HEADLINES

Shane Ray

Broncos Rumors: Elway, No. 5 Pick, Ray

April 19th, 2018 at 3:08pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos are open for business. In a presser on Thursday, GM John Elway announced that he is willing to trade the No. 5 overall pick for the right price. Elway also noted that Denver is open to all possibilities, which may mean standing pat to take a quarterback, moving back for the QB they want, or even selecting a non-QB.

The Bills, armed with the Nos. 12 and 22 selections in the draft, are expected to be among those with serious interest in moving up to the No. 5 pick.

Here’s more out of Denver:

  • Elway says the team hasn’t made a decision yet on picking up Shane Ray‘s fifth-year option (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic). Ray had a breakout season in 2016, recording 48 tackles and eight sacks in 664 snaps and placing 45th out of Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders. Unfortunately, Ray’s wrist kept him off the field until late October last year and he was shut down once again in December. As shown on PFR’s 2019 Fifth-Year Option Tracker, seven players have had their options exercised. The Broncos will have to think long and hard about whether to do the same for the former No. 23 overall pick.
  • Elway says the Broncos do not have more than four quarterbacks with first round grades (Twitter link via James Palmer of NFL.com), though he added that there is not a consensus in the building on ranking them.
  • Elway says that the production of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield over ” the last three years” is proof that his height – just over 6’0″ — should not be an issue in the NFL (Twitter link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com).

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/17

December 19th, 2017 at 7:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed off Broncos‘ practice squad: OL Dillon Day
  • Waived: FB Joe Kerridge

New York Giants

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

  • Promoted to active roster: S Fish Smithson
  • Placed on injured reserve: S Montae Nicholson

Broncos To Place Shane Ray On IR

December 18th, 2017 at 2:58pm CST by Zachary Links

In all likelihood, Shane Ray will not suit up for the Broncos’ final two games. The linebacker is expected to be placed on IR after having two screws removed from his left wrist (Twitter link via Troy Renck of Denver7).

By placing Ray on IR, the Broncos will give him a head start on his rehabilitation. The hope is that Ray will be ready for offseason activities, giving him ample time to prepare for Week 1 of the 2018 season. Of course, after falling to 5-9 on Sunday, there isn’t much reason for the Broncos to have Ray out on the field for the final two games of the 2017 campaign.

Ray had a breakout season last year, recording 48 tackles and eight sacks in 664 snaps. Only two Denver linebackers – Von Miller and Todd Davis– saw more burn than Ray in 2016. He placed an above-average 45th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.

Unfortunately, Ray’s wrist kept him off the field until late October this year. He placed just 99th on PFF’s list of edge defenders after 354 snaps.

Broncos Activate Shane Ray

October 30th, 2017 at 2:27pm CST by Zachary Links

Shane Ray is officially back .The Broncos have moved him to the active roster in advance of Monday night’s game against the Chiefs. He’ll be in the starting lineup to boot, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). Shane Ray

The Broncos first announced their intention to restore Ray from injured reserve in mid-October. After six weeks on the sidelines and two weeks in practice, he’s now allowed to play, per league rules. Doctors have also cleared him to play now that the torn ligament in his left wrist has healed up.

Ray enjoyed a breakout season in 2016, registering 48 tackles and eight sacks in 664 snaps. Only two Denver linebackers – Von Miller and Todd Davis – saw more action than Ray last year. He ranked an above-average 45th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.

For his part, Ray says he’s been champing at the bit to play.

“Been losing a little bit of sleep over it,” Ray said earlier this week, with a grin (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post). “I just want to get back out there with my brothers and just make some plays. I think I can bring a spark to this team defensively and try to create some turnovers, some fumbles, some sacks, and I think that just helps our defense all around.”

Broncos To Bring Shane Ray Back

October 16th, 2017 at 4:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray has been officially designated as a short-term injured reserve player, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. That means he is now allowed to practice. "Shane

The NFL’s recently modified injured reserve rules allow teams to activate up to two players from IR each season. However, a player must first spend six weeks off of the practice field and an additional two weeks out of from live action. With today’s move, Ray becomes the first NFL player to receive the IR-DTR designation in 2017.

Ray broke out in 2016, racking up 48 tackles and eight sacks in his 664 snaps. Only two Broncos linebackers – Von Miller and Todd Davis – saw more action than Ray last year. He ranked an above-average 45th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.

Ray was expected to start the year with a major role in the front seven, but surgery on his left wrist put a damper on those plans. It remains to be seen whether he will jump right into a starting role when he returns to the field.

AFC Rumors: Broncos, Ray, Jets, Texans

September 30th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Shane Ray is “right on schedule” to return to the Broncos after his eight-week stay on injured reserve, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 (Twitter link). Currently dealing with a wrist issue, Ray was placed on IR following the formation of Denver’s 53-man roster, meaning he’s eligible to return after eight weeks. Ray will miss three more divisional games — one each against the Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs — before getting back to action in Week 9. Without Ray in tow, the Broncos rank just 22nd in adjusted sack rate.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • If Colts quarterback Andrew Luck were to somehow become available, the Jets should make a play for the signal-caller, opines Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Luck, of course, hasn’t played this season as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but it’s still incredibly difficult to see Indy general manager Chris Ballard even considering the idea of a Luck trade. New York could secure a top-five selection in the 2018 draft, but the Colts would almost assuredly demand multiple first-round picks — and possibly more — for Luck, who is owed more than $95MM (not counting signing bonus money) through 2021.
  • Johnthan Banks‘ one-year deal with the Texans is for one year at the minimum rate, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). But because the former second-round cornerback after two weeks of the regular season had already passed, he’ll only earn about $683K in base salary. Furthermore, Houston used the minimum salary benefit on Banks, meaning the club will only incur ~$542K for signing the fifth-year pro.
  • In case you missed it, the Chiefs waived/injured veteran kicker Cairo Santos today, meaning his next kick will likely come with another club after three-plus seasons with Kansas City.

Broncos Place LB Shane Ray On IR

September 2nd, 2017 at 10:10pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have officially placed linebacker Shane Ray on injured reserve. The good news is that Ray should be able to come back during the season as one of the Broncos’ two players designated for return. Shane Ray

“It’s kind of what we thought,” GM John Elway said (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post). “With the surgery and where it falls is good for us, and here’s why we decided to go with it: He has to be on IR for eight weeks. The bye week counts and then our eighth game is on a Monday night. With that being on a Monday night, the eighth Sunday counts as a game. So we’ll get him back for the Kansas City game (on Oct. 30). So he’s only going to miss six games. We didn’t want to use that spot. He was not going to be back any earlier than that, and when he does come back he’ll be really ready to go. Having that fall that way for us helped us with that extra slot.”

Per league rules, Ray will be eligible to return after eight weeks on IR. By then, he should be fully recovered from his wrist surgery.

Ray broke out in 2016, racking up 48 tackles and eight sacks in his 664 snaps. Only two Broncos linebackers – Von Miller and Todd Davis – saw more action than Ray last year.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Wolfe, Downing

August 12th, 2017 at 6:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos have lost some key auxiliary performers in recent weeks. Outside linebackers Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett could both be sidelined past Week 1, and defensive line rotation cog Billy Winn is out for the season after tearing an ACL. Denver’s offense received some bad news as well. Third-round pick Carlos Henderson will undergo thumb surgery that will shelve him for at least the remainder of the preseason and possibly into the regular season, Mike Klis of 9News reports. Henderson suffered the injury during the Broncos’ August opener against the Bears.

The Louisiana Tech standout was vying to become Denver’s No. 3 wide receiver but was struggling during camp. The Broncos were using Henderson at kick returner in Chicago. Henderson’s injury will create openings for incumbent pass-catchers Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler and Jordan Taylor in the coming weeks while potentially limiting the rookie’s assimilation.

Here’s the latest out of Denver and other AFC West cities.

  • It doesn’t look like Derek Wolfe will be undergoing surgery, but the sixth-year defensive end will likely be out for a few weeks. An ankle injury forced Wolfe to be carted off the practice field Saturday, but Wolfe informed ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link) he should be good to go for Week 1. That said, Denver’s left defensive end told Anderson his ankle is badly sprained and has a “slight tear.” Pending further examination, the Broncos do not believe this is a serious injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN tweets. Wolfe tweeted a picture of the afflicted ankle as well.
  • New Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing received the backing of mentor Mike Tice when it came time for Jack Del Rio to choose between Downing and previous OC Bill Musgrave. Tice helped bring Del Rio and Musgrave — who worked together for two years in Jacksonville — back together in 2015. But the Oakland offensive line coach agreed with Del Rio that losing Downing to a team that wanted him as OC wouldn’t be a smart move, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Tice oversaw Downing’s work when he was the Vikings’ head coach during the 2000s, eventually giving Downing his first coaching job in 2005. Musgrave’s contract was not renewed, and the longtime assistant is coaching the Broncos’ quarterbacks.
  • Tafur adds the close relationship between Downing and Derek Carr helped influence the decision and previously dictated the Sunday arrangements last season. Downing coached Carr on the sidelines while Musgrave operated from the booth. Carr said, via Tafur, he will have more freedom to improvise under Downing than he did in two seasons under Musgrave. However, this season will be the 37-year-old Downing’s first time calling plays at any level since he helped coach a Minneapolis-area ninth-grade team in 2002, Tafur adds.
  • Recently added offensive lineman Allen Barbre is competing with Max Garcia for the Broncos‘ starting left guard position, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post notes. Barbre has played both guard and tackle in his career but worked with the first unit in practice and could see time with the starters in Denver’s second preseason game, per Jhabvala. Garcia and Michael Schofield were the Broncos’ starters last season. Ronald Leary is the new right guard.
  • Ray’s target date for a return from wrist surgery is Week 3, when the Broncos make their first road trip of the season in a venture to Buffalo, Jhabvala reports. Former Saints edge defender Kasim Edebali and Vontarrius Dora are the top candidates to start opposite Von Miller come Week 1, should Barrett not make it back by then.
  • Chargers rookie Mike Williams is “running” and “doing well,” per Anthony Lynn, but remains without a firm timetable.

Broncos’ Shane Ray Out 6-8 Weeks

July 28th, 2017 at 5:46pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Broncos have lost pass rusher Shane Ray for six to eight weeks on account of a torn ligament in his left wrist, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post was among those to report (on Twitter). Ray will undergo surgery Saturday.

Shane Ray

The 24-year-old Ray is the second notable Broncos linebacker to land on the shelf, joining Shaquil Barrett, who has been dealing with a hip injury since the spring. Having to go without Ray will be a bigger blow to the Broncos’ defense than Barrett’s absence, though, as the former emerged as one of the team’s top rushing threats last season.

As a second-year pro, Ray broke out with 48 tackles and eight sacks across 16 games (eight starts) and 664 snaps. Only two Broncos linebackers – Von Miller and Todd Davis – saw more action than Ray, who ranked an above-average 45th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.

Now that they’re facing the prospect of going without both Ray and Barrett to begin the regular season, Broncos general manager John Elway and head coach Vance Joseph will consider adding outside help at linebacker, tweets Jhabvala. The best edge-rushing options remaining in free agency include Dwight Freeney, Mario Williams, Paul Kruger and Trent Cole, as PFR’s Dallas Robinson wrote last month. It’s possible the Broncos would have had interest in Erik Walden, who posted 11 sacks last year with the Colts, but they missed out on him when he signed with the Titans on Thursday.

Thanks to both the injuries to Ray and Barrett and the retirement of DeMarcus Ware, the Broncos are down to the untested Vontarrius Dora opposite Miller, as Roster Resource shows. Dora went undrafted out of Louisiana Tech last year and only played in one of Denver’s games.

Teams Assessing Potential Joe Thomas Trade

October 2nd, 2016 at 1:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Rival clubs are determining the cost of possibly acquiring left tackle Joe Thomas from the Browns, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Cleveland’s new regime has been reluctant to deal Thomas — and Thomas himself didn’t request a trade over the offseason — but withe Browns off to a winless start, it’s possible they could be open to a move.Joe Thomas (vertical)

[RELATED: Browns Had Shopped Josh Gordon]

The Broncos were among the teams interested in Thomas last year, and the Browns turned down an offer of edge rusher Shane Ray and a second-round pick in exchange for the future Hall of Fame tackle, according to La Canfora. Other reports at last year’s deadline indicated that Denver was willing to ship a first- and second-round pick to Cleveland for Thomas and a fourth-rounder.

Some NFL executives believe that the Browns could end up getting a first-round pick for Thomas, per La Canfora, who lists the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Panthers among the clubs that could express interest in Thomas. All three teams rank in the bottom-half of the league in adjusted sack rate, Football Outsiders’ pass-blocking metric.

Thomas, 31, has no prorated bonus money remaining, so an acquiring team would be on the hook for all of his future cap charges. He’s signed through 2018, with cap hits of $10MM in each of the next two seasons.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Load More Posts