http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2850630
The remaking of the Denver linebacker corps, which could move into this weekend's NFL draft, continued Thursday as the club signed unrestricted free agents Warrick Holdman and D.D. Lewis to contracts of undisclosed terms.
Coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year career, Holdman in particular could challenge for a starting job, while Lewis figures to be a backup.
Denver recently released starting middle linebacker and five-time Pro Bowl performer Al Wilson after a proposed trade with the New York Giants collapsed when the eight-year veteran failed a physical exam because of a neck injury. Longtime backup and special teams star Keith Burns retired to go into the coaching ranks.
There is speculation that the Broncos will try to move up in the first-round order, from their current No. 21 slot, and have perhaps targeted Mississippi middle linebacker Patrick Willis, arguably the draft's top player at his position.
Wilson's departure is likely to mean that former first-round pick D.J. Williams will move from the strongside linebacker spot into the middle. Such a switch would possibly open a spot for Holdman, who started all 16 games for the Washington Redskins in 2006.
Holdman, 31, has appeared in 105 games, including 84 as a starter, and the former Texas A&M standout has 516 career tackles, five sacks, one interception, 18 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He originally entered the league as Chicago's fourth-round draft choice in 1999 and spent five seasons with the Bears, including a 2001 campaign in which he posted a career-best 107 tackles, before signing with Cleveland in 2004. After one seasons with the Browns, he signed with Washington in 2005.
A five-year veteran, Lewis has spent his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks, having joined the team as an undrafted college free agent in 2002. Lewis can play the middle and strongside spots and is a special teams standout.
Lewis, 28, appeared in only five games the past two seasons because of shoulder and toe injuries. The former Texas product has 123 tackles, one sack, two passes defensed and three forced fumbles in 48 appearances.
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I expect one of them, probably Holden, to play SAM and be a two down backer with DJ playing MLB. DJ and Gold will be on the field in nickel situations.
The remaking of the Denver linebacker corps, which could move into this weekend's NFL draft, continued Thursday as the club signed unrestricted free agents Warrick Holdman and D.D. Lewis to contracts of undisclosed terms.
Coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year career, Holdman in particular could challenge for a starting job, while Lewis figures to be a backup.
Denver recently released starting middle linebacker and five-time Pro Bowl performer Al Wilson after a proposed trade with the New York Giants collapsed when the eight-year veteran failed a physical exam because of a neck injury. Longtime backup and special teams star Keith Burns retired to go into the coaching ranks.
There is speculation that the Broncos will try to move up in the first-round order, from their current No. 21 slot, and have perhaps targeted Mississippi middle linebacker Patrick Willis, arguably the draft's top player at his position.
Wilson's departure is likely to mean that former first-round pick D.J. Williams will move from the strongside linebacker spot into the middle. Such a switch would possibly open a spot for Holdman, who started all 16 games for the Washington Redskins in 2006.
Holdman, 31, has appeared in 105 games, including 84 as a starter, and the former Texas A&M standout has 516 career tackles, five sacks, one interception, 18 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He originally entered the league as Chicago's fourth-round draft choice in 1999 and spent five seasons with the Bears, including a 2001 campaign in which he posted a career-best 107 tackles, before signing with Cleveland in 2004. After one seasons with the Browns, he signed with Washington in 2005.
A five-year veteran, Lewis has spent his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks, having joined the team as an undrafted college free agent in 2002. Lewis can play the middle and strongside spots and is a special teams standout.
Lewis, 28, appeared in only five games the past two seasons because of shoulder and toe injuries. The former Texas product has 123 tackles, one sack, two passes defensed and three forced fumbles in 48 appearances.
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I expect one of them, probably Holden, to play SAM and be a two down backer with DJ playing MLB. DJ and Gold will be on the field in nickel situations.
