Around the NFL 4/30

by John Gennaro on Apr 30, 2009 7:09 AM PDT

The Saints released 35-year-old Defensive Tackle Hollis Thomas. With concerns over the Chargers depth on the defensive line, and some cap room to spare, we may want to keep our eyes on some of these veterans that may have a good year or two left.
Freddy Keiaho, an unrestricted free-agent, has signed with the Colts for another two years. Even after two productive years as the Colts starting ROLB Keiaho, a San Diego State alum, still manages to fly under the radar of other NFL teams.
The Patriots released Bo Ruud, their 6th round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and the brother of Tampa Bay LB Barrett Ruud, after a disappointing year spent on injured-reserve.
The Denver Broncos have signed veteran linebacker Nick Greisen and released fullback Andrew Pinnock. Although the Broncos are moving to the 3-4 defense in 2009, they did not draft any linebackers. Since the draft they've signed two undrafted free agents and now have signed Greisen, who is a bit of a journeyman backup. I think they're going to have some trouble rushing the passer this year. On a similar note, the Broncos have on their roster SIX running backs that have at least one career start and a first-round pick who is expected to start in front of all of them. I'm thinking at least a couple of those guys are going to get cut. Right now their HB depth chart probably looks something like this:

Knowshon Moreno (rookie)
Correll Buckhalter (16 games started)
Selvin Young (13 games started)
J.J. Arrington (8 games started)
Ryan Torain (1 game started)
LaMont Jordon (29 games started)
Peyton Hillis (6 games started)
Kestahn Moore (rookie)

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highly speculative at this point

But I would guess the Broncos RB depth chart to be more like this:

1. Knowshon Moreno (rookie)
2. Peyton Hillis (6 games started)
3. Correll Buckhalter (16 games started)
4. J.J. Arrington (8 games started)
5. LaMont Jordan (29 games started)
6. Ryan Torain (1 game started)
7. Selvin Young (13 games started)
8. Kestahn Moore (rookie)

by Leukadian on Apr 30, 2009 7:17 AM PDT reply actions

Buckhalter

He could’ve stayed in Philly to be the 3rd string RB (behind a starter with injury issues). Why would he sign with Denver?

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Apr 30, 2009 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Role Players

thats what we have. Plus when LT quits five games in you guys will need a back so we can let you have one cheap (4th 5th round pick). Only joking

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Apr 30, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions

the only bad thing about that group

is that there are too many off them. I think any of these guys would be a servicable backup on most any NFL team and a few of them could be starters or at least situational guys.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 30, 2009 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

I think signing Buckhalter, Arrington AND Jordan was a mistake. The new regime has really taken an unbalanced approach to building their roster and I think they’re going to end up losing a lot of money when they have to cut these guys. I predict they’ll start the season with just Moreno, Buckhalter, Arrington (return guy) and Hillis (HB/FB).

I think a lot of teams are going to be bidding for Torain at the end of camp.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Apr 30, 2009 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Too many?

Did you pay any attention to last season? They probably have them all residing in opposite corners of the United States just to make sure they don’t come down with swine flu or something. If I were the Broncos, I’d be paranoid that I didn’t have enough RBs.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 30, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions