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The Denver Broncos have not forgotten Super Bowl XLVIII. There is plenty of room for improvement in Dove Valley and the team's front office has been addressing positions of need through free agency. Denver re-signed receiver Bubba Caldwell and then went out and signed safety T.J. Ward, cornerback Aqib Talib, defensive end DeMarcus Ware, and receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
With $6 million remaining in salary cap space (and the ability to create more space by cutting several players), the Broncos may not be done in free agency. The question is, will they bring back any of their own?
Below is a chart of Denver's free agents that have signed elsewhere this season:
|
Name |
Position |
Age |
New Team |
|
Zane Beadles |
Guard |
27 |
|
|
Eric Decker |
Receiver |
27 |
|
|
Trindon Holliday |
Return specialist |
27 |
|
|
Wesley Woodyard |
Linebacker |
27 |
|
|
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie |
Cornerback |
27 |
Giants |
|
Jeremy Mincey |
Defensive end |
30 |
Below is a list of Denver's remaining unrestricted free agents that are still to sign (thanks to IAOFM.com for the list):
|
Name |
Position |
Age |
Interest |
|
Robert Ayers * |
Defensive end |
28 |
Bengals, Giants, Cowboys |
|
Knowshon Moreno |
Running back |
26 |
|
|
Shaun Phillips |
Defensive end |
32 |
Titans |
|
Paris Lenon |
Linebacker |
36 |
None reported |
|
Stewart Bradley |
Linebacker |
30 |
None reported |
|
Quentin Jammer ** |
Cornerback |
34 |
None reported |
|
Marquice Cole |
Cornerback |
30 |
None reported |
|
Michael Huff |
Safety/Defensive back |
31 |
None reported |
|
Mike Adams |
Safety |
32 |
None reported |
|
Winston Justice |
Offensive tackle |
29 |
None reported |
|
Steve Vallos |
Center |
30 |
None reported |
|
Dan Koppen *** |
Center |
34 |
N/A |
* The Broncos announced on Saturday that defensive tackle Sione Fua has switched to jersey No. 91 (his No. 98 jersey has been given to Terrance Knighton, who gave No. 94 to Ware). The fact that Denver was willing to give away Ayers' No. 91 may be a sign that they do not expect him back.
** Similarly to Ayers, Jammer also lost his jersey number this week. When Talib switched with running back Ronnie Hillman for No. 21, Hillman went with No. 23, which was worn by Jammer last season. We don't expect the 34-year-old cornerback to return.
*** After ten years in the NFL and two Super Bowl victories, Koppen is retiring.
The little-known players
Players like Lenon, Bradley, Cole, and Huff seem unlikely to return, while linemen Justice and Vallos remain options for the team to provide more depth to the offensive line. None of these players would draw blockbuster headlines, and Denver can afford to move on from each of them.
More notable players
As noted above, Ayers is not expected to return after Denver gave away his jersey number. There has been interest in the veteran defensive end, so it should not be hard for him to find a new home. Veteran safety Adams, on the other hand, has received no interest from any other teams but wants to return to Denver. Unfortunately for Adams, he may be the odd man out after Denver brought in Ward.
Two players that gave Denver great bang for their buck in 2013 are Phillips and Moreno. Last season, Phillips played for a base salary of $1 million and recorded ten sacks. Moreno played on a base salary of $1.7 million and rushed for a career-high 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 548 receiving yards and three more touchdowns receiving.
Somewhat surprisingly, Denver appears content to let both players walk in free agency. The Broncos want second-year running back Montee Ball to carry the load in the backfield this fall and suddenly have little need for Phillips after landing Ware to a three-year deal. However, if the price is right, why not bring back both players?
The Dolphins had Moreno in for a visit earlier this week but he left without a contract. The door is still open for Moreno to land in Miami, and that may happen. But if the market for Moreno is lower than expected, Denver could consider bringing him back at a bargain price. That's an unlikely scenario, but it's one that many fans in Denver are hoping will happen.
Phillips has received little interest in free agency and remains an option for Denver. If he is willing to play for the veteran minimum again, it's hard to think of a reason why the Broncos would not bring him back.
What's your take, Broncos Country? Vote in the poll below!
