Sunday, July 31, 2011

Dante Rosario Signs w/ Broncos

Reportedly, former Panthers Tight End Dante Rosario has signed with the Denver Broncos. Rosario played for John Fox in Carolina, and comes to the Broncos as without a doubt their most talented receiving Tight End.

He will come to Denver for a physical tonight, and if it is successful he will become the Broncos newest Free Agent pickup.

This is the Broncos third Free Agent acquisition surprisingly all of them on offense, including RB Willis McGahee, WR David Anderson and now, Dante Rosario.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Broncos Announce Trio Of Roster Transactions

The Denver Broncos made several moves in free agency on Saturday, starting with the release of veteran safety Renaldo Hill.

Hill will be turning 33 this year and was owed $5.5 million from the Broncos. Cutting him loose frees up some cap space for the team and will give the younger safeties on Denver's roster more reps in camp.

The team followed up by acquiring former Houston Texans wide receiver David Anderson, adding depth to an already deep receiving core. It is expected that Anderson will compete with the other young receivers on Denver's roster and earn a special teams position.

Lastly, the team officially agreed to terms with former Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee. Assuming he passes his physical, McGahee will earn $9.5 million over a four year span.

Both Anderson and McGahee will be allowed to attended practices but neither may participate until the new league year begins on August 4th. Broncos' kicker Matt Prater, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and defensive tackle Ryan McBean are all in the same boat -- they may observe practice, but may not practice with the team until next Thursday.

In other news, Denver is making progress in their attempts to re-sign defensive tackle Marcus Thomas -- he will visit Dove Valley tomorrow and is expected to sign with the team. Fellow defensive tackle Ty Warren, a former New England Patriot, visited the Broncos today.

Stay tuned and be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page for up-to-the-minute updates on all the transactions that will be happening over the next few days.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Quick Broncos Transactions Update (8:30 PM 7/29)

A few quick notes on several transactions happening in Denver...
  • Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater and linebacker Wesley Woodyard have signed their restricted free agent tenders and defensive tackle Ryan McBean has signed his exclusive rights tender. Meaning all three players will stay in Denver.
  • Denver also waived running back Mike McLaughlin and officially released fellow running back Correll Buckhalter and tight end Daniel Coats.
  • According to reports, Denver is also pursuing free agent fullback Vonta Leach, a big-name fullback who played for the Houston Texans last season.
  • Former Panthers defensive Derek Landri is scheduled to visit Dove Valley tomorrow and former Colts' defensive tackle Daniel Muir has also drawn interest from Denver.

Update: Broncos Haven't Yet Signed McGahee

Earlier today, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Denver Broncos had come to terms with former Ravens running back Willis McGahee.

The deal was repored as a 3-year deal for $7,500,000, including $3 million guaranteed. However, McGahee hasn't yet in fact signed with Denver.

The Broncos supposedly have a deal in place to sign McGahee, but a contract has not been signed, yet. It's a complicated situation that involves bad reporting, much of which is our fault.

We sincerely apologize for the premature report and will be more careful not to the jump the gun in the future. We do expect however that McGahee eventually will sign with the team, but nothing is official as of now.

McGahee has connections to the Broncos, specifically running back Eric Studesville who coached Willis McGahee during the peak of his career in Buffalo. He is expected to share time with Knowshon Moreno in Foxs' new offense.

The Broncos have been looking for another back to compliment Moreno in Denver's backfield, McGahee would be a solid addition. We'll keep you updated on the situation.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Why Not Trading Orton is a Mistake

With Matt Moore being signed by the Dolphins, it appears that a trade for Kyle Orton has fallen through, leaving the Broncos with no trade options left, unless they and the Dolphins revisit this move.

Sadly this may be the biggest mistake made this off-season by Elway and Fox. If Orton is not traded, it stands for major problems for the Broncos this off-season. First off, Orton represents a ridiculously large amount of cap space. By retaining him, we lose money that we could possibly spend on free agents we actually need to build the future of this team. (Brandon Mebane anybody?)

This also confuses the team. Everyone in the locker room knows that Orton is being shopped. They accept that. They have moved on to the Tebow era. Just look at Brandon Lloyds' comments the other day. People are sold on Tebow time.

But now, Orton is back. Is he going to be the starting Quarterback? Players like Lloyd may shift their allegiance back to Orton, and if that is the case, and Orton then is sat, it will create major unrest in the locker room.

Now I'm not unreasonable. If the reason a trade was not worked out was because Orton refused to renegotiate his contract, then this is in no way EFX's fault. I'm sorry to say though, that I highly doubt that is a reason the trade fell through. Orton if he was sent to Miami might have a chance at long term security in a contract. If he was offered that and opted instead for one year of $9 million dollars, I'd be awfully surprised.

The Broncos need to trade Orton for whatever they can acquire at this point. He is becoming too much of a liability and if we are going to cut him, which is still possible, we should at least get a mid to low round pick in return.

I like Orton as a player, but we need to move to the future of this team. That future is unquestionably Tebow. As John Fox said, we need a gamer. That gamer is not Kyle Orton. Best of luck to him on his new team. That's of course, if the Broncos can find him a new team.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Did Orton Trade Fall Through? Miami's Backing Off

Broncos starting quarterback Kyle Orton appears to be staying put in Denver.

