Frank Clark Reveals Truth Behind Joining the Broncos
Since Sean Payton assumed command of the Denver Broncos, OTAs are serious business once again in the Mile High City. Seeing how the team is coming together at OTAs serves to, at times, show Payton where the roster requires tinkering and adjusting in order to flesh out his vision.
"I've said it, you're going to churn certain position groups based on getting a chance to look at other players,'' Payton said after Thursday's practice.
Payton's quest to improve the Broncos roster has seen former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Frank Clark arrive in town. Clark was jettisoned by the Chiefs, but approaching his 30th birthday, the expectation is that he's got plenty left in the tank.
Applying pressure on the quarterback can be more effective if established from both edges, though, so much will hinge on Randy Gregory's availability moving forward. Ironically, Gregory seemed to have been one of the reasons why Clark committed to a one-year deal to remain in the familiar surroundings of the AFC West.
"The situation with Sean Payton is good for me. I get to play alongside Randy Gregory and stay in my division that I am very familiar with,” Clark told Anderson. “I also want to help the Broncos get back to the mountaintop."
Payton's decision to add another experienced pass rusher was welcome but long overdue. With Denver's failure to meet even modest expectations last year, there are a lot of players whom media and fans expect to take that 'next step' under Payton's tutelage.
"The 'next step' is that cliche term," Payton said. "I hope all of [of the players] take the next step because last year’s steps were not good enough."
While Gregory and Clark will be penciled in as the starters, Baron Browning's unfortunate surgery has cast some doubt on the overall depth of the Broncos' pass-rushing unit. Payton isn't one to delay making improvements when he deems them necessary, so it's no stretch to believe that he's not done shopping.
Signing Clark was financially manageable for GM George Patonbut it might make a potential move for free agent running back Dalvin Cook more of a long shot.
Denver's confidence in Javonte Williams' recovery timetable appears to be rising. That's bound to have had an effect on how Payton went about retooling with Clark at the edge, even as Cook was being set free by the Minnesota Vikings.
Keeping the pedal to the metal is classic Payton strategy, and provides a stark contrast to the 'mañana, mañana' approach taken by Nathaniel Hackett last offseason.
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