I think it was a foregone conclusion that catcher Chris Iannetta would be the man behind the backstop this season for the Colorado Rockies with the departure of Yorvit Torrealba.  Rockies manager Jim Tracy may have a twist on that theory.

It appears that Iannetta will be the primary choice to catch, but will share some time with Miguel Olivo. Both of them are playing well in spring ball so far which will make for an interesting “battle” at the position.

Peter Mueller exploded last night for 2 goals and an assist to help the Avs take down the St. Louis Blues by a final score of 5-3.   The win puts the Avs’ current streak at 3 games and one point ahead of the Los Angeles Kings for 5th place in the Western conference.

Since joining the team, he has tallied 4 goals and 7 assists and scored in every one of the seven games he has played. To put that in perspective, Mueller had 17 points in 54 games with Phoenix previously.

It started out rough, very rough.  Denver was manhandled in the first half against a lesser opponent in the Houston Rockets.  Historically the Nuggets don’t fare well in Houston but they did manage to take one in their house this season already.

Denver did come out in the second half on fire and overcame what was at one point a 16 point lead to take the lead in the third and look to be in control throughout most of the fourth quarter.  Sloppy play and bad defense let Houston back into the game and they won on a game winning shot by Aaron Brooks to win 125-123.  Brooks ended up with 31 points and 9 assists and seemed to be everywhere.  Carmelo Anthony attempted a last-second 3 pointer for the win but it was way off the mark.  Melo ended the game with a game-high 45 points and added 10 boards, 3 assists and a blocked shot.

It was a disappointing loss to me as Houston was without their big men and Denver did not take advantage.  It snapped a 6 game winning streak for the Nuggets who end their road trip and host the Washington Wizards tonight in Denver.  Coupled with a Lakers win over Golden State, that puts Denver 4 games back of the top spot in the West, tied with the Dallas Mavericks.

It was reported today via Scout.com that the Denver Broncos have re-signed safety Josh Barrett to a one year deal.

This is good news for Denver, Barrett is a very versatile and athletic player who will likely play backup for Brian Dawkins at the safety position.  Barrett is very effective in the box (hehe) as well, providing solid run support.

I have decided to open up the blog to cover all 4 professional teams in Colorado.  I am a fan of all of them, and every once in a while have the itch to talk about them so rather than have a bunch of offshoot blogs…I will be blogging here!

As you can see, I am changing the look of the site as well but going forward I will be blogging about the Denver Broncos (of course), the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rockies.

They are my favorite 4 professional teams, so why not right?

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions by all means please let me know by posting here or emailing me at mike@tailgate365.com.

Yesterday the Denver Broncos made a splash in free agency by shipping fullback Peyton Hillis along with a 6th round pick in the 2011 draft and a conditional 2012 draft choice to Cleveland for quarterback Brady Quinn.

I have to say boys and girls, I am in love with this move.  It was very clear that Hillis, a local fan favorite, was not going to be utilized much in the new offense and Denver desperately needed another option at the QB position.  Kyle Orton played well last season and will be the starter going into camp, however he will be looking over his shoulder this year.  Quinn brings a young, talented and athletic QB that really never was given the tools or a fair shake in Cleveland to earn the reputation as a franchise player coming out of college (Notre Dame).  A lot of fans are upset over losing Hillis, but he really never made anything out of the few chances he had this past season and was expendable.  I like him as a player, he just didn’t fit here.

This move just makes sense for Denver, and at relatively no risk.  At best, Quinn is developed under coach McDaniels into the talent that he should have been and is the Broncos starter of the future.  At worst, Denver has a better option at backup than the dreadful Chris Simms from last season.  For those of you out there saying “it’s just a backup”, let me point you to the Redskins game.  Orton gets hurt while Denver has the lead, Simms steps in and played about as well as my grandmother could, and she died a while ago.  Denver lost, and that single win could have helped them into the playoffs not to mention maintain some momentum and confidence.  So color me a major fan of this move.  I am rooting for Orton, but I am anxious to see these two push one another in camp.

Speaking of Phil Simms’ son…

Today, not surprisingly, the Denver Broncos released Chris Simms.  Presumably they did so to allow him to find another team, and I am a little surprised they at least did not enter camp with 4 quarterbacks in case of injury.  My money says that even with the addition of Quinn, the Broncos will draft another QB to compete.

I really wanted to like Simms, but he just did not get the job done when the team needed him to.  Denver will eat some of his contract, but it’s worth it…he was that bad.

Today the Broncos continued their active 2010 free agency by adding two veteran lineman to help shore up the defense.  I am in love with the way that the new regime has handled free agency this season and last season by bringing in key veterans to fill positions of need.  Today, the Broncos helped to virtually reshape their line by signing defensive linemen Jarvis Green and Jamal Williams to their roster.

Jarvis Green joins the team as yet another former New England Patriot.  Speaking of that, why does anyone care?  Personally, if we can bring some proven players and winners on board, I don’t care who they played for.  Green isn’t a flash player but will make a very nice defensive end for the Broncos and brings a solid veteran presence.

Jamal Williams joins the Broncos from the divisional rival San Diego Chargers.  I love this pickup.  Love it, love it, love it.  He is a big boy who will fill the crucial role of nose tackle very nicely.  Williams also is familiar with the Bronco’s defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely who coached in San Diego previously to joining the Broncos this past season.

