Das Forum » Although Alford didn’t have near the impact Jackson did last

ENGLEWOOD Phillip Lindsay Jersey White , Colo. (AP)When Emmanuel Sanders returned from vacation to start the Denver Broncos‘ offseason training program, he went straight to the team store and loved what he saw.Hanging off the racks were No. 4 Case Keenum jerseys.For the first time since Peyton Manning’s retirement after Super Bowl 50, the Broncos entered their offseason training program certain of who will be under center after signing Keenum to a two-year, $36 million deal and declaring him the starter.”I appreciate it, for sure,” Sanders said Wednesday. ”This is the first time in two or three years that I’m not standing up here talking about a quarterback debate. I remember when I got out here, I went out to the team store and I saw Case Keenum jerseys . I was like, `Thank God, I don’t have to deal with that again.’”Case is our guy. We can go from there. We can work our butts off, try to gain chemistry and try to put up points.”On the day he signed his contract, Keenum was named the starter by general manager John Elway, who also traded Trevor Siemian, who had beaten Paxton Lynch for the starting quarterback job each of the past two summers, to Minnesota.After the draft last weekend, Elway reiterated two things about Lynch, whom he traded up to draft in the first round out of Memphis two years ago:-He still believes he’ll figure things out and become a starting NFL quarterback.-He’ll have to beat out Chad Kelly this offseason to win the backup job.If he doesn’t, it would mark the third straight summer that Lynch has failed to beat out a seventh-rounder for a job.Sanders, who said he’s healthy after being bothered by an ankle injury almost all of last season, is a big fan of Keenum and of the Broncos’ decision to declare him the starter right away.”He’s a leader,” Sanders said, adding that ”98 percent” of his passes so far have been on target. ”He’s confident in himself. He’s one of those guys that when he steps into the huddle, he’s that leader.”You don’t have to second-guess what his thought process is. We’re going to complete this ball. We’re going to keep the ball moving. I’m liking what I’m seeing from him so far.”Sanders and Demaryius Thomas were loath last season to complain about it, but they were clearly affected by the turnstile at quarterback as the Broncos churned through Siemian, Lynch and Brock Osweiler during a 5-11 season.”You can sit back and say we’re all professional football players and you’ve got to deal with that situation, but at the same time, obviously you can’t gain the same chemistry,” Sanders said.”You don’t have the same mindset. You have to talk to two different quarterbacks. When you’re going into individual routes, you have to go to one guy and then go with the next guy. You don’t really gain that chemistry. You’re not maximizing the opportunity.”Now we’re maximizing the opportunity, and hopefully it pays off.”The Broncos also added some talent into their wide receiving depth, replacing free agent departures Cody Latimer and Bennie Fowler III with draft picks Courtland Sutton of SMU and DaeSean Hamilton of Penn State.Sanders, who also played at SMU, worked out with Sutton over the winter and was delighted when the Broncos picked him in the second round.At 6-4 and 218 pounds, he’s built like Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.”D.T. is big,” Sanders said, but Sutton ”looks like he belongs in the NBA. Working out with him Womens Phillip Lindsay Jersey , he has amazing feet. He’s very fluid for being so big. I’m looking forward to getting him in here and just working. Hopefully he can come up with some big plays for us this year.”At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Hamilton is closer to Sanders’ size – 5-11, 180 – but still bigger.”I’m going to teach those guys everything that I know,” Sanders said. ”That’s my job.”Sanders, who is 31 years old and will make $8.25 million this season, said he’s not concerned that the rookies will eventually unseat him.”That’s going to happen sooner or later,” Sanders said. ”… All I can do is make plays every single day and show that if I become expendable here, just show some other team, hey, look, I still got it. I still got the juice.”NOTES: The Broncos face a Thursday deadline to exercise OLB Shane Ray’s fifth-year option at more than $9 million, which seems unlikely given that he’s started 15 games in three seasons, missed most of last season with a wrist injury and watched Bradley Chubb fall to Denver with the fifth pick in the last week’s NFL draft.— The Denver Broncos need help in the secondary and Kareem Jackson could be just what they’re looking for."