Prater to return as Broncos kicker, Jamal Williams deal done
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The Broncos signed a deal to retain Matt Prater as their placekicker Wednesday. Prater, who struggled through the end of the 2008 season, seemed to have a resurgence in 2009, making 30 of 35 field goal attempts with no extra point misses.
The Broncos also worked on bolstering their defense, signing 348-pound Jamal Williams, who visited Denver as a free agent earlier this week. Williams will presumably enter training camp as the backup to Justin Bannan, who the Broncos signed to a 5-year deal. The details of Bannan’s contract were not immediately available, but sources indicate he’s getting “starter money”, which almost certainly sets the depth chart. But knowing the McDaniels system (and the short road to the McD Doghouse), the job is definitely up for competition.
The signings of Williams, Bannan, as well as Jarvis Green, indicates a movement that Broncos faithful have been clamoring for – a commitment to bulking up the defense. If this does the trick in terms of steadying the front 7, and the secondary can perform to its peak, the Broncos could show further defensive improvement.
The questions on defense are as follows:
1. Will “Wink” Martindale’s leadership be enough to improve the defense?
2. At what point will the secondary start to show its age? Ty Law, Champ Bailey, and Brian Dawkins – it’s a 2004 “who’s who” of secondary all-stars. If these guys can stay fierce without losing a step, look for the secondary to be among the most feared in the league. If they begin to play like guys in their upper 30s, it could be a rough year.
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