Cugel
08-26-2013, 12:59 PM
I saw this and thought it would be a good read for you all. Broncos battle for final roster spots
By Shawn Drotar
August 26, 2013 9:26 am MDT (http://cover32.com/broncos/2013/08/26/broncos-battle-for-final-roster-spots/)
the Denver Broncos enter the final week of preseason in good spirits. Yes, there were critical turnovers by the Broncos and the kick coverage was underwhelming – and both issues absolutely need to be corrected – but the passing offense was explosive and the defensive line finally showed that they can make an impact.
I don't know about that. Jeff Fisher showed nothing on Saturday, by design. He kept everything as vanilla as possible, especially on defense. I wouldn't take too much from this game.
Running Back – Rookie Montee Ball and much-maligned veteran Knowshon Moreno are in a battle for the starting job after Ronnie Hillman’s fumble problems have essentially removed him from consideration. Moreno, due to his superior pass-blocking, appears to have the upper hand, but the Broncos will keep all three backs. Jacob Hester seems likely to make the team as a fullback, but it’s not a sure thing. Lance Ball has been reliable, if not spectacular, in his Denver tenure, and the unfortunate injury to explosive rookie C.J. Anderson might have given Ball another season in a Broncos uniform.
Wide Receiver – Obviously, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker aren’t “on the bubble,” but Gerell Robinson certainly is. A tall, athletic receiver, Robinson had two offensive pass interference penalties against the Rams, and with the Broncos likely to keep four tight ends, Robinson’s spot on the team might be dependent on how he performs Thursday. His primary competition, Greg Orton, was waived Sunday night, but Robinson may have a tall task in unseating either Tavarres King or Andre Caldwell. King, a fifth-round draft pick, seems like a good bet for the final roster, and the up-and-down Caldwell might still be retained as a deep threat. Trindon Holliday will make the team, but given his poor preseason play at the position, the Broncos don’t intend to play him at wideout often.
Tackle – Behind starters Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin, sixth-round pick Vinston Painter and five-year vet Chris Clark are battling, but neither has played all that well. Painter has upside at least, so Clark’s chances might be dwindling.
Guard – Zane Beadles and Louis Vasquez will start, and the Broncos would love to see if Chris Kuper could provide depth after a series of significant injuries. If he can’t, the door swings open for C.J. Davis, Philip Blake and converted defensive lineman Ben Garland. Plus, whoever stands out in Thursday’s game might very well make the final 53.
Center – Manny Ramirez and Ryan Lilja will both make the club; one as the starter here, and the other as a swing player between the center and guard positions. The Broncos are hoping it’s Lilja, but the recently unretired veteran isn’t completely up to speed with the team yet. J.D. Walton is expected to return from injury at some point this season, which is likely to make Steve Vallos expendable.
Defensive End – Derek Wolfe, who was fortunate to avoid serious injury last week against the Seahawks, will start when healthy. The other starter, Robert Ayers, might be in serious jeopardy as youngsters Malik Jackson and Jeremy Beal continue to impress. Jackson, in particular, was one of the Broncos’ most dynamic defensive players against the Rams while playing at both end and tackle. Versatile veteran Shaun Phillips is a necessary piece in Von Miller’s absence, and the Broncos love fifth-round pick Quanterus Smith as an edge rusher, even if he is still working his way into playing shape after a 2012 ACL tear. If the Broncos feels that Jackson is ready for prime-time, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the underachieving Ayers shown the door.
Linebacker – The Broncos are in flux here, given Von Miller’s six-game suspension and Stewart Bradley’s wrist injury, which required surgery. Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan will start and be on the field for most plays, but Miller’s absence leaves room for Nate Irving on the strong-side, and Bradley’s absence gives Steven Johnson and undrafted rookie Lerentee McCray a chance to make the club. Johnson was terrific against the Rams, and the Broncos love McCray’s energy and intensity.
Safety – Rahim Moore and Duke Ihenacho are entrenched as the starters; a meteoric rise for Ihenacho and a testament to Moore’s newfound maturity. David Bruton’s a special-teams ace; he’ll make the team. The Broncos would love to see Quinton Carter get healthy, and one suspects the team will give their one-time starter a chance to do exactly that. It appears as if the last spot’s down to last year’s starter at strong safety, Mike Adams, and 12-year vet Quentin Jammer, who looked spry enough against the Rams. The Broncos would like to retain one for a veteran presence on the otherwise-young unit; which one might be decided on the field Thursday.
Quentin Jammer is probably going to be released, but everybody should be happy about the emergence of Duke Ihenacho as a real impact player. He's this year's Danny Trevathan and Wesley Woodyard. And the team desperately NEEDS impact players -- especially in the secondary. As for LBs I've liked Steven Johnson for some time and hope he makes the team. They could use another LB who makes plays.
Ihenacho's play and that of R-Cromartie are the bright spots of 2013 of course.
The Broncos waived 11 players on Sunday, and they’ll need to waive two more to get down to an NFL-mandated 75 by Tuesday. After the Cardinals game, 22 more players will receive the dreaded call to the coach’s office.
By Shawn Drotar
August 26, 2013 9:26 am MDT (http://cover32.com/broncos/2013/08/26/broncos-battle-for-final-roster-spots/)
the Denver Broncos enter the final week of preseason in good spirits. Yes, there were critical turnovers by the Broncos and the kick coverage was underwhelming – and both issues absolutely need to be corrected – but the passing offense was explosive and the defensive line finally showed that they can make an impact.
I don't know about that. Jeff Fisher showed nothing on Saturday, by design. He kept everything as vanilla as possible, especially on defense. I wouldn't take too much from this game.
Running Back – Rookie Montee Ball and much-maligned veteran Knowshon Moreno are in a battle for the starting job after Ronnie Hillman’s fumble problems have essentially removed him from consideration. Moreno, due to his superior pass-blocking, appears to have the upper hand, but the Broncos will keep all three backs. Jacob Hester seems likely to make the team as a fullback, but it’s not a sure thing. Lance Ball has been reliable, if not spectacular, in his Denver tenure, and the unfortunate injury to explosive rookie C.J. Anderson might have given Ball another season in a Broncos uniform.
Wide Receiver – Obviously, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker aren’t “on the bubble,” but Gerell Robinson certainly is. A tall, athletic receiver, Robinson had two offensive pass interference penalties against the Rams, and with the Broncos likely to keep four tight ends, Robinson’s spot on the team might be dependent on how he performs Thursday. His primary competition, Greg Orton, was waived Sunday night, but Robinson may have a tall task in unseating either Tavarres King or Andre Caldwell. King, a fifth-round draft pick, seems like a good bet for the final roster, and the up-and-down Caldwell might still be retained as a deep threat. Trindon Holliday will make the team, but given his poor preseason play at the position, the Broncos don’t intend to play him at wideout often.
Tackle – Behind starters Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin, sixth-round pick Vinston Painter and five-year vet Chris Clark are battling, but neither has played all that well. Painter has upside at least, so Clark’s chances might be dwindling.
Guard – Zane Beadles and Louis Vasquez will start, and the Broncos would love to see if Chris Kuper could provide depth after a series of significant injuries. If he can’t, the door swings open for C.J. Davis, Philip Blake and converted defensive lineman Ben Garland. Plus, whoever stands out in Thursday’s game might very well make the final 53.
Center – Manny Ramirez and Ryan Lilja will both make the club; one as the starter here, and the other as a swing player between the center and guard positions. The Broncos are hoping it’s Lilja, but the recently unretired veteran isn’t completely up to speed with the team yet. J.D. Walton is expected to return from injury at some point this season, which is likely to make Steve Vallos expendable.
Defensive End – Derek Wolfe, who was fortunate to avoid serious injury last week against the Seahawks, will start when healthy. The other starter, Robert Ayers, might be in serious jeopardy as youngsters Malik Jackson and Jeremy Beal continue to impress. Jackson, in particular, was one of the Broncos’ most dynamic defensive players against the Rams while playing at both end and tackle. Versatile veteran Shaun Phillips is a necessary piece in Von Miller’s absence, and the Broncos love fifth-round pick Quanterus Smith as an edge rusher, even if he is still working his way into playing shape after a 2012 ACL tear. If the Broncos feels that Jackson is ready for prime-time, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the underachieving Ayers shown the door.
Linebacker – The Broncos are in flux here, given Von Miller’s six-game suspension and Stewart Bradley’s wrist injury, which required surgery. Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan will start and be on the field for most plays, but Miller’s absence leaves room for Nate Irving on the strong-side, and Bradley’s absence gives Steven Johnson and undrafted rookie Lerentee McCray a chance to make the club. Johnson was terrific against the Rams, and the Broncos love McCray’s energy and intensity.
Safety – Rahim Moore and Duke Ihenacho are entrenched as the starters; a meteoric rise for Ihenacho and a testament to Moore’s newfound maturity. David Bruton’s a special-teams ace; he’ll make the team. The Broncos would love to see Quinton Carter get healthy, and one suspects the team will give their one-time starter a chance to do exactly that. It appears as if the last spot’s down to last year’s starter at strong safety, Mike Adams, and 12-year vet Quentin Jammer, who looked spry enough against the Rams. The Broncos would like to retain one for a veteran presence on the otherwise-young unit; which one might be decided on the field Thursday.
Quentin Jammer is probably going to be released, but everybody should be happy about the emergence of Duke Ihenacho as a real impact player. He's this year's Danny Trevathan and Wesley Woodyard. And the team desperately NEEDS impact players -- especially in the secondary. As for LBs I've liked Steven Johnson for some time and hope he makes the team. They could use another LB who makes plays.
Ihenacho's play and that of R-Cromartie are the bright spots of 2013 of course.
The Broncos waived 11 players on Sunday, and they’ll need to waive two more to get down to an NFL-mandated 75 by Tuesday. After the Cardinals game, 22 more players will receive the dreaded call to the coach’s office.