Inside the Denver Broncos’ Coaching Staff

After nearly a decade and a half, the Denver Broncos made one of the most surprising front office moves in franchise history when Pat Bowlen fired head coach/VP of player operations Mike Shanahan.

The firing was a huge surprise to many, while some others saw it coming.  In fact, this move was brought to my attention over a week prior to its occurrence when a former B/R writer Josh Vitale suggested the move be made on a Facebook discussion board.

To me, it was unheard of.

Shanahan led the Broncos to their only two Lombardi trophies in franchise history, and was undoubtedly the most successful head coach Denver has ever had.  He was so successful, in fact, that the Broncos only had two losing seasons under his tutelage.

When 2008 saw the Broncos miss out on playoff action for the third straight season, Pat Bowlen decided enough was enough.

After firing his good friend, Bowlen set up a host of head coaching interviews that included the likes of Raheem Morris, Steve Spagnuolo, Jason Garrett, Leslie Frazier, and Josh McDaniels.

After extensive interviewing, Bowlen hired McDaniels, who had been in the New England Patriots organization for the past eight seasons, most recently as an offensive coordinator.

This was a move that I expected and promoted from the start, and although many Bronco fans were lobbying for a more defensive minded head coaching prospect, the smart money was on getting a coach to develop Denver’s stellar offense, which at the time included quarterback Jay Cutler.

McDaniels is the youngest head coach in Broncos history, and is the second youngest in the NFL today right in front of Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris.

Some have suggested that McDaniels is arrogant and has an ego to keep inflated, but I would contend he is the polar opposite.

For 15 years, the Broncos’ organization has been a “prison run by the inmates,” if you will.  There has been no discipline whatsoever.

When McDaniels was given free reign, he immediately revamped the Broncos’ roster and coaching staff to his liking, including trading his diva quarterback.

McDaniels is (or at least was) regarded as one of the best young offensive minds in the National Football League.

In 2007, he coordinated a Patriots offense that is arguably the best the NFL has ever seen, and followed in 2008 by molding Matt Cassel, a quarterback who had not started a single game since high school, into a $63 million man.

With the Patriots, McDaniels won three Super Bowls, four AFC Championship titles, and six division titles whilst leading the NFL in winning percentage over the course of the past eight seasons at 76.6 percent.

Of course, McDaniels should not be given all of the credit for the Patriots’ success, as he played a minimal role for a couple of those seasons, but he was there nonetheless—he has championship experience.

More than anything, this young Broncos team needed two things:

1.  Direction

2.  Championship Experience

While it could be argued, depending on whether or not you are talking to a Jay Cutler homer, McDaniels has provided the Broncos with both.

He learned a standard and protocol with the Patriots that has given the Broncos hope for 2009 and beyond.

McDaniels is regarded as a quarterback “guru” by his peers, and figures to do wonders with new quarterbacks Kyle Orton, Chris Simms, and rookie Tom Brandstater.  In fact, McDaniels has had such a solid track record for developing quarterbacks that many feel Kyle Orton is set to have a breakout season.

When McDaniels was hired, he completely cleaned house not only in terms of players, but he revamped his coaching staff as well.

He hired former Carolina Panthers passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy to be the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, although McDaniels will most likely be above him on both accounts.

McCoy has nice tenure with the Panthers, so the Broncos appear to be in good hands at the quarterback position.

Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison were the only two coaches retained from Mike Shanahan’s offensive staff, and both figure to continue to implement the zone blocking and running scheme that has made the Broncos the most successful rushing unit over the last 20 seasons.

Denver’s defense will be coached by 3-4 guru and long-time defensive specialist Mike Nolan, who has had a very decorated NFL career.

Nolan was most recently seen roaming the sidelines for the San Francisco 49ers as the team’s head coach, but he has spent 11 seasons at this level coaching defenses.

And coaching them well.

Under his tutelage, Nolan has seen two players win Defensive Player of the Year awards in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and coached 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis, who is regarded as one of the NFL’s top middle linebackers.

He undoubtedly will have his hands full with the Broncos’ defense, which has been likened to Swiss cheese over the last two seasons.

