The Top NFL Free Agents on the Scrap Heap and Where They Might Go, Pt. 3

If you have trudged on long enough you have now come to the third part of my Free Agency series.

The last article on TE’s and OL was not the greatest subject matter on the planet; luckily the crop gets fresher.

In this article, we begin to move to the defensive side as we take a look at the top three DTs, DEs, and OLB’s available on the scrap heap. 

If you have not yet already, check out the first two parts to this series for more free agent insight: 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/189830-top-nfl-free-agents-on-the-scrap-heap-and-where-they-could-go-part-one

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/191348-top-nfl-free-agents-on-the-scrap-heap-and-where-they-might-go-part-two

 

Defensive Tackle

Dewayne Robertson

He was once a highly touted prospect who came out after his junior season and got selected at No. 4 overall by the New York Jets.

Robertson came in with high expectations his first year and got a mediocre 43 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In his Jets’ tenure he averaged 51 tackles per season, but failed to generate much pass rush never eclipsing four sacks in a season.

He was traded in April, 2008 to the Denver Broncos for a conditional 2009 draft pick that turned out to be a fourth rounder. After the Denver stint did not turn out positive, the team cut him loose and he is currently playing football for the AF2 Oklahoma Yard Dogs Franchise. 

As it stands with what’s available on the scrap heap, Robertson has the most potential to be able to land a starters job on an NFL team. 

Now that the high expectations have been failed and are in the past, he can attempt a redemption run. He could be someone’s missing rotational guy that could push their pass-rush over the edge. He could be the guy who comes in to mesh with a run stuffing DT like Jaguars’ Pro Bowler, John Henderson.

He has shown enough to warrant someone taking a flyer on him by averaging decent 51 tackles per season as a starter. 

Plausible Destination: Houston Texans

The Texans are a great young talented team that is poised for a playoff berth this season. They upgraded at DE by adding big ticket FA Antonio Smith with a five year, $35 million dollar contract.

Not retaining Jeff Zgonina or Anthony Weaver was not devastating, but creates some depth concern. 

Adding Robertson would give them a good rotational guy who could edge projected No. 2 DT Shaun Cody. Pairing him alongside Amobi Akoye and Cody would give the Texans an interior on defense with a good blend of size, speed, and athleticism.

With Antonio Smith on the outside, the Texans have a good thing going with the front four. 

 

John Thornton

He has been a reliable starter for many years, including the last six years with the Cincinnati Bengals. With all of the roster turnover teams experience, you have to be decent to nail down the same starting job for six years. 

His play has dropped off as of late; the dismal Bengals’ defense he was playing in likely had a role.

With a better supporting cast, Thornton could be an effective starter again. 

Plausible Destination: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons drafted Peria Jerry in the first round and already possess a young talented DT in Jonathan Babinueax. Subtracting reliable veteran DT Grady Jackson leaves the need for a veteran presence in the interior, and Thornton fits the bill.

Adding Thornton would give them a veteran starter to plug in if Jerry struggles during his rookie season. 

At worst, Jerry thrives and Thornton becomes an excellent rotational tackle. 

With all of the veteran subtractions on defense this offseason for the Falcons, adding some proven depth would not hurt.

 

Darwin Walker

Plain and simple, he has been a mediocre player his entire career.

In the six seasons he has held a significant starting role, averaging 4.6 sacks and 31 tackles per season.

After he left Philadelphia, he hit rock bottom in terms of production. His average production in the past means he will probably find his way onto an NFL roster by the time training camp rolls around. 

Plausible Destination: Minnesota Vikings

With the Williams duo facing four game suspensions, the Minnesota Vikings are likely going to turn to the FA market for some short term depth.

They could go after any of the aforementioned players, but Darwin could fill their short term need. His ability to create pressure in the pocket will lead plays to their All Pro DE Jared Allen. When the Williams brothers return, he could be an effective rotational tackle along with DT Jimmy Kennedy.

