Fordham’s John Skelton: A Franchise QB of The Future in Hiding?

Sleepers are becoming a hot trend of the NFL draft.  In fact, one might argue that the “sleeper” is not becoming a huge part of the draft, but it is something that has already become.

In today’s NFL, it seems that the unheralded prospects are the ones making their way to the top faster than others, and the “sure things” are falling through the cracks.  Players like DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora of Troy are having stellar careers when top picks like Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss of Ohio State and Florida respectively are largely busts.

Now, am I trying to paint the picture that every small school kid is destined to turn out to be the next great NFL star?  Hardly.  I am merely suggesting that small schools can produce big playmakers for the National Football League.

Probably the rarest form of a small college sleeper is found at the quarterback position, where former Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco (now of the Baltimore Ravens) has somewhat paved the way for those lesser known signal callers to make their way to the NFL.

Potentially following in Flacco’s footsteps is Fordham quarterback John Skelton, a pro-style field general from the great state of Texas.  Though Skelton was not heavily recruited in high school, he has put together one of the more impressive careers in FCS history for the Fordham Rams.

Now, many are going to have to take that last sentence with a grain of salt, but this kid seems to have the skillset it takes to play at the next level.

I am not trying to paint this young gun like the next Peyton Manning, but upon watching some highlight video of what he has done in college, here is a quick scouting report:

Strengths

• Arm Strength
• Footwork
• Escape Ability
• Accuracy on deep throws
• NFL size

Weaknesses

• Lower Release Point
• Not very dominant despite low level of competition, but clearly a man among boys.

Skelton is listed at 6’5″ and a remarkable 258 pounds, which is roughly 57 pounds more than he weighed when he was a high school senior.  That kind of weight growth is normal for a lineman or tight end, but certainly not for a quarterback.  Obviously Skelton has been on some kind of weight training regiment to get him in prime NFL shape.

Despite all of the added weight, Skelton remains very mobile and active in the pocket.  Upon watching film, he has excellent footwork in the pocket.  He moves around very well and reads the pressure like an NFL quarterback needs to.  The speed of the game increases in the NFL probably about 20 times as fast as it is in the Patriot League, but he appears to have the correct instincts to make it work.

Another thing I really liked was his quick release and arm strength, especially on deep throws.  In the film available online, he hits deep out routes with relative ease, and has great touch on his deep ball.  He doesn’t put too much air under his passes, which is key at the next level in terms of the speed of the defensive backs.

The only thing that concerns me is a lack of pure dominance at a lower level of college competition.  He has over 10,000 total yards in his time at Fordham, but players like Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have demolished that mark against the top levels of competition.  You wonder why Skelton has been unable to do that.

Regardless, if a lack of dominance is the only thing preventing this kid, he should be just fine.  If he gets into the correct system at the next level, he could be a star two or three years down the road.  He has the size and skills to make it at the next level, and he could be one to watch for on draft day.

Skelton can be had likely for the low, low price of a fifth round draft pick or later, so keep an eye out.

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Brandon Marshall’s Record Game Encouraging, But Concerning

In Sunday’s loss to the Colts, Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton completed 21 of 28 passes to wide receiver Brandon Marshall for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick.  To the rest of the receivers and running backs, he completed six of 13 passes.

Marshall’s reception rampage is encouraging for Broncos fans.  Somehow, their big play receiver is getting open at least 20 times a game, nearly 30 times on Sunday.  But where does that leave Denver’s other playmakers at receiver and tight end?

Is no one else getting open?

Despite the fact that most Denver fans loathe former quarterback Jay Cutler, I have to give the guy credit where it is due.  Not only is Cutler a key part of Denver receiving a likely top 10 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, but he also proved that Mike Shanahan built an elite core of offensive weaponry by distributing the ball to every receiver the Broncos had.

He even found a wide open Nate Jackson at times, so go figure.

One face that has disappeared this season is sophomore receiver Eddie Royal, who has some of the surest hands in the NFL.  Royal has been the Broncos’ primary return man, and has been about as ineffective offensively as a practice squad player. 

There were high expectations for Royal who caught 91 passes as a rookie.  This season, he has 34 receptions for 317 yards, and no touchdowns.  In fact, the only time Royal has found paydirt this season was on a Monday night matchup with the Chargers where he took back a kickoff and punt for touchdowns.

Royal has game-breaking speed.  He is a great route runner, allegedly.  He has sure hands.  He is a non-factor.

How about Brandon Stokley and Tony Scheffler, two of the Broncos’ best playmakers from last year? 

Give credit to Stokley for making things happen when he catches the ball, which for some reason is very rare.  Stokley is averaging less than one catch per game with 12 on the season, three of which have gone for scores. 

Scheffler also has made the most of his opportunity, catching 28 passes for 342 yards and two scores of his own.  Still, those numbers are the lowest for Tony since his rookie season in which he only played significantly on offense for five games.

The second leading receiver on Denver is Jabar Gaffney, who was a nice pickup for Denver.  Gaffney has 32 catches for 442 yards this season, which are about par for his career.  He has yet to score a touchdown though, which is unfortunate for how consistent he has been.

And how about Peyton Hillis?  Hillis is arguably the biggest fan favorite in Denver since John Elway or Rod Smith.  The second year player out of Arkansas has only run the ball 12 times this season, a number which Bronco fans thought would be much larger heading into this season.

Hillis had some issues early this season with fumbling, and may have found himself in Josh McDaniels’ dog house.  Couple that with a concussion and you have a disappearing fan favorite.

While Brandon Marshall is the focal point of Denver’s offense, it would certainly be nice to see these other weapons get involved.  The Broncos are simply too talented on offense to let all of it go to waste.

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2010 Denver Broncos Mock Draft Pt. Four: McClain to Denver a Done Deal?

For my first few mock drafts this offseason, I have projected the Broncos to make a trade. This particular mock will not feature a trade, though I feel it could be in Denver’s best interest to do so. They would not have to cope with the cost of a top-10 pick, though they might be forfeiting some talent in the prospect they acquire.

While it may in fact be wise to trade down and acquire picks, the Broncos can do well with the six selections they currently possess. This is a very deep draft, especially at the top end. 

During the 2009 draft, the Broncos traded their own 2010 first-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a second-round pick which was used on cornerback Alphonso Smith. Critics thought the Broncos to be idiotic for doing that, especially after trading away quarterback Jay Cutler. They thought the Broncos’ first round pick was sure to be a top-10 pick, and the Bears’ pick would be in the 20s or later.

Looks like Josh McDaniels was and is smarter than them, and the Bears are currently 5-8 and projected to send Denver the eighth overall pick in the up-coming draft.

Here’s how I would project Denver’s draft if they decide to stay put with all of their picks.

 

First Round: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

It is clear after three seasons that the 6’4″, 245 pound linebacker on the nation’s top defense is the best linebacker in this draft if he decides to come out. The All-American has recorded 266 tackles, eight sacks, five interceptions, and a fumble forced in his time at Alabama.

McClain is smart, durable, and a great defensive leader. If the Broncos selected him, they would have one of, if not the best linebacker group in the NFL. McClain would pair in the middle with D.J. Williams, while emerging star Elvis Dumervil and 2009 first-round pick Robert Ayers man the outside spots.

McClain has excellent range against the run and takes great angles. He is one of the best pure tacklers in the draft, and projects as a three down linebacker at the next level. The prospect of adding him has to be exciting for the Broncos, whose only real defensive weakness is against the run. 

 

Second Round: Dan Williams, DL, Tennessee

Williams would be a great value pick here for the Broncos. He adds good size and athleticism to the front line, and would make a great eventual replacement for Kenny Peterson, Vonnie Holliday, or Ryan McBean.

He has great versatility as a lineman and is a run stopping force. He has imposing size at 6’3″, 327 pounds, and has the ability to get in the backfield on a very consistent basis.  Williams is an ideal potential fit for the nose tackle position in the 3-4, and would be great insurance up front for Denver’s linebacker core.

 

Third Round: Adrian Clayborn, DL, Iowa

This would be another great value pick. As I have stated in previous mock drafts, I am really high on Clayborn and if he declares for the draft I think he would be a steal at this point. He is an excellent run stuffer and a relentless pass rusher. He is very athletic for his size, and has good burst off the line of scrimmage. 

Clayborn is versatile enough to play inside or outside in the 4-3, or as a five technique or rush linebacker in the 3-4. The Broncos will love his versatility and burst.

 

Fourth Round: Mike Johnson, OL, Alabama

The Broncos need some size and depth on the offensive line, and Johnson gives them just that. He has been a very versatile performer for the Crimson Tide, playing both tackle and guard in his time there. This season proved that the Broncos are somewhat weak in depth at offensive tackle, and they lack the size on the interior line (left guard and center in particular) to effectively run their offense. 

Johnson can play tackle or guard, and if Seth Olsen can transition to center, Johnson could be the eventual starter at the left guard position.

 

Sixth Round: Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss

I’m going with another SEC player here in McCluster, one of the most versatile players in the draft. He has blazing speed, and can help the Broncos in many different areas. He can line up as a return man, catch passes in the screen game, carry the ball, or line up as a wide receiver.

He is a jack-of-all-trades who is vastly undersized, and he could end up being a big steal.

 

Seventh Round: Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan

Mesko has a booming foot, and Mitch Berger clearly isn’t the Broncos’ long term answer at the punter position. This kid was one of the few bright spots for the Wolverines in 2009, and should have a long future punting on Sundays.

 

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Dear Santa…College Football Christmas Wishlist for the Denver Broncos

Dear Santa,

This Christmas I want my list to be a little bit different. This year, I want to give all of my presents to the Denver Broncos.

In college football, there are a select group of players that may or may not enter this year’s NFL Draft, and the Broncos could use some of them. Obviously, it would be great if they could have all of them, but I realize you are Santa Claus and not God himself.

The following is a list of the players I feel best define what Josh and Brian are looking for on the Denver Broncos. Players with high character, toughness, and versatility. Players who are willing to be coached, and players who fit our system well.

P.S. Say thanks for me to the Big Man upstairs for Jay Cutler’s karma, for if not for the newest Chicago Bear quarterback’s horrible start, the Broncos would not have a shot at the top ten of the draft and would have only their likely playoff appearance to rub in his face.

Your friend,

Sayre

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Denver Broncos 2010 Mock Draft: Part Three

For my first few mock drafts, I have projected the Broncos to make a trade out of their first round pick which was acquired from the Chicago Bears. This time is no different.
The Broncos would be extremely wise to trade down. This is a deep draft, and they could address multiple areas of need with a bevy of higher picks.

As it stands, the Broncos’ draft would currently look as such:

Round one, pick 9
Round two, pick 25
Round three, pick 24
Round four, pick 23
Round six, pick 27
Round seven, pick 26

Here is my projected trade:

**Broncos trade pick number nine in round one to New England for pick 21 in round one, pick 20 in round two, and the 21st pick in round five**

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Denver Broncos’ Ryan Harris out for Remainder of Season, Herb Taylor Signed

Denver Broncos‘ right tackle Ryan Harris was placed on injured reserve today after aggravating a toe injury suffered earlier this season.

For this to be my first article breaking the horrid news of a player landing on injured reserve is a serious testament to the new regime’s training and conditioning program.

The Broncos did place Nick Griesen and J’Vonne Parker on injured reserve prior to the season, but neither was expected to be a starter or maybe even make the final roster. 

Harris will be replaced by Colorado native Tyler Polumbus, who replaced him when he went down earlier this season as well.  Polumbus is in his second year out of Colorado and was really showing signs of improving when Harris returned to the lineup against the Chiefs.

