Broncos Agree to Deals With Talib, Ward, Caldwell

The Denver Broncos spent the first day of free agency bolstering their defensive backfield, agreeing to a four-year deal with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward on Tuesday and then hours later reaching an agreement on a six-year contract with cornerback Aqib Talib.

Talib and Ward will play in a secondary that will be without Champ Bailey, who was released last week, and may be moving on from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who entered free agency without a new deal from the Broncos.

Ward had 129 tackles and two interceptions for Cleveland last year.

Talib was a shutdown corner for New England in 2013. He hurt his knee early in the AFC Championship against Denver when he was bumped by Wes Welker on a crossing route.

The Broncos have brought back one of Peyton Manning's targets, agreeing to a two-year deal with receiver Andre Caldwell on Tuesday.

Caldwell came on late in the season when Wes Welker was sidelined with a concussion. The 28-year-old Caldwell caught 11 of his 16 passes over the final three games of the season.

His most productive game in 2013 was against San Diego on Dec. 12, when he had six receptions for 59 yards and two TDs.

Caldwell was held without a catch in a 43-8 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl.

Over his six-year career, Caldwell has 141 catches and nine scores. He spent his first four seasons with Cincinnati after the Bengals took him in the third round of the 2008 draft.