Here’s a look at the AFC West:
- Gil Brandt of NFL.com ran down six pending free agents who should be retained by their current teams and six who should be allowed to walk away. Both Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler landed in the keeper pile. Miller, 26, is a cornerstone of the Broncos’ elite defense and he has compiled 54 sacks since going No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft. Osweiler, meanwhile, hasn’t really gotten to show his stuff, but Brandt writes that he is a solid athlete with a ton of potential.
- Wide receiver Tyrell Williams is likely to be promoted from the Chargers‘ practice squad to the active roster by Saturday afternoon, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes. Williams is likely to get the opportunity with veteran Malcom Floyd still nursing a torn labrum. For his part, Williams is thankful for everything he has learned from Floyd. “It’s been awesome, especially on the field,” Williams said of learning behind Floyd. “I can see how to get in and out of my breaks from another guy who has long strides. I just try to copy everything that he’s been doing, whether it’s on the field or off the field. It’s been awesome.”
- Both the Alleghany County sheriff and prosecutor believe that Raiders linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong was not acting with malice when he taunted a police dog earlier this month, as The Associated Press writes. That bodes well for Armstrong, who theoretically could have been facing third-degree felony chargers. Police alleged that Armstrong lifted his shirt, pounded his chest, and barked at a police dog before telling its handler to let it off the leash. The local D.A. will consult with authorities in California, but it doesn’t sound like much will come of those talks at this point.
Not sure how anybody could be see that Osweiler is a keeper given that we’ve seen next to nothing from him in a live game. I guess the Denver coaches have some sense of his skill from practice sessions, but I’d think even they would want a few regular season game’s worth of film before making a decision.
Miller being a keeper’s pretty redundant, but contracts for he and Osweiler, who as Dallas notes is about as raw as a fourth-year QB can be, will limit the Broncos’ ability to retain key defensive end Malik Jackson. Losing the underrated end, along with probably counterpart Derek Wolfe, is likely a consequence of retaining Osweiler on a contract above what his production probably warrants at this point.
At the very least, it’s too early to make that call. If Osweiler looks like Aaron Rodgers did when he replaced Brett Favre in late 2007, then certainly the Broncos will want to retain him. But if not, they may be better served to ensure that their defense continues to be a strength while they attempt to address the quarterback position.