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 can Adjust: Have plan if Beadles "Situation" is Unfortunate :(

Hopefully Beadles Situation is simply better with the Broncos than "The Situation" in general...

While it breaks +BRONCOS CR3W's heart, the fact of the matter and the unfortunate mantra we have for +NFL is "situational" is the measure of success. As great of a draft pick and impactful starting Left Guard for the +Denver Broncos the reality of the "situation" is that the cost to retain him is high on their priority list, and the options they have to input a quality player in that spot, the reality of the 'situation,' The cost does not measure up to their priorities, needs, assets, and ability to maintain the high standard of play and consistency as Beadles is why he is potentially not going to be in Orange next season. 

Zane Beadles, alum +UTES CR3W (right), with Coach Fox during
Fox's surprise Thanksgiving visit after heart surgery in 2013 season.
Photo Courtesy: +Denver Broncos 

Numerous options are open to the Broncos despite taking a 'small' risk at losing depth at the offensive line group. They also have some returning from injury that add back to the depth they had previously. Despite the safety debacle in the Super Bowl, Manny Ramirez was an excellent Center for the Broncos last year. A natural fit would be the Supermen of offensive lineman, Clady and Vasquez. We all know where Clady will set up his brickwall, Vasquez has proven capable to play either guard position, we can imagine if he was as excellent as he was as a Right Tackle vs the +Indianapolis Colts last year when Franklin was out. He did not allow a sack, not commit a penalty. Safe to presume he could play Left Guard just as dominantly. Ramirez can play RG, C as he's shown so he could move over and fill in capably. Playing the best football of his career. Also, Chris Clark who filled in admirably at Left Tackle, might be better suited for RT or LG. Move in one spot seems to fit his strongest attributes and not facing the speed rushers as often. 

We haven't even delved into the extremely deep draft class it is this year at really all positions. It is safe to presume a mid round C, OG draft pick would be potential for starter or a solid security blanket and refilling the depth at that group. Dan Koppen, who missed all of last year, has mainly played Center his whole career and had a great season before this last one with the Broncos. He could be the Center if Ramirez fits the mold to their plans or potentially even Koppen (depth from injury, similar to Clady). They've also got a couple practice squad players, a path Chris Clark took to be a success. Undrafted, as well.

During the league's scouting combine this past week, Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway gave a clear, unvarnished opinion of how the team will approach its own group of soon-to-be free agents. 

Fortunately, the Broncos, and football's success
is how they handle situations. Unfortunately, for
the Denver Broncos lifelong John Elway fan, his
situation to the Broncos is more akin to the "#DB"
'Situation' from Jersey Shore.
Not needed, unnecessary, untimely ending, &
a neccessary conclusion.

The successful result in the Beadles 'situation' is one where if he stays, it is not a difference in market value or Broncos needs, priorities foremost are solidified from their perspective. Specifically, DE (DT hybrid if need be), Safety, CB (today's NFL, always a priority), Draft has some extremely talented prospects at  these positions it appears as well as RB, WR. After the top or the froth is skimmed, TE might have the least depth in the draft. A position, the Broncos appear fine with All-Pro Julius Thomas. Gerrell Robinson could see some snaps as a pass catching TE if Tamme and Dreesen go. Virgil Green may be ready to be a piece of that pie. A position the Broncos appear okay at if they go after one late in the draft or undrafted rookie FA. Their is potential for undrafted FA's this year to make the roster and be impactful as a 2nd day draft pick might be. DB, WR, S, OL, DL specifically this year. 

It's unfortunate because Beadles, and the bad timing, situation will possibly lead to an end in what appeared to be a perfect marriage from the loyal, stand up, and great ambassador for the organization for the man that he is, and player. +University of Utah Athletics can attest to the ambassador and player he was as a collegiate player and no doubt, Bowlen, Elway, Ellis, Fox, and Broncos Crew members can attest in his very successful 3 years as a professional and exactly what you hope for when you draft a player. Hopefully he is still in Dove Valley in a month, this much we know! Always will be fond of guys that came in and did it the "Bronco Way" and there's value in that. Hopefully, the situation and time will tell the same. From the outside, though, it appears it is of a different situation.

That is, the team won't approach them. At least not out of the gate. At least not before those players can see if the bank accounts are greener on the other side of the fence.

Zane Beadles winning on and off the field -  Just as he did in college

"I think they have to hit the market, the market sets those," Elway said. "Especially where you look where we are and what we have coming up." 

+BRONCOS CR3W by +Marleigh Crews 

Here is a glimpse into the type of man, Beadles is, appearing on the +Ellen DeGeneres show gives one an idea of who he is and no doubt the local pieces from when he was a +NFL draft prospect a short time ago. 

A video clip about his foundation from +KSL Sportsbeat:

This is What it is All About, the UTES great & BRONCOS Left Guard, Zane Beadles!