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Broncos NewsBroncos Free AgencyBroncos DraftBroncos PodcastsBroncos 2019 ScheduleKey Offseason DatesCommunity RulesFull ArchiveBroncos StoriesScheduleRosterStatsOdds Shop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁旴reaking NewsBroncos 2019 Draft Class Announced脳Denver Broncos Free AgencyBroncos free agent target: Defensive back Kareem JacksonNew,13commentsThe Denver Broncos need help in the secondary and Kareem Jackson could be just what they’re looking for.MSTShareTweetShareShareBroncos free agent target: Defensive back Kareem JacksonIsaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsIt’s no secret that the Denver Broncos are looking for help in the secondary, both in free agency and the draft. With Bradley Roby reportedly hitting the open market, and Darian Stewart being released, the Broncos are down two starters from what was already a struggling secondary last season. Denver needs help at both safety and corner, so why not bring in a guy who can play both?ProfileHeight: 5’10”Weight: 185 lbsAge: 31 (next month)Experience: 10th year (all with Houston)Kareem Jackson was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft by the Texans, and re-signed with Houston after his rookie deal for a four year $34 million contract, which he played out in its entirety, a rare thing in the NFL.With the Texans reportedly prioritizing re-signing Tyrann Mathieu, and also having Jadaveon Clowney up for a new contract, Kareem Jackson might be hitting free agency for the first time in his career.Why this makes senseJackson had one of his best seasons as a pro last year as he flew all around the defensive backfield making plays, to the tune of a career high 87 tackles, 17 pass defensed (#3 in the league), two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Denver has been in need of another playmaker in the secondary since Aqib Talib was let go, and Jackson can fit that bill as he showed aggression, toughness, and excellent play recognition on film last year.After playing his whole career at corner, Jackson was asked in the off-season to play safety, as the Texans were thin there due to injury. He shifted to safety seamlessly and played the first quarter of the season there, until injuries at corner forced Houston to move him back.His coaches and teammates took notice of his play last season, and the versatility he showed.While at safety, Jackson showed excellent ability to run the alley and fill against the run game John Elway Jersey White , and was sure tackler, ranking #4, right behind Landon Collins, in run stops on the season, according to Pro Football Focus.When shifting back to corner, Jackson brought that same tenacity and toughness to his game, and continued to lay the wood out on the edge.Vic Fangio said at his combine press conference that tackling was a non-negotiable in his defense. That players “have to be able to tackle”. Well, Jackson fits that bill. When the Broncos played Houston this past year, Jackson popped off the tape as he repeatedly stuck his nose in the passing and running game, disrupting Denver’s offense.I think Jackson would be a great fit in Vic Fangio’s scheme with the multiple coverages he runs, due to Jackson’s intelligence, play recognition, and finishing ability. Last year, he played 135 snaps at free safety, 117 snaps in the box, 328 snaps in the slot, and 467 snaps out wide; and did all of it at a high level. I don’t care what position Denver decides to label him as. You could play him at slot with Chris Harris playing outside corner, or play him at free safety in base downs, or have him line up out wide across from Harris in two corner sets. Put him back there, and let him go make plays.Why this doesn’t makes senseThe biggest question mark in free agency is always going to be price. At 31 years old, I’m not sure Jackson would command top dollar, but after the season he had in a slim cornerback market, there could be multiple teams bidding for his services. Former Falcons cornerback Robert Alford recently signed a deal with Arizona that can give us some insight into the potential market for a defensive back over 30. this could be a decent range to look at as a benchmark.If Denver was able to get Jackson on deal similar to this, I would be all over it. However, given his play last year, it may turn into more of a bidding war and get too rich for Denver to play ball.The other caution is his age, but shifting to more of a hybrid safety/corner role should help prolong his career if he begins to lose some of his 4.4 speed, although, he didn’t look to be slowing down any last year.Jackson also had a knee injury late in the season last year, but ended up not missing any time. Final thoughtsI’m struggling to come up with reasons why this doesn’t make sense, because I think it’s a perfect fit for Denver and Vic Fangio’s defense. Jackson could be just what the doctor ordered for the Broncos ailing secondary, and would give Fangio another veteran back there to fill the gap as Fangio and Donatell attempt to restock and groom their draft picks.