Potential Cuts this offseason to look for.

[diesel51]

While this debate on which Bronco players could see the ax, what we really need to know is which current players will be available in free agency when the season is over.

[Butler By'Note]

That's the entire D. How are you going to replace them?

You don't replace the entire D, nor would I lobby to. What I'm saying is that if there's a rift in the team, and there's one or two people who are locker room cancers, you have to get rid of them, or you risk having the locker room be toxic next year.

None of us know the details of what happened this year, we've seen reports, but none of us really know. Elway does, if he doesn't make any changes then I'm confident there never really was that big of a rift or issue. But if there was I wouldn't be shocked if someone unexpected gets moved.

[ksubroncosfan]

That is a 4 game average of 17 points per game...I'd hardly say that is the defense getting piss or allowing a sub par offense get to them. If anything I'd say they held their own and did their job.

Week 16. They didn't hold their own, they didn't do their jobs, they were pathetic. People on here were speculating the defense didn't give their best effort because they didn't want to get hurt if the offense wasn't going to do anything anyways.

I have no idea if that's true, I would hope not. But if it is, that's why you get rid of the players that create the rift.

That's one game.

[Butler By'Note]

That's one game.

But if we're talking about 4 games, and we're talking about in those 4 games the defense "holding it's own" it's fair to point out that in one of those games, the defense did no such thing, they were absolutely awful.

Given how the Raiders offense performed yesterday I would also question whether using the results from week 17 should even be counted in the total?

But I'm jaded, given how poor the run defense was, all year, I don't want the defense to look at any section of the season and consider that they held their own. I want them to look at this season as a failure.

Getting the run defense fixed is almost as big of a priority this offseason as getting the o-line fixed.

[Rich_C]

Week 16. They didn't hold their own, they didn't do their jobs, they were pathetic. People on here were speculating the defense didn't give their best effort because they didn't want to get hurt if the offense wasn't going to do anything anyways.

I have no idea if that's true, I would hope not. But if it is, that's why you get rid of the players that create the rift.

nothing more than speculation at this point. On top of that our defense held Brady to...16 points and our offense still couldn't win...at a quick glance the only other team to hold them below 20 was us and the Bills I believe. I think the loss in week 16 was so glaring because it was such a key game for us and we got beaten so badly in the 1st half....1st quarter for that matter...

[Rich_C]

But if we're talking about 4 games, and we're talking about in those 4 games the defense "holding it's own" it's fair to point out that in one of those games, the defense did no such thing, they were absolutely awful.

Given how the Raiders offense performed yesterday I would also question whether using the results from week 17 should even be counted in the total?

But I'm jaded, given how poor the run defense was, all year, I don't want the defense to look at any section of the season and consider that they held their own. I want them to look at this season as a failure.

Getting the run defense fixed is almost as big of a priority this offseason as getting the o-line fixed.

Right I agree and the two major pieces there are poor pressure and penetrate on up the middle and another quality DE to compliment Wolfe. I suppose it is posSibley we see Gostis improve but I suspect if anything we will simply just start to see flashes and not brilliance.

With a better NT and another DE our run D would have looked much different.

[Butler By'Note]

Right I agree and the two major pieces there are poor pressure and penetrate on up the middle and another quality DE to compliment Wolfe. I suppose it is posSibley we see Gostis improve but I suspect if anything we will simply just start to see flashes and not brilliance.

With a better NT and another DE our run D would have looked much different.

My contention is NT and MLB. But that's semantics we're in agreement. Assuming the Broncos keep Bill Kolar, I would anticipate seeing improvement from Gotsis next year. Solar is one of the best d-line coaches in the league and Gotsis, who was always going to be a project, will be able to participate fully in the offseason program this year.

[kingelway7]

While this debate on which Bronco players could see the ax, what we really need to know is which current players will be available in free agency when the season is over.

Unrestricted FA

DeMarcus Ware
Justin Forsett
Kayvon Webster
Vance Walker
Dakota Watson
Billy Winn
Sylvester Williams
Marlon Brown
Thomas Gafford
Jordan Norwood

D-Ware could retire or he could decide to continue to play another year or 2. If Ware decides to play and Wade Phillips is back as DC, Ware will likely be brought back assuming the money is right. The next 2 listed, Forsett and Webster, need to return. If Kubes had continued and not retired, it would have been a near gaurantee that Forsett returned. A RB trio of CJ, Forsett, and Booker, I believe is good enough to get the job done as long as our OL is fixed. Kayvon Webster is a special teams stud. He does a pretty good job when coming in to play D too. He would be my #1 priority to bring back among our Unrestricted FA's. Walker was out all of last season so we had no time to get a good look at him as the NT. I think theres a good shot we sign him back, but it could depend on our draft and other FA signings. Personally, Id like to see Watson brought back. He did good on special teams and shouldnt be to expensive. I think theres a 50/50 chance Watson returns. The next 4 listed are likely gone, I believe. I didnt seen enough out of Williams to warrant bringing him back. And the last one listed, Jordan Norwood, I may riot if he returns.

Restricted FA

Matt Paradis
Shaquil Barrett
Todd Davis
Brandon McManus
Jordan Taylor

Kapri Bibbs
Bennie Fowler

James Ferentz
Sam Brenner
Casey Kreiter
Quentin Gause
Taurean Nixon

All of these guys will be back if the Broncos want them back. The first 5 listed are definitely returning, barring something unforeseen taking place. The next 2 listed are more than likely coming back. Though the last 5 listed are probably returning, they are the least likely to return out of all the Restricted FA.

