Broncos’ defensive line futility continues

By Clayton Wendler  |   Wednesday, March 28, 2007  |  Comments( 14 )

Denver Broncos
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Has the NFL passed new rules into effect that forbid the Denver Broncos from upgrading their defensive line?

In what has become something of an annual offseason quest for Mike Shanahan, Denver entered this year's free agency market once again needing new bodies at defensive tackle and end. But so far, regardless of what they have tried, they've been denied at every turn -- almost comically, at times.

Denver's first move was to trade a sixth-round draft choice to the Miami Dolphins for veteran defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson. Despite his age, Wilkinson is a known commodity as a run stopper, and he would have been a solid addition to Denver's defensive tackle rotation.

This was clearly a move orchestrated by new defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who prefers space-eating defensive tackles. At 340 pounds, Wilkinson fit the bill.

So what happened? Denver's new space-eater ended up spacing out.

After Denver and Miami agreed to a trade on March 3, Wilkinson was required to report to the Broncos by March 15 for a physical. He didn't. The deadline was extended.

The Broncos couldn't reach him. The Dolphins couldn't reach him. The deal is now off.

Big Daddy's replacement? A former Cleveland Brown.

The Broncos signed Alvin McKinley during the Wilkinson drama, presumably as insurance. Now McKinley will likely end up starting. What's so amusing about this?

This makes six former Browns the Broncos have imported. None have really had much of an impact, as the Broncos have remained near the bottom of the league in sacks during their tenure as "Browncos."

Perhaps there is hope for McKinley, who was largely signed on his own merits. Denver's former defensive line coach, Andre Patterson, dragged the initial surge of Cleveland castoffs with him when he made the switch from Cleveland to Denver in 2005.

There was, of course, prize free agent Patrick Kerney, and Denver had its sights set on him for awhile. He ended up signing a contract with the Seattle Seahawks that paid out $19.5 million in bonuses.

The Broncos passed, the deal apparently too rich for their blood. Seemingly, they gave the money in their "Kerney Kitty" to a backup tight end. Former Patriot Daniel Graham was given $15 million in bonuses after signing with the Broncos.

Was Kerney really not worth a little extra for a team starving for defensive linemen? Why not dump a few of those Browncos and give their money to a guy who deserves it?

But the Broncos weren't done trying to improve their pass rush. Determined to upgrade at defensive end, last week the Broncos were all set to ship former All-Pro middle linebacker Al Wilson to the New York Giants for Justin Tuck.

And what happened? Wilson failed his physical in New York.

That's right. The Broncos couldn't trade a perennial Pro Bowler for a backup defensive end who has one career start and one career sack.

The unfortunate circumstances that have befallen Denver in the Tuck deal are even more ridiculous when you consider that Wilson will now likely end up starting for the Broncos in 2007. He'll probably pass their physical just fine.

It's not like this sort of thing hasn't happened before. Kansas City linebacker Kendrell Bell failed a physical with the Giants as a free agent in 2005, only to be signed by the Chiefs after passing theirs. It seems that one man's trash is truly another's treasure.

And in that sense, the Broncos will now simply have to turn to the draft to find some help along the defensive line. As is always the case in the NFL, the best teams build through the draft, and there's no better place to find premier talent among defensive linemen.

Where did the Carolina Panthers find Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins? The draft. Where did the San Diego Chargers find Luis Castillo, Jamal Williams and Igor Olshansky? The draft.

In the last five years the Broncos have spent a total of one first-day pick on defensive linemen. They have drafted players like Terry Pierce and Tatum Bell instead of Osi Umenyiora and Tank Johnson.

But draft troubles notwithstanding, can someone give Shanahan and his front office a break? What does it take to get some decent defensive linemen on your team?!
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