Broncos’ Peterson first to get dropped after D-Line signings
By John Livingston | March 10, 2010
After a strong first week of free agency and signing three new potential starting defensive lineman, Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was going to be forced to make some choices about who to keep, and the first decision speaks volumes about the direction the coach is trying to take the team in his second season.
Today, the Broncos parted ways with 31-year-old defensive lineman Kenny Peterson, who will undoubtedly be joined by other teammates in the defensive trenches from a season ago. Peterson signed a three-year deal a season ago with Denver and started all 16 games for the organization. However, he was largely ineffective with 40 tackles and just one sack.
This past week, the Broncos have added Jarvis Green, Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams–all three are expected to start on the Broncos line, giving the defensive front a complete makeover.
That means many players from last year had to go and Peterson was the first. This was perhaps surprising at first due to the relationship Peterson had with McDaniels as the two were teammates at McKinley High School. The two visibly bonded last year at summer training camp at Dove Valley and fans will remember their embrace after McDaniels fist pumping celebration after the team defeated the New England Patriots last season.
Perhaps it was their strong relationship that led to Peterson being cut now, as opposed to half-way through camp this summer. Now, Peterson has a full opportunity to try and land a new team, if there are any suitors.
This stands out to me as a move that shows McDaniels is willing to do anything to win and he means business. Personal ties and friendships cant stand in the way of the business that the NFL is and if you want to win, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get better, even if it means saying goodbye to a friend.
Expect many more Denver defensive lineman to be fighting for their Broncos lives when training camp rolls around and, already, a few names stand out as future cuts.
First, Marcus Thomas and Jarvis Moss both seem to be likely players to be on the outside looking in. The Broncos have made it clear that they want big defensive lineman that can play the nose tackle position, something Thomas simply has not fit. Moss spent much of last season as a healthy scratch and watched most games from the sidelines. He has never developed into the player fans had expected the former first round pick to be.
BRONCOS BONUS AND ONE MORE CUT:
Broncos waived offensive lineman Mitch Erickson. Erickson, who was on the Broncos practice squad the past two seasons, was a pickup by Mike Shanahan in 2008 and, like many Shanahan holdovers, does not fit the new power-blocking scheme Josh McDaniels is switching to. It is expected he may land back with Shanahan in Washington.
Denver also reportedly gave wide receiver Brandon Lloyd a $500,000 signing bonus to go with his new two-year contract. This likely signals that the Broncos plan on using Lloyd more in the offense next season, especially if the team is missing a certain big name receiver.
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