View Full Version : Broncos tighten "O" with Graham
dragondawg
03-07-2007, 03:22 AM
Former Patriot gets $30 million, half of it guaranteed
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Tom Graham and his son Daniel often talked about the possibility of a second-generation Graham playing in blue and orange.
As fantastic as it sounded, father and son knew there would be pressures if tight end Daniel Graham completed the circle of high school to nearby college to the NFL in his hometown. Ultimately, though, father and son couldn't have thought of a better ending for Graham's foray into free agency.
"Not many people get to play their high school, college and pro careers in the same place," Tom Graham said Tuesday night. "It was too good of an opportunity for Daniel to pass up. There will be pressures and expectations, but Daniel is ready for it. He's in Denver. It's here. It's happening and we're all very excited about this."
Ending three furious days of back-and-forth talk, the ambitious Broncos beat out the Seattle Seahawks - payback for the loss of defensive end Patrick Kerney to the Seahawks on Monday night - for the services of Graham, who leaves New England after five seasons. The Thomas Jefferson High School graduate and former University of Colorado star accepted Denver's offer of a five- year contract worth $30 million. Graham will receive $15 million in guaranteed bonus money, making him one of the highest- paid tight ends in the NFL.
After Seattle signed Kerney on Monday night, the Broncos put a full-court press on Graham, 28. The Broncos upped the ante several times Tuesday and showed great flexibility in an attempt to sign their second big-ticket free agent in two days.
"It was nip and tuck, but the Broncos got it done," said Tom Graham, who played linebacker for the Broncos from 1972-74. Tom and his wife, Marilyn, live in the area. "Kudos to (coach) Mike Shanahan. He wanted Daniel, and he got it done."
Added the CU product's Boulder-based agent, Tom Mills: "Daniel was interested in coming back home, and we think this is going to be a great fit for both Daniel and the Broncos."
The addition of Graham came a day after the Broncos signed running back Travis Henry to a five-year contract with $12 million in guaranteed money. Denver also recently signed guard Montrae Holland and fullback Paul Smith and traded for cornerback Dré Bly and defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson.
Most of Denver's spending is over, and the team may have to cut a few players, perhaps including tight end Stephen Alexander, to help relieve the salary cap. The Broncos still need a quarterback to be Jay Cutler's backup and are talking to Patrick Ramsey, who was cut by the New York Jets. Ramsey could decide today between the Broncos and Texans. Backup options if Ramsey goes to Houston include Anthony Wright and Joey Harrington.
As soon as Kerney spurned Denver for Seattle's offer of a six-year contract worth $39.5 million - with $19.5 million in guaranteed bonuses in the first three years of the deal - the Broncos became determined to strike a deal with Graham.
Denver wanted Graham, who flew from Seattle to his Boston home Tuesday night, to help energize an offense that was out of sync much of last season, when the team faded to a 9-7 finish and missed the playoffs. Graham will team with Tony Scheffler, a rookie last season.
Graham is a solid receiver, having caught 120 passes in five years with the Patriots. But he also is an outstanding blocker, which will help the Broncos immensely in the running game. Graham was the Patriots' first-round draft pick in 2002.
"This is a tremendous move for the Broncos," said former Denver tight ends coach Tim Brewster, now the head coach at the University of Minnesota. "I've known Daniel for years and they are getting a tremendous player who will be dynamic in both the pass and run game who'll team very nicely with Tony Scheffler. The Broncos have a chance for a tremendous offense. It's just a great move."
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_5370914
Vegas_Bronco
03-07-2007, 03:29 AM
Ramsey could decide today between the Broncos and Texans. Backup options if Ramsey goes to Houston include Anthony Wright and Joey Harrington.
CRAZY!!! Just when it seems like we are doing well - they throw us a wild azz idea like this! I don't want either one of these backing up Jay - let's geet a good vet - I'd take Bledsoe before these two!
Good article Papa Graham!
Atlas
03-07-2007, 03:42 AM
Bledsoe sucks and he is too expensive.
Clockwork Orange
03-07-2007, 03:48 AM
The last thing the Broncos need is an immobile QB, backup or starter.
This team just isn't good enough in pass blocking to protect a QB who can't move. Drew Bledsoe was a statue even in his prime.
