Lonestar
05-10-2008, 01:32 PM
Essentially, the 2008 offseason is finished, in terms of reshaping the roster. Now it's time for coach Mike Shanahan to integrate his new players with the holdovers, beginning with the first mini-camp session on May 19.
Nowhere did the Broncos have greater change than at linebacker. The Broncos will have new starters at all three positions with Niko Koutouvides in the middle, Boss Bailey at the strongside and D.J. Williams moving from the middle to the weakside. They even have a new linebacker coach in Jim Ryan, who was a Broncos linebacker for 10 years.
Let's open the mail.
***
I really like how the Broncos are now paying more attention to a player's character when acquiring new talent. It seems that the Broncos adopted a new philosophy this offseason. They didn't overspend in the free-agent market for run-down talent. What compelled the Broncos to take this new direction?
-- Jay Yu, Los Angeles
Jay - I think there were just enough embarrassing off-field incidents in the past year or so for Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan to recommit to their goal of having the Broncos' organization stand as a beacon in the Denver community. The Broncos' lineup of trouble last year: David Kircus, Brandon Marshall, Travis Henry, Darrell Hackney and Todd Sauerbrun.
At heart, Shanahan is a street-wise kid from the blue-collar suburbs of Chicago. His background helps explain why he has been prone to give players with a troubled past a second chance.
This year, though, Shanahan didn't have to spend one second explaining why he acquired the latest character risk. To the contrary, high character came into play with the Broncos' second-round pick, No. 42 overall. By far, the most talented receiver/returner available at No. 42 was DeSean Jackson. But there were enough flags on the Cal star that had the Broncos wondering if Jackson didn't have a little Javon Walker-like attitude in him.
They had just dumped Walker in part because of his occasional self-before-team forays. Why turn around and add another player with a similar reputation? So the Broncos took Eddie Royal - who not only has exceptional returner-receiver skills, but also exudes maturity - with their No. 42 pick. Jackson didn't go until seven picks later to Philadelphia.
That fine line between character and talent, though, can be difficult to straddle. You can't have a locker room of choirboys and win in the NFL. All teams wish they had 45 men who are beasts on Sundays and exemplary citizens the rest of the week. And all teams know it doesn't work that way.
Mike - Please tell me what you think about our two defensive draft picks from last year: Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss. Crowder seemed to have a modestly successful second half, and Moss had a season-ending leg injury. What do you expect from these two this year?
-- Shannon, Bend, Ore.
Shannon - I think Moss, the first-round pick in 2007, and Crowder, the second-round pick, are keys to the 2008 season. Moss has questions because he is a speed rusher coming off serious injuries to his leg and ankle. He is completely finished with his rehabilitation, and Moss says he's 100 percent. But he knows there will be skeptics until he gets his next NFL sack.
Crowder did come on last year after he too was slowed by an ankle injury during the preseason. It will be interesting to see how Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik divvies up the playing time between five defensive ends this year: Moss, Crowder, Elvis Dumervil and veterans John Engelberger and Ebenezer Ekuban.
I saw in your pre-draft Broncos' wish list that the Broncos would not let DeSean Jackson slip past them at No. 42, but that's just what they did, drafting Eddie Royal instead. I can understand why (size, character issues with Jackson). But was this a mistake?
-- Aaron, Thornton
Aaron - See answer to first question. Jackson's size (169 pounds compared to 184 pounds for Royal) was a factor. But in terms of pure talent, most teams considered Jackson a freak, worthy of a top-15 pick. Instead, he didn't go until No. 49. It's not until after a major talent slips that it dawns on me to ask: How come he slipped?
Hey, Mike. Looking at the past three drafts, including this one, would you say that the Broncos are on the right track to building the team the right way? It appears that Broncos management is learning from its mistakes.
-- Eddie Morris, Kennett Square, Pa.
