Denver: Why The Broncos Draft Picks Will Change The Franchise

From what I’ve read, most Denver fans were disappointed with the decisions the Broncos made in this years draft. And to those of you who feel this way, I say cheer up! I’ve recently done research on our new additions to the team. So all of of you people that can’t seem to smile after the draft, I’ll give you reason to.

Robert Ayers- DE (18th overall)

Ayers started all four years of his college career. In these four years, he had 112 tackles, and nine sacks. Ayers has even had an interception his senior year. I’m not sure about you, but I’m satisfied with those stats.

Alphonso Smith- CB (37th overall)

Alphonso Smith also started all four years in college. In his four years, Smith had 174 tackles, four forced fumbles, and 21 interceptions. he also had four touchdowns in his four years at Wake Forest. I’m almost surprised he didn’t go in the first round.

Darcel McBath- CB/S (48th overall)

Darcel was another pick to start all four years, so he has the experience. In his career, he’s had 214 tackles, 12 interceptions, and two interceptions. Also in the 2008 season, his college team won all but one game, where he had six interceptions, and a touchdown in one season alone.

So far all of these picks have been towards helping the defense, which people said our new head coach barely did in this years draft.

Richard Quinn- TE (64th overall)

You have to hear me out on this one, even though his stats don’t make him look like should have even been drafted.

Like most Broncos fans, I was not satisfied with the stats that Quinn had to offer. I couldn’t figure out why we even considered him, and I needed an answer.

So I looked him up on YouTube. His highlights weren’t of him scoring or making amazing catches. What I saw was Richard Quinn laying out guys all over the field (In other words, he’s an amazing blocker).

This addition could be key considering that we had drafted Knowshon Moreno. It’s clear that what McDaniels was doing was helping our running backs (maybe to help prevent losing 7 running backs to injured reserve again or something).

This convinced me that McDaniels probably knew what he was doing.

David Bruton- FS (114th overall)

Again, McDaniels helps the defense with another great pick. Bruton has accomplished 210 tackles, two forced fumbles, and seven interceptions in all four seasons. David has even had a sack, which isn’t saying much, but decent considering that he’s a safety.

Since the Broncos acquired Brian Dawkins in the offseason, Bruton makes a great secondary for the Broncos.

Seth Olsen- OG (132nd overall)

Call me a homer, but I was excited when the Broncos drafted Seth, knowing that he was from Iowa.

Though Olsen was a Iowa Hawkeye, I was excited for more than just that reason that we took him. Seth Olsen allowed very little tackles, and was key to why the Hawkeyes won so many games. Olsen should be a good addition to the offense.

Kenny McKinley- WR (141st overall)

Granted, the Broncos already have amazing receivers (A- in most polls), It’s not like Players don’t get injured (or tired), and Kenny McKinley would be a reliable sub for when (if) this happens.

McKinley has had 207 receptions, 2,781 yards, and 19 touchdowns in his four years at South Carolina. His ability to make quick decisions, and tough catches makes him a good fit with the other Bronco Wide outs.

Tom Brandstater- QB (174th overall)

Tom Brandstater is a big, strong QB from Fresno state. A lot of people thought this was a dumb decision by McDaniels considering that we just got Kyle Orton and Chris Simms in the offseason. But after releasing Patrick Ramsey and Darrell Hackney, the Broncos were in need of a third QB.

Brandstater has thrown 6,857 yards, and 47 touchdowns. Pretty legit considering he only started three seasons.

Tom also rushed for four touchdowns last season alone. Pretty good pick for the sixth round (not to mention that he’s a QB).

Blake Schlueter- C (225th overall)

After the retiring of Tom Nalen, the Broncos were in need of a center. Denver got just that in the seventh round of the Draft.

Blake Schlueter is very mature, and is crazy fast for an offensive linemen. His strength and agility make him a reliable center to help guard our new quarterback.

In addition to these draft picks, McDaniels picked up 12 extra players in free agency. So again, I say cheer up! McDaniels knows what he’s doing.

The Denver Broncos: A Potential Threat For the 2009 Season

When I show people that I am a Bronco fan by wearing Bronco apparel, I usually get at least 20 comments during the day on how the Broncos suck.

I wish I would have time to explain to these people why the Broncos did not make the playoffs last year and why they will be good this year (and how incredibly stupid they are), but I guess that’s what B/R is for.

I’m going to start with the most obvious reason of why we didn’t succeed, which is our running backs. Denver broke a record this year for most RB’s on IR, with seven. Some people didn’t even consider the fact that we had to resort to using Tatum bell (he was working at a phone company in Denver). Not to mention, the game where LB Spenser Larsen played both LB AND FB.

Even with these losses, Denver still had the second best offense in the the league.

What we have done to fix that? For one, we drafted Knowshon Moreno. And seriously, what’s the chance that we’ll lose more than maybe 2 running backs again?

The next reason was our defense. With John Lynch leaving the team, Denver had to leave the job to safety Marlon McCree. We certainly didn’t get any better when he was injured. Other major injuries were Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil, and Boss Bailey, all of whom are key players to the defense.

Things that Denver has done to help with this is switching to a 3/4 defense (major improvement), and drafting new, young defensive players that should in turn help improve the team.

When I did get the chance to argue with people, these were the main points they had to confront me (although they didn’t get too specific). And I must say that I’m am very excited to see it pay off this season.

 

Kyle Orton: Why I Like Him

A lot of people that I talk to tell me that trading Jay Cutler was the biggest mistake a coach could have ever made. And to that, I strongly disagree. Although Cutler was a franchise QB AND chosen by most polls to be one of the top 10 in the entire league, I believe Kyle Orton could have done just the same.

Granted, Kyle Orton didn’t have the best season last year, but I don’t think ANY quarterback does great when your best receiver is your running back. That being said, any QB who throws 18 touchdowns, runs for three, and throws for 2972 yards with the main source as the backfield definitely has potential to be a franchise quarterback (in my perspective).

Another reason is because of Denver’s brand new head coach, Josh McDaniels. If I recall, McDaniels was a part of New England’s organization when they won the Super Bowl in 2001. McDanials had worked with Brady, who became the MVP AND the youngest quarterback to win a super bowl.

Go back two years ago, when Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning’s record for most touchdown passes in a single season (50), was named NFL MVP for the season, AND Offensive Player of the Year.

An impressive QB, yes, but you can’t say McDaniels had nothing to do with it. McDaniels also helped improve Matt Cassel last year, and as you all know, Cassel was good enough that the Chiefs traded for him to be their starting QB.

To me, those are legit enough statistics to the point where I can rest easy knowing McDaniels will continue to improve Kyle Orton. On a side note, Orton will have Brandon Stokley (one of the best slot receivers in the NFL), Eddie Royal (One of the top five rookie receivers in the previous season), Tony Scheffler (Denver’s passing receiver, and a good one at that) and Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall to throw to.

And I am very excited to see what he’ll do for us this season

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