Horse Tracks: Broncos fans unsettled in free agency

I'll admit it. Sure, I have been a little surprised that so many players that contributed to the Super Bowl victory a little more than a month ago will be suiting up for other teams. As with every year, I expected some amount of turnover, but it seems like this year it's different.

Winning a Super Bowl shines a light on every player so bright that it manages to obscure their true value. They don't yet have their rings, but the bling of what happened in Santa Clara is tipping the financial scales in the player's favor...and good for them. My dad always said that when it comes to work, you're worth what people will pay you. I got no hard feelings for anyone chasing a check.

Should the Broncos have tried harder or paid more to hold on to their players? Hindsight is twenty-twenty, but Elway is sticking to his plan. As fans we owe it to the team to trust in what they're doing. Elway brought Manning to Denver, made us the powerhouse of the AFC West, won two AFC Championship titles, and a Super Bowl. To flip out just a week into free agency may be a little premature.

Malik Jackson was going to get paid and we all knew it. After seeing the contract the Jaguars gave him, there was just no way that could have happened in Denver. The often injured Danny Trevathan, bless his heart, is replaceable. Good on him for getting back with former Broncos coach John Fox.

C.J. Anderson got an offer to become a top-paid running back in the NFL from the Dolphins. After never cresting 1,000-yards rushing in Denver, there was no chance he'd ever sniff that kind of money from the Broncos.

Then there's Brock. While I do feel sorry for those fans that beat the door down at the Broncos store at Dove Valley and at the stadium to buy his jersey at a premium (you should be smarter than that), reports have surfaced that he never intended to sign with Denver in the first place and only used the Broncos to drive his price up. Now, in Houston, he's the guy with the huge contract and, finally, the pressure to win is on him. Elway the quarterback had seen over the last four years what skills lay within Osweiler and John Elway the GM said..."No thanks, not at that price." Frankly, that's good enough for me.

All these players went out and got paid and good for them. The Broncos are sticking to their plan and so far that plan is not to overpay for players, no matter who they are. It's that kind of fiscal clear-thinking that allowed the Broncos to land Ware, Ward, and Talib after the failure of Super Bowl XLVIII. Sit tight Broncos Country, despite what the sports pundits may say, there's no trophy for winning the first week of free-agency. This week should be interesting.

In Elway we trust.

HORSE TRACKS

ESPN is quick to punch the panic button with regard to the Broncos and free-agency. Denver Broncos know free agency can't bail them out this time - NFL Nation- ESPN

How have the Broncos done so far? Here's what the 'experts' say.  Notable NFL free-agency signings, reaction, moves, deals | ESPN

Since when did Ryan Fitzpatrick get so good he could make outrageous contract demands? I like the guy, but dude needs to realize his place in the pecking-order of quarterbacks. Denver Broncos interested in Ryan Fitzpatrick, but asking price may be too high | ESPN

C. J. Anderson's offer from the Dolphins is absolutely insane. Anderson is a good back, but no way he's top three in the NFL. To match or not to match: Only two NFL running backs will get more 2016 pay than C.J. Anderson | #9news #9sports

A few days ago, it seemed like the trade sending Colin Kaepernick to Denver was all but done. What happened? Here's why a Colin Kaepernick trade is reportedly being held up - CBSSports.com

Super Bowl champion tackle Ryan Harris is going to visit the Steelers. Free agent tackle Ryan Harris to visit with Steelers - The Denver Post

Did you hear that the Raiders could be favored to win the AFC West? Easy there fellas. Why don't you all just focus on getting a winning record. Broncos troll NFL after tweet suggesting Raiders could be new AFC West favorite | #9news #9sports

Former Broncos PR guru Jim Saccamano takes a look back at the first evolution of the quarterback position. Sundays with Sacco: The first quarterback revolution | Denver Broncos

Andrew Mason takes time this week to answer questions about quarterbacks, the cap, and the draft. Mason's Mailbag: QB chatter, looking at the draft and more | Denver Broncos

With the financial woes of Sports Authority (RIP Sports Castle), former Mayor Wellington Webb makes the case that the corporate sponsorship of the stadium should end and the name should revert to something a little more near and dear to the hearts of Broncos fans. Former Denver Mayor: ‘Give back the Mile High Stadium name’ | FOX31 Denver

The Raiders are pleased that free agents are starting to consider signing with them these days. I guess 14-years of having top-tier talent laugh in their faces must have hurt some feelings. Oakland Raiders GM: 'It's good to see people call us' - NFL.com

It appears that the Los Angeles Rams attempt to skirt California's workers compensation laws isn't going to work. Rams say fix to contract issue has been negotiated with agents | ProFootballTalk

Big Ben looks to have one less target this year. Antonio Brown's stock just went up. Martavis Bryant expected to check into rehab | ProFootballTalk

The San Diego Chargers made a move on Sunday. Free agent CB Casey Hayward agrees to three-year deal with San Diego Chargers | ESPN

The Bears have been busy shoring up their defense. DL Akiem Nicks agrees to two-year deal with Chicago Bears | ESPN

Jermaine Gresham fans in Arizona can now breathe a sigh of relief. Jermaine Gresham returning to Arizona Cardinals on one-year deal | ESPN