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sneakers
01-08-2008, 01:41 AM
I don't think I have seen this article on here yet...it is pretty good.

http://www.nfldraftdog.com/NFL%20Team%20Columns/denver_broncos_nfl_team_column.htm


Breaking Down the New Denver Empire

With the announcement of Matt Lepsis’ retirement it is clear that this is a new era for the Denver Broncos. Since winning back to back Super Bowls 10 years ago, Mike Shanahan has tried to fill holes of a crumbling roster that was as dominant as any in NFL history in a 3 year span from 1996-1998. The biggest hole that was left was from the legendary QB John Elway when he announced his retirement after leading his team to victory and his 5th Super Bowl. After John there was the offensive line that was the Oak Tree in Denver with its zone blocking scheme that would churn out no-names into 1,400 yard rushers. Oh yea, there was a guy named Terrell Davis who rushed for 2,000 yards behind that line. Finally the defense which was known for coming up with the big play has no one from those Super Bowl teams, and recently has gone through the Cleveland castoffs, as well as a laundry list of big name busts.

So now after a disappointing season that Shanahan has called his worst in a 13 year career, we are looking at the rebuilding of a powerhouse. Yes every team has to rebuild. Look at the 49ers. Shanahan finally has his leader to build around in Jay Cutler and a core group of playmakers. Here are my thoughts on the roster heading into the draft and free agency.

The Lines: O-Line: Looking at the building process we have to look at the lines. No one looks good behind them if the big guys upfront don’t do their jobs. Only a few Bronco veterans look to return to what will be a very young team. The studs of that O line in Nalen, Lepsis, and Hamilton are possibly all going to be gone after retirement, injuries, and salary cap casualties. If not this year, than most definitely after the 2008 season these are guys are all but gone. In my opinion this is where Denver may need to look at building some depth for the future or find itself in trouble when the injury bug hits. I think the Broncos have a good young group for starters that could really gel in 2008. Defense is too much of a priority to look to the O-line early in the draft and will have to wait until later rounds. The new version of O-line may be better for pass protection due to the added weight.

LT Ryan Harris (2nd year, 3rd Rd Pick, with no starting experience. 300 lbs to Lepsis 290.)

LG Chris Kuper (302 lbs. Has Started to come into his own)

C Tom Nalen/ Chris Myers (Nalen may announce his retirement before the draft after 14 seasons. Ended season on injured reserve.)

RG Ben Hamilton (Could be the only veteran left for 2008. Ended season on injured reserve.)

RT Erik Pears (Nice 300 pounder that was a FA rookie pick up in 2005)

D-Line: The other side of the line for defense has major issues. I would say that most problems in 2007 came from too many rookies, and the revolving door of veterans. They cut guys left and right in the preseason and now have to build upon youth and the draft. I think Denver really has no choice, but to have a draft similar to 2007. They may look to bring in a big name free agent such as Albert Haynsworth, but I honestly think that Shanahan has been burned too many times in recent history. The interior of the line has a tremendous amount of youth and average veteran talent. They need some playmaking studs here that can shed blocks and grab a running back before an 8 yard gain. Also, someone that can get into the back field on pass plays would be nice. There are 3 top tier DT studs in the 1st rd of the draft this year and a couple that may pan out in the 2nd round as well.

Glen Dorsey will be off the board, but the other two guys are Sedric Ellis and Kentwan Balmer. One of these guys will be called by Denver on Draft day. In the 2nd round they may look to go in this direction again if the 320 pound Frank Okam is available. I am saying don’t be surprised to see the Broncos take back to back DTs in the draft. They did that with DE’s last year and seem to like stacking up on the same position of need in a given draft. They did the same thing in 2005 when they took 3 DB’s. It’s not a bad idea considering how many drafted players turn out to be busts.

LE Jarvis Moss (1st rounder who was showing improvement until an injury. Should be back for training camp)

LT Marcus Thomas (Wore down near the end of the season, but showed some playmaking flashes)

RT Someone not on the current roster (Mallard will be in the rotation, but is not a starter. The 1st or 2nd round draft pick will take this position.)

LE Tim Crowder (2nd rounder that could explode in his 2nd year. Engleberger is a hard player, but not strong enough to be the starter.)

Pass Rush Specialist Elvis Dumerville (Stud with 12 ½ sacks in 2007. He shouldn’t be playing every down.)

QB: With the full year of seeing Jay Cutler it’s clear that Shanahan has his franchise QB after messing around with 2nd tier guys for 8 years. Yes, I am on the band wagon and would like to see more 30-40 yard passes in 2008. Cutler is better at those than most QBs and it would keep defenses honest as well as open up the run. The big pass play has to be a part of Denver’s weekly game plan. We started to see that in the second half of the season when they were scoring more the 15 points per game.

QB1 Jay Cutler (Could be MVP of the league in 2008 ……. or just make the Pro Bowl behind Manning and Brady.)

QB 2 Patrick Ramsey ( A veteran who is smart with a good arm)

RB: I think Travis Henry could be great if he could stay healthy. That’s a big if. Travis will probably have to take a pay cut to be a part of the Denver Broncos in 2008, but I don’t see them getting rid of him. Selvin young is a great slasher, but Shanny likes to pound out yards and wear down an opponent’s D-line. They may look to add a guy for insurance in Free Agency. Full Back may be a bigger issue.

RB Travis Henry (Will be the starter for 2008. He has too many babies’ mouths to feed.)

HB Selvin Young (From out of nowhere stud speedster)

FB Cedric Cobbs/ Mike Bell ( Bell may end up as the starter. )

WR: This could have been such a dynamic group. With Brandon Marshall, Javon Walker, and Stokley, this could be the most feared WR Trio in the league. However, Javon has decided to be an idiot and pout because he wasn’t the big man on campus in 2007. I think after spouting off the day after the Broncos victory in the season finally Javon may be outa here, saying that he doesn’t “fit” in the Broncos scheme. The other side of the coin is that no one may want Walker for his giant contract being that he was injured and he may be stuck in D-town. The guy is a bit of a head case, but maybe Shanahan can talk some sense into him. The bright side of 2007 has seen Brandon Marshall become the T.O. of the AFC, and that Stokley is a great clutch 3rd down slot guy who will both be in Denver for 3 years. I think Walker stays and finds his “fit” for 2008. After all, he has $5 million reasons feel good about his role.

WR1 Javon Walker (See Javon, I put a 1 next to your name. Please shut up and play.)

WR2 Brandon Marshall (Stud)

WR3 Brandon Stokley (Other Stud with the name Brandon)

TE: The Broncos seem are set with their top two guys. A pass catching TE in Sheafler and a blocking stud in Graham. This will be a staple in the near future. They may look to add a little depth here in Free Agency.

TE1 Tony Shaefler

TE2 Daniel Graham

LB: Here is another major area of concern. The big story in 2007 is how DJ Williams did such a good job towards the end of the season playing middle linebacker. Yes he did, if you consider running right past the play and into the stands, great backer play. Also, if you think going to the hole that is exactly opposite of the RBs decision, and smack in to the back of your own D-line great backer play. DJ over pursues and doesn’t make the cut to get in on the play. It’s like he is scared to make a cut and a tackle. DJ is great on the outside and that’s where he belongs. They need a stud guy who can play middle linebacker and attack the main point of threat from the offense. They may address this in the draft, but I think that a guy like Lance Briggs may be the big 2008 free agent answer here. Denver may have to draft a Backer in 2009. A main stud like Briggs can come in and make an immediate impact. If I were Denver I would drop Gold and look to completely retool this unit. DJ is a keeper, but not in the middle.

WLB DJ Williams

MLB Lance Briggs or someone else

SLB Lance Briggs or someone else (Ian Gold is gone or a backup)

DB: Denver is fine at corner, but safety is a concern with the looming retirement of John Lynch. Abdullah was a nice surprise, but Denver will have to find some depth. The kid out of Miami may be taken in the 1st round by Denver, but I still think that the team will have to draft D-line early, and look to the Free Agent Market for safety. Champ Bailey and Dre Bly are studs and will look better with a stronger D-line in front of them. Nickel back is a bit of concern with Foxworth. He may be released as he will be a restricted free agent and I would have to say that I wouldn’t miss him. He never really showed ability to make a play on the ball. He mostly would back peddle, stop when the ball was in the air, and watch the WR catch it. Good DB’s break on the ball before it gets to the receiver. Not just wait for a 15 yard play to happen. Just watch tape against Indy the last 2 years. Reggie Wayne loves Foxworth. I don’t think he gets signed for an extension. He cost Denver a trip to the Super Bowl in 2005 and I don’t think he is what Denver needs. We may see some youth come in the draft for DB.

RCB Bailey (Only Pro Bowler for 2007)

FS Abdullah

SS Ferguson

LCB Bly

So there is the start of the new Denver Broncos. They will have to have another great draft along the lines in 2008 and look for Linebackers and depth in free agency. It takes 4 years to build a championship caliber team. 2006 was the start with Jay Cutler, Marshall, Shaefler, and Dumerville. They need to build a championship defense and you may see the final pieces fall into place in 2008 and 2009.

ChampWJ
01-08-2008, 02:53 AM
The guy can't spell Dumervil's name, thinks he should be a backup. Also, Cedric Cobbs for fullback? Tony Shaefler is our TE? Who?

I just can't put much stock into an article written by someone who doesn't even know enough about our team to spell the names right or mix up players who aren't on the roster anymore.

broncosfanscott
01-08-2008, 03:07 AM
Thanks sneakers. That was a nice read and I agree with several points. Although I think the guy needs to learn how to spell athletes' names.

I like the comment he put next to Walker. Hopefully he will shape up and play next season.

SmilinAssasSin27
01-08-2008, 10:52 AM
Again, w/ all the words. can't dude write sumthin shorter...and coherent?

yardog
01-08-2008, 11:00 AM
I tried to read it but I seen the word Gel and he lost me right there.

Skinny
01-08-2008, 11:00 AM
I can't spell so well meself though i blame it on my typing. :D

I would'nt be so quick to pencil in Harris as the starter ... not till we see who Mikey brings in ...

SmilinAssasSin27
01-08-2008, 11:02 AM
That and the fact that harris is a steaming pile.

G_Money
01-08-2008, 11:13 AM
Well, he's not wrong about our needs, even if he can't spell the names of our players and thinks Bell is gonna be our starting FB after spending much of the season inactive.

However, I don't think you should draft back-to-back DTs with our only 2 1st-day picks because "these guys bust all the time." Why don't you try drafting non-busts instead? I know I harp on it, but DL is a conundrum: on the one hand, most of the Pro-Bowlers are 1st-day picks. OTOH, most 1st day DL are busts, not success stories. The percentages are not in your favor, and DL is one of the lowest % risks in the draft.

IMO Shanahan made a huge mistake last year trading picks to get Moss when he didn't have to, which forced him to trade more picks to get Thomas. He said he did it because he really didn't have the room for a lot of draftpicks on the team - they were just too full of talent to find a place for a lot of draftpicks, so he gave them away.

That was both foolish and obviously a huge mis-evaluation of the talent level of the team. Now we have to pray all those DL work out and fill other holes. We've had our 1st day DL draft (if you consider Marcus Thomas a 1st day talent, and I do). We can't afford to spend more 1st day picks hoping somebody sticks. We NEED both of those picks to work out, plus several second day ones as well. There are defensive talents we can take that are less risky, especially with our #1 pick - and we obviously need those talents.

If we take two DL with our 1st day picks you are gonna hear a LOT of bitching from me.

Go defense (one DL MAX) on the 1st day and offense on the 2nd day (we're better at 2nd day offense than 2nd day defense) to maximize the success potential of our picks.

And then pray some more. If we do it right we should be able to lay a really good foundation for our next championship teams - the building blocks are already here with Cutler, Marshall and co.

But this year and next year are gonna determine our destiny as contenders and champions or also-rans. No more Travis Henrys in FA. No more flushing draft-picks for no reason and taking the riskiest project available (A project DE, an OT with known back issues and a DT who hasn't played football in a year? Can't do that again this year...).

We've made some good moves - now it's time to have an actual game-plan, and to execute that game-plan.

~Gordon

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 11:20 AM
Last year we tried to trade up for Okoye and Willis. Denver even said that they wanted to move up ahead of the 49ers because they were afraid they would take their guy. It was reported we already had a deal in place with the Texans, but the Texans backed out. I wonder if they try to move up to get Glenn Dorsey or James Laurinaitis?

SmilinAssasSin27
01-08-2008, 11:23 AM
Didn't Shanny say he wanted Anderson and Harrell?

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 11:32 AM
Didn't Shanny say he wanted Anderson and Harrell?

He did, but I think that was after the Texans trade fell through, I'll have to find the article where they said they wanted to get ahead of the 49ers becuase they really like Willis and Okoye and if they were picking at the Houston spot they felt they could get one of the two.

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 11:34 AM
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/04/25/broncos-to-trade-up-with-texans-for-patrick-willis

here is one source on the Patrick Willis interest and trade with the Texans.

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 11:37 AM
http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/2007/04/texans_may_have_a_trade_partne.html

Here is another

G_Money
01-08-2008, 11:39 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_5774325

The Broncos jumped four spots to get Jacksonville's spot at No. 17. Denver swapped its No. 21 pick, plus a third-round pick (No. 86) and sixth-round choice (No. 198) to move up.

Shanahan said the Broncos decided to move up and grab Moss because two other players they had targeted at No. 21 were already gone.

"We had three guys we were comfortable with," Shanahan said. "Once Green Bay took Justin Harrell (defensive tackle from Tennessee, at No. 16), we decided to step up."

Shanahan would not reveal the name of the other player he had targeted. There is speculation that it might have been another defensive end.

I'm not sure why, when Al Wilson has been let go due to injury, you lock yourself into only 3 possible players with your 1st round pick and all of them are DL.

Thank Bates, I guess. The man must be a real sweet-talker. "What, LB? No, Holdman and DD and Webster are all fine. Yeah, Pro-Bowlers, the lot of em. Lynch, older? No, he's has the vitality of an 18 year-old spring chicken. Chickens don't live 18 years? Well, you know what I mean. Get me a project DE pass-rushing specialist, please."

~G

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 11:41 AM
I'm not sure why, when Al Wilson has been let go due to injury, you lock yourself into only 3 possible players with your 1st round pick and all of them are DL.

Thank Bates, I guess. The man must be a real sweet-talker. "What, LB? No, Holdman and DD and Webster are all fine. Yeah, Pro-Bowlers, the lot of em. Lynch, older? No, he's has the vitality of an 18 year-old spring chicken. Chickens don't live 18 years? Well, you know what I mean. Get me a project DE pass-rushing specialist, please."

~G

I think I would feel better with Patrick Willis over Jarvis Moss at this point.

G_Money
01-08-2008, 11:49 AM
Last year, Willis and Okoye were my tops on my wish-list. They both went earlier than we could move up. I get that.

We also desperately needed a safety with Lynch and Ferguson having issues, but we skipped it entirely. Last year was one of the better years for safeties, honestly, and most of them fell to where we COULD get them. We passed. Now we have to address that need this year.

We also REALLY needed an Al Wilson replacement. We chose to use DJ to replace Al, which means we needed a DJ replacement. Didn't get one, though there were talented LBs available. Now we still need to replace at least one LB with a stud, and two would be better.

Have I mentioned the top need in the draft by most people's estimation is still DL? If you skip on your other needs one year and just draft DL, then those DL have to work out. We can't spend two years in the draft trying to get DL and ignoring other needs. We need to get the LB and S this year that we needed last year, and trust that last year's DL picks will mature a la Houston's Super Mario this year.

Shanahan let himself be blinded by The Bates System and his own belief in the talent on the team when he drafted this year. The year we turned in will hopefully convince him that throwing 3 picks at one position is not the way to go, and that he should bet his 1st day picks more wisely this year.

For the record, I hated the Moss pick from the start (want to be wrong, here) and Harris made me groan (still groaning, hope Harris turns into what Lepsis thinks he will and not what I think he will). Crowder and Thomas were fine, but the idea that I could have had, what, those two guys and 6 others (including this year's #3) if we'd drafted differently? That chaps me a little.

~G

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 11:57 AM
Last year, Willis and Okoye were my tops on my wish-list. They both went earlier than we could move up. I get that.

We also desperately needed a safety with Lynch and Ferguson having issues, but we skipped it entirely. Last year was one of the better years for safeties, honestly, and most of them fell to where we COULD get them. We passed. Now we have to address that need this year.

We also REALLY needed an Al Wilson replacement. We chose to use DJ to replace Al, which means we needed a DJ replacement. Didn't get one, though there were talented LBs available. Now we still need to replace at least one LB with a stud, and two would be better.

Have I mentioned the top need in the draft by most people's estimation is still DL? If you skip on your other needs one year and just draft DL, then those DL have to work out. We can't spend two years in the draft trying to get DL and ignoring other needs. We need to get the LB and S this year that we needed last year, and trust that last year's DL picks will mature a la Houston's Super Mario this year.

Shanahan let himself be blinded by The Bates System and his own belief in the talent on the team when he drafted this year. The year we turned in will hopefully convince him that throwing 3 picks at one position is not the way to go, and that he should bet his 1st day picks more wisely this year.

For the record, I hated the Moss pick from the start (want to be wrong, here) and Harris made me groan (still groaning, hope Harris turns into what Lepsis thinks he will and not what I think he will). Crowder and Thomas were fine, but the idea that I could have had, what, those two guys and 6 others (including this year's #3) if we'd drafted differently? That chaps me a little.

~G

Shanahan said he felt the team was only one or two impact players away from becoming a Super Bowl caliber team. So why not trade up and get that one impact player you need? You also have to take the best player available. If Kenny Philips is off the board, you don't take the 2nd guy available just to fill a need, you have other needs you move on. Trading up for Jarvis Moss was a huge mistake.... sure we needed DL, but not only did we reach up for a guy who probably would of been there where we were slated to pick, but even if he was drafted the drop off from the next DE available wasn't that big of a drop off. Anthony Spencer would of still been there. There are limited number of impact players in each draft and Denver has failed at getting one yet again even with the extra draft picks and ammo we have each year to get something done.

HolyDiver
01-08-2008, 03:29 PM
Shanahan said he felt the team was only one or two impact players away from becoming a Super Bowl caliber team. So why not trade up and get that one impact player you need? You also have to take the best player available. If Kenny Philips is off the board, you don't take the 2nd guy available just to fill a need, you have other needs you move on. Trading up for Jarvis Moss was a huge mistake.... sure we needed DL, but not only did we reach up for a guy who probably would of been there where we were slated to pick, but even if he was drafted the drop off from the next DE available wasn't that big of a drop off. Anthony Spencer would of still been there. There are limited number of impact players in each draft and Denver has failed at getting one yet again even with the extra draft picks and ammo we have each year to get something done.


Spencer was my guy..............We could have kept our extra 3rd round pick, I believe, is what we gave away to move up, and drafted Spencer. not that I don't like Moss, but I really hate giving away a 3rd round pick like that. At #12, I really think we will trade back toward the end of the 1st round and pick up a 2nd and maybe even an extra 3rd round pick...............Tyson Jackson should be there in the last part of the 1st round. Not what we really need, but then maybe we make Moss into a Simon Fletcher type of Linebacker.................Getting bigger on the Defensive line and Linebacker at the same time.

HolyDiver
01-08-2008, 03:32 PM
How about a starting front seven of this:

Dumervil, Thomas, Red Bryant(2nd round pick) Tyson Jackson(late 1st round pick)

Linebackers: Moss......Williams and Winborn.

Bronco9798
01-08-2008, 04:12 PM
All we really need to do is fix both lines and everything behind them will fall into place.

We don't need an overhaul.

We don't need to panic.

Fix what wins you games. Both lines.

Might need a #2 WR, that's about it.

Draft one impact guy and pick some guys that can contribute but will be along for a long time.

No need to panic though.

All will be fine.

Firing Bates was a step in the right direction.

G_Money
01-08-2008, 04:32 PM
Firing Bates may put us halfway to fixing the DL.

It'll make Thomas and Crowder both more effective, assuming the new DC doesn't turn them into immobile fire hydrants for the opposing OL to piss on like the last one did.

Peterson's game should be helped too. That leaves us with needing one DT, one LB and one S. I'd rather get the LB and S right now, but that's me.

Then draft some 2nd day OL (there should be some good ones) and add at least one stud FA on the OL and we've made significant progress.

There should be 2nd day wides that can fill the slot role, too.

Now that Bates is gone, it's a positive first step in getting the right things done to make progress.

The hiring of the next DC (thus letting us know what the likely defensive philosophy is) will be another step. FA and the draft should tell us if Mike is more realistic this year than he was last year about our weaknesses.

Bates not being back tells me he was more realistic about at least one of them.

~G

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 04:34 PM
3 levels to the defense

D-line: Crowder, Dumervil, & Thomas
Linebackers: D.J.
Defensive backs: Champ & Bly

Looks like we need 2 linebackers, 2 safeites and one more defensive tackle and we should be set. Linebackers are easier to find, so I say we need to use the 1st round pick on DT.

G_Money
01-08-2008, 04:35 PM
3 levels to the defense

D-line: Crowder, Dumervil, & Thomas
Linebackers: D.J.
Defensive backs: Champ & Bly

Looks like we need 2 linebackers and one more defensive tackle and we should be set. Linebackers are easier to find, so I say we need to use the 1st round pick on DT.

If we're playing without safeties, yes... ;)

And yes LB is easier...it's also safer.I can almost guarantee Pro Bowl appearances from certain types of LBs that will be available. I can't do that for the DTs because they're so volatile.

I'd rather have a 75% shot at a great LB than a 40% shot at a great DT (numbers pulled from between my butt-cheeks to only marginally represent reality).

I don't remember what the real stats are, but DT busts are everywhere. LBs are statistically a much safer bet, and we need to get both 1st day players right this time.

~G

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 04:39 PM
If we're playing without safeties, yes... ;)

And yes LB is easier...it's also safer.I can almost guarantee Pro Bowl appearances from certain types of LBs that will be available. I can't do that for the DTs because they're so volatile.

I'd rather have a 75% shot at a great LB than a 40% shot at a great DT (numbers pulled from between my butt-cheeks to only marginally represent reality).

I don't remember what the real stats are, but DT busts are everywhere. LBs are statistically a much safer bet, and we need to get both 1st day players right this time.

~G

Good Catch G... forgot the safeties at the end there.

BOSSHOGG30
01-08-2008, 04:42 PM
You can find linebackers everywhere.. Look at free agency for linebackers..there are plenty. The Pats didn't have a problem putting together their linebacker core and they need 4 on the field sometimes more. You don't have to build your linebacker core through the draft or even the 1st round. I think it would be wise to take a shot at Dorsey or Ellis in the 1st round.

G_Money
01-08-2008, 04:48 PM
Okay, but what if Dorsey and Ellis aren't available in the 1st?

Do you then go with Okam? Or do you move to a different position?

I also don't know that Ellis is that much superior to the next few guys at his position. We might get as much out of Bryant or Moore. I like Ellis better than them, but I also like Laurinaitis better than our potential 2nd round LBs too.

And I like Phillips better than the other safeties by a fair bit (though I do like Willy Mo and Demps).

Still, if we went DT with Ellis early in this draft I would no longer pull my hair out like I would have if Bates was still here to mis-use his talents. If we're gonna get a guy in the first, at least put him in a position to succeed, and Ellis has more chance of success now with Bates gone.

~G

CoachChaz
01-08-2008, 04:53 PM
I'm going with this assuming Dorsey and Ellis are gone as I think they will be. If so, we take Clady or Otah in round one and get the LT for the next 10-12 years. In round 2, we can go after an athletic DT and pick up a guy like Balmer. Round 4/5 is where I pick up guys like Nic Harris and Wes Woodyard and bolster my safeties for a long time
________
YAMAHA SY85 SPECIFICATIONS (http://www.yamaha-tech.com/wiki/Yamaha_SY85)

HolyDiver
01-08-2008, 04:56 PM
Okay, but what if Dorsey and Ellis aren't available in the 1st?

Do you then go with Okam? Or do you move to a different position?

I also don't know that Ellis is that much superior to the next few guys at his position. We might get as much out of Bryant or Moore. I like Ellis better than them, but I also like Laurinaitis better than our potential 2nd round LBs too.

And I like Phillips better than the other safeties by a fair bit (though I do like Willy Mo and Demps).

Still, if we went DT with Ellis early in this draft I would no longer pull my hair out like I would have if Bates was still here to mis-use his talents. If we're gonna get a guy in the first, at least put him in a position to succeed, and Ellis has more chance of success now with Bates gone.

~G

Okam is nothing special. Just a big body that gets pushed around.

HolyDiver
01-08-2008, 04:56 PM
I'm going with this assuming Dorsey and Ellis are gone as I think they will be. If so, we take Clady or Otah in round one and get the LT for the next 10-12 years. In round 2, we can go after an athletic DT and pick up a guy like Balmer. Round 4/5 is where I pick up guys like Nic Harris and Wes Woodyard and bolster my safeties for a long time

We need to trade our pick.

G_Money
01-08-2008, 04:58 PM
I'm going with this assuming Dorsey and Ellis are gone as I think they will be. If so, we take Clady or Otah in round one and get the LT for the next 10-12 years. In round 2, we can go after an athletic DT and pick up a guy like Balmer. Round 4/5 is where I pick up guys like Nic Harris and Wes Woodyard and bolster my safeties for a long time

Sold.

Trade Walker to the 'Phins for geezer Zach Thomas or pry one-legged Vilma out of the Jets org, draft a new LB next year, and call it good.

Clady, Balmer, Woodyard, another receiver in the 4th or so and some OL in training in the 7th and I could be very happy with that.

~G

Broncolingus
01-08-2008, 04:59 PM
That is a bunch of writing - I bet I can say it in less words:

1) Defensive Line
2) Offensive Line

...after that...

3) SS/FS
4) 3WR

...and probably someone who knows how to coach ST in the NFL.

Depth for everything else...