Thread: Broncos Head To Training Camp With Eleven CBs On Roster: Who Will Make the Cut?

Right now, with 11 CBs currently on the roster, the Broncos are certainly stocked with CBs, indeed far more CBs than they can possibly take into the 53 man roster.

Obviously the starters are Champ and Tracy Porter, but beyond that there are a lot of question marks. Starters highlighted in Yellow. Probable backups in Orange.

Post your thoughts as to who might make the roster and what impact you see them making this season.

Here's a breakdown from today's Post:

"I don't think you can ever have too many corners with a lot of the multiple-receiver sets that you get — and we will get with the types of quarterbacks that we have on our schedule this year," Broncos coach John Fox said.

RETURNING BRONCOS

• Champ Bailey: 14th year, starter.

• Tony Carter: Backup and special teams in 2011.

• Chris Harris: Nickel cornerback and special teams in 2011.

• Syd'Quan Thompson: Missed 2011 season with torn Achilles tendon.

• Cassius Vaughn: Backup and special teams the first half of 2011. Spent second half of the season on injured reserve.

FREE-AGENT ACQUISITIONS

• Drayton Florence: Longtime starter signed with Broncos last week after being cut by Buffalo.

• Tracy Porter: Starting right cornerback from New Orleans, only 25 years old.

• Joshua Moore: Played three games for Chicago in 2010.

• Ramzee Robinson: Played for Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland from 2007-09.

ROOKIES

• Omar Bolden: Fourth-round draft pick from Arizona State.

• Coryell Judie: Undrafted out of Texas A&M.

First, there were FIVE CBs on the 53 man roster at the start of last season. Of these Champ, Cassius Vaughn and Chris Harris are returning.

The Broncos might keep 6 CBs this year given Fox's attitude, but this is uncertain. In favor of the idea that the Broncos will keep 6 is they need a roster spot for Omar Bolden, who is likely to be the replacement for Eddie Royal as KR/PR.

Bolden is an interesting case. Normally 4th-7th round picks are for special teams and if he can return kicks, he fills a valuable space and despite being very raw from missing his entire senior season, he probably makes the 53 man roster as a Special Teams player. If he doesn't impress as a KR then they will probably try and slip him onto the developmental squad and it's likely they would succeed since nobody would claim him.

If I'm right and the Broncos keep 6 the first obvious thing is that the roster is stocked with veteran CBs. In addition to starters Champ, and FA acquisition Tracy Porter the Broncos also added Drayton Florence, a 32 year old 10 year veteran mostly spent with the Chargers. He would make an adequate Nickel Back unless some younger player is impressive enough to take that spot in the pre-season.

New veterans include Ramzee Robinson has been in the league for 4 seasons now as a backup in Detroit without impressing and Joshua Moore who was out of football in 2011 and is back for a look.

Neither are locks to make the roster though.

That would leave 2 more roster spots for CBs and 8 guys fighting for those spots.

Tony Carter and Chris Harris: I'm not down on Harris, but clearly the Broncos are trying to upgrade from him, hence all the CBs added. I'd not be surprised to see both cut in training camp.

Among Broncos backups, undrafted 2010 FA Cassius Vaughn might be the most interesting. He played decently until he was injured in the 2nd half of last season. He will have an uphill struggle to maintain his roster spot, but there's no reason to think he can't do it.

YOUR thoughts:

Here is how I see it.

Locks: Bailey, Porter, Florence

Bubble: Harris, Thompson, Vaughn, Bolden

Slim chance/out: Carter, Moore, Robinson, Judie

Possible Practice Squad: Bolden, Judie

My guess: They keep 6, one of those 4 from the bubble is squeezed out, and Judie goes on the PS.

Originally Posted by BaileyTheBest

Here is how I see it.

Locks: Bailey, Porter, Florence

Bubble: Harris, Thompson, Vaughn, Bolden

Slim chance/out: Carter, Moore, Robinson, Judie

Possible Practice Squad: Bolden, Judie

My guess: They keep 6, one of those 4 from the bubble is squeezed out, and Judie goes on the PS.

Wow. I'd be disappointed if Bolden didn't make the team outright. I am not as optimistic about Syd coming off an Achilles...

Originally Posted by tomjonesrocks

Wow. I'd be disappointed if Bolden didn't make the team outright. I am not as optimistic about Syd coming off an Achilles...

I agree on Bolden, but it's really too early to tell right now. If he's fully healthy and still has that 1st/2nd round talent, I see no reason he won't make the roster outright. I just don't think you can call him a lock right now. I'll have a better idea during camp/preseason.

I certainly don't think he will be cut though. I think worst case they either PS or IR him.

I think Harris has earned a spot on the roster based on last year's play and his versatility (I think he could play FS in a pinch).

For me it's:

Locks: Champ, Porter, Florence, Harris

Inside track: Bolden and either Vaughn or Squid

Cut or PS: everyone else. Supposedly, Judie is a really good return man and if he breaks out in camp he might be able to bump Vaughn/Squid for the 6th spot.

Cassius Vaughn looked more likely to make the team than Thompson, due to his injury. But, we really don't know who will emerge in training camp.

That will be an interesting battle for 2 roster spots (at most) among 6 guys.

