Will Montgomery signs with the Denver Broncos (former Washington Redskins' Center)

Denver Broncos agree to terms with free agent center, Will Montgomery 

Kyle Bisio

Denver Broncos Examiner

April 2, 2014

The Denver Broncos continued their free agent shopping spree by signing center Will Montgomery to a one-year deal on Tuesday, April 1. The former Redskin fortifies the Broncos offensive line and replaces the void left by Zane Beadles, who signed a large contract with Jacksonville when the free agency began.

The addition of Montgomery will shake up the Broncos’ offensive line much like last year. A slew of injuries forced Denver to place certain lineman into positions of unfamiliarity, which ended up paying off in the regular season as the Broncos allowed an +NFL low, 20 sacks. One of those key transitions was forced upon Manny Ramirez who moved from guard to center; and for the exception of the Super Bowl, Ramirez performed very well as if he’d been a center his whole life. Ramirez is expected to move back to guard alongside Louis Vasquez with Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady as the starting tackles.

Montgomery has played in the NFL for nine seasons and was originally drafted by Broncos head coach John Fox when he was with the Carolina Panthers in 2006. The 31-year-old didn’t start many games until his last three full seasons with the Redskins, blocking for Robert Griffin III in his stellar rookie season. Montgomery has also started multiple games as a right and left guard, adding to the versatility of Denver’s offensive line.

Without a doubt, the Denver Broncos have made the biggest splash in the free agent market since signings began on March 11. With a disappointing Super Bowl loss still looming, the Broncos began revamping their defense by signing T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware in the first 24 hours of free agency. As wide receiver Eric Decker received his big payday with the New York Jets, the Broncos signed Emmanuel Sanders, a receiver of equivalent capability to compliment the Broncos’ high-octane offense.

Montgomery fills out the depth chart for the Broncos’ offensive line needs, Denver now looks to the draft to replace those lost in free agency. It is most likely that the Broncos will take a middle linebacker with the 31st pick in May’s draft since Wesley Woodyard signed with the Tennessee Titans. With Knowshon Moreno in Miami, Denver’s starting running back nod goes to Montee Ball for the time being. Although Talib was signed to a 6-year contract and Chris Harris Jr. signed his restricted free agent tender yesterday, don’t be surprised if the Broncos select another cornerback in the draft. Would not surprise us to see a couple secondary players drafter, and not just one. Plus several rookie free agents will get phone calls and a couple will be in Dove Valley vying for a spot just like CJ Anderson last year and even Chris Harris 3 years ago as undrafted players to make the +Denver Broncos.

The aggressiveness in the early stages of the 2014 season show that the Broncos hope to not only get back to the Super Bowl, but win it. Still recovering from a disappointing performance against the Seahawks, Broncos fans can rest easy knowing that John Elway and the Broncos’ brass want another Lombardi trophy sooner rather than later.

Broncos Del Rio Going With his own Coaching Philosophy

Denver Broncos Interim Head Coach, Jack Del Rio, not Channeling Conservative Philosophy

Broncos Interim Head Coach, Jack Del Rio coaching
against the Chargers in week 10 of this season

The game before when the +Denver Broncos were down 14 to the +Washington Redskins in week 8, Coach John Fox, went for two 4th down conversions when it would have been anything, but conservative. We find that labeling Fox as conservative as the article linked insinuates, a bit of an off-statement - headline. The label stems mainly on Fox for last years divisional round playoff loss against the +Baltimore Ravens and we concur. In that context, it is most likely the correct call to deem it as conservative. Have yet to find him go conservative otherwise. 

However, Broncos fans and +BRONCOS CR3W do like the call last week, whether it was the Offensive Coordinator, Adam Gase, Del Rio, or Peyton Manning, It could have been all three. Specifically, when they went for a 1st down with a 12 yard pass completion to Beybey (Demaryius) Thomas with under 3 minutes left remaining. Broncos even got another 1st down with a powerful statement run by Knowshon Moreno. There is definitely some proof in the pudding from the last game for being aggressive looking back at the late game situation in the 28-20 win at the +Chargers. 

