Broncos News
Broncos legend Rod Smith retires Jul 24, 2008, 14:43 Rod Smith, the Denver Broncos franchise leader in virtually every meaningful receiving category, finally officially retired on Thursday. Sporting tear-hiding sunglasses, Rod smith related his thanks to the organization and to the opportunity he had to play professional football. An undrafted free agent, Smith redefined the position becoming a complete receiver as he took pride in his blocking in addition to his receiving skills. He was a team leader on and off the field with a work ethic second to none. With Smith gone, Tom Nalen is the last remaining player on the team from the '98 Super Bowl team.
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Eddie Royal signed Jul 24, 2008, 14:34 The Broncos signed their second round draft pick Eddie Royal to a four year deal Wednesday night. Royal is expected to play immediately as the primary punt and kick returner. He has also surprised the coaching staff with his great hands and incredible ability to separate during OTA's. The Broncos have only to sign Ryan Clady to have the entire draft class in camp.
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Jack "MF" Williams inked Jul 22, 2008, 14:39 Jack Williams, regarded by many as "one bad mofo" was signed by the Broncos on Tuesday. Jack is the last of the second day picks to sign. Only Ryan Clady and Eddie Royal have yet to come to terms with the Denver front office on a contract.
Jack Williams did many things while at Kent State. His Junior year he had five forced fumbles. He tied the school record in interceptions (14) and set a new record for longest interception return (99 yards). It has also been rumored that Williams set a record for awesomeness at the school, though this has not been confirmed.
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Lichtensteiger signed; Bell and Hartley waived for room Jul 21, 2008, 18:25 The Broncos agreed to terms with their earliest second day pick in Kory Lichtensteiger. Kory was an extremely intelligent player for Bowling Green making few errors and giving up fewer sacks. His versatility at center and guard will be a boon to a transitioning offensive line.
To make room for the signing the Broncos released local favorite Mike Bell and undrafted rookie Garrett Hartley. The release of both players suggests another rookie signing is eminent. The Broncos regularly sign all their picks right before camp begins. Some hold ups are expected this year as the players and organization works on hammering out the language needed for a potential uncapped year should the owners fail to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.
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Hillis signed Jul 21, 2008, 18:21
The Broncos signed coveted seventh round fullback Peyton Hillis. Hillis is a prototypical west coast offense fullback.
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Broncos sign three draft picks Jul 9, 2008, 14:54 Ahead of schedule, the Broncos signed rookies Spencer Larsen, Carlton Powell and Ryan Torain on Wednesday. Ryan Torain has drawn a lot of attention as another in a long line of late-round running backs that have been prolific in the Shanahan system. Some expect him to be the starter by season's end with a more durable running style than the other backs on the roster.
Powell is a smaller, technique drive defensive tackle that punished runners and finished the season as the only player in college who had negative rushing yards against him.
Spencer Larsen is a big, physical middle linebacker that Mike Mayock had in his top five linebackers in the draft this year. The Broncos entertained playing Larsen at fullback, but have decided to stick with him playing the Mike position on defense.
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Denver signs Josh Barrett Jun 12, 2008, 19:44
The Broncos got an early start on their rookie signings by inking Josh Barrett on Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Henry Released Jun 2, 2008, 16:27 The Denver Broncos released troubled running back Travis Henry on Monday. Henry, who has battled a host of issues including child support problems and repeated drug use, was not pulling his weight during the offseason training program. Players are "strongly encouraged" to participate in the conditioning program and are offered lucrative bonuses should they choose to do so. Henry's failed to give adequate effort during this period and after missing OTA's with a bad hamstring, Shanahan pulled the plug on the fertile running back.
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Broncos add Pittman May 27, 2008, 15:42
The Denver Broncos added depth to their running back corps on Tuesday by signing veteran Michael Pittman to a one year deal. The Broncos have brought in veterans in the twilight of their careers before such as Garrison Hearst from the 49ers a few years ago. Pittman adds more competition and experience to what is looking to be an increasingly crowded backfield.
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Tony Scheffler stuggles through more foot pain May 23, 2008, 13:34 Tony Scheffler was not on the field during workouts because of chronic pain in the foot he broke exactly one year ago. The explosive tight end who is know as one of Jay Cutler's favorite targets has experienced constant pain since he had surgery on his foot. X-rays came up negative, which is some much needed good news, and a boot will be worn to allow the foot to rest. However a long term solution may be needed if the Broncos expect to have their up-and-coming tight end ready to go for the season.
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Cutler diagnosed with diabetes May 23, 2008, 13:30
Jay Cutler announced that he has type 1 diabetes. The disease explains the loss of weight and absence of energy he's experienced the last several months starting toward the end of the season. Cutler will need to follow a strict regimen of diet and testing to keep his blood sugar levels constant. Fortunately the disease is manageable and he should have a good career, and more importantly a functional life.
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Free agents added to finish Apr 28, 2008, 15:15 Denver finished its draft weekend by signing seven rookie free agents to their team. DenverBroncos.com reports:
"The team announced the additions of Houston running back Anthony
Alridge, Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley, tackle Mitch Erickson from
South Dakota State, tackle Tyler Polumbus from Colorado, Toledo punter
Brett Kern, Texas-El Paso wideout Lorne Sam and Kentucky linebacker
Wesley Woodyard."
Of note is Wesley Woodyard, the leading tackler in the SEC. Wesley studies hours of game film and could project as a strong safety in the NFL. Anthony Aldridge is a speedster out of Houston, and Denver will try their luck at special teams with Kern and Hartley.
