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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.
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.