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Today we saw some of the movement we have been anticipating out of the Broncos Front Office. Denver picked up a Cornerback that will create competition for the right side in Tracy Porter and also doubled up on weapons for Quarterback Peyton Manning, signing Tight Ends Joel Dreesen and Jacob Tamme.
Broncos V.P. of Football Operations John Elway tweeted this:
"Joel Dreessen, Jacob Tamme and Tracy Porter will make big contributions for us in 2012."
I believe Elway, but then I am ever the optimist.
Dreesen and Tamme represent quite an upgrade from Daniel Fells and Dante Rosario for the Broncos in 2012. Up until a few days ago, I would have been happy with the two former Bronco Tight Ends return. Especially in Denver's 2011 Offensive scheme. But Peyton Manning changes the equation here. Adding a pair of receiving Tight Ends to Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker and Willis McGahee is an arsenal that I could get excited about. I am actually more enthused that we picked up Tamme as opposed to the aging Dallas Clark.
Other Free Agent moves this afternoon:
- C Jeff Saturday spurned the Broncos and Titans by signing with the Green Bay Packers
- LB Jameel McCLain, who also visited Dove Valley this week, opted to re-sign with the Ravens and assume his starting spot at Weak-Side Linebacker.
- Former Bronco DE Derrick Harvey found a new home in Cincinnati today. Or at least a Training Camp tryout. He didn't make it on the field last year in Denver and he is trending into a complete bust after being selecting 8th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Surprisingly, RB Marion Barber pulled the plug after seven years in the league. To bad his last memory on the field (for me) will be mistakenly running out of bounds to help the Broncos beat the Bears in Overtime last year. The only thing that could have capped it off was a seven Sack game out of Jay Cutler, who was injured and did not suit up for the contest.
Alex Marvez reported that Broncos S Brian Dawkins said he suffered a pinched nerve last season & needed recovery time. he's back at 100% & numbness in fingers is gone. Dawkins hasn't made a decision on whether he will play another season. He is 38 years old and Denver just signed Mike Adams. Obviously, there is more of this story to come. Don't write off Weapon X.
Per Len Pasquarelli, the Carolina Panthers will listen to offers for Running Back Jonathan Stewart. Upon signing Mike Tolbert in Free Agency, the Panthers quickly put the word out that Stewart was not on the trade block. Pasquarelli believes the Steelers could make a play for Stewart and everyone else has dots connecting the 25 year old rusher with the Broncos and his former coach John Fox. Stewart is in the last year of his rookie contract and will receive $1,311,250 this season. No serious inquiries have been made as of yet, but Stewart would be a perfect fit in Denver if you ask me. For now, it's merely rumor and speculation.
In an ironic twist, the New York Jets traded backup Quarterback Drew Stanton to the Indianapolis Colts. The circle is complete
And according to Mike Klis (so it may or may not be true), Tim Tebow will be the one returning the $2.53 Million to the Broncos, not the Jets.
There have been no further reports on the pursuit of Quarterbacks Caleb Hanie and Billy Volek.
That's all I've got for now.
Go Broncos!