Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Nose Tackles

In 2008, the Denver Broncos ranked 27th against the rush, allowing 146.1 yards per game on the ground.

The only teams who were worse (Cleveland, St. Louis, Kansas City, Oakland, and Detroit) all ended up with selections in the top seven of the 2009 NFL Draft.

In this league, success usually goes hand-in-hand with two things: effective running, and stopping the run effectively. The Denver Broncos have struggled mightily with the latter over the past two seasons.

For what it’s worth, the lack of success stopping the run cannot be attributed to lack of personnel and coaching change, as the Broncos have had three different defensive coordinators in the past three seasons, and thus, three new defensive schemes.

The newest defense will be coordinated by former San Francisco 49ers head coach and longtime defensive guru Mike Nolan, who will implement the first 3-4 system the Broncos will have had in over two decades.

For this particular scheme, it’s well-documented that arguably the most important position is the nose tackle.

Having one of the top six worst run defenses in the NFL, one would imagine the Broncos’ new management would go after an “elite” nose tackle talent to help rectify the problem, but Josh McDaniels and company had another plan.

Instead of spending unnecessary amounts of money on Colin Cole, Albert Haynesworth, or trading too many draft picks in order to move up and select B.J. Raji, the Broncos went out and acquired what they hope is a gem.

To hopefully start at nose tackle, the Broncos brought in free agent defensive tackle Ronald Fields, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers.

Fields signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Broncos early in the off-season, and he may have been a steal at that price. 

Don’t believe me?

Greg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com points out that at his low price, Fields already knows Nolan’s scheme from his days with the ‘Niners, he is the ideal size at 6’2″-321 pounds, and he can hold the line of scrimmage.

In five seasons, Fields has 97 tackles, one sack, and has participated in 49 games, starting nine.

Obviously, his statistics are not unbelievable, but if he can be efficient for the Broncos and take on double teams, he will be the best acquisition of an off-season that has seen many new faces come to the Mile High City.

Another player who hopes to make the final roster with the chance to play nose tackle is undrafted free agent Chris Baker.

Baker started his collegiate career with Penn State, and later transferred to Hampton after some off-field issues arose.

At 6’2″, 326 pounds, Baker has played both defensive tackle and, quite surprisingly defensive end in his collegiate days, and many fans are hoping the Broncos can use the versatile big man in multiple roles.

I was lurking around the comments on an article written at Mile High Report, and I saw a comment that intrigued me very much. I do not have the exact link, so I will paraphrase what it said: “Like the center in basketball, many people feel the nose tackle in football has to automatically be the biggest guy, which is not true.”

I could not agree more.

The Broncos have several players who were mentioned in my previous Defensive Ends article such as Carlton Powell and Marcus Thomas, who both have the chance to play nose tackle because of their abilities to take on double teams.

While Thomas and Powell could be nose tackles playing in defensive ends’ bodies, Baker could very well be a defensive end playing in a nose tackle’s body.

Surely the Broncos will appreciate the versatility and athleticism, something they have severely lacked for a very long time.

In addition to Fields and Baker, the Broncos brought in former Carolina Panthers nose guard J’Vonne Parker, who is the biggest of the bunch at 6’4″, 325 pounds.

Parker seems like a long shot to make the team with the amount of youth the Broncos have brought in on the defensive line, but if he can put it together in training camp, he definitely looks the part.

Many felt the Broncos made a huge mistake by not using more/higher draft picks on this position, and I will disagree with that statement completely.

Why should Denver have reached for a mediocre talent in B.J. Raji, who would have cost far more than any of the three players who were brought in for similar production?

Should the Broncos have pursued the $100 million man in Albert Haynesworth instead of filling more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball?

To me, it’s a myth that the Broncos’ No. 1 off-season task was to upgrade their defensive line.

In 2008, the Broncos were one of the very worst teams in the NFL in turnover ratio at -17, which was clearly the main focus of McDaniels and company this off-season.

The Broncos’ defensive line is nothing to write home about—yet.

They have much to prove as a young unit with minimal experience, but this group is already shaping up to be much more formidable than the one thrown together in 2008, and Broncos fans and critics alike could be silenced for their harsh evaluations of the Denver “bigs.”

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Defensive Ends

At long last, this series has finally reached the defensive side of the ball, where we will begin by dissecting the Denver Broncos’ defensive line.

The defensive lines Denver has put out in recent years have been absolutely horrendous, and have been a real Achille’s Heel for the defensive unit.

The Broncos were constantly changing personnel, coaches, and alignments to rectify their problems up front, but absolutely nothing was working.

The team even devoted 75 percent of its 2007 draft class to the defensive line, and the results have been less than impressive, to say the least.

