Lofty goals were set. Big plans were made.
To win the Super Bowl in early 2008, the Broncos had to make their move now, in early March.
Executing the offseason roster transformation project, however, brought haggles followed by adjustments, frustrations and victories, hopes and disappointments.
Through it all, the Broncos’ brass persevered. They ignored their successes and failures alike until they sat down with a free agent tight end who was much in demand.
In Daniel Graham, the Broncos had their human pendulum between bitter and sweet. Formerly with the New England Patriots and the University of Colorado, Graham spent the past two days waffling between rotating offers from the Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. In what was every free agent’s dream, Graham kept getting new proposals that were always a little better than the previous ones.
When the final papers were delivered, it was the Broncos who secured Graham with a $15 million promise.
“To think when I played, that would have bought a franchise,” said Tom Graham, Daniel’s father and a middle linebacker for the Broncos and San Diego Chargers in the 1970s.
Where the Broncos are going to get the money, only an existing veteran player or two is sure to find out. But by signing Graham, the Broncos’ front office executives had every right to high-five one another for a job well done. They had upgraded three pivotal positions with Graham at tight end, Travis Henry at running back and Dré Bly at cornerback. They also fortified depth on the offensive line with Montrae Holland, on the defensive line with Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson and at fullback and the special teams with Paul Smith.
When the new Broncos convene for offseason workouts April 2, Dove Valley is sure to shake with realistic Super Bowl dreams.
“I think it’s going to happen,” Henry said. “Coach Shanahan, he told me they put themselves in position to compete for the world championship every year. We’ve got a good defense. Our offense is going to be exciting with Jay Cutler.”
There is more work between now and the NFL draft April 28-29. But make no mistake, the Broncos, through the competitive power of Mike Shanahan, have distanced themselves from their most recent, 9-7, no-playoff season.
Graham, a terrific blocker and an adequate receiver, was the difference from an incomplete grade to solid B on the Broncos’ offseason progress report. Lose him to Seattle, and the Broncos may be left considering what could have been.
The Broncos didn’t get defensive end Patrick Kerney, who signed instead with those ever-pesky Seahawks. Denver also didn’t get veteran backup quarterback Brad Johnson, who took one look at Cutler’s future and determined there was greater chance for playing time while waiting behind Tony Romo in Dallas.
And don’t forget the shocking deaths of Darrent Williams and Damien Nash, not that anybody ever will. Then there’s Bly, who is trying to force a trade to Washington. Why? Because nobody burns money in new contracts like the Redskins.
“Anytime you have a chance to get a top pass rusher or a cover corner, you have to try to do it,” said Bill Johnson, the Broncos’ new defensive line coach, referring to Kerney and Bly. “If you don’t get them, you move on.”
No team tried harder than the Broncos to add so many high-end players this offseason.
But even Henry had some explaining to do. Early in the 2005 season, he was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse program. Although Henry has been clean for 1 1/2 years, the risk for the Broncos is one more slip and their new running back is gone for a full season.
“That was addressed in our meeting,” Henry said. “It was brought up by Coach Shanahan, and I told him that’s behind me. I looked him in the eye and told him I made a mistake. … I’m not going to make that mistake again. It’s behind me and I’ve moved on.”
Up next for the Broncos is to acquire another veteran backup quarterback, and maybe another cornerback, if they acquiesce to Bly’s wishes by dealing him to the Redskins in a package that would bring back the No. 6 overall draft pick.
Regardless of how the Broncos’ winter overhaul concludes, Graham will be considered the final piece, while Henry is the centerpiece. Between his time with Buffalo and Tennessee, Henry has 1,200-, 1,300- and 1,400-yard rushing seasons.
He figures the Broncos’ unusual zone-block running scheme will get him to 1,500.
For most of the winter, it appeared the Broncos wouldn’t have the budget to match their ambition. Entering the free agent and trading period, the Broncos were only an estimated $4 million below the cap. Yet, somehow the Broncos found $12 million for Henry and $15 million for Graham.
The MVP of the Broncos’ offseason? It might be Mike Bluem, the Broncos’ salary cap wizard.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
Dove Valley report
The ever-ambitious Broncos move on through their offseason. Reporter Mike Klis breaks down what has gone right, what has gone wrong and what’s next:
THE GOOD
More skills
RB Travis Henry, CB Dré Bly and TE Daniel Graham add three elite players at three pivotal positions.
More brawn
The acquisition of Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson and promotion of Chris Kuper or Montrae Holland on offense give the Broncos much-needed size up front.
New coaches
Nothing against Larry Coyer and his assistants, but when the job doesn’t get done, maybe someone else can do it.
THE BAD
Player tragedies
Starting CB Darrent Williams and backup RB Damien Nash both died at 24.
Free-agent pratfalls
Failing to sign DE Patrick Kerney and backup QB Brad Johnson were disappointments.
Botched trade
Trading the retired Jake Plummer was an awkward, time-wasting moment.
WHAT’S NEXT
A quality, experienced backup quarterback is particularly important for the inexperienced Jay Cutler. The next biggest question is how much energy coach Mike Shanahan will devote to moving up from the No. 21 overall spot in the April draft.