.@zanebeadles gifted an engraved #BlueLabel to his team to remind them their next step matters most. #KeepWalking pic.twitter.com/WIuyVvH7bC

— Johnnie Walker (@JohnnieWalkerUS) February 5, 2014

* #NextStep the #Broncos will show #LessonsLearned from #PreviousStep *

#BroncosCR3WBelieve

Ramirez Fends off Doubters; D-Lineman Alike

By ARNIE STAPLETON— Dec. 25, 2013 6:56 PM EST | Associated Press

In this Oct. 6, 2013, photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18),
center Manny Ramirez (66) and guard Zane Beadles (68)
get ready for a play during an NFL football game against the
Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The man in the middle of Denver's offensive line,
the one that's allowed the fewest sacks in the league, is the center who had never started
a game at the position before this season. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Manny Ramirez has arguably the toughest job in pro football. As Peyton Manning's center, he literally works under the most demanding quarterback in the NFL.

Not only that, but before this season, the seventh-year journeyman from +Texas Tech University hadn't played a full year at center since his junior year at Willowridge High School in Houston — way back in 2000.

With Ramirez as its anchor, the Broncos' offensive line has allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL (17), giving Manning time to throw his record 51 TD passes and plowing the way for Knowshon Moreno to top 1,000 yards rushing for the first time.

The Broncos (12-3) are 28 points shy of becoming the first 600-point team in history and a win at +Oakland Raiders (4-11) on Sunday will secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

"Manny's been awesome," Manning said after a Christmas afternoon practice in pads. "That is no easy task to go from guard to center, especially in a sophisticated, fast-moving, always-changing offense. I think it would be one thing if you knew what play was going to be called and you had 40 seconds to process it. But we call one play and change it to the next with five seconds on the play clock and when we change a play, Manny has to make his own calls and he has just gotten better each week."

He's got the brawn and backbone to match the brains, too, Manning said.

"I know he has played through a lot of injuries. It speaks to his toughness," Manning said. "He is one of the strongest guys on our team, so it's very impressive. I'm not sure people (appreciate it). I think people in this building understand with the sophistication of our offense just how difficult his job is and he's just been outstanding."

Ramirez is an unlikely fulcrum for this historic offense, spending all season casting aside doubters and defensive linemen alike.

"This summer, I'm hearing all kind of grief about Manny can't do this, Manny can't do that," offensive line coach Dave Magazu said. "Well, I think Manny's proven all those people wrong."

Coach John Fox laughs now that nobody seemed to believe him when he kept saying in the offseason that Ramirez was his starting center and that he wasn't just keeping the position warm for J.D. Walton or Dan Koppen or Ryan Lilja or Steve Vallos or even Chris Kuper.

Ramirez, whose claim to fame before this season was bench-pressing a school-record 550 pounds in college, didn't listen to the skeptics, but he couldn't help but hear them, either.

"Truthfully, and unfortunately, that's been my entire life," Ramirez said. "You know, even when I was playing in middle school and high school, I've always had doubters, and that's fine. That's always been motivation for me."

He's been proving people wrong since he first starting playing football.

"Growing up, where I'm from, people aren't shy to tell you to your face, 'You're not going to make it. You're a Mexican, for one thing. There's not many Mexicans that play in the league anyways. You're not smart enough. If you go to college, you're going to have to go to a juco first and then go to college if you get an opportunity,'" Ramirez said. "I don't know, it's just some dumb stuff people were always saying, trying to put me down for whatever reason it might be. But you've just got to put all that to the side."

Ramirez started 11 games at right guard for Denver last year, but free agency was barely 20 minutes old when he got a call from his old college teammate, Louis Vasquez, informing him he'd just signed a four-year, $23.5 million deal with the Broncos to play right guard.

"I was shocked, but at the same time I was excited because Louie and I got a bond that's like brothers, so I was happy for him," Ramirez said. "And then my mindset was I've just got to fight for a job."

The Broncos had a plan in mind for Ramirez.

When Manning began the second chapter of his career in Denver following the series of neck surgeries that affected his famed right arm, he rebuilt his throwing motion from the ground up.

No longer does he rely as much on his arm strength so much as he does on proper mechanics, using more of his hips and torso to direct his passes and generate speed. So, it's imperative that he has room to step into his throws.

That means, the Broncos needed more height and beef in the middle of their line, and they got it with Vasquez (6-foot-5, 335 pounds) and Zane Beadles (6-4, 305) at guard and Ramirez (6-3, 320) at center.

"That's helped us become a little more powerful on the run and a little stouter on the pass," Fox said. "So, those are areas you try to get better at physically. And then mentally is the thing that Manny's done a great job with.

"He's got a quarterback behind him that's a pretty demanding guy and changes and does things on the fly, so you've got to be a sharp guy and you've got to earn his trust and he has and done an excellent job."

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton