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The Denver Broncos signed veteran corner back Tyrone Poole on Wednesday, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced. The 13-year veteran most recently spent time with the Houston Texans in 2007. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Poole is a journeyman by every meaning of the word, spending time in New England, Indianapolis, and Carolina in addition to a brief stint in Denver in 2002 and the aforementioned season in Houston. Last year Poole did not see any game action.
Christian Morton, who delivered the powerful sack during Saturday’s preseason game on a cornerback blitz, was waived to make room for Poole on the roster.
Yesterday, the Broncos signed Wale Dada… that was strange enough – why in the world do the Broncos feel they need to keep addressing the cornerback position? I’m much more concerned about the defensive line and linebacker position (especially after two injuries at Sam) than I am about our secondary. Maybe they’re unhappy with what they saw in special teams, I dunno. Your thoughts?
Tyrone Poole Joins the Broncos [DenverBroncos.com]
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Yesterday’s winner: Dario – “…just hand the ball to LT and get out of the way.” Honorable mention: Danish-Denver fan, HogBlog.
Cowboys OL Marc Colombo and WR Patrick Crayton. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
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It had to be the most disappointing event in training camp. Montrae Holland, the Denver Broncos‘ starting right guard for 16 games in 2007, reported to camp significantly overweight.
Holland was expected to take a larger leadership role in the offensive line, representing the team’s only returning starter at the same position from a year ago. He was hands down the best offensive lineman on the team last year. Now that he’s gotten back to his playing weight, he’s left to practice with the second stringers.
And deservedly so. You don’t just promote someone who slacked off during the offseason and hurt his team by reporting out of shape. But the talent is undeniable – the potential tempting. Assuming Holland returns to 2007 form, the Broncos offensive line will be better for it. How can they deny improving themselves? Furthermore, how do they make room?
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So, last year many of you will remember that I was very high on bringing in Brad Johnson to backup Cutler. Yes, Brad is old enough to be my father, but he still has a strong arm and has spent time in quality programs that I believe try to mirror Denver’s success (like John Gruden’s). Mike Shanahan was definitely interested in Johnson when he was available last year, but Dallas ended up convincing Johnson he had a better chance at playing time over in the lonestar state.
However, there have been some rumblings recently that the Dallas organization isn’t happy having Johnson be their insurance plan. On Saturday the Chargers second string defense killed the Cowboys second team o-line and the results were predictable. Johnon still completed 8 of 15 passes for 89 yards, but he was sacked twice and intercepted once.
There have been calls (much like the ones here in Denver over Ramsey) to get rid of Brad. Wade Phillips is still sticking with his backup QB and will, reportedly, give him some time with the first string offense this week to see if Johnson looks better when surrounded by better protection. But all this drama makes this week very interesting.
Consider this… For several practices and then a preseason game on Saturday, Mike Shanahan and his coaches will get a very good look at Brad Johnson. Johnson was a player they liked as a seasoned veteran backup for Cutler (who could learn much from Brad). Ramsey has been playing average ball at best and Hackney is pretty short for a pro QB. Could this trip end up being a sales pitch to 17 year veteran?
Mark my words. If Brad Johnson would be released from the Cowboys, Denver will make a play for him.
If I was Shanahan, I’d try to show off Ramsey all week and hope he has a great game this weekend. Maybe Ramsey could look appealing enough to have Jerry Jones giving a QB swap some consideraton?
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What do you think? Would a guy Brad’s age worry you more than Ramsey? Would you like having a vet with Brad’s experience in the lockroom? If you were playing Madden 09 and could just make the switch, which backup would you rather have?
Photo Courtesy: AP/David Zalubowski
WR Marquay McDaniel beats Reid on a route in camp. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos CB Lamont Reid didn’t quite make it through the team’s training camp. A third year player out of North Carolina State, Reid spent his rookie season in 2005 with the Arizona Cardinals. After a knee injury prompted his release from the Cards, he signed with the Broncos, spending 2007 on the NFL Europa squad and ultimately the IR.
Today, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced that the team waived Reid, signing cornerback Wale Dada (wah-LEE, like the robot). Dada is a 5-10, 201 lbs. first-year player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He has spent time with the Jets, Seahawks, and Saints (until being waived Saturday).
Nothing much to see here, folks. Just kicking the tires on a new guy. Good luck to you, Reid, in the future. Official press release after the jump.
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Yesterday’s winner: Arden – “Y’know, at this point, allowing the sack might be the best thing for everyone.” Honorable mention: Pat, Boisebroncoguy.
Chargers Coach Norv Turner and QB Philip Rivers (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments…
As with all Training Camps, after the first game position battles are re-evaluated and that means players will be moving up and down the depth chart. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting ones…
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And we’ll start with defensive tackle Nic Clemons? Wait… Nic who?
Nic Clemons (6’6″ 300lbs) is a converted defensive end who played in eight games back in 2005 for the Redskins. Last year we picked him up off the Atlanta Falcon’s practice squad. So, why would a converted DE get a shot at first team reps at DT? I mean he’s recorded a career total of 2 tackles in the NFL. Well, that’s simple… He impressed the coaches. He actually played with the first team versus Houston in the nickel packages. And his pass rush was good enough to earn him first team reps on Monday ahead of veterans Alvin McKinley and Kenny Peterson.
“It gives me a lot of confidence, but at the same time, we’ve still got three more preseason games. I’m not thinking about making the team, just thinking about getting my job down.” — Nic Clemons
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Welcome to training camp, Holland.
