Brandon Marshall may be visiting the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, but don’t expect him to leave the Emerald City with a shiny new contract offer, ESPN reports.

At least, not today.

Marshall is not expected to sign an offer sheet Saturday with Seattle, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The visit is not meant as an immediate step toward a signing; rather it’s a get-to-know-each other visit in a process that is not expected to be quick.

That’s all well and good, but the Seahawks wasted no time in bringing Marshall in for a visit. It wouldn’t surprise us if things in the Northwest heated up quickly — especially if Marshall begins visiting other teams, too.

In the meantime, though, the longer it takes for a team to bite on Marshall, the less likely it appears that 6th overall pick would be heading Denver’s way.

Sources: Offer not imminent [ESPN]

ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms Friday’s report that Brandon Marshall will be visiting with the Seattle Seahawks Saturday.

The Seahawks hope to iron out a long-term deal for the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, which would give the Denver Broncos seven days to match the offer or receive Seattle’s first round draft pick (sixth overall). Schefter reports that some in Seattle are serious about getting a deal done.

“There are some ties,” Schefter says. “There are some people in Seattle who really want Brandon Marshall.”

After one season with the Denver Broncos, defensive end Vonnie Holliday became an unrestricted free agent this week. If recent reports are any indication, neither he nor his most recent team hope he stays that way for long.

Scout.com reports that the Broncos are still interested in Holliday, while the Seattle Seahawks, who are coincidentally visiting with Brandon Marshall Saturday, have also entered the mix.  Holliday started three games at defensive end for the Broncos and led defensive linemen with five sacks.

Holliday recently voiced his hope to remain and retire a Bronco to FOX 31’s Josina Anderson. “First of all for me, I enjoyed my playing experience with the Broncos,” Holliday said. “I enjoy the city and their fans, so certainly I would welcome the opportunity to come back another season and play for them. As far as I’m concerned it would be nice to retire as a Bronco.”

The feeling’s mutual for this fan. Holliday showed he still had a lot in the tank last year; we’d be happy to see him finish his career in the orange and blue.

Free Agency Blog: 3/5/2010 [Scout.com]
DL Vonnie Holliday wants to retire as a Bronco; hopes to hear from team [FOX 31]

Nathan Jones, seen here as a member of the Miami Dolphins (#33), defends on a pass intended for Josh Reed #82 of the Buffalo Bills in 2009. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos announced the signings of two unrestricted free agents Friday: defensive lineman Justin Bannan and cornerback Nathan Jones.

Bannan’s signing was already reported, while Jones was among a handful of free agents who visited Dove Valley Friday.

“We are excited with these two additions and expect Justin Bannan and Nathan Jones to make positive contributions to the Broncos both on the field and in the locker room,” said head coach Josh McDaniels. “Justin will fit into our scheme very well, and having played his college ball at Colorado, he’s thrilled to return to this state as a Bronco.”

Bannan’s deal is for a reported five years, with the expectation that he will start for the Broncos at nose tackle. Terms of Jones’ deal have not been disclosed.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Defensive tackle Justin Bannan (Brian Bahr, ALLSPORT)

There’s a new run stuffer in town.

Former Colorado Buffaloes standout defensive lineman Justin Bannan, fresh from a four-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, signed a five-year deal with the Denver Broncos Friday, the Denver Post reports.

According to the Post, the Broncos brought the versatile Bannan in to play nose tackle. And while the monetary value of the contract is not yet known, the report suggests the Broncos signed Bannan to start.

Bannan, 6’3″ and 310 lbs., will turn 31 in April.

The defensive line really struggled down the stretch (Jamaal Charles anyone?), so it’s good to see the Broncos addressing this area early in free agency. Still, Bannan started a total of 19 games as a backup DE/DT in four years with the Ravens. This one feels a bit like Ronald Fields last year — the potential is there, but the Broncos need a sure-thing to shore up the middle of that DL. They might have to look to the draft to find it.

Broncos agree with Bannan to play nose tackle [Denver Post]

UPDATE: Marshall is expected to be in Seattle on Saturday per Adam Schefter.

Adam Schefter Oh boy — Brandon Marshall expected to be in Seattle on Saturday to visit the Seahawks and see if they can hammer out an offer sheet.

Yep you heard it, Adam Schefter said it. It was on the Sports Center so if you weren’t watching you’ll have to take my word for it. Anything Schefter says is usually set in stone. According to the former Denver Post reporter, the Seahawks are considering extending an offer sheet Brandon Marshall and in compensation the Broncos will receive the sixth overall pick. With the loss of Nate Burleson this move does make sense.

Adam Schefter If Seattle signs Brandon Marshall to the offer sheet, Broncos would have seven days to match — or get back the draft’s sixth overall pick.

The Seahawks have also scheduled a visit with Ben Hamilton.

More details up later!

Sixth overall pick? What an insane compensation.

The annual BroncoTalk tradition of draft prospect videos returns today!  As draft day approaches, we will be giving you game tape highlights of some of the bigger (and smaller) names around the draft.  We will kick off the first few days by selecting players that are very likely to be selected by Denver in the 1st round.  We’ve always prided ourselves on giving you a pre-draft glimpse of at least our #1 selection.  With that said, today we feature Alabama star linebacker Rolando McClain.  Have any players that caught your eye? Shout them out in the comments and we’ll try to squeeze them in before the draft.

Today’s first two videos will be straight forward as they’re provided by Universal Draft.  These are the most comprehensive scouting videos you’re likely to find on the internet so we won’t be adding much to them.  The NFL does not have individual combine videos as of yet, so we’ll take the wait and see approach there.  The third video is the truncated flashy highlight reel.  What’s great and important to watch on the first two is that they’re not all great plays, but also blown assignments and tackles as well.  Enjoy!

Hopefully this means Denver going to signing players mode. Both players both likely signed for the veteran minimum, but Brandon Lloyd likely got re-signed due to his performance in the final game of the season. While Russ Hochstein’s versatility allows him to play anywhere on the offensive line.

Wonder if there’s any specific need for the Denver Broncos to be solidifying their wide receiver position so early…

Press release after the click. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Baltimore Ravens free agent DL Justin Bannan will visit with the Denver Broncos Friday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Free agency opened at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, and the Denver Broncos wasted no time lining up linemen for workouts.

Cleveland Browns center/guard Rex Hadnot and Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Bannan highlight a crop of unrestricted free agents scheduled to visit Denver Friday, according to multiple reports. The Broncos do not have a starting-caliber center on their roster after releasing Casey Wiegmann in February, and Bannan boasts 310 lbs. of run-stuffing experience, having enjoyed being a part of the Ravens’ tenacious defensive line rotation with Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

J.J. Arrington (Getty Images)

Former Arizona Cardinals (and Denver Broncos) running back J.J. Arrington signed a one-year deal with the Broncos Thursday, FOX 31’s Josina Anderson reports. CBS’ Vic Lombardi has since confirmed the signing.

Arrington, 27, originally signed a four-year, $10 million deal with the Broncos a year ago, one month after undergoing knee surgery. He was cut in May after he failed his physical.

The move gives the Broncos a head start on what is surely to be another active free agency period in Denver. The 2010 league year, in which trade talks can officially resume and 2010 free agents become available, begins Friday.

Arrington was a second-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2005.

The Arrington signing was a big mistake from last offseason, so the Broncos are playing it safe with a one-year deal this time around. With Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter (and Peyton Hillis) still under fold, the move also suggests the Broncos probably won’t be heading in a Ladainian Tomlinson-type direction in free agency.

Sources: RB J.J. Arrington to return to the Denver Broncos [FOX 31 KDVR]