Multiple sources had been reporting that Denver and the Miami Dolphins were in serious trade talks regarding Orton and that a trade was likely, which no longer appears to be the case. Presumably, the Broncos were asking for a higher draft pick than Miami was willing to surrender.

The Dolphins are now in the midst of signing former Carolina Panther quarterback Matt Moore, according to the need to acquire Orton.

More updates to come as information becomes available. For now, Kyle Orton is the Broncos starting quarterback. That could change at any moment, however.

Broncos About To Enter Free Agency Frenzy

Since the lockout was officially lifted on Tuesday, NFL teams have only been permitted to sign rookies. Starting tonight at 6pm (ET), teams can begin signing free agents.

The Broncos only have five restricted free agents (the fewest among any team in the NFL), and may only try to re-sign two of them. Running backs Kyle Eckeand and Laurence Maroney, defensive tackles Ronald Fields and Marcus Thomas and offensive lineman Ryan Harris will be free to sign with any team this evening, including Denver.

The Broncos will offer deals to Thomas and Harris (and possibly Fields) but if the players receive a better offer from another team, there's nothing stopping them from accepting it.

Denver will also pursue running back Willis McGahee (formerly a Raven) and defensive tackles
Derek Landri (Carolina) and Daniel Muir (Indianapolis's). Another defensive tackle, Seattle's Brandon Mebane, has been a hot topic.

The Broncos are in serious need of another defensive tackle and Mebane is a big name player that would be a great addition to Denver's defense. However, he is likely to re-sign with the Seahawks because his price tag is too much for Denver, reports Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press.

Another heavily desired free agent among Bronco fans was running back DeAngelo Williams, who re-signed with Carolina earlier this week. Mile High Faithful will be discouraged if the team does not land Mebane after already losing in the Williams sweepstakes. Adding insult to injury, quarterback Kyle Orton, the man Broncomaniacs tried to run out of town, may be returning.

Broncos fans need to remember though that Denver is going through a rebuilding process and it will take more than one offseason to get where the Broncos would like to be. There is no quick fix, the team probably won't sign a big name defensive tackle this year and quarterback Tim Tebow may not start and lead the team to the Super Bowl.

Rather, the team will add depth to the defensive line through free agency. Denver may also decide to retain Orton and give Tebow a little more time to learn under the veteran. It's about winning games and if the Broncos brass thinks Orton gives the team the best chance to win, he'll start.

Stay tuned, there's still a possibility of Orton being traded and Denver will be signing several free agents this evening. For up-to-the-minute updates, 'Like' Broncos Zone on Facebook!

Broncos Drafted Rookies Finalize Jersey Numbers

Now that the Denver Broncos have finalized contracts with their nine drafted rookies, there are some new jersey numbers to announce. Below is a list of the players and their number selections, per the team's official site: DenverBroncos.com.

A Numbers Game
S Rahim Moore: 26
S Quinton Carter: 28
LB Mike Mohamed: 53
LB Nate Irving: 56
LB Von Miller: 58
OL Orlando Franklin: 74
TE Julius Thomas: 80
TE Virgil Green: 89
DE Jeremy Beal: 97

Note: Defensive lineman Robert Ayers has switched from number 56 to a more defensive lineman-esque number in 91, freeing up 56 for Irving.

It will be exciting to see these guys on the field, stay tuned for a practice report this afternoon.

Demaryius Thomas May Not Return Until Mid-Nov.

After failing his physical on Thursday, the Denver Broncos placed wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the Non-Football-Related injury list. The move allows Denver keep Thomas on the 90-man training camp roster.

Thomas cannot practice with the team until he can pass his physical, which may not be for another few months. Denver is hopeful that Thomas, who tore his Achilles tendon in February while working out, will be back by Thanksgiving.

If all goes well, Thomas could return by mid-season. If his recovery has any set backs, Thomas may have to be placed on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUB) list and eventually on injured reserve (IR). Placing Thomas on the PUB list at the start of the season will give Denver six weeks to either add Thomas to the active roster or place on him IR, effectively ending his season before it even began.

Here's hoping Thomas is able to bounce back and get back on the field soon, he showed great potential as a rookie last season.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Broncos, Von Miller Reach Deal

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos and their Number 2 overall pick Von Miller have reached an agreement over his contract. Shortly after, Elway confirmed the signing by tweeting:
@johnelway: We have agreed to terms with our 1st round pick, LB Von Miller. Can't wait to get him on the field.
This is great news as he will report to camp immediately. Terms of the deal have not been announced so stay tuned.

UPDATE: According to FOX31's Josina Anderson, Von Millers' contract is over four years and worth $21 million dollars. All of it is guaranteed. This is half of what he would have received before the new CBA.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Broncos Targeting Handful of Defensive Tackles

It is being reported that the Broncos are showing interest in Defensive Tackle Derek Landri of the Panthers, as we predicted they would on Monday. This is the third Defensive Tackle the Broncos are working to acquire, as according to a number of sources.

It has also been reported that the Broncos are targeting both Brandon Mebane of the Seahawks and Daniel Muir of the Colts.

Mebane is definitely the most high-profile of the three, and is also being heavily suited by the Seahawks and the Saints. That said, from what we've heard, the Broncos are making the hardest push for him at this point.

Derek Landri is scheduled to visit the Broncos tomorrow. He played with Coach Fox back in Carolina.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Broncos Transactions Update (7:30 PM MT, 7/27/11)

The Denver Broncos had another busy day on Wednesday at Dove Valley. The team kicked off the action by announcing it had signed seventeen undrafted college free agents.

Next, Denver traded veteran wide receiver Jabar Gaffney to the Washington Redskins in exchange for defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon.

The trade makes sense because Gaffney has become expendable in Denver's diverse receiving core. When former Head Coach Josh McDaniels arrived in Denver he traded for Gaffney from New England, acquiring one of his own, if you will, and pushed electrifying receiver Eddie Royal to the side. Although a solid player, Gaffney should have never gotten more opportunities than Royal in Denver's offense.

Now that Gaffney is suiting up for another former Broncos Head Coach, Mike Shanahan, Denver's younger receivers, Royal and Eric Decker among them, will see more passes this season. The Broncos also got another defensive lineman in the trade, a position where they could certainly use more depth.

Finally, and perhaps most notably, the Broncos have freed up $2.4 million in cap space by parting ways with Jabar. Jarmon comes in at a much lower price tag and provides a young (23), versatile option for the Broncos on the defensive line.

Coming in at 6'3, 286 pounds, Jarmon was not a very good fit in the Redskins 3-4 defense playing defensive end. If he makes the roster, Jarmon will probably see a rotational role on Denver's 4-3 defense and time at defensive tackle, a role similar to what Kevin Vickerson played last season.

The Broncos are expected to make two more roster transactions soon; sign running back Willis McGahee and trade quarterback Kyle Orton to the Miami Dolphins. Miami and Denver have been in serious trade talks regarding Orton, according Adam Schefter of ESPN. Another source says the Dolphins offered a 3rd round selection but Denver wants a 2nd rounder.

It's unlikely that the Broncos will be able to receive a second round pick for Orton, but it appears that the team will be trading him, soon. The most likely landing spot for Orton is Miami, where he would reunite with former Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall. In 2009 -- the last season Orton and Marshall played together -- the two connected 101 times for 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Since Marshall was traded, his and Orton's productivity have dropped considerably. A reunion and change of scenery in Miami would undoubtedly benefit both players tremendously.

Back to McGahee, the Broncos lost in the DeAngelo Williams sweepstakes because they were not willing to pay up the $43 million that Carolina gave him, understandably so. With Williams no longer an option, the team has turned their attention to McGahee.

A former Raven, McGahee and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have the Broncos as one of their top options, making a deal extremely likely to happen. Watch for the Broncos to deal Orton and work out a contract with McGahee within the next 48 hours.

Stay tuned and be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page for up-to-the-minute updates on all the transactions that will be happening over the next few days.

Virgil Green Agrees to Contract

According to a P.R representative for X.A.M Sports (Virgil Greens' agency), Green has reportedly agreed to a four year deal with the Denver Broncos. He will now be able to report to camp immediately.

Green, who played Tight End at Nevada was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 draft by the Broncos.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Deal for Orton Reportedly in Place

Mike Klis of the Denver Post is reporting that the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins have the basics of a deal that would send Kyle Orton to Miami in place.

This comes with the news that Kyle Orton has left the Broncos team headquarters and is not expected to return for the Broncos 4:00 mandatory meeting. The only remaining piece of the deal is a contract that Orton and the Dolphins are expected to negotiate.

Brace yourselves for more details.

UPDATE: Kyle Orton, contrary to previous reports, has in fact returned to the Broncos headquarters. It is unknown whether he will attend the mandatory 4:00 meeting. He is still supposed to be negotiating a contract with the Dolphins.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Jabar Gaffney Traded to Washington for Jeremy Jarmon

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Broncos WR Jabar Gaffney has been traded to the Washington Redskins in exchange for Defensive End Jeremy Jarmon. This comes as a surprise as Jabar Gaffney was not known to be on the trade block.

Soon after this report was filed, John Elway confirmed the trade via Twitter:
@johnelway: We have acquired DT Jeremy Jarmon from Washington in exchange for WR Jabar Gaffney.
He followed this up by saying:
@johnelway: Jeremy is an athletic defensive lineman with great versatility. We are looking forward to having him as Bronco.
Jarmon played defensive end in Washington after being acquired in the 2009 supplemental draft. I expect him to transition to the Defensive Tackle position in Fox's 4-3, as he has the versatility, and size to play either.

Overall this seems like a rock solid trade. With Brandon Lloyd, Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal and Eric Decker, there really wasn't any room for Gaffney. Even if Jarmon is only a rotational defensive lineman, this is still a solid acquisition.

