Mile High Report - NFL Free Agency 2015: Denver Broncos news & rumorsBy Fans, For Fans....Your Source For Denver Broncos News and Commenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50905/mhr-fav.png2015-07-29T13:55:26-06:00http://www.milehighreport.com/rss/stream/79303262015-07-29T13:55:26-06:002015-07-29T13:55:26-06:00Broncos bringing in free agent tackle Jake Long
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<p>Free agent tackle Jake Long will make the trip from New York to Denver to visit with the Broncos.</p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It does not appear that <span>Jake Long</span> will be signing with the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a> today. He is planning to leave tonight for a visit to the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a>.</p>
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RVacchianoNYDN/status/626471351948320768">July 29, 2015</a>
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Free agent tackle Jake Long has ended his second visit with the New York Giants without a contract, reports <i>New York Daily News'</i> Ralph Vacchiano.</p>
<p>Now more than a few fans of the Denver Broncos have made this move in their heads, most likely prior to the draft.</p>
<p>Long is a 30-year-old, 6'7", 322-pound left tackle who played for Michigan. He is a four-time Pro Bowler (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) who was the No. 1 pick overall by the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a> in 2008.</p>
<p>Long played right tackle and left tackle in college but immediately became the Dolphins' starting left tackle upon being drafted.</p>
<p>Long received an extension offer from the Dolphins and an offer from the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> in 2013. He signed a four-year, $36 million contact with the Rams. Long tore is ACL in back-to-back seasons and again for the second time in his career in October 2014. He was released by the Rams on March 9 this spring to avoid costing the Rams $10 million against the cap.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><span>Michael Schofield</span>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> "Jake Long was the guy.. You wanted to be the next Jack Long... Jake Long was the guy I wanted to be."</p>
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyRenck/status/464968370282954752">May 10, 2014</a>
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Which is ironic, because Michael Schofield is also a tackle from Michigan who could possibly be competing for his job on the Broncos with Long now.</p>
<p>The real thinking comes here - is Long depth or is Denver trying to band-aid a weak tackle position? And if so, one has to wonder if it's the left side where the team is currently slated to start a second-round rookie in <span>Ty Sambrailo</span>.</p>
<p>Or is this all just a way to get Sambrailo back over to right tackle? Would he even beat out <span>Chris Clark</span>?<br><br>Regardless, drafting Sambrailo and Schofield in consecutive drafts and having to bring in a free agent three days before camp leads to even more questions about the way this team has drafted.<i><br></i></p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/7/29/9069013/report-free-agent-tackle-jake-long-to-visit-broncos-tonightianhenson2015-04-24T09:00:11-06:002015-04-24T09:00:11-06:00John Elway wrong to strong-arm Thomas publicly
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<p><a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2015/4/23/8484997/general-manager-john-elway-says-demaryius-thomas-absence-makes-no">John Elway used part of his pre-draft presser to air some frustrations</a> in regards to the Demaryius Thomas contract negotiations--and it was the wrong thing to do. </p> <p>Here's the situation that exists. <span>Demaryius Thomas</span>' rookie contract came up at the end of 2014. In order to keep Thomas from hitting the open market, John Elway and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> applied the franchise tag--which is a one year deal (fully guaranteed) meant to keep the player under contract while a long-term deal can be worked out.</p>
<p>The two sides have a firm deadline in place (July 15th). After that date, a team can no longer extend a player. Even though the Broncos have "tagged" Thomas, Thomas has yet to sign the deal--which is his prerogative. At the moment, Thomas is doing nothing different than <span>Ryan Clady</span> back in 2013. Clady stayed away from the team, the two sides struck a deal on July 14th that season. Here's the lesson.</p>
<p>In week 2 of that season, Clady suffered a season ending Lisfranc injury. Had he signed the 1-year tender and played under the franchise tag in '13, he never would have received the longterm deal (5-years 52 million, 33 guaranteed) he did.</p>
