Why Denver Shouldn't Worry About Losing Dumervil

As if the AFC Championship loss to the Baltimore Ravens wasn’t enough, the Denver Broncos lost again to the Ravens…Defensive end Elvis Dumervil signed with the Baltimore Ravens last week, on a five year deal worth about $ 35 million.  

Dumervil was drafted by the Broncos in 2006, in his seven seasons with Denver, Dumervil recorded 63.5 sacks.  Solid career to say the least, but was it time for Denver to part ways with Dumervil and get younger on the defensive line? I believe so, and here is why. 

No matter how great a player may be, age always catches up with his performance on the field. Fact and matter is Dumervil is at the prime of his career at 29, but how many more great years does he really have left in the tank? Two, three years at most.

Take a look at Indianapolis Colts defensive linemane, Dwight Freeney for instance... In the past two seasons Freeney has only racked up 45 total tackles and 13.5 sacks.  Freeney is 33-years-old and at the tail end of his career.  If I’m Denver I shy away from Dwight Freeney...

Freeney posted a career low 5 sacks last season.  Surely, Denver Broncos Robert Ayers can match that number in 2013. Ayers is 27-years-old. Youth is important in the game of football. Players need to be able to play a lot of snaps. Denver shouldn’t feel as if they need to panic after losing Dumervil.  

Don’t be shocked if the Broncos pass on old timer  Freeney.  The NFL draft has a lot of prospects to offer Denver.  Drafting a stout Defensive lineman will not only make the Broncos a younger team, but also save them money.

Denver is still a heavy favorite to win the AFC West next season and make a run for the Super Bowl with or without Dumervil. 

At the end of the day Dumervil was a bad break up and I’m sure Denver would have loved to have him back in orange and blue, but losing Elvis was not significant enough to remove the Broncos from Super Bowl contention in 2013.   

Chiefs Are Building A Playoff Caliber Team

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed in the right direction, the playoffs.  With just a few vital moves in the past couple of months, the Chiefs have the pieces to win the AFC West and make the playoffs in 2013. 

Chiefs QB Alex Smith

Alex Smith lost his starting job for the San Francisco 49ers and Andy Reid was let go after a great tenure as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach.  Kansas City now has a playoff QB and coach, with Smith and Reid.  How well will Smith Reid the defenses? 

Andy Reid and Alex Smith Welcomed to Kansas City

Andy Reid is a top ten coach in the NFL. Hands down.  Adding Reid as the new head coach was huge for the Chiefs.  Expect Reid to implement his system fast, the Chiefs will respond to Reid’s player friendly coaching style and start to get the W’s.

Just like Reid’s teams in the past.  Now I know he didn't have the best last couple seasons in Philly, but the Chiefs will respond. Don’t forget Reid coached the Eagles that went to four NFC championship game appearances and one Super Bowl in seven years.  Not a bad coach if you ask me.

Last season the Chiefs were the only team out of the 32 NFL teams, to have more Pro Bowl players than wins.  The Pro Bowl is basically an All-Star game for those who aren't aware.  This proves that the Chiefs already have talented players on their roster, here are a few; Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Eric Berry, Tamba Hali.  Adding QB Alex Smith is arguably adding another Pro Bowler. 

Luke Joeckel 

The Chiefs are all but set on taking OT, Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M with their overall number one draft pick in Aprils, 2013 NFL draft.  Joeckel is a perfect fit for Kansas City. Some may ask why is Joeckel such a good fit? Well...

If you’re Kansas City you must protect your game manager:  Alex Smith.  Simple as that. Protect Smith and you will see results, just as Harbough proved in 2011 with Smith.  In my Senior Bowl post , I mentioned that I would be shocked if Kansas City selected a QB with the first pick.  Shortly after my post, Smith was signed.  Now go protect him with the first draft choice, Kansas City.  

Wes Lands West

Wes Welker signed a 2 year deal with Denver Broncos for $12 million. Surely the Patriots could afford to pay Welker 6 $million a year, right? Think again. The New England Patriots let Welker test free agency, and Wes went West. 

The mission continues for the Broncos and GM, John Elway. The Mission: Bring a Super Bowl to Denver. You may ask, why is this guy “Wes Welker” such a great move for the Broncos?  In the past six seasons, five of those seasons Welker recorded over 100+ catches and 1000+ receiving yards. Welker would have reached those numbers in all six seasons if it were not for tearing his ACL in 2010.  Not to mention Welker was Tom Brady’s favorite target.  

Tom Brady has won three Super Bowls out of five appearances.  If you’re Tom Brady’s favorite target, that is saying a lot…

This move means the Broncos mean business, and mean business now!  The coaching staff knows QB Peyton Manning is at the tail end of his career and they must put the pieces around him ASAP, so the puzzle can be solved. Denver has spiked their chances up of winning a Super Bowl with the add of veteran receiver, Welker. The last time they won a Super Bowl, was back in 98' when the Broncos current GM, John Elway was the QB.

Manning will be throwing the ball more and more with Mr. Welker in the offense.  Manning doesn't have a rocket by any means but he exceptionally smart and precise with his throws. If you combine Manning’s ability with Welker’s great route running and gift to get out in the open field with his speed, I can’t help to picture success for the Broncos in 2013.  Remember…last season was Manning’s first season back in over a year.  Expect nothing but great for Wes Welker and the Broncos.

Look for Denver to use less two tight end sets and more three wide receiver sets.  Denver now has arguably the best receiver trio in the NFL.  Before the Welker pick up, I thought drafting a running back or finding one via free agency was a must.  Don’t be shocked if Denver sticks with Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno in the running game.  It’s obvious Denver will be a pass happy team in 2013.  Adding a big name running back isn't that important.

Is it football season yet??

Denver made some other free agency moves throughout the first two days of free agency.  Some notables; David Bruton (SS),  Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB),  Louis Vasquez (RG), Stewart Bradley (LB).