Mile High Monday: Let the free-agency frenzy officially begin

The “legal tampering” period begins in the NFL on Monday at 10:00 a.m. Mountain time. Now, teams tamper all the time (allegedly). But on Monday, we get to see what they’ve been working on feverishly behind the scenes.

Free Agency officially begins on Wednesday. And the Denver Broncos are likely to make more big splashes in the upcoming week.

I like when the new league year begins. The offseason is a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that can change shape as the days go by. This week, we’ll see some pieces of the puzzle put in place for the Broncos and every team in the league.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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We Don’t Waste Time in Denver

The Mile High City is just different. When Russell Wilson was traded for by the Broncos, our boss at The Fan, Raj Sharan, was quick to change our billboards around the city. The images of the billboards went viral when Adam Schefter tweeted about them last week. Fans were happy to see that we don’t waste time at The Fan, and we’re all happy to welcome a real franchise quarterback to Denver.

However, it’s not just The Fan who is quick to react – I believe the Broncos will keep reacting to the Wilson addition by getting some big-name free agents this week. Chandler Jones, a top-tier edge rusher could be a member of the Broncos in the near future. I know Broncos Country wants Von Miller to return to Denver, but the team may move on to a different option. Miller seems to be close to staying with the Los Angeles Rams, while Jones is looking for a fresh start from the Arizona Cardinals.

Jones wants to go to a team that would maximize his talents, and I think new Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero would do just that. The Broncos need another pass-rusher opposite of Bradley Chubb, and Jones would command double teams to free up Chubb on the other side. Not only does Denver have the aggressiveness and correct defense for Jones, but now they have the quarterback to attract top free agents – on both sides of the ball.

They don’t waste time putting up billboards in Denver…. pic.twitter.com/U9NNBzHlme

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022

The Broncos won’t waste time putting together a roster who can make a deep postseason run around Wilson. The talent on offense is mostly set, even though a right tackle needs to be found some way (trade, free agency, draft) this offseason. The defense is the side that needs more work, and this is where Denver is going to focus in the new league year. In fact, I fully expect the Broncos to make a splash – or two – this week as legal tampering and free agency kick off.

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I Saw the Sign

The Broncos are going to run the heck out of the ball in 2022, even with Wilson as their quarterback. Yes, Wilson has the capability of filling the air with footballs but part of getting the most out of him is making sure the ground game can gash opponents at will. Under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett, the Broncos will make sure to run the ball effectively and sap an opponents will on the ground – while also unleashing Wilson to put them over the top.

We got another sign the rushing attack will be a priority for the Broncos over the weekend when the team signed FB/TE Andrew Beck to a one-year contract. A restricted free agent, Denver decided to give him a new deal rather than a tender. Beck is a core special teams player for the Broncos, but I think they could use him more – like they used to – on offense as a blocker, fullback, tight end and H-back.

A West Coast offense is going to use the fullback – and some versions of the offense can feature the position. It’s a dying position in the NFL, but in the Hackett system is will be a part of what the Broncos utilize to run the ball. The fullback is more than just a blocker who blasts open holes for the running back. In this offense, the fullback can be used as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. Using a fullback gives the offense a “heavy” look, and a defense may stay in a base package when they see “21” personnel (two running backs, one tight end, five skill positions assumed) when in fact there are more receivers on the field because that fullback is actually going to run a route.

FB Andrew Beck played 230 offensive snaps (23%) in 2019 when Broncos used Scangarello West Coast offense. His FB playing time slipped to 66 snaps (10%), 55 snaps (7%) past two years under Shurmur. Hackett will use the FB as Scangarello did. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) March 13, 2022

It’s a small sign, but keeping Beck at a good price is a sign of things to come. The Broncos are going to run the ball, setting things up for Wilson, and he’s going to be able to lead a balanced offense. Yes, I think Wilson’s numbers could approach “gaudy” territory in 2022 (let’s put the over/under at 35 touchdowns), but that comes from using both the run and the pass to attack a defense.

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Unknown Upside

The Broncos have a need at inside linebacker, and they could fill that need via trade, free agency or the draft. However, they might have filled that position of need already with a transaction over the weekend. There are a few moves the Broncos made over the weekend, and some of those included signing Exclusive Rights Free Agents.

Now, ERFAs don’t have much choice as they can either sign with their team or choose not to play football – but one name from this group for the Broncos stood out among the rest. Inside linebacker Jonas Griffith was signed as an ERFA by the Broncos, and the core special teams player is a young player with unknown upside.

Undrafted out of Indiana State in 2020, Griffith came to the Broncos via trade with the San Francisco 49ers last year at the end of training camp in August. He didn’t play much on defense for the Broncos, but with a month left in the regular season the Broncos turned to him as a starter and Griffith responded with strong play. He’s a smart player who stays ahead of the play with his football intelligence, and when he gets to the ball Griffith does a great job of bringing the ball-carrier down.

#Broncos tender LB Jonas Griffith. Makes sense. He played well in starting role, and brings special teams acumen. #Denver7

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 13, 2022

Griffith is not an “in case of emergency, break glass” option for the Broncos in my opinion. Yes, the Broncos could show interest in a star free agent like Bobby Wagner, but that’s going to come with a much higher price (and 14 teams are interested in Wagner). They need to add more depth to the position, and they may be keeping Josey Jewell as well – and if that’s the case he would be the starter at ILB with Baron Browning. However, Griffith is a player on the rise and it’s a wise move to have him – at least as a quality reserve and special teams player – on the roster in 2022.

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Duel of the Fates

This year is great for nerds. We’ve got so many TV shows and movies coming that it will make your head spin. I’m excited for nearly all these projects, but one at the top of my list is coming in late May to Disney-plus.

On May 24, we will get to see the first episode of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and the first trailer for the streaming show came out last week. This show is set 10 years after the events of “Revenge of the Sith” where Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker had the “duel of the fates” before the latter became the villain Darth Vader.

In this series, we are supposed to see Kenobi and Vader fight again – and before we see their final fight in “A New Hope” from 1977. It’s an interesting prequel to the Star Wars movies, and Kenobi is keeping an eye on a young Luke Skywalker on the desert surface of Tatooine. There is going to be conflicts galore as Kenobi is in hiding after “Order 66” which wiped out most of the Jedi as the Inquisitors, led by Vader, are hunting the rest of the Jedi down. Kenobi has to fight his instinct to help people so he can stay hidden and make sure young Skywalker grows up to become the next generation of Jedi.

Between darkness and defeat, hope survives.

Watch the new teaser trailer for #ObiWanKenobi, and start streaming the limited series May 25 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/QJPVtyv7d9

— Obi-Wan Kenobi (@obiwankenobi) March 9, 2022

How excited are you for the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series on Disney-plus? Hit me up on social networking and let me know!

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