Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 02/17/2009 at Tue Feb 17 18:04.
Tagged: ,,,,,,,,.



Broncos Release Dre Bly

Posted Tue Feb 17th by

Steve Johnson pulls in a TD in front of Dre Bly on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Steve Johnson pulls in a TD in front of Dre Bly on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

In a surprising interesting move the Denver Broncos announced just moments ago that they have released starting cornerback Dre Bly. The move comes just a day after the Broncos released three former starters on defense, Bly becomes the fourth defensive starter to be cut in two days and the 12th player to exit Dove Valley in two-weeks.

The move along with the fact that cornerback Karl Paymah will be a free agent leaves the Broncos extremely thin in the secondary. Not to mention that with four starters cut and Nate Webster, Marlon McCree and Ebenezer Ekuban not likely to be re-signed the Broncos could return with as little as three starters from 2008.

Luckily this is not College Football…

In 2008, Bly made $10.4 million (of which $4.55 million counted against the cap), in 2009 he was scheduled to count more than $6 million against the cap, this move puts the Broncos a little more than $40 million under the salary cap (which is set at $123 million).

What’s up Nation? I’m not positive that I like the move, unless Josh McDaniels has his eyes set on one of these all-star corners that may or may not be available in free agency (which opens in ten-days on February 27th). It’s scary to think of what could come of the defense, but then again, last seasons defense was about as bad as it gets.

← 
Newer Comments  →
  • CJ

    well i saw this one coming But i was hoping Denver would have traded him for a late pick Professor x said he wanted more draft Picks.

  • Michael

    Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!!! One of my least favorite Broncos is gone, I told you guys he would get cut this off season.

  • Truman

    Bly never really had a good year in Denver. He just wasn’t worth the salary. As for all these guys getting cut, I’m absolutely fine with it. We need guys who make plays. Few if anyone on the defense did.

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    With 14 players scheduled to become free agents and the 12 players that have been cut; that leaves the Broncos with only 27 players from their roster at the close of the season.

  • http://brocotalk.net (dee)

    Stay calm Bronco Nation, I am glad to see the Broncos with such a large amount in cap space but am hoping they use it wisely. We have alot of cash and need to use it appropriately so we dont screw ourselves from this golden oppurtunity to rebuild.

    That being said I trust Coach McD and Gm X , I’m trying to think who the next victim will be? Also I’m wondering whether we will go out and sign another CB or promote Josh Bell or Jack Williams?

    With all of this money I think it is safe to say that the Bronco Brass has targetted the guys they want, and now have secured the funds to get them.

    Feb 27 can’t come soon enough…10 day until the NEW DENVER BRONCOS are formed

  • http://brocotalk.net (dee)

    I am nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time … this is a transition.

    Shanahan’s Broncos are dead and the funeral took place December 28th in San Deigo at the same stadium he won our first Superbowl and we reached our greatest heights as a franchise…. how ironic

    The new Era of the Broncos begins right now!

  • Roy

    A couple of the rooks played well last season, so I am guessing this is what has prompted this. That and the overwhelming scent of burnt toast everytime Bly left the field.

  • http://brocotalk.net (dee)

    Here is a list of the unrestricted free agent corners available right now …

    UNRESTRICTED:

    Ralph Brown, Cardinals.

    Eric Green, Cardinals.

    Domonique Foxworth, Broncos Falcons.

    Jabari Greer, Bills.

    Corey Ivy, Ravens.

    Travis Daniels, Browns.

    Daven Holly, Browns.

    Jamar Fletcher, Bengals.

    Karl Paymah, Broncos.

    Stanley Wilson, Lions.

    DeMarcus Faggins, Texans.

    Dunta Robinson, Texans.

    Jimmy Williams, Texans.

    Kelvin Hayden, Colts.

    Keiwan Ratliff, Colts.

    Scott Starks, Jaguars.

    Andre’ Goodman, Dolphins.

    Benny Sapp, Vikings.

    Deltha O’Neal, Patriots.

    Lewis Sanders, Patriots.

    Aaron Glenn, Saints.

    Mike Lehan, Saints.

    R.W. McQuarters, Giants.

    Ahmad Carroll, Jets.

    Ty Law, Jets.

    Hank Poteat, Jets.

    Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders.

    Chris Johnson, Raiders. (Re-signed, February 12, 2009.)

    Justin Miller, Raiders.

    Joselio Hanson, Eagles.

    Fernando Bryant, Steelers.

    Bryant McFadden, Steelers.

    Allen Rossum, 49ers.

    Donald Strickland, 49ers.

    Ronald Bartell, Rams.

    Fakhir Brown, Rams.

    Jason Craft, Rams.

    Ricky Manning, Rams.

    Phillip Buchanon, Buccaneers.

    Chris Carr, Titans.

    Reynaldo Hill, Titans.

    Eric King, Titans.

    Tyrone Poole, Titans.

    DeAngelo Hall, Redskins.

  • http://brocotalk.net (dee)

    *source: Profootballtalk.com

  • Mike

    With Dre’ Bly’s exit I once again have faith. He had lost all of his confidence and was not longer effective one on one. LY he was the top paid Bronco and was never the top performer. All of this cap space is creating a mighty interesting off season.

    It appears that the bar has been set… Perform or you’re gone. I have to say it will be nice to see the Broncos defense playing on their toes instead of their heels.

  • http://brocotalk.net (dee)

    Who else is there to get rid of on the defensive side of the ball? I think thats about it … everyone else will be allowed to walk to free agency or walk out of the league entirely…

  • jcampb72

    now sign nnamdi asomugha or dunta robinson plz.

  • Mike

    Although an interesting idea, Nnamdi would cost too much. He already makes $9+ Million per year. He is due to make more than that in free agency.

    How do we fill the RB vacancy? Free Agency or Draft??

  • T-Money

    I don’t care who we sign but I would rather it be a Vet. We have no leadership at all. We need a guy like Ray Lewis to come in and preach to the younger players. If we keep going younger (like everbody wants) we’re going to be just like the Chiefs… And never ending remodel.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    It’s odd… I’m more upset by our release of backup LB Jamie Winborn than Bly.

    I know Nolan had an issue with Winborn back in SF, but Jamie is a beast on ST and played with heart… and his salary was reasonable. I hope this isn’t just a case of Nolan holding a grudge. That would be a very bad sign.

  • Pete

    while signing Asomugha would be sWeet, remember that corners can only over for so long before even Champ and Nnamdi will get torched. We need D-Line help and we need it fast. Get a great D-Line, and Champ and even Bly would be the top cornerback tandem.

  • BOB LANGOWSKI

    great move on releasing Bly…now if they can put both Bailey brothers on the same bus Denver may have a defense this comming year.Lets face it Champ did as much or more on the bench as he did this last year on the Field.His brother is an egg. If someone brushed by him he went to the sidelines . As far as Champs Pro Bowl selections…last year they sent a dead guy..so much for the Pro Bowl.

  • http://danstallbaum.com danstall

    I think this is a bad move. Bly played well especially in Champs absence, he had no over the top help from a safety and had to cover for way too long. I think it costs us more against the cap to release him than to keep him. I am at a loss on this one – mistake!

  • merc22

    Chris McAllister is coming to DENVER! that would be good, and having bell play nickel. We need to go after Hanyesworth really bad!

  • Awesome, Austin

    I am loving this shake up! Denver better be releasing these players otherwise it says under-preforming is allowed! I think that is why shanny is playing golf in Mexico right now because he did not want to pull this kind of trigger on a crappy unit!

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Man… I guess he didn’t want to restructure or they didn’t want him to restructure. This totally messes with my mock draft.

  • T-Money

    Bob you are an idiot. Clearly you didn’t watch Champ play again San Diego (pick), Kansas City (forced fumble), and New England before he got hurt. Not to mention that he is the best run stopping corner in the NFL hands down. Not hearing his name means that he is doing his job.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    My curiosity makes me agree with Merc. I wonder if this is a direct correlation to the release of Chris McAllister.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    No screw it, my mock stays the same. Denver will try to sign Dunta Robinson or Leigh Bodden.

    It smells like Denver is trying to land one big free agent guy and build the rest through the draft.

  • T-Money

    Maybe. But is worth the price tag?

  • NathanH

    So glad this happened. We need to take care of our front 7 first imo or the talent in the secondary won’t matter but if we could fill some holes there for cheap and through the draft maybe we’ll still have some kinda chance at Nnamdi. I haven’t mentioned him at all even in my mind realistically til now, but we have a TON of cap space now.

    Extend Marshall, and start spending. Ignore Peppers, Haynesworth, get Canty, try and get Gabe Watson at all costs(besides a 1st or 2nd round tender), draft a OLB for some pass rush and hope Dumervile and Moss work out on the other end. And if we can do that(or be in play for something similar) and Nnamdi’s still on the market, I say bust the bank to bring him in.

    If we got Aso, teams would have to PICK on Champ. That’d be a nice defensive advantage if we had our line together first. LB’s can develop quickly and some cheaper FA’s could possibly contribute.

    How much would it realistically be to bring in Aso? What was Champs biggest contract because thats probably a good ballpark.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders. Thats who we need to sign. Lets bring him in, as well as Peppers,and than lets start building through the draft. That would be a totally improved defense!! Bly sucked. Having Champ on the other side is very hard to not get burnt every now and than, but Bly was burnt all the time. Lets get oaklands number one corner. Than Peppers. Than draft Bj Raji. Than extend Marshall.