Eddie - Sometimes, I think we all overrate the draft. The Broncos, for example. From their four-year draft period of 2001-04, they have just two players, linebacker D.J. Williams and guard Ben Hamilton, remaining. Yet, the Broncos had home-field advantage in the AFC Championship game in 2005. This serves as a reminder: The draft represents just one-third of roster construction with free agency and trades each having another third.
Then again, it's become evident the Missing Years to the Broncos' draft did leave a talent hole in the middle of their roster entering the 2008 offseason. The Broncos love the talent of their players 25 and younger, starting with quarterback Jay Cutler, receiver Brandon Marshall and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. And they have a number of quality 30-somethings, starting with cornerback Champ Bailey on June 22.
But the talent gap of players between the ages of 26 and 29 is why they dipped into free agency and signed Darrell Jackson (29), Keary Colbert (26 on May 21), Samie Parker (27), Boss Bailey (28), Niko Koutouvides (27), Marquand Manuel (28) and traded for Dewayne Robertson (26).
Ryan Clady (OT), Ryan Torain (big RB) and Peyton Hillis (versatile FB) could make the Broncos better in the red zone - don't you think?
-- Tony Ellsworth, Papillion, Neb.
Tony - I think calling more plays for Jay Cutler, and Cutler making better, quicker reads in the constricted area as he enters his third season, are the keys to an improved red-zone offense. But I see your point. Size does come into play on red-zone rushing attempts. And Clady (320 pounds), Torain (not only 6-feet, 222 pounds, but also a terrific leaper) and Hillis (242 pounds) are all larger than their predecessors or incumbents.
Hello, Mike. Why didn't the Broncos draft a punter or kicker in the draft? These are positions that will come back and haunt them during the season.
-- Mark Webster, York, Pa.
Mark - For whatever reason, there are just as many quality NFL kickers and punters who went undrafted as they were drafted. The list of undrafted kickers includes Adam Vinatieri, Rob Bironas, David Akers and John Carney. Entering the latest draft, the Broncos rated Toledo punter Brett Kern slightly higher than Georgia Tech's Durant Brooks. It took a sixth-round draft pick to get Brooks, who went to Washington. The Broncos signed Kern as an undrafted free agent.
The Broncos also signed Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley as an undrafted free agent. Hartley has a strong leg, capable of handling placement and kickoff duties.
In Matt Prater and Hartley, the Broncos are submitting hints as to why they didn't make a stronger attempt to keep Jason Elam. The Broncos want a kicker who can handle both field goals and kickoffs. Elam was exceptional on field goals, especially in the clutch, but hasn't handled kickoffs for years. The question all of Broncoland is wondering: What price, kickoffs?
Mike - What are the chances of getting Shaun Alexander in a Broncos uniform and ditching Travis Henry?
-- Dave Law, Lakewood
Dave - I'm a big fan of Shaun Alexander as a person and have found myself pulling for him in recent years. However, it would appear that as running backs go, he'll be an old 31 this year. I think if the Broncos were going to dump Henry, they would have taken Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, and not Boise State left tackle Ryan Clady, with their No. 12 overall pick.
If Ryan Torain, who the Broncos selected in the fifth round, wasn't coming off a foot injury, he'd have a chance to push Henry for playing time by the fourth or fifth game. But the foot injury means Torain can't be counted on for a big rookie season.
This would be a perfect tailback season for the Broncos: Henry rushes for 1,000 yards; Selvin Young gets 700 yards rushing and another 300 receiving; and Torain gets 250 yards rushing with some short-yardage touchdowns.
The Broncos have recently loaded up on veteran receivers. Does this relate to their view of Brandon Marshall's future?
-- Darren, Toronto
Darren - I asked the same question. And the Broncos told me no, they just wanted to add depth to an important position, given their hopes are pinned on the continued development of quarterback Jay Cutler. But given the severity of Marshall's forearm injury, adding veteran insurance makes sense. Doctors, and therefore the Broncos, are hopeful Marshall will not only fully recover from his injury, but also return to full strength by the end of training camp.
I've never met a doctor, though, who guaranteed anything. The primary concern could be Marshall's nerve damage. Nerves take longer to heal. And in the case of Darius Watts, they don't always heal.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_9161897
Nowhere did the Broncos have greater change than at linebacker. The Broncos will have new starters at all three positions with Niko Koutouvides in the middle, Boss Bailey at the strongside and D.J. Williams moving from the middle to the weakside. They even have a new linebacker coach in Jim Ryan, who was a Broncos linebacker for 10 years.
Let's open the mail.
***
I really like how the Broncos are now paying more attention to a player's character when acquiring new talent. It seems that the Broncos adopted a new philosophy this offseason. They didn't overspend in the free-agent market for run-down talent. What compelled the Broncos to take this new direction?
-- Jay Yu, Los Angeles
Jay - I think there were just enough embarrassing off-field incidents in the past year or so for Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan to recommit to their goal of having the Broncos' organization stand as a beacon in the Denver community. The Broncos' lineup of trouble last year: David Kircus, Brandon Marshall, Travis Henry, Darrell Hackney and Todd Sauerbrun.
At heart, Shanahan is a street-wise kid from the blue-collar suburbs of Chicago. His background helps explain why he has been prone to give players with a troubled past a second chance.
This year, though, Shanahan didn't have to spend one second explaining why he acquired the latest character risk. To the contrary, high character came into play with the Broncos' second-round pick, No. 42 overall. By far, the most talented receiver/returner available at No. 42 was DeSean Jackson. But there were enough flags on the Cal star that had the Broncos wondering if Jackson didn't have a little Javon Walker-like attitude in him.
They had just dumped Walker in part because of his occasional self-before-team forays. Why turn around and add another player with a similar reputation? So the Broncos took Eddie Royal - who not only has exceptional returner-receiver skills, but also exudes maturity - with their No. 42 pick. Jackson didn't go until seven picks later to Philadelphia.
That fine line between character and talent, though, can be difficult to straddle. You can't have a locker room of choirboys and win in the NFL. All teams wish they had 45 men who are beasts on Sundays and exemplary citizens the rest of the week. And all teams know it doesn't work that way.
Mike - Please tell me what you think about our two defensive draft picks from last year: Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss. Crowder seemed to have a modestly successful second half, and Moss had a season-ending leg injury. What do you expect from these two this year?
-- Shannon, Bend, Ore.
Shannon - I think Moss, the first-round pick in 2007, and Crowder, the second-round pick, are keys to the 2008 season. Moss has questions because he is a speed rusher coming off serious injuries to his leg and ankle. He is completely finished with his rehabilitation, and Moss says he's 100 percent. But he knows there will be skeptics until he gets his next NFL sack.
Crowder did come on last year after he too was slowed by an ankle injury during the preseason. It will be interesting to see how Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik divvies up the playing time between five defensive ends this year: Moss, Crowder, Elvis Dumervil and veterans John Engelberger and Ebenezer Ekuban.
I saw in your pre-draft Broncos' wish list that the Broncos would not let DeSean Jackson slip past them at No. 42, but that's just what they did, drafting Eddie Royal instead. I can understand why (size, character issues with Jackson). But was this a mistake?
-- Aaron, Thornton
Aaron - See answer to first question. Jackson's size (169 pounds compared to 184 pounds for Royal) was a factor. But in terms of pure talent, most teams considered Jackson a freak, worthy of a top-15 pick. Instead, he didn't go until No. 49. It's not until after a major talent slips that it dawns on me to ask: How come he slipped?
Hey, Mike. Looking at the past three drafts, including this one, would you say that the Broncos are on the right track to building the team the right way? It appears that Broncos management is learning from its mistakes.
-- Eddie Morris, Kennett Square, Pa.
Eddie - Sometimes, I think we all overrate the draft. The Broncos, for example. From their four-year draft period of 2001-04, they have just two players, linebacker D.J. Williams and guard Ben Hamilton, remaining. Yet, the Broncos had home-field advantage in the AFC Championship game in 2005. This serves as a reminder: The draft represents just one-third of roster construction with free agency and trades each having another third.