Finally, our starting RG from last year got to participate in regular training camp practices yesterday. This is very good news as Montrae Holland has been working off the 25 extra pounds he brought to camp this year rather than getting out on the field with his teammates.
Monday he ran with the second team O-line (as Chris Kuper is currently holding Hollands spot from last year on the first team). Holland will need to work extra hard this week and impress the coaches in the next few preseason games to gain back his starting job. Holland knows it will be an uphill battle for him.
“Any time you miss two weeks of camp, that’s development, and timing, and right now mine is a little off. But you know, we’re practicing, so all I can do is get better.” — Montrae Holland
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Louis Green is hoping to get cleared to return to the field early next week, but while he and Boss Bailey are sidelined Jamie Winborn will get the first-team strongside LB reps. Jamie usually plays the weakside spot, but he did very well on Saturday and this move actually brings Wesley Woodyard up to the second team defense this week.
Woodyard had a fantastic game versus Houston’s 3rd and 4th stringers, and this weekend he could easily be playing against the Cowboy’s 2nd teamers. I don’t think he has a chance in Hades to pass DJ Williams on the weakside, but it makes me feel good that we have this kind of talent pool at LB this year.
And speaking of talented LB’s, this week we’ll continue to see Niko and Webster swapping first unit roles. I think Webster proved Saturday that he deserves to start again vs Dallas, but Shanahan might want to see what Niko can do against a good first team offense…. so, anything’s possible.
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And, finally, in the category of “I would have LOVED to see that!”… According to the official Denver Broncos blog, Jay Cutler lined up at Safety on the scout team as they ran drills versus Patrick Ramsey‘s second team. Jay played both QB and Safety in High School, but even with John Lynch gone and Hamza Abdullah sidelined with an injury I won’t expect to see Jay running out onto the field to fill in at Safety anytime soon.
It’s been difficult to try and take the collective pulse of Denver Broncos fans after Saturday’s preseason skirmish against the Houston Texans. There were definitely some bright spots (Jay Cutler), but also some real reasons for concern (the defensive line). Perhaps the topic more debated than any is the offensive line – and since that’s always the area to which I pay the closest attention, I’ll break down what I saw – and give grades!
LT Ryan Clady had an up and down game. After a few struggles early trying to contain Mario Williams, he pulled himself together, showing a lot of promise as an elite pass protecting left tackle. Before I bag on him, I want to say how good he was in pass pro. It was a good improvement over Matt Lepsis, who struggled mightily against Williams and the Texans last year. His run blocking was a different story entirely – he struggled at the point of attack and repeatedly lost his leverage. I was very disappointed, to say the least. He had a few really good run blocks – Cutler’s 15-yard run was only possible by the gaping hole Clady provided behind him (not to mention a great block by Eddie Royal at the end zone!), but overall it was ugly. He needs to get low and become a plow for this running football team or we’ll have a real problem on our hands. I understand that he’s a rookie and it’s his first game, but he’s been given the starting job. With it comes expectations. I’d give him a tough love grade of C.
LG Ben Hamilton was superb. Simply superb. I had heard some mixed reviews in training camp, but I didn’t notice any blaring mistakes in the least. One play that stands out – Hamilton began the play helping C Casey Wiegmann when a blitzing linebacker hit the A gap at full speed. It was the type of blitz that makes you sit up and pay attention, if you see it develop. Like a taut rubber band, Hamilton engaged the speedy opponent, slowed him to a halt, then pushed him back. It was fast (2 seconds) and amazingly efficient on Hamilton’s part. Major kudos, glad to have this guy back. A.
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Friday’s winner: Danish-Denver fan: “I got drafted by ’em. What’s your excuse?” Honorable mention: andy b., mikebirty.
Casey Wiegmann blocks for Patrick Ramsey Saturday at Houston. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments…
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
So, I actually set the alarm, woke up at 1am and watched the whole game (ending at 4am this morning). Work is going to suck this morning. :(
Let’s take a look at some of my thoughts and predictions from before the game versus what we saw on the field against Houston…
Young headlines Youth at RB –
Selvin Young was average versus Houston’s first team defense. He did well catching out of the back field and did have a nice run called back by a penalty. However, four attempts for only 3 yards rushing is nothing to write home about. Michael Pittman was ok with 20 yards on four attempts. Alridge did break one run for an impressive gain, but was contained well on his three other attempts. And that leaves Andre Hall. Granted, Hall had the assistance of the starting (or nearly the starting) O-line playing the rest of the first half; however, he still managed to impress by racking up 43 yards on 8 attempts.
I don’t think this will alter the starting line up next week. I would imagine Hall will remain #2 and get another opportunity to show off his skills next weekend.
The Man in the Middle –
Well, I said Nate Webster would lose his hat twice… he only lost it once. Sorry folks. :(
I think the one player I didn’t even notice during the game was Niko Koutouvides. The statistic boys say Niko had a tackle, but I must have missed it. The only thing I saw Niko doing was waving his arms and pointing alot before the snap with little impact in the area of putting hits on the Texans. I’m not anti-Niko, I just wasn’t all that impressed… and when you add to this the STUNNING play of LB Wesley Woodyard and the solid play from guys like Winborn and Beck, Niko’s night looks even weeker.
Webster only recorded 3 tackles, but was EVERYWHERE. I think he will obviously keeps his starting job for this week and we should see more helmet-flying action from him this weekend!
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Published on Wed Aug 13 09:11. 15 Comments |
Tagged: Christian Morton, Tyrone Poole.