Unlike the last time Harris went down, Polumbus will now have starting experience and good chemistry with the first unit.  The transition should be a lot more smooth, and Polumbus’ development will be key as the Broncos prepare to attempt an upset of the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday.

Harris’ departure of the active roster to the injured reserve opens a roster spot which was filled by former Kansas City Chiefs tackle Herb Taylor.

Taylor, a sixth round draft pick in 2007 out of TCU signs with the Broncos days after visiting with the Indianapolis Colts.  He was drafted by the Chiefs and let go at the conclusion of training camp this past summer.

He appeared in two games as a rookie and in all 16 games last season.  He was a first team All-WAC performer in his junior and senior seasons at TCU, and according to the Denver Broncos’ official website, he set a team record with 48 consecutive starts. 

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Why the Denver Broncos Can, and Just Might Upset 12-0 Colts Sunday

For years, the bane of the Denver Broncos’ existence has been Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts. 

Dating back to the early 2000s, one of the most lop-sided matchups in the NFL has been the dominance of the Indianapolis Colts over the Denver Broncos. 

These aren’t the same Denver Broncos.

I realize the Colts are undefeated, and that they are playing this game at home.  I know that a victory for them clinches a first-round bye.  I even understand the magnitude of the potential NFL record 22nd straight regular season victory for the Colts.

But so do they, and that may not be the best thing. 

In the NFL, winning is winning, and you can’t make excuses for it.  The Colts have been up to every task so far, but they are walking on eggshells.

This is a team living on the edge, winning half of their games by four points or less.  They also overcame a 17-point deficit against the Houston Texans two weeks ago.

Again, the only thing that is important is that they are winning, but the living on the edge could stop when Denver visits Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday.

The Colts are a very favorable matchup for the Broncos, provided Denver brings the game it played in the eight games they won rather than the four games they were blown out in.

The Colts’ rushing offense is putrid, ranking 32nd in the NFL with nearly 88 yards per game.  Despite the inept running attack the Colts boast, they still rank fourth in the NFL in total offense and scoring. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Indianapolis ranks a very mediocre 18th against the run, allowing 111.7 yards per contest. 

This is an area the Broncos must take advantage of, and very well should.

Denver’s rushing offense ranks ninth in the NFL at 125.6 yards per contest, and they might be one of the hottest units in the league.

Correll Buckhalter made Kansas City’s run defense look absolutely silly, averaging over nine yards per carry.  Rookie Knowshon Moreno is in his best stretch as a pro, rushing for 86 yards in each of the last two games and scoring three of his five touchdowns in that timeframe.

Additionally, Denver fans breathed a sigh of relief when Peyton Hillis, the breakout running back from 2008, was spotted on the field against the Chiefs.  He came in on the final drive of the game and ran the ball seven times for 47 yards.

A welcome sight for the Broncos and their fans, to be sure.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos had really been struggling against the run until the last two games.  They rank 16th in this particular category, which is clearly the weakest part of their defensive attack.

The Broncos should be able to limit Joseph Addai and the Colts’ running game while running the ball well themselves.

Another area where the Broncos could excel defensively is in the passing game.  Obviously, the focal point of the Colts’ offense is their elite passing game featuring two of the league’s best in Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne.

Manning and Wayne lead the NFL’s top-ranked passing attack, but they face a very stiff task in Denver who ranks second in the entire league in passing defense.

Denver is led by All-Pros Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, and veterans Renaldo Hill and André Goodman who lead the team with a combined six interceptions.  The Broncos also added veteran Ty Law and top youngsters Darcel McBath, Alphonso Smith, and David Bruton to the mix in their defensive backfield.

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Denver’s defense is their pass rush, which is a big reason for the success of the defensive backfield.

