In a surprise move, the Broncos and Shelby Harris agreed to a 1-year deal worth $2.5 million in guarantees. Harris comes back to Denver a week and a half after free agency began and the market for him did not materialize the way that he had hoped. All along, everyone thought that Harris was going to get a huge deal and leave the Broncos for another team, but this is a welcome surprise and I'm really happy to have him back in Denver.
On the other hand, Derek Wolfe is leaving Denver and signing with the Baltimore Ravens. I had hoped the Broncos could have kept him, and his market never really developed like he thought it would, but the Broncos decided to go in another direction and that is too bad. Wolfe has been with the Broncos since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2012, and he was apart of that great defense in 2015 that won Super Bowl 50. He played really well last year, but with his injury history combined with the trade of DL Jurell Casey and the re-signing of Shelby Harris, I guess the Broncos decided to move on. I think Baltimore will benefit from signing him and he should do well there on the field and in the locker room.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Broncos Free Agency Frenzy Continues
Broncos Signings:
Broncos Sign RB Melvin Gordon from the Chargers: This was being rumored the last few days and the Broncos signed Gordon to a 2 year deal worth $16 million. I like the move from a strategic standpoint. I think Gordon will be a really good 1-2 punch with Philip Lindsay, but I am concerned about the amount they gave him. I really hope this doesn't affect Lindsay's contract extension in the near future. Overall, a solid move.
Broncos sign TE Nick Vannett from the Steelers: Vannett slides in as the Broncos #2 TE after Noah Fant. Again, this is another solid move by Elway and I have no problem with it at all.
Broncos sign P Sam Martin from the Lions: The Broncos needed an upgrade at punter for Colby Wadman. They at least got that with Martin in this deal.
Broncos re-sign DE Jeremiah Attachou: Attachou played well down the stretch after he was signed by the Broncos early into last season. I like his play and I think this is a good depth transaction for the pass rushing unit.
Broncos Departures:
Will Parks signs with the Eagles: We all knew that Parks was going to leave because the Broncos are already paying Kareem Jackson and franchise tagged Justin Simmons. Parks is a solid player and good guy in the locker room, but there was no room for him to get paid on this team. It's a Shaq Barrett type of situation like last year.
Broncos release QB Joe Flacco: Not one Broncos fan loved or even liked the trade last year for Joe Flacco. Now, the Broncos have officially released Flacco and his era in Denver is over. It was a forgettable one from the start, so I'm glad this move was made and we can move on and put the full support behind Drew Lock as our franchise QB.
Broncos sign TE Nick Vannett from the Steelers: Vannett slides in as the Broncos #2 TE after Noah Fant. Again, this is another solid move by Elway and I have no problem with it at all.
Broncos sign P Sam Martin from the Lions: The Broncos needed an upgrade at punter for Colby Wadman. They at least got that with Martin in this deal.
Broncos re-sign DE Jeremiah Attachou: Attachou played well down the stretch after he was signed by the Broncos early into last season. I like his play and I think this is a good depth transaction for the pass rushing unit.
Broncos Departures:
Will Parks signs with the Eagles: We all knew that Parks was going to leave because the Broncos are already paying Kareem Jackson and franchise tagged Justin Simmons. Parks is a solid player and good guy in the locker room, but there was no room for him to get paid on this team. It's a Shaq Barrett type of situation like last year.
Broncos release QB Joe Flacco: Not one Broncos fan loved or even liked the trade last year for Joe Flacco. Now, the Broncos have officially released Flacco and his era in Denver is over. It was a forgettable one from the start, so I'm glad this move was made and we can move on and put the full support behind Drew Lock as our franchise QB.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Broncos Free Agency Frenzy
Amid the Global Pandemic that has gripped our country and the world, the only distraction in the world right now outside of the Coronavirus outbreak is NFL Free Agency. The new league year has started and at least it provides a little comfort in this dark time. It gives us hope and something to look forward to-if the Coronavirus doesn't wipe out the start of the 2020 NFL season. Here are the moves and analysis of what the Broncos did so far in free agency.....
Broncos Signings/Trades:
-Broncos sign G Graham Glasgow from Detroit: The Broncos needed an upgrade on the interior of their offensive line and this addresses that. I like his durability and he is versatile enough to play guard or center. This is a good move.
-Broncos trade for CB A.J. Bouye from Jacksonville for a 4th round pick: Bouye is coming off a down year in Jacksonville, but two years ago he was an All-Pro and a top level corner. He is best remembered for having a career game in 2016 against Denver when he was in Houston and he shut down Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on Monday Night Football. He is still young, 29, and has two more years on his contract, but the Broncos can cut him at anytime and not owe him a dime. Hopefully, he can flourish under Vic Fangio in Denver.
-Broncos trade for DT Jurrell Casey from Tennessee for a 7th round pick: I love this move. The Broncos give up a late round pick and they add a quality starter in Casey for their defensive line. I have liked Casey since he came into the league, and this is a solid move by John Elway.
-Broncos re-sign CB Devante Bausby: Bausby came to Denver last year from the defunct AAF, and by September he was getting a lot of reps and was playing really well until a scary concussion injury in October that shut down his season. I like him and think he can be very valuable.
-Broncos re-sign LB Joe Jones: Jones comes back to Denver and his role is mainly on special teams. Hopefully, he can continue to develop.
-Broncos sign QB Jeff Driskel from Detroit: Driskel signs with the Broncos, and he will be the backup to Drew Lock. Driskel is a slight upgrade over Brandon Allen, and this move signals the end of the Joe Flacco era in Denver. The Broncos probably could have used a more quality backup than Driskel, but if he has to start a game or two if Lock is hurt, then he might be able to keep the team afloat.
Broncos Departing:
-Chris Harris Jr. signs with the Chargers: We all had a feeling that Harris was going to leave this offseason, and he ends up going to the Chargers for 2 years and $20 million. It is tough to see Harris go-especially to a division rival-but the Broncos fans were bracing for him to leave. I'm just kind of surprised that the deal came in the way that it did. I feel like Denver should have pushed to get him to come back. I don't feel good about him leaving and it just sucks.
-Connor McGovern signs with the Jets: McGovern did a nice job for the Broncos the last two years, but with the signing of Glasgow, he became expendable. I think he is a nice player, but it is a replaceable part.
-Andy Janovich traded to the Browns for a 7th round pick in 2021: I understand that Janovich became expendable since Pat Shurmur was hired as the Broncos new offensive coordinator this offseason. Shurmur doesn't really use a fullback and Janovich became a player that simply didn't fit the scheme. I also think that the emergence of Andrew Beck as that H-Back might have paved the way for Janovich to be let go. I do think that there is value to Janovich as a football player and a special teams player-even though the fullback is not featured in this new offense.
Broncos Signings/Trades:
-Broncos sign G Graham Glasgow from Detroit: The Broncos needed an upgrade on the interior of their offensive line and this addresses that. I like his durability and he is versatile enough to play guard or center. This is a good move.
-Broncos trade for CB A.J. Bouye from Jacksonville for a 4th round pick: Bouye is coming off a down year in Jacksonville, but two years ago he was an All-Pro and a top level corner. He is best remembered for having a career game in 2016 against Denver when he was in Houston and he shut down Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on Monday Night Football. He is still young, 29, and has two more years on his contract, but the Broncos can cut him at anytime and not owe him a dime. Hopefully, he can flourish under Vic Fangio in Denver.
-Broncos trade for DT Jurrell Casey from Tennessee for a 7th round pick: I love this move. The Broncos give up a late round pick and they add a quality starter in Casey for their defensive line. I have liked Casey since he came into the league, and this is a solid move by John Elway.
-Broncos re-sign CB Devante Bausby: Bausby came to Denver last year from the defunct AAF, and by September he was getting a lot of reps and was playing really well until a scary concussion injury in October that shut down his season. I like him and think he can be very valuable.
-Broncos re-sign LB Joe Jones: Jones comes back to Denver and his role is mainly on special teams. Hopefully, he can continue to develop.
-Broncos sign QB Jeff Driskel from Detroit: Driskel signs with the Broncos, and he will be the backup to Drew Lock. Driskel is a slight upgrade over Brandon Allen, and this move signals the end of the Joe Flacco era in Denver. The Broncos probably could have used a more quality backup than Driskel, but if he has to start a game or two if Lock is hurt, then he might be able to keep the team afloat.
Broncos Departing:
-Chris Harris Jr. signs with the Chargers: We all had a feeling that Harris was going to leave this offseason, and he ends up going to the Chargers for 2 years and $20 million. It is tough to see Harris go-especially to a division rival-but the Broncos fans were bracing for him to leave. I'm just kind of surprised that the deal came in the way that it did. I feel like Denver should have pushed to get him to come back. I don't feel good about him leaving and it just sucks.
-Connor McGovern signs with the Jets: McGovern did a nice job for the Broncos the last two years, but with the signing of Glasgow, he became expendable. I think he is a nice player, but it is a replaceable part.
-Andy Janovich traded to the Browns for a 7th round pick in 2021: I understand that Janovich became expendable since Pat Shurmur was hired as the Broncos new offensive coordinator this offseason. Shurmur doesn't really use a fullback and Janovich became a player that simply didn't fit the scheme. I also think that the emergence of Andrew Beck as that H-Back might have paved the way for Janovich to be let go. I do think that there is value to Janovich as a football player and a special teams player-even though the fullback is not featured in this new offense.
Monday, March 16, 2020
Corona Virus and Start of NFL League Year
The entire world is dealing with the global pandemic that is has shutdown the entire country and all sports. Everything is shutdown with the exception of the new league year in the NFL. The new CBA was approved by the NFLPA player vote, and the NFL is conducting the offseason without a delay. Whether that is the right approach in this difficult time is subject to an opinion, and I think they should delay it, there will be deals, trades etc...I'll keep updating the Broncos offseason moves as they develop, but in the meantime, stay safe and be well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)