Then again, it's become evident the Missing Years to the Broncos' draft did leave a talent hole in the middle of their roster entering the 2008 offseason. The Broncos love the talent of their players 25 and younger, starting with quarterback Jay Cutler, receiver Brandon Marshall and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. And they have a number of quality 30-somethings, starting with cornerback Champ Bailey on June 22.
But the talent gap of players between the ages of 26 and 29 is why they dipped into free agency and signed Darrell Jackson (29), Keary Colbert (26 on May 21), Samie Parker (27), Boss Bailey (28), Niko Koutouvides (27), Marquand Manuel (28) and traded for Dewayne Robertson (26).
Ryan Clady (OT), Ryan Torain (big RB) and Peyton Hillis (versatile FB) could make the Broncos better in the red zone - don't you think?
-- Tony Ellsworth, Papillion, Neb.
Tony - I think calling more plays for Jay Cutler, and Cutler making better, quicker reads in the constricted area as he enters his third season, are the keys to an improved red-zone offense. But I see your point. Size does come into play on red-zone rushing attempts. And Clady (320 pounds), Torain (not only 6-feet, 222 pounds, but also a terrific leaper) and Hillis (242 pounds) are all larger than their predecessors or incumbents.
Hello, Mike. Why didn't the Broncos draft a punter or kicker in the draft? These are positions that will come back and haunt them during the season.
-- Mark Webster, York, Pa.
Mark - For whatever reason, there are just as many quality NFL kickers and punters who went undrafted as they were drafted. The list of undrafted kickers includes Adam Vinatieri, Rob Bironas, David Akers and John Carney. Entering the latest draft, the Broncos rated Toledo punter Brett Kern slightly higher than Georgia Tech's Durant Brooks. It took a sixth-round draft pick to get Brooks, who went to Washington. The Broncos signed Kern as an undrafted free agent.
The Broncos also signed Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley as an undrafted free agent. Hartley has a strong leg, capable of handling placement and kickoff duties.
In Matt Prater and Hartley, the Broncos are submitting hints as to why they didn't make a stronger attempt to keep Jason Elam. The Broncos want a kicker who can handle both field goals and kickoffs. Elam was exceptional on field goals, especially in the clutch, but hasn't handled kickoffs for years. The question all of Broncoland is wondering: What price, kickoffs?
Mike - What are the chances of getting Shaun Alexander in a Broncos uniform and ditching Travis Henry?
-- Dave Law, Lakewood
Dave - I'm a big fan of Shaun Alexander as a person and have found myself pulling for him in recent years. However, it would appear that as running backs go, he'll be an old 31 this year. I think if the Broncos were going to dump Henry, they would have taken Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, and not Boise State left tackle Ryan Clady, with their No. 12 overall pick.
If Ryan Torain, who the Broncos selected in the fifth round, wasn't coming off a foot injury, he'd have a chance to push Henry for playing time by the fourth or fifth game. But the foot injury means Torain can't be counted on for a big rookie season.
This would be a perfect tailback season for the Broncos: Henry rushes for 1,000 yards; Selvin Young gets 700 yards rushing and another 300 receiving; and Torain gets 250 yards rushing with some short-yardage touchdowns.
The Broncos have recently loaded up on veteran receivers. Does this relate to their view of Brandon Marshall's future?
-- Darren, Toronto
Darren - I asked the same question. And the Broncos told me no, they just wanted to add depth to an important position, given their hopes are pinned on the continued development of quarterback Jay Cutler. But given the severity of Marshall's forearm injury, adding veteran insurance makes sense. Doctors, and therefore the Broncos, are hopeful Marshall will not only fully recover from his injury, but also return to full strength by the end of training camp.
I've never met a doctor, though, who guaranteed anything. The primary concern could be Marshall's nerve damage. Nerves take longer to heal. And in the case of Darius Watts, they don't always heal.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_9161897