Led by current NFL sack king Elvis Dumervil, the Bronco pass rush has been rejuvenated under Mike Nolan in the 3-4 defensive scheme.  Denver features 10 different players who have recorded a sack in 2009, and it could become 11 if rookie first-round pick Robert Ayers records his first quarterback takedown of the season against Indianapolis.

The Broncos rank fifth in the NFL with 34 sacks, and the Colts lead the NFL with only 10 sacks allowed.  This will be the key matchup in the game, as the Broncos have to apply pressure to Peyton Manning to be able to win.

Another thing the Broncos have on their side is the simple fact that the Colts are undefeated, which may be confusing on the surface.

I know this isn’t baseball, and may not even be applicable, but in baseball when a team is on a hot streak, it is not the worst thing to have to play them.  Winning streaks are bound to end, and the Colts’ win streak isn’t exactly picking up steam.

The Broncos could catch them at their highest point, and bring them back down to earth.  The Colts are not likely going to go 16-0, and with their defense ailing worse than it has in years, this could be the week for them to slip up.

I am not going to be so bold as to say the Broncos will go into Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday and beat the undefeated Colts, but I would say it is a definite possibility.

I think this is a very favorable matchup for the Broncos, who are in desperate need for a win this weekend to potentially gain ground on the San Diego Chargers who also have a tough road game in the works.

Maybe the Broncos will finally get the best of Peyton Manning and the Colts.  Maybe the stars will align just right, and Denver will even stick it to Indy on their home turf.

Maybe all those years of blowout playoff and regular season losses were all just setting up this contest, where neither team’s sideline will feature the likes of Mike Shanahan or Tony Dungy.

Maybe, just maybe.

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Back to the Xs and Os: How the Denver Broncos Can Win at Arrowhead

A week after taking a 43-13 pounding from the San Diego Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs will once again try to dethrone an AFC playoff contender when the Denver Broncos visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos ended a four-game slide when they beat the New York Giants 26-6 on primetime television Thanksgiving night.  It seems if the Broncos lost that game, they would undoubtedly be on the outside looking in on the playoff picture, possibly for good.

Now they are set to make what has turned out to be one of the most difficult December road trips any team can face with a visit to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs.

The last time the Broncos made their way to Arrowhead, Jay Cutler almost single-handedly gave the game to the Chiefs, ending the Broncos’ 3-0 start in 2008 with a 33-19 reality check.

This time, the circumstances are quite different. 

Again, the Chiefs are looking to play the role of spoiler. But for the Broncos the stakes are higher.  The playoffs are potentially on the line.

This is the quintessential trap game, one which the Broncos will most certainly be ready for.

Denver is better in every major statistical category.  On paper, they should dominate this game.

But games are not won on paper. 

Here is how the Broncos can win on Sunday.

 

1.  Get Knowshon Moreno his First 100-Yard Game

The Chiefs are allowing nearly 135 rushing yards per contest and the Broncos’ running game is clearly on the rise, thanks to rookie tailback Knowshon Moreno.

Moreno has nearly broken 100 yards multiple times this season, but for some reason he always seems to hit a bit of a wall.  If the Broncos are going to win this game, they need to ensure that Moreno and the rejuvenated running game control the line of scrimmage and the game clock.

A huge key for the game on Sunday for the Broncos is the return of right tackle Ryan Harris, who went down with a toe injury earlier this season.  Harris was playing at a Pro Bowl level before his injury and the Broncos have lost four of the five games he has missed.

Harris’ athleticism and mere presence will help the Broncos in the running game.  He really does add another dimension to the Denver offense. 

Expect the Broncos to show a heavy dose of the running game on Sunday. If they do it effectively, expect it to lead them to the winner’s circle.

 

2.  Force Early Turnovers

The Chiefs’ offensive line is among the worst in the NFL and the Broncos need to exploit it.  Sack-master Elvis Dumervil, who leads the league with 14 quarterback takedowns, needs to cause havoc for Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. 

It is almost certain the Broncos will force turnovers, but they can put this game away by forcing Cassel into poor throws early on or causing fumbles via sacks.

It’s clear that the Broncos’ offense thrives with a short field and the defense needs to make that scenario possible as often as they can. 

Kansas City has gotten a jump in the passing game from waiver-wire acquisition Chris Chambers, a player the Broncos are familiar with from his days in San Diego.

Another area the Broncos can exploit is the Chiefs’ quarterback position, where Josh McDaniels essentially has the task of taking down his own project in Cassel.

McDaniels groomed Cassel in New England and he knows every strength and weakness the kid possesses.  The Broncos should be able to exploit Cassel and the weak passing offense of the Chiefs.

 

3.  Oh Kyle Orton, Where Art Thou?

Okay, so the heading is lame, but here it goes.

The Broncos are facing one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses this week and quarterback Kyle Orton needs to have a big game.  With a fully healthy offensive line and receiving core, he has no more excuses to be anything but the Orton we all saw in the first six weeks.

The Chiefs have good cornerbacks, but the Broncos have better wide receivers and tight ends.  Brandon Marshall will be a strong focus of attention by the Chiefs and the Broncos should look to intermediate routes over the middle of the field to exploit Kansas City.

Orton should have a big game against the Chiefs, provided he is smart with his passes, as usual.

 

This is a game the Broncos cannot overlook. And as disciplined as this team has proven to be this season, it does not seem like an option.

The Broncos need to improve to 8-4 in the heated AFC playoff race, with the potential to catch the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West title as the season progresses.

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Josh McDaniels “Zwah’s” The Media, Shaun Phillips, and Ryan Clark

On ABC’s hit television show “Scrubs” there is a very colorful character named Ed, an intern who is known for his laziness and timely humor.  In the show, Ed makes popular the verb “zwah,” which according to Urban Dictionary is defined as “a word that you yell only when someone has been completely owned.”

We will come back to that.

Josh McDaniels has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, and he finally set the record straight.

The first incident was that he allegedly shouted at San Diego Chargers’ linebacker Shaun Phillips, a player known for running his mouth constantly, yelling, “We own you” at him.  McDaniels was apologetic, and a little frustrated by the accusations, also saying that Phillips was one who should also be at fault.

“I was two or three steps out of the tunnel when Shaun Phillips raced up to me with his helmet off and said, ‘I’ll kick your [expletive] ass, too,’ ” explained McDaniels. “I’m not saying I felt physically threatened but that’s exactly the way it went down. It surprised me in a way but we played them a lot when I was in New England and he’s always been that kind of guy.

“I wasn’t out there trash-talking their players, going through their drills. This guy has been doing this since I’ve been in the league and, because they won, he takes the liberty of telling his side of the story. I didn’t swear at him or threaten him. What I actually said was, ‘I’ve heard the same thing from you for four or five years now, and when I was in New England, we owned you.'”

McDaniels apologized for saying even that, but said also that it was nothing near what Phillips portrayed.

In fact, McDaniels was so rubbed the wrong way that he has asked the league to look into the events of that particular day further.  He also added that maybe the Chargers don’t know the whole story either.

“I don’t think [Chargers coach] Norv Turner knows what happened and I know he wouldn’t approve of it,” said McDaniels. “If one of my players ever did that, I’d be livid. I think any coach would be.”

Shaun Phillips, if what Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is saying is true, (and for the record, we’ll take his side in the matter because you are known for running your mouth) then you have just been “Zwahed!”

After the incident and the reports that McDaniels tried to start a fight with the San Diego ball club by saying, “We own you,” Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark felt the need to throw in his two cents on the situation.

Might I add in a very immature manner.

Essentially, what Clark suggested was that if a coach came to you and said something along the lines of what McDaniels said, the opposing player(s) should be able to retaliate in a physical manner.

Despite my thinking that he might be joking, he actually had the gall to go on and say he wanted to petition something to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Absolutely laughable, and McDaniels was stunned as well.

