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Last year, the Broncos fell 2 games short of reaching the Super Bowl. They were heavy favorites to reach the big game, and many also expected them to win it all. But thankfully they fell at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Game. Those tears were delicious, weren't they?
Not ones to be satisfied with falling short of reaching the Super Bowl, the Broncos are making splashes in Free Agency with big signings. The biggest of which is certainly signing Wes Welker away from Tom Brady and the Patriots, giving Peyton Manning yet another weapon. Great. Oh and they signed Louis Vasquez away from the Chargers, giving Manning added protection.
Hoping to avoid another embarrassing 70-yard touchdown pass in the playoffs, John Elway signed CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Eagles.
Let's take a look at the various moves and available players for the Broncos.
Additions
| Name | Position | Experience | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley, Stewart | LB | 6 Seasons | Arizona |
| Knighton, Terrance | DT | 4 Seasons | Jacksonville |
| Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique | CB | 5 Seasons | Philadelphia |
| Vasquez, Louis | G | 4 Seasons | San Diego |
| Welker, Wes | WR | 9 Seasons | New England |
Returning Players
| Name | Position | Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clady, Ryan | T | Franchise | 5 Seasons |
| Vickerson, Kevin | DT | Agreed | 7 Seasons |
Losses
| Name | Position | Status | Experience | 2013 Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanie, Caleb | QB | Released | 5 Seasons | |
| Hunter, Jason | LB | Signed | 7 Seasons | Oakland |
| Williams, D.J. | OLB | Released | 9 Seasons |
Remaining Free Agents
| Name | Position | Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball, Lance | RB | RFA | 4 Seasons |
| Bannan, Justin | DT | UFA | 11 Seasons |
| Brooking, Keith | MLB | UFA | 15 Seasons |
| Clark, Chris | T | RFA | 3 Seasons |
| Colquitt, Britton | P | RFA | 4 Seasons |
| Gronkowski, Chris | RB | UFA | 3 Seasons |
| Koppen, Dan | C | UFA | 10 Seasons |
| Leonhard, Jim | FS | UFA | 8 Seasons |
| Porter, Tracy | CB | UFA | 5 Seasons |
| Stokley, Brandon | WR | UFA | 14 Seasons |
| Warren, Ty | DT | UFA | 10 Seasons |
| Willis, Matt | WR | UFA | 5 Seasons |
It's rather obvious the Broncos are in a "win now" mentality. Are they putting all their chips on the table to win a Super Bowl in 2013 or 2014? Are they setting themselves up for a hard fall in a couple seasons?