Who is James Casey and what does he mean for the Broncos?

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms with free agent tight end James Casey on a one-year contract Saturday.

The seventh-year player out of Rice has appeared in 92 regular-season games and five playoff games in his career. Casey joins Shelley Smith, Owen Daniels, Darian Stewart, and Antonio Smith as players who were drafted by or played for Gary Kubiak  at some point in their career and are now with the Broncos.

Kubiak plucked Casey out of the fifth round of the 2009 draft and he remained in Houston with the coach until 2012. In week three of 2011, Casey brought in five receptions for 126 yards and a score, gaining Kubiak’s confidence and maybe even convincing himself that he can excel at the pro level. The following year his playing time increased and he caught a pass in 14 of the 16 regular season games played.

Casey played in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2014 as primarily a special teams player. In fact, he led the NFL in special teams snaps in 2014 with 439 and even blocked two punts. Casey did manage to catch a touchdown pass in week 11 against Tennessee last year and was utilized as a blocking tight end often.

James Casey is perfect for the Gary Kubiak led Broncos. He is a multi-dimensional player that has lined up as a tight end, H-back, and fullback during his career. The Broncos can use him on special teams and insert him in a reserve role at a number of positions on offense.

This signing means more durability and more toughness for the Denver Broncos. Adding yet another player that fits into the more physical, run oriented, will-imposing brand of football that Denver will employ in 2015.

The blue-collar, lunch pail player is the new “in-thing” at Dove Valley and I think it’s outstanding.