IT'S OFFICIAL: WES WELKER IS A DENVER BRONCO

[barryr]

Great pickup for the Broncos. Welker is a better WR than Stokley and will take his spot rather easily. Stokley had his moments for sure, but the passing game just got even better IMO.

[NUB]

Hell ****ing yeah. This is the kind of move I expect to see when you are gearing short-term. Brilliant stuff, though a total headscratcher from the Pats' perspective.

[Punisher]

Manning has his toys hehehe

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

[DBroncos4life]

Broncos | Few incentives for Wes Welker
Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:08:14 -0700

The deal signed by Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker has $150,000 in incentives for each year he catches 90 or more passes, but no other incentives

Read more: http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl#ixzz2NUIrxgJu

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by barryr

Great pickup for the Broncos. Welker is a better WR than Stokley and will take his spot rather easily. Stokley had his moments for sure, but the passing game just got even better IMO.

I think in everyone's opinion.

[Pick Six]

Originally Posted by DBroncos4life

Broncos | Few incentives for Wes Welker
Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:08:14 -0700

The deal signed by Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker has $150,000 in incentives for each year he catches 90 or more passes, but no other incentives

Read more: http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl#ixzz2NUIrxgJu

That's amazing. He must really want to play with Manning...

Originally Posted by Crushaholic

That's amazing. He must really want to play with Manning...

I think he knows that there is only one QB who is likely to use him the way Brady has. So yes, he really wants to play with Manning.

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Only one more piece...

Really, no reason not to take a RB in the first round Montre Ball anyone? He is a big back, good receiver and NEVER fumbles.

[SportinOne]

Originally Posted by Crushaholic

That's amazing. He must really want to play with Manning...

Or, everyone just realized that there's probably no way that he's going to get the numbers he had in New England with Thomas, Decker, Tamme, and Dreesen being here.

So let's review our offense here:

Upgraded OL
Upgraded WR drastically (hard to do in the first place but we did it)
TE was already solid
QB is unupgradeable

It looks to me like our only offensive issue is an RB.
Things have really gone 180 from the Denver Teams of old. I'm inclined to think that it really doesn't even matter who runs the ball anymore as long as they don't fumble and tend to get positive yardage. Maybe find a guy that is talented at the goal line stuff.

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by Crushaholic

That's amazing. He must really want to play with Manning...

I'm sure he would have loved to stay and play with Brady but the writing was on the wall. Remember early in the season when he wasn't being targeted that much. Only when they had a TE injury did they target him more often. He felt, according to some on NFL Network, that he was being phased out somewhat in NE. The 2 TE set they love to use ate up alot of his normal working space being the slot WR and all. I think he feels like with the Broncos, not using near as much double TE sets as NE, he has more room to work the middle short stuff. And he felt good about the chances of winning coming here. And they even said some stuff that he loves CO. He got married in Vail or some place like that.

[DBroncos4life]

According to ESPN Boston, Wes Welker turned down a two-year deal worth close to $15 million from another AFC team before accepting the Broncos' two-year, $12 million offer.
Per reporter Mike Reiss, Welker didn't seriously consider the offer because "the club isn't viewed as a contender." According to Reiss, talks with the Patriots reached a "breaking point" just before Tuesday's official start of free agency. The Pats offered a two-year, $10 million deal that could be worth up to $16 million through incentives, but Welker turned it down because he believed the sweeteners would be "extremely difficult to reach." The whole article is worth a read, and can be found at the link.

Originally Posted by SportinOne

Or, everyone just realized that there's probably no way that he's going to get the numbers he had in New England with Thomas, Decker, Tamme, and Dreesen being here.

So let's review our offense here:

Upgraded OL
Upgraded WR drastically (hard to do in the first place but we did it)
TE was already solid
QB is unupgradeable

It looks to me like our only offensive issue is an RB.
Things have really gone 180 from the Denver Teams of old. I'm inclined to think that it really doesn't even matter who runs the ball anymore as long as they don't fumble and tend to get positive yardage. Maybe find a guy that is talented at the goal line stuff.

A power runner is what is needed. Not just for goal line situations, but for getting the tough yards in general and closing out games. This is why I find myself wanting Le'veon Bell more and more. His value is looking like its right around our 2nd rounder (or close enough it won't take too much to trade up to him), and for what we need at the position he looks to be a perfect fit.

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Really, no reason not to take a RB in the first round Montre Ball anyone? He is a big back, good receiver and NEVER fumbles.