Odysseus
03-07-2007, 04:09 AM
Say NO to Bledsoe.
chrisp
03-07-2007, 04:41 AM
Options at backup QB are limited and becoming moreso every day. Please, those of you who are saying no to Bledsoe or Ramsey or whatever, please please tell us who we DO go for.....the market is thin right now.
One of the biggest issues that we have is that any QB who is actually any good will probably go for a starter's position, or at least a shot at it. We're picking over the scraps here, so don't get too fussy....
Play2win
03-07-2007, 05:35 AM
Allrrigghhhhhhttttt LAAGGER.....
s0phr0syne
03-07-2007, 05:37 AM
It seems to me that Anthony Wright is our best option as a back-up QB. He's a game-manager who won't be flustered if called upon, and he's not so ambitious as to cause any real controversy. I think that for one reason or another, Harrington and Ramsey still believe that they can start and think that they can command pretty high contract rates; obviously with our recent signing we're not exactly working with much cap room. Wright seems like he'll be the choice, if for no other reason because we can afford him.
Atlas
03-07-2007, 06:38 AM
It seems to me that Anthony Wright is our best option as a back-up QB. He's a game-manager who won't be flustered if called upon, and he's not so ambitious as to cause any real controversy. I think that for one reason or another, Harrington and Ramsey still believe that they can start and think that they can command pretty high contract rates; obviously with our recent signing we're not exactly working with much cap room. Wright seems like he'll be the choice, if for no other reason because we can afford him.
I like Wright too. He can do a lot of things to where Shanny can gameplan around his talents. If he came in the gamne in the 2nd Quarter the other team not prepared for him would have a hard time containg him especially with all the special plays Shanny would have just for him. He doesn't have great stats but he has always moved the offenses he has ran.
crazyhorse
03-07-2007, 07:03 AM
Oddly enough, giving a DE 6 mill a year is a bad idea. But give a TE 6 mill a year is a good idea. Graham absolutely raped the Broncos. He's not even that good.
Inkana7
03-07-2007, 07:14 AM
Oddly enough, giving a DE 6 mill a year is a bad idea. But give a TE 6 mill a year is a good idea. Graham absolutely raped the Broncos. He's not even that good.
Of course he's not. He's not a chief.
fontaine
03-07-2007, 07:17 AM
Oddly enough, giving a DE 6 mill a year is a bad idea. But give a TE 6 mill a year is a good idea. Graham absolutely raped the Broncos. He's not even that good.
Is that the best you can do? Try and put down the team for signing the best TE available in the market?
Damn, if you can't even troll properly then what good are you?
:rofl:
crazyhorse
03-07-2007, 07:17 AM
Of course he's not. He's not a chief.
Are you saying is is a top 5 TE and the Broncos were right in giving him the biggest contract in TE history? Or are you simply being sarcastic?
He's a decent TE IMO, but not the best in the league, by a long shot.
crazyhorse
03-07-2007, 07:18 AM
Is that the best you can do? Try and put down the team for signing the best TE available in the market?
Damn, if you can't even troll properly then what good are you?
:rofl:
I was being serious. No trolling is needed here.
OrangeShadow
03-07-2007, 07:56 AM
you think nate clements is an 80 million dollar CB?
you think wes welker is a 30 million dollar wideout?
its what the market is that plays a big part. plus hes the best blocking tight end in football.
crazyhorse
03-07-2007, 08:13 AM
you think nate clements is an 80 million dollar CB?
you think wes welker is a 30 million dollar wideout?
its what the market is that plays a big part. plus hes the best blocking tight end in football.
He's not better than Dunn.
It's not surpizing that you used the absolute highest overpayed players this off season to make your point. Why not use the rest of the players that have been signed to reasonable contracts?
Crowpointer
03-07-2007, 08:30 AM
[QUOTE=OrangeShadow;1504659]you think wes welker is a 30 million dollar wideout?
QUOTE]
Welker is 18.1 million over 5 years
Mediator12
03-07-2007, 08:34 AM
Graham is not worth what he got, but that is the market and Shanahan is a hell of a lot more dangerous with offensive weapons than defense. As for your assertion Graham is not a top 5 TE, he is not. Top 10 though and in an offense where the Qb actually uses the TE his receiving numbers will be much better with Cutler over Plummer.