One of the more underrated coaching acquisitions this offseason was the Broncos’ signing of Wayne Nunnely to coach the defensive line.

Nunnely has been coaching the San Diego Chargers’ defensive linemen for the last 12 seasons.

He has over a decade of experience coaching defensive linemen in the 3-4 scheme, and as the Broncos make a transition to that defense, he will be an enormous help.

The Broncos’ coaching staff appears to be one that can work together for a long time, and one that has a great mix of youth and experience.

Broncos To Mike Shanahan: How Does $7 Million to Stay Quiet Sound?

How many of you would like to be payed $7 million to keep your mouth shut?

Well, Mike Shanahan is living that dream. The Broncos have offered him $7 million to keep quiet about the team. He can talk about any other team or any other players; he just can’t mention anyone on the Broncos or the Broncos in general.

Shanahan had two years left on his contract and he was to be payed $14 million over those two years. There’s a clause in his contract that made this possible, unless he takes over the head coaching job somewhere else. 

He will be the highest paid coach next year in the NFL and he doesn’t have to do any work. Shanahan has said he wants to return to coaching, but if I was him I would get a job as an analyst or announcer and wait two years. 

He can make the $14 million and jump right back into coaching, where I’m sure there will be a few coaching jobs available. Making $7 million and some extra—while being an announcer or analyst—would be a heck of a job. 

 

The 2009 Denver Broncos: Mahanahmahnah or Phenomenon?

Absurdly enough, in the late 1970s, the success of PBS program Sesame Street spurred on a prime-time half-hour syndicated show known as The Muppet Show.  Both were creations of the late Jim Henson.  It was designed to be a cross-over family oriented entertainment program. 

The show would feature celebrity guest that would usually serve as the programs musical talent.  It was a true variety program that featured the likes of John Denver, Harry Belafonte, to the hard rock band RUSH, Linda Ronstadt, and Rita Moreno.

The show gave birth to such comical skits as Pigs In Space, The Swedish Chef, At the Dance, and Veterinarian’s Hospital, a clear comedic take-off on daily soaps, most specifically General Hospital.  Moreover the show led to a series of Muppet movies.

Perhaps the most memorable skit of all time was not so much of a skit as it was one of the first music videos to hit the big time.  The skit ironically became a phenomenon among American school kids for its simplicity and Muppet angle on sophistication. 

It’s simply known as Mahnahmahnah! 

It featured one of the shows rock and roll hippie free spirit Muppets singing in a gibberish sort of way “Mahanahmahnah!”   It was done with a soft-rock or jazzy scat singing vibe.  This was done with two pink lady cows singing back-up, while dancing in the forefront of the camera.  The pink lady cows were singing “Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo Do-do-do-do-dooooo!”.

At least that’s what they are supposed to be…cattle…right?

The end of the song-skit featured two elderly Muppet men in the balcony, regulars on the show, commenting after the skit.

One commented to the other.

“The question is:  What is a Mahanahmahnah?”

The other replies with the punch line:  “The question is who cares?”

 

So what is it that the 2009 Denver Broncos have in common with The Muppet Show?

Is it Pigs in Space?

Could it be The Swedish Chef or a slew of celebrity guest appearances?

No, most obviously not. 

Could it be the vertically stripped socks? 

Possibly.

This preseason the Denver Broncos are facing Pandora ’s Box from this past off-season.

Success or failure will be measured in two words.

Should the Broncos bounce back and find themselves in the playoffs it could be deemed nothing short of a phenomenon.

Anything short of that is mahanahmahnah: AKA who knows/who cares?

The more likely scenario Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniels are facing head on is the risk of becoming irrelevant.

Simply stated the 2009 Denver Broncos have become the offseason laughing stock.  The team terminated a long respected headmaster among other front office talent.  They also traded a disgruntled Jay Cutler who was happy until Josh McDaniels showed up on the scene. 

Additionally, the McDaniels Broncos have been guilty of trading a future higher draft pick for an immediate lower one. 

Those moves don’t even account for a now disgruntled Brandon Marshall who has promised to be at Training Camp once it starts.  In the end, however, Coach McDaniels approach to build the team in Denver has met resistance, in large part because of the new angle, his youthful ways, and ego.

