Thread: Dan Mohrmann (@DanMohrmann) says it's time to part ways with Joe Mays

Dan Mohrmann, man of many trades at Mile High Sports (radio producer, on air talent, contributor to Mile High Magazine) put up a new posting today about Joe Mays and the MLB spot for the Broncos.

The Broncos need to part ways with their middle linebacker
By Dan Mohrmann | @DanMohrmann

Josh McDaniels did not get a lot things right during his time in Denver. He has had his success stories (wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker) and his big-time blunders (Kyle Orton and Knowshon Moreno), which ultimately cost him his job. But there was one move that – although under the radar – worked out well in for the Denver Broncos. Early in the 2010 season, McDaniels sent running back J.J. Arrington to Philadelphia in order to acquire linebacker Joe Mays.

In terms of the production the Broncos would have received from Arrington and the production they actually got from Mays, the trade certainly worked out in favor of Denver. Mays was a contributor on special teams before injuries allowed him to break into the starting the lineup for the McDaniels-led Broncos. An injury ended Mays’ 2010 season four games early, but he was able to rebound in 2011 after McDaniels had been fired and John Fox was brought on as head coach.

Mays did an admirable job of filling a hole in the Broncos defense and playing well enough to hold on to that job during the entire 2011 season. But as the season ended and Mays looked on to free agency, the Broncos made a grave mistake. They brought Mays back on with a three-year contract worth $12 million...

Read Dan's full post here: http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=11382

I don't understand why they need to cut him? At worst he adds depth to a weak LB corp. If he does not win the starting job then he should maybe be cut due to his salary. But they at least should keep him until somebody steps up and proves that they are better than him.

Originally Posted by gregbroncs

I don't understand why they need to cut him? At worst he adds depth to a weak LB corp. If he does not win the starting job then he should maybe be cut due to his salary. But they at least should keep him until somebody steps up and proves that they are better than him.

That's the point

Originally Posted by gregbroncs

I don't understand why they need to cut him? At worst he adds depth to a weak LB corp. If he does not win the starting job then he should maybe be cut due to his salary. But they at least should keep him until somebody steps up and proves that they are better than him.

And how do you propose the Broncos cut Mayes' salary? They can't. Either he stays on the roster at current salary or gets cut/traded.

It did say "the best thing for Elway to do is cut or trade Mays." Im not a big fan of Mays, but that was some of the dumbest shit ive read in a while.

Rubbish. Mays is currently our best option at MLB so lets cut him?

Even though Dan the Destroyer thinks he knows more than Elway, Fox, and
Del Rio put together, he doesn't know what he is talking about. I myself was
ready to start trumpeting for jettisoning Mays last year. But he has been
getting rave reviews from the coaches this year, not only for his performance
in the base defense but also from his improved coverage skills. They say he's
even faster this year.

Dan the Destroyer also does not realize how long it takes for a MLB to grow
into that position. The MLB has to know not only his own position, but all the
others on defense, too. Irving did not have an offseason last year, so he's
effectively still a rookie this year at MLB. This is why they are trying him out
at weak and strong -- he's just not ready for Mike.

This shows how silly a writer can get when he voices his opinions on a
player's or team's performance the previous year. As for me, I would rather
go by the observations of those who have seen the player this year. And,
this year, they apparently really like Mays.
.

Originally Posted by LTC Pain

And how do you propose the Broncos cut Mayes' salary? They can't. Either he stays on the roster at current salary or gets cut/traded.

I specifically said if he does not win the starting spot maybe he needs cut. But there is no point in cutting him if he's our best option at MLB. And I'm not sure now is the time to cut him when we have a weak corp at LB.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

That's the point

If that was the point of the article then that guy is a crappy writer. I came away from that article believing that guy thought he should be cut/traded regardless.

everyone knew we needed an MLB in the draft or from free agency, everyone.
elway and gang chose to bank on mays instead.
you guys need to stop posting these threads that remind me about why i was so dissapointed with this years draft!
stop it !
I hope we dont have to read any threads about DJ or doom...

Originally Posted by gregbroncs

If that was the point of the article then that guy is a crappy writer. I came away from that article believing that guy thought he should be cut/traded regardless.

That's what I thought too. That was the point of that guy's article. He's a moron to think we should just dump the best MLB on the roster

Originally Posted by Chef Zambini

everyone knew we needed an MLB in the draft or from free agency, everyone.
elway and gang chose to bank on mays instead.
you guys need to stop posting these threads that remind me about why i was so dissapointed with this years draft!
stop it !
I hope we dont have to read any threads about DJ or doom...

JE and the gang chose to draft a MLB in the draft last year, how did that work out for them? Do you expect them to draft an early-mid round MLB every year until a rookie comes in and somehow lights it up at the position his first year?

I'm one of the few that is ok with Mays. I think he'll be fine. NO, he's not going to be an Al Wilson by ANY stretch. But for now, he's servicable and will be ok....better than ok even. I have a feeling he's going to come on strong this season. But as Silk pointed out, we can't simply draft a MLB every draft and HOPE a rookie (of which even Al Wilson wasn't good at his rookie season, but got a lot of playing time due to injury) somehow comes in and out plays everyone?

I think "the destroyer" completely missed the mark on this one.

The Destroyer was my nickname for him, by the way, from some funny radio stuff last year on Spano's show.

I can kind of sees both sides.

On the one hand, Mays isn't very dynamic, and at best is one dimensional, you might even say a fraction of a dimension. He's good at moving straight forward and lowering the boom, but not much else.

On the other hand is he still the best we have, especially with the LB corps short handed with crap for brains DJ gone for six games? The question is whether the Broncos would be better this year and in the future by switching to Irving or Trevathon (better at will?) Or the free agent we picked up (drawing blank on name).

My thinking is that if Irving isn't ready to start, then Mays is the best option. If they think Irving is close to ready, then rip the nipple off and let the kid play ball.

Sent from my Android Xoom using Forum Runner

It just seems like odd timing to make this statement. At the end of the season I was ready to see a different option at MLB, but obviously, forming their plan, the FO went with what I would describe as a stop gap, and is probably an indictment of Irvng, and focus on other areas of concern (quarterback, center, defensive line, cornerback), and just go with what they had at MLB.

You don't cut him now.

That said, does an improved defensive line (Warren back and reportedly playing well) make Mays less hesitant against the pass because he's not the sole run game defense? Lammey (I think) said he really liked what he saw on Day 1 of TC. Does a better set of corners (Porter, Florence and Bolden) help him make better reads because they're in better position?

I think there are reasons to be optimistic about Mays, and I certainly wouldn't want him cut at this point.