It also represents a positive salary cap move. Gaffney was due to be paid $2.4 million dollars, vs Jarmon who comes at a small price.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

DeAngelo Williams Staying in Carolina

Knock another player off your wish list Broncos fans. Michael Lombardi is reporting on twitter right now that DeAngelo Williams will be staying in Carolina. His contract is over five years, with $43 million ($21 mil guaranteed) supposedly.

Williams was linked with the Broncos and his former coach John Fox. This will come as a disappointment to Broncos fans who were looking to lock up Williams as a complimentary backup to Knowshon Moreno.

It has been widely reported that Carolina is trying to retain their key players, of which Williams is one of.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Broncos Sign 17 UDFA's: Final List

John Elway tweeted earlier this morning that the Broncos' UDFA signings had been finalized. Here is the final list of all of the Broncos UDFA's:

Brandon Bing, CB, Rutgers
Ronnell Brown, DT, James Madison
Mark Dell, WR, Michigan St.
Derek Domino, OLB, South Dakota St.
Mario Fannin, RB, Auburn
D'Andre Goodwin, WR, Washington
Adam Grant, T, Arizona
Chris Harris, CB/S, Kansas
Jamel Hamler, WR, Fresno St.
A.J Jones, OLB, Florida
Deron Mayo, OLB, Old Dominion
Curt Porter, T, Jacksonville St.
James Rogers, CB, Michigan
Austin Sylvester, FB, Washington
Adam Weber, QB, Minnesota
Colby Whitlock, DT, Texas Tech
Marshall Williams, WR, Wake Forest

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

The Day Two Push

It's the unofficial day two of free agency for the Denver Broncos, and they are expected to make a push for two major players to come, and of course leave. It is being reported the Broncos are pushing hard to sign former Ravens RB, Willis McGahee.

It is also expected for the Orton trade to be landed today, most likely to the Miami Dolphins. Since yesterday though, his trade value has dropped a slight bit due to the signing and acquisitions of different Quarterbacks by teams who were interested in Orton.

On top of all this, it is being reported that the Broncos have shown interest in signing Safety Eric Weddle of the San Diego Chargers. Their biggest competition is supposed to be the Chargers themselves, as well as the Jaguars.

I'd also expect to hear some Defensive Tackle rumors on who the Broncos are interested in signing. With Barry Cofield going to Washington, Brandon Mebane is the prize for Broncos fans right now.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

What is the Market for Kyle Orton?

There is no doubt that now Kyle Orton is being heavily shopped right now by the Broncos. It seems right now like it will be a matter of when Orton will be traded and not if, anymore. This brings the question, what is the market for Orton like right now?

From what we can tell right now, all reports are pointing to the Broncos accepting nothing under a third round pick. This shows that there must be interest from a number of teams, which is easy to believe knowing how many QB-needy teams there are out there.

I originally pegged him going for a third or a fourth round pick but I'm beginning to feel that this may go up. So far what we've heard is that there are offers on the table from both the Cardinals and the Dolphins. Tennessee has also been reported to have shown interest. (But with Hasselbeck leaving, that seems less likely.)

With this kind of competition though, his market value is sure to raise. What I would expect now is a conditional trade: A third at the least, if he throws 20+ touchdowns a third and a fourth, if he throws 20+ touchdowns and starts 16 games a second.

That is what we can currently predict the Broncos are aiming for, so there may be a longer negotiation process that could span the next two days. (The Dolphins are supposedly closer to reaching a deal according to a number of sources.)

So now, Orton could decide the market for the rest of league when it comes to trading away Quarterbacks. If Orton goes for anything higher than a third, Kevin Kolbs' value could catapult to even more than a first round pick. Good news for everyone, as it looks like Orton could be traded for some good value.

For the latest Broncos buzz, follow Broncos Zone on twitter (@broncoszone) and Garrett at (@broncomadness).

Broncos Transactions Update (3:20 PM MT)

The Denver Broncos have made several transactions since our last update. The team signed their third undrafted free agent wide receiver on Tuesday when they agreed to a deal with Fresno State's Jamel Hunter.

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Broncos can sign up to 15 undrafted college free agents, leaving them with only a few more signings to go. Once the team has concluded their signing spree, the team will announce an official list of UDFA additions to the roster, which we'll re-post on the site.

Last season, Denver signed nineteen UDFA's including defensive backs Kyle McCarthy and Cassius Vaughn (both of whom are still with the team). The most notable undrafted player to ever sign with the team is of course, former wide receiver Rod Smith.

Denver has been allotted a $8,118,404 rookie signing pool to use on their nine drafted rookies. A large chunk of that money will go towards rookie linebacker Von Miller's four to five year contract.

Meanwhile, our very own Garrett Barnes speculates that quarterback Kyle Orton's trade value is rising due to high demand. Kent Somers of AZCentral.com is reporting that the Arizona Cardinals and Broncos have had talks discussing a trade. It appears that the Orton Sweepstakes have come down to being between the Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.

Up to seven teams (the Dolphins, Vikings, Titans, Cardinals, Redskins, Bengals and Seahawks) may pursue Orton, so there's certainly no doubt that Denver will be able to find a trading partner. Denver would like to deal Orton soon and free up $8.4 million in cap space, a deal may take a few days to work out however.

