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Published on 02/27/2009 at Fri Feb 27 07:55.
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Will Work for Food... or $41M in guarantees!

Will Work for Food... or $14M in guarantees!

Free agency has officially begun and the Red Skins wasted no time with big deals already done with Albert Haynesworth (7 year +$100M deal with +$40M in guarantees) and the retaining of DeAngelo Hall (6 year $54M deal with +$22 million in guarantees). Now those are bigger deals than Denver is looking to make, but that’s not because we don’t have the cash for a big signing.

As of last night, the NFL shows the Broncos with $37 million in salary cap space. That much cap room puts us fourth in the league (with only the Bucs, Chiefs and Eagles with more cap space available). Even with this cash, GM Xanders and Coach McDaniels have to be careful when they go shopping because they need a quite a larger number of players than most teams.

“I think what we’re looking to do is accumulate a roster where their value off the field equals the value on the field. That’s really the goal. So if a player earns a tremendous amount of money, that’s fine as long as he’s producing at that level. I think that’s every team’s goal, but that’s certainly our goal is to try to pay people what they’re worth.” — Coach McDaniels 2/26/09

I infer from this statement, that in stead of one or two mega-players, the Broncos are going to be looking at making solid (if not blockbuster) signings that make the team better without breaking the bank. I think the new Dove Valley team won’t shy away from a big signing – if they think it’s worth it. But I’m not personally expecting it this year.

And despite the fact that most people believe our defensive retooling will be everyone’s highest priority, the Broncos first two visits by free agents were Running Backs.

Correll Buckhalter who backed up Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook and Arizona backup RB J.J. Arrington both came into town with their agent John Rickert. It seems like either one might provide depth to a position that was rocked by injuries last year; however, both players have ups and downs.

Buckhalter carried the ball 76 times for 369 years (4.8 yards per carry) and scored a total of four touchdowns. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Buckhalter has missed a total of three seasons during his career due to knee injures. He’s also 30 years old.

Arrington is younger (26) and might be a good project for Bobby Turner. He has averaged 23.6 yards over 58 kick returns, so he may play a role on special teams. And, let’s not forget that he’s been in the Big Game – catching two passes for 35 yards in the Super Bowl. But he’s just not preformed up to expectations after he was picked up in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft. He’s smaller (5’9″ 212), and he hasn’t really shown ‘big play’ speed. He’s gained 654 yards on 183 carries for an average per carry around 3.5 yards.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not down on either guy. We could use some more bodies in the back field going into OTA’s. And more people competing will only make the other players better. My point in highlighting their down sides was only to illustrate that neither one should break our bank. If we can pick up one or both for a reasonable price… let’s do it. And then, let’s get started on that Defense! :)

The other scheduled meeting so far is with is Miami Dolphins safety Renaldo Hill. At 5’11” at 205 lbs this 8 year vet had 77 tackles (62 solo) and 3 INT last year. Hill is the first to agree to meet with Denver, but I’d have to imagine Nolan, McD and Xanders are also at least considering looking at Rodney Harrison, Will Allen and James Butler as well.

That leaves several other positions awaiting some attention… but it’s still very early.

As noted by nearly everyone, two other areas in need of assistance are CB and NT.

Bryant McFadden

Bryant McFadden

To fill Bly’s now empty right corner slot, St. Louis’ Ron Bartell is probably considered the best available, but Tampa Bay’s Phillip Buchanon and Pittsburgh’s Bryant McFadden are also going to get good looks. My personal favorite on this list is McFadden…. I think this might show my latent Steelers envy.

The old Nose tackle position is another priority. Everyone seems to be thinking McD will lean toward Pat’s DT Mike Wright, but Atlanta’s Grady Jackson and Green Bay’s Colin Cole will also get serious consideration.

And just for kicks and giggles, I’ve heard that Dove Valley is attempting to talk with Tampa Bay receiver Michael Clayton‘s agent. Why not? Marshall, Royal, Clayton would be a bit offensive overkill, but I’m not complaining!

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    WR Jabar Gaffney will be likely signing and he’s also in Denver meeting with McDaniels today.

  • http://broncotalk.net RVG10

    I know we’ve been focused on defense for a while, but if that is true about Michael Clayton and Jabar Gaffney then we will have an even more potent offense than last year!

  • WhidbeyBronco

    Arrington would be affordable and is a great returner. I can’t believe the Redskins are STILL so foolish with money! Clayton? How much? We can get another receiver in the late rounds. Actually a RB too. If we don’t spend some of that cash to at least try to shore up our very sad D…. My ‘it’s going to be ok we lost Shanny’ facade will quickly crumble!

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    I love that quote by McD. That’s how it should be – sure we have no problem with you earning a lot and we’ll pay you it but only when you’re playing well.

  • Truman

    Love the rumor mill type posts.

    That said, some of these guys cannot help us. We are stacked at RB (Torain, Pittman, Young, etc.). Also, am I the only one who really doesn’t want to see the Broncos settle for an old Safety?

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

    Truman… I get what your saying, but we need several safeties at this point. I think getting a vet now and then a hot-shot kid from the draft wouldn’t be a bad idea.

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

    It all has to do with price. I’m not opposed to picking up ANY player position right now… as long as the price is right. :)

  • kerry

    completely ridiculous. so many defensive needs and two RB’s were first on the list. Renaldo hill? the guy is 30 years ld. if we wnated that we could just keep MCCree. we are losing out on Bart Scott, Albert haynesworth, DeAngelo Hall. completely uninspired.

  • T-Money

    Adam S. from Nfl.com said this:

    Gaffney to visit Denver: Even though Denver demolished its defense after this season, the Broncos are seeking to improve their offense at the start of free agency.

