Simeon Rice, Jeremiah Trotter, Chad Brown, Jeremy Bloom, Dhani Jones, Billy McMullen, Zack Crockett and Bryan Gilmore.
Now that I’ve got your attention …
Those names ought to get the attention of the Broncos.
The Broncos have declared their 53-player roster final.
Only, it is not their final-final roster.
Because there will be a final-final-final roster.
Temporarily.
For the time being, the Broncos chose a kicker, a punter, a long snapper, two quarterbacks, six running backs, five receivers, four tight ends, nine offensive linemen, 10 defensive linemen, six linebackers and nine defensive backs. (Before mathematicians complain, the numbers add up to 54; defensive end Kenny Peterson has received a four- game suspension for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.)
But the Broncos don’t play until Sunday at Buffalo. The other NFL teams’ cuts have been made, and the Broncos’ roster will, and should, be given a nip and a tuck, a tweak and a snip.
The Broncos need a fullback, a wide receiver, a defensive lineman, a linebacker and a return specialist.
Simeon Rice is the most logical addition to an uncertain defensive line. The Broncos can’t wait for their three rookies to develop. Rice, a 33-year-old, 11-year veteran defensive end with Arizona and Tampa Bay, is 13th on the all-time list of sacks, with 121. He did fail the Bucs’ precamp physical (shoulder), but has since passed another. Rice has narrowed his choices to the Broncos and St. Louis Rams. John Lynch, a former teammate of his, wants Rice here and has begged him to come. That’s good enough for me. The Broncos need another pressure presence and another leader who has a Super Bowl ring.
Linebacker? I have three for consideration. Trotter was Philadelphia’s middle linebacker in Super Bowl XXXIX and a Pro Bowler the past two years. His production in pass coverage has fallen off, but he can still stop the run, and the Broncos weren’t able to dominate in the exhibitions. Trotter could take over in the middle, and D.J. Williams would return to his natural strongside position. Don’t like that, Coach? I have more.
Dhani Jones was a full-time starter at strongside linebacker for three seasons with Philadelphia, before being released, picked up by New Orleans and recently cut. He’s a player, he designs and sells ties, and he is one of the most likeable guys in pro football. And why wouldn’t the Broncos bring in Chad Brown for a tryout? The former CU linebacker, a 14-year veteran, has played outside for Seattle, Pittsburgh and New England. The Patriots let him go. He’s an upgrade over Wesly Mallard.
Fullback? The Broncos should take a look at Zack Crockett, late of the Oakland Raiders. In a horrendous offense, the 240-pound veteran blocked and was effective at the goal line. He can catch a little. And it would be a nice coup.
Wide receivers? I have three here, too. Bryan Gilmore is a name you don’t know, but should. In the last real game the Broncos played, Gilmore started the 49ers’ second overtime possession with a 20-yard reverse to move San Francisco into Denver territory, then caught a 14-yard pass to the 25 that helped set up the winning field goal. Gilmore helped keep the Broncos out of the playoffs. Now, he might help them get into the playoffs. The 49ers called Gilmore “the toughest cut” on Saturday. He was their third and fastest receiver in 2006.
Billy McMullen, released by Minnesota, had 41 catches, with a solid 14-yard average per, the past two seasons, playing in every game.
I have saved the most intriguing receiver/returner for last.
The first time he touched the ball as a collegian, in a Colorado-Colorado State game, he returned the punt 75 yards for a touchdown. The first time he caught a pass, he had the longest touchdown reception in CU history – 94 yards. In one game, he finished with 250 yards on kickoff and punt returns. He has won the World Cup moguls title and represented the United States at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. And he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles last year, but was on injured reserve the entire season.
The Eagles just cut Colorado’s own Bloom. The Broncos should sign him and bring him back to glory.
The Broncos’ final roster is not finalized, and that’s final.
Staff writer Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com.