In free agency the Broncos will be looking to sign a solid defensive tackle and another running back, but restricted free agents cannot be signed until Friday evening. Among the 442 unrestricted free agents in the NFL, Denver has the least amount in the league, with only five players. Running backs Kyle Eckeand and Laurence Maroney, defensive tackles Ronald Fields and Marcus Thomas and offensive lineman Ryan Harris are the select few.

The fates of Thomas and Harris are in their -- and their agents' -- own hands. Both of the players will have the option to re-sign with Denver or sign with another team, for perhaps a better offer. Defensive lineman Ronald Fields may receive an offer from the team but don't expect either Exkeand or Maroney to return.

Moving to another subject, Denver has several options at running back to chose from. The Baltimore Ravens cut running back Willis McGahee on Monday and according to multiple sources, McGahee and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, view Denver as a team where he could become a starter again.

The Broncos may pounce on McGahee, if the price is right. McGahee was under contract to make $6 million in Baltimore this season but the Ravens were not willing to pay that. The Broncos may not be willing to pay that much either for the 29-year-old, so he'll have to take a pay cut to land in Denver.

Other options at running back include recently cut former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III and Carolina Panthers' free agent back DeAngelo Williams. The more flashy option is Williams, he however may re-sign with Carolina. There's been no word yet on if Denver will pursue Barber, but he would be a nice fit in the Broncos offense that is in serious need of a power back.

Lastly, several of Denver's drafted rookies have officially chosen their jersey numbers. Per the Broncos
Vice President of Public Relations, Jim Saccomano, outside linebacker Von Miller will wear #58, safety Rahim Moore picked #26 and tight ends Julius Thomas and Virgil Green have chosen numbers 80 and 86 respectively. More jersey numbers will be announced as information becomes available.

Stay tuned and be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page for up-to-the-minute updates on all the transactions that will be happening today.

Broncos Transactions Update (9:15 AM MT)

Broncos players began arriving at the team's facility at 8 am (MT) this morning, the same start time allowing certain transactions to take place. A local Denver radio station, Sports Animal 1300AM, reported that quarterback Tim Tebow was the first player in the building this morning, no surprises there.

Meanwhile, Denver has placed quarterback Kyle Orton on the trading block. The team also just signed Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber, a four-year starter in college. That gives the Broncos four quarterbacks on the roster and the team is most likely taking calls for Orton. Reportedly, the Miami Dolphins are showing a lot of interest.

Orton is not the only player expected to be leaving Denver, Fox31's Josina Anderson is reporting that the team has informed running back Correll Buckhalter that he will be released. The team may re-sign him for less money, freeing up some much needed cap room.

As of now, the team has signed 13 undrafted college free agents (UDFA's) and have shown interested in several available running backs including Baltimore's Willis McGahee and Carolina's DeAngelo Williams. More UDFA signings are expected to be announced throughout the day.

Stay tuned and be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page for up-to-the-minute updates on all the transactions that will be happening today.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Broncos UDFA Signings: Day 1

It's been a long few hours now of seemingly non-stop UDFA signings. Here is a composite list of all the players that have had their names linked with the Broncos. Click on the link and read the scouting reports also.

Mario Fannin, RB, Auburn
Patrick Hill, FB, Miami
Mark Dell, WR, Michigan St.
Marshall Williams, WR, Wake Forest
Curt Porter, OT, Jacksonville St.
Bryant Browning, OG, Ohio State
Colby Whitlock, DL, Texas Tech
Deron Mayo, LB, Old Dominion
Brandon Bing, CB, Rutgers
James Rogers, CB, Michigan
Chris Harris, S, Kansas

There will surely be more coming, and we will be here covering it for the next day. Go Broncos!

Broncos Sign Pair of Defenders

Step on up Nick Bellore, and Colby Whitlock! You two are the next lucky Denver Broncos! Nick Bellore, LB, Central Michigan and Colby Whitlock, DL, Texas Tech have both reportedly signed with the Broncos.

I know some people who are crazy for Bellore, and I personally am a big fan of Whitlock, so this seems so far like two more solid signings.

Scouting reports in the near future...

Bryant Browning Signs W/ Broncos

@NFLDraftInsider is reporting on twitter that Bryant Browning, OG, Ohio State has agreed to terms with the Broncos. I've heard Browning is a solid player, but sadly do not know very much about him. I know, surprising right? So because of this, here is a scouting report via FFToolbox.com:

Ohio State University's Bryant Browning is an interior lineman prospect with NFL-ready size, plenty of experience and is a talented run-blocker. Browning isn't a flashy prospect and while he is a solid college lineman, there weren't enough big improvements in his game over the last two seasons to qualify him as a must-get player.

Browning was on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy and was named to the All-Academic Big Ten team.

He lacks the athleticism to be a pulling guard and is best suited for a run-oriented offense. His size is right where NFL scouts want it to be, but he isn't particularly strong and doesn't have that nasty streak where he really goes after his opponents.