“I’m hearing that I’m being called a renegade coach and that I’m always trying to stir things up and [media] are asking questions based on erroneous information. I even read where [Steelers safety] Ryan Clark wanted the commissioner to do something about a coach taunting players. I have a lot of respect for Ryan Clark and that bothers me.

“I’m not trying to exacerbate the situation by talking about it but if somebody is going to make a judgment about me, I’d appreciate it if they had all the facts and properly report it.”

Ryan Clark, you also have just been “Zwahed!”

The other incident McDaniels was involved in recently was the NFL Network not editing out one of his atomic F-bombs on live television.

McDaniels was heard accross the nation saying, “All we’re trying to do is win the motherf***ing game!”

Now, this is commonplace in the NFL, as sad as it may be.  I do not approve of swearing, nor do I promote it.

Nonetheless, it is a huge part of the game today because people often get caught up in the moment and say things they shouldn’t (not that we haven’t seen countless coaches mouth these things on the sidelines).

“I’m not going to apologize for coaching the game but I apologize that people had to hear that,” McDaniels said.

McDaniels has been ridden pretty hard by the media all year long, and this was just fodder for them apparently.  The statement above is worthy…

Media, you have just been “Zwahed!”

McDaniels and the Broncos are fresh off of what turned out to be the biggest victory of their season so far, and this is how the media rewards them.

Now that they have finally bugged the guy to the point where he was obligated to address the situations, they got what they deserved.

A verbal slap in the face, also known as the “zwah.”

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Will Tim Tebow Be Running “Wild Horses” With the Denver Broncos In 2010?

Alright Broncos fans, here’s the deal.  Obviously many are under the impression that Josh McDaniels’ squad does not need a quarterback in the upcoming draft because of the emergence of Kyle Orton, and some with good reason.

Orton has completed over 62 percent of his passes for 2,447 yards, 12 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.  He has a decent quarterback rating of 87.9 and has been very effective in the Broncos’ offense as a leader. 

He has shown great toughness, playing through a devastating ankle injury and leading the Broncos to a gutsy Thanksgiving night victory over the New York Giants.

Personally, I still feel there is a persistent need for a true playmaker at quarterback.  To me, it feels like Chester Taylor is playing when Adrian Peterson is somewhere out there. 

Is Taylor a good backup?  Yes.  Is he capable of starting whenever called upon?  Yes.  Is he smart?  Yes.  Is he tough?  Yes.  Is he Adrian Peterson?

No.

Obviously it’s a little different with the quarterback position, and I know the Broncos are doing more than just getting by with Orton as they are on top of the AFC wildcard race and just as recently as last week they held sole possession of first place for the first two months of the season.

If the Broncos decide to pursue Kyle Orton in the offseason as a free agent, there will be no major change at quarterback without an injury.  He will be the starter, and likely for the foreseeable future.

This year, the Broncos added a new formation to their offense called “Wild Horses” that is essentially the team’s version of the “Wildcat”.  Currently, the player taking the snaps out of this formation is Knowshon Moreno, and while the rookie tailback is one of the team’s most versatile players, he is not fit to run the “Wild Horses.”

That is one of many reasons I believe the Broncos will give Tim Tebow a serious look in the NFL Draft.  Many people are giving Tebow a hard time when it comes to his NFL prospects, mainly because of his accuracy issues and release point.

Let me go on record as saying that I believe Tebow will be an extremely effective player in the NFL.  There are a variety of reasons I believe he is a good fit for the league, and the Denver Broncos in particular.

It is not because he already looks good in orange and blue.

1.  Versatility

If there is one thing I took from Josh McDaniels’ first crop of draft picks, it is that every single player’s main strength is versatility.

