I’m getting pretty hopeful that the Broncos will sign Charles Woodson, based on the fact that he visited Dove Valley Wednesday, and also on the smoke signals that Mike Klis is reading. I’ve advocated a few times for Woodson to be signed, and I’ve banged the table for a matchup safety.
I think that of all the free agents presently available on the street, Woodson is the best possible fit for this Broncos team. There’s some injury risk there, but I would say that Woodson's having missed seven games in 2012 was unusual for his career, and that you’d be foolish to make a sweeping assumption that it’s the new normal for him because he hit some magic “old man” cutoff point.
All things considered, Woodson has been pretty durable throughout his career, and he has that record despite playing his position in a very unique and physical way. I would emphatically call Woodson a risk worth taking on the injury front.
Just a week ago, we wrote the following about civil rights champion Chris Kluwe:
We'll wish Kluwe all the best, unless he ends up in Oakland, as the Star Tribune suggests is a possibility, along with Dallas, Cleveland, and Carolina. But no matter where he lands, we'll always appreciate Kluwe's justness and support for his fellow human beings.
Well, you know what happened...
Continue reading "The Raiders are even signing good people now"
Carl Poston, the agent for Charles Woodson, provided an update on the status of his client this morning, via Josina Anderson:
Charles Woodson had a good meeting with the Denver Broncos. I believe they feel his versatile style will help their defense shine more. We remain in discussions with them. Charles is also still talking to Oakland, and a new team entered the mix during his visit to Colorado.
Was Poston referring to the Panthers?
Updated 2:44pm ET
Continue reading "Broncos, Woodson still negotiating; Giants only interested at minimum salary"
Good Morning, Broncos fans! Let's again get caught up on where things stand with Charles Woodson.
The 36-year-old visited Dove Valley on Wednesday, meeting with players, coaches, and of course, front-office folks. He left without a contract, but Mike Klis characterizes the Broncos as being the likely favorites to procure Woodson's services.
Vic Lombardi thinks their chances are pretty good, but he hears that Woodson is seeking a two-year deal.
Is that a problem? Well, it could be, if it means he's looking for guarantees that extend into that second year. If it's a two-year deal in name only, meaning one that contains no guarantees in the second year, then who cares?
According to Mike Klis, Charles Woodson's visit to Dove Valley ended with no contract agreement. However, both Klis and Vic Lombardi seem to think this story isn't over yet:
All things quiet on the Broncos front, which means they're probably negotiating a deal right now.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) May 15, 2013
I'd like to take a moment to address some comments from my piece two weeks ago on Denver first-rounder Sylvester Williams.
Broncos777 talked about what had struck him while considering Sylvester Williams (emphasis mine):
Sylvester has a great story. Elway's emphasis on chemistry in the locker room is going to pay off for a long time. Sylvester's experience reminds me of a story a friend from San Diego whose parents had immigrated from Mexico once told me. He said that his parents took him once to the village where they were from and he came back with straight A's!
Good Morning, Broncos fans! Charles Woodson will meet with the Broncos today at Dove Valley; there's nothing new being reported on that story that we haven't already posted.
Mike Klis says Woodson would compete with Mike Adams and Quinton Carter at strong safety, were the Broncos to sign him.
Meanwhile, another aging defensive star linked to Denver - Dwight Freeney - will visit with the Chargers today. Freeney has gotten little action due to a crazily high asking price, but San Diego finds themselves in a desperate situation, after 2012 first-rounder Melvin Ingram tore his ACL on Tuesday, likely costing him his season.
San Diego had high hopes for Ingram, and their desire to provide him more playing time contributed to their having let Shaun Phillips come to Denver.
Continue reading "Chargers lose Ingram, will host Freeney Lard"
From Sun-Times jack-of-all-trades columnist Michael Sneed:
Sneed hears that former Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher, whose stellar, longtime career with the Bears began with a growl and ended with a whimper, is getting close to finding a new pigskin playground.
Sneed is told that Urlacher, whose decision to leave the Bears followed their offer of a $1.6 million renewal contract, has been talking to the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos. “It’s getting close to happening, but Brian is leaning toward heading to Minnesota and is talking a one to two year contract,” said a source close to Urlacher.
Continue reading "Chicago gossip columnist says Broncos talking to Urlacher"
As we've been saying here at IAOFM since February and a couple times more recently, Charles Woodson as a matchup safety for the Broncos is an excellent idea (If you're not sure what we mean by a matchup safety, here is a fine refresher course).
The Broncos' struggles at covering tight ends in recent years, and especially last season, have been well documented.
To that end, Vic Lombardi is reporting that the team is finally going to take a closer look at Woodson:
Updated 8:23pm ET
Continue reading "Broncos to host Woodson, who has offer from Raiders"