Browning is an adequate pass-blocker, but often plays too upright and can be pushed back into the pocket. He doesn't get off the ball quickly which can lead to more athletic defenders beating him to the point of attack.

He is a developmental prospect who could progress into quality reserve lineman if he continues to work at the finer techniques of the position.

Browning projects as a seventh round pick or an undrafted free agent in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Sounds like a good pickup to me...

Chris Harris to Sign with Broncos?

It has not been confirmed by any news sources, but Chris Harris, CB, Kansas just tweeted in caps: DENVER BRONCOS after The Denver Post said he was going to be flying to Denver tomorrow. Therefore, we will operate as if he is signing with the Broncos. And because of that, you get a scouting report.

Scouting Report: Chris Harris is a versatile player who could play Cornerback in the NFL but may be an even more natural Safety. In that regard, he is the classic tweener.

He was plenty productive with the Jayhawks, and was considered an incredibly solid tackler for Kansas. He has lots of power behind his hits and good technique on top of that. That said, he doesn't have great ball skills nothing up only 3 interceptions in college.

I like him a lot as a special teams player, but I don't see him doing much more than that. Maybe a nickel-back? But even then I feel like his lack of speed wouldn't help him in zone coverage. Interesting signing... If it's a signing.

James Rogers Sign With Broncos

James Rogers, CB, Michigan has signed with the Denver Broncos as a UDFA. Just a reminder though, this is all unconfirmed. All of it. Seriously.

Can't wait for the scouting reports can you?

Mario Fannin Signs w/ Broncos

Mario Fannin, the highly touted runningback out of Auburn has signed with the Broncos. This is one of the first blockbuster (if you can really call a UDFA signing that) acquisitions for the team. The Broncos have also reportedly agreed to terms with Patrick Hill, FB, Miami.

Scouting Report: Mario Fanning's signing coincides with the announcement that the Broncos have told Correll Buckhalter that he is being cut from the team.

It makes sense that the Broncos would search for a potential backup running back and Fanning is similar in style of play to Buckhalter. They both are elite receivers out of the backfield with solid straight line speed. Fannin has never carried the full-load on a team, which bodes just fine with John Fox as nobody does in his offense. This is without a doubt the Broncos best UDFA signing so far.

Broncos Sign Duo of Wide Receivers

It is reported that Mark Dell, WR, Michigan St. and Marshall Williams, WR, Wake Forest will be signing with the Denver Broncos. This is being reported by @NFLDraftInsider and @NEPatriotsDraft, respectively.

Scouting Report: You always see plenty of Wide Receivers' join as UDFA's because there are so many open spots for them on a roster. The Broncos continue this trend with the signing of Dell and Williams. Two solid signings in the UDFA class.

Mark Dell brings sub-par speed to the table but more than makes up for it with fantastic, sharp routes and solid hands. One of the reasons I liked him in the draft is because he could be a pro-ready contributer. That gives him an extra edge in his attempt to make the Broncos final roster, or at least the practice squad. That said, he does carry potential character-issues, something that had him drop in the draft.

As for Marshall Williams, his reasoning for falling out of the draft was production. That always seems to be a problem for Wake Forest wide receivers, and he is no different. But that's not to say he lacks talent. Williams is an interesting deep threat type prospect who is quick but also has a big body. This rare combo will make him hard to ignore in the Broncos training camp.

Brandon Bing Signs w/ Broncos

In case you weren't totally sure the lockout was over, here's proof: Brandon Bing, CB, Rutgers has signed with the Denver Broncos. Bing marks the beginning of the UDFA Signing Period for the Broncos. (UDFA means Undrafted Free Agent; but if you couldn't figure that out, why are you even on this site?)

Scouting Report: You probably haven't heard of Brandon Bing, and I honestly hadn't paid much attention to him other than being a counter-part to Safety Joe Lefeged. Here is what I do know about him: First of all, he's fast. That must have appealed to EFX, as I remember that being his most notable trait. I believe he ran about a 4.35 in the combine, but his on the field play didn't stand out enough to get him drafted.

His size also had an impact on his draftability (and yes, that is a made up word by us draftniks). 5'9, as we all know isn't exactly tall for a Cornerback, and he'll struggle in man-on-man coverage. At the end of the day, Bings' biggest bonus is his return ability, which should surely be a competitive position on the Broncos.

I look forward to seeing him in camp, but honestly, I find it unlikely that Bing makes the team unless he shows he is the best returner on this team. Which he may just be.

Information On Broncos Training Camp, Preseason

The lockout is officially over and it's time to get back to football.

"This is a great day for everyone involved with the National Football League—first and foremost our fans. Our coaching staff is comprised of a great group of teachers who are eager to begin working with our players," said Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox on Monday. "All of us are looking forward to building relationships with our players and making the Broncos a better team. Our preparation has been well thought out, and we are ready for training camp and the 2011 season.”

Players will report to the Broncos training facility in Dove Valley tomorrow morning and the team can then start negotiating with players needing to be re-signed. The team will start training camp on Thursday and will practice throughout the weekend, five practices in all. The sessions will be open to the public. More information can be found at the team's official site: DenverBroncos.com.