[swbroncos]

The Vance Walker injury I believe was a huge blow for our defense. He was a great run defender for us the year before- even better than Malik and I believe he was a big reason we let Malik go. All the reports out of camp were that he was having an amazing camp and then he went down with his injury.

If he was here he'd have been the starter at DE which would've made us MUCH stouter on 1st downs and then he could've spelled Sly and Crick wouldn't have had to play as much and both of their play would've improved imo.

Walker comes very cheap and if healthy can be a big force for our team. Hopefully we can resign him and he comes back healthy and with the same fire. .

[broncos SB2010]

The Vance Walker injury I believe was a huge blow for our defense. He was a great run defender for us the year before- even better than Malik and I believe he was a big reason we let Malik go. All the reports out of camp were that he was having an amazing camp and then he went down with his injury.

If he was here he'd have been the starter at DE which would've made us MUCH stouter on 1st downs and then he could've spelled Sly and Crick wouldn't have had to play as much and both of their play would've improved imo.

Walker comes very cheap and if healthy can be a big force for our team. Hopefully we can resign him and he comes back healthy and with the same fire. .

I find that very hard to believe.

[samparnell]

Unrestricted FA

DeMarcus Ware
Justin Forsett
Kayvon Webster
Vance Walker
Dakota Watson
Billy Winn
Sylvester Williams
Marlon Brown
Thomas Gafford
Jordan Norwood

D-Ware could retire or he could decide to continue to play another year or 2. If Ware decides to play and Wade Phillips is back as DC, Ware will likely be brought back assuming the money is right. The next 2 listed, Forsett and Webster, need to return. If Kubes had continued and not retired, it would have been a near gaurantee that Forsett returned. A RB trio of CJ, Forsett, and Booker, I believe is good enough to get the job done as long as our OL is fixed. Kayvon Webster is a special teams stud. He does a pretty good job when coming in to play D too. He would be my #1 priority to bring back among our Unrestricted FA's. Walker was out all of last season so we had no time to get a good look at him as the NT. I think theres a good shot we sign him back, but it could depend on our draft and other FA signings. Personally, Id like to see Watson brought back. He did good on special teams and shouldnt be to expensive. I think theres a 50/50 chance Watson returns. The next 4 listed are likely gone, I believe. I didnt seen enough out of Williams to warrant bringing him back. And the last one listed, Jordan Norwood, I may riot if he returns.

Restricted FA

Matt Paradis
Shaquil Barrett
Todd Davis
Brandon McManus
Jordan Taylor

Kapri Bibbs
Bennie Fowler

James Ferentz
Sam Brenner
Casey Kreiter
Quentin Gause
Taurean Nixon

All of these guys will be back if the Broncos want them back. The first 5 listed are definitely returning, barring something unforeseen taking place. The next 2 listed are more than likely coming back. Though the last 5 listed are probably returning, they are the least likely to return out of all the Restricted FA.

Paradis, Barrett, Bibbs, Fowler, Ferentz, Kreiter, Taylor, Anderson, Gause and Nixon are ERFAs in 2017.

McManus, Brenner and Davis are RFAs this year, as you say.

[ksubroncosfan]

I find that very hard to believe.

I don't. At all. Just wasn't the same kind of pass rusher.

[johnlimburg]

Aqib Talib should NOT be cut. He is an All-Pro, arguably the best at his position, dominant and the leader of this defense. When he was out injured this season this defense looked completely lost. Bradley Roby is solid, and fills a nice role inside this defense however he was such a drop off from Talib and was picked on and exposed. Aqib Talib is worth his contract number and I will be really annoyed if he is gone, and I feel so will the locker room.

The rest of the guys you mentioned I would cut. Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung are not worth their contract number and are no way starting caliber players in this league. I can't believe how bad they actually were. TJ Ward has been solid for us but he isn't that great at anything. He is regarded as a hard hitting safety but he over pursues way too often, takes bad angles and whiffs a lot of the time. He makes some nice plays but I don't see him being worth his contract number. I would prefer to give that money to an Offensive Lineman in free agency.

[Rich_C]

Aqib Talib should NOT be cut. He is an All-Pro, arguably the best at his position, dominant and the leader of this defense. When he was out injured this season this defense looked completely lost. Bradley Roby is solid, and fills a nice role inside this defense however he was such a drop off from Talib and was picked on and exposed. Aqib Talib is worth his contract number and I will be really annoyed if he is gone, and I feel so will the locker room.

The rest of the guys you mentioned I would cut. Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung are not worth their contract number and are no way starting caliber players in this league. I can't believe how bad they actually were. TJ Ward has been solid for us but he isn't that great at anything. He is regarded as a hard hitting safety but he over pursues way too often, takes bad angles and whiffs a lot of the time. He makes some nice plays but I don't see him being worth his contract number. I would prefer to give that money to an Offensive Lineman in free agency.

Right and while in theory that makes a ton of sense who spells Ward as a starter and more importantly who is the backup?

I think that with the added money and other potential cuts and us not extending Okung potentially we'd likely have enough for all of our major FA needs. Then on top of that we have the draft where I am certain we will draft and expect our 1st and potentially 2nd rounder to start. That is at a minimum.

[Gbt31]

You guys know me, and most know I love DT...huge fan of his since GT days. Besides Chris Harris, he is probably my favorite Bronco. Maybe a tie between him and Miller. But I would rather us trade DT than cut or trade Talib. He had his best season this year and played with pure fire. When Harry Douglas took out Harris....and the very next play I see Talib scrapping with him on the opposing sideline, that won me over. That is a player protecting his teammate and family. He is the player you hate to play against and a player you would rather have on your side. He is talented and a headcase, but his loyalty and playmaking ability....and pure passion definitely compensate for the baggage and personal fouls he might cost you.