Not since The Muppets Take Manhattan has an arrival been viewed so oddly by so many.

Should the Broncos win the division outright and make the playoffs that would be a most unexpected phenomenon! 

In some regards, the soap operatic turns in Dove Valley have been worthy of their own following and recordings for late-night replay.

In some regards it’s like Harry Connick Jr.’s soundtrack for Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s classic When Harry Met Sally.

Phenomenon!  Mahanahmahnah!

Let’s call the whole thing off!

 

Face the facts.  Even if the Broncos have some success this season, there is still going to be a segment of the fan base that would rather see Jay Cutler behind center for years to come.

Moreover, in a game that means everything, would you rather have Coach Shanahan or Coach McDaniels on your sideline? 

Phenomenon!  Mahanahmahnah!

Let’s call the whole thing off!

 

Why you ask?  Well here’s the schedule and the projected results.

 

2009 Preseason

Denver @ San Francisco 49’ers (The starters play a quarter or so)  Mahanahmahnah!

Denver @ Seattle Seahawks (The starters play a quarter to a half) Mahanahmahnah!

Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos (Phenomenon!  @ Mahanahmahnah!)  Not since the Green Bay Packers talked trash after the Broncos beat them in the Super Bowl has a pre-season game had so much meaning as Jay Cutler will return to Denver as a Chicago Bear. 

By the way the Packers lost the preseason game in Denver as a follow-up to the Broncos first Super Bowl Championship.)

Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos (The last chance to make the roster.)  A possible phenomenon or two make the final roster. 

Watch out, here comes the regular season.

 

2009 Regular Season

Denver at Cincinnati Bengals (Carson Palmer is ready to go, is Kyle Orton and the Broncos D?) Mahanahmahnah!

Cleveland Browns @ Denver (Broncos win the home opener.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Oakland Raiders (Raiders are much improved but their QB situation is a mystery as well.) 

Toss-up!

Dallas Cowboys @ Denver (Tony Romo broke up with his girl, but he’s still Tony Romo.)

Phenomenon!

New England Patriots @ Denver (No servant is greater than his master.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Denver @ San Diego Chargers (San Diego has blown Denver out more than any other team in recent years.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Bye Week 

Phenomenon! Or Mahanahmahnah!  That is the question!

Denver @ Baltimore Ravens (The Ravens are for real, but don’t have the best offense.  This may be a possible Broncos upset here, but they don’t usually play well in Baltimore.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos (The Broncos play the Steelers better than most.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Washington (A good franchise seeking identity @ A good franchise seeking identity.)

Toss-Up!

San Diego Chargers @ Denver (Broncos get the ground game going and improve on defense.)

Phenomenon!

New York Giants @ Denver (Broncos D causes headaches for Eli.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Kansas City Chiefs (Broncos don’t play well in KC past October.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Denver @ Indianapolis Colts (Maybe the Broncos should call Marvin Harrison.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Oakland Raiders @ Denver (Broncos defend the home field against the hated Raiders.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Philadelphia (B-Dawk will be missing his boys on the other side of the ball.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver (The Broncos try to beat the surging Chiefs.)

Toss-up!

 

In case you’re keeping score.

 

Phenomenon’s:        6

Mahanahmahnah’s:  7

Toss-Ups:              3

 

At least on the surface, this does not appear to be a franchise heading in the right direction, but we won’t know for certain until the Broncos start playing football.  That’s the beauty of Pandora’s box.

The irony could run strong here.  If the Broncos are unable to show they have taken a step in the right direction, people will be asking all the right questions about them as well. 

The unfortunate Mahanahmahnah is that if they are unable to convince the fan base that they are headed in the right direction, they face losing one of the strongest fan bases in all of professional sports.  This will be coming in the face of a down economy.

If the Broncos aren’t improving this season, at least they still have the Copper Bowl throwback—reject jerseys to entertain the masses.

Phenomenon!  Mahanahmahnah!

Let’s call the whole thing off!

 

Face it, if the Broncos can’t score enough points or have a markedly better defense, well then the question will be:  “Who cares?”

