Former Broncos center Casey Wiegmann signed with the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday. If you remember correctly, we got Wiegmann from the Chiefs in 2008. The center position is one of the most underrated positions in all of sports. The entire play starts there, and one botched snap can lead to an easy turnover on downs. I’m disappointed to see Wiegmann go, and I can say that I’ll be silently cheering for him as a Chief. Aside from performing his duties at center, Wiegmann and his wife would visit sick children in the hospital every week here in Denver. He was a great addition to the Broncos and the community and we wish him luck (but not too much) in the future!

• Andra Davis was released from the Broncos. I’m truly shocked with that one considering he was third on the team in tackles last year. I guess Josh McDaniels is really putting a lot of stock in his three new signees.
• Speaking of the new big guys, I wonder how Justin Bannan, Jarvis Green, and Jamal Williams will handle Denver’s elevation at 5,280 feet above sea level. If I were them, I’d move here immediately to adjust.
• The wrong Brandon was signed to a new contract. WR Brandon Lloyd played in the final two games of the regular season and recorded 8 catches, 1 catch for 44 yards. He signed a $2.05 million contract. Shouldn’t we be concentrating on a different Brandon here? All Denver area charities should hit up the Broncos.
• The free agent signing period is a week old, and only one team has brought Brandon Marshall in for a visit and no one has offered him anything. Fingers crossed, #15 could be here to stay solely because of his immature actions in the past.
• I’m still disappointed that the Broncos didn’t make an attempt to sign Julius Peppers. The Broncos had the cash and the pick up wouldn’t have cost them any draft picks.
• It’s interesting that there are no teams knocking on Kyle Orton’s door. Perhaps they want to keep the dead weight in place.
• Elvis Dumervil needs a contract like Justin Bannan’s (5 year, $22 million). Enough said.
• When will Chris Simms be packing his bags? I hope it’s soon after the draft when the Broncos pick a strong backup QB and potential starter in 2011.

While today’s ruling helps close a high profile case, we cannot forget the life that was taken. After Williams’ was killed, the Denver Broncos, more particularly, Domonique Foxworth, helped open up the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center. The memorial is part of the Boys and Girls Club of Denver. The Boys and Girls Club helps disadvantaged teens stay out of trouble, stay in school, and participate in sports and other social activities.

There is a large statue of Williams outside of the center, and Williams’ family often visits the memorial.

Too many athletes have been taken from this earth as a result of violence. The same year that Williams was shot, Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins was killed during a burglary at his home.

There are many athletes that call attention to themselves by driving fancy cars, wearing high priced jewelry, and traveling with large entourages. This behavior, however, does not warrant the murder of anyone.

While I can’t say that this type of thing won’t happen again, I can say that today, one more killer was taken off the street.

Here’s a tribute to Williams:    
 

The Broncos have added size on the defensive line. According to Woody Paige,

“In one year, from March to March, Josh McDaniels has created a new regeneration at Dove Valley. These are not your Shanahan’s Broncos. With the addition of Justin Bannan, Jarvis Green and Jamal Williams — 18 feet, 9 inches high and 880 pounds wide — the Broncos have a fresh starting defensive line.” (Denver Post)

In addition to adding size, the Broncos have added age and experience as well. The average age of Denver’s defense? 31 years old. The draft is still over a month away, but the team is letting everyone know that priority # 1 is stopping the run. That’s a good thing considering we have the newest Chief RB, Thomas Jones, to deal with twice next season. We also have Michael Bush, Maurice Jones-Drew, and the Titans (2nd in rushing last year) to stop on the ground in 2010.

Source: Yardbarker.com

The Jets were the #1 defense at the end of the regular season last year, so let’s look to Rex Ryan a.k.a. “D-Rex” to see how he changed his defense around last season.

The Jets take a team oriented approach when it comes to defense. Case in point: There was only one Pro Bowl player (Darrelle Revis) from the Jets’ defense. The Broncos had three defensive players selected - Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, and Elvis Dumervil. Don’t get me wrong, those three deserved it, but overall the Broncos were far from great on defense. It’s better to have a well-rounded defense than just a few superstars putting the effort in on every play.

The Jets employed the 3-4 just like the Broncos, but they were bigger up front. The front three guys for the Jets were 6-3, 305 lbs, 6-5, 285 lbs, and 6-3, 325 lbs. With the new acquisitions, the Broncos have improved their size up front. The size up front allowed the Jets to blitz frequently, and come up with interceptions. 

We should be excited about the three new additions up front. Bannan (Ravens), Green (Patriots), and Williams (Chargers) all come from great defensive teams and have much more experience than Ryan McBean, Ronnie Fields, and Kenny Peterson did.

Josh McDaniels admitted to getting behind in the free agency and draft period last season. This year, he’s set in his position as head coach, knows what he had to work with last year, and knows what changes to make for a successful 2010 season. 

The Broncos are just getting started this off season. Keep your eyes open for more big changes.

Broncos:

• Another former Patriot is brought to Denver.
• It’s true, acquiring Brandon Marshall could be risky, and many teams are seeing that.
• Key players are missing the off season workout program.
• J.J. Arrington is back on the squad after a very brief stint last year.
• Former Bronco, Javon Walker was waived by the Raiders.
• Knowson Moreno’s performance last year plays a role in Broncos RB signings.
• Bowl and/or watch the draft with Lonie Paxton and other NFL players.

AFC West:

• Off season moves are under a powerful microscope for the Chiefs.  
• Justin Fargas is no longer a Raider.
• It’s time for the Chargers to start looking into running backs.

Random:

• A big time sign fail.
• What would you do if you were quarantined in a hospital room for 7 weeks? This?
• If you’re a Red Sox fan and like wine, then check out ZinfandEllsbury.
• Player vs. coach. Ding, ding, ding.
• Underpants for your hands.

The Broncos have placed their highest tender (first and third round) on Elvis Dumervil. That pretty much guarantees that he will be with the Broncos next year. Can I hear an “Hallelujah”? Dr. Doom was the premier pass rusher in the league last year with 17 sacks, beating out Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney. To celebrate Doom remaining with the team, he gets our image of the week.  

With the Broncos slapping a first round tender on Brandon Marshall, meaning the team would get a first round draft pick in this year’s draft if he’s signed by another team, it looks like “The Beast” could be on his way out. The Broncos are already picking 11th in the first round, but may be seeking more first round action. It makes sense if they are looking for a big time defensive end or a QB that could guide the Broncos into the future.

Speaking of drafting a QB in the first round, Woody Paige thinks Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan) is the way to go. LeFevour has good size (6′3”, 229 lbs) and holds the record for most combined passing and rushing yards in NCAA history.

Not only that, but he performed very well at the Combine. His 40-yard dash came in second among QBs with a time of 4.66. He also came in second to Tim Tebow in the 3-cone drill and the 20-yard shuffle. Here’s a brief highlight reel of LeFevour:

I’d be cool if the Broncos drafted a QB like “The Fever” in the first round. As I’ve said in the past, the teams that make it to the Super Bowl have big-time QBs. Look at the last few Super Bowls – Brady, Manning (s), Brees, Warner, Roethlisberger.

It’s time for the Broncos to fulfill the decade long Elway vacancy. I’m not jumping the gun and saying LeFevour in the LeAnswer, but the Broncos need to be in the “Orton Out” mindset if not this season, the next. Getting a young gun like LeFevour this year would give him a year to learn the system, fade away from shot-gun all the time, and get used to the NFL style under-center snaps. Hell, if we can’t get our running game going with our RBs, why not let the QB pick up some yards on the ground?

Even though Tim Tebow wore orange and blue in college, he needs to switch colors at the pro level. I’ll laugh hysterically if a team drafts him just so he can step in immediately and take over the position. Considering he only works out of the shot gun, he’s far from a quick fix. 

Bottom line is the Broncos could be giving up Brandon Marshall and/or Tony Scheffler for some first round picks, which I expect McD to do, and really build from the ground up. I’d be more comfortable with the Broncos drafting a QB like LeFevour, who silently made a name for himself in college, and has the potential to do great things in the NFL.

This week we have a recap of the ‘09 season as seen from the sidelines and inside the huddle. You have to follow this link to see the clip on DenverBroncos.com.

http://web1.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=349&videoID=3767&type=broncosTV&year=&month=

Enjoy!