Team's will be allowed to begin waiving players on Thursday (expect many cuts from the Broncos to free up cap space), and full free agency will start this Friday at 6p.m. (ET). There will be many transactions over the next few weeks so stay tuned.

You can purchase tickets to the Broncos preseason opener in Dallas against the Cowboys on August 11th through our TiqIQ widget. Tickets to the game are going as low as $3 apiece and many are available from under $15! The average price for a ticket to the game is $72.

The following week, August 20th, the Buffalo Bills will travel to Denver to face the Broncos in their preseason home opener. The average price for a ticket to the game on our TiqIQ widget is $60, with some going as low as $10.

Denver will start the regular season on Monday, September 12th at INVESCO Field @ Mile High against the Oakland Raiders. Tickets are available starting at $86, and more deals are expected to come as the season gets closer. See our TiqIQ page for more ticket prices.

Football is back! Bring on the 2011 NFL season!

Free Agency 2011: Who the Broncos Will Target

I know, like you haven't read a million of these: Here is who I think the Broncos should target when Free Agency begins. Then you read a list of players who not only do the Broncos not need, but they also can't afford.

Reality check guys: The Broncos are cash-strapped. Obviously they will make some moves to cut costs and leave some money open, but getting Barry Cofield, DeAngelo Williams and Nnamdi Asomugha isn't practical, sorry. So without further ado, here is a list of who the Broncos will target when free agency begins:

Who Should You Say Bye-Bye to?

Ryan Harris, RT: Harris is a very talented tackle and I like him quite a bit. The problem is that he is never healthy and will demand a hefty price tag. We simply don't have the money. Sorry.

Correll Buckhalter, RB: Will Buckhalter even be the third string if he sticks around? I've yet to hear of a third string running back worth nearly $2 mil.

I'm not willing to say that Kyle Orton will definitely leave, but he is worth nearly $9 mil dollars in cap space. If he does not earn the starting job, he needs to be traded to free up that room.

Who Will Return?

Wesley Woodyard, OLB: Let's face it, Woodyard was lost in Josh McDaniels' 3-4 defense, but shined brightly in the 4-3. Considering his young age he will definitely be resigned and may have the opportunity to compete for a starting position. At the very least he is good for depth.

Marcus Thomas, DT: Unless he demands a lot of money, Thomas is still pretty youthful and deserves a shot with the new defense.

Matt Prater, K: Matt Prater has shown signs of being a top-tier kicker. I would be surprised if the Broncos didn't retain him.

Who Will Be Targeted on the Cheap?

Thomas Davis, OLB, Panthers: With the injuries that have plagued Davis, some teams may be wary to pay for him. If John Fox can get a deal for him, he could be wearing orange and blue next year.

Ernie Sims, OLB, Eagles: He is still young, and could be a good fit for John Foxs' scheme. I doubt he will be heavily pursued.

Derek Landi, DT, Panthers: This is a former John Fox player that a lot of people forget about. We could certainly use some depth at the DT position, and Landi could bring it, as well as a knowledge of the system.

Zach Strief, OT, Saints: At the very least he is good for depth, and could potentially compete with Orlando Franklin.

Who the Bank Might Break For?

Fabian Washington, CB, Ravens: Acquiring Washington may not actually require a large amount of money, due to injuries. That said, the whole Perrish Cox situation isn't looking good and for a reasonably priced, young player like Washington, the Broncos should definitely look his way.

Brandon Mebane, DT, Seahawks / Barry Cofield, DT, Giants: At this point nobody cares which one we choose. Both are pretty young, similar, Defensive Tackles, and we all know the Broncos need one desperately. If we end up with plenty of cap room we could even get both. (That was a joke. I will eat my hat if we sign both of them.)

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: Like you haven't heard this one a billion times. It just makes too much sense for the Broncos not to target him.

The lockout is officially over! We'll have more details to come. The Broncos will start Training Camp on Wednesday and teams can begin signing their own free agents and those who played with other teams starting at 6 p.m. (ET) Friday.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Broncos Must Address Several Players Once Lockout is Lifted

All signs point to the lockout being lifted this week, even as soon as Monday. The Broncos brass -- Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway, Team Owner Pat Bowlen, Head Coach John Fox, General Manager Brian Xanders and President Joe Ellis -- are all at the team's facility in Dove Valley today working hard, reports Patrick Smyth, Denver's Executive Director of Media Relations. Such news is a good sign that the team is preparing for a big day tomorrow.

Once the lockout is lifted, the Broncos will begin Training Camp, sign undrafted free agents, sign their nine drafted rookies, re-sign players and sign several free agents. In the midst of all that however, the team will have several other players to deal with. An outline of said players can be seen below:

Name/College: Brian Dawkins, Clemson.
Height/Weight: 6-0, 210 pounds.
Quick Stats/Experience: Dawkins started 11 games last season, recording 66 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception. He is entering his sixteenth season in the league.
Briefly: The Broncos will have to restructure the veteran safety's contract or part ways with the 37-year old warrior. Dawkins has remained a key part of Denver's defense and has displayed incredible leadership. Last April, Denver drafted two safeties, Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore, to eventually replace Dawkins -- sooner rather than later. Despite that, Dawkins organized unofficial team work outs during the lockout and has vowed to mentor the younger defensive backs. However, under Dawkins' current contract, the Broncos owe him $6 million this season, a price the team will not be willing to pay an aging player who may only see a rotational role. Fortunately, Dawkins is willing to take a pay cut. The Broncos know Dawkins still has a little left in the tank, and his high character and leadership are reason enough to retain him, in our opinion.

