Jack Dempsey / Associated Press
Safety Marlon McCree brings down Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall while playing for San Diego last year at Invesco Field at Mile High.
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The safety dance
Safety first?
For the Broncos, it's safety second.
Now that it has restocked its linebacker position with Boss Bailey and Niko Koutouvides, the team is turning its attention to the back end of the defense.
Safety Marlon McCree, who visited Wednesday and Thursday, was trying to hash out a free-agent contract. But the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers are in the running, too, so the Broncos are keeping their options open.
There was some talk Friday in NFL circles that the Broncos are out of the running for McCree's services.
Chris Crocker and Marquand Manuel were in town Friday and have extensive experience.
Crocker, who turns 28 today, started last season at free safety for the Atlanta Falcons. He headed here from Pittsburgh, where he met with the Steelers after previously talking to the Houston Texans. Crocker had a career-best 51 solo tackles in 2007.
Manuel, 28, has played 91 games in six NFL seasons with Cincinnati, Seattle, Green Bay and Carolina. His best season came in 2006, with 81 tackles for the Packers.
The Broncos are likely to at least sign one veteran safety on the open market, with the position considered thin in the draft and the roster stocked with inexperience and 36-year-old John Lynch.
Going green
The Broncos' fiscal restraint thus far in free agency is transferring to the salary cap, as well as team owner Pat Bowlen's wallet.
Denver had more than $15 million remaining under the $116 million league limit before signing linebacker Boss Bailey, whose $1.5 million hit in 2008 is more than reasonable for a starting player.
Additionally, the Broncos could have designated Javon Walker and Ian Gold as post-June 1 cuts to split the financial ramifications over two seasons but took the hit all at once and still have room to maneuver in signing their draft class and players still available.
Walker will count as $6.8 million in dead money; Gold, $3.5 million.
Here's the kicker
Jason Elam's agent disputed reports that his client is considering retirement if the kicker doesn't re-sign with Denver.
Elam already has visits planned next week, Jack Reale said.
And while Reale wouldn't name teams, Atlanta, Seattle and Kansas City have vacancies. As for the Broncos, negotiations apparently are not dead, just on hold until Elam returns from his vacation to Israel.
"I wouldn't characterize it one way or the other," Reale said. "We'll just see how things develop."
Help from Browns?
Denver is considering Orpheus Roye as veteran depth on the defensive line. The 12-year pro battled right knee issues last year after preseason surgery. He played in 113 games with Cleveland but recently was released, as the Browns retool their front four.
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March 8, 2008
9:29 a.m.
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crushon77 writes:
i'm surprised the broncos have not brought in any free agent offensive tackles, i would like to see them bring in a vet to push ryan harris.
broncos need to address safety in the draft, regardless of free agent signings.
March 8, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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coloisla writes:
Even as a Shannahan supporter, I cannot understand his affinity for aged Browns linemen!
March 8, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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myerda00 writes:
Roye would be a waste, probably not make the roster.
Also Cornel Green (OT) would not make roster.
The safeties, Mccree and Knight, are 30+, maybe a little too much vetern exp. Besides we do not need more because of Lynch.
Crocker a possibility.
Draft: I like Ken Phillips in the 2nd and Tom Zbikowski in the 4th.
We have no 3rd or 6th but two 4th and 5th. I see Shanahan getting a 3rd by moving down if Clady or Phillips is not at 12.
March 8, 2008
12:37 p.m.
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cj1030lee writes:
I agree. Try to find a trade partner and Draft Phillips.
March 8, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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Denver81 writes:
Knight has already gone another way probably Mccree as well, the safety i like in free agency is Manuel, he's not great in coverage but he is great as a safety to stuff up the run, i think thats why we aren't going after Mccree, he is the opposite kind of guy. The biggest help with Crocker is that he is versatile, and has been a core special teams guy in the past. both are things we need right now. plus, both of these guys are under 30.
March 8, 2008
3:15 p.m.
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Broncos4Life writes:
It appears that the draft is thin at safety, so we really need to make an effort to sign someone soon. However I still think they need to address the O-line somewhat in free agency, but maybe they can find someone in the draft that can contribute next year.
March 8, 2008
3:36 p.m.
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broncofan208 writes:
You might think I am crazy but, I think the Broncos need to go after McFaddin. We need a good back and we don't have one. Denver likes to run first and pass second.
March 8, 2008
3:39 p.m.
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broncofan208 writes:
one more comment, I think the Broncos need to let Elam go, As my little brother says. Elam kicks like a GIRL.
March 8, 2008
5:14 p.m.
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foreveraBroncofan writes:
I agree. It would not be a terrible thing if we couldn't come to terms with Elam. If someone else is willng to pay more than the Broncos think he's worth anymore, let them have him. He ain't as good as he once was.
March 8, 2008
8:21 p.m.
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aragornzxl writes:
There is just one thing i do not get, if Ian Gold and Walker count against the salary cap, why in the world did we let them go? For walker, i can understand, he didnt want to be part of the team. But Gold? If his salary counted against the cap, keep him..why let a player of his calibre go?
Even with walker, they shoulda kept him until some team is desperate enough to trade a pick or some decent player for him (hey, the raiders ARE that stupid), then they can let him go and get wtv they get in return.
Now, they lost both players and their salary still counts, pathetic...
March 9, 2008
10:57 a.m.
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Buddy6 writes:
Broncofan208! I don't think your crazy, just looking at the wrong back. Rashard Mendenhall would be a perfect fit and we wouldn't have to trade up to get him!
March 10, 2008
12:05 a.m.
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goldenz writes:
Got to agree with Buddy6, Mendenhall would be awesome.
I also like Stewart from Oregon. Jacob Hester would also be a good pickup in the second or third round, would be nice to have a guy who can punish some people on the goal to go situations, where Denver seems to choke over the last few years.
I imagine Denver will find some unknown guy in the late rounds and turn him into a star, they always do. McFadden would be too much of a headache. Also I do not think Shanahan would spend a number 1 pick on a running back.
WR wish list, Early Doucet or Limas Sweed.
OT, Ryan Clady or Chris Williams
DT, Glen Dorsey or Kentwan Balmer
March 11, 2008
2:39 a.m.
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ONEman writes:
May I also please add
FB Owen Shmitt (W Virg.)
Kevin Smith (Cen Flo)or Jalen Parmele (Toledo) would be a nice pick in the 4th rd.
Ernie Wheelwright(Minn) (6-4 and He posted a 4.50 40 with a 36-inch vertical) is a good big WR we can get in the middle rounds after filling some holes on both lines.
and finally K Alexis Serna (Or St)4-of-6 from beyond 50 yards with a long of 58 yds. he's a lil guy but he can boot and heres the kicker he also punts. Averaged 61.0 yards per kickoff. Holds the Pac-10 record for consecutive extra points with 144 ... Drilled 80 of his 104 field-goal tries in four seasons with the Beavers (76.9 pct.) ... Had a streak of 15 consecutive successful field-goal attempts.