Alas, free agency’s first real heartbreaker – Jets middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been traded to the Saints.   The fact of the matter is that the Broncos never showed real interest in Vilma, only fan speculation (such as my own) was linking the two teams in a trade.  He would have looked great in orange and blue.

Jets dealing Vilma to Saints for conditional draft pick [Newsday]

Free agency has officially begun, and already we’re making a little noise. Frankly, most of it is the type of noise I like to hear – in house, and not trying to make a big splash.

Consider this an open thread. Stop by if you hear any news and post it in the comments!

Engelberger, Ekuban signed – Our blue collar defensive ends are under contract again. The Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post both confirm John Engelberger‘s contract, while Ebenezer Ekuban has been mentioned on the NFL Network. Knowing Adam Schefter is likely somewhere behind that story, I believe it.

Elam, Lynch not – Jason Elam is preparing for a two week trip to Isreal with some unnamed current and former Broncos teammates. I’ll have to keep an eye on his blog to keep up with the goings on there. He’s unlikely to sign with another team during that time, but should still be available to sign with the Broncos while he’s gone. Meanwhile, John Lynch is more than likely set to return for another year in the NFL, but it may or may not be with the Broncos. Much more on that later.

Pursuing DTs update – RMN reports we’re out of the Shaun Rogers race – I had mixed feelings about the initial trade rumors, so naturally I was part relieved and part disappointed that those talks have tabled. Corey Williams is no longer an option, either – the Browns are reported to have traded their only remaining Day 1 pick (2nd round) to the Packers for his services. Now I’m pulling for Booger McFarland.

If you hear any news, please keep your fellow readers up to date in the comments. I’ll do my best to do the same.

Sources close to the trade negotiations between the Detroit Lions and the Denver Broncos indicate that Denver defensive back Domonique Foxworth could be on his way out, the Denver Post reports. Denver has shown interest in Detroit DT Shaun Rogers, but any other terms of the potential deal were not disclosed.

This trade could be pretty simple – Foxworth and switching first rounders for Rogers. I think that’s a little too steep a price for Rogers, considering the switch is worth a third round pick. It wouldn’t surprise me if this trade is equally complicated as last year’s Lions-Broncos swap, with 3 players and 2 draft picks involved.

Jason Elam, Broncos franchise record holder in both games played and points scored, becomes an unrestricted free agent at 10:01 PM MT tonight. The franchise kicker for the Broncos helped the team win 4 of their 7 games by kicking game-winning field goals last year.

Both Mike Shanahan and Elam have expressed interest in his return to Denver, but the two sides have not come to an agreement with less than 12 hours before the free agency period begins. After the deadline, Elam can sign with any team.

This situation is just ridiculous to me.  If they’re interested in bringing Elam back, shouldn’t they have done it already?  Now it really looks like we could be in the midst of Elam’s final days as a Denver Bronco.  Cross your fingers they get something done today.

• Three way trade rumor – Jets send Dewayne Robertson to Denver; Lions send Shaun Rogers to New York; we send Detroit Domonique Foxworth and a draft pick (likely second round).  [PFT Rumor Mill]
• The Broncos are expected to take a different, less flashy approach to free agency this time around.  [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• That being said, a trade could still be in the works.  [Denver Post]
• The moves they make will likely focus on the offensive line and run defense.  [Denver Post]
• It’s time to forget about last season; we’re all 0-0 now.  [Jim Saccomano]
• Another DT hits the market. [Stampede Blue]
• One of my favorite former Broncos is available again after a two year stint in Baltimore (sounds eerily familiar).  [Canadian Press]

Matt Mosley, former Dallas Cowboys beat writer and current NFL blogger for ESPN, reports that his recent conversations with sources inside the Cowboys organization indicate that the team is still interested in obtaining the services of Javon Walker (full story). However, a trade might not be likely.

The Broncos would like to move Walker in a trade, but it’s hard to imagine that the Cowboys would give up anything of value for a disgruntled player who is coming off an injury-plagued season. …

… Teams will likely wait for the Broncos to release Walker before signing him. He’s due a large signing bonus on March 4, and there’s no way the Broncos will pay it. Oh, and he’s not exactly the type of personality that would mesh with T.O. Walker, 29, believes he’s still a No. 1 receiver in the league, and that wouldn’t be the case in Dallas.

At this point the only leverage the Broncos have might be predicting the bidding war that could take place if Walker hits the market. Washington Redskins GM Daniel Snyder would definitely be in the mix to acquire Walker, and would probably overpay for the injured wideout.