New head coach Josh McDaniels has been absolutely hammered by fans, media, and critics alike for seemingly avoiding upgrading the Broncos’ defensive line via free agency and the NFL Draft, but I would contend that the new regime in Denver has significantly upgraded this area of the team, particularly at defensive end.

In 2008, the average size for a Broncos’ defensive end was 6’3″ and 268 pounds, which includes the 6’6″, 298-pound Nic Clemons.

For 2009, the average size for a defensive end in Denver heading to training camp is 6’4″ and a whopping 298 pounds. That is a difference of 30 pounds for those keeping track at home. 

I know, it does not necessarily mean that the talent has been significantly upgraded, but it cannot get much worse than the 2008 unit, and the Broncos have beefed up their frontline significantly. The run defense will be improved, and this crop of defensive ends will be a huge reason why.

According to McDaniels, there are no clear cut starters along the defensive line, which would explain why the Broncos will likely go into camp with eight players vying for a job.

One has to imagine that third year player Marcus Thomas will have a roster spot locked in thanks to his consistent play over the last two seasons.

Thomas has been one of the very few bright spots along the Denver defensive line, and may be the most versatile lineman the Broncos currently boast. 

He started five games in his rookie campaign of 2007, and was penciled in as the starter for all 16 regular season contests in 2008. In that time frame, Thomas has 53 tackles and two interceptions.

Coming out of Florida three years ago, Thomas had his share of off-field issues, but scouts felt that the Broncos had nabbed a first round talent with their fourth round pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings.

Thomas has yet to live up to that lofty potential, but he is steadily growing as a player, both figuratively and literally.

He had been checking in at around 290 pounds over the last couple of seasons before growing to 300 at the end of the 2008 campaign, and now he is all the way up to 305 pounds.  Some feel the reason for this is that the Broncos would like to use his versatility at nose tackle, which is definitely a possibility if he can get up to 310 or 315 pounds by the time training camp begins.

Thomas will compete for a starting spot with Ryan McBean, a fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft who was taken 11 picks after the Broncos selected Thomas.

McBean began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers who were absolutely loaded at the defensive end position, and he was placed on their practice squad.

He had a couple of stints on Pittsburgh’s active roster, but has only seen game action once in his short career. The Broncos feel he has potential to make an impact at defensive end, but the jury is still out.

One of the more intriguing players at the defensive end position for the Broncos is 26 year old undrafted rookie free agent and Iraq veteran Rulon Davis.

Davis, formerly of the Cal Golden Bears, joins the Broncos with a decorated background, one that includes being named after former Denver defensive lineman Rulon Jones.

Many fans are pushing hard for Davis to make the final roster, and for good reason. He has displayed great athleticism and versatility in his days at Cal, and the Broncos feel he can play at defensive end or possibly even outside linebacker in their new 3-4 defensive scheme.

Another rookie defensive lineman fans are excited about is former Northern Iowa star Everette Pedescleaux.

Pedescleaux is a giant of a man at 6’6″ 305 pounds, and he has proven to be a very valuable asset throughout his football career in college, racking up 112 tackles, 11 sacks and six blocked kicks. He was also a part of the UNI basketball team early in his college days.

One familiar face along the defensive line and at defensive end will be seven year veteran Kenny Peterson, the eldest of the Broncos’ defensive bigs.

Peterson, often referred to as “Patterson”, was the only notable defensive free agent retained by the Broncos’ new staff, and he appears to be an ideal fit for a 3-4 defensive end.

He has played both end and tackle in his three seasons with the Broncos, and last season played in all 16 games while recording 24 tackles, three sacks, and one fumble forced. 

Peterson could very easily be one of the opening day starters at defensive end for Denver.

One player Broncos fans are most excited to get the chance to see play is second year pro Carlton Powell, a fifth round pick last season out of Virginia Tech.

Powell stands at 6’3″ 300 pounds, and the former Hokie is regarded as a run-stopping specialist by scouts, so one can imagine why Broncos fans are eager to get this kid on the field.

He was placed last season on the physically unable to perform list, and never made it to the Broncos’ active roster.

Another former mid-round draft pick that will compete for a defensive line spot is Matthias Askew, a fourth round pick of the Bengals in 2004. 

Askew has spent two seasons out of football, and seems like a long-shot to make the Broncos’ final roster.

Rounding out the list of defensive ends is the third-year pro Clemons, who saw his most significant playing time last season for the Broncos, recording 13 total tackles.

The enormous Clemons was signed to a future contract in 2008 by the Broncos after spending 2006 and 2007 out of football altogether.

He played in a career-high 10 games last season, and hopes to make the Broncos’ final roster for the second straight year.

