View Full Version : Broncos finalize P.J. Alexander deal
By Bill Williamson
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 10/10/2007 11:21:42 AM MDT
The Broncos have agreed to terms with offensive lineman P.J. Alexander. This will be Alexander's second stint with the team. It is expected to be announced later today.
Alexander was waived by Denver in August 20006 and signed by Atlanta. He was cut this summer by the Falcons. Alexander was with Denver from 2003-06.
Alexander replaces five-time Pro Bowl center Tom Nalen on the roster. Nalen is out for the season with a torn bicep. Alexander can play all three line positions and will be backup at guard and center. Denver has one more open roster spot because of the torn groin suffered by tight end Nate Jackson
Atleast he knows the system and can play anywhere on the line.
Hummmm, who do we get to replace Nate Jackson??? Tatum Bell maybe :)
plummershelper
10-10-2007, 02:00 PM
Atleast he knows the system and can play anywhere on the line.
Hummmm, who do we get to replace Nate Jackson??? Tatum Bell maybe :)
True, Tatum is fairly injury prone, but is he anywhere near as frail as Big 'Ol Jack Nasty?
Crushaholic
10-10-2007, 02:19 PM
Hummmm, who do we get to replace Nate Jackson??? Tatum Bell maybe :)
...only if you want to see more balls hit the ground when they aren't supposed to...
Los Broncos
10-10-2007, 02:47 PM
Bell is pretty much done, he can't hold onto the ball!
broncosteven
10-10-2007, 02:47 PM
Great an OT bust that could not hack it in Hotlanta's Zone Blocking scheme.
Does anyone think PJ will be renting a 4 wheeler this weekend?
Hotrod
10-10-2007, 03:10 PM
Stupid move. Mustard can play multi positions.
Fire Shanny NOW
Borks147
10-10-2007, 03:25 PM
Stupid move. Mustard can play multi positions.
Fire Shanny NOW
I *really* hope you're being sarcastic...but with the mane in its current meltdown state you never know...
chrisp
10-10-2007, 03:26 PM
PJ knows our scheme so will be ready to slot right in. What exactly did you people expect would be available to us? Pro bowlers? I think that on the contrary we are extremely fortunate that he was available. So he wasn't good enough to stick around in in Atlanta? I'd like some of the people who are so disgusted by this move to explain exactly how you pick up a guy from the waiver wire who WASN'T cut by somebody?
BigPlayShay
10-10-2007, 03:36 PM
Great an OT bust that could not hack it in Hotlanta's Zone Blocking scheme.
Does anyone think PJ will be renting a 4 wheeler this weekend?
Atlanta no longer runs the zone scheme.
Atlas
10-10-2007, 04:20 PM
Nate Jackson injured??? I don't believe it!!!
Nate Jackson injured??? I don't believe it!!!
LOL LOL LOL LOL
You have got to be kidding, this guy is the true discription of Iron Man :wiggle:
Stupid move. Mustard can play multi positions.
Fire Shanny NOW
:stirstir: :poke: :deadhorse :stirstir: thwack :deadhorse :hitself:
Popps
10-10-2007, 05:03 PM
Write it down... championship!!!
cmhargrove
10-10-2007, 05:08 PM
Anyone know where I can get a PJ Alexander jersey?
broncosteven
10-10-2007, 05:25 PM
PJ knows our scheme so will be ready to slot right in. What exactly did you people expect would be available to us? Pro bowlers? I think that on the contrary we are extremely fortunate that he was available. So he wasn't good enough to stick around in in Atlanta? I'd like some of the people who are so disgusted by this move to explain exactly how you pick up a guy from the waiver wire who WASN'T cut by somebody?
Your right, I am ungreatful for the bounty of which we are about to receive. I am glad our inital bust is back as a backup. He at least got to see the NFC and can bring his wisdom and experience to the table this time around with the Broncos. I guess you make a good argument for not signing any other Guard prospect that is holding a mop right now.
I still want to know if he will be renting a 4 wheeler after signing our contract again.
broncosteven
10-10-2007, 05:27 PM
Nate Jackson injured??? I don't believe it!!!
You think that is perplexing, I Just heard HIXON was cut!
