Broncos take close look at Vanderjagt, Berger

[HEAV]

Familiar names with Canadian upbringings and once-booming legs will attempt to bring kicking depth to Dove Valley.

The Broncos will work out free-agent kicker Mike Vanderjagt and former University of Colorado punter Mitch Berger today at the team's headquarters.

Vanderjagt, 38, of Oakville, Ontario, would compete with Matt Prater for the Broncos' place-kicking job vacated when Jason Elam signed as a free agent with Atlanta. Even though Vanderjagt remains the most accurate field-goal kicker in NFL history (86.5 percent, making 230-of-266), he has been unable to land a job since November 2006.

It's possible his enormous success has been offset in recent years by character concerns that have stuck with him since Peyton Manning's Pro Bowl diatribe after the 2002 season.

After the Indianapolis Colts lost a playoff game that year, Vanderjagt said Manning, the team's quarterback, needs to show more emotion and that coach Tony Dungy was too mild-mannered.

Manning responded a few days later during a Pro Bowl interview by saying, "We're talking about our idiot kicker who got liquored up and ran his mouth off."

Vanderjagt apologized profusely for his comments, and he and Manning later made peace. Vanderjagt stayed with the Colts until he badly missed a field goal against Pittsburgh in a second-round playoff game that cost the Colts the chance to host the Broncos in the 2005 AFC championship game.

Vanderjagt caught on with Dallas in 2006 but was released after 10 games and has been out of a job since.

Berger, 35, of Kamloops, British Columbia, has punted for six organizations, most recently in the final five games of the 2007 season with the Arizona Cardinals. Mike Barr, whom the Cardinals released to make room for Berger, also is expected to try out at Dove Valley. Berger and Barr would compete with Sam Paulescu for the Broncos' punting job.


http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_8914837
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I say sign them all!

Personally I'd take Vanderjagt over Carney.

[broncofan2438]

Id take Vanderjagt at this point

[Dukes]

Let me be first to mention Mason Crosby

[MileHighMania]

There's enough drama related to the team... I'd like to avoid bringing in the Vanderjagt.

[lex]

No thank you. If you thought Sauerbrun running his mouth against the Bears was bad, wait until we play the Colts and have Vanderjagt on the roster. That will be fun. None of us will be cringing over what he says or might say. Plus, he seems like damaged goods. I fear he is a broken man after that playoff miss...something about all the kings horses and all the kings men.

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by broncofan2438

Id take Vanderjagt at this point

whoa i wouldn't jump the gun so soon on that...

he struggled late in his career and there is a reason why he's unemployed up to this point...and i'm sure it has as much to do with performance concerns as it does character concerns...

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by broncofan2438

Id take Vanderjagt at this point

The guy couldn't make kicks when he needed to in a dome. I'd seriously take an undrafted free agent before I'd take this guy.

[Punisher]

Yes i hope we bring in Van

[Smiling Assassin27]

hell, have the guy buy a round trip ticket and come down for a tryout. put him up at the Red Lion and DO NOT let him touch the honor bar.

[Popcorn Sutton]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The guy couldn't make kicks when he needed to in a dome. I'd seriously take an undrafted free agent before I'd take this guy.

It's all mental... he's been bad since the Peytons comments at the Pro Bowl. He was the most accurate kicker in the league prior. Bring him in and stroke his ego a bit and he'll be good as new....

[montrose]

Originally Posted by Dukes

Let me be first to mention Mason Crosby

The Broncos liked Nick Folk better.

[JCMElway]

If his head is screwed back on straight then we have a HOF kicker for nothing. It's worth a shot.

[FantomForce]

Originally Posted by Dukes

Let me be first to mention Mason Crosby

Thank you!

[Ramathorn]

I say we bring in the van and give him a shot. Sign him to the min salary for his experience and get it done

[PRBronco]

Oh wut? Only jerkoffs come from Canada

*edit* I didn't realize my location isn't shown, I'm from Canada

[Broncos123]

The problem with bringing in Vanderjagt is I believe that he doesn't kickoff, so we have to bring someone in to do, occuppying two roster spots again. If we can bring someone in to do both that would help in other areas.

[ColoradoBuff]

Say no to Vanderjagt and bring in Berger....they guy can boom it.

[Requiem]

I thought America was supposed to close it's borders. Now we're looking at two native Canadian's coming here to kick for us? What the "eh"?!

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by Broncos123

The problem with bringing in Vanderjagt is I believe that he doesn't kickoff, so we have to bring someone in to do, occuppying two roster spots again. If we can bring someone in to do both that would help in other areas.

Then I hope we pass on him. This 3 kickers crap is a bunch of ****.

[HEAV]

Originally Posted by Requiem

I thought America was supposed to close it's borders. Now we're looking at two native Canadian's coming here to kick for us? What the "eh"?!

Canadian dollar is worth more than the US.

[dreasher54]

I would take karney over him

[dreasher54]

sry i ment carney

[oubronco]

Just let Prater kick the Fuggin ball

[richpjr]

Replacing Elam with Vanderjagt would cost the Broncos one or two wins next season. The guy can't kick in the clutch, where Elam could.

[Hogan11]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

Then I hope we pass on him. This 3 kickers crap is a bunch of ****.

I more than agree....if they can't kickoff, then show them the curb.