TotalBroncos

The TheWookieeBronco of Broncosforums.com has made a case for why the Broncos need to draft a runningback early in the 2008 draft.

His contention is that while the team might have defensive and other needs, that without a top notch runningback a team is not going to go all the way.  He supports the idea of first ensuring the team has a young QB, WR, LT and RB that can grow and develop together, and then build the rest of the team around that offensive sub-unit.

Ultimately, he believes that the Broncos should draft Jonathon Stewart.

Here is an excerpt from his article in the Broncosforums articles forum:

These questions can all be answered in one draft pick. The Denver Broncos offense can have the second to final piece, a left tackle being the other piece, needed to make this offense great in one draft pick. The Broncos can have a future “lead the league in rushing” running back with one pick. All they need to do is select Jonathan Stewart with the #12 pick. I’m not here to persuade you into why the Broncos should draft Jonathan Stewart over Rashard Mendenhall, I’ll leave that to one of our draft analysts. But I will argue why the Broncos should draft a running back over a Linebacker or an Offensive lineman.

Now I’ve been complaining about our offensive line for a while now, what needs to be understood is that this draft class is full of first round quality offensive tackles. Drafting a quality offensive tackle in the very late first round or early second round will be possible. The options are to try and get another first round pick, or to try and trade up for a higher second round pick. Both are options that could occur depending on circumstances that could possibly arise over the off-season. Pairing a young QB, a young RB, a young WR and a young LT will let the future of the offense bond together. Then to address some other needs, the Broncos could pull a trade for Marcus Stroud, sign WR Bryant Johnson and draft a young linebacker by acquiring a third round pick. This would put the Broncos in a good position because the major needs will be filled with young talent.

Do you see what Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch have done in their rookie season? Wouldn’t you like that for the Broncos? Or would you like to be like the Detroit Lions, close but not close enough, failing miserably because you have no running game.  

To read the full article and discuss it on Broncosforums.com visit the article and discussion thread in the Articles Forum.

By Tned

BroncosForums

The deadline before free agency came and went and midnight last night.  According to reports, the Broncos and Elam were miles apart, and we aren’t talking about Miles the mascot.

As detailed here, Elam Era Over?, on Monday, Elam is not only the Denver Broncos’ greatest kicker, but one of the best of all time.  While Morton Anderson might disagree, the fact is that it wasn’t if, but when, Jason Elams’ time in Denver was over.  There is some question about how much a team that is climb back to the top of the AFC ranks could spend on a kicker, even one that accounted for nearly half of wins in 2007, it appears that Denver will go in another direction and likely draft a kicker in April, and probably pick up a veteran free agent to compete for the job.

The Denver Post says that Elam’s agent indicates that a return to Denver is possible, and the Broncos are the only team that Elam would sign with in the next two weeks.  It also appears that retirement isn’t out of the question.

“I’m more than a little surprised, given that Jason is coming off his two best seasons and what he means to the Broncos,” his agent, Jack Reale, said Thursday night. “It’s puzzling to me.”

Reale said the two sides are far apart. Elam is leaving the country Saturday for two weeks, going on a trip to Israel with some Broncos teammates, and will not be available to visit other NFL teams during that time.

The only team he would likely sign with in the next two weeks is Denver, but Reale said he doesn’t know if that’s possible. Asked if Elam, who turns 38 on March 8, will return to the Broncos, Reale said: “It remains to be seen. It takes two hands to clap.”

Because he’s so settled in Denver, retirement is an option for Elam if he doesn’t re-sign with the Broncos

When midnight came last night, and in less time than it took for Elam to win the Buffalo Bill’s game last year with the Toro, Toro! play, he became a free agent, and is no longer the property of the Denver Broncos, and they lost the ability to exclusively negotiate with Elam.

For a running tally of league moves and rumors, check out the Around the League News/Rumor Thread on Broncos Forums.

Collegefootballnews.com has the Broncos picking up an Offensive tackle in their most recent mock draft.

They list the Denver Broncos biggest needs as being on both lines: offensive tackle, offensive guard and defensive tackle. However, they rightly point out that the Broncos could pickup a receiver if they cut or trade Javon Walker, which seems likely at this time.

12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

Don’t discount the possibility of a receiver if the team doesn’t believe in Javon Walker anymore. Jay Cutler could use some more weapons. There will still be decent receiver prospects in the second and third rounds, but a chance at getting centerpiece offensive tackle who can move like Ryan Clady can’t be passed up.

Three Biggest Needs: OT, OG, DT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State, 2. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt, 3. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

While this mock complies with conventional wisdom, which has been that since Matt Lepsis retired, that the Denver Broncos biggest need will be on the offensive line.

However, no one should discount Mike Shanahan’s penchant for believing in filling his line holes with lower round development players in their second or third years, along with free agent aquisitions.

In his season wrap-up press conference, Shanahan indicated he was very comfortable with Ryan Harris at left tackle. Whether that was Shanahan painting a rosy picture, or an indication of where he sees the teams needs, will be a bit clearer after the April draft.

Here are the other 11 picks to round out CFN’s top 12:

1. Miami Dolphins: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

The Dolphins need a ton of new talent and might try to trade down and get several picks, but that’s if Bill Parcells is more desperate to win now rather than build a foundation. The team needs a quarterback and can either hope to snag a Colt Brennan or Joe Flacco later on, pray for John Beck to pan out, or go with Matt Ryan.

Three Biggest Needs: QB, OT, DT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College; 2. Jake Long, OT, Michigan; 3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

 

2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

It might be tough to sell the fan base on yet another high pick on a defensive lineman, but if Long pans out and is as good as advertised, it’ll fill a glaring need for a consistent pass rusher. Addressing the offensive tackle needs will have to be done later on.

Three Biggest Needs: DE, OL, WR
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan, 2. Chris Long, DE, Virginia, 3. Ryan Clady, OT Boise State

3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Do the Falcons try to trade up to get Matt Ryan, stand pat and take Brian Brohm or try to trade down? If Dorsey falls here, the choice might be made for them. The team needs high-character players, and Dorsey certainly fits.

Three Biggest Needs: QB, DT, OT
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College, 2. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville, 3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

McFadden isn’t a need pick, but Al Davis does like his wow factor. The better move would be to take one of the top offensive tackles, save a little bit of money and protect the team’s franchise player, JaMarcus Russell, for the next several years.

Three Biggest Needs: OT, DT, DE
Three Players Who Make The Most Sense: 1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan, 2. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State, 3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Read More

It’s that time of year when mock drafts popup left and right.  Many of the great mock drafters that in previous years were posting on Broncosfreak and Broncomania, are now calling Broncosforums their home.

With the 2008 NFL combine underway and the Draft 2 months away, the mock draft season is moving into full swing.  Here are two recent Denver Broncos mock drafts from the BroncosForums 2008 Draft and Free Agency forum.

Updated Denver Broncos Mock Draft by SmilinAssasSin27

Here is what I would like to see for Denver on draft day. Henry is restructured. JWalk is as good as gone. Shanny obviously is looking at WR via FA and I also think we can get a solid DT via trade/FA as well.

Forgive me if I don’t have all the picks in the exact rounds as I have yet to find any sites which list the proper choices. So I’m going w/ 2 #4s, 2 #5s, NO #6 and a #7. Some of my mid round choices can be altered to fit whatever is correct…

Round 1-Dan Connor, OLB/MLB, Penn State
Connor’s ability to play inside and out adds flexibility to the Denver LB corps. It also gives Shanny more time to decide what rto do with DJ. He is a sound tackler and a great field general. A blue collar player who will bring the lunch pail for the next 8-12 years…and leave the attitude at the door. Another option is Keith Rivers, OLB, USC.

Round 2-DaJuan Morgan, Safety, North Carolina State
Finally the Safety that I have been coveting. With Phillips’ “value” at 12 apparently slipping, Morgan is a very solid option who is quickly climbing the draft charts. Comes from a very highly respected defense for the Wolfpack. Another option is Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma.

Round 4a-Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Some will say this is too late for him to go, but he is a project and may last this long w/ the influx of junior talent in this draft. This kid is a horse w/ loads of potential. He’s more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher, but isn’t that what we need after 2007? Another option is Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State.