Hotrod
10-10-2007, 05:27 PM
:stirstir: :poke: :deadhorse :stirstir: thwack :deadhorse :hitself:
LOL Um what are you saying Ha!
broncosteven
10-10-2007, 05:36 PM
LOL Um what are you saying Ha!
he has two lazy drunken horses?
atomicbloke
10-10-2007, 05:41 PM
he has two lazy drunken horses?
And they both play on the Broncos D-Line......
broncosteven
10-10-2007, 05:50 PM
And they both play on the Broncos D-Line......
I didn't know we had a D line. I saw 3 wet paper sacks out there last Sunday. Elvis will be good enough to demand a big contract and end up leaving for more $ somewhere else.
bap454
10-10-2007, 08:05 PM
WTF? That still leaves eslinger on the practice sqaud... right?
Alexander > eslinger?? The season is officially over now
Ray Finkle
10-10-2007, 08:36 PM
WTF? That still leaves eslinger on the practice sqaud... right?
Alexander > eslinger?? The season is officially over now
Eslinger needs to add weight....
PRBronco
10-10-2007, 08:48 PM
You think that is perplexing, I Just heard HIXON was cut!
You don't cut Hixon...Hixon cuts...awww #*$% it.
theAPAOps5
10-10-2007, 09:04 PM
Write it down... championship!!!
I'm going to go ahead and call it, best signing ever.
chrisp
10-11-2007, 05:00 AM
Your right, I am ungreatful for the bounty of which we are about to receive. I am glad our inital bust is back as a backup. He at least got to see the NFC and can bring his wisdom and experience to the table this time around with the Broncos. I guess you make a good argument for not signing any other Guard prospect that is holding a mop right now.
I still want to know if he will be renting a 4 wheeler after signing our contract again.
Oh my god you are such a moaning old you-know-what....
I'm not suggesting we should be jumping for joy, what I'm saying is that you generally get garbage from the waiver wire, but at least this garbage is familiar with our system, which isn't that easy to learn.
But no, I suppose I should just take off those rose-coloured glasses and join tha sack shanny brigade becuase we didn't trade for Johnathan Ogden.
We've got enough genuine stuff to complain about without making up stuff to get upset about on top of it
....and I have no idea if he will rent a 4-wheeler or not. Are you suggesting he should buy a moped?
fontaine
10-11-2007, 06:27 AM
Isnt' PJ the guy who ACL'ed his way out of the roster after surfing sand dunes on a quad bike?
Best. . . . . . injury. . . . . ever!
It rates right up there with that dude who missed a lot of games because he lacerated his foot when he dropped his cologne bottle.
chrisp
10-11-2007, 06:33 AM
I think you may be right....so that's what the 4-wheeler reference was all about...
Even better, means he has stuntman skills on top of his zone-blocking prowess:~ohyah!:
Atlas
10-11-2007, 08:50 AM
You don't cut Hixon...Hixon cuts...awww #*$% it.
Hilarious! REP!
BroncoBuff
10-11-2007, 09:15 AM
I thought we signed that North Dakota kid off the Titans practice squad ???
BroncoInferno
10-11-2007, 09:36 AM
Nate Jackson injured??? I don't believe it!!!
The miracle is that ol "Hamstring" Jackson made it as long as he did unscathed. I mean, 4.5 games....that has to be some kind of personal record or something.
BroncoBuff
10-11-2007, 10:37 AM
We could do a lot worse than PJ Alexander ... like, say, that North Dakota kid from the Titans practice squad.
And the Falcons new staff ditched the zone-blocking scheme, and therefore Alexander was a casualty.
HorseHead
10-11-2007, 10:43 AM
I think this is the move that gets us over the hump.....
TheReverend
10-11-2007, 11:02 AM
Is this Kuper insurance or do they feel Kuper can't hack it?
WolfpackGuy
10-11-2007, 11:12 AM
Super Bowl bound, baby!
dsmoot
10-11-2007, 01:24 PM
Is this Kuper insurance or do they feel Kuper can't hack it?
This comes right back to the situation where everyone espouses how all these OL we draft are going to step right in and be the linemen of the future. Therefore there is no need to worry about this part of the team.
We count on Eslinger and Kuper before they can EARN playing time. So when we get in a pinch, we are signing people not on a roster or are on other practice squads.
