Brian Dawkins is one of seventeen unrestriced free agents on the Denver Broncos' roster. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

In the wake of Sunday’s Grammy Awards and just prior to NFL free agency, let’s divide the Denver Broncos’ seventeen unrestricted free agents into Grammy-themed teams to better understand their individual value to Broncos.

Team Whitney Houston: If you wrote a song and traveled back in time to any year between 1985 and 1995 with the sole mission of ensuring it turned into a platinum hit, who is the first person you call?  Easy.  Whitney Houston.  Who turned “The Star Spangled Banner” into a stirring sensation?  Who could take a Dolly Parton song of any magnitude and do what she did on “I Will Always Love You”?

Fast forward to the present.  If your sole mission is to build a championship team, who are the first people you call?  Your own unrestricted free agents that are going to be a lockdown, sure thing mega hit.  Call them!  Get them in the studio Dove Valley now!
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Daniel Fells tries to break a tackle against the Chargers. (Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE)

We looked at free agent wide receivers, but what about free agent tight ends?

The tight end position was one of the most publicized positions in football in 2011. New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski led the league in touchdowns with 17. New Orleand Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was 4th on that list with 11 TDs. Gronkowski’s teammate Aaron Hernandez was another tight end who made headlines around the league. A dual tight end system? The Patriots were so successful because of it.

Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos used their tight ends primarily for blocking. Daniel Fells was the team’s leading tight end with 19 receptions for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dante Rosario was second on the list with 7 receptions for 117 yards.

Yes, the Broncos weren’t considered a passing team, but most would agree that their tight ends were underutilized.

Let’s take a look at some of the tight ends who may become available in free agency.
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The Broncos constantly gave up big plays to the Bills. (Rick Stewart, Getty Images)

Thoughts on the loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium (In no particular order):

• I just don’t understand why the Denver Broncos consistently put forth a listless and downright embarrassing effort once Christmas season rolls around. Since the last playoff run in 2005, the Broncos have made a habit out of fading down the stretch. They lost the season finale with a playoff berth on the line in 2006, 2008, and 2009. The “win-and-you’re-in” scenario seems to paralyze the team in recent years even though the roster and coaching staff has turned over a few times. And it’s not just that they lose games late in the season; it’s that they get steamrolled and don’t even compete. A defensive unit that has been tough all season can’t get consistent pressure on the quarterback and seemingly gives up a 1st down on every snap. An offense that looks explosive and unstoppable for a drive or 2 will suddenly produce several conservative 3-and-outs. Although I can’t explain why the Broncos are a different team now than the one we saw for 2 months in the middle of the season, I do know that by the end of the day Saturday things could have been a lot worse. Due to the other results around the AFC West, the Chargers and Chiefs have been eliminated from postseason contention despite the Denver loss. And even though the Raiders won, they still must win their season finale against the Chargers to have a chance to win the division title. If the Raiders lose that game, the Broncos will be AFC West Champions regardless of what happens at Mile High Stadium this Sunday.
• Although the Broncos can conceivably win the division despite possibly losing their final 3 games of the season (once again), I think it is very important that Denver goes out and actually WINS it. They need to play well, avoid mistakes, and actually look like a playoff football team if they are going to get into the postseason dance. Not only that, but I think a win late in the year to clinch a division championship would officially close the book on the darkest chapter in the history of the franchise and change the culture of the modern-day Denver Broncos. Lastly, a win this weekend will give Broncos Country something to be proud of, and it will allow the fans to enjoy some good times for a change, which we absolutely deserve.

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