Last season the Denver Broncos were the second-best team on the offensive side of the ball, now they're improving the defense.
John Elway and the rest of the Broncos front office has been fastidiously working toward building a Super Bowl contending team, even though they finished 13-3, at the top of the AFC last year.
Denver's adding to their defense, making it a dynamic unit through the first two days of NFL Free Agency.
On Wednesday, they added two starters along with depth in Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Terrance Knighton and Stewart Bradley.
Rogers-Cromartie has played five seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, racking up 197 tackles, 16 interceptions and one sack. He's certainly a starting-caliber cornerback, one that will play opposite of Champ Bailey without a doubt. Behind their starters, Denver has two-year men Chris Harris and Tony Carter, and with as much nickel coverage as they play, it's intelligent to have so many talented corners. Rogers-Cromartie's deal is for one year.
Knighton is entering his fifth professional season, a 330-pound monster defensive tackle that just finished his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played under Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville, and the two will be reunited in the Mile High City. Knighton has 95 tackles, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, good numbers for an interior lineman. And Denver re-signed DT Kevin Vickerson Tuesday – each of them to two-year deals – and the two will form a formidable force in the middle of the Broncos defensive line.
Bradley just wrapped up his fifth season as an NFL linebacker, most recently with the Cardinals. He's a 6'4” 258-pounder that has played mostly as a backup in his career. In the one season he did start, Bradley finished with 108 tackles, one sack, one interception and a forced fumble/recovery. Elway said on twitter Wednesday that he will provide much-needed depth to the linebacking corps. Bradley's deal is one year.
Of course, the most exciting and headline stealing deal for Denver this offseason is the acquisition of wide receiver Wes Welker, which also happened on Wednesday. Welker signed for two years at $12 million.
On Tuesday, the team not only re-signed Vickerson but new starting offensive guard Louis Vasquez, but set up many more visits including Rogers-Cromartie and Bradley's.
Expect a few more moves from the Broncos in free agency, but nothing is likely to top these first two days.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. You can follow Rich on twitter or facebook for all your Denver Broncos news and opinion.
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