  • JRODZ

    It’s about time! Best move of the bunch! Bly was overrated & over-priced! With what we’re saving in cap money with some of these moves, we can easily fill a ton of these holes in free agency. Champ will be a different player. (Healthy for starters!) He’ll be fine. I applaud the move!

  • rcsodak

    I’d like to see them keep EE. He’s been a constant on the Dline. The faider’s cb isn’t all that, imo.
    Look for some ex-49ers….ex-pats….ex-falcons. These guys will be bringing in players they know.
    I’m not going to be surprised to see Champ getting traded. The Xtalk about adding more draft picks….you do that by trading someone of value. He’s all that’s left….plus, I don’t think he wants to be on a “transition” team, at his age.
    I see a 6-7 win season…and a top 10pick next year.

    Not unlike elections…..

    ….complaining has consequences.

  • brett

    Everyone seems to think the Broncos will chase free agent glory by going after Peppers or Asoujdoifudofjguh. They may have an extra $40 million lying around now but they won’t tie up all of it in one player when the entire defense needs to be rebuilt. My guess is that McDaniels and Xanders go after a few key pieces rather than one big one, ie:
    Igor Olshanksy (worked with Nunnely in SD)
    James Sanders (has experience with McDaniels)
    Mike Wright (another ex Patriot)
    This draft is incredibly deep at CB and there’s a very good chance that Malcolm Jenkins will be around at #12.

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    Asomugha was paid so much last season because he was franchise tagged last season. I’m sure he’d ask for around the same ($9 million) and for a long term deal, he’s worth it… It works both ways, if quarterbacks don’t have anyone to throw to, players can get to the QB.

  • Dakota fan

    No one can say that McD and GmX aren’t making their mark on this team. Theoretically, I could see Champ being the only defensive starter left on this team from last year and I’m not even sure they’ll keep him around.

    GmX and McD are torching the barn and killing the rats. No more Browncos or Lions in the barn.

    Tomorrow’s headline? “Jay Cutler named starting kick returner” Nothing will surprise me from here on out.

  • broncoNM

    Brett… I like your thinking. We have some cap space but we have alot of holes to fill. Olshanksy, Sanders, and wright will not capture the headlines but these are the caliber of players that could contribute right away and will not break the bank. We need to do alot with this cap room. Dont get me wrong i have been campaigning for peppers and haynesworth too but now im thinking we bring more guys with potential instead of hype. 2 or 3 non big name FA’s could do wonders for this defense. I have seen a couple of mock drafts with Aaron Curry falling to 12. I know we have alot of pressing need but this would be a great talent to get with the 12th pick.

  • NathanH

    If Curry fell to 12 i’d be stunned. Somone would probably trade up before that and take him. He’s way too talented, kids gonna be a beast. Scouts are saying he’s skilled enough to play middle or outside in both the 3-4 and 4-3. Thats crazy impressive. I have the Chiefs taking him as Pioli will want a low bust ratio pick given its the 3rd overall and his first as GM of the Chiefs. If not surely the Browns would hop on him with their terrible LBs imo. I’d love for Curry and have tried to think of many scenarios with him falling to us, but I can’t realistically see it. Curry really is a monster in all aspects of the game for an LB.

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    Having looked at that list of UFA two words come to mind – fox and worth. it was the beginning of the end for shanny when he went to atlanta. But as Senor East said, all mock drafts are off now.

  • http://myspace.com/paraleipsis jchase8410

    I want to know where all these people saying Peppers is over-hyped have been the last 10 years. His body of work speaks for itself. He has proven himself in every aspect of the dominant pass rusher as far as I’m concerned. He would provide great veteran leadership and attitude to a fresh built defense. I have no idea if GmX or the McBroncos will even make a move for him, I just like him.

  • http://www.ihatenatewebster.com Broncoireland

    We all knew Bly wasn’t a ‘shut down’ corner when he came here, he was a gambler who cut off routes and came up with picks or got burned. I’m not surprised he got cut because of what he was getting paid but if he was in a team that could rush the passer and keep safety help over the top (everything we couldn’t do) he’d still be here. For any of our corners to survive, they had to be outstanding, covering WR’s for 5-6 seconds- basically no chance in the nfl- QB’s will completed passes all day long. I do think he improved when Champ got injured as he was no longer getting 80% of the passes his way- just comes with playing with Champ- what will they do if we get Nnamdi? dont think we will though listening to Xanders- we werent throwing a tonne of $$ at one player! Our draft is impossible to predict at this stage, 1st pick could be DT, RB, LB, CB?? all possibilities, depends who we pick up in free agency but i get the vibe from McD and GmX they know exactly what they are doing, exactly what they want and the exact direction they are going with this team- everything Shanahan didn’t who always went for the quick fix hence all the Free Agent busts- Walker, Rice, Adams, Henry, Niko, Manuel, McCree, Bly and numerous crap drafts except for last year- how did he keep his job for so long when you really think about it???

