Photo by Joe Amon, The Denver Post

Every year we see players released due to performance not equaling pay grade. It’s time to take a look at those players with these susceptible salaries.

1. Renaldo Hill

Hill is due $2.4 million in 2011 and $2.65 million in 2012. Denver has David Bruton, Darcel McBath, Quinton Carter, and Rahim Moore all at the safety position. There is no way Hill makes this Denver team.

2. Andre Goodman

Goodman is coming off a mediocre year plagued with injuries. Denver is young at corner with Sydquan Thompson, Cassius Vaughn, and Perrish Cox (also in question). At the age of 33, the Broncos could be saying goodbye to Goodman to save themselves $3 million. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Jeremy Jarmon (90) at Redskins Training Camp

Here we have it folks, the first trade of the 2011 NFL season, Jabar Gaffney for defensive end Jeremy Jarmon.

The departure of Jabar Gaffney isn’t entirely shocking seeing how the Broncos are stocked at receiver and Gaffney’s $2.4 million salary will clear up more cap space.

Jarmon (6’3, 286) was picked up by the Redskins in the third round of the 2009 supplemental draft. At the age of only 23, he will compete with late round pick Jeremy Beal for a position on team. Jarmon played in 5 games for the Redskins last season, tallying 3 tackles, recording half a sack.

What do you think of this deal Bronco nation?

Orton Working Towards Miami – We have an Adam Schefter confirmation that Kyle Orton is in the building at Dove Valley trying to hammer out a re-structured contract with the Dolphins to help facilitate a trade of his services to Miami.  Vic Lombardi is saying the Dolphins are for sure dangling a 3rd but Denver would like a 2nd round pick.  The latter probably won’t happen.

Broncos lose out on DeAngelo Williams in Free Agency – NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi has confirmed that free agent runningback DeAngelo Williams has opted to stay in Carolina for 5 years at 43 million total rather than be reunited with John Fox here in Denver.  This is the 2nd set back Denver has been dealt in as many days after many a fan would’ve like to see them land Barry Cofield.  The DT landed with Mike Shanahan in D.C.  Mike Klis confirmed via twitter that Denver was also pursuing DE Charles Johnson but lost that bidding war to the Panthers as well.

Eric Weddle Re-Signs with San Diego, Made Highest paid Safety Ever – Here is a little Schadenfreude fans can enjoy.  The Chargers just locked up Safety Eric Weddle at $40 Million over 5 years, thus making him the highest paid safety in the history of the NFL.  Tough that he’s back in the division but it’s nice to see a rival vastly overpay for an above average safety.

Oakland is in heavy pursuit of OT Jared Gaither – The Raiders are looking to bolster their offensive line with the addition of offensive tackle Jared Gaither.  Nothing set in stone, the two sides are still discussing numbers.

Nnamdi Asomugha to HOU, DAL, PHI or NYJ not a done deal – A fifth contender has emerged in talks regarding the highly coveted corner, the 49ers have cleared cap space and are making a serious run Nnamdi.  Just take him out of the AFC West is all we ask.

*More updates to come as things keep happening on the open market.

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed 17 college free agents, it was announced. Bios of each player are available on the team’s official site. The list is below.

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

All has been quiet on the free agent front for the Broncos. Many have expected a signing or two on the first day, and possibly even a Kyle Orton trade.

However, outside of the expected release of Correll Buckhalter, the signing undrated free agents like Mario Fannin, Deron Mayo, Jamel Hamler, Adam Weber, and several others, not much has happened in the Mile High city.

With only one returning non-free agent defensive tackle on the roster, many expected Denver to pursue that position heavily. Some of the player’s available at the position are Seattle’s Brandon Mebane, Green Bay’s Cullen Jenkins, and San Fransisco’s Aubrayo Franklin. However, clearing the cap space to sign any of these previously mentioned behemoths will be difficult.

When the lockout ended, the Broncos had $129 million against the cap. The new cap ceiling under the new CBA is $120 million. The release of Buckhalter frees up some cap space, but not much seeing how his $1.92 million contract contained no guaranteed money.

For the Broncos to sign some free agents they will need to get rid of some big contracts, and that is why they’re trying to deal Orton and fast. Orton’s is slated to receive $9 million this season from Denver, so his removal from the cap could go a long way. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

For all of those of the orange and blue hoping that defensive tackle Barry Cofield would sign with the Broncos, helping fill one of their biggest needs, you should be sad. According to Josina Anderson, the Redskins and Cofield have agreed to terms.