I have no confidence in any player that isn't earning their place on the 53 man roster. You can't count on the future with practice squad players. I wonder what percentage of practice squad players have more that a 3 yr career. I bet its small.
BigPlayShay
10-11-2007, 01:35 PM
Is this Kuper insurance or do they feel Kuper can't hack it?
Well Williamson states that he has played all 3 positions so it sounds like insurance for Pears, Myers, Kuper, etc...
Hotrod
10-11-2007, 01:41 PM
This comes right back to the situation where everyone espouses how all these OL we draft are going to step right in and be the linemen of the future. Therefore there is no need to worry about this part of the team.
We count on Eslinger and Kuper before they can EARN playing time. So when we get in a pinch, we are signing people not on a roster or are on other practice squads.
I have no confidence in any player that isn't earning their place on the 53 man roster. You can't count on the future with practice squad players. I wonder what percentage of practice squad players have more that a 3 yr career. I bet its small.
Rod Smith
This comes right back to the situation where everyone espouses how all these OL we draft are going to step right in and be the linemen of the future. Therefore there is no need to worry about this part of the team.
We count on Eslinger and Kuper before they can EARN playing time. So when we get in a pinch, we are signing people not on a roster or are on other practice squads.
I have no confidence in any player that isn't earning their place on the 53 man roster. You can't count on the future with practice squad players. I wonder what percentage of practice squad players have more that a 3 yr career. I bet its small.
I ,like many fans, base the current generation team on the past super bowl squads.
If you look at those teams O-lines in comparison with the 06-07 lines, you will notice that back in the late 90's Shanny invested cash in freeagent lineman Mark Schlereth and Brian Habib, while having one shanny draft selection (Neil) and one Wade Phillips draft pick (Nalen) and Phillips traded for Gary Zimmerman.
The super bowl teams O-line was a mix of Shanny and Phillips players.
Looking at today's line you can see that talent is lacking. Draft picks are nice and all, but I want to see money (free agents) put into the line. Not just piss ant free agents but a stud.
Have to, I mean have to protect Jay Cutler.
Rod Smith
Rod was a rookie free agent. Back then there wasn't a practice squad.
Hotrod
10-11-2007, 01:58 PM
Rod was a rookie free agent. Back then there wasn't a practice squad.
Are you sure about that? I thought he just did an interview and said himself he was on the PS all of 94
Are you sure about that? I thought he just did an interview and said himself he was on the PS all of 94
I may be wrong. I thought for sure Rod played striaght from 94.
Damn we had practice sqauds back then...
It's been a long time...
BroncoInferno
10-11-2007, 02:17 PM
Are you sure about that? I thought he just did an interview and said himself he was on the PS all of 94
'95 was the first season he saw game action. His first career reception from Elway beat the Redskins at the gun 38-31 that season.
Billy Clyde Puckett
10-11-2007, 02:24 PM
The Practice Squad used to be called the Taxi Squad. I am pretty sure it was 5 players at that time.
broncosteven
10-11-2007, 02:27 PM
I ,like many fans, base the current generation team on the past super bowl squads.
If you look at those teams O-lines in comparison with the 06-07 lines, you will notice that back in the late 90's Shanny invested cash in freeagent lineman Mark Schlereth and Brian Habib, while having one shanny draft selection (Neil) and one Wade Phillips draft pick (Nalen) and Phillips traded for Gary Zimmerman.
The super bowl teams O-line was a mix of Shanny and Phillips players.
Looking at today's line you can see that talent is lacking. Draft picks are nice and all, but I want to see money (free agents) put into the line. Not just piss ant free agents but a stud.
Have to, I mean have to protect Jay Cutler.
Everyone remembers Zimm but no one seems to remember Tony Jones holding down the left tackle. I think he was under appreciated by Bronco fans.
Everyone remembers Zimm but no one seems to remember Tony Jones holding down the left tackle. I think he was under appreciated by Bronco fans.
Totaly forgot about Tony!
He was right tackle than went to left after Zimm retired.
Damn that was a talented O-line. With depth to boot!
That shows even more, that this franchise as nickle'd and dime'd the O-line to death over the last 5 years or so.
