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Denver's pass rushers to do their thing.

in Off-topic discussion Thu Sep 20, 2018 11:13 am
by officialsbaseball • Farseer | 192 Posts | 1920 Points

The Buffalo Bills put themselves in a better position to fill a big need at quarterback in the draft. The Cincinnati Bengals added much-needed protection for their own franchise quarterback Cody Parkey Jersey , Andy Dalton.

The Bills moved up nine spots in the draft by swapping first-round picks with the Bengals, who also acquired high-priced left tackle Cordy Glenn in a trade Monday, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because teams are not allowed to announce trades until the NFL's new business year opens Wednesday. Buffalo moved up to the No. 12 spot in the draft by trading the first of its two opening-round selections, 21st overall. The Bills also have the No. 22 pick.

Buffalo also traded its fifth-round pick (158th overall) for the Bengals' sixth-round selection (187th) as part of the Bills' second major trade in three days. On Friday, Buffalo traded starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland for a third-round pick.

The moves helped place the Bills in a position to use one of their first-round picks to draft a quarterback. The Bills have the assets to move up even higher in the draft order by having two picks in each of the first three rounds.

Nathan Peterman, a fifth-round pick last year, is the only quarterback on the roster.

General manager Brandon Beane has said he intends to land a franchise quarterback through either the draft, a trade or in free agency.

Beane has paid close attention to what is considered a top-heavy draft class of quarterbacks. He has said he planned to meet with all the draft-eligible quarterback prospects.

The offensive line is Cincinnati's biggest focus in the offseason. The offense finished last in the league in large measure because its line couldn't protect Dalton or open holes for the running backs.

The Bengals ranked 20th in allowing 40 sacks and 31st in yards rushing last year.

Cedric Ogbuehi took over at left tackle after Andrew Whitworth was allowed to leave as a free agent a year ago. Andre Smith was signed from Minnesota to play right tackle, which was Ogbuehi's spot. The arrangement didn't work.

Offensive line coach Paul Alexander was fired after the season, indicating an overhaul was coming on the line.

Glenn has been a Bills starter since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. He was limited to six games last year due to a left-foot injury that eventually required surgery. He also hurt his right ankle.

When healthy http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/zack-martin-jersey , Glenn has been dominant in both pass protection and run blocking. He was part of a Bills team that led the NFL in yards rushing in both 2015 and '16.

Dion Dawkins is in position to replace Glenn as the starter after filling in as a rookie last season. The Bills still have a need at center after Eric Wood was diagnosed with a career-ending neck injury in January.

Trading Glenn also solves yet another salary-cap related issue Beane inherited upon replacing Doug Whaley, who was fired a day after last year's draft concluded.

Glenn has three years left on a $65 million contract he signed in 2016, and is due to make a $9.25 million base salary this season. Despite being traded, a portion of Glenn's bonus money will count against the Bills' salary cap this season.

Beane has taken a bold approach to reshaping the Bills through trades.

On the same day in August, he traded starting receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams and starting cornerback Ronald Darby to Philadelphia. In October, the Bills traded their highest-paid player, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick.

The depletion of talent didn't hamper the Bills from finishing 9-7 and making the playoffs to end a 17-year drought, which had been the longest active streak in North America's four major professional sports.

AP sports writer Joe Kay contributed to this report.

DENVER BRONCOS (5-11)

New faces: QB Case Keenum, RB Royce Freeman http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/byron-jones-jersey , RB Phillip Lindsay, WR Courtland Sutton, WR DaeSean Hamilton, RT Jared Veldheer, CB Adam "Pacman" Jones, DE Clinton McDonald, ILB Jose Jewell, OLB Bradley Chubb, ILB Alexander Johnson, CB Tramaine Brock http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/brian-quick-jersey , S Su'a Cravens, CB Isaac Yiadom, P Marquette King.

Key losses: CB Aqib Talib, QB Trevor Siemian, QB Brock Osweiler, RB C.J. Anderson, TE Virgil Green, WR Cody Latimer, OL Menelik Watson, S Jamal Carter Ziggy Hood Jersey , P Riley Dixon.

Strengths: Nobody in league has Denver's pass rush prowess with No. 5 overall draft pick Bradley Chubb joining Von Miller, Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray. All but Barrett are first-rounders. Few teams have bolstered one position way Broncos beefed up receiving corps with additions of draft picks Sutton and Hamilton and emergence of Tim Patrick (undrafted, Utah 2017), another tall, thick receiver.

Weaknesses: "No Fly Zone" defense is down two founding members with Talib's trade to Rams and T.J. Ward's release last year. Lost Carter to season-ending hamstring injury in preseason. CB Bradley Roby now full-time starter next to Chris Harris Jr. But secondary banged up all summer, especially with Cravens (knee) out, crimping chemistry. With injuries to DBs, linebackers continued trend of allowing tight ends to make big plays in preseason.

Fantasy Players to Watch: WR Emmanuel Sanders has regained speed and enthusiasm after hobbling through 2017 with ankle injury. Sanders credits energy boost on Keenum's arrival. He and Demaryius Thomas also pushed by rookies Sutton and Hamilton. Expect Freeman to get bulk of handoffs in backfield.

Vegas Says: Super Bowl 50-1. Over/under wins 7.5.

Expectations: Broncos are out to avoid first back-to-back losing seasons since 1971-72 and end two-year playoff drought. GM John Elway gave roster injection of talented, mature rookies as all 10 draft picks plus Lindsay spent four years in college and have been captains. That's departure from previous classes long on athleticism but short on experience. Keenum will need season like last year's in Minnesota and his O-line will have to keep him clean for team to get leads and allow Denver's pass rushers to do their thing.

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