GM John Elway has done it again
The former quarterback and current General Manager has worked his magic for the Broncos once again. Jamaal Charles has signed a one year deal with the Denver Broncos for the veteran minimum salary of $900,000, according to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis. Charles played for the Kansas City Chiefs for nine years, had five +1,000 yard seasons, and is a three-time Pro Bowler. Charles is also the National Football League's leader in Yards Per Carry rushing.
A most welcome addition
Having a rusher of Charles' caliber will be a welcome sight for Denver.
Following the fantastic Super Bowl-winning season, singing the perfect swan song for future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos finished the 2016 season with a better than average record of 9-7, as well as missing a playoff berth for the first time since 2010. Albeit, filling the shoes of Peyton Manning was no easy task, but second year quarterback Trevor Siemian finished the season throwing for a respectable 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Those numbers were even more impressive for a second year quarterback given how poorly the offensive line played last year. Not to mention that two of their high-end veterans retired this year, running back Justin Forsett and linebacker Demarcus Ware. No, the main offensive problems last year came from a quiet running game, with C.J Anderson running for only 437 yards, and rookie running back Devonte Booker running for 612.
The performance was even more disappointing after seeing what a pivotal role Anderson played in the 2015 AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots and the Super Bowl win against the Carolina Panthers.
Pieces starting to fit
With a tandem of Charles and Anderson, on top of the acquisitions of Inside Lineman Ronald Leary from the Dallas Cowboys, the Oakland Raiders' Right Tackle Menelik Watson, and of course, first round pick Offensive Tackle Garret Boles (who made his NFL entrance with his best Rafiki impersonation during the Draft, bringing his son on stage with him and holding him up) are just the right pieces Denver needs to have a very promising and scary ground game in the 2017 season.
Friendly competition
C.J Anderson welcomed the news of the Charles signing enthusiastically on Twitter, stating that Charles' explosive ability to get in the backfield is exciting for him and the team. "We definitely need what he brings. We definitely need his home run ability for sure."
Charles shared the love right back: "I love C.J Anderson's game.
He’s powerful and he’s fast. He is physical and he breaks tackles. Just playing with a guy like that, I just want to come in here and help the team with my explosiveness. I want to come up and play for each other and push each other to get better. That’s the goal at the end of the day. Now we’re on the same team, so we’re going to try and push each other to get to the one goal, and that’s another Super Bowl."
So while there is a quarterback competition going on between Trevor Siemian and the 2016 1st round pick Paxton Lynch in the Mile High City, it looks like there will be some friendly competition in the running back game as well. Whether it's Anderson or Charles that emerges as the starter, it looks like the Denver Broncos may be back to take their AFC West Division crown in 2017.
