DENVER -- "Everyone soon or late comes round by Rome" -- Robert Browning, English poet.
"Everyone soon or late comes round by Romo" -- The Denver Broncos, NFL team.
Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys will release quarterback Tony Romo, making him a free agent. The Broncos are interested, but figure to take a disciplined approach. They will want to know if Romo wants to be a Bronco, and will he play for a reasonable salary of $10 to $12 million? They are not inclined to become involved in a bidding war, and if Romo plans to go on multiple visits it's uncertain how long the Broncos would wait for a decision.
Regardless of the quarterback, the Broncos need offensive line help. The Broncos are zeroing in on targets, and are expected to add one, if not two offensive line free agents by the end of the week. Right guard remains high on the priority list. There are several that make sense for the Broncos, including Dallas' Ronald Leary, Green Bay's T.J. Lang, Detroit's Larry Warford and Cincinnati's Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler is the top-ranked player available with an accompanying rising price tag, but he knows Broncos coach Vance Joseph from their time together in Cincinnati.
At tackle, Cincinnati's Andrew Whitworth is coming off a solid season, and is intrigued by the Broncos. But it's fair to wonder if they will pay top dollar for a 35-year-old. That explains why they haven't ruled out bringing back left tackle Russell Okung, who is receiving interest from the Panthers, Giants and Chargers. Detroit's Riley Reiff bears watching. He has played right and left tackle during his career.
Again, the Broncos are tightening focus on linemen, hopeful of adding upgrades. Players can begin signing contracts as of 2 p.m. Thursday. The Broncos will be active in free agency with a focus on linemen and an eye peeled on Romo.