Name/College: Kyle Orton, Purdue.
Height/Weight: 6-4, 225 pounds.
Quick Stats/Experience: Orton started in 13 games last season, completing 293 of his 498 passes for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. Entering his seventh season, Orton is 28 years old.
Briefly: The Broncos have stated that there will be a three-way competition at quarterback in Training Camp for the starting gig. That's probably not entirely true. It'll come down to choosing between the veteran Orton who struggled without a good rushing attack or defense, and second year quarterback Tim Tebow who dazzled at the end of last season. Orton has one year left on his contract and is owed over $7.379 million. If the team decides Tebow is ready to lead the team, trading Orton would be easy, as there are many QB-needy teams out there. Ultimately, the team will have to make a decision quickly on whether they are going to go with Orton or Tebow, so the starter can get as many reps with the starters as possible, working on timing and rhythm.

Name/College: D.J. Williams, Miami (FL).
Height/Weight: 6-1, 242 pounds.
Quick Stats/Experience: Williams started in 15 games last season, recording 119 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. The 29 year old is entering his 8th season.
Briefly: Williams has a DUI rap sheet as long Brandon Marshall's list of off-the-field injuries. Last season, McDaniels benched Williams for part of a game against Kansas City and it has long been known that Williams is no Dawkins-like role model of a player. It's hard to say if Denver will be willing to put up with any more of Williams' issues off the field. Williams has three years left on his contract and is owed $4.9 million this season. One more incident that tarnishes the team's image and D.J. could find himself on a plane out of Denver.

Name/College: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State.
Height/Weight: 5-11, 198 pounds.
Quick Stats/Experience: Cox appeared in 15 games as a rookie (starting in 9), recording 58 tackles, deflected 14 passes, forced 2 fumbles and an interception.
Briefly: Cox has three years left in his contract and is owed $405,000 this season. However, his playing days in Denver may be over, even after just one stellar rookie season. He was arrested last fall on charges of sexual assault. The accusations are so severe that the Broncos may not be satisfied by a likely several game suspension. A zero tolerance for such behavior would mean parting ways with the 24 year old cornerback. Cox is, of course, innocent until proven guilty, but the team's image has already been blemished and Cox already had character concerns coming out of college. Teammates Demaryius Thomas (WR) and Cassius Vaughn (CB) were all present the night of the incident and both could also face some disciplinary actions from both the NFL and Broncos. Cox could be sentenced to two years to life in prison, which would make a decision easier for the Broncos. Denver is currently monitoring the situation and will deal with Cox accordingly after his October trial.

Name/College: Ryan Harris, Notre Dame.
Height/Weight: 6-5, 300 pounds.
Quick Stats/Experience: Harris started in ten games last season, allowing 3.25 sacks. He is entering his fifth season with Denver.
Briefly: Harris was given an "original-round" tender before the lockout, but that was in case he became a restricted free agent, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The new CBA would make Harris an unrestricted free agent. Harris will draw a lot of interest from other teams and the Broncos may have a hard time meeting another team's offer. Fellow offensive tackle Ryan Clady will anchor one side of the line and if the Broncos part ways with Harris, rookie offensive lineman Orlando Franklin will probably be responsible for the other. After talking with the teammates of Harris, it appears the other offensive linemen want continuity moving forward. Like the quarterback position, Denver will want to make a decision quickly so the offensive line can begin practicing together and get in sync during camp.

Those are just five of the players Denver will have to make hard decisions on; cutting the roster down from 90 to 53 players will be even harder. First things first however, the lockout has to be lifted before the Broncos can make any transactions.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Broncos May Start Training Camp Next Week

The Denver Broncos are scheduled to begin a two-week mandatory Training Camp starting Thursday, July 28th, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. If the lockout is lifted before then, Denver fans will get to see the 2011 club practice together for the first time.
Whistle twirling is dead. Bring on Camp Fox.

Reports point to NFL owners and players signing off Thursday on a new collective bargaining agreement.

If true, the Broncos are tentatively scheduled to open Camp Fox — the team's first training camp under the direction of new coach John Fox — on July 28 at their Dove Valley complex in Arapahoe County.

But if all goes well, Broncos training camp is near.

Fox has replaced Josh McDaniels, who constantly twirled his coach's whistle as he instructed, barked and watched during his two training camps [with Denver].

If the Broncos do start next Thursday, they'll have two weeks to prepare for the Dallas Cowboys, who they'll face in Dallas on August 11th to kick off the preseason. Training Camp will again be open to the public this season, giving fans a chance to view most practice sessions from the sidelines.

We'll have more coverage of the CBA talks and news about Denver's offseason schedule in the coming days, stay tuned.