PDA

View Full Version : Broncos' offseason report



omac
03-30-2009, 04:49 AM
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=532803

Broncos' offseason report: Lots of buzz outside of Cutler going on in Denver
Posted: March 29, 2009

Denver's offseason has been dominated by the TV drama-like sequence of events that are the Jay Cutler saga. Before Cutlergate exploded on the scene, however, the Broncos were one of the most active teams on the free-agent market. The team signed 12 new free agents and re-signed two others while losing just five, none significant.

Only one of the new additions (RB Correll Buckhalter) is expected to fill a starting role on offense, but as many as six new players could start on defense, including three in the secondary.

Will the roster shuffle help new coach Josh McDaniels get his systems in place and get his team out to a fast start? His first couple months on the job can't be termed as anything other than rocky. That's a good term for the terrain in Denver, but McDaniels must get everyone working together -- quickly -- if '09 is to be a success, even in the weak AFC West.

Priority No. 1 in the coming weeks, though, will be for the coach and quarterback to get on the same page.

Best free-agent move

McDaniels obviously is building Patriots West, right down to his new 3-4 defense and his three-pronged committee at running back.

So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Denver's best offseason signings are of an understated nature; taking solid, but not great players, and having them fill important roles in the team concept.

The first of those players would be ex-Patriots receiver Jabar Gaffney. Pats officials were not happy McDaniels stole Gaffney, and who could blame them? Gaffney was effective in New England, working the perimeter routes opposite Randy Moss, and was one of Tom Brady's favorite targets. Gaffney knows McDaniels' system and certainly will help his new teammates make the transition. Star wide receiver Brandon Marshall, however, could be suspended again by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, so Gaffney could play a larger role than McDaniels had forecasted.

The other player to watch is running back J.J. Arrington, as McDaniels noted the only Cardinals back who played in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. Arrington is an adequate runner, particularly outside the tackles, and his pass blocking improved in the Cardinals' spread offense, which is similar to McDaniels' system. Arrington's biggest asset is his receiving skills. Look for him in short-yardage and goal-line situations and on third down, much the way McDaniels used Kevin Faulk in New England.

Worst free-agent move

The Denver secondary certainly was in need of an upgrade after a season in which it ranked 26th in passing yards allowed. The decision to add 30-year-old Miami castoffs Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman, and talented but aging safety Brian Dawkins, 35, makes this one of the NFL's oldest defensive backfields.

If anyone gets hurt, the Broncos could be in big trouble, because there isn't a capable backup at any position in the secondary. The Hill, Goodman and Dawkins signings were short-term answers to a long-term problem, something that must be further addressed.

To-do list

There remains work to do on defense. The Broncos acquired several defensive linemen via free agency but still need an impact player or two on the line. Someone must help undersized pass-rush specialist Elvis Dumervil pressure the quarterback, and the run defense still needs a two-gapping defensive tackle and big, physical tacklers inside at linebacker.

McDaniels also must look at his offensive linemen, who will be asked to do more gap-control blocking instead of the zone-blocking scheme they are accustomed.

Top draft priorities

Nose tackle: If the Broncos are to play more 3-4 alignments on defense, they must find a big bodied two-gapper to clog the middle. That player is not on the current roster. Boston College's Ron Brace could be the answer in Round 2.

Defensive end: Kenny Peterson and Darrell Reid are on the roster, but neither is an impact player with impressive size, strength or athleticism. LSU's Tyson Jackson is a grinder who could be an option in Round 1 or a player like Jarron Gilbert could be had in the third round.

Center: Casey Wiegmann turns 36 in July. It's a rare strong draft for centers. Connecting the dots is easy.

Linebacker: If the Broncos are to play a 3-4 scheme, they need more linebackers. They could use a pass rusher opposite Dumervil, and despite the signing of Andra Davis to play next to Boss Bailey, they could use a strong tackler inside.

RealScouts, a team of pro football scouts, analyzes NFL players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News Today. Read more at sportingnews.com.

