Elway now targeting MLB: Beason or Smith?

[Denver Mike]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...broncos-radar/

At this point, it might be simpler to name the defensive free agents the Broncos are not trying to sign.

Denver, which has already acquired big-name help for its secondary in the form of Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward, and which is hosting pass rusher DeMarcus Ware today, is also hoping to add some help at middle linebacker.

Jon Beason and Daryl Smith are the two names the Broncos are considering in the middle, according to the Denver Post.

Beason shook off injuries that limited him to five games over two years in 2011 and 2012, earning a starting job with the Panthers and then starting 11 games for the Giants after he was traded early in the season. Although his experience and injury history might make it feel like he’s an old veteran at the end of his career, he’s only 29 and looked last season like he still has some good football left in him.

Smith was a second-round draft pick of the Jaguars in 2004 and played there until last year, when he signed a one-year contract with the Ravens. He started all 16 games and had three interceptions and five sacks.

Either Beason or Smith could provide an upgrade to the Broncos’ defense. Which has already been upgraded twice in the first 17 hours of free agency.

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Very curious to see how it all pans out...

Dang man.. that Elway.. saw somewhere he can convince a cow to sign with Outback.

[BroncoFanBoy]

I'd love for us to sign Daryl Smith.

[Murph2432]

I'd rather get a DE and then draft a MLB. We don't have the money for both

[CTM]

I'd rather get a DE and then draft a MLB. We don't have the money for both

I think after Talib we still have something like 15 mil in cap room, and that's before releasing Dressen.

[Hadez]

I'd rather get a DE and then draft a MLB. We don't have the money for both

While I think making our pass rush elite should be number 1 priority I do not want to make us weak against the run either. I think we have room for both.

I do not know how the cap money gets consumed but every year it seems we "find" more money as the offseason goes on.

My current "assumption" is when we see a contract we assume every year is equal pay...some contracts have low amounts specially the first year.

Also like CTM brought up we have more cap space we can easily get by making cuts.

[Saucy]

I wish people would stop obsessing over the cap. We have a lot of space left.

[cdumler7]

Yeah I think people seem to automatically assume every year of a contract is the same against the Cap. Look at Byrd for the Saints as a great example. The only way they could sign him is by backloading some of the bigger Cap hits. A team can convert money into a signing bonus pushing some of the money back. Until we see the actual details of these contracts we really have no clue what the Cap hit is for this upcoming season on the guys we have already signed. Even if they are equal we could then backload the next group that we sign considering how much Cap Space we are supposed to have next season.

[dukes88]

Yes, we have brought in every MLB that has taken visits so far this offseason and will sign someone. We clearly decided that WW is not the guy (even though many of us assumed he had taken that roll early in the season) and Lenon cannot be a starter for us anymore... I prefer Smith - but would be happy with Beason or draft one very early this year and plug him in (#Shazierinthefirst).

[Elwaychampions]

At this point, so far, (I say) when we sign D. Ware.... Then....
Maybe we can sign Lofa Tatupu and trade up in 1st round of the draft to get either Khalil Mack or C. J. Mosely! My thoughts/hopes

[FR Tim]

At this point, so far, (I say) when we sign D. Ware.... Then....
Maybe we can sign Lofa Tatupu and trade up in 1st round of the draft to get either Khalil Mack or C. J. Mosely! My thoughts/hopes

Do not see a rookie ILB. Fox and JDR seem to prefer the wily vet in that position. Giving up speed and athleticism for good decision making. Not necessarily my choice but it has been the pattern the past few years.

[Montoya]

Beason Beason Beason !!!

[MHS]

at this point i hope broncos sign ware and then are done spending significant money in FA and focus on drafting the rest of the broncos needs like LG and ILB

[IHaveBRONC-itus]

Daryl Smith would be Great at MLB he can handle the play call and pressure (filing in R. Lewis' Shoes Last Year)

[Joshua2585]

at this point i hope broncos sign ware and then are done spending significant money in FA and focus on drafting the rest of the broncos needs like LG and ILB

They won't do that... this will be an ongoing theme until Peyton decides to retire, then they'll focus more on the future. They want a championship before Bowlen is done. We will see splashes in FA and big money for short term contracts every year until we win/Peyton retires. SB or Bust mentality.

[ERoyal248]

Vic Lombardi @VicLombardi 3h
yes. they prefer Beason, but so do a lot of teams.