Denver Broncos Discussion

[njx9]

Originally Posted by Poz51

Who in the Bronco's organization besides John Elway do I sent the thank you card and fruit basket too?

xanders, again.

irrelevant of my feelings on this year's draft, i have no idea why he's still employed.

[Poz51]

Originally Posted by njx9

xanders, again.

irrelevant of my feelings on this year's draft, i have no idea why he's still employed.

A great friend of mine is a Broncos fan, and his thinking is along your lines. He also thought with McDaniels gone things would get better draft wise. I hope you guys end up with some combination of Paea and Austin/Ballard/Casey or even McClain in the second round. That way Williams and Miller have some protection in front of them. I do think that with the depth at DT (especially 4-3 types) it wasnt horrible to pass on Dareus, but I liked his fit in the 4-3 better than Millers. As we learned last year (and the year before) pass rushers are useless when the opposing team runs the ball down your throat.
We have Modrak here who I feel the same way about, not sure how he has made it through the last decade with a job.
Regardless, this is the first time in almost 2 decades the Bills took the guy I thought was best for them, and wanted myself. I hope Xander and Co. do it right in the second round for you all.

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by Poz51

I do think that with the depth at DT (especially 4-3 types) it wasnt horrible to pass on Dareus, but I liked his fit in the 4-3 better than Millers. As we learned last year (and the year before) pass rushers are useless when the opposing team runs the ball down your throat.

3-tech run stoppers can be found elsewhere in the draft. This kind of elite explosiveness Miller brings to the table cannot.

I'm anticipating the 3-3-5 and 46 experience Dennis Allen brings will be integrated into the new defensive scheme. Miller will get plenty of opportunity to attack (while still having a credible all-around game).

[Cunningham]

i'm really hoping that we pass on bowers. his knee issue is obviously very serious, and we'd be neglecting to take an inside player.

that being said, marvin austin may be the one guy that i want the least. the dude is the second coming of marcus thomas, and i have a gut feeling that we're going to take him. *knock on wood*

[CT Bronco Fan]

Originally Posted by MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)

Yeah, that's racist.

I'm just sayin!

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by Cunningham

that being said, marvin austin may be the one guy that i want the least. the dude is the second coming of marcus thomas, and i have a gut feeling that we're going to take him. *knock on wood*

I'm thinking Jarvis Jenkins from Clemson might be our DT in the second. Big guy, stout at the point, decent bull rusher, good instincts.

Another guy to keep an eye on is Martez Wilson. He strikes me as a John Fox LB - fast, athletic. If he slides to 46, he may end up a Bronco.

EFX have been clear that they aren't going to reach, so look for high talent selections even if the need and scheme fits seem somewhat dubious.

[njx9]

good call on the trade

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Originally Posted by CT Bronco Fan

I'm just sayin!

Maybe the current, jacked Urkel.



I can see the resemblance there. Urkel's chin is longer and narrower though.

[Timbathia]

I know that the masses will be appalled at the lack of a DT so far in the draft - however, I actually think this is going well. Von Miller, Irving, DJ Williams as our LBs are a good fit for this type of defense, and Moore gives us a safety that can create turnovers. Add in a road-grader replacement for Harris, which is key considering we are going back to a run-first offense.

They will all be starters and suit the type of schemes we will be playing.

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by Timbathia

They will all be starters and suit the type of schemes we will be playing.

Which is exactly what Fox was talking about. S, MLB, SLB and one OL spot (RT or LG, depending on where they like Beadles best) were all positions where we lacked an obvious long term starter... and now they've all been solidly taken care of.

It will be interesting to see if there are some sleeper DT's they like tomorrow, or if they feel FA is the best way of addressing that position.

[Cunningham]

Originally Posted by Timbathia

I know that the masses will be appalled at the lack of a DT so far in the draft - however, I actually think this is going well. Von Miller, Irving, DJ Williams as our LBs are a good fit for this type of defense, and Moore gives us a safety that can create turnovers. Add in a road-grader replacement for Harris, which is key considering we are going back to a run-first offense.

They will all be starters and suit the type of schemes we will be playing.

i'm very happy as well. i think franklin might play lg and we'll kick beadles out to rt, though.

fox talked about coming away with four day one starters with our first four picks, and it looks like that came to fruition.

[njx9]

we need *something* in the middle from this draft.

but i *am* actually pleased, as a result of the irving pick. i hope that solidifies dj back at wlb

[Timbathia]

Quotes from Fox basically said that he would have felt better if he could of got a DT he wanted, but they didnt fall. Also said there are some FA DTs available, a few prospects still to be had later in the draft, and that he felt we did currently have guys on the roster that could start.

How well would Ballard fit? Wonder if trading up to the start of the 4th for him is an option.

[Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Timbathia

How well would Ballard fit? Wonder if trading up to the start of the 4th for him is an option.

Anyone from the 4th on is a 3rd day pick for a reason; they won't be starting soon, nor will they ever likely make a huge impact. If were going to get our guy it will be next year or in FA.
Personally, I'm sick of Chris Baker/Marcus Thomas prospects anyway, and wouldn't care to invest such a big responsibility/gap in a player who isn't that great. We made a mistake by not taking a DT, but weirdly enough, we got the best D player in the draft, and addressed 3 other big needs. Can't be too upset, and I guess it goes to show that this team had a huge amount of holes. It would be unreasonable to think we could plug them all in one half a draft anyway.

[Namy]

Initially, I was disappointed that we didn't take Dareus or Peterson. But seeing what the Broncos did in Day 2, their strategy makes sense. It seems like they did their homework.

By the way, are there any "notable" DT's in FA this year?

[njx9]

ngata (yeah, i know), pat williams, brandon mebane and a whole bunch of crap. tommie harris :P

really, there's jack & **** in FA right now. that's certainly not accounting for eventual releases or the standard june cuts, but the front office must've been *really* unimpressed by dareus, paea, austin and whoever else was available at our picks. because we're going to start the season looking worse at DT than we did last year (which, to forestall the usual '*eyeroll* njx being pessimistic again', may not be disasterous, if we can just get some bodies to occupy gaps. even if our DTs are still garbage against the pass, the 43 should give us a little more flexibility to use mediocre line players as long as they can hold the point of attack).

[jCut]

I'm sorry, but failing to come away with any defensive lineman will end up being a huge mistake. I thought that was the strength of this draft.. Way to take advantage of that Denver.

[DBNYDP]

I really hope the Broncos are smart enough to not use Miller as a traditional SAM, and be used even more than a 3rd down rusher. If I'm the Broncos I'm basically going to run a 4-2, and then have Miller playing the edge on either side, so he can pursue/blitz every play, best use of his talent IMO. Asking him to drop into coverage and asking him to shed blocks in terms of the running game is ridiculous.
If we can sign Mebane I'll be happy, I think Thomas comes back but seriously why we didn't abuse the DT position in this years draft is beyond me.
Even in the second round...Paea and Austin not only filled our biggest needs, but they were arguably the BPAs.

[Timbathia]

Originally Posted by DBNYDP

I really hope the Broncos are smart enough to not use Miller as a traditional SAM, and be used even more than a 3rd down rusher. If I'm the Broncos I'm basically going to run a 4-2, and then have Miller playing the edge on either side, so he can pursue/blitz every play, best use of his talent IMO. Asking him to drop into coverage and asking him to shed blocks in terms of the running game is ridiculous.
If we can sign Mebane I'll be happy, I think Thomas comes back but seriously why we didn't abuse the DT position in this years draft is beyond me.
Even in the second round...Paea and Austin not only filled our biggest needs, but they were arguably the BPAs.

I understand the sentiment that Miller's "best" use is to blitz most plays - but he is fast, extremely agile and can tackle. Obviously at the senior bowl and combine he was convincing enough to Fox and co that he can handle the coverage aspect of the SAM. I dont mind the idea of him playing a more traditional SAM on first and second down, as he should end up pretty good at it and be able to make plays, and then have him playing end on third down.

[Diehard]

Originally Posted by DBNYDP

Even in the second round...Paea and Austin not only filled our biggest needs, but they were arguably the BPAs.

Who knows who was "BPA" according to the Broncos draft chart. It wasn't like those players were immediately snatched up by the next team. The Rams and Colts both needed interior DL and they chose instead to reinforce their offensive front lines following our selection of Franklin.

There are reasons not to like both Austin (attitude) and Paea (knee/size). Obviously those were bigger factors in the Broncos' evaluations than some fans would like.

[Diehard]

Things to look for today:

* There was a rumor last night that a RB the Broncos really like is still on the board, and that if he makes it to 108 then we'll take him for sure.

* I've also heard that Christian Ballard is on our radar.

* I can definitely see us using one of our 6th rounders to move up in round 4 or 5.

* As in days 1 and 2, the Broncos are sticking to their board so don't expect much in the way of reaching for need.

[njx9]

can't imagine who the rb would be... most of what i see doesn't fit with something that could play alongside moreno (i.e. most of them are also all slow).

expecting a TE in 5/6.

[Cunningham]

Originally Posted by njx9

expecting a TE in 5/6.

there's your tight end.

i'm really loving this draft! it looks like we'll be addressing rb (williams?) and dt through free agency

[King Carls 5 Year Plan]

i know everyone is calling Von Miller the next DT. he definitely looks the part so far. i imagine Elway still has nightmares about DT. that is a pretty good reason to draft Von. if a QB of Elways caliber feels that adding a top end pass rusher to the mix is a good way of disrupting the opposing offenses, then that's good enough for me. if Von turns out to be half as good as DT, he was worth the pick. if he turns into the next DT, then you guys will be finding room at New Mile High to drape the new Championship banners.

sick him after Rivers and whatever Raider trash QB they throw on the field. try and keep him off of Cassel. oh how things have changed. Chiefs #58 used to sack Broncos #7. now, Broncos #58 tries to sack Chiefs #7

[Diehard]

Interesting read on our draft strategy:

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_17978871

The surprising decline in interest in quarterback Blaine Gabbert among the top-10 drafting teams cost the Broncos the chance of trading back from the No. 2 draft slot for a later first-round selection and additional high-round picks.

Texas A&M's Von Miller, drafted in the No. 2 slot by the Broncos, was the team's top choice at least since mid-February.

The Broncos were talking about trading into the first round to get Fairley, but they decided the cost would have been prohibitive unless he slid into the 20s.

The Broncos believe they got the best safety in the second round and the second-best in the fourth. It was those 1-2 rankings of Moore and Carter that led the Broncos to go safety instead of, say, defensive tackle.

The only two positional needs the Broncos identified entering the offseason that weren't addressed in the draft were defensive tackle and running back.