 

Defensive Ends

Vonnie Holliday

I’m surprised no one has picked up this guy. He has been a quality DT and effective starter for many seasons. Holliday averaged seven sacks in the nine seasons he has held a starting job.

He was a highly sought after FA coming from Green Bay, where he averaged eight sacks per season and ended up signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was recently a contributor to the Dolphins 2008 turnaround, stepping up his play, tallying 46 tackles, and 3.5 sacks.

He was cut after failed contract negotiations this past off-season. 

Someone is going to sign him and he could land a starting job on several teams. He is getting up there in age, (33) but still has enough in the tank to be a solid starter.

Plausible Destination: Seattle Seahawks

With the seven million dollars in cap room the Seahawks have not been counting the rookie pool, I would love to see them go after a guy like Holliday.

Adding him would give the DL tremendous depth and would shadow what the New York Giants are doing with making their DL rotation so deep.

Holliday would give the Seahawks additional insurance in case Pro Bowl DE Patrick Kerney’s shoulder begins to ail him again.

They would not have to resort to putting in rookie DE Lawrence Jackson or the bipolar Darryl Tapp.

 

Josh Thomas

In a limited backup capacity, Thomas managed to scrap together a 26 tackle average the last three seasons for the Colts.

Given an expanded role he could be gold in a rotational role for someone. He’s only 27, so he has plenty of potential upside and could blossom into a quality starter if given the right opportunity.

Plausible Destination: Denver Broncos

They need all the help they can get on the front seven—it is a mess.

He has just enough size to be a 3-4 DE (280 lbs.) and could step in and be a starter for the Broncos.

He would go along side the projected starter NT Ronald Fields. A starting three of Thomas, Fields, and Dumervil is not spectacular, but should help raise their near dead last rankings in every statistical defensive category.

 

Kalimba Edwards

Recently a cap causality of the Oakland Raiders, Edwards is a serviceable starter who is a proven commodity. Just last season he racked up 48 tackles and five sacks in only ten starts.

He is only 29 years old and still has some quality years ahead of him before the tires take on too much tread.

Plausible Destination: Washington Redskins

After cutting veteran DE Jason Taylor, their options to fill his void are 13, and 12 year veterans Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn.

At the very least, Edwards gives them some depth and the potential upside to upend one of these over the hill veterans. After adding the $100 million dollar man Albert Haynesworth, surrounding him with some more pieces would help stabilize the front line. 

 

Outside Linebackers

Derrick Brooks

The future Hall of Famer has gotten up there in age, (35), but still has around three years that someone can squeeze out of him.

His veteran savvy, poise, leadership, and knowledge of the game are great qualities to bring to a team. He could walk on and start for almost any team in the NFL. His age puts some red flags up in a league where youth is premium.

Brooks is most likely going to be signed when a starting LB from a team is injured. 

Plausible Destination: New England Patriots

The Patriots have not found a replacement for veteran LB Mike Vrabel whom they traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. Brooks would fit the bill of Belichick preference of employing veteran players nicely.

He would be able to tutor Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jerod Mayo, and would go along nicely with veteran LB Tedy Bruschi.

Nabbing him would fill the only need on the New England roster; that team is looking great.

 

Freddy Keiaho

He is the best free agent Linebacker left on the market in terms of playing ability and upside.

In his first two seasons as a starter, he has averaged 93 tackles and has nowhere to go but up. He would be a starter for the majority of NFL teams, and I am surprised he has not been picked up yet. 

Plausible Destination: Denver Broncos

They have nowhere to go but up on defense, and grabbing Keiaho would give them a quality starter and additional flexibility to shift things around on the front seven.

He would represent an upgrade over current starter Boss Bailey and would round out the LB unit nicely.

 

Morlon Greenwood

He is a proven starter who saw his production drop as his role was diminished with the Houston Texans. Before they began phasing him out of a starting role, he posted four consecutive 100+ tackle seasons.

He is only 30 and still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He will be in the battle for a starting role for whichever team picks him up.

Plausible Destination: Philadelphia Eagles

They don’t have the most overwhelming group of LBs, and putting Greenwood alongside Stewart Bradley would make this group formidable. Upgrading a defensive unit that was part of an NFC Championship team would only be for the better.

The Eagles two weakest links are the LB unit and their failure to provide Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb a true No. 1 WR. 

In the series finale, I will examine the top remaining MLBs, CBs, and Ss that can be had on the scrap heap.

10 Best Running Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is where NFL greats take the next step and become immortal legends. Since opening its doors in 1963, 253 former players, coaches and administrators have received football’s greatest honor, but there is a growing list of seemingly deserving players who for one reason or another have been unable to earn a bust in Canton.

Over the next several weeks, I am going to review every football position through a series of “Top 10” lists that looks at the best eligible players in NFL history at each position who are not in the Hall of Fame. I will also look at the 10 most deserving players not in the Hall of Fame (regardless of position) and 10 players who are in the Hall of Fame, but maybe shouldn’t be.

I am starting my position-by-position rundown by looking at the best eligible running backs not in the Hall of Fame.

As is the case with all offensive skill positions, the statistical numbers accumulated by running backs has ballooned over the last three decades. Of the top 50 players in career rushing yards in NFL history, only seven played a majority of their careers prior to 1980.

In 1980, Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson were the only members of the 10,000-career rushing yards club. Today, that club includes 24 players.

Among running backs in the Hall of Fame, 16 totaled less than 6,000 career yards rushing, but all of those players completed their careers prior to 1972.

It will probably start to sound like a broken record as I move through this series, but one of the biggest problems with the Hall of Fame selection process is that as the game changes and statistics increase, the Hall of Fame voters have forgotten an entire generation of great players who played most of their careers before the stats explosion of the last three decades.

That is particularly the case for running backs, as the Hall of Fame voters seem to have basically decided to ignore the position despite its obvious value in helping teams win championships. Rather than genuinely comparing stats from skill position players of all generations to determine who legitimately belongs in the Hall of Fame, voters seem to have tossed the entire issue aside by gravitating toward selecting players at positions where statistics have little impact.

Since 1995, only four running backs (Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas) and nine wide receivers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Conversely, during the same period, 18 offensive linemen and 10 defensive linemen have received the call from the hall.

So, as I look at who I consider to be the best eligible players at each position not in the Hall of Fame, career statistics will be just one of a number of factors used to create each list.

First and foremost, I am looking at the career of each player in the context of when he played. I will look particularly at how he compares against other players (Hall of Famers and non-Hall of Famers) from that era and whether, at the time of his retirement, he was considered a legitimate candidate for the Hall of Fame.

I look forward to comments, discussion and disagreements.

Out with the Old, in with Who? Broncos, Bucs Start Fresh in 2009

Contrary to Joe Namath’s legendary Super Bowl prediction, there are no guarantees in the NFL.

No, becoming the first head coach to win a championship in franchise history won’t prevent the unavoidable fate of any coach that doesn’t slip out of town before management decides the buck has stopped and future bucks will no longer land in the coach’s account.

Jon Gruden and Mike Shanahan, two of the highest-paid coaches in the National Football League, were probably one win away from maintaining their lofty status this offseason.

The NFL, notorious for its quick hooks and short memory, hasn’t failed to disprove its “Not for Long” label, a tag that applies to coaches, too.   

After Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Shanahan’s Denver Broncos narrowly missed the playoffs, management promptly dismissed the coaches and several of their star players.

Since the end of the 2008 NFL season the Bucs and Broncos have made moves that suggest they share a philosophy of how to rebuild a franchise.

Both teams approach training camp with young, energetic, but untested coaches.

Raheem Morris, 32, the new coach of the Bucs, and Josh McDaniels 33, Shanahan’s replacement, may lack NFL head coaching experience, but they don’t command the type of risky salaries that forced Gruden and Shanahan out.

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Teams look for value after disappointing end to 2008 season

The Bucs and Broncos finished last season on a sour notes that led to the firings of Gruden and Shanahan.

Both teams seemed to be easy locks for playoff births. Denver was 8-5 with a three-game lead in AFC West and needed only one win to clinch the division title. After a blistering 9-3 start, Tampa Bay lost its last four games to miss the playoffs.

Taking a page from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who hired rookie coach Mike Tomlin after Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Cowher resigned in 2007, the Bucs and Broncos looked for younger, cheaper coaches more concerned with action on the field instead of the activities in the front office.

Gruden, who became the only coach to win the Super Bowl in team history in 2003, had a less-than-cordial relationship with Rich McKay, the Bucs’ General Manager that helped build the team into a perennial playoff contender. Bruce Allen was brought on following the team’s title win.

Gruden, then, received a raise and the input on personnel decisions that he desired.

In 1998, Mike Shanahan brought Denver the Super Bowl title it yearned for, repeating the feat with another championship the following year. After the second title, Shanahan was bestowed full authority on personnel decisions, and like Gruden, a salary that accompanies such power.

But, past successes seem an eternity ago to hardcore fans and owners that gave in to the coaches’ desires for more personnel power only to be disappointed with the return on their investments.

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Similar Solutions to a Common Problem

The Broncos and Bucs won’t have such problems with Morris and McDaniels, the youngest head coaches in American professional sports.

The Broncos have already sent their starting quarterback, former first-round draft pick Jay Cutler, to the Chicago Bears, while Tampa released long-time Bucs and former first—rounders Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn and Ike Hilliard.

There are question marks at quarterback for both teams. Denver acquired Kyle Orton in the deal that sent Cutler to Chicago, whle Tampa Bay drafted Josh Freeman in the first round. It’s unclear whether Freeman will get the starting position, with NFL veterans Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown and Brian Griese also on the roster.

Oddly, both teams chose to sign coaches in areas the team was already successful.

Tampa Bay was No. 9 in overall defense last season and hired Morris, who was previously the coach for team’s defensive backs before serving as Defensive Coordinator in the final weeks of the season. When Monte Kiffin decided to follow his son Lane to the University of Tennessee, Morris jumped at the opportunity to serve as Head Coach.

Denver had the league’s No. 2 offense and one of its better quarterbacks in Jay Cutler. With receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal developing into stars, McDaniels, the former Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the Patriots, made the bold choice to pursue his former pupil, Matt Cassell. Although Cassell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, the damage was done and Cutler wanted out.

Morris and McDaniels serve as evidence of the NFL’s move away from high-priced coaches that want personnel power. In the last few years Shanahan, Gruden, Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, and Mike Holmgren have resigned or been fired.

Owners are no longer afraid to give a coach his first shot and the trend has opened the door for first-time coaches.

Last year head coaches Mike Smith, of the Atlanta Falcons; Tony Sparano, of the Miami Dolphins; and John Harbaugh, of the Baltimore Ravens, took their teams to the playoffs in their first seasons as NFL coaches.

There will be plenty of opportunities for a repeat performance with nine rookie head coaches preparing for the 2009 season.

Maybe Morris and McDaniels will be like Tomlin, rewarding their owners and confirming that age and salary are numbers, but they can’t measure success.

The Zone Blocking Scheme

The Seahawks have been anything but spectacular in the blocking spectrum since the 2005 Super Bowl season. They lost G Steve “Poison Pill” Hutchinson to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 off-season.

This was followed by the subsequent retirement of Pro Bowl C Robbie Tobeck in 2006. Former starting G Chris Gray has not officially retired, but age and injuries have taken their toll, and retirement seems inevitable.

The Seahawks are making the switch to the Zone Blocking Scheme. The Denver Broncos are considered the gold standard of Zone Blocking.

That offense literally runs anyone (Selvin Young, Peyton Hillis?) behind their OL and produces consistently successful results.

Since 1995, the Broncos have not finished below 12th in the league in rushing.