If Walker agrees to restructure, the trade market may heat up, allowing the Broncos to get something in return.

However, this doesn’t seem likely. From everything I’m hearing, there’s virtually no chance Walker returns with the Broncos next year. Mike Shanahan isn’t known to keep someone he tries to trade so furiously.

What’s more, it looks likely the Broncos might have to cut Walker outright, getting no compensation. The Broncos used an early 2nd round draft pick to acquire Walker only 2 years ago.

Is Walker headed to Dallas? [Hashmarks]

Three Broncos defensive backs have been given their tenders, the Rocky Mountain News reports. Domonique Foxworth, Karl Paymah, and Hamza Abdullah were all affixed with low tenders, which grant the Broncos the right of first refusal. The players can negotiate with other teams in the NFL, but the Broncos can match any offer to keep them on the team.

Should any player leave, the Broncos would receive draft pick compensation equivalent to the round in which that player was taken. Foxworth and Paymah were selected in the third round of the NFL draft. Abdullah was selected in the seventh by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Broncos have been in contract negotiations with Abdullah for much of this offseason in attempts to work out a long term contract. Those negotiations reached a standstill Monday.

While the poison pill contract is always a looming threat, it seems the Broncos are well covered. It’s rumored they would let Foxworth walk for a 3rd if someone offered him, but I think they like Paymah enough and are thin enough at safety to match any offer given to either he or Abdullah.

Tenders give Broncos cover [Rocky Mountain News]

• And the Broncos haven’t talked to Jason Elam since last Thursday. Are you kidding me? [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• Our friends at MHR give you a nice little free agency info primer. [Mile High Report]
• Our new WR coach will likely be Jeff Fisch.  [Denver Post]
• The Chiefs cut everyone’s least favorite former Bronco. [Denver Post]
• The Chargers roster is mostly set for 2008, but free agency periods in the future could see the talent thinning.  [Sign On San Diego]

First off, let me apologize for being absent all of last week. My whole household came down with the flu and spent the week in bed sick – next year, it’s flu shots for everyone!

So I missed posting something last week to continue our conversations about our collective fan experiences. To catch everyone up, we’ve covered your fan-history, your gameday viewing tendencies and what you consider to be your Gameday Good Luck Charm.

This week, I wanted to ask you about your collection. What do you mean, what collection? You know, what I’m talking about! All that Bronco stuff you collect from friends and family every holiday because they know you like Denver?

Do you have a mint condition John Elway rookie card signed by The Duke himself? Do you have a complete set of Game Day programs dating back to the first issue? Have you saved a particular slice of french toast because it had a strange likeness of Terrell Davis on it? Or do you have a whole room devoted to nothing but Orange & Blue?

What is your most prized Bronco possession?

Post a comment below.

NOTE: Due to the vast quantity of spam this site receives daily, we moderate our comments. I’m sorry we have to ask you to sign in to comment, but it’s the only way to avoid having 100 viagra and adult ads from burying any real feedback (not to mention it’s just plain annoying). So, please sign in and give us your story – we’d like to know more aboutcha.

UPDATE – The same RMN article now indicates that several other teams (Raiders, Falcons, Saints, and Bucs) are still in the running for Rogers. The talks between the Lions and all teams are still heated, meaning the Broncos are no longer the clear favorites.

— Original post below —

Detroit defensive tackle Shaun Rogers will be a Denver Bronco, if this Rocky Mountain News report comes to fruition. The Lions and Broncos are in the midst of “aggressive” trade talks regarding the 340-lbs. lineman, and a deal could be done as early as tonight.

If no hitches develop, the trade is expected to be done as early as tonight or early Tuesday.

It’s unclear what the Broncos would give the Lions for Rogers, 28, a University of Texas product.

The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder has drawn the ire of Lions general manager Matt Millen because of weight problems. Millen has said the former Pro Bowl selection could be fined if the issue isn’t resolved.

The two teams can work on the terms of a trade now, but the trade would not go through until February 29th.

I’m not thrilled about this, especially if the price is too high. In my opinion a 2nd round choice is too high, and we don’t have a third to give.

However, Detroit holds the 15th overall selection and we hold the 12th. In draft value the difference is 150 points, or a mid-late third round pick. Are the Lions looking to move up in the draft as part of the deal? Perhaps this move and a late round pick would be enough to get Rogers.

DT is our biggest need, and he is a former Pro Bowler. His weight issues are a concern, but this might be one of the best moves we could make to shore up this position of need as we face a weak DT draft and free agent class. We’ll keep you posted.

Broncos closing in on Lions’ Rogers [Rocky Mountain News]