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Link posted on +Yahoo Sports via the +AssociatedPress about Del Rio not "...going conservative (like Fox)."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/del-rio-not-channeling-conservative-200737368--nfl.html

DRC wins NFL's AFC Defensive Player of the Week Honor

DRC (45) AFC Defensive Player of the Week running back a pick six off
Washington Redskins QB, Kirk Cousins. Photo by (AP - DenverBroncos.com)

Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie (DRC) of the +Denver Broncos was awarded the +NFL's AFC Defensive Player of the week today for week 8 of the current NFL season. DRC played a fantastic game to compliment an impressive performance to his caliber of play this season. The Broncos pass defense may have had a lot of yards given up as well as an above average amount of points allowed. 

Critics have a way to put too much love into critiquing numbers and stats especially in a day in age when there is some sort of numbers ratings derived from computer algorithms used to rate everything in sports just for the sake of putting a number or scale on it. Although, the eye test normally confirms or denies the critique or acclaim that is directed towards another. DRC is not the reason for it and his stellar performance against a hot Redskins offense on Sunday was outstanding enough to catch the eye and get the honor above any other defensive player in the AFC, the conference the Broncos are part of, of course. In a way, reaffirming that the pass defense does not necessarily fall on DRC. 

In reference to the critics and their numbers, their are so many factors for the Broncos defense to be slightly skewed towards such statistics. The main reason and worthy of touching upon, is that the Broncos have a record setting offense for scoring, pass yards, pass TDs, and number of TD receptions for players. This factor in of itself, in football as a coaching staff, knowing this allows the defense to not have to be so precise and a bit 'further' back with their main focus on stopping big plays for quick TDs and also forcing FGs over TDs knowing that their offense is averaging just below 43 points per game this year. As pointed out before the Broncos defensive struggles coincided with Hammer (Wesley) Woodyard's absence over a few weeks as well. Von Miller missed the first six games and was back in only his second game of action. A noticeable activity increase up front for the Broncos front line in getting pressure and making life difficult on opposing QB's, since Miller has returned. Several players to note about it in another post.

DRC, a great free agent signing, on behalf of the Broncos, John Elway, and the front office to put the caliber of player in Broncos "Orange and Blue." Broncos defense played, "No doubt their best performance of the season...," as Head Coach, John Fox described afterwards. The Broncos defense allowed a season low in total yards offense (226) and passing yards (154) as well as forcing 5 turnovers (of which took place in just one quarter). In a game where the offense unusually committed 4 turnovers, it was the right time for the "Orange Crush" to come up with the momentum swinging (and "Mo") continuing plays that bailed out some of the offense's mistakes.

Broncos, DRC's Pick Six Video vs. Washington Redskins (provided by NFL Network - Denver Broncos)

A big congrats to DRC for his great performance and being awarded for it by the NFL. DRC has been key for the Broncos this year in several ways, one of which, is the fact that they have had Champ Bailey in sweats for all but 1 and a half games played. Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio is certainly glad to have him lock up with the opposing teams top outside WR's. DRC can play either side of the defense on the edge and had given some versatility to their formations and schemes. He also plays the majority of special teams snaps, creating lanes and holes for the dangerous return specialist of the Broncos, Trindon Holliday.

Hopefully the bye week keeps the ignition at the level the defense has begun to show. If so, DRC will be playing an important role for the Broncos D in doing so, we imagine.

Broncos 7 Keys to Giving Ex-Coach Shanahan a Loss

Mike Shahahan, Washington Redskins Head Coach.
Won 2 Super Bowl Titles with the Broncos

1) Win or tie the takeaway battle. Just do not turn it over more than the other team and give them unnecessary big plays that can sway emotion and momentum for a road team.

2) Protect Peyton: If this involves running the ball more to keep the defense honest or whatever. Especially the hurries on top of the sacks.

3) Continue to be stout vs the run. (Contain RGIII in open field)

4) Building on number 3, make RGIII beat the defense with the pass which means limiting Albert Morris and Roy Helu Jr, RB's of the Redskins.

5) Convert 3rd Down with a higher efficiency than 50% (convert almost all 3rd and short (3 yds or less)

6) Get the crowd into it quickly. +BRONCOS CR3W would love to see the +Denver Broncos put a couple big plays on defense (any part of the team though) to boost the crowd as well as the team. Linking this to #ComeOutFast

7) Force RGIII to use other weapons in the air other than Jordan Reed, who has really come on lately as the Redskins TE, and his completion rate less than 60%

Notes: Force FGs over TDs and Score TDs over FGs