NFL playoff-caliber teams are not built on stars alone.
See the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and a reserve cornerback named Malcolm Butler.
In a 24-hour period, the Broncos’ depth initially took a hit when two of their popular, hardworking reserves, Jacob Tamme and Mitch Unrein, signed elsewhere. But the Broncos rebounded Thursday by signing backup inside linebacker Reggie Walker, who has played for the Arizona Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers.
Tamme, a “receiving” tight end, signed a two-year contract Thursday morning with the Atlanta Falcons.
“I really appreciated the Broncos’ interest, and I really loved my time in Denver,” Tamme said. “Loved the organization, loved my teammates, loved the city. Obviously, Peyton is one of my best friends and it’s going to be difficult not being out there with him because that’s been a great ride for me and a lot of fun. But the Falcons had what I was looking for — a fresh opportunity and a fresh challenge.”
Unrein, a defensive tackle, signed a two-year, $1.9 million contract Wednesday with the Chargers. The Broncos tried to re-sign each player.
Denver countered by adding Walker on a one-year, $795,000 contract that includes a $50,000 signing bonus. He can make another $200,000 in playing-time incentives.
Inside linebacker is a position where the Broncos needed insurance. Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall are proven starters but are coming off significant injuries.
The Broncos haven’t dismissed the possibility of re-signing Nate Irving, but the inside linebacker has drawn interest from several other teams, including Arizona, Indianapolis, Chicago and the New York Jets.
Trevathan missed most of last season because of two separate fractures in his left kneecap area. Marshall’s breakout season was halted late by a Lisfranc sprain in the bottom of his right foot.
Walker, 28, was undrafted out of Kansas State in 2009 but is entering his seventh NFL season. Primarily a special-teams player and backup linebacker, Walker made the only six starts in his NFL career in 2013 with the Chargers. Even if he doesn’t play much linebacker, he figures to be a major contributor for Joe DeCamillis, the Broncos’ new special-teams coordinator.
In his first season with the Broncos, Tamme caught 52 passes. But in 2013, Julius Thomas emerged as the Broncos’ starting tight, and much of Tamme’s playing time was further diminished by the addition of slot receiver Wes Welker.
Rather than sulk, Tamme dedicated himself to special teams and made a team-high 10 tackles in 2013. He also had 20 catches. Last year, Tamme took a pay cut to stay with the Broncos and continued to play special teams while recording 14 catches.
He also became the team’s union rep.