Last season, the Broncos attained that 12th ranked rushing status while they had seven total RB’s placed on IR.

The Seahawks can relate to that type of injury plague (3 WR, 5 OL on IR in 2008, 7 total WR injuries).

With the absence of a feature RB like the great Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks are wise to be pulling some pages from the Broncos’ book of knowledge.

The Zone Blocking scheme does not require a feature back, but something more of a RB by committee approach.

The Seahawks appear to be doing that with RB Julius Jones, RB TJ Duckett, and RB Justin Forsett. Jones is expected to be the main RB, but Duckett’s role will be expanded with the arrival of his former Atlanta OC.

Duckett enjoyed tremendous success under Knapp. In the three seasons the Falcons led the league in rushing from 2003-2005, Duckett tallied 28 TD’s and had a 4.0 TPC average as a role player.

The new Zone Blocking scheme being implemented by Knapp and OL Coach Mike Solari will be critical to rebuilding the underwhelming Seahawks ground game.

Since the 2006 season, the Seahawks have finished on average a mediocre 17th in the league in rushing. The Zone Blocking scheme replaces the strategy of blocking a certain player or gap all day long.

The idea is to block a certain area on any given play, and utilize double teams to push players back into the second level. The TE’s and T’s work together, the T’s and G’s work together, and the G’s and C’s work together.

As a former OL, I loved this strategy because in laymen’s terms, it allows you to blow people off the ball at the line of scrimmage, and get to the second level extremely fast.

 

50 Years Later, Hillis and Larsen Represent AFL With Pride

In baseball, an elite prospect is called a “five-tool” player, due to his versatility, willingness to play other positions, and ability to do all of those things very well.

With two of their last three picks in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos were able to obtain two such players in fullbacks Peyton Hillis is and Spencer Larsen.

Hillis came from the Arkansas Razorbacks in the seventh round of last year’s draft, and was selected with the pick obtained from Tampa Bay in the Jake Plummer trade.

When the season began, Hillis was penciled in as the starting fullback, although Denver did not use their fullback in a traditional way. 

Starting three games at both running back and fullback, Hillis led the Broncos in rushing with 343 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry, and tied for the team lead with six total touchdowns(five rushing, one receiving).

While many may not see his numbers as gawdy or even that significant, Hillis was the team’s seventh string and essentially last resort running back.

In only his second start as the Broncos’ tailback in week 13, Hillis became the first player to rush for over 100 yards against the New York Jets all season long, earning Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week and FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors.

When the Broncos signed and drafted five new running backs this offseason, Hillis’ future appeared to be in some kind of doubt.

Head Coach Josh McDaniels erased that doubt addressing Hillis at the team’s offseason activities earlier in the week, by saying that the second year player has lined up as running back, fullback, tight end, and even wide receiver in the new Broncos’ offense.

“We’re gonna use every skill he has,” McDaniels said. “He’s kind of like Tony [Scheffler] and Daniel [Graham]:  Whatever they can do well, we’re going to do it as much as we can do it with them, and he does a lot of things well.”

“He can run the ball out of a single back formation, he can certainly catch the ball out of the backfield, he can block in two back sets, you [the press] saw him split out wide all over the place,” McDaniels said.

“He’s got great hands and a good feel for the passing game. He’s a very tough runner to bring down when you give him the ball,” McDaniels said, “He’ll do a lot of different things for us. Expect him to play a good role in our offense.”

With such high praise coming from a brilliant offensive minded coach, as well as the praise he received from former head coach Mike Shanahan, it is a wonder Hillis fell to the Broncos in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.

Likewise, Denver feels it has a gem of a player as well as a person in fullback Spencer Larsen.

Larsen came to the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft out of Arizona, and figured to be a special teams “ace” for this team right away.

Little did he know what was to come of his rookie season in the NFL.

For the Broncos in 2008, Larsen started games at both linebacker and fullback, as well as both kick team units, and he even became the first player in Denver Broncos history to start a game at linebacker, fullback, and kickoff team.

