Chiefs buff up backfield with addition of Thomas Jones, Broncos buff up D-line at onset of free agency
- Image by Getty Images via Daylife
The free-agent storyline in the AFC-West has been decidedly two-sided in the early stages.
The Denver Broncos & Kansas City Chiefs have gone out and gotten solid role players at key positions of weakness. Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers have hemorrhaged Free Agents at an alarming pace & the Oakland Raiders have ranged from passive to confused.
The Broncos have strengthened their defensive line with the additions of Justin Bannan, Jarvis Green & burly Nose Tackle Jamal Williams (a former Pro-Bowler with the Chargers.)Â Free Agent DB Nathan Jones also signed with the Broncos.
Denver made several deals to keep a few McDaniels favorites from the ’08-’09 campaign. RB JJ Arrington, OL Russ Hochstein, WR Brandon Lloyd & K Matt Prater will all be back next season. The Broncos also placed a high 1st & 3rd Round tender on Restricted Free Agent Elvis Dumervil, indicating that they have no intention of parting with the powerful young Defensive End.
The Chiefs made a sizeable splash when they signed stout veteran running back Thomas Jones, who ran roughshod over the AFC with the New York Jets last season. Kansas City also grabbed Cincinnati Free Agent DT Shaun Smith.
Like Denver, the Chiefs made a commitment to last year’s offense by re-signing RB Jackie Battle, as well as WR’s Terrance Cooper & Chris Chambers.
San Diego has taken the opposite approach, cutting loose old ties (Jamal Williams, Ladanian Tomlinson & Antonio Cromartie) and taking on only former Washington Redskins RB Marcus Mason off waivers. The Chargers had hoped to win Jamal back at a lower rate after cutting him, but Williams opted to shop around, setting in with the rival Broncos days later.
Oakland has decided to continue wallowing in its self-made mire by remaining almost completely inactive through these first tumultuous days of free agency. The only change to the Oakland roster has been the loss of tough, slashing RB Justin Fargas. My opinion is that Fargas was the best back on the Raiders’ roster, and by letting him go they will lose any semblance of a rushing attack they had left. Darren McFadden is an average NFL back, and Michael Bush, though quick & versatile, doesn’t have the breakaway speed necessary to be a big-play change of pace back.
Fargas may end up across the bay in San Francisco, a brilliant match for his skills. Justin is the perfect back to shoulder some of starter Frank Gore’s hefty load, and both sides will work to make a deal happen.
The Raiders and Chargers may get more active as time passes, but the majority of the top Free Agents are locked up with new teams. That leaves Oakland and San Diego to dabble in a Restricted Free Agent market laden with high draft pick price tags. Not an admirable position, but we all know how meddling Raiders Owner Al Davis & dimwitted Chargers GM AJ Smith are experts at keeping a good team down. (Or in Davis’ case, driving a good team slowly, methodically & completely into the ground.) In fact, San Diego’s official website took the time to play the part of AJ’s apologist.
