Denver Broncos: The 4 Worst Case Scenarios for Free Agency Post-Lockout

There will be two types of teams after the most historic free agency period ever: the quick and the dead.

Every team believes that they have a plan. The ability to execute that plan efficiently will ensure that their team does not wind up dead.

Here are few scenarios which (if they play out) could be the precursors to a eulogy for the Denver Broncos season.

The Broncos Get Outbid on Justin Bannan

Justin Bannan is not the solution to the defensive line problem, but he can certainly help.

The Broncos already made the tough decision to cut Bannan and allow the opportunity to potentially renegotiate a contract that makes more sense for them. However, what doesn’t make sense for the Broncos could make sense for a different team.

Bannan is one of the most versatile defensive lineman in the free agent class and can add much needed depth to any roster.

The best case scenario for the Broncos is that Bannan and his agent decide that they will to take a discount to stay in Denver. That will be a tall order since there will be many teams ready to open the checkbook a little more for Bannan. 

The Broncos Get Desperate and Sign Tiki Barber

This is going to be one of the most frenzied free agency periods ever. Any time spent pursuing one player could mean that four or five others off your list will be gone when you try to call them.

The Broncos will undoubtedly have a plan, but there is almost no way to mitigate all the risk of missing out on players.

If the Broncos focus on the defense first—which nobody would see as a bad plan—they could turn their attention to running backs and find the crop completely picked over.

Assuming that Tiki Barber is still available when the Broncos come looking then it might be enticing to take a chance on the veteran. The potential reward would come in giving a chance to a player that is determined to prove people wrong.

In this case though, the risk is far too great to bring in a player with the potential to be so toxic to a locker room. Still, when push comes to shove the Broncos need a running back.

The worst case scenario would be that Tiki is the best option left when the Broncos are ready to sign a running back.

The Broncos Start the Season with Spencer Larsen at Fullback

Spencer Larsen deserves a spot on this team. He is the type of player and person that any franchise is lucky to have. Still, his spot should not be as the starting fullback.

Larsen is a jack of all trades and a master of none, which is not meant as an insult. Larsen's versatility is a function of his willingness to do anything to make the roster, which in turn has kept him from truly specializing in one position.

The Broncos know that they need a true and experienced fullback for the 2011 season. There are some great options out there, but the Broncos aren’t the only team trying to fill that need.

By no fault of his own, Spencer Larsen starting at fullback would mean one of the worst case scenarios has played out for the Broncos in free agency. 

The Broncos Ignore the Cornerback Position

One of the worst cases that the Broncos could encounter would be ignoring the need for veteran experience at cornerback.

Many fans have identified Kendric Burney out of North Carolina as an intriguing talent that could be had for a very low price. If that were to be the only addition that the Broncos make, the depth behind Bailey and Goodman would be: Cox, Thompson and Burney.

If Cox even remains a free citizen, that is not the type of depth at defensive back that can survive an entire season. The Broncos must look for players like Eric Wright, Philip Buchanon or Ellis Hobbs in free agency to help supplement their young talent in the defensive backfield.

To not secure any experienced DB, at a decent price, would be a worst case scenario for the Denver Broncos.