Indianapolis – Until they were confronted with the unthinkable need to replace the tragic losses of two young players, the Broncos had other roster priorities.
And with the free-agent and trading period opening Friday, the Broncos have no choice but to simultaneously grieve and make cold, hard roster decisions.
Logic cannot fully explain why the Broncos were dealing with the death Saturday of backup running back Damien Nash from an apparent heart attack less than two months after the team lost cornerback Darrent Williams, who was murdered in a drive-by shooting.
“We were going to give (Nash) a chance to see what he could do, see if he could be that wild card for us,” said Mike Heimerdinger, the Broncos’ assistant head coach for offense.
It was easier for the Broncos to make sense of where their 2006 season went wrong, and how they can fix their roster for 2007.
One solution: The Broncos want to get bigger, especially up front, on both sides of the scrimmage line. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has said the notion he prefers smaller linemen always has been a fallacy.
“You always want big players,” Shanahan said last week. “You just want big guys who can move.”
On offense, the Broncos will build around second-year quarterback Jay Cutler by building him a bigger wall. The biggest change, so to speak, will be at right guard, where 302-pound Chris Kuper is expected to replace 295-pound Cooper Carlisle, who is about to enter unrestricted free agency.
The Broncos also could inquire about Cincinnati’s Eric Steinbach or San Diego’s Kris Dielman, guards widely considered by NFL coaches and executives as the top two prizes in this year’s free-agent market.
As for the Broncos’ existing line, the return of Matt Lepsis from knee surgery will allow 305-pound Erik Pears to move from left to right tackle, where he will compete with veteran Adam Meadows as a replacement for George Foster, a former first-round draft pick who will be traded or released.
With veteran Tom Nalen entrenched at center, the Broncos’ only “undersized” lineman, as defined by a scout’s prototype, would be left guard Ben Hamilton. And the Broncos have asked Hamilton to bulk up from his 283-pound playing weight.
On defense, more size up front was deemed necessary after the Broncos seemingly wore down during the second half of their 2006 season, particularly during the second half of games.
Myers update
With free agency coming, veteran defensive tackle Michael Myers, who is considered a tad undersized by standards at his position, does not appear to be close on a new contract with the Broncos.
“My agent has been talking to them, but I’m not sure what they’re thinking,” Myers said. “Hopefully, we can work something out because I want to keep playing for the Broncos.”