Larsen’s versatility does not come easy.

“Yeah, you know, just coming in and learning two [systems], I have a lot of information on my plate right now,” Larsen said. “As you can imagine, two new systems on offense and defense, I’m just trying to get a grasp on them and learn both of them.”

So what is a typical “day at the office” for a guy who plays offense, defense, and special teams?

“Well, I come here and I go to the linebackers meeting, and then I spend some time with the running backs,” Larsen said, “[Running Backs] coach [Bobby] Turner has been great, Just helping me out when they can, and they give me just as much information as they think I can handle.

Then, at home with myself I just pick up one book and get as much as I can out of it,” Larsen said. “Then I pick up another one and get as much as I can out of it, and go like that, day in and day out.”

Outside of the Broncos organization, and possibly some avid fantasy football fans, these two players are relatively unknown, which is unjustified.

When the Broncos celebrate 50 years of football this season, no players will represent the good ole’ days better than Hillis and Larsen.

Bronco Draft Picks Look to Make an Impact

The Denver Broncos had several needs to fill before the preseason began. Those holes were filled by a very good draft in which Denver had several good picks, including two in the first round. These rookies are reporting to camp looking come in and make a big difference for the team. Coach McD thinks that these are the best players for the changes to be made. These players have very high expectations. Among the new guys are RB Knowshon Moreno, CB Alphonso Smith, and QB Tom Brandstater. All are thought to become leaders, maybe not the first year, but definitely in the long run.

2009 Bengals Schedule Part I: Cincinnati-Denver Top Five Games Ever

Lets face it: Cincinnati Bengals news is scarce at the moment. With the latest round of organized team activities wrapping up, there’s not much to write or read about unless you want to hear for the 15th time how Chris Henry and sixth-round pick Bernard Scott have turned their lives around.

Since everyone is clamoring for something new and interesting, I’ve decided to take a historical look at the Bengals 2009 schedule. This means I’ll be highlighting Cincinnati’s top five games ever against each weekly opponent.

For instance, since the Bengals play their season opener against Denver, I’ll discuss the top five most exciting meetings between the two teams.

Part two of the series will do the same thing, except it will be the Bengals-Packers series, and so on. 

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the all-time Cincinnati-Denver series.

Fun Fact: Most Bengals fans (and maybe Broncos fans too) are unaware that these two teams were actually division rivals in 1968 and ’69.

During Cincinnati’s first two season’s in the league, they played in the AFL’s West Division with Oakland, Kansas City, San Diego, and Denver.

All-time series: Broncos lead 16-8.

Let’s start the countdown:

5. Sept. 2, 1984, at Denver

The 2009 season won’t be the first time these two teams have met in the opener. In 1984, expectations were high for both squads.

The Broncos were coming off their first playoff appearance in three years, while the Bengals were in the midst of a run that saw them get to the playoffs in two of the previous three seasons.

In his first game as Bengals head coach, Sam Wyche watched his team lose on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass—only second-year Broncos quarterback John Elway didn’t throw it.

Gary Kubiak, playing in one of only two games he started on the season, hit tight end Clarence Kay with an eight-yard strike that gave his team the lead late in the game.

The game was filled with errors. Broncos kicker Rich Karlis missed his first extra point attempt on the day. Bengals kicker Jim Breech uncharacteristically missed two field goals, and Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson threw a pick that set up Denver’s second touchdown.

The Bengals would finish the 1984 season at 8-8 and one game out of the playoffs, while the Broncos would take the AFC West with a 13-3 record.

Result: Denver 20, Cincinnati 17

 

4. Oct. 25, 2004, at Cincinnati

This game was big for one reason and one reason only: the return of Monday Night Football to Cincinnati. After a 15-year absence (MNF’s last visit to Cincinnati had been on Sept. 25, 1989) the Bengals returned with a vengeance.

Cincinnati was 1-4 going into the game, and ABC may have regretted bringing prime-time football back to the Queen City.

