2024-07-07T00:48:13+00:00
2024-07-07T00:48:13+00:00
2024-07-07T00:51:49+00:00.

Eurohoops.net

Aris Barkas

Training camp is fast approaching, and the Denver Broncos are in need of making a few strategic moves to enhance the roster. The potential addition of free agents could strengthen weak positions or even preempt training camp battles.

What unfinished business do the Broncos have? Here are three key moves that could greatly improve the Broncos’ offense before the training camp commences on July 26. 

Naming the starting quarterback before training camp would be crucial. A prolonged battle can deprive the eventual starter of valuable snaps, particularly for a rookie like Bo Nix. These snaps are essential for building chemistry with the receivers, gaining confidence, and mastering the offense — vital for a well-run offense. 

Instead of keeping up the facade of a battle between Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Zach Wilson, the Broncos should dispense with it. And Wilson needs to catch up.

Through OTAs and minicamp, Stidham was the most consistent quarterback, as he should be. He would have the best understanding of the offense, having been with the team for over a year, but he has shown in his limited action that he is not a franchise quarterback. The same can be said of Wilson, despite not being in the best situation with the New York Jets, who drafted him at No. 2 overall in 2021 and didn’t give him the best support.

The Broncos drafted Nix at No. 12 overall because they believe he can be a franchise quarterback. With that belief, the Broncos must do everything they can to prepare him.

Nix is a 24-year-old rookie, so the Broncos don’t have time for him to sit. They need to get him the first-team reps during training camp and let him work to be the franchise quarterback they believe he can be.

There’ a saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. 

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This might rattle some who want to turn to Alex Forsyth because of his one year with Nix at Oregon, but he still has to show he can be the starting center. The same goes for Luke Wattenberg. While the Broncos have veteran newcomer Sam Mustipher, his time as a starting center was among the worst in the NFL. Denver needs to add a good veteran with experience. 

There are some veteran centers the Broncos can look at, but finding one with good experience might be challenging. There is Mason Cole, whom the Pittsburgh Steelers released, but his experience as a starter isn’t great, though it was better than Mustipher. The one who might be more interesting is Nick Gates, who has been a solid starting center throughout his career. 

Another option is reuniting with Connor McGovern, who spent the first four years of his career with the Broncos. He spent the last four with the Jets, where he was a quality starter for the first three years. McGovern struggled in the 2023 season but was sidelined with an injury after seven games. 

Bottom line, the Broncos need to add another center to compete, and one who brings quality experience. They don’t have a proven center, but if Forsyth or Wattenberg develop and earn the starting job, then all will be well. However, not having a quality center could ruin a season. 

While the Broncos have potential in the tight end room, they don’t have any proven assets. Can Greg Dulcich stay healthy? Can Adam Trautman take a step forward? Will Lucas Krull develop?

It’s a room replete with questions, and the Broncos don’t have any answers.  On top of that, they don’t have any insurance if Dulcich can’t stay healthy or Krull develops. And what about the blocking at the position?

Few tight end options are available when looking at free agents. Trevon Wesco is an available blocking tight end and can give the Broncos a reliable blocking option. If the Broncos want to add someone for receiving ability, then Jimmy Graham — a familiar face for Sean Payton — could be an option. Graham will be 38 years old and may not offer much as a receiver, but he would provide some insurance for Dulcich and Krull. 

Blake Bell, who is 32 years old and a decent depth option, might be the best bet. Again, there isn’t a top guy available, but the Broncos need insurance for what they have, but players they can look to fall back on if other things don’t turn out as they hope. 

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The UFC is building back up its upcoming Denver event after a slew of withdrawals.

The most recent addition to UFC on ESPN 59 is a bantamweight bout as Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Montel Jackson has been booked. The event takes place July 13 at Ball Arena.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Blackshear (14-6-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC) aims to bounce back from a UFC 292 unanimous decision loss to Mario Bautista in August. The loss snapped a two-fight winning steak. Since then, Blackshear has moved his training to Thailand and Tiger Muay Thai.

Jackson (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) rides a four-fight winning streak into the matchup but has struggled to get into the cage as of late. His three most recent bookings have fallen through including two opponent withdrawals for UFC on ABC 6 on June 22.

With the addition, the UFC on ESPN 59 fight card includes:

• Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez
• Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Muslim Salikhov
• Charles Johnson vs. Joshua Van
• Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva
• Gabriel Bonfim vs. Ange Loosa
• Mariya Agapova vs. Luana Santos
• Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Fatima Kline
• Julian Erosa vs. Christian Rodriguez
• Josh Fremd vs. Andre Petroski
• Cody Brundage vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
• Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Montel Jackson
• Nazim Sadykhov vs. TBA

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.