Graham is a complete TE, whether you want to believe that or not. His presence will elevate the running game and put more respect to the eight in the box looks teams have been throwing at Denver the last two years. Shanahan runs the same system he always has and Now he has an outstanding complete TE for the first time. It's more how much he will improve our offense, rather than how good his is overall. And, the Overall rankings are a little too slanted towards receiving. If not, Graham is a top 5 TE overall.
crazyhorse
03-07-2007, 08:42 AM
Graham is not worth what he got, but that is the market and Shanahan is a hell of a lot more dangerous with offensive weapons than defense. As for your assertion Graham is not a top 5 TE, he is not. Top 10 though and in an offense where the Qb actually uses the TE his receiving numbers will be much better with Cutler over Plummer.
Graham is a complete TE, whether you want to believe that or not. His presence will elevate the running game and put more respect to the eight in the box looks teams have been throwing at Denver the last two years. Shanahan runs the same system he always has and Now he has an outstanding complete TE for the first time. It's more how much he will improve our offense, rather than how good his is overall And, the Overall rankings are a little too slanted towards receiving. If not, Graham is a top 5 TE overall.
I was with you until the end there M12.
Judging by the highlighted areas, you dont believe it any more than I do.
Graham is not top 5 no matter how you slice it.
-Slap-
03-07-2007, 08:53 AM
I wish the Broncos would go after Shawn King as backup QB. We could get him for the vet minimum. He's experienced, mobile and he's got a better winning percentage than Jake Plummer.
watermock
03-07-2007, 09:23 AM
Denver gets a highly motivated yet young TE with championship experience. Not only that, we can line him up to protect Jay, pound for Henry and Cecil and Mike.
Shouldn't CrazyHorse be more concerned about the continuing disintegration of the once formidable KC offense? Meanwhile, Denver has retooled it's arsenal...Jay, Javon, Scheff, Marshall, Graham, Henry, Kuper...Shanny gets a new army of toys to play with, and we have 4 picks in the first day! Crazyhorse is so sour grapes he's fermenting! Ha!
Another phenomenon is the complete abandonment of Bolt fans with their novice insight. Surf must be up.
There are still needs, and if Bly wants to be a biatch Washington can pay. Woe is me for 4.3 million...hell, I had barely even heard of him. Send him, give Wash back their 08 4th, our 21 and steal their top pick. I get to missing our whore Mr. Snyder about this time of year. Don't tell me Ms. Millen is our new hoe! Ha! Say it aint so! Boo Hoo!
If we hire someone to take away baggies of Maui Wowie from Henry we should be fine. Beezer seems well suited. Funny, his eyes were glued shut and he's never seen a mouse in his life, but he's adept at hunting them. Under the quilt. Instincts are a strange thing.
With the heavy lifting done, time to take a breath and activate the War Room. We addressed three true needs and have more to fill, but I'm happy so far. I expect Fox to play more safety and slot if Bly stays...I don't get it...everyone is talking but him.
watermock
03-07-2007, 09:25 AM
I wish the Broncos would go after Shawn King as backup QB. We could get him for the vet minimum. He's experienced, mobile and he's got a better winning percentage than Jake Plummer.
I think that would be an option...he's playing Arena I believe. Ironically, Nash is a freakin' superstar in that league. WTF was the problem here?
"This is a tremendous move for the Broncos," said former Denver tight ends coach Tim Brewster, now the head coach at the University of Minnesota. "I've known Daniel for years and they are getting a tremendous player who will be dynamic in both the pass and run game who'll team very nicely with Tony Scheffler. The Broncos have a chance for a tremendous offense. It's just a great move."
That's what i'm sayin...
watermock
03-07-2007, 09:30 AM
Sharpe/Carswell redux. It showed class by the Broncos to let Carswell rehab at the facility when we all knew he was done. He got crunched up pretty bad....
We sure have had our share of tragedy the last few years.
Rohirrim
03-07-2007, 09:31 AM
CH is over here trolling while the Cheffies are contemplating giving TrINT the axe. :rofl:
Rohirrim
03-07-2007, 09:32 AM
What I've always liked about Graham is that he makes the big play when you really need it. To use an old cliche, you can't teach that.
NOLA Bronco
03-07-2007, 09:37 AM
I wish the Broncos would go after Shawn King as backup QB. We could get him for the vet minimum. He's experienced, mobile and he's got a better winning percentage than Jake Plummer.