I wouldn't mind Ball...if we don't draft a running back until the 3rd or 4th round. He is not even remotely close to being worthy of a 1st round pick.

[pricejj]

1. This gives the Broncos a true #1WR, who can get open and catch the ball in ANY situation.
2. Welker caught 1/3 of his passes on the outside in 2012.
3. The Broncos can choose to let Decker walk in 2014 if his price is too high.
4. Severely weakens the Pats (regardless of Amendola).
5. Broncos now know Pats entire Offensive/Defensive playbook.

[Taco John]

The Welker deal simply doesn't happen if Peyton Manning wasn't a Bronco. When we all were talking last year about how Peyton Manning is a FA draw, this is exactly what we meant. The best slot receiver in the league is now paired with the best QB. Can't wait to see the magic!

[SteveTensi13]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I think he knows that there is only one QB who is likely to use him the way Brady has. So yes, he really wants to play with Manning.

There's no way he gets 100+ receptions this season. With DT and Decker on the outside, his numbers will be down from his previous seasons. I say he gets closer to 60-70 pass receptions.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Taco John

The Welker deal simply doesn't happen if Peyton Manning wasn't a Bronco. When we all were talking last year about how Peyton Manning is a FA draw, this is exactly what we meant. The best slot receiver in the league is now paired with the best QB. Can't wait to see the magic!

I think having a GM who is so respected as a player helps also. Broncos feel like a family again and the dysfunction is over. I also can't wait to see the offense. Last year teams exploited our problems at guard and center when we suffered injuries there. Hopefully this year we have that problem solved. I don't think WR was a weak spot but now it's insane. It's insane! The 3 Amigos ride again!

Who knows who it will be each week that gets the 100 yrds recieving but i don't see how people stop the Broncos offense. DT already a nightmare to cover. Decker not a total physical stud but has good hands and chemistry with manning. Now we have the best slot/underneath WR in football. If it's 3-5 how do you cover them all?

Originally Posted by Taco John

The Welker deal simply doesn't happen if Peyton Manning wasn't a Bronco. When we all were talking last year about how Peyton Manning is a FA draw, this is exactly what we meant. The best slot receiver in the league is now paired with the best QB. Can't wait to see the magic!

Are you saying Welker wouldn't have signed with Denver if Ozweiler was the QB?

[SteveTensi13]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Are you saying Welker wouldn't have signed with Denver if Ozweiler was the QB?

I think TJ is right about that. I highly doubt Welker signs with Denver if Tebow was still under center and we had a run first offense.

Originally Posted by SteveTensi13

I think TJ is right about that. I highly doubt Welker signs with Denver if Tebow was still under center and we had a run first offense.

oh yeah I am sure I forgot the sarcasm smiley on that one.

[extralife]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

It's insane! The 3 Amigos ride again!

these three are actually good, though

[pricejj]

Welker is the only slot WR in the NFL that Chris Harris can't cover. Harris is going to get even better practicing against Welker.

Those guys are going to have a lot of fun going against each other.



The Offense is loaded with 8 Pro-Bowl players (all 11 play at an extremely high level).

The Defense probably starts the year with 3 Pro Bowlers. I would be surprised if the first 2 draft picks aren't spent on Defense. DE and Safety are the two deepest positions in the draft. Great job Elway.

Originally Posted by errand

If the Broncos win the SB this upcoming season, you're gonna see several players retire, like Brooking, Welker, Bailey, McGahee, and perhaps Manning.....I'm sure we'll have plenty of money to keep Decker.

Welker isnt gonna retire if the Broncos win the SB.

Originally Posted by pricejj

Welker is the only slot WR in the NFL that Chris Harris can't cover. Harris is going to get even better practicing against Welker.

Those guys are going to have a lot of fun going against each other.



The Offense is loaded with 8 Pro-Bowl players (all 11 play at an extremely high level).

The Defense probably starts the year with 3 Pro Bowlers. I would be surprised if the first 2 draft picks aren't spent on Defense. DE and Safety are the two deepest positions in the draft. Great job Elway.

I also would not be shocked if one of those DTs drop Denver snags one up. Vickerson is above average, Knighton is not as good as Vickerson yet. Of course he could make a huge jump this year we do not know. Unrein is solid and improving. Throw a first round stud in that mix and let Vickerson, Knighton and Unrein fight for the other position and then you have a great rotation on top of that.