A lot of talk has been made about signing Terry Glenn or Joe Horn.

While adding an experienced wideout (especially one familiar with the playbook) could have merit, it doesn't answer the teams nagging special teams problem.  With Burnett and Auatin out we are short coverage guys . Furthermore, we are dependent on Hurd to be a key special teamer and the third WR.  that in itself isnt a problem, but it puts the team an injury away from being short a couple of important positions.

I read that Jarrod Cooper was cut by the Raiders.  While the thought of needing one of the Raiders early cuts scares the hell out me, it seems like we might need to do something like that....

Does anyone else have any special teams coverage guys we rent for a couple of weeks? 

http://www.mercurynews.com/sabercats/ci_10302080

Realistically, if I were told a week before training camp that either Austin or Stanback would not make the roster I would not have been that concerned.  With TO, (hopefully) Glenn and Crayton as the mainstays and Hurd, Austin and Stanback as the hopefuls and Lowber, Amendola and Jefferson as the long shots it could have actually been good news if there was too much talent to have both of them on the team. Not now... What a difference a month makes.

Now the WR depth is:

1. TO

2. Crayton

3. (Austin)

4. Hurd

5. (Stanback)

6. Amendola

7. Jefferson

8. Lowber

With the #3 and #5 guys out, we are now one shaken-up player from looking at Amendola or Jefferson in a 3 WR set (which could limit our ability to take advantage of a paper thin Cleveland secondary).  Also given the combined youth and inexperience of the WR corp ex TO its tough to expect any of the guys to be comfortable at multiple wide out positions.  Given the increasing complexity of Redball's offense, this is a mild concern -- not as a big a concern as the ultimate talent level of the 4th WR but still a concern.  

It increasingly looks like we will start the season with 4 players who cant play on the roster and two WR's unable to suit up.  My question is:  What does this mean for the rest of the roster?  

1. Is this the end for Danny Amendola?  I would not be surprised to see the team wait until the first week of the season (or whatever the date is that you can sign a vested veteran and not have his salary guaranteed for the full year) and sign Glenn or Horn to a low risk contract.  If that doesn't happen I wouldn't be surprised us to pick through another teams final cuts for a potentially less talented but more experienced WR.  It is starting to look like hiding an street free agent on the roster to see if he develops is a luxury we can't afford - especially if he can't fill in on coverage units.

2. Does this mean we carry 7 WR's? If we carry 6 with 2 hurt, we are dangerously thin.

3. If we are looking at starting the season with 4 players who cant play (3 of whom were special teams contributors) do we start the season with fewer offensive linemen who can't help on special teams?  Is Martin, McQ, Berger or Lek the loser here?  Do we have to cut one (or more) and hope we can pick them up when if we sign a vet WR after week 1 and cut him in week 4 or 5?

4. What is the impact of the increased need for gunners?  Does it impact the secondary situation?  I think we can make up for the loss of return men (Scandrick, Pac, Felix, Jenkins, Newman, and others can return the ball in  a pinch) but we need people to step up and handle coverage.  Does this mean a guy like Hannah gets a second lease on life he can be effective?

5.  Any other ways Jerry can manipulate the roster?

I saw a link to a Denver Post article on the joint practice that had this nuggett:

Lowlight

If one thing was clear from Wednesday's morning practice it was that the Broncos could have some serious trouble in the trenches against bigger offensive and defensive lines this year. The Broncos' biggest bodies on both sides of the ball were bullied repeatedly by the Cowboys in one-on-one drills. The defensive line had it especially rough, as Tim Crowder, Josh Mallard, Kenny Peterson, John Engelberger and Ebenezer Ekuban all found themselves tossed to the grass by various Cowboys.

I know the zone blocking guys are smaller and the 1x1 drills may take away a lot of their advantages (a nice way of saying its tougher to hit a guy in the back when he is looking at you) but its nice to see our guys are taking it to them.  Its also nice to see Ekuban still stinks.  I am floored that he is still in the league.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10194054

HI guys, long time no post.  Hope all is well. Work has bee busy and other than watching the draft (and I give it a B minus) I haven't been that active. 

Still a coworker sent me this link on Friday and I howled.  Pretty funny stuff.

Can't wait for pre-season.

By the way, the great thing about having two first round picks is it feel near as bad when we read that Jenkins looks bad in minicap.

Anyway, enjoy this link:

http://www.bangcartoon.com/2007/pacmandallas.htm

there is some strong language (before you play it at work)

here is another (albeit less relevant)

http://www.bangcartoon.com/2007/pacman2.htm

I have been meaning to post this for a few weeks but have been swamped.

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interesting link http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/... i am not sure what kind of player this guy is, but he is a heck of young man.  what a story.

Darren McFadden is a great college running back.  He has excelled against top botch competiton and appears to be a rare talent.  Rumors that Dallas might trade up to grab DMac are becoming louder.  I think it could be a mistake to trade up for the player.  Why?

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Profootballtalk.com had some great stuff on Parcells / Ireland /etc

here is the link http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumor...

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Ok guys, the offseason is here.  Players are commodities, like cattle.  It's harsh but true.  Overpaying for favorites got us in salary cap hell last time we were good.  The Pats and the Eagles have showed us the way to run a franchise these days and its by being ruthless with your roster.  

It's no fun to cut name guys, trade down in the draft or sign mid level free agents as role players, but it is the best model for success in the NFL these days.

** Please note I have not done all the work on the cap hits for these guys like DeRat did, so not all the guys would help the cap this year.  This is less a pure salary cap impact question, as much as it is "Would you rather have the player or the cash"

Hat tips to mgssmith100 and DeRat for their outstanding work.  

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Looking at the the roster and our needs here are my thoughts on the off season.  Some of the things I will suggest are non-standard.  Here are my basic precepts:

• The draft gives a chance at below market prices on young players.  It is unfair to players but provides great value to teams.
• Free agency forces teams to pay market (or above market) prices for players.
• Teams get better by stock piling draft picks and building through the draft.
• Teams get in cap hell by building through free-agency.

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