In their quest to take that final step toward the Super Bowl, the Broncos apparently felt they first had to take three steps back.
Gone are defensive end Trevor Pryce, running back Mike Anderson and tight end Jeb Putzier. All were released Wednesday, victims of the salary cap.
The Broncos probably would not have secured home-field advantage for the AFC championship game last season without them. How are the Broncos supposed to win the Super Bowl now that they’re gone?
The Broncos will have to replace them with better players.
“I feel good about the depth on our football team, and the plan we’ve talked about will still go forward,” Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said.
Pryce had 64 sacks in nine years with Broncos, but only four in the 2005 season and none in 2004, when he underwent major back surgery.
The Broncos’ first choice to replace him may be to swing a trade with the New York Jets for defensive end John Abraham, who has had at least 10 sacks in his past four full seasons.
However, Abraham is scheduled to make $8.33 million next season, and the Broncos are expected to be less than $5 million under the salary cap by today’s deadline.
Most likely, the Broncos will move Corey Jackson from the practice squad into their defensive line rotation, which will include Courtney Brown, Ebenezer Ekuban, Gerard Warren, Michael Myers, Demetrin Veal and John Engelberger.
The Broncos could use one of their two first-round draft picks on a defensive end. Among the top prospects who could be available when the Broncos select at the 22nd and 29th overall spots are Penn State’s Tamba Hali, Florida State’s Kamerion Wimbley and Boston College’s Mathias Kiwanuka.
As for replacing Anderson, the Broncos had planned to use Ron Dayne as their power back. The question is whether speed back Tatum Bell will get more carries. During the 2005 season, Anderson averaged roughly 16 carries a game to 11.5 carries for Bell.
There’s also a chance the Broncos’ No. 1 running back isn’t on the team yet. Denver could select an elite rushing prospect within the first three rounds of the April 29-30 draft.
Among the backs expect to go in the second or third round are LSU’s Joseph Addai, Mississippi State’s Jerious Norwood, Wisconsin’s Brian Calhoun and UCLA’s Maurice Drew. And if Southern California’s LenDale White slips to No. 22?
“I’m not worried about that,” Bell said. “Me, Dayne and whoever they draft.”
Footnotes
Sundquist said Wednesday the plan was still to retain tackle Matt Lepsis and Warren. Today is the last chance to secure the players before they hit the open market. Sundquist remains optimistic the deals will get done. … Among the teams that could be interested in Putzier are Houston and Washington. Anderson could attract interest from Houston and Miami.