  • flbronc

    dont like the move, but not suprised by it. yea, there are a lot of corners on the free agent market. that only tells me that a lot of teams are going to be looking for corners…. we are apparently not the only team looking for a corner, nor a the only team with a lot of cap room.

    i am sure that GmX and McD have a plan, at least i sure hope they do, but i will reserve judgement until i see what it is….

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    I dont get the thoughts that some of you are talking about. We have a ton of cap room. We can bring in two big names and still get some others. And i bet more are bound to be cut (young, hall) We have enough money to do all this. Why not bring in Nnamdi and Peppers? We need leaders on this defense. Than we can go sign Wright or Canty or whoever else and than sign Marshall to a longterm deal. We have the money. Imagine if teams we faced either had to line up against Champ or Nnamdi. That would be insane. And than on top of that, to have a pass rush from Peppers on the outside?? Thats the formula for interceptions. We have a bunch of people in the FA market that i doubt we are going to resign. We will have more official cap room once the FA market on the 27th begins. We have the the money. And than we can just draft either BJ or Maluega and our defense would be GOOD. We have a little bit of a safety issue now. I say we let Barret and just sign someone else who wont cost much. Than we can be a threat to our division and the playoffs. That would get us an average D, or a little above average. That means that we could stop the opposing offenses on those third downs, and get our NUMBER 2 offense in the league out on the field more.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    I mean what the hell is signing a bunch of players that you never really hear anything about going to do? It would be our defense all over again. I have not heard ever heard anything about Wright. Why not sign the big names? If we sign a bunch of players that have not been talked about a lot, than were going to be shit all over again.

  • Jack Burton

    I was not surprised to see Bly go, but I was hoping they’d trade him. I can’t believe they couldn’t have gotten SOMETHING for him, but maybe they tried. Who knows.

  • Kurtis

    BLy wasn’t great, but I still didn’t want this to happen. The only reason he didn’t seem so good is because Champ Bailey was on the other side. Who is going to be able to hold down that second receiver any better than Bly did?!! I’m not so sure about this move.

  • http://broncotalk.net Ian Henson

    I don’t have time to post it as a blog, but D.J. Williams also restructured, freeing up another $3.6 million for Denver this season. Next up is Boss Bailey, who is due $2 million, they will look to improve the contracts for Casey Weigmann and Brandon Marshall after that, Marshall would be a Restricted Free Agent next off season, while Weigmann would be an unrestricted.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    wow so we have almost hit the 45 mill in cap room Ian??

  • NathanH

    McDaniels and Xanders have played every thing perfect in my mind so far. They’ve cleared a ton of cap, without losing any one that was key to any real success we had last year. Dre may have had some decent things he brought to the table, but they’re making the statement that you’re name doesn’t matter, if you’re mediocre, you’re gone.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    In with Peppers and Asomugha!! From there we can have Woodyard, Dj, Larsen, And Peppers as LB’s, Draft Bj Raji, extend Marshall, and go pick up a safety such as Darren Sharper from the vikes who is a free agent. He wont be very expensive. Last year was his first probowl. Ian, how realistic does that sound? And to take whatever is left and sign Canty or another D-linemen. We could get him for fairly cheap i bet.

  • stav

    If I ever had a dream or a wish that could come true, its happened, “Ex-Denver Bronco Cornerback Dre Bly.” Pinch me because I can’t believe its true. Besides just being slow and soft, OT Green Bay 2007. Asomoghua is almost impossible to get unless Xanders says, screw the pass rush let’s get the best cb’s out there. Can’t have Peppers and Asomoghua. Give me Peppers, draft Rey at #12 to lead the linebackers, pick the best safety available at #48, and move Elvis to OLB. I thinks that’s a start. I wonder if Buchanon would be a good fit opposite from Champ? All he has to do is be slightly better than Dre Blah was, especially if Champ is healthy for the whole year. We just need a solid cb, cover & tackle, no one flashy or expensive, preferably a veteran, we can’t afford to burn a rookie out there.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Alright guys, lets take a look a this theory. What about signing Hall as our other corner? I know he got his ass burnt against Royal, but having him start a whole season at a new organization thats not the raiders could be good. He did kick ass in Atlanta. And i bet we could get him for cheap, for how he played last year. I say forget about Asomugha get Hall, along with Peppers.

  • robtink242

    I don’t think peppers is in the future but Deangelo Hall would be a decent pick up. dont forget about josh bell and jack Williams there gonna kill next season.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    And Sproles just got tagged by the Chargers, as well as Suggs by the Ravens

←  
Newer Comments  →