So maybe the question and answer is plain and simply this:

How will the Broncos do?  (At this point it’s an unknown phenomenon!)

Mahanahmahnah!

Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo Do-do-do-do-dooooo!

Kyle Orton: What Is Being Said Versus the Evidence

New Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton has received a lot of criticism lately. He has been called weak—armed and interception prone.

Are these charges true? Let’s take a look.

Kyle Orton’s interceptions

Ever since the Cutler—Orton trade much as been made of Orton’s interceptions.  In 2008 Orton threw 12 interceptions out of 465 pass attempts. The interesting thing is that nine of those interceptions came during games in which Orton was sacked three or more times. Chicago split those games, going 2—2.

Orton does throw two interceptions against New Orleans, a game where he was only sacked one time. He goes on to lead a drive at the end of the game to tie it and another drive in overtime to win it.

The very next game was against Green Bay. This was a game in which Orton was sacked three times but also led a game tying drive in the fourth quarter and a game winning drive in overtime.

Clearly Orton can be pressured into throwing interceptions. Does that mean he will always throw interceptions when he is under pressure? This video suggests otherwise.  Note that the longest completion on that drive is thrown by Orton as he is taking a fierce hit.

The evidence suggests that given reasonable time in the pocket Orton can make the throws he needs to make.  It also suggests that Orton is capable of standing in and taking a hit while delivering the ball.

Orton has a weak arm

One of the more bizarre charges against Orton is the he can’t throw deep. What makes this such a strange accusation is that it completely ignores a draft system that is set up to choose the best players from the hundreds of colleges and universities across the country.

While at Purdue Orton managed to pass for enough yards to be fourth on the Big Tens all time career list. 

Any quarterback who gets drafted will have been thoroughly scrutinized and no coach will ever handicap himself by taking a quarterback who can’t make all the throws he needs to. Generally when a quarterback is called ‘weak—armed’ it is because they strongly prefer to throw short passes.

‘Weak—armed’ quarterbacks have included guys like Joe Montana and Tom Brady. A quarterback in an offense that emphasizes short passes is often the target of the term ‘weak—armed’.

Orton’s scouting report from Scouts Inc., the service ESPN uses, says the following: “He has a strong arm and can make all the throws.” 

Pro Football Weekly says,  “Can zip the ball with velocity, make back-shoulder throws and shows good overall accuracy when his feet are set and he steps into his throws.”

Maybe the best evidence is this video which pretty well shows off Orton’s ability to get the ball down—field.

Just by way of comparison, Peyton Manning, in 2008, completed passes over 20 yards at a rate of 35 percent while Orton is at 37 percent. 

Orton is immobile

Perhaps the most serious charge against Kyle Orton is that he can’t move in the pocket. Even many of the scouting services list him as ‘heavy footed’.

Needless to say the two videos previously referred to in this article show Orton moving quite well while rolling out and getting back to pass as does this video. 

One of the striking things about Orton’s statistics is the difference in quarterback rating before and after the November 2 game against Detroit. He goes from an average rating of 89.92 in the first eight games to an average of 66.95 in the last seven games, nearly a 23 point drop.

Eight of Orton’s twelve interceptions are in this last half of the season, after he injures his ankle against Detroit.  He also, in consecutive games during this period, leads drives in the fourth quarter that force overtime and ends up winning both of those games.

Orton’s mobility in the last half of 2008 was poor and that drastically affected his performances.  During the first half of the season Orton played well and his mobility was fine.

The verdict

Kyle Orton doesn’t really have a long track record in the NFL but what there is suggests he is a decent quarterback that was on a poor offensive team.  His poorest games came when he was pressured by the opposing team and that pressure was made worse by his ankle injury.

His arm is average by NFL standards with good accuracy when he is allowed time to throw.  Given the targets he had in Chicago he had a reasonable career so far.

He’s never had the kind of multiple targets he will have in Denver and his protection will be better.  While it is impossible to know how well he’ll be able to use all those targets his history suggests that given the time to throw he will do very well.

 

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Specialists

To conclude this series, we will finally dissect one of the most overlooked but most important areas of any and every NFL team:  the special teams unit.

