NFL Free Agency: Denver Broncos' Mishandling of Free Agency

I was not very impressed with the Broncos 2011 draft. Although I liked many of the picks, I did not understand the overall direction of building the roster.

Especially—of course—the lack of addressing defensive tackle position.

But I was ready to give management the benefit of the doubt. I was looking forward to the Broncos playing free agency aggressively and at least landing a couple of solid younger defensive tackles once free agency opened up.

Instead it looks like the management has the same problem as they did in the draft. They just don't seem to have the right knowledge and skills to aggressively go after and land the players they want.

It appears the management is in way over its head.

The following questions have been on my mind:

1. How can a team with such a bad record and so few top-notch players have a problem with their salary cap?
2. When the Broncos so badly wanted to trade Kyle Orton, how can they end up in a such a bad situation, with no options and a growing quarterback dilemma? Didn't they do their homework during the offseason?
3. And after they finally declared they wanted Tim Tebow to start, why are they giving Orton the first-team reps?
4. The Broncos are bringing a lot of players in for a look-see and talks—why is that necessary? If you have done your homework and drafted up your free agent value chart, that shouldn't be imperative. Although I know a physical is required, it just doesn't seem like that's the single reason.

It looks like the Broncos management has been caught totally be surprise. It hasn't been able to get up to speed as other teams have raced past the Broncos and out maneuvered them. And now it seems like the Broncos are looking at the leftovers.

I just don't see any kind leadership pointing out a clear direction for the team moving forward. Where is the aggressiveness? Where is the willingness to go the extra mile to get the guys that are going to help this team move forward?

Now I know this is only the first quarter of free agency, but in my mind management will definitely have to step up its game if free agency isn't going to be to be a total disaster.

What do you guys think? And can you answer my questions?

Update July 1st:

I have just found the following articles on the Denver Post.

They explain a lot about the financial side of the Broncos challenges.

However I still find it surprising that the Bronco signings are considered big name signings.

There is however a very nice point in the article and that is that the FO actually consider the waiver period as a second draft. And picking second the Broncos will be able to find some hidden gems being second in line.

I didn't see the Broncos as a poor mans franchise - so to speak - but I can see that that with the financial constraints, they might now have other options to what they are doing now.

I'm looking forward to the FO making some great moves for cheap hidden gems.

Q&A: Broncos' financial constraints play role in free-agency strategy

Denver Broncos are drawing interest from big names despite a small budget