Bolden's not going to make the team as a backup CB. He's too raw since he missed his entire senior season due to injury and the Broncos have lots of veterans with at least several years time in the NFL ahead of him.

So, his chances probably depend on his making the roster as a KR/PR. If he can be a decent one in replacement of Eddie Royal he would make the team.

The Broncos would simply carry one less WR or TE, since that spot last year went to Royal.

Originally Posted by HORSEPOWER 56

I think Harris has earned a spot on the roster based on last year's play and his versatility (I think he could play FS in a pinch).

For me it's:

Locks: Champ, Porter, Florence, Harris

Inside track: Bolden and either Vaughn or Squid

Cut or PS: everyone else. Supposedly, Judie is a really good return man and if he breaks out in camp he might be able to bump Vaughn/Squid for the 6th spot.

I don't see Harris as a lock. Yeah he was ok last year but he at BEST would be the #4 guy and I think a healthy Bolden, Squid, Cassius would push him for that. Seeing as Harris doesn't return kicks, that hurts his chances of latching on. He certainly has a chance to make the roster, but I wouldn't call him an absolute lock.

Originally Posted by BaileyTheBest

I don't see Harris as a lock. Yeah he was ok last year but he at BEST would be the #4 guy and I think a healthy Bolden, Squid, Cassius would push him for that. Seeing as Harris doesn't return kicks, that hurts his chances of latching on. He certainly has a chance to make the roster, but I wouldn't call him an absolute lock.

I understand your logic, but the one thing Harris does better than any other CB on the roster not named Champ is TACKLE. Most of the big plays against us last year were short dump off passes to WRs who broke tackles (usually from Goodman) and then it was off to the races. Harris rarely, if ever, missed tackles. Yeah, you could complete some balls against him but rarely was he not right there to bring the receiver down. I saw him make several 1st down saving tackles on 3rd down last year. That's just as important as coverage sometimes. Harris reminds me a lot of D-Will (RIP) in that for a little guy, he was never shy about throwing his head in there and getting dirty tackling guys.

If Judie can return kicks that means he's probably battling directly against Bolden for a roster spot. It could come down to special teams play. If Judie gets the nod, then I would expect the Broncos to try and put Bolden on the practice squad and give him another try next year.

People who automatically assume that Bolden will make the squad because he was a 4th round pick forget what Shannon Sharpe was told when he came into the league: "You aren't on a scholarship now! Teams cut late round draft picks [4th through 7th] all the time."

So Bolden is certainly NOT guaranteed a roster spot. He's going to have to earn it by becoming the starting KR/PR.

Of course, if he doesn't make it it's rare for players to emerge off the practice squad and become starters the next season but it isn't unknown.

As for Harris versus Thompson, that is going to be one of the key battles in training camp/pre-season.

Champ/Porter/Florence are def on.
Harris/Bolden are def back ups.
Squid is a ST player and I think Jodie will be too for now both returners.
Vaugn will practice squad and so will safties.

Originally Posted by Cugel

If Judie can return kicks that means he's probably battling directly against Bolden for a roster spot. It could come down to special teams play. If Judie gets the nod, then I would expect the Broncos to try and put Bolden on the practice squad and give him another try next year.

People who automatically assume that Bolden will make the squad because he was a 4th round pick forget what Shannon Sharpe was told when he came into the league: "You aren't on a scholarship now! Teams cut late round draft picks [4th through 7th] all the time."

So Bolden is certainly NOT guaranteed a roster spot. He's going to have to earn it by becoming the starting KR/PR.

Of course, if he doesn't make it it's rare for players to emerge off the practice squad and become starters the next season but it isn't unknown.

As for Harris versus Thompson, that is going to be one of the key battles in training camp/pre-season.

It looked to me from the rookie mini-camp photos that both Judie and Bolden are recovered from their injuries enough to practice (both were out running drills) so I don't know if there's an injury concern with either anymore. Hopefully, these guys come to play and work their asses off for a spot. After seeing Alphonso Smith and Rahim Moore fold like a house of cards under the pressure of competition the last couple seasons, we need guys who are hungry and will do what it takes to earn a spot. That's why I have a soft spot for Harris. He earned his spot last year as an UDFA.

Not to mention, but the war of attrition has already begun. Odds are, one of our "starting" CBs will get nicked before the end of the preaseon which will open a spot for someone else.

bailey
porter
florence
harris
syd
bolden

judie is practice squad

Please don't bring Vaughn back, please...

Originally Posted by I Eat Staples

Please don't bring Vaughn back, please...

Why? Don't you like the fact that he returns every kick no matter what? You're not fond of the offense starting inside the 10 yard line 9/10 times with the 10th being a big return out to midfield? C'mon where's your sense of adventure?

Originally Posted by BaileyTheBest

I don't see Harris as a lock. Yeah he was ok last year but he at BEST would be the #4 guy and I think a healthy Bolden, Squid, Cassius would push him for that. Seeing as Harris doesn't return kicks, that hurts his chances of latching on. He certainly has a chance to make the roster, but I wouldn't call him an absolute lock.

Harris can play saftey though. its what he was coming out of college. I do think he is a lock. Also we carried a bunch of safties last year, this year i see 4...with harris being the emergency pinch guy. If bolden is as good or potentially as good as everyone says he is. he will also make the squad