    Broncos coach Josh McDaniels reached out to his former Patriots wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, who is scheduled to be in Denver on Friday.

    The Broncos also pursued Giants free agent running back Derrick Ward, who has received interest from Denver, the Buccaneers, Rams, Bengals and Lions.

    While McDaniels reached out to one of his former players, Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan did the same. Denver attempted to arrange a visit this weekend with San Francisco’s free-agent defensive tackle Ronnie Fields. St. Louis attempted to do the same.

  • T-Money

    DB Renaldo Hill is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos on Friday. Hill, an eight-year NFL veteran, spent the last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

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

    Kerry,

    I think the order of the interviews only shows (yet again) that RB’s WANT to play in Denver. I don’t think they are being any less agressive on the Defensive side of things.

    And, no offense, but I would have thought Xanders was an bloody idiot if he spent almost all of our cap money on one player (~$30M in the first year for Albert Haynesworth).

    ONE player isn’t want we need… Think about Champ Bailey. He’s is a legend, but he alone can’t bring us to the Super Bowl.

    We need a 53 guys by the start of the season and that means some of the positions we address are going to be filled with ‘good’ players instead of ‘great’ ones. That’s just a cold hard fact.

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

    And one more thing… EVERYONE knows Albert is a beast. That takes no skill or intellect to figure out. The thing that I’m interested in seeing is how good McD and company are at evaluating that ‘second tier’ talent. That level of players is what makes the great teams great.

    Every team has one or two GREAT players… but it’s the teams that can put together a talented and motivated second tier group of guys to go with those one or two great players that win Super Bowls.

  • T-Money

    The Denver Broncos have come to terms with free agent running backs Correll Buckhaleter and JJ Arrington reports CBS4denver.com

  • http://myspace.com/paraleipsis jchase8410

    Bart Scott signed with the Jets

  • MIAbronco

    kerry,

    I usually agree with you on almost everything, but those big name free agents are not going to pan out for their teams and their just going to be big ass paychecks. i do wish that the broncs made a move for bart scott, but there was no way that he was signing with any other team then the jets (rex ryan is scotts former d coordinator and the new d coordinator for the ny jets is scotts former position coach in balt).

    I really hope that we don’t overspend on these prema dona players demanding huge paydays.

    To everybody else, the broncos im sure are making tons of calls/moves for defensive players its just that all of them dont get to the media, remember that while with the pats, mcd (and belicheck) were mum about everything. don’t doubt this staff

  • kerry

    ESPN is reporting that Ray Lewis is gonna be pursued by the Broncos.

  • broncoNM

    Good depth at RB. Probably wont be taking a shot at RB early in the draft. As mentioned by someone above Arringtion will help with the return game. Leave it to dan snyder to throw that money around. Im pretty relieved MCd and X didnt go that route. Too much money for too much risk. The draft is the key. I know we need FA because our defense is that bad but i think J Douglas has a point. Hopefully McD/Nolan and X can find some bargains and fill some holes with second tier guys that turn out to be good contributors and fit the system. I wouldnt mind seeing broncos talking to some of the guys mentioned wright, grady jackson, cole along with leonard and james sanders. FA players are over priced and if teams dont look for bargains it will hurt them. The skins still wont win the NFC East imo.

  • NathanH

    Kerry, with Bart and that center gone do you think the Raven’s won’t bust the bank to keep Ray there now?

    If not, I’d love Ray on a 2-3 year deal, even if we over paid him a little. Him and DJ in the middle would be beastly, and his leadership and knowledge of the 3-4 is invaluable. I’ve never liked Lewis as a person, but he’s a heck of a player, even at this point of his career.

    Anyways, I really like this signing on the RB’s. Buckhalter will be money rotating with Pittman and Torain. And if Peyton Hillis makes a strong push to be the teams HB, he’d be a great change of pace back for him.

    JJ adds good depth on special teams and I like it because I don’t want Eddie returning kicks anymore.

    This doesn’t say to me at all either with the talks of going after Gaffney or Clayton, that we’re not focused enough on D. It says to me we’ve evaluated the talent of the draft and didn’t feel we could get a late round RB, WR, or saftey that they were impressed with. And that they are okay with the talent they’ve evaluated at ILB/OLB/NT/CB perhaps.

    I still really hope we go after Gabe Watson. Any news on him?

  • Richard

    Kerry Ray Lewis to the Broncs would be great. If nothing else we would have the type of veteran leadership we haven’t had since Al Wilson was hurt.

    Arrington will take care of returns and Buckhalter will be alright, although I am somewhat concerned with his injury history. How many RBs to IR this season?

    Renaldo Hill will be fine at Safety. We’ll need one more from FA and it remains to be seen who that will be.

    Jabar Gaffney? You’ve got to be kidding! People will be screaming for us to resign Darryl Jackson(NOT). This is a brilliant signing. I AM IMPRESSED.

    Now we need a veteran to play the Nose, bet we won’t see the guy coming, but it will make sense when it happens.

    By the way, A few days ago in a fairly recent post someone mentioned getting mostly offensive players in FA so that we can concentrate on D in the Draft. Seems to be the case. Role players to the O is all we need. We already have Cutler, Marshall, Royal, Hillis, Clady, Harris, Graham, Sheffler etc.

  • Richard

    nathanH Pittman isn’t coming back. He was informed that he won’t be resigned. Yea I would have liked him back too.

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

    Richard… I agree that Ray Lewis is a team leader and has better stats than Wilson, but somehow putting the good name of Al Wilson in the same sentence with Ray Lewis just feels wrong for me. Wilson was a great character guy – and I have mad respect for that.

  • Richard

    Johnathan Douglas My reference was to highlight the leadership and nothing more. Al Wilson IS Class from start to finish, Ray Lewis is ,well, Ray Lewis.