Elway, Fangio on same page with free agent signings

Good morning, Bomb Cyclone fans!

Vic Fangio has made it clear from day one that a non-negotiable for him is defensive players who are not afraid - and know how - to tackle.

Fangio’s new cornerback will fit his scheme perfectly.

Just ask Phillip Lindsay who got lit up by then-Texans’ corner Kareem Jackson.

At the time, Lindsay joked he needed his “head on a swivel.” Yesterday, John Elway enjoyed recalling that “welcome to the NFL moment” for his star undrafted running back.

Fangio was asked about Jackson’s tackling, and the new coach stoically responded, “That’s a strength of his.” To which a laughing Elway added, “Uh...yeah!”

But beyond Jackson’s aggressive play is his versatility, as the new head coach highlighted.

“Kareem can play corner, safety, nickel,” he said, adding that Jackson played safety the first four games of the season and then switched to cornerback for the remainder. “So we’ll use him where we need him the most and where he fits the best.”

The Broncos filled another need on the offensive line by shoring up the right tackle spot with Miami free agent Ja’wuan James.

Elway and Fangio see the athletic James as a good scheme fit for the kind of offense the Broncos plan to run.

“He’s a good athlete with length and size to him, and I like that he’s in the middle of his career,” Fangio said. “I think he’s got a chance to be a Bronco for a long time.”

Elway believes James “can solidify that right tackle” spot - and that is the GM’s expectation.

“Both edges are always important. You need those athletes out there. We feel good about the edges with [Garett] Bolles and now Ja’wuan coming in,” Elway said, adding that they’ve got some youth in their tackles now. “Hopefully they’ll both continue to grow and continue to get better.”

Of course the biggest signing of the day was the one “done” weeks ago when the Broncos announced a planned trade with Baltimore to get quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco, the 2012 Super Bowl MVP, hasn’t had the biggest fan club in Denver, but Elway noted that “the opportunity” to get an experienced quarterback who knows how to win was too great to pass up.

”Joe’s had a great career,” Elway said. “We thought with what we’re going to do offensively, he’d be a very good fit for us.”

Ring of Famer Steve Atwater suggested Rich Scangarello would likely “run a lot of 21 personnel with two backs and one tight end, or 12 personnel with one back, two tight ends” in his system - leaving a few more key positions Elway would likely hope to fill in free agency but also possibly the draft.

“He’s been a productive quarterback his entire career,” Fangio said, adding that he’s also a winning quarterback, having won at home and on the road, which is important to the coach. “And he still has his arm strength, which has always been a big thing for him.”

Flacco, who leaves the Ravens as their all-time leader in the major passing categories, has thrown for 212 career touchdowns and more than 38,000 yards. Including the postseason, he has won 106 career games. During Flacco’s Super Bowl MVP season in 2011-12, the elite quarterback orchestrated a 4-0 playoff run that featured 11 touchdowns, no interceptions.

That’s the kind of ratio every offensive coordinator would like to have to make his scheme work, but Elway pointed out once again the specific scheme fit with Flacco.

“Even though he hasn’t had all the flashy stats lately, the best year he had was when he was with Gary Kubiak back in 2014,” Elway said. “This is pretty much the same offensive system in Denver, except it has evolved.”

Horse Tracks

Elway, Fangio discuss the Joe Flacco trade, free-agent signings
President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway and Head Coach Vic Fangio break down the big moves the Broncos made as the new league year opened, including the trade for QB Joe Flacco and free-agent signings of CB Kareem Jackson and T Ja'Wuan James.

Grading the move: With Ja’Wuan James, Broncos take another swing at a veteran right tackle – The Athletic
Denver hopes the 26-year-old James will shore up its offensive line with Joe Flacco now under center.

Grading the move: Broncos find a physical cornerback in Kareem Jackson to fill their biggest need – The Athletic
The signing of Kareem Jackson is likely Denver's first move in revamping its secondary this offseason.

Broncos finally get the tackle they wanted, and they’re paying handsomely for him – The Athletic
The four-year contract for Ju'Wuan James includes a reported $32 million in guaranteed money.

Elway, Fangio discuss the Joe Flacco trade, free-agent signings
President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway and Head Coach Vic Fangio break down the big moves the Broncos made as the new league year opened, including the trade for QB Joe Flacco and free-agent signings of CB Kareem Jackson and T Ja'Wuan James.

Broncos trade for quarterback Joe Flacco
The Broncos will send the Ravens a fourth-round pick in exchange for Flacco.

LISTEN: Has Denver done enough in early days of free agency?
Have the Broncos done enough in the early days of free agency?

Kiszla: Giving a grade to John Elway's moves to upgrade Broncos: B. B is for boring. And that's bad.
“Even though he hasn’t had all the flashy stats lately, the best year he had was when he was with Gary Kubiak, when Gary was there (as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator in 2014). This is pretty much the same offensive system in Denver, except it has evolved.”

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