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Broncos call audible to clean image Apr 28, 2008, 14:56
Denver has had a history of gambling on poor character guys in the hopes that Shanahan's tight ship would keep them in line and strike gold. After getting burned taking the approach over and over, Denver's front office decided to go in another direction. As Jim Armstrong reports, every single players selected this weekend was a high character person - if not a team leader. Among them include: A linebacker who is a return LDS missionary, a stalwart Christian defensive tackle who can thump running backs as well as a bible, and a cornerback who played team babysitter by making sure his teammates got to class on time.
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"War Room" surprisingly peaceful Apr 28, 2008, 14:50
Lee Rasizer of The Rocky Mountain News has an excellent piece detailing the experience and condition of the Broncos "war room" on draft day. While Shanahan is still the man at the controls, new General Manager Jim Goodman is the navigator, crew chief and chief adviser. Rasizer gives a taste of how the two men work together to try and bring the best personnel to Denver.
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Broncos trade for Robertson Apr 24, 2008, 21:46 Adam Schefter of NFL Network broke the story Thurday afternoon that the Broncos and Jets agreed to terms on a trade for Dewayne Robertson. Robertson, a former fourth overall pick by the Jets in the 2003 draft, was not widely pursued by other teams outside of Denver. Concerns over Robertson's contract and his poor knee turned many suitors away. Robertson is reportedly traded for a conditional 2009 draft pick based on playing time and performance.
The acquisition of Robertson fills the large hole in the middle of the defensive line that Denver needed to address.
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Broncos sign Darrell Jackson Apr 16, 2008, 14:30 Denver bolstered their receiving corps Wednesday by signing former Seattle Seahawk wide receiver Darrell Jackson to a one year deal. Jackson will be participating in a similar offense to the one he played in under Coach Holmgren. Jackson has had many successful seasons but also has a reputation for untimely drops.
The signing comes on the heels of signing former Kansas City Chief Samie Parker. The recent singings were spurned following Brandon Marshall's arm injury. With severe nerve and tissue damage, the Broncos needed insurance in the possible event that Marshall cannot fully recover.
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Broncos’ Williams ready for move Apr 15, 2008, 21:54
Yahoo sports talks to DJ Williams about what its been like for him to be moved around so much. After catching on and making an impact at middle linebacker, Williams looks forward to returning to the position he played for years in college.
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Cutler goes public on immature Marshall Apr 2, 2008, 13:56 A trim-looking Jay Cutler made his mark at the podium on Tuesday. After repeated private pleas to his star receiver to clean up his act, Jay Cutler went public with his disdain. In his press conference to open the offseason training program, Jay Cutler detailed his dissatisfaction over the actions of Brandon Marshall. Marshall recently hurt his arm in a supposed scuffle with family members and sustained a wound that could damage the feeling in his hand. Cutler was not shy in sharing his disappointment over this and other behavioral issues, including Brandon's seeming disregard to heed the council of his coach and teammates. The Broncos young quarterback seemed especially upset that he will not be able to drill with Marshall this offseason to get in tempo leading into the coming season. This will be Cutler's second year as the starter for Denver.
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Troubled Marshall injures arm - out three months Apr 2, 2008, 13:52
Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall did little to shed his rap as a troubled player by sustaining a deep laceration to his right arm. The damage was extensive severing nerves, blood vessels and large amounts of muscle. Marshall will be not be able to rehabilitate his arm for several weeks. This marks the third major incident for Marshall as a Bronco who has repeatedly run into trouble during his time away from football.
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Bowlen still in charge Mar 17, 2008, 23:13 The termination of Ted Sundquist has many believing that Shanahan is on a power trip at Dove Valley with none to keep him in line. Lee Rasizer went right to the source and asked Broncos owner Pat Bowlen to explain who is really behind all the moves this offseason. Bowlen reveals he's still has the final say, and every thing that has happened of late has had to meet with his approval first.
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Ted Sundquist fired Mar 12, 2008, 21:32 Ted Sundquist was abruptly fired as General Manager of the Denver Broncos on Wednesday. Sundquist's termination is the latest in a series of front office and coaching purges following Denver's disappointing 7-9 season. Director of player personnel Jim Goodman and assistant general manager
Jeff Goodman will be given greater control over the front office duties. The sudden nature of the move has raised questions about a potential power struggle between the Goodman brothers, Shanahan, and Ted Sundquist that may have boiled over resulting in Sundquist's termination.
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Broncos bolster the safety position Mar 8, 2008, 19:33
Denver added two free agents signings on Saturday as they agreed to terms with safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel. Manuel is a journeyman who has the ability to play the run and the pass at a nominal level.
Marlon McCree is a former Charger perhaps best known for his brutal hit against the Bengals wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh last year. McCree is a hard hitting, physical safety typical of the defensive backfield that Denver is known for.
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Broncos add another Bailey Mar 6, 2008, 20:33
The Bailey brothers have played on the same team together since they were children. On Thursday the Broncos made sure they would do so at the pro level by signing linebacker Boss Bailey to a five year, $17.5 million contract. Boss had mixed success while in Detroit. He struggled with injuries and playing time on a team that has had little success. Denver hopes that Boss will be better used in the Mile High city. He joins a linebacking corps that is in complete overhaul
The Broncos also signed former Buccaneer wide receiver Edell Shepherd. Shepherd is a return specialist.