Shaun is awesome.
Roll wave.
watermock
03-07-2007, 09:39 AM
!Booya! I heard Bowlen had to sell his fur collection!:spit:
I'm sure Hermie will have the Chefs running on all cylinders next year! 8')
cmhargrove
03-07-2007, 09:48 AM
I was with you until the end there M12.
Judging by the highlighted areas, you dont believe it any more than I do.
Graham is not top 5 no matter how you slice it.
Once again, this discussion is about market value. Is Graham worth the price to the Denver Broncos? We kept a lot of tight ends on the roster last year that were not difference makers. It won't hurt us to let one or two of them go. Daniel Graham is worth it for our team for several reasons.
1) He protects our most important investment on offense (Cutler).
2) He should improve us significantly in the running game.
3) He has championship experience and, I assume, leadership skills to help our other up and coming tight end - Scheffler.
4) While he has fewer yards, he only has 2 fewer TD's than Tony Gonzales over the past two years.
5) You might be a little upset that the Chiefs aren't doing so well in free agency. I'm not one to talk smack, and i don't think I am by saying I would be pissed if my team had just been sitting there while losing their fabled O-line and their starting QB without having a plan to replace them. LJ had a lot of carries last year and it will be even harder this year if the Chiefs lose Shields. Sorry, I wish your team well, I would just be a little pissed if I was you.
If Graham stays healthy, he should be worth every penny to our team. Just wait to see if our offensive production starts to roll next year. And, while I believe that Gonzales will still have more receiving yards next year, I think that Graham could very well have as many scores. Time will tell.
Mediator12
03-07-2007, 09:50 AM
I was with you until the end there M12.
Judging by the highlighted areas, you dont believe it any more than I do.
Graham is not top 5 no matter how you slice it.
The highlighted areas explain the reasoning, you just do not want to see it that way and I could care less if you do. TE has become a glorified WR in today's NFL. Graham is adept at Run blocking, including zone blocking techniques, and Receiving.
Most "Elite" TE's are WR's like Gates, Heap, Gonzalez. They all have benefitted from piss poor WR cores that allow them to be the #1 option in their passing games inflating their catching numbers. They also have strong running games to keep the defense committed to stopping the run first.
The premium is on stretching the defense vertical in the seams for the passing game. Graham is more complete, without lacking the ability to stretch the seam. It makes the offense more versatile from any set or formation. Putting Graham into the Broncos offense will elevate his numbers and allow for more mismatches for him.
His impact and the offense around him will push him up the grading boards this year. As I previously stated, they are slanted towards Receiving production and his will certainly improve in Den.
why not? he knows the system, knows his role, and is mobile. the only thing missing is the extra 8 years of wear and tear of all the older backups
watermock
03-07-2007, 10:02 AM
Keef is with the program...He Hates Oakland. Ha! I just don't like kicking a walker...
Oh what the hell!
I like the idea of bring back BVP too heck he could play safety and back up Jay. Maybe we can train him to long snap too. ;D
watermock
03-07-2007, 10:10 AM
BVP could kick O.J.'s ass then catch a tan and recruit at Miami to boot.
GoHAM
03-07-2007, 10:13 AM
Has anyone ever seen BVP complete more than 2 passes in a regular season game?
I'm not saying he sucks, but he sucks and I don't ever want to see him taking another snap for the Broncos.
We tried that experiment and it failed.
Sir Mawn
03-07-2007, 10:15 AM
I'd have no problem having Ramsey as our backup. He has a strong arm and is decent overall.
ColoradoBuff
03-07-2007, 10:53 AM
He's not better than Dunn.
It's not surpizing that you used the absolute highest overpayed players this off season to make your point. Why not use the rest of the players that have been signed to reasonable contracts?
Quit telling yourself Dunn is good. He is NOT! He sucks! Get over it!;D
Los Broncos
03-07-2007, 10:54 AM
Sharpe/Carswell redux. It showed class by the Broncos to let Carswell rehab at the facility when we all knew he was done. He got crunched up pretty bad....
We sure have had our share of tragedy the last few years.
I miss house.
Inkana7
03-07-2007, 04:14 PM
3) He has championship experience and, I assume, leadership skills to help our other up and coming tight end - Scheffler.
He was the Pats' Offensive Captain last year, no?