Broncos Chopping Block: Andre Caldwell
By Tylor Walden
Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Andre Caldwell (12) before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Andre Caldwell is the more experienced wide receiver on the Denver Broncos roster. However, it does not seem like being the veteran presence among wide outs has helped his case out much.
The Broncos are looking to build the best 53 man roster to compete for a Super Bowl title. In my opinion, I do not see Andre Caldwell staying with the Broncos when the regular season starts. With the exception of the Thursday Night game against the San Diego Chargers when Wes Welker missed the game with a concussion, Andre Caldwell has not been the receiver the Broncos have hoped for when they signed him back in 2012.
While some may argue that he had to compete with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Emmanuel Sanders to name a few, it does not provide an excuse. If Andre Caldwell was a solid receiver, he should be one of the top wide outs on the roster. Now with Cody Latimer working hard to become a solid receiver, there could be a case where Andre Caldwell could see himself out of Denver.
Looking at his stats from the three years he has been with the Broncos, granted he has been mostly a backup during his time in Denver, they have not been solid. He has yet to break at least 75 yards receiving in a game with the Broncos. And even when he is on the field, he makes mistakes. He consistently drops passes and finds someway to place the football on the turf. Fans were holding their breaths whenever he had the ball in his hands.
Comparing him and Eric Decker, I’d say the Broncos should have stuck with Decker and used whatever money they paid Andre Caldwell in 2014 towards Eric Decker. I maybe showing my displeasure with the Decker walk away, but that was one position where I think the Broncos downgraded when they chose Andre Caldwell over Eric Decker. But the past is the past.
The Broncos should try to find a way to find a trade partner and allow him to earn a spot on the field with another team or they should release him prior to the beginning of the 2015 season. With the emergence of Cody Latimer and Andre Caldwell not getting any younger, I would not be surprised if he is not on the Broncos roster by the time the regular season begins.
I’ve stated during the 2014 season that Andre Caldwell has entered the doghouse. Now it is time for him to move out.