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Broncos still shopping for replacement part

Broncos' options at tailback dwindle with Green's choice

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 5, 2007 at midnight

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When Broncos coach Mike Shanahan sifted through the pieces of the Broncos' playoff miss last season, one of the spots in his offseason cross hairs was the running game.

And three days into free agency, it's clear the Broncos need to do some heavy lifting to get someone to help lug the rock.

Tatum Bell, the team's leading rusher in 2006, was traded last week, and the Broncos had three running backs visit during the weekend but now only have a chance at two of them.

Travis Henry and Correll Buckhalter spent time at the Broncos' Dove Valley complex Sunday after Ahman Green visited with team officials Saturday.

Green, though, agreed Sunday night to a four-year contract with the Houston Texans. The Houston Chronicle reported the deal is worth $23 million, including $6.5 million guaranteed.

The Broncos have made it clear they are hunting for a potential primary back but are competing against some familiar faces.

Green said he was "approaching it with an open mind" before he headed to former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak in Houston.

Henry's itinerary was similar. He was expected to visit with the Texans before Green signed, then was scheduled to visit the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers if no deal is worked out with the Broncos.

The Broncos also have had at least one preliminary discussion with the Buffalo Bills, who are shopping running back Willis McGahee for a potential trade.

At the forefront in the Broncos' minds was their loss against the 49ers in the regular-season finale, when Denver could not pound the ball into the end zone in three first-and-goal situations from inside the San Francisco 5-yard line.

Shanahan said it was "embarrassing."

According to NFL personnel executives contacted during the weekend, Henry is the best option of the three backs who have visited.

He's a player Shanahan has told others in the league he believes is a front-line back. Henry led the Titans in rushing last season, fighting past Chris Brown and rookie LenDale White to earn the starting job.

He suits the Broncos' one-cut- and-get-upfield style, finishing with 1,211 yards, seven touchdowns and six 100-yard games. Henry has three 1,000-yard seasons during his six-year career.

The only caveat is Henry had a four-game suspension in 2005 for violating the league's substance- abuse policy, meaning he tested positive at least once to enter the league's program and tested positive again to warrant the suspension.

Buckhalter has missed three of the past five seasons because of knee injuries.

He missed 2004 and 2005 after twice tearing his right patellar tendon, which is at the bottom of the kneecap, and tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in 2002.

Buckhalter was a long shot to make the Eagles roster during training camp, but he rushed for 345 yards and two touchdowns as a backup to Brian Westbrook.

He also had 24 catches for 256 yards and a 55-yard touchdown. The former Nebraska tailback's best year as a pro was 2003, when he rushed for 542 yards and eight touchdowns in an Eagles offense that split carries among Buckhalter, Westbrook and Duce Staley.

McGahee also has some past health concerns, having torn two ligaments in his left knee in his last college game with Miami to end the 2002 season.

The Broncos also continued to take their swing at defensive end Patrick Kerney, one of the most coveted free agents still on the market. Kerney was at the Seattle Seahawks' complex in Kirkland, Wash.

Asked about what the Broncos have to offer, Kerney said, "The figures are right there, it's just a matter of how it all comes together for both teams."

Kerney left Denver on a 5 p.m. flight Saturday and spent Sunday in the Northwest. The Seahawks, still feeling the sting of guard Kris Dielman's about-face to return to the Chargers for less money than the Seahawks offered, were trying to lock up Kerney before he left.

"I've always sort of kept an eye on Denver, a consistent winner, a contender, and that's very important to me," Kerney said. "They have guys out here who I know. Al Wilson and John Lynch and Champ Bailey, they're just awesome performers, (Ebenezer) Ekuban as well. . . . And to boot, it's a great part of the country that I enjoy."

IN CONTENTION: The Broncos continued to pursue tight end Daniel Graham, a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate. Graham was in Oakland on Saturday and was scheduled Sunday to be in Seattle.

The Broncos also hosted quarterback Brad Johnson, who next will visit Dallas. He has the Cowboys and Broncos at the top of his wish list.

Johnson's agent, Phil Williams, said Johnson is "extremely interested" in the Broncos and quickly would decide.

Free-agent quarterback Anthony Wright is set to visit the Broncos in the coming days.

or 303-892-2359. Staff writer Lee Rasizer contributed to this report.