Denver Bronco’s Win Big, Lose Bigger

Undoubtedly Peyton Manning was the gem of this free agency period.  He is also one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever have played this game.  Now he is a Denver Bronco.  The Bronco’s brass did everything they could to make sure they made it so, they exhausted all their resources, and when the decision had to be made they got the call and quickly a contract was signed for 5 years $96 million.

However, despite landing the biggest free agent of all time, the price might have been too steep.  Now, I’m not talking about in relation to the cap, but in relation to the development of the team.  The Bronco’s aren’t a perfect or complete football team.  They weren’t considered a playoff contender this past year when they were able to defeat an aging Pittsburgh team.  There are substantial holes this roster that still haven’t been filled.

The Bronco’s started free agency with a few priorities.  Broderick Bunkley, the Bronco’s acquisition from the Eagles, had to be re-signed as an anchor on a porous defense line.  They needed to look at a LG and RT, a wide receiver wasn’t out of the question, safety is becoming a position of need, as well as ILB.  Those listed are just the immediate holes, they still need to solidify the RB position, and they need depth at CB, and certainly could afford to spend some money on a center.  Additionally, they now only really have one quarterback on the roster… a 36 year old that is coming off of neck surgery.

The big argument here is that the signing still allows the Bronco’s about $40 million in cap space.  Yet, it’s been a few days, Bunkley signed with the New Orleans Saints today, the market is bare, and it seems that the Bronco’s have set up visits with Peyton’s old posse.  Jeff Saturday is en route for a visit, Jacob Tamme has been on the radar of the Bronco’s, and one has to believe Dallas Clark is on his way.

While I see what the Bronco’s want to do, I find it hard to see how they are really considering the team’s best interest.  This was a team who started a youth movement, a rebuilding if you will; now they put the team’s future on hold in hopes of buying a championship.  The Bronco’s have a smart and loyal fan base but it’s hard to believe that these are smart football decisions. The holes aren’t being fixed by bringing in an old Colts regime that only won one Super Bowl, and there is no promise that this can last more than one season.  So consider me in the minority, I don’t think the Bronco’s are a Super Bowl favorite, in fact I think they are a distance way.  Unless they have an incredible draft, not even Peyton can save them from their negligence.