Jockeying for position

With a very busy and productive offseason, the Broncos appear primed for the AFC race

By Adam Schefter
As published in print June 4, 2001

Broncos defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes

DENVER — It would appear as if the Broncos have blown up their budget this offseason, but in fact, they have stayed right within it.

Through mid-May, they had shelled out $54 million in signing bonuses, the third most in NFL history, putting them well on pace to exceed the $60.4 million the Redskins doled out last year, when they were splashed across newspapers and magazines as the NFL’s ultimate cover boys.

The Broncos have not landed the headlines, but they have landed plenty of linemen. And cornerbacks. And linebackers. And wide receivers. And everything else from a depressed free-agent market that has resembled the stock market and allowed the Broncos to become the ultimate bargain-basement shoppers.

Their method of attack has been impressive as much for its simplicity as its results. Basically, they have traded in used parts for upgraded parts.

The Broncos cut declining DT Keith Traylor, saving $2.2 million, then handed out $2.5 million in signing bonuses to DLs Chester McGlockton and Leon Lett. They voided CB Ray Crockett’s contract, freeing up $3 million, then gave a $4 million signing bonus to CB Denard Walker. They cut LB Glenn Cadrez, as well as $1.2 million from their payroll, then signed LBs Henri Crockett and Lee Woodall for a combined $1.2 million.

While fortifying their roster at reduced prices, the Broncos used some of their savings and other earmarked money to re-sign their own players and prevent them from hitting the free-agent market. Now, QB Brian Griese, DT Trevor Pryce, LB John Mobley, OT Matt Lepsis and OG Dan Neil are tied to the Broncos through at least 2006, with minimal damage to their salary cap the next few years.

Whereas the Redskins, Cowboys and 49ers once invested heavily in aging stars, the Broncos poured big money into developing youth. This is where Mike Shanahan’s dual role as coach and vice president of football operations served him well. He knew these players’ potential better than anyone. He pegged the players he wanted and discarded the ones he didn’t.

It also didn’t hurt that John Elway’s $5 million salary-cap charge, on Denver’s books all last season, vanished this season.

Now, with the roster constantly in motion, here is a look at the Broncos’ top 10 offseason pickups:

For all the moves the Broncos made this offseason — and no team in the league was more active — Rhodes was Denver’s single-best acquisition. Though he has failed to succeed as an NFL head coach, Rhodes has been one of the league’s best defensive coordinators, taking the Redskins’ 30th-ranked defense in 1999 and turning into into the fourth-ranked unit a year later. The Broncos are expecting similar results. Players already are raving about Rhodes and the aggressive approach he brings. And if Rhodes can provide the Broncos a defensive mastermind to go with their offensive ones, Denver instantly becomes one of the NFL’s premier teams.

Weighing in at a hefty 352 pounds, McGlockton is now the heaviest starting defensive lineman in franchise history. He also has become a mighty big target. Last month, former Chargers director of player personnel Billy Devaney, working for ESPN as a draft analyst, applauded each of the Broncos’ multiple offseason moves except one. Devaney blasted the Broncos for signing McGlockton, whom he candidly accused of being a negative locker-room influence. McGlockton shrugged off the criticism. "The San Diego Chargers, they’ve done well, haven’t they?" McGlockton said without a care in the world about what others say or think about him. Yet, McGlockton’s attitude so far has been exemplary. He has not missed a single offseason workout.

Walker is known strictly as a big, speedy, man-to-man cover corner, something the Broncos have lacked in recent seasons. With his six-year, $26 million contract, Walker will be expected to clamp down on Tim Brown, Derrick Alexander and any other top receiver in the AFC West. Should he falter, the Broncos are as deep at cornerback as they are everywhere else on the roster. Joining Walker at corner are former first-round picks Deltha O’Neal, Willie Middlebrooks and Tyrone Poole.

When Kennison played in St. Louis, the Rams hardly had the high-flying offense they do now. When Kennison played in New Orleans, the Saints still did not have a quality quarterback worth a beignet. And when he played in Chicago, Cade McNown had the Bears’ offense perpetually parked, handicapped by the quarterback’s poor play. Now, Kennison is playing in the most well-rounded and dangerous offense he has been a part of. The Broncos believe his game should take off right with it.

If the Broncos are gambling with Lett — who has been suspended by the league three times since 1995 — they are not gambling much. They handed him a four-year, $9 million deal that included a $1 million signing bonus. Yet, inserted deep in Lett’s contract is a clause that states he must refund his signing bonus should he encounter any more trouble. If he doesn’t, the Broncos have bought themselves an inexpensive DE-DT combination still capable of disrupting offenses.

A perfect example of Denver’s measured approach to free agency came in the days leading up to the team’s May minicamp. Two days before it started, the Broncos cut the veteran Cadrez, thus saving Denver $1.2 million against the cap. Then the Broncos turned around and handed out two one-year contracts — one to Woodall (Carolina), the other to Crockett (Atlanta). Total of the two deals: $1.2 million. This was the ultimate two-for-one deal, with the Broncos getting more for their money than they would have with a more passive approach.

When Denver drafted Harris, the Broncos’ defensive coaches rejoiced. They felt they landed the nation’s premier punter, a player who could continually pin opponents deep in their own territory. On a recent spring day in Denver, Harris was booming his punts, proving he could be even more dangerous in high altitude. Of course, if he is going to beat out Tom Rouen in training camp — and many around the league expect he will — the one thing Harris needs to work on is his release time. He cannot hold on to the ball as long in the NFL as he did at California.

Denver never has had more depth at receiver than it does now. Even though the team could carry as few as five wide receivers into the regular season, one is surely going to be Kasper, perhaps the most impressive during the team’s May minicamp. With starting WRs Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith getting up in years, the Broncos need potential replacements. The rookie Kasper knows something about such a job. Back at Iowa, he helped replace Tim Dwight.

During the past two seasons, Griese has suffered three significant shoulder injuries, two that required postseason surgery. Now, if Griese were to suffer another injury, the Broncos will have the option of turning to more than Gus Frerotte. Beuerlein is not the Broncos’ quarterback of the future, but he is expected to be their backup quarterback of the future — and it is a role, and offense, he should pick up rather easily. Back in ’88, when Shanahan got his first NFL head-coaching job with the Los Angeles Raiders, his first quarterback was Beuerlein.

Of all the pass rushers the Broncos brought in this offseason — Lett, second-round draft pick Paul Toviessi, third-round pick Reggie Hayward, former Ravens backup Keith Washington — none was more impressive in the team’s minicamp than Berry. During one-on-one pass-rushing drills, Berry went around offensive tackles as if they were statues. Whether Berry can continue his performance through the summer will determine whether he sticks with Denver’s roster. But if he does, the Colts are going to regret cutting him this winter instead of switching him from linebacker to defensive end.

Adam Schefter covers the Broncos for the Denver Post

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