However, a 50-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson resulted in the first score of the game, and the Bengals proved their worth under the bright lights.

Result: Cincinnati 23, Denver 10

 

3. Sept. 15, 1968, at Cincinnati

This game could arguably be No. 1, considering its historical significance for the Bengals franchise. The 24-10 win over Denver represented both the Bengals’ first home game ever and the first win in team history.

Bengals quarterback John Stofa threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Stofa’s TD passes were both long bombs. The first one was a 58-yarder to Bengals great Bob Trumpy, the second one a 54-yard beauty to Warren McVea.

Stofa only started seven games in his Bengals career, with this win over Denver undoubtedly being the highlight. McVea would end his lone season in Cincinnati with a mere two touchdown catches.

Result: Cincinnati 24, Denver 10

 

2. Dec. 24, 2006, at Denver

The very thought of this game makes most Bengals fans squirm. After Denver took a 24-17 lead late in the game on a Jason Elam field goal, it was up to Carson Palmer and the Bengals offense to prove that they were clutch as well as fun to watch.

Palmer did his part, running a perfect two-minute drill in the fourth quarter. He then capped the remarkable drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, which tied the game at 24…

Hold on—no it didn’t. The Bengals still had to make the extra point. After a low Brad St. Louis snap was bobbled by Kyle Larson in the cold Denver snow, kicker Shayne Graham never got a chance to put his right foot on the ball.

Overtime averted, Broncos win, and Bengals fans spend Christmas Eve cursing Santa Claus.

Result: Denver 24, Cincinnati 23

 

1. Oct. 22, 2000, at Cincinnati

On paper, this game had all the makings of a blowout. The lowly Bengals came into the game 0-6, having already been shut out twice in the season’s first six weeks.

Denver, on the other hand, came into the game 4-3 and on its way to claiming an AFC Wildcard at 11-5. The wildcard slot would have been a division title if the Broncos had won this game.

However, with the Broncos’ defensive front seven seemingly on a mental vacation, Bengals running back Corey Dillon exploded for a then-NFL record 278 rushing yards.

As the Bengals averaged a dismal 6.2 points in their first six games, nobody in the world could have seen this coming. Dillon scored on runs of 65 and 41 yards while averaging an unimaginable 12.6 yards per carry.

To put into perspective how bad this Bengals team was, this would be the first and only time all season Cincinnati scored more than 30 points. The offense would finish the season ranked 30th (out of 31) in the NFL.

Result: Cincinnati 31, Denver 21

If you have any other nominations, please leave them in the comments section.

Five Best Broncos (Current Roster)

There are 88 players currently on the Broncos roster. 45 of these players only joined the Broncos roster this off-season.

Between the new additions and the holdover players there are not many who have been tested and proven. There are only a few who represent the core of team with their exceptional play on the field.

I have identified five players who, in my opinion, stand above the rest with their exceptional talent and ability to dominate on the field at their respective positions.

Ryan McBean Blessed with Second Chance

When the Denver Broncos entered the 2009 offseason, many thought the majority of their time and money would be invested in the defensive line.

Now three months since the beginning of free agency, Denver has added eight new defensive linemen to the mix, although none are extremely high profile.

One of the signees is former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan McBean, a fourth round draft pick out of Oklahoma State in 2007.

McBean joined a very crowded defensive line in Pittsburgh and has seen very little action in his two years in the league.

He hopes all of that can change now that he is with the Denver Broncos.

“I’m adding whatever the coach asks for me. Whatever he tells me to do I’m going to do it.”

Whatever he lacks in game experience, McBean definitely makes up for it in appearance.  The third year player definitely looks the part at 6’5″ and 290 pounds, ideal for a 3-4 defensive end.

McBean has been practicing with Denver’s first team defensive line for the first few organized team activities. While fans are told not to take too much stock in the current depth charts, it is definitely a huge leap for a guy who has only played in one regular season game.

