:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29913129/152092903.0.jpg)
Last season, the Denver Broncos offense set an NFL record with 606 points scored. Clearly, offense was not a problem. The defense, however, was a problem at times and John Elway is wasting no time addressing it.
Ware Visits
Denver landed two Pro Bowl defensive backs—T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib—on Day 1 of free agency and have a visit scheduled with pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware on Day 2. Their next order of business may be addressing the middle linebacker position.
The Broncos haven't had a Pro Bowl-caliber player at MLB since Al Wilson retired ten years ago (yes, it has been that long). This offseason, Denver is expected to add a MLB, either through free agency or the draft. Two names that have been thrown around are Giants free-agent linebacker Jon Beason and Ravens free-agent Daryl Smith.
On Tuesday, the Denver Post's Mike Klis wrote the following:
The Broncos also are considering Jon Beason of the New York Giants, and possibly Baltimore's Daryl Smith at middle linebacker.
Klis' nugget should be taken with a grain of salt, as he also reported yesterday that Denver was "closing in" on signing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and "hoped to sign" Jared Allen. After landing Talib and inviting Ware in for a visit, it looks like neither of those statements will come true.
Though misinformation is out there, it does indeed appear Denver is interested in upgrading at linebacker. Beason is an obvious candidate to land the job after being drafted by John Fox in Carolina in 2007. Smith, meanwhile, is coming off a 123-tackle, 5.5-sack season. That's the kind of production Denver could use at the position.
Stay tuned as we wait to see if either of these two 'backers will come in for a visit.