<p>Elway's frustration could be with the logic of a hold out--he is correct, if DT gets hurt working on his own there is no coverage or protection for him. If he signs the deal and is working out with the team the one-year deal is fully guaranteed. But Demaryius is also thinking about his long-term future in the NFL. Thomas is willing to gamble now with the leverage he has rather than giving that leverage up to appease his boss short-term. Thomas is not thinking to the end of 2015, he's thinking five years down the road, approaching a 3rd NFL contract on the wrong side of 30.</p>
<p>In my opinion, Elway's frustrations have to do with the fact that negotiations between DT and the Broncos are no closer in consummating a new deal than they were months ago--and he is completely wrong by trying to use the media to put some pressure on the negotiations.</p>
<p>You have to realize something when it comes to John Elway. Everything Elway and the team puts out there publicly is done with an agenda. They are willing to be "transparent" (remember that phrase post-McDaniels?) and "open" so long as the narrative that is being told is coming predominantly from their side. Elway is a businessman who has made millions of dollars by having a keen understanding of the situation and by being adept in negotiating tactics. '</p>
<p>One way you control negotiations is by controlling the narrative. With the DT negotiations the pressure of getting a deal done lies directly on the shoulders of John Elway. It is very subtle, but by questioning Thomas' absence from offseason workouts, Elway is also starting to plant seeds of doubt.</p>
<p><i>Does he want to be a Bronco long term?</i></p>
<p><i>Is he willing to sacrifice for the team?</i></p>
<p><i>Will he be accountable going forward?</i></p>
<p>By escalating things in public, Elway is admitting that talks are more difficult than he imagined, and is banking on the fact that Broncos fans will ultimately side with him, at the very least laying the foundation for him to be able to say "I tried but I couldn't get through to the kid and speak common sense to him."</p>
<p>In this situation Elway has no ground to stand on and here's why.</p>
<p>What Elway the deal maker has forgotten is that he has shown very little loyalty to Broncos players that have become free-agents while seemingly writing a blank check for mercenaries that have provided mediocre returns on the investment.</p>
<p>Elway's marquee Broncos signings to this point are Champ Bailey--who he extended as a show of goodwill to a franchise that had just been burned by Josh McDaniels, Ryan Clady--who waited until July 14th to strike a long-term deal with the club in 2013 (employing the same tactic Thomas is using now), and Chris Harris Jr.--someone who accepted a far under market value contract in order to remain in Denver.</p>
<p>From Elway's first draft--the draft where contracts are starting to come up has yielded a 5th-year option on <span>Von Miller</span>, and a new deal for 7th round pick Virgil Green. Everyone else is gone.</p>
<p>Beyond those instances, I have sat and watched Broncos players leave to play else where season after season after season. Some of that is a product of the winning culture Elway has helped build, some of it an unwillingess to extend finances to players who were deemed expendable for whatever reasons.</p>
<p>Demaryius has now played under two regimes, three quarterbacks, three offensive coordinators, and not once have you ever heard "get me the damn ball" or "that guy sucks." Thomas has had plenty of opportunity to discredit teammates yet you never hear that sort of talk from him. He's been a guy who's worked hard through a tough injury-riddled rookie season, endured a tough mid-season quarterback change that drastically altered the face of the offense and limited his opportunities, and thrived in a system where the receivers have to always be on their toes for the next check at the LOS.</p>
<p>Thomas has quietly become one of the top talents in the league at his position, and he's done it with class every step of the way. In terms of toughness, I don't know a lot of players that set <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">super bowl</a> records in catches after dislocating their shoulder.</p>
<p>If John Elway wants to speed up negotiations, he's going to have to do one thing, and one thing only. Pay the man. If that number is too high for Elway and the Broncos, they can play out 2014 under the tag and let Thomas walk after the season, hoping that one of two things happen: 1) Sanders steps into the big role, 2) the offense under Kubiak gets simplified enough so that Latimer can take the field to make some sort of contribution.</p>
<p>The price you pay for talent and production is great. Thomas is a player that has shown the ability to adapt and succeed under a number of different situations. He's worth his weight in gold and John Elway is going to have to put his money where his mouth is in order to keep him.</p>
<p>Until then, negotiations should remain private behind closed doors.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/4/24/8488435/john-elway-is-wrong-in-approach-with-demaryius-thomasBronco Mike2015-04-11T11:47:47-06:002015-04-11T11:47:47-06:00Great read on Casey's versatility<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/JonHeathNFL/status/586947806528741377">Great read on Casey's&nbsp;versatility</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>He's an ideal H-back that can do everything you'd ask a tight end or fullback to do. The <a href="http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2013/03/21/all-22-why-chip-kelly-wanted-james-casey/" target="new">story</a> is worth your time.</p></p></div>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/4/11/8389885/great-read-on-caseys-versatilityJon Heath2015-04-11T10:27:32-06:002015-04-11T10:27:32-06:00Broncos sign tight end James Casey
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<p>The Broncos had been courting the tight end/fullback for weeks.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> have come to terms with free agent tight end/fullback <span>James Casey</span> on a one-year deal, John Elway announced. Casey (6-3, 240) is a seventh-year player who has appeared in 92 regular-season games (23 starts) and five playoff contests (1 start) during his career with Houston (2009-12) and Philadelphia (2013-14).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/horse_tracks/2015/2/27/8119115/horse-tracks-bingo-edition">The Broncos originally visited with Casey back in February</a>. At the time, he was also expected to visit with the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jaguars</a>, <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a>; he ultimately landed in Denver, perhaps because the<a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/586926646285873152" target="_blank"> Broncos needed someone who could fill a fullback role</a> in Gary Kubiak's system as offseason workouts begin Monday.</p>
<p>Casey has that experience; he was drafted by Kubiak in 2009 and played under him until 2012. The signing serves as a reunion between Kubiak, Casey, and <span>Owen Daniels</span> and also as the confirmed infusion of a fullback role in Denver's 2015 offense.</p>
<p>Oh, and Casey reminds Cecil Lammey of Thor. Sounds good to us.</p>
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<p>I remember spotting new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> TE James Casey with <a href="https://twitter.com/SigmundBloom">@SigmundBloom</a> in HOU at 2009 Shrine practices, looked like Thor on the sideline</p>
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) <a href="https://twitter.com/CecilLammey/status/586926335362084864">April 11, 2015</a>
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<p>Casey is an interesting special teams and hybrid prospect who will have to fight to keep his roster spot, but if he ends up being Denver's sole fullback he has a good shot. Let us know what you think of the signing in the comments.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/4/11/8389483/broncos-james-casey-agree-on-one-year-dealkmonty2015-04-08T11:00:11-06:002015-04-08T11:00:11-06:00Wes Welker will visit Dolphins
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<p>Wes Welker may be returning to Miami. </p> <p>Free agent receiver Wes Welker will visit the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dolphins</a> today, according to numerous reports.</p>
<p><span>The <i>Miami Herald</i>'s Armando Salguero was the </span><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ArmandoSalguero/status/585781259974115328">first to report</a><span> the </span><span>news.</span></p>
<p>Welker (5-9, 185) is a 33-year-old veteran that entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a> in 2004. After being cut by San Diego one week into his rookie season, Welker was claimed by Miami.</p>
<p>Welker played three seasons with the Dolphins, catching 96 passes for 1,121 yards and handling punt returns. In 2007, Welker signed with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> and went on to become arguably the best slot receiver in the NFL. In New England, Welker set an NFL record with five 100-catch seasons.</p>
<p>Welker played in two <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Super Bowl</a>s with the Patriots (in 2008 and 2012) before landing with the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> during the 2012 offseason on a <a href="http://broncotalk.net/2013/03/45606/broncos-news/broncos-have-signed-free-agent-wes-welker/" target="_blank">two-year deal</a>. In his first season in Denver, Welker caught 73 passes for 778 yards and helped the Broncos reach the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>But Welker's production has dropped off since his first year with <span>Peyton Manning</span>.</p>
<p>Welker caught only 49 passes for 464 yards and two touchdowns last season. Although the Broncos were not interested in re-signing him, he believes that he <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2015/2/16/8048983/broncos-free-agent-receiver-wes-welker-tells-reporter-he-wants-to">still has something left in the tank</a>.</p>
<p>Some see the Dolphins as a perfect fit for Welker.</p>
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<p><span>Wes Welker's</span> arguably one of the NFL's best EVER slot receiver, so exactly how does his signing not make sense?</p>
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarKelly/status/585794664910827520">April 8, 2015</a>
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<p>Others are concerned about his health.</p>
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<p>Wes Welker had three diagnosed concussions in a ten month span. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> allowing him back on the field last year was just wrong.</p>
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/585809124912336896">April 8, 2015</a>
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<p>One more concussion could end Welker's career. More importantly, another concussion have long lasting effects on his health. That's not something to be taken lightly.</p>
<p>But if Welker is willing to bet on himself, Miami may give him an opportunity to do so.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/4/8/8370679/nfl-free-agency-wes-welker-will-visit-dolphinsJon Heath2015-04-02T13:13:09-06:002015-04-02T13:13:09-06:00Broncos have around $2M in cap sapce<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/JonHeathNFL/status/583754567600447489">Broncos have around $2M in cap&nbsp;sapce</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>This FanShot has been updated.</p></p></div>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/4/2/8336869/broncos-have-just-over-1m-in-cap-spaceJon Heath2015-03-31T15:04:54-06:002015-03-31T15:04:54-06:00NFL moves June 1 free-agency deadline to May 12<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/582997620601151491">NFL moves June 1 free-agency deadline to May&nbsp;12</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Via PFT: The shift gives free agents more of an opportunity to participate in the offseason program. It also gives teams reason to wait on adding some of the currently available free agents, in order to avoid reducing their potential haul of compensatory picks.</p></p></div>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/3/31/8322635/nfl-moves-june-1-free-agency-deadline-to-may-12Jon Heath2015-03-31T15:00:03-06:002015-03-31T15:00:03-06:00Denver interested in d-lineman Antonio Smith
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<p>Smith has connections to Denver's coaching staff.</p> <p><b>Story Update</b> (4:20 p.m. MT): <i>Denver "will have interest" in Smith, per <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Jeff_Legwold/status/583025443156135936">ESPN's Jeff Legwold</a>.</i></p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> released veteran lineman <span>Antonio Smith</span> Tuesday, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/582982659321786368" target="_blank">ESPN's Adam Schefter</a>.</p>
<p>Smith has connections to Denver.</p>
<p>Smith was drafted by the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> in the fifth round of the 2004 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL draft</a> and spent five seasons in Arizona before landing with the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texans</a>. In Houston, Smith played under current <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> head coach <span>Gary Kubiak</span>, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and defensive line coach Bill Kollar.</p>
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<p><span>Antonio Smith</span> has a home outside Houston. Denver might be interested cause his Texans DL coach Bill Kollar is with the Broncos now.</p>
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/status/583000535843741696">March 31, 2015</a>
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<p>John McClain of the <i>Houston Chronicle</i> has linked Smith to the Texans, adding that Denver may also be interested.</p>
<p>Smith, 33, spent 2014 in Oakland, recording 20 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. His most productive season came in 2012 when he recorded 30 tackles, 7 sacks, and forced two fumbles.</p>
<p>Smith was due a <a href="http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/oakland-raiders/antonio-smith/" target="_blank">$3.2 million</a> base salary in 2015 after earning $2.25 million last season.</p>
<p>In his eleven-year career, Smith owns 302 tackles and 44.5 sacks.</p>
<p>Defensive end is not necessarily a position of need for Denver (<span>Malik Jackson</span> and <span>Derek Wolfe</span> are projected to be the team's two starters), but Smith offers versatility. McClain believes that Smith can play <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/status/583006217305378816">at any d-line position</a> in a 3-4 defense.</p>
<p>At the right price, Smith may be worth consideration as a rotational defensive lineman. Denver currently has just over $10.5 million in salary cap space, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space">OverTheCap.com</a>.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2015/3/31/8322391/raiders-releaseJon Heath