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TXBRONC
02-20-2009, 05:32 PM
I saw this on Yahoo Sports just little bit ago and thought I pass it along.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtKzrh_cajXnu5TCie2_esqE2bYF?slug=teamre ports-2009-nfl-den&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report

Broncos Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
6 hours, 53 minutes ago

Inside Slant

The upheaval of the Denver Broncos’ organization included everything: coaching staff first, then front office and the roster.


The coaching change was the most stunning, when Josh McDaniels was hired to take over for fired Mike Shanahan. The front office changes were unexpected.


Jim Goodman, who was put in charge of the personnel department after Shanahan was fired, and his son Jeff, one of Denver’s two assistant general managers, were fired. Brian Xanders, the team’s other assistant general manager, was named general manager.


Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said when McDaniels was hired that he would keep the personnel department intact. About a month later, he decided Xanders was the best person to work with McDaniels to shape the roster, with both reporting to him.


The new front office wasted little time making changes. In a two-day span, the Broncos dumped five defensive starters: cornerback Dre Bly, linebacker Jamie Winborn, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, defensive end John Engelberger and safety Marquand Manuel.


None of the individual moves were too shocking - Bly hadn’t played up to expectations after being acquired from Detroit in a trade, Robertson had an oppressive salary-cap number, the Broncos could afford to drop Winborn because of depth elsewhere at linebacker and Engelberger and Manuel were ineffective.


The moves as a whole were jarring because of the rebuilding that must now take place on defense. Denver will also likely not re-sign free agent linebacker Nate Webster or defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, who each started games last year.


The new regime didn’t feel the need to keep many players on a defense that ranked among the worst in the NFL for two straight years. With more salary-cap room, the Broncos can be bigger players in free agency, and they will also invest heavily in defense during the draft.


Notes, Quotes

• TE Nate Jackson was among the seven veterans released by Denver. He was a favorite of the old coaching staff, because of his receiving ability. Jackson had been injury prone - he ended last season on injured reserve with a torn hamstring - and the new coaching staff didn’t have the same loyalty to him, so he was let go.


• The release of Nate Jackson could help tight end Tony Scheffler, the talented 2006 second-round pick. Because the old coaching staff liked Jackson, he often took playing time away from Scheffler. Last year, Jackson spent the entire training camp as the No. 2 tight end, ahead of Scheffler. If Scheffler can get the confidence of the new coaching staff, he could have a more regular and defined role, which could help his numbers.


• LB Niko Koutouvides wasn’t a big-money free agent - he signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract - but he was a mistake for the Broncos. Signed to be the team’s starting middle linebacker, he was challenged by Nate Webster in training camp and lost the competition.


He was a stellar special-teams player for Seattle and played decently on special teams for Denver, but not enough to keep his job. He was released by the team as part of an offseason purge.


• The Broncos traveled to the scouting combine in Indianapolis with many needs but a lighter than usual front office. With the firings of Jim and Jeff Goodman, two of the top three front-office managers, new general manager Brian Xanders and coach Josh McDaniels will have plenty of responsibility in preparing for the draft. Jim Goodman’s strength was college scouting and the Broncos were coming off a stellar 2008 draft.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I am confident (Brian Xanders) will work in tandem with head coach Josh McDaniels to re-establish our football team at the level we desire.”—Broncos owner Pat Bowlen upon naming Xanders the team’s new general manager.


Strategy And Personnel

The Broncos don’t have many of their own free agents that will be a high priority to re-sign. The team took care of its biggest potential issue, re-signing linebacker D.J. Williams, when they got him to agree to a new deal before the 2008 season started.


Denver released seven veterans shortly before free agency began, including five players that started on defense last season. The Broncos will need to fill holes on defense in the draft and free agency.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• RB Tatum Bell finished the season with a good game against San Diego, but with a lot of tailbacks on the roster he is no sure bet to return.


• DE Ebenezer Ekuban played well in 2008 but it remains to be seen how he fits into the new staff’s plans.


• WR Darrell Jackson didn’t contribute much in 2008 and appears unlikely to return.


• S Marlon McCree didn’t play in the final eight games of the season, remaining inactive even after recovering from a high ankle sprain. He doesn’t appear to be in Denver’s plans.


• C Tom Nalen is likely on his way to retirement after sitting out 2008 with a knee injury.


• CB Karl Paymah was demoted a couple of times during the season and will likely hit the open market.


• DT Kenny Peterson provided some depth along the line for the Broncos, although the Broncos will try to upgrade their line.


• RB Michael Pittman played pretty well before a neck injury sidelined him, but he said he feels good and wants to play in Denver again. The new coaching staff will make a decision whether to bring him back.


• TE Jeb Putzier.


• QB Patrick Ramsey is a solid backup for Jay Cutler and despite finishing on injured reserve with an arm injury last year, could be re-signed.


• WR Edell Shepherd was out all last year with a knee injury.


• LB Nate Webster started last year and played well at times. The new staff will have to decide how he fits in their defense.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• OT Erik Pears finished the season on physically unable to perform because of an appendectomy. He has experience at both tackle spots and could provide depth.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS


• RB Andre Hall has played well at times and should get a shot to make the team in training camp.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED


• OG Matt McChesney: FA Dolphins; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST


• RB Anthony Alridge (released).


• CB Dre’ Bly (released).


• DE John Engelberger (released).


• RB Alex Haynes (released).


• TE Nate Jackson (released).


• LB Niko Koutouvides (released).


• S Marquand Manuel (released).


• TE Chad Mustard (released).


• RB P.J. Pope (released).


• DT Dewayne Robertson (released).


• WR Cliff Russell (released/failed physical).


• DT Josh Shaw (released).


• LB Jamie Winborn (released).