Round 4b-Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
Here is the large, pile moving Tackle that many folks seem to want. At 6′7″ 330, he is massive, but also has excellent footwork. May need a season or 2 to develop…but the same was said about Marcus McNeil. Another option is Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State.

Round 5a-Ezra Butler, OLB, Nevada
Butler is the big, physical OLB that we have been needing but is also athletic enough for our style of play. Ian is gonzo and I’ve said for months this should be a 2 LB draft. Butler and Dan Connor along side DJ should be a formidable LB corps. Another option is J Leman, MLB, Illinois.

Round 5b-Darius Reynaud, WR, West Virginia
My sleeper of the whole draft. I loved watching this guy at WVU. Short, but tough. At 200lbs, he is a stocky sparkplug who produced great numbers considering the style of O he played in. Also a solid return option for us. Another option is Dexter Jackson, QB/WR, Appalachian State.

Round 7-Chris Brown, FB/TE, Tennessee
Your consumate team player. Brown can excel at either FB or TE and has done so at both vs SEC competition. Has great hands, which plays nicely with how Shanny likes to use his FBs on the goalline. Call me a homer, but if we draft this guy, nobody will be upset when it’s all said and done.
SOOOO…this would give us 2 LBs, 1 DT, 1 OT, 1 Safety, 1 WR and a TE/FB. Assuming Shanny lands a DT and WR via FA, I’d say this addresses most of the team’s areas of concern.
 
You can discuss SmilinAssasSin27’s mock draft at the discussion thread on Broncos Forums.

Here is another Denver Broncos mock draft posted by Lex

Might as well put this out there. Im kind of coming around on the idea of trading down a little bit. Id really like McFadden or Mendenhall but someone pointed out that Charles might be quite serviceable if he were to put on 10 pounds. Ive thought about it and I agree. I think he was just beginning to scratch the surface at Texas and at 6′1″, I think he could put on 10 pounds without it really slowing him down that much if at all.

(1)29. RT- Gosder Cherilous (traded #12 to SF for 29th and 39th; 1150 pts for 1200)
(2)39. MLB-Curtis Lofton
(2)42. RB-Jamaal Charles
(3)72. DT-Trevor Laws (traded Foxworth and Walker to Buffalo who has back to back 3rds)
(4)104. S-Wesley Woodyard
(4)113. WR-Jordy Nelson (traded with Minnesota for #140 and 2009 4th)
(4)115. DT-trade for Shaun Rogers with Detroit
(5)129. OLB-Jordan Dizon
(7)202. WR-Paul Raymond
(7)209. CB-Brian Witherspoon
 
You can discuss Lex’s mock draft at the discussion thread on Broncos Forums.

Andrew Mason of Denver Broncos.com is giving day by day recaps of the 2008 NFL combne in his blog, Mason Morsels. 

Here are a few excerpts from his Day 3 Blog Entry:

11:22 A.M. EST: A few defensive linemen have entered the room, most notably North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, whose stock rapidly rose before an injury during Monday afternoon North team practice at the Senior Bowl knocked him out of the rest of the week’s activities. 

UNLV defensive end Jeremy Geathers — the son of one-time NFL veteran Jumpy Geathers, who played the same position — also spoke and said the Broncos were among the teams with whom he’d met.

UNLV DE Jeremy Geathers:

5:14 P.M. EST: Some official results from the day:

TIGHT ENDS, BROAD JUMP:
Dustin Keller, Purdue: 10′11″
Joey Haynos, Maryland: 10′3″
Tom Santi, Virginia: 10′1″
Gary Barnidge, Louisville: 9′9″
Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M: 9′9″
Kellen Davis, Michigan State: 9′9″

OFFENSIVE LINE, BROAD JUMP:
Cody Wallace, Texas A&M: 9′5″
Tyler Polumbus, Colorado: 9′4″
Branden Albert, Virginia: 9′3″
Mike Gibson, Cal: 9′2″
Mike Pollak, Arizona State: 9′2″
Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State: 9′1″
Carl Nicks, Nebraska: 9′1″
Breno Giacomini, Louisville: 9′0″
John Greco, Toledo: 9′0″
Chilo Rachal, USC: 9′0″
Drew Radovich, USC: 9′0″

Read Mason’s full blog entry here: