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July 2009 News
Fantasy Football Profile: Ben Roethlisberger
Published: July 22, 2009
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Big Ben finds himself in the news for the wrong reasons.
I’m not going to weigh in on his situation because I don’t have the information and don’t want to jump to conclusions. Obviously his situation has a strong bearing on his fantasy value.
If he is suspended or incarcerated he will obviously need to be re-evaluated. If he were to miss some time due to suspension or otherwise, he would probably be ranked as a low-end fantasy starter at best.
He has some great weapons in Santonio Holmes—who I expect to blow up this year— and also has Hines Ward, and Heath Miller. Limas Sweed is a decent breakout
candidate. Big Ben showed in the Super Bowl that he can win a game if he needs to, but this team’s identity is still their defense and with Rashard Mendenhall healthy, along with Willie Parker, the Steelers will be more run-heavy in 2009.
The Steelers have a sweet schedule featuring Cleveland twice, Cincinnati twice, Detroit, Denver, and Kansas City.
They do have to face Tennessee, San Diego, Minnesota and Baltimore twice so don’t expect Big Ben’s sack totals to drop drastically. I like Pittsburgh’s first two match-ups (Cleveland and Green Bay) in the fantasy playoffs, but I hate that they have to face Baltimore in the week that most leagues hold their fantasy championship.
If Ben’s situation hangs over his head this summer it will affect his draft position. Right now he’ll probably be taken in the seventh to ninth round. If he stays healthy and eligible I think he’ll have somewhere around 3,300 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Originally published at LestersLegends.com.
Stop Flogging Michael Vick
Published: July 22, 2009
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“We are confronted with a new challenge now that Vick has served nearly two years of time in a federal penitentiary and seen his personal assets liquidated. He’s served his sentence, and now he’s made a person to The HSUS to involve him in anti-dogfighting and anti-cruelty efforts. Will we continue to flog Michael Vick indefinitely, or will we take advantage of his expressed desire to do better, to be an agent of change for animals?” –Wayne Parcell, CEO, Humane Society
If The Humane Society’s chief executive officer can forgive Michael Vick, so should the rest of us.
Then again, who are we to do the forgiving? Are we not sinners ourselves?
“We at The HSUS are about change, even the hard cases,” Parcell stated on his Humane Society Web site. “Sitting with Michael at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, I saw a man who, if he had the resolve, could do powerful and persuasive outreach to at-risk youth and steer them away from dogfighting.
“He told me he saw dogfighting when we he was a boy, and from there, he came to accept the activity and to get involved. Nobody was there to step in and pull him out of that morass, and he obviously didn’t have the strength to get away from it himself.”
Let me be clear:
- I love animals.
- I have owned dogs as pets, adopting two from the pound.
- I currently have four cats.
- My love for animals costs me plenty as I feed nearly 20 doves, four pigeons, and all kinds of songbirds, in addition to four squirrels.
- I have never participated in or watched dogfighting.
- Cruelty to animals is forbidden in my chosen religion.
That is probably overstating my animal-loving credentials. However, it is necessary to state my “animal-friendliness” when writing about Vick.
If I don’t, I will end up writing all kinds of comments after publication stating such information in defense of myself as heartless zealots take aim and condemn me. While they will do that anyway, at least I got my credentials out of the way.
Still, my name may be scorned on all kinds of blogs and discussion boards. My character, sanity, and morality may be questioned.
Yet I still state publicly that I would welcome Vick to my only favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers.
Admittedly, due to a number of NFL-related issues, perhaps he should sit out a portion of the season. However, he should have the opportunity to play and prove himself on and off the field.
As far as society is concerned, he served his time.
Yet he wants to help.
You can demean him all you want.
You can question his motives.
You can say terrible things about him.
But before you do, take a good look in the mirror.
Consider the climate in which he grew up.
Consider the fact that the brutal and cruel criminal activity that is oxymoronically called a “sport” by some in media was an accepted part of Vick’s life.
As wrong as it is, dogfighting was encouraged by those around him. He was introduced to it a young, formative age.
Of course, we all have a conscience, and—for reasons maybe Vick is just beginning to understand himself—his short-circuited.
And then there is, yes, the race card, which is something I do not usually pull out.
Before I am accused of being some bleeding-heart liberal, just know this: I’m very conservative morally and I do not engage in politics.
Additionally, based upon my religious beliefs, I only see one human race that is diverse in terms of languages, cultures, religions, and colors—which we refer to as races.
However, I know that many Americans do not see the world through what some consider my rose-colored prism. It is a sad fact that some Americans remain racist.
Some are dog-lovers, judging by the trash they have said and written for several years.
And please, do not equate dogs to humans.
These dog-lovers should take some of that love and apply to it humans.
As Parcell says:
“Ex-dogfighters and ex-gang members are some of our ambassadors in our community-based programs, and they reach kids who are drawn into the world of dogfighting and show them there are alternatives, such as training and agility classes for pit bulls.
“Street fighting in urban centers is the one growth area for dogfighting, and maybe Vick can get us closer to our goal of eradicating dogfighting in every dark corner where it festers.”
Vick’s atrocious behavior and the manifest cruelty he and others were responsible for inflicting upon dogs is not unforgivable.
Just maybe a sinner can become a sort of saint.
Imagine that.
Official Denver Broncos Training Camp Preview
Published: July 22, 2009
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Yes NFL fans, the time has finally come—the season is upon us.
For the Denver Broncos, the 2009 season cannot come soon enough. This team has faced more criticism and negative media than many others in recent memory, and it is all because of the loss of one player who shall not be named.
Despite the best efforts of the likes of Jamie Dukes, Solomon Wilcots, and Tim Hasselbeck, Bronco fans are still eager for the upcoming campaign. Whether that eagerness is uneasy or not, fans are sure to be on the edge of their seats.
With this article, I hope to provide readers with the most comprehensive team preview available on the Web or in print. It will be a recap of my “Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster” series, so prepare yourselves for a mouthful.
2009 NFL Draft Recap
April 25, 2009, marks the busiest draft day in the history of the Denver Broncos. Josh McDaniels and Co. were wheeling and dealing all day long, and Denver ended up with five picks in the first two rounds of the draft.
How did the Broncos fare given their extreme amount of picks?
1 (12) Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Georgia
I absolutely love this pick. Despite my “homerism” toward Shonn Greene out of Iowa, Denver came away with the very best running back in this year’s draft.
McDaniels made it a priority to address the running back position this offseason, signing Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan, and now drafting Knowshon Moreno.
Despite Denver’s large group of backs, Moreno is the early and clear favorite to win the starting job. He went into his redshirt sophomore season at Georgia at 207 pounds, and has bulked up to 217.
While some are bashing this pick due to Denver’s strong need on the defensive side of the ball, I contend that this was the smartest pick McDaniels could have made given Denver’s top two defensive targets (B.J. Raji, Tyson Jackson) were long gone by then.
In two seasons for Georgia, Moreno rushed for 2,734 yards and 30 touchdowns, and also caught 53 passes for 645 yards and two touchdowns.
McDaniels’ offensive scheme requires a running back that can run between the tackles, catch the ball, and block on third down. Moreno can do every one of those things very effectively.
The Denver Broncos’ offense now features the likes of Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham, Jabar Gaffney, Peyton Hillis, and now Knowshon Moreno. It’s a very dynamic, athletic group of players that forms one of the top young groups in the entire NFL.
1(18) Robert Ayers, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Tennessee
If anyone has been keeping tabs, you know that I have strongly opposed the acquiring of Ayers throughout the “mocking” process.
I didn’t really see a fit for the former Volunteer, and thought that the fact that he only had one really good year meant that he was a second-round pick at best.
Now, I’m not so sure. Ayers is widely considered to be one of the most athletic and versatile defensive linemen in the entire draft, and he looks like the next best alternative to Denver’s top target Tyson Jackson.
Ayers is 6’3″ and 275 pounds, and he brings a very complete game to the defensive end position. Some feel he would have been best fit for the 4-3 scheme as a defensive end, but McDaniels feels that Ayers can stand up as a rush linebacker if needed, as well as dig his hand in the ground and stuff the run.
The key stat with Ayers is tackles for loss, of which he registered 15.5 in 2008. Many experts feel he was playing his best ball at the end of his college career, and that he will continue to ascend heading into the NFL.
“When Robert got here, he thought he was God’s gift to football,” former head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “He wouldn’t listen to the upperclassmen…not in a bad way, but he just didn’t take to coaching very well. (As a senior) he’s starving for coaching, and he’s giving great effort. He’s turned into a big-time SEC defensive end.”
Denver needed to upgrade their run defense in the first round, and they did that with Ayers.
2 (37) Alphonso Smith, Cornerback, Wake Forest
The Denver Broncos acquired the rights to the 37th overall pick in the second round by trading away their first round pick from 2010, and I doubt they will regret it.
If not for his height (5’9″), Smith would have been a top five pick in this year’s draft. He has undoubtedly been the most productive cornerback at the collegiate level over the last four years, and even in the past century.
In fact, Smith is only the third cornerback in the last 100 years to have ammassed over 20 interceptions for his career. His 21 interceptions complemented his career 189 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and eight forced fumbles.
Oh yeah, did I mention he was also a special teams ace? Smith averaged 20.7 yards per kickoff return, and blocked five kicks in his career at Wake Forest.
The three-time All-American will start his career in Denver as the nickel cornerback behind Champ Bailey and Andre’ Goodman. But make no mistake about it: This kid intends on starting sooner rather than later.
This was an excellent value pick by the Denver Broncos.
2 (48) Darcel McBath; Safety, Texas Tech
This pick really intrigued me. I never really thought of McBath as a possibility for the Broncos, simply because nobody has him rated as a second-round prospect.
My question now, after doing a lot of research on him is, “Why?”
McBath is a converted cornerback, who at 6’0″ and 198 pounds has excellent bulk and size for the free safety position. He will benefit greatly from the tutelage of future Hall of Famers Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey as he hones his coverage and tackling skills.
In three years as the starter, McBath registered 223 tackles, 12 interceptions, and became an All-Big 12 performer over that three-year span.
McBath’s banner campaign came in his senior season, in which he had 75 tackles, seven interceptions, and seven passes defensed.
He also returned two interceptions for touchdowns, and forced a fumble. His stellar play garnered him first team All-Big 12 and All-American Honors.
I have no doubt that Denver made the correct choice with this pick. I cannot wait to see these two ball-hawking defensive backs in McBath and Alphonso Smith take the field for the Broncos.
2 (64) Richard Quinn, Tight End, North Carolina
This pick, acquired from Pittsburgh along with a fourth-round pick in exchange for two third-round picks was a head scratcher for many Denver fans.
Quinn is a blocking specialist who, in his time as a Tar Heel, had only 12 receptions, two of which were touchdowns.
McDaniels insists this will have no effect on Tony Scheffler, and while I will believe that when I see it, I think this was probably Denver’s riskiest pick of the day.
We cannot say Quinn would have been available at pick No. 79 or No. 84, but it is highly likely that he would have been. Quinn himself was surprised that he received a Day One call.
Quinn is in a similar mold to current Broncos tight end Daniel Graham, and while his receiving skills are not elite, his blocking skills are rivaled only by Brandon Pettigrew among the tight ends available in this draft.
It’s a curious pick by the Broncos, which is sure to raise questions, but a solid player nonetheless. Quinn is not great value here, but Denver probably would have picked him anyway, and they still have six picks on day two.
Overall, I felt it was a very productive day for the Denver Broncos, who addressed both offensive and defensive needs.
They found their star running back, run-stuffing defensive lineman, two ball-hawking defensive backs, and a blocking specialist at tight end.
Day Two was sure to bring more excitement, and the Broncos were in a good position to add more young talent to their squad.
On Day Two of the NFL Draft, many Broncos fans expected McDaniels and Co. to add a lot of big bodies. Denver’s braintrust did not veer away from that goal, but they added a lot more on the offensive side of the ball than was expected.
4 (114) David Bruton, Safety, Notre Dame
Bruton became the third defensive back taken by the Broncos in a span of four picks (Darcel McBath, Alphonso Smith).
Bruton reminds me a lot of last year’s seventh-round pick, Josh Barrett, in that he has excellent size (6’2″ 219 lbs) and great speed (4.46 second 40-yard dash).
McDaniels said that Bruton will see the field a lot in his first season, but it will likely take him time to develop as a starting safety in the league.
Bruton will make an instant impact as a special teams ace, and will join Darcel McBath and Josh Barrett in Denver’s promising, young defensive backfield.
4 (132) Seth Olsen, Offensive Lineman, Iowa
Well, I do not think I have left Iowa out of my Broncos mock drafts since I began making them, and this is a pick that I really love, not just because I’m an Iowa fan.
Olsen is an extremely versatile lineman, who can play right tackle, left tackle, and either guard position. For the Broncos, he will be the heir apparent to Ben Hamilton at left guard.
Olsen is very strong, and very instinctive, and you know coming from Kirk Ferentz’s system he is well-coached.
5 (141) Kenny McKinley, Wide Receiver, South Carolina
We all figured the Broncos would go after a slot receiver at some point in the draft, and they made sure they got their man in Kenny McKinley.
The former South Carolina star is a very fast receiver who has excellent slot potential for Denver.
McDaniels figures to implement an offense that features many four wide receiver sets, and the speedy receiver figures to fit in nicely.
NFL.com raves that McKinley is a “polished route runner with good hands,” and could potentially remind McDaniels of former Patriots receiver Wes Welker.
6 (174) Tom Brandstater, Quarterback, Fresno State
If the Broncos were looking for the carbon copy of Tom Brady or Matt Cassel from this draft, they may have found him.
Although Brandstater is a bit more athletic than the two quarterbacks that flourished under McDaniels, his NFL.com scouting report seems to indicate that he is strikingly similar.
“Brandstater possesses the range and arm strength that National Football League teams look for in a pro style quarterback.
“The unquestioned leader of the team put up impressive numbers since taking over the starting position as a sophomore, but has also excelled in the classroom, earning conference academic honors the last three seasons.
“His intelligence on the field is evident, but academically it is even more impressive, having graduated before his junior campaign and is finishing up work on his Master’s degree.”
Smart, both on the field and off, great arm strength, “unquestioned” leader of his team, and he has impressive numbers.
The Broncos may have gotten a steal with this kid, which is probably why they traded up to get him.
7 (225) Blake Schlueter, Center, Texas Christian University
Well, this was the second of two picks that I got correct in my final Broncos mock draft, and to be honest, I could not have been happier when we called his name.
Schlueter is an extremely versatile lineman who ran a reported 4.67 40-yard dash at his pro day at TCU.
He and Kory Lichtensteiger will compete for the center job when Casey Wiegmann retires, and Lichtensteiger may now be able to make the move to guard, where he could be a better fit.
College Free Agents
Lee Robinson, Linebacker, Alcorn State
The Broncos could have easily drafted Robinson, and reading his scouting report, it is clear that the only reason he went undrafted was due to the level of competition he faced.
At 6’2″ and 250 pounds, he is a great fit for rush linebacker at this level. And with Jarvis Moss on the chopping block, he could make the final squad.
Domonique Johnson; Cornerback, Jackson State
Another small-school prospect whom I had going to Denver in one of my seven-round mock drafts as a fourth-round selection. He has prototypical size, speed, and arm length for the cornerback position, and with Denver only having six cornerbacks on their current roster, he could have a good chance of making the team.
Chris Baker, Defensive Tackle, Hampton
Another player that could have easily been drafted, the versatile Baker is a virtual lock to make the opening day roster. His size (6’2″, 325 pounds) makes him an ideal fit to play nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme, and I think he is a guy the Broncos targeted all along.
Everette Pedescleaux, Defensive End, Northern Iowa
A small school kid who, at 6’6″ and 305 pounds could be an ideal fit as a 3-4 defensive end. The Broncos will have him compete in mini camp, and probably training camp to add depth to their offensive line.
Lucas Taylor, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Taylor’s a great athlete who struggled in terms of production at Tennessee when Erik Ainge left, and he suffered an injury last season as well.
With Denver’s receiving corps looking pretty deep, he will have to make a significant impact in camp to have a shot at the final roster.
Nate Swift, Wide Receiver, Nebraska
Swift, in my opinion, has the best shot at making Denver’s roster of any undrafted rookie.
He has great hands, runs good routes, and is mentally tough. I like this kid a lot, and some Broncos observers are comparing his overall game to that of Ed McCaffery.
Travis Shelton;, Wide Receiver, Temple
Shelton will be given a chance to come in and fill a void at kick returner for the Broncos, but he is undersized and reportedly has attitude problems. He will have a tough time making the team.
David Grimes, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
Another small receiver with good speed who will compete to return kicks or make an impact on special teams with Denver. He joins a now crowded receiver group.
Tony Carter, Cornerback, Florida State
Carter is extremely fast, and while he is undersized, he is a very tough player. He could make the team due to his speed and tackling ability.
Britton Colquitt, Punter/Kicker, Tennessee
Colquitt will come in and try and compete with Brett Kern, but likely will not make the final roster.
Rulon Davis, Defensive End, California
Davis is a player I really like, and he is an ideal fit for defensive end in the 3-4 defense. He has good quickness and strength, and he could end up making the final roster as a backup or special teams guy.
Marquez Branson, H-back, Central Arkansas
I will try and stay calm here, but this is by far my favorite addition to Denver as far as an undrafted free agent goes.
YouTube has a 10-minute highlight reel of this kid out of Central Arkansas, and Broncos fans will not be disappointed.
He has excellent size (6’2″ 247 pounds), and very good hands. Some are comparing him to Peyton Hillis, although I do not think Branson is as tough. Still, his hands are great, and he should make Denver’s final roster.
It was a great draft weekend for the Broncos, and they improved their team in many areas. While the defensive line was not addressed as frequently as some of us mock draft nerds would have preferred, the Broncos added great players and will go into mini camp with a solid core of athletes.
Coaching Staff
After nearly a decade and a half, the Denver Broncos made one of the most surprising front office moves in franchise history when Pat Bowlen fired head coach/VP of player operations Mike Shanahan.
The firing was a huge surprise to many, while some others saw it coming. In fact, this move was brought to my attention over a week prior to its occurrence when a former B/R writer Josh Vitale suggested the move be made on a Facebook discussion board.
To me, it was unheard of.
Shanahan led the Broncos to their only two Lombardi trophies in franchise history, and was undoubtedly the most successful head coach Denver has ever had. He was so successful, in fact, that the Broncos only had two losing seasons under his tutelage.
When 2008 saw the Broncos miss out on playoff action for the third straight season, Bowlen decided enough was enough.
After firing his good friend, Bowlen set up a host of head coaching interviews that included the likes of Raheem Morris, Steve Spagnuolo, Jason Garrett, Leslie Frazier, and McDaniels.
After extensive interviewing, Bowlen hired McDaniels, who had been in the New England Patriots organization for the past eight seasons, most recently as an offensive coordinator.
This was a move that I expected and promoted from the start, and although many Bronco fans were lobbying for a more defensive minded head coaching prospect, the smart money was on getting a coach to develop Denver’s stellar offense, which at the time included quarterback Jay Cutler.
McDaniels is the youngest head coach in Broncos history, and is the second youngest in the NFL today right in front of Tampa Bay’s Morris.
Some have suggested that McDaniels is arrogant and has an ego to keep inflated, but I would contend he is the polar opposite.
For 15 years, the Broncos’ organization has been a “prison run by the inmates,” if you will. There has been no discipline whatsoever.
When McDaniels was given free reign, he immediately revamped the Broncos’ roster and coaching staff to his liking, including trading his diva quarterback.
McDaniels is (or at least was) regarded as one of the best young offensive minds in the National Football League.
In 2007, he coordinated a Patriots offense that is arguably the best the NFL has ever seen, and followed in 2008 by molding Matt Cassel, a quarterback who had not started a single game since high school, into a $63 million man.
With the Patriots, McDaniels won three Super Bowls, four AFC Championship titles, and six division titles whilst leading the NFL in winning percentage over the course of the past eight seasons at 76.6 percent.
Of course, McDaniels should not be given all of the credit for the Patriots’ success, as he played a minimal role for a couple of those seasons, but he was there nonetheless—he has championship experience.
More than anything, this young Broncos team needed two things:
1. Direction
2. Championship Experience
While it could be argued, depending on whether or not you are talking to a Jay Cutler homer, McDaniels has provided the Broncos with both.
He learned a standard and protocol with the Patriots that has given the Broncos hope for 2009 and beyond.
McDaniels is regarded as a quarterback “guru” by his peers, and figures to do wonders with new quarterbacks Kyle Orton, Chris Simms, and rookie Tom Brandstater. In fact, McDaniels has had such a solid track record for developing quarterbacks that many feel Kyle Orton is set to have a breakout season.
When McDaniels was hired, he completely cleaned house not only in terms of players, but he revamped his coaching staff as well.
He hired former Carolina Panthers passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy to be the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, although McDaniels will most likely be above him on both accounts.
McCoy has nice tenure with the Panthers, so the Broncos appear to be in good hands at the quarterback position.
Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison were the only two coaches retained from Mike Shanahan’s offensive staff, and both figure to continue to implement the zone blocking and running scheme that has made the Broncos the most successful rushing unit over the last 20 seasons.
Denver’s defense will be coached by 3-4 guru and long-time defensive specialist Mike Nolan, who has had a very decorated NFL career.
Nolan was most recently seen roaming the sidelines for the San Francisco 49ers as the team’s head coach, but he has spent 11 seasons at this level coaching defenses.
And coaching them well.
Under his tutelage, Nolan has seen two players win Defensive Player of the Year awards in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and coached 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis, who is regarded as one of the NFL’s top middle linebackers.
He undoubtedly will have his hands full with the Broncos’ defense, which has been likened to Swiss cheese over the last two seasons.
One of the more underrated coaching acquisitions this offseason was the Broncos’ signing of Wayne Nunnely to coach the defensive line.
Nunnely has been coaching the San Diego Chargers’ defensive linemen for the last 12 seasons.
He has over a decade of experience coaching defensive linemen in the 3-4 scheme, and as the Broncos make a transition to that defense, he will be an enormous help.
The Broncos’ coaching staff appears to be one that can work together for a long time, and one that has a great mix of youth and experience.
Offense
Quarterback
I will start by giving an overview of the Broncos’ quarterback unit, which took a serious hit in terms of pure talent when the team traded away Pro Bowl selection Jay Cutler.
As any casual sports fan knows by now, Cutler was dealt to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Kyle Orton and three draft picks.
Orton has been named the starting quarterback by McDaniels, as expected, and will continue to compete for the job this offseason with free agent signee Chris Simms.
For the Broncos, Orton will be expected to run McDaniels’ complex but effective offense that relies heavily on the pass. In his time with the New England Patriots, McDaniels was able to orchestrate the unquestioned best offense the NFL has ever seen in 2007, and followed up in 2008 by turning Cassel into a $14 million man.
Bronco fans have good reason to believe he can have repeat success in Denver with Orton, especially with the talent he has around him.
Not only does the change of scenery and upgrade in arsenal help Orton, but the fifth year quarterback will be a free agent at the end of the 2009 season, and he does not want to be looking for a backup job when that time comes.
Here is a look at Orton’s 2008 statistics and a projection of his numbers with the Broncos:
2008 season: Comp Att Yds Cmp% YPA TD INT SACK RAT
272 465 2,972 58.5 6.39 18 12 27 79.6
2009 PROJ: 330 550 3,850 60.0 7.00 24 14 14 ~82.0
I fully expect Orton to have the best season of his career with the Broncos. In Chicago, he was not used properly, and the Bears relied far too much on the run to win games. In Denver, I fully believe he will throw around 30-35 passes per game and get every receiver involved.
As for Simms, I think Denver is the perfect spot for him to have landed. He came to Denver expecting to be the backup for Jay Cutler, and now he gets to compete with Orton for the starting job.
By no means am I taking anything away from Simms’ talent, as he has been productive when given the proper amount of playing time, but I just cannot see him winning the starting job for the Broncos.
Before rupturing his spleen, Simms was playing the best football of his life, posting an 81.4 quarterback rating in 11 games while throwing for 2,035 yards and 10 touchdowns. Due to the fact that he has lost a significant amount of experience the last couple of years, it is likely his overall production would take a significant hit.
Simms and Orton will likely be accompanied on the Broncos’ roster by Denver’s sixth-round draft pick Brandstater.
Brandstater is a 24-year old rookie out of Fresno State who is probably the most hyped sixth-round pick to come to Denver in a long time.
Due to the fact that McDaniels has aided in the development of Tom Brady and Matt Cassel, sixth- and seventh-round picks respectively, many Bronco fans are hopeful he can do the same with Brandstater.
A scouting report from NFL.com offered that Brandstater’s top two qualities as a quarterback were his leadership abilities and strong arm. Two or three years learning McDaniels’ system, and this kid could potentially be the “next” Tom Brady or even Matt Cassel.
In 2008, Brandstater was very similar statistically to Kyle Orton, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 2,664 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with Fresno State.
Thanks to the quarterback wizardry of Josh McDaniels, many Bronco fans are not too distraught by the loss of Pro Bowl performer Cutler. If Orton can produce the type of numbers I have suggested, Cutler’s name will be quickly forgotten in the Mile High City, and Orton just may find himself wearing orange and blue for a long time.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Mike McCoy (formerly Carolina Panthers passing game coordinator), Josh McDaniels (former New England Patriots quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator)
Projected starting quarterback: Kyle Orton (Acquired via Trade w/Chicago)
Projected 2nd string quarterback: Chris Simms (Acquired via Free Agency/Tennessee)
Projected 3rd string quarterback: Tom Brandstater (Acquired via 2009 NFL Draft)
2008 Quarterback Grade: B+
Roster spots occupied by QB: 3/54
Running Back
2008 was a rough season to be a running back for the Denver Broncos. The opening day starter was Selvin Young, and after his hamstring injury, there seemed to be a domino effect for Broncos’ running backs landing on injured reserve.
Joining Young on the Broncos’ injured reserve list were fellow running backs Michael Pittman, Ryan Torain, Andre Hall, Peyton Hillis, and P.J. Pope. The Broncos also brought in Tatum Bell and Cory Boyd to play the running back position.
After the barrage of injuries, McDaniels was not about to take any chances this season with a similar result. His first two free agent signings were running backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington, both of whom were key backups for the top two teams in the NFC in 2008.
He then proceeded to sign LaMont Jordan, who spent time in McDaniels’ system with the New England Patriots.
Nearly a month later, the Broncos drafted Moreno with the 12th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and signed undrafted free agent Kestahn Moore of Florida.
After the draft, the Broncos also signed former Houston Texan and St. Louis Ram running back Darius Walker.
With this new crop of running backs, who will make the final cut for the Broncos’ 54-man roster?
Moreno is a virtual lock to not only make the final roster, but end up as the opening day starter.
As a redshirt sophomore with the Bulldogs, Moreno rushed for 1,400 yards and finished the season with 16 touchdowns. He also showed great abilities as a receiver, catching 20 passes for 253 yards.
Moreno is not the fastest back in the world, but he draws very favorable comparisons to Terrell Davis in terms of his quickness and shiftiness.
Correll Buckhalter has proven over the last eight years to be a great reserve running back, but he has also spent a lot of time on the injured list.
In five NFL seasons, Buckhalter has rushed for 2,155 yards and 18 touchdowns. Most importantly, he only has six fumbles on 476 career carries.
Buckhalter is also very valuable as a receiver, and has 85 career receptions for 930 yards and four touchdowns.
Jordan was selected by the New York Jets in the same 2001 NFL Draft as Buckhalter, and he has proven throughout his career to be a very versatile back as well.
He has battled through injuries, but in his career, he has carried the ball 872 times for 3,648 yards with 28 touchdowns, including four last season with the Patriots which is a season high since he had nine with Oakland three years ago.
Jordan, like Moreno and Buckhalter, has also proven to be a very reliable receiver when called upon. The power back has displayed soft hands, catching 158 passes for 1,301 yards and three touchdowns.
Walker was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame by the Houston Texans in 2007, and had a very solid rookie campaign where he rushed for 264 yards on 58 carries and scored a touchdown.
When Walker went undrafted, I was very hopeful that the Broncos would go after him due to his versatility. He is not the biggest back, but he can run and catch equally as well.
The only other running back currently listed on Denver’s roster is last year’s fifth-round selection out of Arizona State, Ryan Torain.
Torain was compared by former Head Coach Mike Shanahan to former Bronco great Terrell Davis, and one can only imagine the lofty expectations that ensued.
Bronco fans were as eager for Torain’s debut as the starter against the Cleveland Browns as they were for the debut of Cutler back in 2006, and the rookie did not disappoint.
In the first half against the Browns, Torain rushed for 68 yards on 12 carries, and capped off the opening drive with a diving touchdown run.
Overjoyed Bronco fans could not get enough, but sadly it came to an abrupt end as Torain’s season was cut short by a torn ACL suffered midway through the second quarter.
He is rehabbing his injury still today, and is hopeful to be ready by the time training camp rolls around.
It is likely that McDaniels will end up only keeping four running backs on the final roster, so one of the aforementioned players is on the outside looking in.
Projected Starter: Knowshon Moreno (Acquired via 2009 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats: Car Yds Avg. TD Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
230 1,104 4.8 8 30 240 8.0 2
Projected Second String: Correll Buckhalter (Acquired via Free Agency)
Projected Stats: 100 460 4.6 4 25 188 7.5 1
Projected Third String: LaMont Jordan (Acquired via Free Agency)
Projected Stats: 75 330 4.4 3 20 120 6.0 1
Projected Fourth String: Ryan Torain (Acquired via 2008 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats: 50 250 5.0 1 10 75 7.5 0
Projected RB Totals: 455 2,144 4.7 16 85 623 7.25 4
2008 RB’s Grade: B
Roster Spots Occupied by RB: 4/54
Total Roster Spots Filled: 7/54
Running Backs Coach: Bobby Turner
Fullback
For all of those who thought Peyton Hillis was forgotten in our running backs segment, fear not—he essentially has his own briefing as the Broncos’ starting fullback.
Hillis broke onto the scene as a rookie in 2008 when he unexpectedly had to fill in at tailback for the Broncos due to a barrage of injuries.
The seventh-round pick out of Arkansas did not disappoint.
Broncos fans knew he was something special when he converted on a key 4th-and-1 against the Cleveland Browns late in the game to keep the Broncos alive for their eventual victory.
Hillis scored five rushing touchdowns in a mere four starts and averaged five yards per carry on 68 touches, totaling 343 yards. The 6’2″, 250-pound beast also proved to be very valuable as a receiver, catching 14 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
In my humble opinion, Hillis is the most versatile player on the Denver Broncos, and I defy anyone to not be impressed by the kid’s YouTube heroics.
Sadly, Hillis’ stellar rookie campaign was cut short by a freak hamstring injury he suffered in a 24-17 victory over the rival Kansas City Chiefs, and many NFL analysts felt the Broncos were a more complete offense—a more dangerous offense—with Hillis behind the quarterback.
Hillis is a rising star in this league, and I fully expect him to be a very valuable weapon on the Broncos’ offense this year thanks to his ability to run, catch, and block with the best of them. He has great size and great speed (runs a reported 4.58 second 40-yard dash) and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder.
As a rookie, Hillis outperformed his two Razorback teammates Darren McFadden (Raiders) and Felix Jones (Cowboys), who were both first-round draft picks.
Behind Hillis on the Broncos’ depth chart is converted linebacker Spencer Larsen, who is also a very versatile player.
Like Hillis, Larsen does just about everything well, except for the fact that his natural position is middle linebacker instead of fullback. He is a great special teams player, and while he may seem like a teddy bear off the field, he is a ferocious hitter on it.
With Hillis and Larsen paving the way for the Broncos’ deep crop of running backs, the running game figures to flourish once more for Denver.
Projected Starter: Peyton Hillis (Acquired via 2008 NFL Draft)
Projected 2009 Stats: Car Yds. Avg. TD Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
80 400 5.0 7 30 300 10.0 3
I fully expect Hillis to get 90 percent of the carries inside the 10-yard line, and quite possibly 80 percent of Denver’s carries from inside the 20. He also figures to have quite a few receptions on play-action fakes and screen plays split out as a wide receiver and as a tight end.
2008 FB Grade: A
2009 Roster Spots Filled by FB: 1/54 (Larsen will be included as LB)
2009 Roster Spots Filled Total: 8/54
Wide Receiver
2008 was a great year to be a wide receiver with the Denver Broncos, as Shanahan called on his quarterbacks to drop back and pass the ball 620 times, a franchise record and good for second in the NFL.
Still, the Broncos’ group of receivers was very young, and while they were extremely talented, they made their share of mistakes.
Each receiver had his share of key drops, fumbles, or missed blocking assignments, all which cost the Broncos significantly last year, being that their offense had to play near perfect football to win games.
While the Broncos continued to gain yardage through the air (they ranked second in the NFL), they had a very rough time putting the ball in the end zone.
Heading into 2009, the Broncos’ receiving group has high expectations, even though Orton has taken over at quarterback for Jay Cutler.
Who will be his top targets?
1. Brandon Marshall
Since the start of the 2007 season, no wide receiver in the National Football League has been thrown at more times than the former fourth-round pick out of Central Florida. Also in that timeframe, only one receiver (Wes Welker) has more receptions than Marshall’s 206.
Still, Marshall has had his share of off-field issues, and heading into the final year of his rookie contract he finds himself holding out and requesting a trade from the Denver Broncos.
Of everything Marshall has gone through with the Broncos, this is one thing he truly did not think through.
Is Marshall expendable? Are his legal issues too much for the Broncos to even consider re-signing him?
If Marshall wants a new contract, the way to do so is very simple: Stay out of trouble for a year, and report to training camp.
So far, Marshall has missed every offseason activity due to a bum hip, and most recently because of his displeasure with the Broncos’ front office. His injury is supposed to be almost fully recovered by the time training camp starts on July 30, and McDaniels has said publicly that he expects Marshall to report.
If he opts to hold out and not report to training camp, not only will Marshall lose more than the 2.198 million dollars he will earn in 2009, but he will lose valuable practice time with a new system he has yet to fully come to grips with.
On the field, there is no question Marshall deserves to be paid like the top 10 wide receiver he is. Off the field, Marshall acts like a troubled “thug” and if he was not in the NFL, he would probably be living week to week on his paycheck from White Castle.
There is no question his numbers will take a hit in 2009, but it is not because Orton is the quarterback. Last season, the Broncos threw the ball 620 times, and over 15 percent of those passes were thrown Marshall’s way. The Broncos enter 2009 with far too many playmakers for Marshall to be thrown at so many times, and of course his reception total could take a hit, but that does not mean he has to be less effective.
In the end, Marshall can hold out and request as many trades as he wants, but unless a team like Baltimore offers Haloti Ngata, nobody is getting Brandon Marshall away from the Broncos. Not until after the 2010 season most likely, seeing as the Broncos can still franchise tag him the next two offseasons.
Oh, and by the way, if Marshall decides to not attend any training camp session, he will forfeit a year of free agency eligibility on his contract, and will owe the Broncos yet another year of his services.
The Broncos hold all of the cards in Marshall’s ridiculous situation, and I fully expect him to not only report to camp, but play for the Broncos in 2009 and beyond.
2. Eddie Royal
Eddie Royal was the exclamation point on the most stellar first day of a draft the Broncos have had this decade.
When he was drafted, Royal was expected to contribute immediately as a kick returner, but little else. Virginia Tech is not a throwing offense, and thus, his numbers were not very “gawdy,” as one can imagine.
During 2008 Denver Broncos training camp, Royal opened the fans’ eyes completely to the receiver he could potentially become. I can still remember sitting there and admiring every catch he made while others around me scrambled to figure out “Who is number 19?!” on their media guide.
From that point on, it was clear that Royal was going to make an immediate impact on this team.
He led all rookie receivers with 91 receptions, and finished the season with 980 receiving yards and five touchdowns. he former Hokie ended up leading the Broncos in all-purpose yardage with his return abilities as well as finishing the season with 109 rushing yards.
In the Broncos’ new offense, Royal appears to be a carbon copy, albeit faster version of New England Patriots’ receiver Wes Welker.
If Royal can become a more consistent target inside the red zone, he will be one of the most dangerous receivers in the entire NFL.
Last season, he and Marshall combined for 195 receptions, which was the best in the NFL.
3. Brandon Stokley
When the Broncos signed Stokley in the summer of 2007, he was expected to be a minimal contributor and nothing more because of an Achilles injury he suffered in 2006.
The two-time Super Bowl champion has since reclaimed his title as the NFL’s best slot receiver (behind Welker), and the 10-year veteran has caught 89 passes the last two seasons for Denver.
Perhaps the most important part of Stokley’s game is his route running, which teammates consistently rave about.
Thanks to his ability to separate from defenders, Stokley has been the Broncos’ most dangerous third-down target, catching 69 of his 89 passes over the last two seasons for first downs.
Stokley also averages nearly 14 yards per reception the last two years, giving Orton a safety valve he really needs.
4. Jabar Gaffney
Gaffney was a free agent acquisition this offseason from the New England Patriots, and he figures to bring good veteran leadership to this young unit thanks to the fact that he has been working in McDaniels’ offense the past three years.
Throughout the course of his career, Gaffney has had his share of ups and down’s, but overall he has been a solid, consistent performer in his time with Houston and New England.
He enters his eighth year in the NFL with the Broncos, and figures to give them some much-needed help inside the 20, where he did a lot of damage with the Patriots. He also has the ability to take over as the number two receiver if Brandon Marshall decides to hold out.
5. Kenny McKinley
Kenny McKinley was regardled as “the best receiver” legendary football head coach Steve Spurrier has ever had the privilege of coaching.
The former South Carolina product was taken by the Broncos in the fifth-round of this year’s draft, and his immediate contributions seem to be coming with the special teams, potentially as a punt or kick return man.
McKinley is a very quick receiver with good route running skills, but how significant will his playing time be with the Broncos’ receiver depth as good as it is?
Is he the heir apparent to Brandon Stokley? If he is going to replace the best, it helps to learn from the best. McKinley should see time as the third and fourth receiver this season.
6. Chad Jackson
Jackson is the receiver pictured with Jabar Gaffney on the right in this article’s photo. At 6’1″ and 215 pounds, he undoubtedly looks the part of an NFL receiver. He also runs the 40-yard dash at a sub 4.40 second time.
Why has he not been able to find his groove in the NFL?
Coming out of Florida in 2006, I projected Jackson to be picked by the Denver Broncos with the 15th overall pick in the draft, so you can understand why I think the world of this kid.
He has been derailed by injuries in his career, and when the Patriots’ receiving core became so deep after their stellar 2007 campaign, he was cut loose.
I wrote an article shortly after he was cut how I would love for the Broncos to sign him, and the rest is history.
While many are not familiar with Jackson due to the fact that he had only one reception last season, I truly believe that he could be a star in this league.
He has big play potential, and he is very familiar with McDaniels’ system coming from New England.
Is he a diamond in the rough? Can he rebound from his slow start in the NFL?
7. Brandon Lloyd
On the day disgruntled receiver Brandon Marshall requested a trade, the Broncos coincidentally signed former 49ers, Redskins, and most recently Bears receiver Brandon Lloyd.
Lloyd is the sixth or seventh receiver on the Broncos’ depth chart, which really is an indication of how deep Denver is at the position, given he was arguably the best receiver on the Bears in 2008.
The former Fighting Illini star has great big play ability, but is his work ethic going to be his demise in Denver? Does the fact that he is familiar with Orton bode well for his potentially making the final roster?
8. C.J. Jones
Jones was recently acquired by the Broncos via waivers from Kansas City, and he figures to eventually end up on Denver’s practice squad.
Jones has spent the past three seasons in New England, so like a few of the other Denver receivers, he is familiar with the system.
The former Iowa star is a good blocking receiver, and he has great return skills. He will be a solid competitor in training camp.
9. Nate Swift
Swift has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to the fact that he reminds many fans of former Broncos great Ed McCaffrey.
The undrafted free agent out of Nebraska may have come to the Broncos a year too late, and the receiving group may already be a bit too crowded.
He will make it tough for the coaches to let him go because of his work ethic and versatility as a return man and special teamer.
Projected Starter: Brandon Marshall (Acquired via 2006 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats: Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
88 1,100 12.5 8
Projected Starter: Eddie Royal (Acquired via 2008 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats: 95 1,045 11.0 6
Projected No. 3: Brandon Stokley (Acquired via Free Agency in 2007)
Projected Stats: 40 520 13.0 3
Projected No. 4: Jabar Gaffney (Acquired via Free Agency in 2009)
Projected Stats: 35 440 12.5 3
Projected No. 5: Kenny McKinley (Acquired via 2009 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats: 20 240 12.0 1
Projected No. 6: Chad Jackson (Acquired via Free Agency in 2008)
Projected Stats: 15 225 15.0 1
Practice Squad additions:
Nate Swift
CJ Jones
Wide Receivers Coach: Adam Gase
2008 receivers grade: A-
Roster Spots filled by WR: 6/54
Total Roster Spots filled: 14/54
Tight End
Since the early 1990’s, the tight end position for the Denver Broncos can be described in one word: Stability.
From future Hall of Fame lock Shannon Sharpe to three-time Super Bowl champion Daniel Graham, tight ends have been a huge part of the Bronco offense for nearly two decades.
Nothing will change in 2009.
The Broncos feature two Pro Bowl-caliber players at the position in Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler, and a newly acquired second-round pick whom the coaching staff is really high on.
Can this unit take pressure off of Orton?
Oftentimes, teams only keep three, maybe four tight ends, so who will make the final roster for the Denver Broncos?
1. Daniel Graham
Graham is a vastly underrated player at his position, mostly because his specialty is blocking.
The former Patriots first-round draft pick out of Colorado was signed in 2007 as a big-money free agent by the Broncos, and fans were calling for former head coach Mike Shanahan’s head after he paid so much money for a guy who had only 24 receptions in his first season in Denver.
Casual observers of the team are still trying to figure out why this team paid so much money for Graham, but his blocking skills speak for themselves.
Last season, he earned his money not only as a blocking specialist, but as a pass receiver as well. Graham nearly eclipsed his single-season high of 38 receptions last season when he hauled in 32 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns.
History proves that teams are much more successful when Graham catches 30 or more passes in a season.
- 2003: 38 receptions, 408 yards, 4 TD—Patriots win Super Bowl
- 2004: 30 receptions, 364 yards, 7 TD—Patriots win Super Bowl
- 2008: 32 receptions, 389 yards, 4 TD—Broncos secoond place AFC West, one game away from playoffs
Now, there is no doubt that Graham did not single-handedly bring his team into the winner’s circle, but there is also no denying the correlation between his play and his team’s victories.
Graham should continue to be a safety outlet for Orton, as well as a cog in the running game.
2. Tony Scheffler
Scheffler, when healthy, is arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the NFL. Tony Gonzalez obviously is the clear cut No. 1, and there are players like Jason Witten and Antonio Gates who are also in the mix, but it is hard to argue with Scheffler’s numbers.
In three seasons with the Broncos, Scheffler has caught 107 passes for 1,480 yards and 12 touchdowns while only playing in 40 games over that timeframe.
Scheffler is an athletic specimen at 6’5″ 250 pounds with a 4.55 second 40-yard dash. This former Western Michigan dual sport star has turned into a big play threat for the Denver Broncos.
Heading into his fourth year in the league, Scheffler has been the subject of quite a few trade rumors throughout the off-season.
Unlike his former roommate and best friend Cutler, Scheffler handled the trade talks with poise and confidence, stating that the NFL is a business and that his job is to help the Broncos win in any way he can.
In 2008, Scheffler proved he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, leading the Broncos with an average of 16.1 yards per reception. He also set a personal single season record with 645 receiving yards.
Combined with the Broncos’ arsenal of running backs and receivers, Scheffler provides the Broncos with yet another big weapon on the outside.
3. Richard Quinn
Quinn was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the Broncos’ draft class, but looking back, the selection makes a lot of sense.
Many feel the Broncos screwed themselves over by trading away two third-round picks for Quinn and a fourth round pick, but many forget that Denver acquired that extra fourth-round pick in the deal, so they really did not sacrifice a large discrepancy in talent with their two picks.
Here are a few reasons why Quinn was a solid pick by McDaniels and company:
- Daniel Graham is 30 years old, and while he may just now be entering his prime, the Broncos are looking toward the future.
- Tony Scheffler has one year left on his contract.
- Outside of Graham and Scheffler, the only tight end on the Broncos’ roster was late season free agent acquisition Jeb Putzier.
And the number one reason why Quinn was acquired with the 64th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft: Red zone efficiency.
Last season, the Broncos were second in the entire NFL in offense…in terms of yardage. They ranked a very mediocre 16th in the league in scoring, thanks largely to the fact that they could not punch the ball in when they got inside the opponents’ 20.
Quinn only had 12 receptions in his career at North Carolina, but the former Tar Heel is regarded as the best blocker in his class not named Pettigrew, and scouts felt he showed very soft hands in off-season workouts.
When the Broncos enter their opponents’ red-zone, expect Quinn to make them much more efficient with his blocking and receiving abilities.
4. Jeb Putzier
Putzier was a late season free-agent signing in 2008, beginning his second stint with the Broncos.
The veteran tight end is known mostly for his blocking abilities, and not much else. He has fairly reliable hands for the position, but the Broncos’ group of tight ends is a bit crowded and he could struggle to make the final roster.
5. Marquez Branson
Branson was an undrafted free agent out of Central Arkansas who put together a very solid collegiate career.
Somebody put together a nice YouTube highlight of this kid, and he sort of reminds me of Hillis in terms of his receiving ability, but he lacks the toughness of Hillis.
He should be a practice squad addition, as his skills are fairly raw and he may need a year or two to develop.
2008 Tight Ends Grade: B+
Tight End’s Coach: Clancy Barone
Projected Starter: Daniel Graham (Acquired via Free Agency in 2007)
Projected Stats: Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
30 360 12.0 2
Projected Backup: Tony Scheffler (Acquired via 2006 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats 45 630 14.0 4
Projected Third String: Richard Quinn (Acquired via 2000 NFL Draft)
Projected Stats 15 150 10.0 1
Roster spots filled by TE: 3/54
Roster spots filled overall: 17/54
Left Tackle
Heading into the 2008 offseason, the left tackle position was a huge question mark for the Denver Broncos.
After a dismal 7-9 effort in 2007, they found themselves holding the 12th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. At the time, they were expected to go after one of three players: Boise State tackle Ryan Clady, Virginia tackle Branden Albert, or Vanderbilt tackle Chris Williams.
Clady was considered by many to be a top-five talent, and some scouts even projected him to go as high as fifth overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.
When he fell to the 12th overall pick, there was no way the Broncos would pass him up.
Professional and collegiate scouts alike raved about Clady’s athleticism and quick feet, thanks largely to the fact that the 6’6″, 325-pound behemoth is a former tight end.
Little did the Broncos or their fans know what kind of player Clady would become and how great an impact he would have in such a short time in the NFL.
After being dubbed the starting left tackle almost immediately after being selected by Shanahan, Clady went on to have one of the greatest seasons one will ever see from a rookie at any position.
The Boise State product was one of 11 rookies in 2008 to start all 16 games at his position, and one of only three offensive tackles.
Not impressed?
Clady was the only left tackle in the entire NFL to participate in all 16 games and not allow a full sack.
Still not impressed?
The Broncos finished the season second in the NFL in pass attempts with 620, meaning Clady allowed a sack roughly 0.08 percent of the time—best in the NFL. He also participated in 1,019 snaps in all.
If you are not impressed by that, then here are some miscellaneous facts about Clady’s 2008 campaign that will blow your mind.
The rookie allowed only half of a sack, while only committing one holding penalty, and three penalties overall in the 2008 season. He was named Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his performance against Kansas City in Week 14, and he was rewarded for his stellar season by being selected as a second-team All-Pro.
Clady was the only rookie on either side of the ball to be selected to either All-Pro team, and was still snubbed of a Pro Bowl appearance. Jason Peters, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, started the Pro Bowl for the AFC after a season in which he allowed 11.5 sacks.
Why is this significant?
The entire Denver Broncos offensive line allowed 11.5 sacks in 2008.
Clady also helped pave the way for the NFL’s 12th-ranked rushing offense, despite going through a total of nine different running backs throughout the course of the season. The Broncos ranked fifth in the NFL rushing to the left side, where Clady sets up camp.
Clady is a dominant force in this league, and after the statistics provided, there is no question he is the best offensive tackle in the game today. The Broncos have a gem, and he should be a dominant force for the next decade plus, barring injury.
Still, an elite offensive line is only as good as its depth, and the Broncos are hoping they can count on second-year player Tyler Polumbus if any injuries do occur at the left tackle spot.
Polumbus was acquired shortly after the 2008 NFL Draft as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Colorado, and he ended up making the Broncos’ final roster.
When Clady suffered a minor injury during last season, Polumbus was scheduled to start before Clady decided to play through the pain.
The Broncos’ offensive line will be coached by former offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, a man who has coached Denver’s offensive line for much of this decade.
I fully expect the Broncos to keep Polumbus on their final roster along with Clady, occupying two roster spots from the left tackle position.
Left Guard
Quickly glancing over the Denver Broncos’ current roster, there is not a single player who has a longer tenure with the team than left guard Ben Hamilton.
Hamilton was drafted out of Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and has started every game he has participated in at this level, which including the playoffs is a whopping 100 contests.
From 2002-06 Hamilton did not even miss a single snap, participating in 5,407 consecutive plays in that time frame. Due to concussion symptoms early in the 2007 offseason, Hamilton was held out of that entire campaign, and his streak was broken.
The former NCAA First-Team All-American came back to form in 2008, starting all 16 games and helping lead the Broncos to the second ranked offense in the NFL in terms of yardage.
He also helped the Broncos rank fifth in the NFL in rushing to the left side of the field, where Hamilton and rookie Ryan Clady were arguably the best duo in the league last year in terms of pass protection and run blocking.
Hamilton heads into the 2009 season as the unquestioned starter at left guard, and the Broncos have little depth behind him in terms of players with significant experience at left guard.
Last offseason, the team picked up Mitch Erickson out of South Dakota State as an undrafted free agent, and he ended up making the practice squad.
There is little information about Erickson, other than the fact that he was completely dominant in his college days at SDSU. He played both tackle and guard in college, but his best chance to play at this level is to earn a spot at guard.
The Broncos also have third-year veteran Matt McChesney competing at guard, but he also appears to be a longshot to make the final roster.
McChesney got his start in the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the St. Louis Rams, then bounced around to the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. He is a former defensive tackle from Colorado who could be a practice squad addition.
The Broncos have some young players who are primarily right guards who could fill in at left guard if needed, but that is a different story for a different day.
Center
Like the majority of the Denver Broncos’ offensive line heading into 2008, the center position was really in question.
Future Broncos’ Ring of Famer and possibly Hall of Fame selection Tom Nalen, the lone remaining Bronco from the Super Bow
A Letter to Ben Roethlisberger from a Steelers Fan
Published: July 22, 2009
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Dear Ben,
I want to thank you for helping the Pittsburgh Steelers become the best team in the NFL over the last five seasons.
From the start, you’ve been the kind of quarterback that Steeler Nation had been desperately waiting for, and you’ve given us many fond memories, including a pair of shiny new Lombardi Trophies, and one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.
I was enjoying the afterglow of another championship, and the fact that, unlike last time, the ensuing offseason was relatively quiet, with James Harrison’s gaffe about not wanting to visit the White House being the only soundbyte that caused even a minor stir.
By the time the middle of July came around, I began to feel excited for the the start of training camp, and the upcoming season. Everybody had kept their noses clean, and the team seemed acutely focused on avoiding another post-Super Bowl hangover.
Yet, here I am, now dreading the start of this season, thanks to this sexual assault lawsuit that you were slapped with last weekend. I found out about it Monday night, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
The last 36 hours have felt more like 36 days as I’ve tried to get some understanding of what’s going on, and have also had to endure people who don’t like you, the Steelers, or Steeler Nation, having fun at our expense.
Now I don’t know the whole story, and I don’t believe that you raped or assaulted anybody. There are a lot of inconsistencies in the lawsuit, not the least of which is the fact that the plaintiff never bothered pressing criminal charges.
Regardless, only you, she, and God know what really happened, and if you’re found out to have been guilty after all, then I think you deserve to be banned from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL for the rest of your life.
On the other hand, even if you’re not guilty, let me say this: Your days of sowing wild oats need to come to an abrupt end. You saw what happened to Kobe Bryant, yet here you are, six years later, in pretty much the same situation.
We all know that the biggest fools never learn from their own mistakes, but one important facet of wisdom is the ability to learn from the mistakes of others. You have clearly failed to do this; therefore, you are still a fool.
Furthermore, you seem to wear your faith in God on your sleeve, and go out of your way to praise Him on a regular basis. Methinks you doth protest much?
Now I’m hardly a devout Christian, but somehow I get the sense that God really doesn’t approve of a great many things you do in your private life, especially if any of the rumors around the Pittsburgh club scene are true.
Everybody finds themselves in bad situations during their lives, but quite frankly, whether it’s almost killing yourself riding a motorcycle without a helmet, or getting slapped with sexual assault allegations because you couldn’t keep it in your pants, it really seems as though you’re only capable of learning life’s lessons the hard way.
In the meantime, there is nothing you can do about this other than let your legal team take over. Hopefully this is all a hoax, and we can get this out of the way as soon as possible. I’m not expecting that to happen, though.
And hopefully none of this will affect your performance on the field this season. If it does, then you owe your team another great big apology, just like the last time. You also owe Steeler Nation an apology, but most of all, if you really are serious about your faith, you owe God an apology too.
I admire you for your poise and leadership on the football field, and for being the best quarterback the Steelers have had in over 25 years. With that said, if you were even half the leader off the field as you are on the field, then chances are, you wouldn’t be in the situation you are now. Now grow the hell up!
Sincerely,
Daniel Rose
Steeler Nation Ambassador
Bengals’ Receivers Talented, Unpredictable
Published: July 22, 2009
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The Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receivers appear to have a little bit of everything—with controversy and talent certainly at the forefront.
The conversation starts and ends with the talkative Chad Ochocinco who had the second-worst year of his career in 2008 with 53 receptions, 540 yards (10.2 yards per catch) and four touchdowns in 13 games. Only his rookie season of 2001 did he put up lesser numbers.
The explosive and combustible Ochocinco—formerly known as Johnson—led the AFC in receiving four consecutive years (2003-06), made the Pro Bowl five straight years (2003-07) and appeared headed for a Hall of Fame career (Something he proudly displayed to the world in the 2007 season opener when he donned a blazer with the words “Future HOF 20??” on the back.).
However, he entered the 2008 season disgruntled because the team didn’t meet his trade demands and he basically slept-walked through the season. Any chance that he had of turning things around in ’08 ended when quarterback Carson Palmer was lost to a season-ending injury.
Ochocinco reportedly hit the weights hard this offseason (which was a vast change from last year when he never picked up a weight) and is determined to get back to his ways of old.
After wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh decided to leave Cincinnati as a free agent and sign with the Seattle Seahawks following the 2008 season, the Bengals did something rather foreign to them: They acted quickly and found not just a replacement for a departed starter, but a good one.
Time will tell if replacing Houshmandzadeh with Laveranues Coles was a good “trade” for the Bengals, but the early returns have been positive.
Coles had 70 receptions for 850 yards (12.1 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns with the New York Jets last year and he provides an interesting compliment to the vocal Ochocinco. Coles does not do many interviews and would prefer to be left alone by the media. While Ochocinco is thinking about his next “bit” for the cameras in the locker room, Coles is the one sneaking out the back door.
On the playing field, Coles has been extremely productive throughout his career and the Bengals were fortunate to find a suitable replacement for the gritty Houshmandzadeh on the free agent market.
Has Henry Finally Turned Life, Career Around?
Another big storyline this offseason for the Bengals has been the supposed maturity of Chris Henry. He was Cincinnati’s third-round pick in 2005 and played well his first two seasons in the league. However, off-the-field antics have plagued Henry and at one point his NFL career appeared over.
The Bengals re-signed him last year and Henry’s teammates have gone out of their way to laud his efforts during the spring and summer. Will it carry over into the season? And has Henry really cleaned up his act, or does he just have everyone fooled for the time being?
These questions won’t be able to be answered until the actual games roll around, but signs look positive for Bengal fans.
Rounding out the corps of wide receivers will be—in order of importance—Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson, Antonio Chatman and Freddie Brown.
Caldwell was a third-round pick in 2008 and appears to have the No. 4 wide receiver position locked down. He was solid in a very limited role as a rookie last season.
Simpson was a second-round pick in 2008 and he is heading down the path to Bustville. He barely played last year (not because of injury, simply because he wasn’t ready to contribute) and he enters this season as the No. 5 wide out. That isn’t what the team is looking for out of a second-round pick.
Chatman provides quickness in the slot, but is an average NFL receiver at best and is undersized. He will have a battle to make the team with Brown, who was a seventh-round pick this year and impressed the coaching staff in mini camp.
Overall, the Bengals have a very capable group of receivers—particularly the top four of Ochocinco, Coles, Henry and Caldwell. With the return of a healthy Palmer, this is a group that could flourish this season. However, with players like Ochocinco and Henry in the mix, there are bound to be frustrating moments.
Zack Follet Is a Perfect Fit for the Detroit Lions
Published: July 22, 2009
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Originally Featured On Sportsscribes.net Detroit Lions NFL Blog
Zack Follett, perhaps the most celebrated seventh-round pick in Lions history, has inked a three-year deal. Typically seventh round prospects are hoping to make the roster or the practice squad, but not Follett.
Zack has quickly become a fan favorite after putting the rest of the league on notice after the draft. After being over-looked until the seventh round Follett had this to say:
“They’re gonna pay for it,” says Follett. “I’m gonna go out there and hit their players and take them out of the game.”
His attitude and effort are his biggest assets. Watching tape of Follett shows his ability to get into the backfield. That’s what makes him a perfect pick here I Detroit.
Coach Jim Schwartz is looking for players with attitude, talent, and effort. Follett displays all three. He also shows outstanding ability to get into the backfield. Playing in Gunther Cunningham’s blitz happy scheme will make Follett even more valuable.
With Julian Petersen and Ernie Sims starting Zack will be relegated to back up duty along with Jordon Dizon and DeAndre Levy. The word coming out of camp is that all three are solid prospects.
Follett will need to bulk up through his rookie year into he sophomore season. He now has three years to add 10 or more pounds of muscle. If he can do that and play with the same explosiveness and effort then he will be a mainstay on the Lions defense for many years to come.
There is always a lot of hype surrounding Detroit’s draft picks, but Zach Follett is considered by many NFL experts, myself included, to be the best pick of the seventh round. Some went as far as to say the best seventh round pick ever. I won’t go that far.
If you want to get a little excited about the young guys the Lions added this season, start right here:
An analysis of game footage shows Follett to be a highly capable pass rusher and overall disruptive force. A big hitter that shows good body control for playing at such a fast pace. He is relentless at times and has solid instincts. His leverage is good and he often comes in low and hard. He plays inside out and shows excellent pursuit and closing speed.
Zack can be caught out of position at times due to his aggressiveness but it is not a factor on blitzing packages. He is also considered undersized for a strong side linebacker by between five and ten pounds. His last known weight was 236 pounds.
Expect Zack to be a force on special teams with spells relieving Petersen. He will be worked in during preseason a lot and see action in blow out games, in my opinion.
Fantasy Football Profile: Jay Cutler
Published: July 22, 2009
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Jay Cutler had a quiet offseason, remaining out of the spotlight while he worked on his craft. In reality, he was the most visible QB other than Brett Favre. He comes to Chicago with a lot to prove.
He is arguably the best QB they’ve had since the days of Sid Luckman. What remains to be seen is how Cutler can perform in an inferior Offense. They have a pair of solid Tight Ends in Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, and Matt Forte led all backs with 63 receptions last year. But Devin Hester and company are a far cry from Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal.
It will be interesting to see if Cutler makes Chicago WRs better and if Denver’s wides slide dramatically.
Cutler has a tough playoff schedule; facing Green Bay, who should improve; Baltimore; and Minnesota. The Packers and Vikings games are in Chicago, so weather could be a factor. Plus the second Lions game comes in Week 17, which is after fantasy season in most leagues. Cutler is actually a guy that could be a Sell High candidate after he faces Detroit in Week 4, and Cincy, Cleveland, and Arizona in Weeks 7-9.
Cutler will likely go somewhere in the 6th-9th rounds depending on league size, scoring format, and available second tier QBs. Cutler is going to see a big dip in production in 2009. I’m putting him on a 3700, 20 TD season.
Originally published at LestersLegends.com.
J.P. Losman Signs With UFL
Published: July 22, 2009
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Free agent quarterback and former first round draft pick, J.P. Losman, has decided to take his football elsewhere.
Instead of testing the NFL free agent market, Losman has signed a one-year contract to play for Las Vegas’s UFL team, ESPN.com reports. Not a bad idea, if you ask me. I doubt Losman would’ve signed an NFL contract before the regular season kicked off, so why not get a little more exposure in the football league.
The UFL is a new “minor league” football league that will get underway in October. There are four teams based in New York, Orlando, San Francisco and Las Vegas. The league features former NFLers and big-name coaches such as Dennis Green and Jim Fassel who have struggled to keep a steady job in the NFL, as of late.
This is perfect, in my opinion, for Losman. If he performs well in Las Vegas, he could end up getting a decent contract from an NFL team when he returns to the league in 2010.
Losman spent the ’08 season mostly on the bench in Buffalo, backing up the franchise QB Trent Edwards. He played a total of five games all season, posting a QB rating of 62.3 and throwing five interceptions.
In his five-year NFL career, Losman combined for a 75.6 rating and threw for more interceptions (34) than touchdowns (33). Playing in the UFL for a season will help Losman in so many ways, and give him a change in scenery as well.
Fantasy Football Profile: Carson Palmer
Published: July 22, 2009
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Carson Palmer is one of the more difficult players to predict this year.
He is coming of an elbow injury, his top WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh split for the riches in Seattle, and his obnoxious former top WR Chad Ochocinco basically admitted he phoned in the 2008 season.
However, when he’s healthy Palmer has as much talent as any QB in the league, Laveranues Coles should fill Housh’s void, Chris Henry should play a full season, and if Ochocinco commits himself, he can become a dynamic WR again.
The Cincinatti Bengals have a decent schedule with two games against the Cleveland Browns, the Denver Broncos, the Detroit Lions, and the Kansas City Chiefs. the Bengals’ fantasy playoff schedule works out so they don’t have to face either the Ravens or the Steelers. They could go up against Minnesota, San Diego, and Kansas City, which doesn’t seem too bad.
Palmer averaged around 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns from 2005-2007 and has a career completion percentage of 63.7 percent. The Bengals drafted TE Chase Coffman, who should help the passing game, and Andre Smith, who should bolster the line. The talent is there. It all hinges on No. 85, whether or not he’s going to be an elite receiver in the NFL again.
I’m figuring Palmer to be a top 10 quarterback this year, finishing with 3,800 yards and 25 touchdowns. For you fantasy football fanatics, he should have excellent value in this year’s draft, as a sixth to eighth round pick.
Originally published at LestersLegends.com.
Is ESPN Protecting Roethlisberger?
Published: July 22, 2009
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It didn’t take long for every major news source around the world to report the civil lawsuit filed against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Wait, did I say every major news source?
Oops, I meant every except for one. That one being the largest sports outlet in the world: ESPN.
Why isn’t ESPN reporting the Roethlisberger story?
NFL.com has reported it, the Associated Press have reported it, ProFootballtalk.com, CBS Sports, and Fox Sports have all reported it.
However, it’s nowhere to be seen on ESPN.com, on SportsCenter, or any other of ESPN’s many outlets. Why?
According to the twitter page of ESPN TV personality and columnist Jemele Hill the reason is because of a “Special ESPN policy on CIVIL complaints with criminal accusations.”
Really?
It took me less than 30 seconds to find an example of a civil lawsuit on ESPN.com’s NFL page.
The case of former NFL kicker Tony Zendejas is a civil case. It was posted on ESPN.com on Monday. The Roethlisberger story was first reported later that night.
Bruce Allen, Publisher of Boston Sports Media Watch, came up with several civil cases reported by ESPN in the past on his twitter page.
He came up with examples of cases involving Randy Moss, Roberto Alomar, Reggie Bush, Pacman Jones and Marvin Harrison.
Is the Network that calls itself “the Worldwide Leader in Sports” trying to protect its relationship with Big Ben? Are they trying to make sure they always have access to him?
Just last week Roethlisberger did an interview on SportsCenter. The quarterback will also be seen on an episode of Shaquille O’Neal’s new reality show which will be televised by ESPN’s sister network, ABC.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, ESPN issued a “do not report” alert on the story Tuesday.
ESPN spokesman Mac Nwulu later issued a statement to PFT stating: “At this point, we are not reporting the allegations against Ben Roethlisberger because no criminal complaint has been filed,” Nwulu said. “As far as we know, this is a civil lawsuit that Roethlisberger has yet to address publicly.”
According to Nwulu “Roethlisberger has yet to adress publicly.”
However, Roethlisberger’s lawyer, David Cornwell, released this statement Monday night: “The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct,” Cornwell said.
Think what you want, but clearly, this isn’t just a case of a “special ESPN policy.”
