topscribe
01-01-2008, 03:17 PM
The controversy and main concerns regarding what must be done with the
Denver Broncos seems to center on the lines, on both sides of the ball. It
seems disaster has struck, and nothing exists there except problems. But is
it as bad as some have it? Allow me the luxury of breaking it down for my
feeble attempt at analysis.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Lepsis' retirement would appear to leave a big hole. How that is filled will
depend considerably on Ryan Harris. According to scouting reports, Harris is
exceptionally quick and "rarely gets beat to the outside." However, he is also
regarded as not having great upper body strength, so I hope he reviews his
scouting reports, takes them to heart, and adds 10-15 pounds up there.
However, Lepsis isn't overly strong, either, and it showed sometimes when he
was caught by surprise with a bull rush, yet in his prime he was regarded as
one of the better LTs. Harris is still a little bigger than Lepsis, so if Harris
can bulk up a bit the position may eventually be even more solid than when
Lepsis manned it.
The return of Nalen and Hamilton would indeed buoy the O-line, although I look
at Hamilton as a backup if he does return. Kuper will excel at that position,
if he doesn't shift to LT, IMO. He has quick feet and exceptional upper body
strength for his size, which at 305 is bigger than they are used to there.
Kuper struggled early against quick moves in pass protection, but he improved
considerably in that as the season wore on. However, it was not easy to bull
rush him, which was Hamilton's weakness at 283. The point is, Kuper will
improve in his areas of weakness, whereas Hamilton is as good as he is going
to get, which bodes for a significantly greater upside for Kuper.
Meyers looks like a keeper for the future at center, although he appears to
have a long way to go. If Nalen can return for one season, that will give
Meyers another year's development.
Holland, I believe, is better than he appeared to play this year. His problem
was, with first-year players (at their positions) on either side of him, he
was on an island and lacked the help he would have had with experienced
players there. I believe, then, that position is fine for now.
Pears at RT worries me. Many times, he was just flat "owned" on that side.
Maybe he will develop there, but I don't know. It would seem the Broncos might
do well to watch the free agent market closely for a good RT.
This shapes up to be a good offensive line for the future, especially if Nalen
and Hamilton return, which will make them deep. Again, they probably need to
upgrade at RT, then they should be a good unit to support the run and protect
Cutler. If that happens, with the skill people the Broncos have, the offense
will be one for opposing defenses to fear.
DEFENSIVE LINE
I do not believe the DL is in bad shape as some surmise. The Broncso are
loaded at DE, especially if Ekuban can return from his injury . . . which is
up in the air, given the nature of the injury and Ekuban's age. However, if he
can indeed return, he is very strong against the run, which is essentially what
is needed at LDE. He is also a decent pass rusher when others with that ability
are present on the line. And we musn't forget Crowder, who mirrors
Ekuban in size, and showed considerable ability at his position.
This is where Dumervil and Moss come in. I would like to see the Broncos go
into a variation of the 3-4 in some passing situations to allow Dumervil and
Moss to be on the field at the same time without sending Ekuban to the bench,
unless it is to replace him with Crowder, or vice versa. With the development
of Thomas, that may give the Broncos a very strong pass rush.
Of course, Thomas is at DT, where the Broncos badly need help. Thomas is the
only DT of starting quality there. McKinley would likely make a good backup,
but he should not be starting. The Broncos had it right in wanting to put some
beef in there, but that beef needs to be able to move. Adams was a perfect fit,
five years ago. Getting rid of Warren, in my opinion, is in the running for the
gaff of the season. I was not a big fan of Warren's toward the end, but he was
better than anyone else the Broncos had there (which obviously was not very
good.)
This is where the Broncos need to bring in a couple good, big, strong, mean
defensive tackles. Until then, the DEs will not realize their true pass rushing
talents, opposing running backs will maintain a special appreciation for the
Broncos, and the linebackers and secondary will continue to struggle at times
because they have to pick up where the DL left off, which will be way too
early.
Indeed, there is a lot more talent at LB and in the secondary than many people
realize. If DT is stocked with some truly good players, people will be amazed
at how the back seven have improved.
SUMMARY
Doom and gloom has seemed the theme among the media for the Broncos. They
are going to need a major overhaul, seemingly according to the majority of them.
I don't think so. The Broncos have talent galore in the offensive skill positions
and defensive backfield. Linebacker is solid, it would appear, provided Winborn
keeps coming on as he has . . . although they could probably use a bit more
quality depth there.
Therefore, where the Broncos need to shore up is in one right offensive tackle
and two defensive tackles. (Hopefully, they won't have to go outside to replace
Lepsis.) Put some true quality in those positions, and we will see an entirely
different team next year.
No, I am not willing to put my money where my mouth is. :coffee:
-----
Denver Broncos seems to center on the lines, on both sides of the ball. It
seems disaster has struck, and nothing exists there except problems. But is
it as bad as some have it? Allow me the luxury of breaking it down for my
feeble attempt at analysis.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Lepsis' retirement would appear to leave a big hole. How that is filled will
depend considerably on Ryan Harris. According to scouting reports, Harris is
exceptionally quick and "rarely gets beat to the outside." However, he is also
regarded as not having great upper body strength, so I hope he reviews his
scouting reports, takes them to heart, and adds 10-15 pounds up there.
However, Lepsis isn't overly strong, either, and it showed sometimes when he
was caught by surprise with a bull rush, yet in his prime he was regarded as
one of the better LTs. Harris is still a little bigger than Lepsis, so if Harris
can bulk up a bit the position may eventually be even more solid than when
Lepsis manned it.
The return of Nalen and Hamilton would indeed buoy the O-line, although I look
at Hamilton as a backup if he does return. Kuper will excel at that position,
if he doesn't shift to LT, IMO. He has quick feet and exceptional upper body
strength for his size, which at 305 is bigger than they are used to there.
Kuper struggled early against quick moves in pass protection, but he improved
considerably in that as the season wore on. However, it was not easy to bull
rush him, which was Hamilton's weakness at 283. The point is, Kuper will
improve in his areas of weakness, whereas Hamilton is as good as he is going
to get, which bodes for a significantly greater upside for Kuper.
Meyers looks like a keeper for the future at center, although he appears to
have a long way to go. If Nalen can return for one season, that will give
Meyers another year's development.
Holland, I believe, is better than he appeared to play this year. His problem
was, with first-year players (at their positions) on either side of him, he
was on an island and lacked the help he would have had with experienced
players there. I believe, then, that position is fine for now.
Pears at RT worries me. Many times, he was just flat "owned" on that side.
Maybe he will develop there, but I don't know. It would seem the Broncos might
do well to watch the free agent market closely for a good RT.
This shapes up to be a good offensive line for the future, especially if Nalen
and Hamilton return, which will make them deep. Again, they probably need to
upgrade at RT, then they should be a good unit to support the run and protect
Cutler. If that happens, with the skill people the Broncos have, the offense
will be one for opposing defenses to fear.
DEFENSIVE LINE
I do not believe the DL is in bad shape as some surmise. The Broncso are
loaded at DE, especially if Ekuban can return from his injury . . . which is
up in the air, given the nature of the injury and Ekuban's age. However, if he
can indeed return, he is very strong against the run, which is essentially what
is needed at LDE. He is also a decent pass rusher when others with that ability
are present on the line. And we musn't forget Crowder, who mirrors
Ekuban in size, and showed considerable ability at his position.
This is where Dumervil and Moss come in. I would like to see the Broncos go
into a variation of the 3-4 in some passing situations to allow Dumervil and
Moss to be on the field at the same time without sending Ekuban to the bench,
unless it is to replace him with Crowder, or vice versa. With the development
of Thomas, that may give the Broncos a very strong pass rush.
Of course, Thomas is at DT, where the Broncos badly need help. Thomas is the
only DT of starting quality there. McKinley would likely make a good backup,
but he should not be starting. The Broncos had it right in wanting to put some
beef in there, but that beef needs to be able to move. Adams was a perfect fit,
five years ago. Getting rid of Warren, in my opinion, is in the running for the
gaff of the season. I was not a big fan of Warren's toward the end, but he was
better than anyone else the Broncos had there (which obviously was not very
good.)
This is where the Broncos need to bring in a couple good, big, strong, mean
defensive tackles. Until then, the DEs will not realize their true pass rushing
talents, opposing running backs will maintain a special appreciation for the
Broncos, and the linebackers and secondary will continue to struggle at times
because they have to pick up where the DL left off, which will be way too
early.
Indeed, there is a lot more talent at LB and in the secondary than many people
realize. If DT is stocked with some truly good players, people will be amazed
at how the back seven have improved.
SUMMARY
Doom and gloom has seemed the theme among the media for the Broncos. They
are going to need a major overhaul, seemingly according to the majority of them.
I don't think so. The Broncos have talent galore in the offensive skill positions
and defensive backfield. Linebacker is solid, it would appear, provided Winborn
keeps coming on as he has . . . although they could probably use a bit more
quality depth there.
Therefore, where the Broncos need to shore up is in one right offensive tackle
and two defensive tackles. (Hopefully, they won't have to go outside to replace
Lepsis.) Put some true quality in those positions, and we will see an entirely
different team next year.
No, I am not willing to put my money where my mouth is. :coffee:
-----