TJ Ward Appreciation Thread

[Mingo]

Broncos releasing former Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward

He won't be around. Not a popular move among the players. I don't think it hurts the talent on Defense though -as the Broncos are safety rich at the moment.

I like TJ's game - Other than throwing his drink at a barmaid upon arriving in Denver - he was generally well behaved. He was a playmaker. I ask him for an autograph and take a handshake - if I can get one.

He was easy to appreciate when he was on the field.

Simmons is a better pass defender.

 

[iknowftbll]

Bummer to see him go. Hope the locker room recovers and doesn't let this become divisive.

 

[nflbronco]

Thanks TJ but, smart move

 

[CEH]

So VJ was a defensive backs coach as was Joe Woods. I think this was more about the performance of the younger kids.

Remember when Pats released Lawyer Malloy? First game of the year they were smoked 31-0 by BUF but went on for a SB winning season

 

[Duffman]

I know it'll be hard for people to put aside their bias but this was smart from a business standpoint. We save $4.5 million and have safeties ready to take his place. If the Broncos can use that money to sign someone from a position of need or re-sign a couple of players then it's worth it.

 

[Duffman]

I just thought of another thing, can anyone recall a player Elway has cut or not re-signed that has come back to bite him in the ass because I sure can't. Eric Decker was never really above average in NY and that led to us drafting Sanders, Julius Thomas and Zane Beadles flamed out with the Jags and it looks like Malik Jackson will bust as well unless you count 6.5 sacks and 33 tackles $90 million worthy. Danny Trevathan had his worst year in the league last year. Elway seems to have this 6th sense where he knows when it's time to let people go so I'm trusting him with Ward because so far he hasn't let me down.

 

[CEH]

I just thought of another thing, can anyone recall a player Elway has cut or not re-signed that has come back to bite him in the ass because I sure can't. Eric Decker was never really above average in NY and that led to us drafting Sanders, Julius Thomas and Zane Beadles flamed out with the Jags and it looks like Malik Jackson will bust as well unless you count 6.5 sacks and 33 tackles $90 million worthy. Danny Trevathan had his worst year in the league last year. Elway seems to have this 6th sense where he knows when it's time to let people go so I'm trusting him with Ward because so far he hasn't let me down.

Kyle Orton came back and beat Tebow last game of the year.

Denver needed rivers to beat oak to back in to the division title

 

[58crash]

Oz fell pretty had his face as well

 

[cdumler7]

I would say Malik has done pretty well. Not outstanding by any means or up to the contract he signed but pretty well. Broncos though tried to re-sign him. For the most part yeah Elway has done well knowing when to let players walk for big money and not even try for them.

TJ Ward to me was a great player in the sense of the attitude and leadership he brought to the team. His play on the field though was a bit limited. He struggled when asked to cover 1-on-1 and never could play the deep safety position. So yes with some younger promising players behind him this move makes sense.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Good TJ Ward is a Buccaneer and not a Steeler.

Signed late last night by Tampa.

 

[58crash]

Good Luck .

 

[Draft Crazy]

Not a fan of this move at all. Well liked player, and a leader still has a lot left. Would have liked to see him play out his contract here at least.

Reminds me of when we were so close to a SB but had a soft D so we went out and got Ware, Ward and Talib.

 

[Mingo]

Not a fan of this move at all. Well liked player, and a leader still has a lot left. Would have liked to see him play out his contract here at least.

Reminds me of when we were so close to a SB but had a soft D so we went out and got Ware, Ward and Talib.

The cliché this move reminds me of - is that it may be penny wise and pound foolish. Not enough credit is given to Ward's organizational glue, emotional heart - and playmaking ability.

It certainly is interesting that Simmons got the promotion to Ward's spot. He will not play the position like Ward did - if you wanted an approximation of Ward to replace him - you would take Will Parks. I think this signals a rather large change in the Broncos pass defense. I think the Broncos will use Langley for Ward type plays inside or close to the Box - and use Simmons more in the help out role everywhere and anywhere (I.E. better actual pass defense).

 

[Draft Crazy]

Don't forget about Jamal Carter. He plays the most like Ward out of the 3.. I think you will see a dosage of all 3.

 

[Duffman]

Honestly this reminds me of when Atwater left following the 98 season, the team let him go(he was a FA but they basically let him go by choosing to not re-sign him), the fans didn't like it because he was their guy but the Front Office knew he was winding down and didn't have much left in the tank. And we saw that when Atwater retired the following year after 1 season with NY. Now Ward is younger than Atwater was but I see a lot of similarities, wouldn't shock me if Ward retires in a few years because he can't stay healthy and his skill is diminishing too much for teams to put up with all the injuries.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Ward has had several different injuries. Nothing serious, but he does seem to be dinged up quite a bit, which is what I think eventually led to "the amount of money he was worth" debate between he and the front office.

I personally thought we'd at least let him play out his contract but I think there is more to it then we are aware of.

 

[Mingo]

Don't forget about Jamal Carter. He plays the most like Ward out of the 3.. I think you will see a dosage of all 3.

Yes - I noticed I got my rooks mixed up - saying Langley - when I meant Carter. Go Broncos!

 

[Ojb81]

I just thought of another thing, can anyone recall a player Elway has cut or not re-signed that has come back to bite him in the ass because I sure can't. Eric Decker was never really above average in NY and that led to us drafting Sanders, Julius Thomas and Zane Beadles flamed out with the Jags and it looks like Malik Jackson will bust as well unless you count 6.5 sacks and 33 tackles $90 million worthy. Danny Trevathan had his worst year in the league last year. Elway seems to have this 6th sense where he knows when it's time to let people go so I'm trusting him with Ward because so far he hasn't let me down.

Emmanuel Sanders? Broncos didnt draft him, they got him in FA

 

[Draft Crazy]

Danny Trevathan was hurt last year. Decker was pretty good with the Jets before getting hurt, but he got way too much money so you have to factor that in as well. IN 2015 Decker had 1,000 plus yards and 12 tds, in 2014 he had close to 1,000 yards. I'd say that is better then average.

Malik Jackson is looking like a bust in Jacksonville? How so?

Its more about the money then the play on the field... But a few of these guys have done decent.

Should have added Orlando Franklin though to make it look better.

 

[58crash]

Deal is these team will over pay that still is not good for long term and in that I mean in the end way more money