A sequel of Von Miller in Denver, which would be embraced by apountry, left me reflecting on a question with an unpopular answer.
Could the Broncos use a veteran edge rusher? Absolutely. Is Miller the best fit? Unlikely.
Columnists and fans construct rosters in fantasy leagues, not reality. And while a “Von Encore” strikes a chord from Trinidad to Timnath, it does not fit Sean Payton’s blueprint. He did not leave New Orleans. He brought it with him to Denver.
So when thinking about a veteran to complement a defense that set a franchise record with 68 sacks last season, Cam Jordan makes the most sense. This is not a debate on who is better between him and Miller.
It is more an exercise of following the spills of gumbo bites the past three years. Payton leans on players he trusts, that he knows, guys who respond to his coaching and can mesh seamlessly into the locker room.
I think the current version of Miller could do that. But I know Jordan would.
Jordan played 11 seasons for Payton, earning three All-Pro nods and seven Pro Bowl berths. He delivered 107 sacks, or roughly 10 per season. He is not that player anymore, but he is not not that guy. He posted 10.5 sacks a year ago.
Of course, the Saints fans want him to finish out in New Orleans. But given the players the Saints have signed this offseason, it creates an opening for Jordan to exit.
Why not Denver?
At 36, he remains healthy and productive. He never misses games, and is not typecast as a situational pass rusher. He is a solid run defender, and while he would not have to do that a lot in Denver, it makes it easier to get him snaps in any rotation.
The Broncos lost John Franklin-Myers in free agency. He had to leave to get big money, a three-year deal with $42 million guaranteed.
Could Jordan be landed for one-year, $10 million? And push it to $12 or $13 million with incentives? He is a proud man who will have multiple potential landing spots, like Chicago, for instance.
The Broncos are in their Super Bowl window. They signed one external free agent and were the last team to make a draft pick. Receiver Jaylen Waddle was a tremendous addition, but he cannot be the only big splash.
The idea of Eyioma Uwazurike and Tyler Onyedim battling for Myers’ vacant spot makes sense. But why not provide a layer of protection on the edge with a veteran?
With a championship as the only goal, why not sign Jordan?
Draymond out of line: Draymond Green is a polarizing figure. Because of his almost daily podcasts, he has become overexposed. He recently made the laughable claim that Warriors coach Steve Kerr “hindered” his career by never calling offensive plays for him. And on “Inside The NBA,” he went way too far in taking a shot at Charles Barkley, explaining he did not want to finish his career like Barkley did in Houston. Excuse me? Barkley averaged 16.5 points and 12.2 points per game for a contender. Green struggles to score 16 points in an empty gym. We all know Green is a great defender and passer, but he lucked out in landing with the Warriors. Going forward, he needs to handle his media appearances like his shooting. Less is more.
That is Wild: Some Minnesota Wild fans are whining about the physicality of the Avs. You don’t say? Did not hear a peep from Minnesota sports fans when the Timberwolves were roughing up the Nuggets. Denver deserved to get dunked on by Minnesota. No excuses. Same goes for the Wild. They are a great team. Let’s not make this series about the officials. It is a bad look.
College fear: As more schools cut non-revenue sports, it is becoming obvious that college football and basketball have turned universities into part-time businesses. This trend is not going to stop when a school would rather pay a starting quarterback $4 million than fund the golf or tennis program. It is why I hope college athletes, perhaps only in football and basketball, become unionized employees with a collective bargaining agreement that creates a salary cap.
