I like what this article says about Derek Wolfe. I have a feeling he'll be this year's "surprise" equivalent to J. J. Watt last season.
I don't know if Justin Bannan will start or not, but Denver should have both he and Wolfe on the field a fair amount of the time. It's been quite a while since an NFL team played two White defensive tackles. Add in Tamme and Dreessen at TE, and of course Manning, Decker and three White starters on the o-line, maybe Stokley in the slot at least some of the time, and the Broncos will be one of the best teams to root for, especially if Decker has a big year.
ROSTER BONUS
Peyton Manning isn’t the Broncos only notable offseason move
By Eric Goodman
The excitement to see Peyton Manning throwing passes for the start of mini-camp later this month, unless you got a sneak peek at a Denver area park or high school practice field earlier this spring, is palpable. Manning is unquestionably the Broncos top offseason story; his large presence has easily overshadowed other significant roster upgrades.
Denver desperately needed a major facelift at defense tackle, and they got it.
One person in the Broncos war room on draft night privately told me about Derek Wolfe, “This guy plays with such an edge and high motor, the only way to stop him is with a bullet. We needed a nasty guy on defense after losing Brian Dawkins and we got it in Wolfe.” Say what you want about the Broncos passing on Jerel Worthy or Devon Still, but those guys have a history of not playing hard on every down. No one will have to motivate Wolfe.
Justin Bannan might not be the most talented defensive tackle in the league, but he’s got a high motor, as well. Throw in Ty Warren, who still needs to work out his contract situation and regain form after missing the last two seasons with injuries, and the Broncos could be getting a valuable “free agent” pick up. Kevin Vickerson and Ben Garland, another guy with a tireless work ethic, give this defense the potential to have their best group of defensive tackles since the franchise went to the AFC Championship Game in 2005-06.
Also overlooked are the major upgrades at cornerback. If the Broncos didn’t know it already, after getting dismantled by the Patriots in the playoffs, it’s imperative to have three legitimate corners on the roster. Not two cornerbacks and a nickel, but three starting-caliber corners. Champ Bailey, former Saints starting cornerback Tracy Porter, and 31-year-old veteran Drayton Florence, who the Broncos quietly picked up, are bona fide starting defensive backs. Add up-and-comer Chris Harris, veteran Cassius Vaughn, and fourth-round pick Omar Bolden to the mix and the Broncos haven’t been this deep in recent memory.
Denver has also improved on offense.
Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen wouldn’t have been much use for Tim Tebow, but Manning has a history of showcasing pass catching tight ends. Now, he’s got a pair of talented weapons and the best pair this Broncos franchise has seen in a very long time.
It may be too early to anoint Willis McGahee and third-round draft pick Ronnie Hillman “Thunder and Lightning,” but this duo gives the Broncos versatile options in the backfield with McGahee’s power and Hillman’s speed, especially on third down.
There’s even more depth on a solid offensive line. Ryan Harris is a great option to back up Ryan Clady or Orlando Franklin at tackle, and don’t be surprised if fifth-round pick Phillip Blake challenges either center J.D. Walton or guard Zane Beadles.
However, there are still problems on the roster. Mike Adams is a nice safety, but John Elway better hope Rahim Moore
and Quinton Carter pan out. Robert Ayers needs to play like a first-round draft pick. D.J Williams has to find a way to shave time off his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. And the incredibly talented Demaryius Thomas needs to run better routes and stay healthy.
There are even questions about Manning besides missing all of last season with a surgically repaired neck. The future Hall of Famer had the luxury of playing in the same offense for the last 13 years without consistent turnover from his wide receivers and tight ends. But now, Manning is working with a new group and it could take more time to gel than one might think.
The Broncos have a significantly better roster, besides the addition of Manning, but that doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily translate into 11 or 12 wins. The schedule is especially grueling during the opening five weeks when Manning will be trying to find a rhythm with the offense.
Denver has far more talent compared to last season’s AFC West championship team and the difference is much more than Manning. Although, their new quarterback is pretty good.
Eric Goodman hosts The Mile High Club with Eric, Kiz, and Burns from 7a-9a Monday through Friday on Mile High Sports Radio (AM1510 | FM 93.7). You can also follow Eric Goodman on Twitter @ericgoodman.
http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=10113