The defensive end position for the Denver Broncos is by no means flashy, but there is no doubt this unit is a significant upgrade over last season, especially when considering the hiring of former San Diego Chargers defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely, which cannot be overlooked.

Inside The Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Right Tackles

With this article, we will finally conclude the first half of the Denver Broncos’ 2009 preview which has dissected and analyzed every aspect and every player part of this offense.

The offensive line was simply too deep and had too much to talk about to fit in one article, so if you would like a recap of the entire line thus far, you can find information about the left tackles, left guards, centers, and right guards by following the links.

This article will focus on the second of the Broncos’ two bookend tackles, third year player Ryan Harris.

Harris began the 2008 season as essentially a rookie.  He saw little to no action playing right tackle in his rookie campaign of 2007, and Broncos fans really questioned whether former head coach Mike Shanahan made the right choice by letting veteran tackle Erik Pears leave Denver for the Oakland Raiders.

Lucky for Denver fans, Shanahan is an offensive genius, and as he proved multiple times during his tenure with the Broncos, he was not steering this team into murky waters.

Harris had an All-Pro caliber season for the Broncos in 2008, allowing only 2.5 sacks over the entire year.  Pretty unbelievable considering the Broncos dropped back 620 times all of last season, good for second in the NFL.

What is even more impressive is that the former Notre Dame star helped his Broncos rank 12th in the entire NFL in rushing despite going through a plethora of running backs over the 2008 season thanks to injury.

Harris plans to pair with fellow tackle Ryan Clady on the Broncos’ offensive line for a decade to come.

He joined the Broncos as a third round draft pick in 2007 out of Notre Dame, and was featured on an episode of MTV’s True Life as a high school senior training to become the starting left tackle for the Fighting Irish.  Harris is only the third lineman in Notre Dame’s storied history to start on the offensive line as a true freshman.

In addition to Harris, the Broncos feature veteran Brandon Gorin, a free agent acquisition from the St. Louis Rams.

Gorin has spent time in the NFL with the Rams, Cardinals, Patriots, and Chargers.

He has started 26 games in his career, and could be a very valuable backup for the Broncos if he makes the final roster.

Gorin is joined by third year pro Clint Oldenburg, a former fifth round draft pick out of Colorado State by the New England Patriots.

Many who follow the Broncos closely feel Oldenburg has a good chance of making the final roster if not at least the practice squad because of his experience in the New England offense.

The Broncos also signed the very athletic Stanley Bryant of East Carolina as a rookie free agent in 2009 to compete at right tackle.

The Denver offensive line is an extremely deep unit, and Bronco fans should be very excited about the direction they are heading, especially under the tutelage of longtime offensive line guru Rick Dennison, who has been orchestrating the Broncos’ offensive line for over a decade.

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Right Guards

While bookend offensive tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris get much of the publicity (or lack thereof) among the Denver Broncos’ offensive lineman, one man up front has been equally as dominant for an even longer period of time.

That man is fourth-year guard Chris Kuper, a former fifth-round draft choice out of North Dakota.

Kuper has been the starting right guard for the Broncos since Week Seven of the 2007 season, and he has quietly been one of the more consistent  guards in the entire NFL.

Furthermore, the Anchorage, Alaska native has proven to be extremely tough, playing the final two games of the 2008 season with a broken hand. 

The Broncos were extremely fortunate to have nabbed Kuper in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, as he was a two-time All-American with the Fighting Sioux.

Kuper enters his contract season as one of the elite inside linemen in the league, and league observers and analysts may finally be starting to take notice. Recently, Kuper has received numerous Pro Bowl and All-Pro votes from NFL writers.

He has helped the Broncos become an elite offense over the last two years, and at the young age of 26, he only figures to get better with time.

Still, the Broncos know that the offensive line is an area where much depth is needed, so they used a fourth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft on another right guard prospect who could eventually make an impact in this league.

That player was Seth Olsen, an extremely versatile lineman from the University of Iowa who has played every position other than center as an All-American for the Hawkeyes.

The All-Big Ten performer was the leader of an offensive line in Iowa City that helped lead the way for the nation’s top runner, newly acquired New York Jet and Doak Walker Award recipient Shonn Greene.

As an Iowa fan, the drafting of Olsen was exciting for me, as I watched this kid in action for four years.  Kirk Ferentz is well-known for developing offensive linemen and turning them into solid professionals, and Olsen figures to be no different.

Olsen also has a chance to contribute immediately at left guard because, from what I am hearing among trusted Broncos’ opinions, Ben Hamilton could be a surprise veteran cut at training camp. 

Another player who will have the chance to compete for a roster spot is Pat Murray, who was signed away from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad late last season.

Murray is a Division II college prospect out of Truman State, and while he may seem like a longshot to make the final roster, he has a great chance of earning a practice-squad spot.

Chris Kuper appears to be head and shoulders above his peers at the right guard position, but the Broncos do not lack depth.

The Broncos can rely on this unit for years to come.

Inside The Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Centers

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 Bowl days, had suffered his second consecutive season-ending injury before the year had even started.

Fortunately, Denver had a backup plan. City Chiefs, and had been one of their better players over the course of the decade Late in the 2008 offseason, the team signed veteran Casey Wiegmann to a two year contract.  Wiegmann had played most of his NFL career with the rival Kansas.

Wiegmann had every intention of backing up Nalen at the outset, but after the injury, he was thrust into the starting role.

To say he relished his role would be an understatement.

Whilst extending his NFL record for consecutive starts among active offensive linemen to 152 games (amassing 7,062 consecutive plays), Wiegmann earned his first career trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate.

After his stellar 2008 campaign, the 14 year veteran let the Broncos know that if he was not rewarded for his efforts with a new two-year contract worth more money, he would retire prior to training camp.

Unlike diva wide receiver Brandon Marshall, Wiegmann proved to Broncos brass that he was worthy of such an extension. He missed only one session of the team’s offseason activities, voluntary or mandatory.

Wiegmann was honored with a new contract, and heads into the 2009 season as the unquestioned starter and veteran leader of the Bronco offense. 

Right behind him on the depth chart lurks 2008 fourth round pick Kory Lichtensteiger, formerly of Bowling Green.

The knock on Lichtensteiger is that he has short arms. But despite his critics, the second year player fits the theme of “versatility” on Denver’s offensive line.  He can play center and guard equally as well; he even lined up for the Broncos as a third tight end and fullback in goal-line situations last season.

He will be a valuable asset on special teams and could fill in at center, left guard, or right guard if the Broncos need him because of an injury.  He is also said to be the heir apparent to start in place of Ben Hamilton or Wiegmann when one retires.

The reason I mention him as an heir apparent to Hamilton at left guard is because the Broncos drafted another center in 2009 who they really like.

In the seventh round, Denver drafted Blake Schlueter of TCU—a very versatile and athletic lineman.

He proved that by running a sub-4.80 second 40-yard dash at TCU’s pro day, and the Broncos could have more first year plans in mind for him than at the center position.

Much like Lichtensteiger in 2008, Schlueter could be used in goal line situations as a fullback or tight end.  His athleticism and size would make him a nightmare for defenders to take down if he were given the ball inside the five yard-line.

There is also a chance that he could end up being the heir to free agent signee Lonie Paxton, who was the Broncos’ first acquisition of the off-season.

Paxton is a ten year veteran who has played nearly every game over the last decade for the New England Patriots.

He is familiar with coach Josh McDaniels, and is considered one of the NFL’s elite long snappers.

Paxton is a three time Super Bowl champion, and will prove to be a very valuable offseason addition.

I believe the Broncos will keep three centers and a long snapper, as I have projected them to keep only one left guard.  Lichtensteiger could be considered a guard/center hybrid player, allowing the Broncos to use roster spots on other positions.

Center could very well be the position with the most depth on the Broncos’ offensive line for 2009—which is really saying something.

Inside The Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Left Guards

Where in the world is Chris Kuper?

Thankfully for the Broncos, the fourth year guard missing from the photo is not the subject of this article.

However, this article will reveal a statistic that could possibly surprise even the most die-hard of all Bronco fans.

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 2002-2006 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 off-season, 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.

Stay tuned for more Broncos fans.

 

 

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: Left Tackles

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 former head coach Mike 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.

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Tight Ends

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 Kyle 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 2nd 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 new quarterback Kyle 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 Jay 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 Peyton 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

 

**Marquez Branson waived, added to practice squad; Jeb Putzier cut**

 

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Tight Ends

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 Kyle 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 2nd 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 new quarterback Kyle 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 Jay 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 Peyton 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

 

**Marquez Branson waived, added to practice squad; Jeb Putzier cut**

 

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: Wide Receivers

2008 was a great year to be a wide receiver with the Denver Broncos, as former head coach 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 Kyle 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, Patriots) 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 30th, and head coach Josh 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 ten 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 Kyle 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.  The 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 re-claimed 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″ 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 Kyle 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. Three:  Brandon Stokley (Acquired via Free Agency in 2007)

Projected Stats:    40    520      13.0   3

Projected No. Four:  Jabar Gaffney (Acquired via Free Agency in 2009)

Projected Stats:    35    440      12.5   3

Projected No. Five:  Kenny McKinley (Acquired via 2009 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats:    20    240      12.0   1

Projected No. Six:  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

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