Either spend a high draft pick or go get a money free agent.
dsmoot
10-11-2007, 02:47 PM
Rod Smith
I made my statement with full knowledge of Rod Smith. But what is he? The sucess story of 1/2 of 1% of all practice squad players over the past 20 years.
dsmoot
10-11-2007, 02:59 PM
I ,like many fans, base the current generation team on the past super bowl squads.
If you look at those teams O-lines in comparison with the 06-07 lines, you will notice that back in the late 90's Shanny invested cash in freeagent lineman Mark Schlereth and Brian Habib, while having one shanny draft selection (Neil) and one Wade Phillips draft pick (Nalen) and Phillips traded for Gary Zimmerman.
The super bowl teams O-line was a mix of Shanny and Phillips players.
Looking at today's line you can see that talent is lacking. Draft picks are nice and all, but I want to see money (free agents) put into the line. Not just piss ant free agents but a stud.
Have to, I mean have to protect Jay Cutler.
Ok, I am not an expert. I do distinctly remember how this offensive line came together. Just as you described. We went after players in the league along with draftees. You can add Tony Jones to that list. I watch our lack of success in the red zone. We punched the ball down peoples mouth with those guys listed. We dominated man to man not by some special playcalling ability that everyone thinks Shanahan has suddenly lost. We were better than the guys lined up against us. Therein lies the lack of red zone success, the inability to sustain drives without penalties, control the clock week in and week out, to score at the beginning of games forcing teams to play from behind and get out of their scheme allowing a less talented but opportunistic defense to create turnovers. h
We are so far from that right now even with all the offensive skill players. The discussions on this site bring the OL as a fourth or fifth priority, It is much higher than that. Our best offensive lineman is 37 years old and is out for the year. NONE of the remaining players measure up to those players mentioned above.
Football really hasn't changed that much. You still build teams from the line out.
Atlas
10-11-2007, 08:43 PM
I like how people criticize the OL. Denver's line again this year is one of the best in the league. AGAIN Denver is one of the league's best rushing teams and Cutler is rarely getting sacked, but for some reason people want Denver to invest in high draft picks and trades into the OL , instead in areas of more concern. I guess they would have been happier if Lepsis would have been drafted in the 2nd round instead of a FA. Or that if Kuper, Meyers and Pears would have been traded for instead of late round picks.
That is just silly. Look at production not the names.
Atlas
10-11-2007, 08:47 PM
For those of you keeping track, and it doesn't seem to be very many, Cutler has been sacked a total of 6 times in 5 games. That is a pretty awesome stat considering he is only a second year QB and still isn't processing things as fast as he will in the coming weeks.
mhgaffney
10-11-2007, 09:11 PM
The loss of Nalen puts the kabosh on any last chance of a run for the playoffs.
With a scrub at center -- we may as well relax and view the rest of the season as a warm up for 2008.
Atlas
10-11-2007, 09:26 PM
The loss of Nalen puts the kabosh on any last chance of a run for the playoffs.
With a scrub at center -- we may as well relax and view the rest of the season as a warm up for 2008.
Probably, but Denver wasn't going this year anyway with the defense being what it is. Meyers will get some valuable experience and Shanny and co. will be able tojudge if he can handle the job next year or not.
Why would you say Meyers is a scrub? He is Denver's starting guard you know.
BlaK-Argentina
10-11-2007, 09:34 PM
I like how people criticize the OL. Denver's line again this year is one of the best in the league. AGAIN Denver is one of the league's best rushing teams and Cutler is rarely getting sacked, but for some reason people want Denver to invest in high draft picks and trades into the OL , instead in areas of more concern. I guess they would have been happier if Lepsis would have been drafted in the 2nd round instead of a FA. Or that if Kuper, Meyers and Pears would have been traded for instead of late round picks.
That is just silly. Look at production not the names.
Yep... and that first round pick we invested in the OL sure turned out great... NOT.
George Foster anyone?
kupesdad
10-11-2007, 10:18 PM
The loss of Nalen puts the kabosh on any last chance of a run for the playoffs.
With a scrub at center -- we may as well relax and view the rest of the season as a warm up for 2008.
A SCRUB???? Chris has started on a line that has the league leading rusher behind them. Hardly a scrub. EVERYBODY has to start at some time in there career and believe it or not the Pro Bowl isn't the first stop. Give the guy an opportunity before you write off the season. He's done pretty darn good at lg and I've seen nothing to indicate that he won't succeed at center. Kick some ass Chris!!!
Atlas
10-11-2007, 10:45 PM
A SCRUB???? Chris has started on a line that has the league leading rusher behind them. Hardly a scrub. EVERYBODY has to start at some time in there career and believe it or not the Pro Bowl isn't the first stop. Give the guy an opportunity before you write off the season. He's done pretty darn good at lg and I've seen nothing to indicate that he won't succeed at center. Kick some ass Chris!!!
Yeah it's a tough crowd around here. They are all scrubs I guess unless Shanny spends a lot of money or high draft picks on them...... I guess???
kupesdad
10-11-2007, 10:53 PM
Yeah it's a tough crowd around here. They are all scrubs I guess unless Shanny spends a lot of money or high draft picks on them...... I guess???
That and the fact that pretty much all of them are 10X the athlete that any of us SCRUBS are. It baffles me that these people consider themselves fans. If they had any idea the sacrifice these guys have to make it this far:kiddingme :kiddingme
Billy Clyde Puckett
10-11-2007, 11:58 PM
That and the fact that pretty much all of them are 10X the athlete that any of us SCRUBS are. It baffles me that these people consider themselves fans. If they had any idea the sacrifice these guys have to make it this far:kiddingme :kiddingme
They don't know. For the most part, You are talking about a bunch of guys whose closest contact with a football field is a video game.
BowlenBall
10-12-2007, 12:31 AM
I'm actually pretty excited to get Chris Meyers and Chris Kuper into the starting line-up, and finding out what their ceiling is at this level. The biggest issue will be missed assignments -- the Broncos offensive line scheme seems to be somewhat complex, and Tom Nalen knew it inside and out. Hopefully, the mistakes will be minimal, and we'll be talking about these two guys ten years from now like we talk about Zimmerman, Bishop, and Nalen.
One other question -- whither Greg Eslinger? I thought he would be the heir apparent to Tom Nalen.
dsmoot
10-12-2007, 01:07 AM
I like how people criticize the OL. Denver's line again this year is one of the best in the league. AGAIN Denver is one of the league's best rushing teams and Cutler is rarely getting sacked, but for some reason people want Denver to invest in high draft picks and trades into the OL , instead in areas of more concern. I guess they would have been happier if Lepsis would have been drafted in the 2nd round instead of a FA. Or that if Kuper, Meyers and Pears would have been traded for instead of late round picks.
That is just silly. Look at production not the names.
I personally am not critical of the OL. It just doesn't perform well inside the 20. It amasses great statistical numbers untl the red zone. Then it cannot sustain the running game to punch the ball in. It is not just play calling, it is execution.
Doggcow
10-12-2007, 03:14 AM
Anyone else find it odd he was waived in 20006?
Kaylore
10-12-2007, 03:17 AM
They don't know. For the most part, You are talking about a bunch of guys whose closest contact with a football field is a video game.
Exactly. Never mind that this is Chris' natural position where he's dominated int he past, and never mind that we'll be able to put more size up front and be more physical now. No, it's doom and gloom for our o-line. I think this will be a great opportunity to let the young talent on the line step up and begin to grow in their new roles.:strong:
thumpc
10-12-2007, 03:38 AM
Lepsis Kuper Myers Holland Pears
That interior line is much heavier than last year. Will they get to the second level?
Myers is starting because of injury and not talent. Same with Kuper now starting in place of Myers, who is replacing Nalen.
Sacks may be low, but look at the tapes. The kid has company back there on nearly every pass play! He's been rushed and has had to use his legs (like our previous QB) to save sacks.
Production from 20-20 is one thing. But the redzone is about the O-line. What's Denver in the redzone? 3 points.
How many rushing touchdowns do we have? 3 total and one is from the QB on a sneak.
O-line not getting it done from 20 to goal line.
fontaine
10-12-2007, 09:21 AM
Myers is starting because of injury and not talent. Same with Kuper now starting in place of Myers, who is replacing Nalen.
Sacks may be low, but look at the tapes. The kid has company back there on nearly every pass play! He's been rushed and has had to use his legs (like our previous QB) to save sacks.
Production from 20-20 is one thing. But the redzone is about the O-line. What's Denver in the redzone? 3 points.
How many rushing touchdowns do we have? 3 total and one is from the QB on a sneak.
O-line not getting it done from 20 to goal line.
Cutler hasn't been knocked around or hurried any more than your average QB. Our OL has done a very good job so far in pass protection.
From reviewing the OL so far, I count one blatant play where we gave up a sack that resulted in a safety when Meyers' feet got tangled up and Warren knocked him backwards.
Apart from that our OL has been solid.
Keep in mind that:
1. We've run more screens this year where it looks like the OL has failed in pass protection,
2. We've run a lot of two/three TE sets and I counted at least two complete whiffs by Nate Jackson at the line of scrimmage where he barely got his hands on the DE/OLB and allowed him a free run at Cutler.
A lot of times when Cutler has looked hurried is on those plays.
If you look at the pure 5 man OL plays, you'll see that everyone's done a pretty good job in pass protection. Altho, that might all change with a new Center and Kuper playing RG with Holland being moved over.
broncosteven
10-12-2007, 01:32 PM
Exactly. Never mind that this is Chris' natural position where he's dominated int he past, and never mind that we'll be able to put more size up front and be more physical now. No, it's doom and gloom for our o-line. I think this will be a great opportunity to let the young talent on the line step up and begin to grow in their new roles.:strong:
This is a rebuilding year. I am glad that the kids get to play and I hope they do well for this team and become dominant linemen rather quickly.
I also agree that should they pan out 2008 will be fun again.
I do hope that more beef on the line = more TD's and rushing yards for my favorite RB, Selvin Young.
Odysseus
10-12-2007, 07:29 PM
I like how people criticize the OL. Denver's line again this year is one of the best in the league. AGAIN Denver is one of the league's best rushing teams and Cutler is rarely getting sacked, but for some reason people want Denver to invest in high draft picks and trades into the OL , instead in areas of more concern. I guess they would have been happier if Lepsis would have been drafted in the 2nd round instead of a FA. Or that if Kuper, Meyers and Pears would have been traded for instead of late round picks.
That is just silly. Look at production not the names.
Agreed. I am a big critic of the OL but buying an overpriced solution is worst.
BroncoBuff
10-12-2007, 08:20 PM
Exactly. Never mind that this is Chris' natural position where he's dominated int he past, and never mind that we'll be able to put more size up front and be more physical now.
That was COLLEGE football, Khan. And while I love (both) Chrises - Myers was not exactly dominant at Miami. In fact, Khan - do you know who the most dominant center in college football has been since the year 2000? Greg Eslinger. That's right. 2-time 1st-team All-American, Outland Trophy winner as a senior, runner-up as a junior.
And Big Billy Clyde ... everybody's opinion matters here my friend. People haughtily shouted down Stormontheplains (much like you just shouted down guys) when he made the far-out suggestion to start 4 DEs against Indy. Turns out Shanahan and Bates made the same decision. Didn't work, but if Shanahan and Bates agreed ... game, set, match.
BroncoBuff
10-12-2007, 08:25 PM
And imho, it's sad how quickly people forget Ben Hamilton. I guess it's only natural, and I'm sure both Chrises will grow into longtime starters here, but Ben Hamilton was a Top-5 run blocking guard in this league - a borderline Pro-Bowler who made numerous "Pro Bowl team shaft" lists the past two or three years.
Losing Ben is not like losing Nalen - a potential Hall-of-Famer - but I find it troublesome how a discussion of guards and centers and injuries and substitutes over this young season doesn't mention Hamilton's name until Post #68 ???
broncogary
10-12-2007, 08:28 PM
And imho, it's sad how quickly people forget Ben Hamilton. I guess it's only natural, and I'm sure both Chrises will grow into longtime starters here, but Ben Hamilton was a Top-5 run blocking guard in this league - a borderline Pro-Bowler who made numerous "Pro Bowl team shaft" lists the past two or three years.
Losing Ben is not like losing Nalen - a potential Hall-of-Famer - but I find it troublesome how a discussion of guards and centers and injuries and substitutes over this young season doesn't mention Hamilton's name until Post #68 ???
Yeah, what took you so long? :rofl:
BroncoBuff
10-15-2007, 02:45 PM
Yeah, what took you so long? :rofl:
I was taking a NAP!