Almost every box delivered to apentral in Dove Valley is apparently stamped: “Damaged goods.”
That doesn’t mean the goods won’t be good, but they are slightly dented, missing a piece, broken a bit, cracked or used.
(Sounds like my luggage when it arrives at the carousel at DIA … if it arrives.)
The Broncos have agreed to contract terms with a free- agent wide receiver who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and a broken heart.
Brandon Stokley is one of nine veteran players the Broncos have signed or traded for recently. Each is flawed, but aren’t we all?
Here’s the boxed set:
1. Stokley tore the tendon while playing for Indianapolis at Jacksonville on Dec. 10. He missed the playoffs and the Colts’ Super Bowl victory. Insult was piled onto injury when the Colts released Stokley.
The 30-year-old possession receiver, Peyton Manning’s roommate on the road and the quarterback’s third-favorite target, is rehabbing and said he intends to be ready for camp in July. After suffering a similar injury in 2004, former Philadelphia Eagles wideout Todd Pinkston didn’t play in 2005 and was cut in training camp last year.
Achilles, hero of the Trojan War, had the original Achilles’ heel injury when his heel was pierced by an arrow from Paris (a warrior, not the city or the hotel heiress).
Achilles didn’t recover well from the injury. Instead, he died.
A successful comeback by Stokley would be a boon for the Broncos and a blessing for Stokley. He caught 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2004. Last year, though, he played in only four games because of injuries to his ankle, his knee and, finally, his Achilles tendon, finishing with eight receptions.
The 5-foot-11 Stokley never drops a ball. I’ve always loved his game, and the Broncos saw him enough in three consecutive playoff losses to Baltimore and Indianapolis.
But Stokley is a reach now, not unlike some other freshly baked Broncos.
2. The Broncos signed Patrick Ramsey as their No. 2 quarterback.
He completed as many NFL passes last year as you did.
Zero.
He was drafted by Washington at the bottom of the first round in 2002, but the Redskins gave up on Ramsey before last season and traded him for a sixth-round selection.
3. New fullback Paul Smith, not to be confused with Broncos Ring of Fame defensive lineman Paul Smith, ran the ball with the St. Louis Rams as many times last year as you did.
Zero.
The oft-injured Smith has started eight games in seven seasons.
4. The Broncos traded for enormous defensive lineman Dan Wilkinson. Maybe they should put his photo on the side of a milk carton. Big Daddy is missing, not in action.
5. The Broncos signed guard Montrae Holland, who has endured knee problems since he played at Florida State. He started about 50 percent of his games with New Orleans in four years.
6. Running back Travis Henry, who was released by Tennessee and signed to large cash by the Broncos, is a one-slash, downhill thousand-yard runner, but he did have fumble and injury problems early in his career and off-the-field troubles three times. He is in the league’s substance-abuse program until the third game of the season.
7. Pro Bowl cornerback Dré Bly was acquired from the Detroit Lions, but he has gone Harpo on us, declining to talk directly to the media and the public or show up in Denver. He reportedly preferred to play in D.C. How did that work out for Ramsey? Maybe Bly is afraid that every pass will be thrown in his direction, not to Champ Bailey’s side. Or maybe he and Wilkinson don’t plan to play in paradise.
8. Defensive lineman Alvin McKinley signed with the Broncos on Tuesday. In 2005, when Cleveland got rid of four defensive linemen and their position coach, who all wound up in Denver, McKinley became a starter with the Browns. Now, two of those Browncos and the coach are out, and McKinley is in for one of them at defensive tackle. As a defensive end, he had nine sacks in seven years, and the Browns didn’t want to re-sign him.
9. Tight end Daniel Graham, who I’ve watched play at Thomas Jefferson High School, Colorado and New England, was signed by the Broncos. I also saw his twin brother, his older brother and his father play.
Daniel wants to play in Denver (as his dad did), talks, isn’t returning from an injury, is an outstanding blocker and hasn’t been a bust or been busted. What’s wrong with him? Nothing that a few dozen catches won’t take care of.
10? The Broncos have gambled on players, but so far, in quality and quantity of offseason moves, they must be ranked among the top six teams.
Because the other teams have gotten their own damaged goods.
Staff writer Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com.