“It’s (competition) the same for every guy. (We) gotta come out here and work hard regardless (of where we are on the depth chart.) I didn’t look at it too much, just like ‘OK, time to go to work.’

“(But) it’s been great. Guys getting their repetitions and taking every day for what it is.”

While he seems like the ideal fit for the Broncos as a defensive end as the team transitions to the 3-4 defense, sticking his hand in the dirt is not all McBean has to offer this defense.

When asked how his coverage skills were, McBean gave a big smile, laughed, and said, “Real good.”

McBean also said that while in Pittsburgh he mostly played as a down end, but has the capacity to cover.

His versatility does not end there. McBean has played an even “bigger” role in the Broncos’ offseason activities.

“Right now I’m playing end, and sometimes I’m playing nose (tackle) too.”

McBean also addressed the progress of the rest of the defensive unit. If the Broncos’ defense is going to improve as a whole, they must use last season as motivation. Maybe even play with a “chip on their shoulder.”

“Yeah you can tell with our guys that they want to win. They heard about the stats from last year, and we want to change that a whole lot…The guys are willing to play hard.”

Right now, the Broncos’ defensive line is a group of relative unknowns. 

Perhaps this third year player can make a name for himself in the Mile High City and help restore what fans once called the Orange Crush.

Breaking News: Broncos’ Marshall Cleared of Suspension, Holdout Next?

When Denver Broncos’ Pro-Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall was arrested for the seventh time in his professional career, many had written him off for half of the upcoming season.

Marshall learned Tuesday that he would not face any punishment from the National Football League.

“The NFL has confirmed that based on their own investigation, there will not be a suspension or any discipline issues as a result of Mr. Marshall’s arrest on March 1,” said Marshall’s attorney Harvey Steinberg. “I had been in touch with the NFL since right after the incident occurred, and we were under the belief that what took place would not rise to the level of any form of discipline.”

Broncos fans can now breathe a sigh of relief, as their top receiver the past two seasons and biggest playmaker on the offensive side of the ball will be in uniform for all 16 regular season games, provided he can stay healthy.

“We are humbled, enthused and excited by this decision by the commissioner’s office,” Marshall’s agent Kennard McGuire said. “We also understand that Brandon has to continue to grow, be accountable and responsible. We have no doubt he’ll do all the above and more.”

The young wide receiver is no stranger to second chances. 

Marshall was arrested not too long after being drafted by the Broncos, and before the 2006 season even started, he was out for half the season with an injury.

In 2007, Marshall broke onto the NFL scene, emerging as one of the league’s premiere players, showing great ability to gain extra yardage after the catch.

In 2008, Marshall was suspended for the Broncos’ season opener in Oakland, but he could have missed much more. He appealed a three game-suspension, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saw something in him that he liked, so he only suspended Marshall for one game and two games pay.

Through a nagging hip injury, Marshall had his best season as a professional in 2008, catching 104 passes en route to his first ever trip to the Pro Bowl.

Entering his fourth year in the league, the young receiver hopes to earn a big paycheck and a long extension with the Broncos. It has even been rumored throughout the league that Marshall is holding out for the extension.

Marshall’s agent refutes the accusation that his client is going to skip out on team activities because of money reasons, and Bronco fans should have reason to believe this is true.

Earlier this offseason, Marshall had surgery on his hip and has been unable to participate in any practice due to his rehab.

It would seem like the perfect time for him to hold out, as he is physically inept anyway. 

Marshall is due $2.2 million in 2009, and the Broncos may be skeptical of signing him to a long-term deal due to his legal history. Still, he is a great receiver, and the team should do what it can to keep him wearing the Broncos’ shade of orange.

Clearly, Marshall is on board with the McDaniels’ regime, even though the new head coach traded away one of Marshall’s very good friends in Jay Cutler. 

Some believe that a fully healthy Marshall can rival the likes of Larry Fitzgerald among the league’s elite. If he cleans up his act, this young receiver will lead the Broncos to far greater things than imaginable.

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