    * Knowshon Moreno:  Very multi-talented back.  Powerful runner, willing blocker, excellent receiver.
    * Robert Ayers:  Able to play standing up or with his hand in the ground.  Excellent run-stuffer and powerful pass rush capabilities.
    * Alphonso Smith:  Good cover corner, solid tackler, and an asset in the return game.
    * Darcel McBath:  Willing tackler whose main strength is in coverage.  Ball-hawking safety with speed to play cornerback.  Also a solid special teams player.
    * Richard Quinn:  Blocking tight end specialist with surprisingly reliable hands despite his college numbers.
    * Seth Olsen:  Strong, athletic, and quick.  Played both tackle and guard in college.
    * David Bruton:  Excellent special teams gunner, and strong leader of a defense.  Great tackling safety.
    * Kenny McKinley:  Good hands at receiver, but maybe more promise as a kick return specialist.  Can be a good slot receiver and is deceptively fast.
    * Tom Brandstater:  Smart quarterback prospect with a strong arm.

Essentially, my point is the Broncos love and clearly value versatility in players, and I have to ask, is there a more versatile player in the entire draft that Tim Tebow?

Some are saying he could be a tight end or H-back prospect.  Some are saying he will be a scrambling quarterback.  Heck, I have even heard that he might be a good fit for the linebacker position.

Tebow, statistically is one of the most dominant players in college football history, and may even be the best college player of all time.  He is a good passer with great escape ability, and he is a powerful runner who has set numerous rushing records from the quarterback position.

This guy has the chance to be a scrambling star at the next level and is one of the best quarterback prospects on the run.

2.  Leadership

Tebow is famous for his ability to lead a team, and people might remember him best for the shot where he is bleeding all over his face, and he has the I’m-going-to-kill-someone look in his eyes.

This guy commands the huddle without getting under his teammates’ skin.  He is a fiery competitor and he is willing to do whatever it takes to win a game or to gain an extra yard.

The Broncos clearly value leadership, as nearly every captain from the 2008 squad changed in 2009.  Brian Dawkins, the team’s main free agent acquisition, was named a defensive captain along with Champ Bailey and Mario Haggan.

On offense, Kyle Orton, Casey Wiegmann, and Daniel Graham were all named captains.

Wesley Woodyard, a second-year player who was undrafted in 2008, was named special teams captain.

Andra Davis was a team captain for the Cleveland Browns for a few years prior to signing with Denver, and D.J. Williams was a defensive captain in 2008.

Kenny Peterson also seems like he could be a strong candidate for a defensive captain.

The point I’m trying to make here is that the Broncos place a high value on leadership, and Tebow brings that to the table.  Here is a scouting report from ESPN.com on Tebow’s leadership abilities:

“Rare intangibles and work ethic. The ultimate team player. Exceptional mental and physical toughness. Temptations that can accompany NFL money and lifestyle will have zero affect on Tebow.

“Rare mental toughness. Very few are blessed with his natural competitiveness, leadership skills and work ethic. Both a vocal leader and leader by example. However, there are some concerns regarding his mental aptitude in the passing game. He comes from a unique spread-formation offense so it can be difficult at times to differentiate instincts from inexperience. The bottom line is that he’s nowhere near ready to make the kind of coverage reads necessary to succeed as a passer in the NFL.”

3.  Intelligence

This one is basically self-explanatory, and unless you have been living under a rock for the last four years, you should know that Tebow is one of the most intelligent players in college football today.

For two years in a row, he has been named an ESPN Academic All-American and likely will be named to his third straight after the 2009 season.  He is also extremely involved in community events, mainly related to mission works.

Tebow is an extremely mature young individual, and I think the Broncos will be hard-pressed to come away from interviews with him without being impressed.  He is an outstanding young man, and it translates onto the football field.

So, if the Broncos are not looking at a quarterback to replace Orton, they most certainly will be looking for a backup as Chris Simms simply is not cutting it.  My question is, why not Tebow?

Versatility, intelligence, and leadership are three things that clearly the Broncos value in draft picks, and Tebow possesses all three at an elite level.

He brings the offense another huge weapon, and quite frankly another dimension with the wildcat formation.

So if not Tim Tebow for a replacement at quarterback, what about another offensive weapon?

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