Elevation inc
03-30-2009, 05:14 AM
good find..... seems levelheaded and unbiased:salute:

Dirk
03-30-2009, 05:27 AM
thanks Omac!

I agree pretty much with the whole thing.

CoachChaz
03-30-2009, 07:47 AM
Hard to argue with the overall assessment

Shazam!
03-30-2009, 08:38 AM
Meh. Cutlergate has marred what would've been called a great start for the McDaniels regime this offseason, by fans and analysts alike.

Elevation inc
03-30-2009, 09:02 AM
Meh. Cutlergate has marred what would've been called a great start for the McDaniels regime this offseason, by fans and analysts alike.

actually many analysts are questioning his Free Agency decisions, as some seem to be along the path shanny used to take.....

Shazam!
03-30-2009, 09:05 AM
Nolan was one of the best changes.

Elevation inc
03-30-2009, 09:06 AM
Nolan was one of the best changes.

quoted for the truth.....:salute:

LRtagger
03-30-2009, 09:55 AM
There are two points made that I don't agree with:

"because there isn't a capable backup at any position in the secondary"

I think our secondary depth will be fine. Josh Bell is a very solid backup at CB and JMFW is an adequate backup. We lack depth in the nickle and dime packages if say Champ were to go down again, but in the base D, I feel fine with Bell as our first reserve. At safety, Barrett is a very solid backup and may even start - I'm sure Nolan will love the kid's size and athletic ability. We do need to pick up a SS, though unless WW is converted.

The other point was how Andra Davis will be playing next to Boss, and that we need someone opposite Doom. I agree we need OLBs and probably a solid DE, but unless he has Boss penciled in at SOLB and Davis penciled in at SILB, how would they play beside each other? Both at ILB?? Then who are our OLBs? DJ? Doom will not be playing DE in a 3-4, so not sure how he equates to the DL.

Fan in Exile
03-30-2009, 10:29 AM
I don't think that we have that big of a need at DE. We've got Powell, Peterson, Thomas, Askew, Clemons, and McBean. I just don't think the position is that important that right now we're going to focus on getting another guy in there.

I also don't think that center is going to be a top priority. I've heard that Dennison is high on Lichtensteiger. Now depth at guard is certainly an issue and they may want to replace Hamilton but that's a bigger problem than getting a third center in my mind.

Linebacker and NT are our biggest holes along with depth. That's is at least until we see how people do on the field, because it's always better on paper.

broncohead
03-30-2009, 10:38 AM
DE is a need. Peterson has shown he is a decent backup but would be a below average starter. Powell is an unknown. The only person I see doing decent is Thomas. I see OLB as the biggest need with DE as #2.

Fan in Exile
03-30-2009, 12:02 PM
DE is a need. Peterson has shown he is a decent backup but would be a below average starter. Powell is an unknown. The only person I see doing decent is Thomas. I see OLB as the biggest need with DE as #2.

I think that you're underrating Peterson he'll do fine I think we've got the coaching now to help him out and I also think that Powell will do fine as a two gapper it's what he was rated for coming out of college. But we'll have to wait and see really.

broncohead
03-30-2009, 12:06 PM
I think that you're underrating Peterson he'll do fine I think we've got the coaching now to help him out and I also think that Powell will do fine as a two gapper it's what he was rated for coming out of college. But we'll have to wait and see really.

Peterson hasn't shown anything to make me think otherwise. Maybe the change of scheme will be good for Thomas and Peterson but we have to wait and see. Powell hasn't played to determine how good he'll be. Powell = Rookie

getlynched47
03-30-2009, 12:11 PM
Renaldo Hill signing was his worst by far.

McDaniels signed two aging free safeties. They're just quick fixes like with what Shanahan did last year with Manuel and McCree...

bcbronc
03-30-2009, 12:17 PM
Peterson hasn't shown anything to make me think otherwise. Maybe the change of scheme will be good for Thomas and Peterson but we have to wait and see. Powell hasn't played to determine how good he'll be. Powell = Rookie


wouldn't a draft pick also be a rookie? :confused:

DE, imo, at least has multiple possibilities. I'm all for adding one in the draft, but I don't see it as one of our top 1-2 priorities. we've got enough candidates already on the roster that we don't need them all to work out. and really, we don't need a playmaker at DE, just a player who can eat up blocks and hold stout against the run.

It could be that this time next year we're looking at DE as being a top priority. but right now I see CB, OLB, NT, S, as bigger needs, and MLB as about equal (we have options at MLB, even if they aren't necessarily top end options). but I consider MLB to be HUGELY more important than DE (as far as finding a playmaker is concerned) so I rank MLB ahead of DE as well.

so that's my take: needs at every spot on defense, but DE being the position with the greatest liklihood that we've already got the players on the roster.

broncohead
03-30-2009, 12:30 PM
wouldn't a draft pick also be a rookie? :confused:

DE, imo, at least has multiple possibilities. I'm all for adding one in the draft, but I don't see it as one of our top 1-2 priorities. we've got enough candidates already on the roster that we don't need them all to work out. and really, we don't need a playmaker at DE, just a player who can eat up blocks and hold stout against the run.

It could be that this time next year we're looking at DE as being a top priority. but right now I see CB, OLB, NT, S, as bigger needs, and MLB as about equal (we have options at MLB, even if they aren't necessarily top end options). but I consider MLB to be HUGELY more important than DE (as far as finding a playmaker is concerned) so I rank MLB ahead of DE as well.

so that's my take: needs at every spot on defense, but DE being the position with the greatest liklihood that we've already got the players on the roster.

Yes a draft pick would be a rookie but Powell hasn't shown anything at the NFL level and Peterson hasn't done much more. A rookie would add competition and depth. Also the DE position is responsible for taking up blockers for the blitzing LBers. It's easy to say "and really, we don't need a playmaker at DE, just a player who can eat up blocks and hold stout against the run." How many GOOD DEs are out there that command double teams? They are usually the playmakers because they demand double teams. With that said we have more talent at every position then OLB which is why I believe it's first priority. DE and NT is equal imo but we won't have a shot at the elite and there is more value in the 2nd round at other position then to get Brace.

TXBRONC
03-30-2009, 01:52 PM
Yes a draft pick would be a rookie but Powell hasn't shown anything at the NFL level and Peterson hasn't done much more. A rookie would add competition and depth. Also the DE position is responsible for taking up blockers for the blitzing LBers. It's easy to say "and really, we don't need a playmaker at DE, just a player who can eat up blocks and hold stout against the run." How many GOOD DEs are out there that command double teams? They are usually the playmakers because they demand double teams. With that said we have more talent at every position then OLB which is why I believe it's first priority. DE and NT is equal imo but we won't have a shot at the elite and there is more value in the 2nd round at other position then to get Brace.

That's true Powell hasn't shown anything but to be fair he was IR for the entire season.

omac
03-30-2009, 03:23 PM
That's true Powell hasn't shown anything but to be fair he was IR for the entire season.

I read somewhere that coming out of college, Powell wasn't an injury risk. Of course, the Broncos always manage to find ways to get their players injured. :D

I'm looking forward to seeing him play DE; he was supposed to be a pretty good run stopper in college, has a variety of moves, knows football, and is a good character guy. The only knock against him is that he needed to get stronger. Hope he and Thomas excel at both DE spots.

omac
03-30-2009, 03:25 PM
Nolan was one of the best changes.

I agree ... and hope so; Jim Bates was also supposed to be a major upgrade to Coyer, and it's been downhill since then.

TXBRONC
03-30-2009, 03:31 PM
I read somewhere that coming out of college, Powell wasn't an injury risk. Of course, the Broncos always manage to find ways to get their players injured. :D

I'm looking forward to seeing him play DE; he was supposed to be a pretty good run stopper in college, has a variety of moves, knows football, and is a good character guy. The only knock against him is that he needed to get stronger. Hope he and Thomas excel at both DE spots.

Yeah I remember that when Powell came out one the positives about him is that he's a very good run stuffer. I hope that he can transition to a 3-4 defensive end and solid player for us.