Denver Broncos Thread

Molly

You'd bw happy if he's a pash rush specialist. Not if he's a 3 down player who was a liability inthe run game and very rarely got pressure. Could work out well for you

Justin10

Molly wrote: »

You'd bw happy if he's a pash rush specialist. Not if he's a 3 down player who was a liability inthe run game and very rarely got pressure. Could work out well for you

Ye agree if he does not have to play every down he could be effective.
His run defense is poor and seems to take plays off, but with the pressure of getting a new contract and not playing every down could be very effective.

Good pickup.

Jolly Red Giant

Molly wrote: »

You'd bw happy if he's a pash rush specialist. Not if he's a 3 down player who was a liability inthe run game and very rarely got pressure. Could work out well for you

Phillips will play on obvious passing downs as a pass rushing specialist. Ayers will carry the donkey work against the run and on 1st and 2nd downs. At most Phillips will probably see 15 plays a game.

Quanterus Smith was drafted to replace Dumervil - Smith is recovering from an ACL but was an absolute steal in the 5th round if he gets back to full health - the guy was projected as at least a 2nd round pick before he blew out his knee in November. The Broncos will probably use Phillips this year while Smith is allowed to fully recover on IR.

Jolly Red Giant

Denver's undrafted Free Agent signings


C.J. Anderson, RB, California
Anderson finished his two-year career at Cal with 1,135 yards rushing on 198 carries for an average of 5.73 yards per rush while scoring 12 touchdowns on the ground. He participated in the 2013 NFL Combine, ranking among the event's top running backs in the 20-yard shuttle (T3rd, 4.12) and broad jump (T13th, 119.0").

Kemonte' Bateman WR New Mexico St.
Bateman caught 50 passes for the New Mexico State Aggies in 2012 for 707 yards and five touchdowns. He caught four or more passes in seven games.

Ryan Doerr, P, Kansas State
Doerr punted 41 times his senior year and averaged 41 yards per punt. His career long was a 65-yarder in 2011.

Manase Foketi, OL, West Texas A&M
Foketi possesses good size at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. He played mostly tackle in college but also has experience at the interior offensive line positions.

Aaron Hester, CB, UCLA
Hester is a good-sized corner at 6-foot-1, 207 pounds. He started in all 14 games in 2012 for the Bruins and was a Week 1 starter in four straight seasons.

Ryan Katz, QB, San Diego State
Katz played one year at San Diego State University after transferring to the school from Oregon State. He completed 99-of-163 passes with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2012 for the Aztecs.

Uona Kaveinga, LB, BYU
In two years at BYU, Uona racked up 106 tackles with nine coming in the backfield. He also recorded four forced fumbles, two recoveries, an interception and two pass breakups.

Gary Mason Jr., DE, Baylor
A three-year starter, Mason Jr. totaled eight tackles in the backfield in 2012, the second-most on the team.. He has benched 435 pounds and recorded 32 reps in the 225-pound bench press.

Lerentee McCray, LB, Florida
McCray tallied 25 tackles in 2012 with 4.5 TFL (3.0 sacks), one interception and one fumble recovery. He started 11 of 12 games during his senior campaign.

Quincy McDuffie, WR, UCF
McDuffie was a return specialist at UCF, finishing his career as the school’s all-time in kickoff returns (90), kickoff return yards (2,501) and kickoff return touchdowns (six). He was a Sports Illustrated first-team All-American as a kick returner.

Ross Rasner, S, Arkansas
Rasner’s 92 tackles led the Razorbacks in 2012, and he also made significant contributions elsewhere. The senior added eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Lucas Reed, TE, New Mexico
A two-time All-American, Reed caught 77 passes for 949 yards with six touchdowns at New Mexico. The tight end’s 77 catches tied a school record. He is the younger brother of Brooks Reed, who is a linebacker for the Houston Texans.

Douglas Rippy, LB, Colorado
A local talent, Rippy overcame an early season knee injury in 2012 to see action in nine games, starting three. He posted a season-high six tackles against USC.

Lamar Thomas, WR, New Mexico
Thomas’ speed and quickness is what stands out, as a two-sport athlete who lettered as a track athlete for three years at New Mexico. His nickname is “Flash,” and he was utilized as a runner, receiver and quarterback in 2012.

John Youboty, DE, Temple
Youboty started every game his senior year for the Owls and led the team with tackles in the backfield (6). He earned Second-Team All-Big East honors after moving to the edge from the middle for his senior year.

From
http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-Sign-15-College-Free-Agents/164841da-3cc0-40a4-9897-da4110395b24

I like McCray - Luke Joeckel had a tough time going against him for a lot of the game between Florida and Texas A&M this past season.

spiralism

Havent been on here in a while but pretty happy with the draft, Williams was an absolute steal at 28 imo, Ball i see as a straight up replacement for McGahee and Quanterus Smith will be quality if he overcomes his injury. Meanwhile Phillips was a great pickup, offered everything Freeney would have for half the cost

Jolly Red Giant

spiralism wrote: »

Meanwhile Phillips was a great pickup, offered everything Freeney would have for half the cost

Feeney wanted $6million guaranteed - Phillips signed for $1million guaranteed and a possible $2million in bonuses.

spiralism

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

Feeney wanted $6million guaranteed - Phillips signed for $1million guaranteed and a possible $2million in bonuses.

Half if he makes the bonuses so, we'd be delighted if that happened.

Jolly Red Giant

spiralism wrote: »

Half if he makes the bonuses so, we'd be delighted if that happened.

yep - he would have to have a 10 sack season which would be very productive.

I think Phillips is a very good addition - he will not be asked to continuously battle in the trenches and will have just one focus everytime he is on the field (i.e. sack the QB).

I am actually excited by the potential of Smith and I expect Elway to put him on PUP to recover fully from ACL injury.

spiralism

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

yep - he would have to have a 10 sack season which would be very productive.

I think Phillips is a very good addition - he will not be asked to continuously battle in the trenches and will have just one focus everytime he is on the field (i.e. sack the QB).

I am actually excited by the potential of Smith and I expect Elway to put him on PUP to recover fully from ACL injury.

I think that's the point of the Phillips signing. He's a one year job and is incentivised well to perform. Elway knows the age is a knock and that Phillips is known to be a bit of a twat. In the meantime Smith recovers and develops while production doesnt fall off (please God)

Morrisseeee

Just looking at Montee Ball there and he looks promising, he has quick feet, great vision, durability, & retains the football. He had a brilliant 2011 with Wisconsin, 33 TD's rushing, 6 TD's receiving, there's certainly potential there, but as we're a pass-happy O, then most of our 7 RB's & a FB are going to see little of the action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bjvEf9OrZA

If Ball proves himself then I agree with spiralism, he'll replace McGahee (but no doubt he'll gain from his experience) and we'll have Moreno/Ball as our main 2 threats.

Moreno really stepped up last year, and I'm going to be optimistic and say he'll improve this year, he hasn't many miles on the clock. There's competition now for game-time and a starting slot so that can only be good !

Our threats on Offense has certainly..............increased.

Shane.C

Phillips went a bit crazy in San Diego with sacks, 9.5 i believe last year, that's all he wanted he didn't care about anything else. Poor in coverage, horrible against the run, just a guy who wants to sack the QB. Still didn't get him his contract, not a loss for the Chargers. Wish him the best in Denver.

Jolly Red Giant

Shane.C wrote: »

Phillips went a bit crazy in San Diego with sacks, 9.5 i believe last year, that's all he wanted he didn't care about anything else.

And as I said earlier - that is all he will be asked to do in Denver - no dropping into pass coverage - no stopping the run - no containment - come in on obvious passing downs and deck the QB.

spiralism

Quentin Jammer after coming in there, great bit of business, quality DB who i've always rated.

Jolly Red Giant

You have to love the way Elway is operating - he refused to pay Freeney and Abrahams 2 year $12million contracts and got Phillips for €1million.

Then when Woodson decided he'd prefer to make wine than win another SB - Elway goes out and pays the vet minimum salary for Jammer to cover TEs.

Elway is giving Del Rio all he needs to have a flexible and adaptable defence without putting the franchise into major cap trouble in future years.

Justin10

Are the Broncos not screwed in the coming two years against the cap, unless there is a decent increase in the cap number.

Jolly Red Giant

Rochey18 wrote: »

Are the Broncos not screwed in the coming two years against the cap, unless there is a decent increase in the cap number.

The Broncos will have to be careful in managing the cap next year because of the fact that Von Miller, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and several others are free agents. Ryan Clady also has to be signed to a long-term contract but that won't have any real cap implications.

Elway and his front office staff, particularly Mike Sullivan, have been very meticulous in managing the cap and negotiating short-term contracts with vetern players. The Broncos have about $7.5million of dead money this season (mostly from the Dumervil fiasco) and have four players Kuper, Mays, Moreno and McGahee accounting for about $16million from inflated contracts handed out by McDaniels.

So the Broncos have about $23-$24million in manoeuvre room for next year at the moment as I expect all of the four above to be gone (Kuper might re-sign for vet minimum). I also expect Champ Bailey to restructure his contact to accomodate the signings of some of the players. Miller is in the 'pay him whatever he asks territory' and will probably account for in the region of $13million a year with maybe a six-year $70million contract.

Jolly Red Giant

OTAs have been producing impressive performances - the Broncos offense is apparently on fire.

Hillman, Osweiler, Julius Thomas (who always looks good before the pads go on) and Sylvester Williams have all impressed with their performances. Hillman has put on about 15lbs of muscle and is looking more like an every down back than just a change of pace third down back. The 1-2 punch of Hillman and Ball is looking impressive. Manning is running a fast paced offence that is looking very effective with the addition of Welker.

On defence Williams and Kingston are proving a major upgrade in last years interior DL - with Williams demonstrating intensity, quick feet and lots of push (and getting into scuffles with the OLmen). Vickerson who was very solid last year has dropped to rotational.

spiralism

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

OTAs have been producing impressive performances - the Broncos offense is apparently on fire.

Hillman, Osweiler, Julius Thomas (who always looks good before the pads go on) and Sylvester Williams have all impressed with their performances. Hillman has put on about 15lbs of muscle and is looking more like an every down back than just a change of pace third down back. The 1-2 punch of Hillman and Ball is looking impressive. Manning is running a fast paced offence that is looking very effective with the addition of Welker.

On defence Williams and Kingston are proving a major upgrade in last years interior DL - with Williams demonstrating intensity, quick feet and lots of push (and getting into scuffles with the OLmen). Vickerson who was very solid last year has dropped to rotational.

I'm reading nothing into Thomas until at least offseason, this is nothing new for him. Very excited for Hillman this year though and the interior DL sounds serious.

Jolly Red Giant

My belated sympathies to RB Coach Eric Studesville whose parents were both killed in a traffic accident last week.

Jolly Red Giant

No big surprise - Broncos cut RB Willis McGahee

spiralism

It was coming with McGahee. Injury, age and fumble issues and we could do with the cap space. Hope he doesnt end up at Oakland or SD because i dont want to have to dislike the fella. He'll do a job for some team still i would say.

Condolences to Studesville, poor fella.

Jolly Red Giant

spiralism wrote: »

It was coming with McGahee. Injury, age and fumble issues and we could do with the cap space. Hope he doesnt end up at Oakland or SD because i dont want to have to dislike the fella. He'll do a job for some team still i would say.

I think you have just listed the two favourites to get him.

Jolly Red Giant

Disappointing development - Centre DJ Walton has had to have a second surgery on his injured ankle and will probably miss the season.

Broncos sign Dan Koppen to replace him.

Jolly Red Giant

Koppen signed for the vet minimum on a one-year deal

Jolly Red Giant

The NFL are apparently intending to impose a 4 game suspension on Von Miller for testing positive for marijuana. Apparently the violation relates to tests during his 2011 rookie season and Miller si claiming that he is innocent.

I have to say that - if this holds up - the Broncos are on the road to self-destruction before the season even starts. Along with Miller - Matt Russell, Broncos Director of Player Personnel and Tom Heckert, Director of Pro Personnel, have both been suspended by Elway for DUI's. Heckert who only joined the Broncos a month before his arrest, has been suspended for one month but Russell has been suspended indefinitely. Russell who was three times over the legal limit allegedly hit a car in before driving off and then slammed into a police SUV in Breckenridge. The officer in the SUV was taken to a local hospital with neck and back pain but was released with minor injuries, according to the police report.

Jolly Red Giant

Ups and downs of training camp - Dan Koppen C - re-signed in the aftermath of season-ending surgery for JD Walton - has suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's practice and is out for the season. The Broncos have signed six-year journeyman Steve Vallos to compete with Manny Rameriez for the starting job.

Reports from training camp indicate that the Broncos offence is firing on all cylanders - Manning has shown greater arm strength from last season and running the speed offence with an average of 10 seconds between plays - Welker is tearing it up big-time and is going to be a major contributor - Ronnie Hillman has bulked up, is running hard and is knocking denfenders on their rear-end in pass protection. Osweiler is showing improved accuracy and demonstrating an ability to read defences and run the speed offence.

Similarly the defence is showing promise - Miller is a beast - Kingston is huge and clogging the running lanes - Ayers and Phillips are sharing time at DE with Ayers strong agains the run and Phillips coming in on passing downs. Williams is showing immediate promise in the middle. There is serious competition for the safety spots with Moore, Adams, Jammer and Bruton sharing time on the first team. Corners are also producing with Tony Carter showing flashes of the promise seen last season.

P.S. - it looks like Miller is under threat of suspension not for testing positive but for missing a test and there is speculation that if his appeal isn't upheld his suspension will be reduced.

Tristram

If Miller's violation is that he missed a test would that not still equate to the 4 match ban? I don't see how the NFL would lessen it.

spiralism

i just want this season to start...struggling to keep up thanks to work and a lack of wifi at my place but every day i check my laptop for news the past month it's an injury or a player doing something stupid...

Jolly Red Giant

Broncos have signed former Colts and Chiefs guard/centre Ryan Lijla. Lijla is signed as replacement for the injured Walton and Koppen to a one year contract worth up to $2.2million. Lijla played with Manning for five years in Indy as left guard and played guard and centre for the Chiefs up to his retirement at the end of last season. The big advantage for the Broncos is that Lijla knows the calls used by Manning at the LOS and would have experience of adjusting assignments based on Mannings reading of the defence. Rameriez (who most Broncos fans know is not a player of starting calibre on a team making a run to the SB) will revert to back-up on the interior o-line.

Itssoeasy

Watching the broncos/ niners game and the rookie RB CJ Anderson is a nice looking player for ye.