Finding the Next Al Wilson

With Al Wilson out in Denver, the job turns to finding his replacement. Wilson was unusually popular, so much so that owner Pat Bowlen, on a personal level, was sad to see him go:

"I was pretty close to Al, personally ... I don't really get that close to a lot of players but I had a good relationship with Al... I don't think there was any option for us, or maybe Al, until he gets his neck straightened out. I don't know if wants to play this year. Maybe next year. But he was a very important part of our team for eight years. You don't get a better leader than Al."

But as we're constantly reminded, the NFL is a business, and the Broncos must get down to the business of finding Wilson's replacement. The Denver Post's Mike Klis says the team has three options: (1) Draft Michigan MLB David Harris, (2) Move D.J. Williams from outside to inside linebacker, (3) Sign a free agent like former Falcons Ed Hartwell.

Each of these options comes with risks -- Harris would be a rookie trying to adjust to the NFL on the fly; Williams has never played MLB; Hartwell, though 28, has an injury history -- and none are as appealing as keeping a healthy Al Wilson.