Mike Shanahan has always liked to stock up on defensive lineman and he picked up a nice late spring addition with veteran Sam Adams. 

Adams should be a nice complement along a front four that expects more production in 2007 under new defensive coordinator Jim Bates.  Adams had a sluggish knee in 2006 with Cincinnati, but had surgery to clean up things and feels healthy as the summer approaches.

Adams is enormous with tremendous strength to control blockers at the point of attack.  He clogs up the run and has the ability to collapse the pocket when motivated.  This is a natural fit within Bates’ scheme upfront.  Since Bates likes to line up undersized defensive ends wide, his scheme requires space eaters inside.  That is what Adams brings to this defense in 2007. 

The presence of Adams should also become a boost for Gerard Warren.  Warren was slowed by two dislocated toes last season.  Adams’ presence takes pressure off Warren as a gap clogger.  Warren plays his best when he can penetrate gaps rather than play two-gap responsibilities. 

The Broncos also have solid depth inside.  Alvin McKinley is coming off a subpar year in Cleveland last season, but grades as a steady rotation player who plays with good effort and technique.  Demetrin Veal has some penetration ability.  Rookie Marcus Thomas has an intriguing blend of penetration ability and strength.