Broncos stocking up on wide receivers
By The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 04/15/2008 11:30:59 PM MDT
Possible Bronco Darrell Jackson, top, celebrates a touchdown in December. (Jim Gensheimer, San Jose Mercury News )Whatever depth problems the Broncos may have at kicker, or punter, or defensive tackle, or offensive tackle, they are compensating for at receiver.
Brian Mooney, the agent for Darrell Jackson, was in town Tuesday to finalize a contract that would add still another receiver with a considerable NFL pedigree to the Broncos' roster. A deal for Jackson is expected to be finalized today.
With 487 career receptions and 50 touchdowns in eight NFL seasons, Jackson, 29, will compete with Keary Colbert, whom the Broncos culled from the free-agent market last month with a $7.2 million contract, at No. 2 receiver.
Besides Jackson, the Broncos also signed former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Samie Parker this week to a one-year deal.
Mendenhall, Cherilus to visit.
Two highly touted prospects — Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall and Boston College left tackle Gosder Cherilus — will visit the Broncos this week.
Now it can be told.
The only Broncos player remaining from their 2004 draft is first-round pick D.J. Williams, who is converting from middle to weakside linebacker this year after converting from strongside to the middle last year and from weakside to strongside following his rookie season.
"I haven't been happy about the movement, but I like the organization, I like the city," Williams said. "I love how Coach Shanahan takes care of his players, as far as physically. The offseason program, everybody around the facility, I like everybody. I understand why I had to move; it made the team better."
Williams told a humorous story about his draft day experience. The New Orleans Saints had called to say they were taking him at No. 18.
Williams was ecstatic. He would be reunited with his good friend, Saints receiver Donte Stallworth, and he was excited about playing in New Orleans.
And then the Broncos traded up from the No. 24 spot to No. 17. He was on the phone with the Saints when his agent Mitch Frankel said the Broncos wanted to talk.
"I said I'll talk to them later," Williams said. "He says, 'No, they want to talk to you.' I see my name go across the ticker: 17th pick, Denver selects D.J. Williams.
"At the combine, they didn't speak to me, didn't do any interviews, so I was shocked. I think I talked to Ted Sund quist, and he says, 'How would you like to be a Denver Bronco?' I look at my agent and say, 'Can I say no?' "
Turns out, Williams wasn't aware John Mobley had suffered a career-ending injury, Ian Gold would not be re-signed and Al Wilson needed new partners.
"I thought they brought me in and they have three Pro Bowl guys and they want me to play special teams," Williams said.
Broncos stocking up on wide receivers
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Originally Posted by claymore
