Broncos' reserves whip Cowboys in final preseason game of 2014

[Denver Native (Carol)]

ARLINGTON, texas — Good players will be cut. Recognizable names will be unemployed.

It wasn't easy making the Broncos' roster this year.

In what was a final audition for so many players, the Broncos' reserves whipped the Dallas Cowboys' benchwarmers, 27-3, in a preseason game Thursday night at the spectacular football palace known as AT&T Stadium.

Afterwards, roughly 25 players for the Broncos, maybe 35, were left to wonder as they showered and dressed: Was it enough? Did they play well enough to stick?

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26428457/broncos-whip-cowboys-final-preseason-game-roster-cuts

[broncosinindy]

Big Vick was pretty emotional after the game

[Joel]

Cornick and Schofield looked bad, but I can't see cutting a 3rd round OT just because he's not ready just 4 preseason games into his NFL career. I do wonder whether he could make it past waivers on PS though. I couldn't see enough of Montgomery (easily the hardest guy to watch most downs) to tell if he did well, but I didn't see him do anything awful, and he starting G as well as C experience, so I'd expect him as #2 C. Then it's just a question of Garland vs. Painter (if we keep another G; Painter plays OT, too, so I hope for him.)

Unrein had a great game playing all along the defensive line, Vickerson was impenetrable and made some nice plays and Austin had a few to finish off a reportedy stellar preseason. That's a REALLY tough choice; were it up to me, Vickerson and Unrein would be 4th and 5th DT in that order, but it's not up to me, and it seems the coaches really like Austin. At least one—possibly two—must go, and it'll most likely be one of my two preferred, each due ~$2 million this year.

We COULD try to stash Anunike on PS, hope he clears waivers and keep Unrein as 5th DE who's a better UT, but I suspect the pricetag precludes that. And our other two backup DEs are good enough his versatility isn't needed much more there than at DT. I hated him as a starter, but love him as a backup; he's always quick to the ball every down, but at the same time Vickerson's a brick wall when healthy. It's bittersweet: Our DTs improved so much so fast under Del Rio that a guy who started 2 seasons ago is probably #5-6 now.

Definitely see Burse as our returner and deep on the WR depth chart; he had a fine game apart from the muffed fair catch. I wonder if Ihenachos STs play will be the difference (assuming we keep 10+ DBs,) because he had some nice open field tackles on runs, and Tony Carter's still very hit and miss: It's either pick, penalty or huge gain just about every time with him. Barret had a few nice plays at LB, but I still prefer Steven Johnson (McCray was around the ball as consistently as Unrein, but I think he'd already made the team.)

Bibbs finally showed something near the goal line, but Thompson still showed more (maybe why he didn't get those goal line carries) and Anderson looked good, too, so I figure the depth chart will go in the opposite order after Hillman, with Bibbs on the PS, though obviously I could be very wrong. Morrah looked good, but probably too little, too late.

I still think MHRs projection VERY near the mark, though I'd probably try to PS Anunike for a DT or G: http://www.milehighreport.com/2014/8/26/6069533/denver-broncos-roster-projecting-the-final-53

[Cugel]

It seems strange to see Kevin Vickerson on the bubble when he was one of the Broncos best DL last season IMO. I believe they really missed him in the SB. When he was teaming up with Pot Roast they made a dynamic duo who were tough to run against. Then the hip injury which seems to have cost him his job.

But, they REALLY like Austin and Unrein has played well enough that if the Broncos keep a 5th DT I think it will be him. Then there's the salary cap implications which aren't working in his favor either.

All the rest never really had a chance. I think Vickerson will probably not be sitting on the sofa for long. He'll be picked up almost immediately. A 10 year veteran DT who can still play? For many teams that will be: "Yes, thank you."

If Vickerson now were on some of those teams like the 2008-2010 Broncos roster, he'd be their #1 DT.

[Joel]

It seems strange to see Kevin Vickerson on the bubble when he was one of the Broncos best DL last season IMO. I believe they really missed him in the SB. When he was teaming up with Pot Roast they made a dynamic duo who were tough to run against. Then the hip injury which seems to have cost him his job.
I feared we'd miss his run stuffing in the playoffs, but we really didn't; Sylvester Williams filled in well and Knighton stepped up to lead the charge. The DEFENSE didn't fail us in the SB; even Elway publicly (and truthfully) said they kept us in the game when the offense kept handing Seattle the ball and refusing to even CONVERT, let alone score. I think Percy Harvin was their leading rusher, and barely managed 50 yds, even though they spent the whole second half running out the clock.

None of that's to say Big Vick wasn't our best DT and run stuffer last year, just want to keep things in perspective.


But, they REALLY like Austin and Unrein has played well enough that if the Broncos keep a 5th DT I think it will be him. Then there's the salary cap implications which aren't working in his favor either.
If Austin's a lock (which looks likely,) it's down to Unrien vs. Vickerson, and the cap's not much of an issue there: $2 million or $1.6 million, it's pretty much the same number; the difference wouldn't even pay McManus for a season. Again, while the swing man would normally be preferred since he can backup 3 starters, we're so deep all along the DT line that the specialist is more appealing in THIS case. If healthy, NT Big Vick>NT/UT/LDE Unrein.


All the rest never really had a chance. I think Vickerson will probably not be sitting on the sofa for long. He'll be picked up almost immediately. A 10 year veteran DT who can still play? For many teams that will be: "Yes, thank you."

If Vickerson now were on some of those teams like the 2008-2010 Broncos roster, he'd be their #1 DT.
Well, as you say, he was our #1 LAST year before the injury. If cut, I doubt he's on the couch long, but he'll get a paycut and have to work his way back in, especially since I doubt we'll cut him unless he's still not 100%. WE know what we've got, but what does the rest of the league see?

A 7th round pick sent to NFL Europes finishing school, always on the bubble for a decade before landing in Denver for a final shot at salvaging his career; what happened? His weight yo-yoed (because we told him to get small in 2010, then big in 2013,) so his first two seasons were lightweight (in every sense) and his horse collar fine on Newton combined with three personal fouls taking another play out of the game look bad. Then more fines in 2013 before a serious injury ended his season at the halfway mark; now he's cut.

That's not really representative of Vickerson, but could easily be mistaken to be. Some scout who does his homework will bring Vickerson on board, but there won't be enough demand for him to get what he's worth, and he'll have to shine in second team practices to get to start. Which really sucks.