Cofield was considered one of the best free agents on the defensive tackle side, especially for a team that runs a 4-3. The best free agent left for a 4-3 team is Seattle’s Brandon Mebane, who still hopefully will remain unsigned.

The Johns and X have their work cut out for them. With players in the AFC West like Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster, Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden, Darren Sproles, and Ryan Matthews, a defensive tackle needs to be landed soon.

The Broncos will be back in action this Thursday and you can be there to watch! (Photo by Kyle Montgomery/BroncoTalk)

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday evening released the 2011 Training Camp schedule in its entirety.  There will be 18 practices in all, each will be free and open to the public.  Although it is the finalized schedule, the club would like fans to note that practice dates and times are subject to change.

The practices will again take place at the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre in Englewood, Colorado this year.  Fans are welcome to come and take photos and get autographs.

Training Camp will mark the first team the Broncos 2011 squad suits up and practices together.  It will also be Head Coach John Fox‘s first look at players like quarterback Tim Tebow and running back Knowshon Moreno live.

For more information on Training Camp and the schedule, visit the team’s official site: DenverBroncos.com.  View the complete press release and schedule after the jump.

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Miller will look great in Orange and Blue.

Per Denver Broncos Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano, four of Denver’s nine drafted rookies have officially chosen their respective jersey numbers.

Outside linebacker Von Miller will go with #58, a number he had previously chosen is now final.  Safety Rahim Moore grabbed #26, a common mid-twenties defensive back selection.  Tight ends Julius Thomas and Virgil Green chose numbers 80 and 86 respectively.

Most notable is Thomas selecting #80, the former number of Broncos legendary wide receiver Rod Smith.  In years past, Smith has often mentored the up-and-coming young receivers on Denver’s roster.  It will be interesting to see what he thinks of Thomas going with his former number.

The five other remaining rookies to select jersey numbers are offensive lineman Orlando Franklin, linebacker Nate Irvin, safety Quinton Carter, linebacker Mike Mohamed, and defensive lineman Jeremy Beal.  When their selections become public we’ll post them on the blog.

It’s been a busy and exciting day in Dove Valley.  Stay tuned for more stories still to come!

Hamler is the third UDFA WR to sign with the team, joining Michigan States' Mark Dell and Wake Forrest's Marshall Williams.

The Denver Broncos added two more undrafted free agents to the team on Monday when they signed Fresno State wide receiver Jamel Hamler and Old Dominion University defensive end Deron Mayo.  The news comes shortly after Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber announced he was on his way to Denver.

Hamler, a 22-year-old receiver, comes in at 6-2, 195 pounds.  Having played collegiate ball for Fresno State, Hamler joins the Broncos after catching 96 passes for 1,395 yards and 11 touchdowns in college.  Hamler chose to enter the 2011 NFL Draft instead of finishing out his college career, but ended up going undrafted.  At the least, Hamler will provide some depth at receiver during training camp.

Deron Mayo is the younger brother of New England Patriots star linebacker Jerod Mayo and is expected to be moved to linebacker in Denver’s 4-3 defense.  Mayo hopes to impress despite his small stature.

“People like (Denver’s) Elvis Dumervil and (Pittsburgh’s) James Harrison definitely give me hope,” Mayo told the PilotOnline. “I’m 5-11. I look at people like that and it gives me a lot of motivation. It’s all about learning the game. I feel I can rush the passer from the edge. It’s just a matter of a coach or a team taking a chance on me, which I know will pay off.”

If he makes the roster, Mayo should see time on special teams and provide some depth on defense.

This brings Denver’s UDFA signing total up to 14 by our count.  Last year the team signed 19 undrafted rookies.  We’ll keep you posted for any news of more signings.

Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee (23) rushes for a touchdown while being chased by Denver Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

The Baltimore Ravens informed running back Willis McGahee on Monday that he would not be retained by the team, freeing him to sign elsewhere.  Insert the Denver Broncos.

Denver has been looking for a bigger power back to compliment running back Knowshon Moreno and Willis fits the bill.  Free agent tail back DeAngelo Williams is another option, but he would probably come at a higher price tag and Carolina may re-sign him.

The Dallas Cowboys have also just cut running back Marion Barber III, another larger back with an aggressive style.  There hasn’t been any word yet on if Denver will pursue Barber, but he is certainly another option for the team.

McGahee was going to make $6 million this season in Baltimore before being cut.  He’d have to take a pay cut in order to return to Baltimore, and will probably end up taking one no matter where he signs.  According to a source, Willis and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, view Denver as a team where he could become a starter again.

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