Okung confident Broncos made right choice signing him

Good morning, Broncos Country!

It's been a week full of mostly good news on the free agency front for the offense as the Broncos kept running back C.J. Anderson on board and added former Seahawks' left tackle Russell Okung to fortify the O-line.

With a potential quarterback in place via veteran Mark Sanchez, the Broncos appear to have their starters ready to go when offseason workouts start up next month, barring any last-minute deals for another quarterback or two.

Okung told the press yesterday that the possibly fluid QB situation does not worry him.

"They told me enough," Okung said of Broncos executives meeting with him. "They told me what I needed to hear. I have confidence to be a part of the team."

The one-time Pro Bowler definitely has confidence in his ability to contribute, and he's ready to bring it to the Broncos, a team he believes has a back-to-back championship run in its future.

"No cause for pause. They made a good decision in bringing me in," Okung said. "You make decisions like that, you're headed the right way."

John Elway and Co. certainly think so.

A starting left tackle for Seattle the last six years, Okung will bring experience in the zone blocking scheme as well as solid power in run blocking.

"I've got a really good understanding for what the zone scheme is, and I think I can do whatever they ask of me," Okung said, noting he's been playing the ZBS since he was a rookie. "I have a good understanding of running the ball as well as getting back in the drop back and passing as well, too. Whatever they ask me to do, I'll be ready to do it full speed."

Bringing in Okung increased speculation that the Broncos will trade left tackle Ryan Clady, a four-time Pro Bowler who has been injury prone and hasn't played since the 2014 season.

Okung noted that the Broncos had "a hole there" at left tackle in 2015, and he can fix that.

"I can service that need," Okung said of the likely vacancy at left tackle. "I do have that confidence because I have great support around me. I'm going to be playing with a really good offensive line, too. If I can complement that, I'm ready to go."

At this point, the "guys around him" on the line will likely be recently acquired right tackle Donald Stephenson along with guards Max Garcia and Ty Sambrailo lining up on either side of center Matt Paradis.

Okung, who suffered a shoulder injury during the NFC Championship Game against the Panthers, expects to be full-go by May/June when mini-camps start up.

And he knows he'll need to be fully rehabbed by then since he'll be facing the Super Bowl-winning defense every single day.

But it's not like Okung isn't used to going up against world champion defenses every day in practice.

"I know they'll be coming at me, but I'll be coming at them as well," Okung said Thursday of his new teammates Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. "They're great players and they're going to go down in history as some of the best Broncos players to ever play. To me, this is an opportunity for our group to get better and to keep challenging ourselves to be the best offensive line in the league."

Horse Tracks

Even with C.J. Anderson back, John Elway sees more work for Broncos - The Denver Post
The departure of quarterback Brock Osweiler played into Anderson's return, leaving money available for the running back.

Mark Sanchez: Starter, backup or trade bait? | Mile High Sports
Mark Sanchez could be the Week 1 starter for the Denver Broncos, or he could not even be on the team. With six months until the start of the season, where does Sanchez fit in?

Denver Broncos add Russell Okung, to trade Ryan Clady
The Broncos are expected to trade Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ryan Clady after agreeing to a five-year contract with tackle Russell Okung on Thursday.

Russell Okung agrees to five-year deal with Broncos to bolster O-line - The Denver Post
The Broncos continued their offensive line facelift, signing former Pro Bowl left tackle Russell Okung. It likely signals the end of Ryan Clady's seven years in Denver.

Five Denver Broncos who need to step up in a big way next season | Mile High Sports
A few weeks into the offseason, the 2016 Denver Broncos are starting to come into focus, but who needs to step up in order for Denver to make a run at back-to-back championships?

Broncos fan made an incredibly detailed alternate uniform that connects both Denver eras | Broncos Wire
This uniform concept design for the Denver Broncos is amazing.

The best of what's still around: Top 40 remaining free agents
As the market settles, some quality players remain available at more cap-friendly prices. Who are the best of what's left?

Peyton Manning proposal? Kansas City Chiefs seek pass rule change
The Chiefs want the NFL to change its illegal forward pass rules to include instances when a quarterback throws a pass after his body has touched the ground while the ball is in his possession.

The NFL is considering some major rule changes: 14 things to know - CBSSports.com
Thanks to 19 rule proposals, the NFL's 32 owners are going to be busy when they convene in Florida next week for their annual meeting.

Chip Kelly: I deal with Colin Kaepernick as a 'football player' - San Francisco 49ers Blog- ESPN
Speaking for the first time since Colin Kaepernick's agents asked for a trade, Chip Kelly said he would love to have the quarterback play for him.

Police: Ravens cornerback critically injured in motorcycle crash - CBSSports.com
Ravens corner Tray Walker is in critical condition after being involved in a motorcycle crash.

Kam Chancellor wants to stay with Seahawks despite contract issues - CBSSports.com
Kam Chancellor doesn't want to leave Seattle one year after his lengthy holdout.

The Patriots are collecting former first-round picks at a ridiculous rate - CBSSports.com
The Patriots added a lot of former first-round picks this week.

49ers' O-line crystallizing with signing of left guard Zane Beadles - San Francisco 49ers Blog- ESPN
Zane Beadles excelled in a zone-blocking scheme with Jacksonville, which could bode well for the guard finding success with San Francisco.

Eric Weddle describes ugliness in San Diego: Chargers are 'dead to me' - CBSSports.com
Eric Weddle seems pretty happy to be out of San Diego.

The Patriots are collecting former first-round picks at a ridiculous rate - CBSSports.com
The Patriots added a lot of former first-round picks this week.