Scotty Payne on Jan 23, 2012 8:48 AM MST up reply actions

Do you have anything other than your gut telling you

Quinn will not be back? I think he likes Denver and sees himself being one hit away from starting here. Many of you will throw a hissy fit about that, but it’s the truth. Quinn could end up starting a majority of our games one of these years. Do I know if he’s capable of succeeding at it? No. The coaches do though. My gut gives it about a 70% chance he re-signs.

I see our team needs and strengths way different than you I guess. That’s fine.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
John Wooden

Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

by Digger24 on Jan 23, 2012 9:25 AM MST up reply actions

I could see him wanting to go elsewhere and wanting to be a starter again

Yeah, everyone is going to have different opinions, it would be boring if we agreed on everything haha

by Scotty Payne on Jan 23, 2012 9:41 AM MST up reply actions

I think Prater loves it here.

I don’t know what makes me say that. But it’s just an impression I have. Kicking at altitude. Gets to be Tebow’s sidekick. What’s not to like?

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 23, 2012 8:48 AM MST up reply actions

I think he does too.

He probably will be the first contract they announce that they re-did.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
John Wooden

Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

by Digger24 on Jan 23, 2012 9:27 AM MST up reply actions

Add this...

If Dawkins retires our D sucks. Hey, it was proven at the end of the year. You all saw it.

Have truer words ever been typed?

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 23, 2012 8:48 AM MST up reply actions

We missed him bad.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
John Wooden

Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

by Digger24 on Jan 23, 2012 9:19 AM MST up reply actions

I'm just saying

once our FAs are handled and other teams take a lot of the guys you’re looking at off the table the list changes drastically.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
John Wooden

Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt

by Digger24 on Jan 23, 2012 9:18 AM MST up reply actions

Great ideas again, Scotty.

I think MHR’s falling in love with Dan Connor. Let’s hope he doesn’t break our fragile hearts.

I’m not a huge Ryan Grant fan. But I wouldn’t mind me a little Justin Forsett or Jerious Norwood. Forsett’s kind of a Darren Sproles-lite. Could be our third-down back. I know some Seahawks’ fans were clamoring for him to start prior to Marshawn’s revival.

As you likely know, Jerious Norwood has speed to burn. Had a great three years, then disappeared (maybe he was hurt?). For those who want us to draft LaMichael James, Norwood might be a viable alternative without us having to sacrifice a draft pick.

Also, Chris Polk sucks.

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 23, 2012 9:01 AM MST reply actions

I'd like forsett

Norwood is getting a little old and injury prone. I’d love to get james.

Polk doesnt suck! haha

by Scotty Payne on Jan 23, 2012 9:42 AM MST up reply actions

Norwood: Isn't he like 27 or something, with very little mileage?

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 23, 2012 10:27 AM MST up reply actions

He might be, not too sure.

Havent heard his name mentioned in years though, and when i did he was injured

by Scotty Payne on Jan 23, 2012 10:49 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah, I'm just not sure about how they're using him.

One thing I know is, a few seasons ago – as recent as 2009 – Norwood was considered one of the fastest players in the league at any position. If he’s healthy, I doubt James is any faster.

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 23, 2012 4:37 PM MST up reply actions

Did some research

Over at Falcons’ Nest or whatever, they say Norwood was always hurt and couldn’t pass block. So…probably not the best option here.

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jan 23, 2012 4:54 PM MST up reply actions

Remember that Sammy Lee Hill was the guy who ran into a burning house to save people. Fearless...

Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Jan 24, 2012 10:47 AM MST reply actions

Nice list here. The thing I like most is that it's a realistic list of free agents the broncos could get.

Not oinly that, but you can win a lot of games by signing three or four of them—at a cheap price.

My list would go: Garcon, Connor, Lee, and Middleton or even Richard Marshall. Connor and Lee would be atop of my list. I also think Fox likes going after guys like Lee because there’s not that learning curve you get from rookies. We’d all like to get a DT, but really, rookie DTs have the hardest time transitioning. Plus he is a bigger body that John Fox likes to use on defense.

by tiderfootball09 on Jan 24, 2012 12:54 PM MST reply actions

Also to add on about Dan Connor.

He is 6’2 235 and runs a 4.6 in the 40. In addition, he was a stud at Penn State. I can see him being a stud for another team because he was behind Beason. You can’t go wrong with a Penn State LB. Unlike Mays and even Irving, Penn State LBs know how to tackle—the right way. When I watch Irving highlight plays, he’s always running standing straight up as well as taclking high. You never see that with Connor or a Penn State LB. I wouldn’t be suprised if he was the biggest prize of the free agency period. I just hope it’s the broncos because then the broncos would be set for along time.

by tiderfootball09 on Jan 24, 2012 1:31 PM MST reply actions