This makes 3 defensive linemen that the Broncos have managed to sign through the 2010 free agency period (defensive end Justin Bannan joined the team last week from the Baltimore Ravens).  I really like how they are directly addressing a need that has been around for years, whether it is a veteran or not.  I look for Denver to expand on that depth through the draft to help groom some young players with proven veteran players.

I think everyone in Bronco country was anxious for the free agency period to begin.  I can only speak for myself here, but last year I thought was a fantastic free agent class for Denver.  This year, I was looking forward to seeing what Denver could bring in to help, but also what they might fetch for their own free agents.  Let’s be honest, I am talking about Brandon Marshall.  More on that…

Yesterday, during the opening day of 2010 free agency, Denver officially signed 3 players to their roster.

Arizona Running Back, J.J. Arrington.  Yes, this does look familiar.  Denver actually signed Arrington last off season but he failed the physical due to knee complications.  Arrington will compete for a spot in the backfield and offers another option as a return man on special teams.  I am a little torn on this (no pun intended) move.  Arrington has the talent, but I question his health.  I look at this as a replacement for Jordan as the 3rd or 4th back at best personally.

Baltimore Defensive Lineman, Justin Bannan.  Now this signing, I am excited about.  Bannan is a local guy, he attended and starred at the University of Colorado, and will really help to bolster the Denver defensive front.  He is a versatile player and was a Defensive End in Baltimore, but that’s considering they have the monster known as Ngata at Nose Tackle.  Justin will likely step into the Nose Tackle rotation here in Denver with Fields, Baker and whoever else happens to compete for the spot (please, please Dan Williams at #11, k thanks).  I love this move!

Miami Cornerback, Nathan Jones.  I also like this signing for depth in the secondary and at 28, Jones goes against the trend in Denver in terms of average age.  That was a joke, kinda’.  Jones brings a solid game and work ethic to the Broncos, and likely will contribute as a nickle back.  That does bring up the question, what about Tony Carter and Alphonso Smith?  Needless to say, there will not be a lack of talent in camp this year and a lot of competition.  You can’t be deep enough at a position like this, especially when we have some aging veterans starting.

And now, for some rumors…

Brandon Marshall, it was awesome to have you on the field in Denver while you were here.  The word is, Brandon is to visit the Seattle Seahawks today to talk about a contract.  This could be very interesting for Denver as they could receive the 6th overall pick in the upcoming 2010 draft.  Talk about possibilities!  My personal opinion is and always has been that I would rather Brandon remain a Bronco, but that seems unlikely at this point.  He hasn’t been happy here for a while and wants out.  It looks like a reunion with his old offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach will happen in Seattle.

Baltimore Defensive Lineman, Dwan Edwards.  I was really hoping Denver could land Edwards to join his former team mate Justin Bannan as a new Bronco.  He was scheduled for a visit, but is now is reported to be visiting the Seahawks this weekend.  Let’s hope Denver still has a chance, I think Edwards would be an immediate impact addition to the front 7 along with Bannan.

Well that’s about it for now, I have no doubt I will be posting another blog later today.

]]> http://tailgate365.com/broncos/2010/03/broncos-free-agent-signings-and-rumors-362010/feed/ 0 http://tailgate365.com/broncos/2010/02/broncos-release-wiegmann-and-jordan/ http://tailgate365.com/broncos/2010/02/broncos-release-wiegmann-and-jordan/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:29:10 +0000 Mike http://tailgate365.com/broncos/?p=2295

Yesterday, the Denver Broncos released Center Casey Wiegmann and Running Back LaMont Jordan.  Both Wiegmann and Jordan provided a lot of veteran experience and leadership but found themselves struggling at time and in Jordan’s case, getting limited playing time.

Wiegmann is a veteran Center but lacks the size to fit into the new power scheme that Denver is transitioning to.  Not to mention, he is no spring chicken anymore.  This tells me also that Denver has a plan, and will obviously be pursuing some lineman through the draft and free agency.  ON a side note, I look to Seth Olsen (another Hawkeye, w00t!) to step into some major role this season.

Jordan provided a 3rd option in the backfield and surprisingly “took” carries away from the young and popular Peyton Hillis.  He really did not contribute anything on the field this season, and I look for this move to be either a statement that the team is standing behind Hillis and giving him another shot or that they will pursue a running back, perhaps through free agency.

This is just the start of the action with free agency opening up in just over a week.  Good luck to both Casey and LaMont, Go Broncos!

Finally, a Denver Broncos legend is receiving an honor that has been long overdue for years.  The voters have spoken, and Floyd Little will become the 3rd Denver Bronco to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMTjEAYSbzg

Unfortunately for me, I personally never saw Floyd play.  I have been a Bronco fan my entire life, but he was before my time.  He was drafted by the Broncos out of Syracuse in 1967 and remained with the team his entire career before retiring in 1975.  At the time of his retirement, Little was the 7th leading rusher in NFL history.  He is also one of the original Ring of Fame inductees for the team.

Nicknamed “The Franchise”, Floyd Little helped to put the Broncos on the football map and finished with 3 Pro Bowls, 2 AFL All Star games, led the league in rushing (1971)  and led the team in rushing for 7 straight seasons which is still a team record.  Floyd joins quarterback John Elway and offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman in Canton.

Congratulations Floyd, this has been a long time coming and is well deserved.  You are what Denver Broncos football is all about.