In 2008, Denver Broncos fans looked at this area of the team with an eye of uncertainty. Not only were the Broncos going to feature a brand new punter, but longtime kicker and future Ring of Famer Jason Elam bolted town for the Atlanta Falcons.

Since the rest of Denver’s 2008 squad had the youth theme in common, Mike Shanahan must have seen fit to hire two very youthful replacements at the kicker and punter positions, so he did.

Late in the 2007 season, the Broncos brought in rookie Matt Prater to be their kickoff specialist since clearly Jason Elam’s leg had lost some power. 

The rookie out of Central Florida had spent time with the Falcons and Dolphins, and while he was a fairly quiet acquisition late in 2007, he was expected to resume kickoff duties with the Broncos for a while.

After the departure of Elam, the Broncos felt as though they had a nice prospect in the second year kicker, so they kept him around to be the featured man at the position. 

Little did he know what kind of roller-coaster ride he was in for.

In his second NFL season, which turned out to be his first as a full-time player, Prater definitely had his share of moments—both bad and good.

After nailing all but one of his first 14 attempts, something horrendous happened to Prater.

Nobody knows if it was mental or if perhaps the physical toll was something he had never previously endured, but what started off as a Pro Bowl caliber season quickly turned into a downward spiral.

After the Broncos’ bye week in week eight, Prater only made 12 of his next 20 field goal attempts.

He finished 2008 hitting 73.5 percent of his attempts, which is mediocre at best.

Prater heads into 2009 as the lone kicker on the entire Broncos roster, meaning the coaching staff has given him a huge vote of confidence for next season.

There is no doubt he has serious talent, as many Bronco fans who attended a particular session of 2008 training camp will attest to the fact that Prater nailed a 70 yard field goal with plenty of room to spare.

Was it the grueling 16 game schedule that got to Prater, or did he just simply lose confidence after a couple of clutch missed attempts?

Nobody knows for sure, but my guess is that if it were an issue of confidence, Prater would be looking for a job right now.

Bronco fans should rest easy knowing they can rely on the leg of Prater, for he is not the only kicker to have troubles in his first full NFL campaign.

As an article on MileHighReport points out, Jason Elam, Adam Vinatieri, and Morten Anderson all had field goal percentages of 74.3, 77.1, and 75 percent respectively.

As for the punter position, the Broncos have a pretty good young option in 2008 undrafted free agent Brett Kern from Toledo.

Kern had a very respectable rookie season for the Broncos, earning All-Rookie team selections by Pro Football Weekly and The Sporting News.

He ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per attempt with 46.7 on 46 punts, which is the third highest number by any punter in Broncos history.

Out of his 46 punts, he was only able to pin his opponents inside the 20 yard line 13 times.  That number figures to increase with experience.

Kern has a very strong leg, which can often result in bigger returns, but if he can improve his hangtime and accuracy, he will give the Broncos yet another weapon on special teams.

The Broncos also added undrafted free agent Britton Colquitt of Tennessee, who is the brother of fellow NFL punter Dustin Colquitt. 

Colquitt will not be able to make this team based on family NFL pedigree alone, but he is also a solid punter in his own right.

The special teams unit is led by long-time coordinator Mike Priefer, who brings the Broncos seven years of experience in this field from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Does Brandon Marshall Suffer from PMSS?

The Denver Broncos have gone through some serious changes this offseason. From trading away their so-called Franchise quarterback, to the firing of their long time Head Coach, Mike Shanahan. Now Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver.
It’s what can only be described as PMSS, or Post-Mike Shanahan Syndrome.

Whether or not losing your head coach and starting quarterback warrants this attitude may be up for debate. My question however is, what ever happened to the days when players played just for the love of the game?
Now it seems as though money and stardom are all that matters. Marshall may be selfish, but he’s no idiot. He realizes that without Cutler to throw him the ball, and Shanahan to call over 600 pass plays a year, his stats will take a hit.
This, in the long run, could cost the player some money. However, you could also say that showing your not a team player and that your only out to help yourself may cost him the green. If no one bites on the talk of Marshall asking out of Denver, he could be stuck there for the 2009-2010 season.

What happens next will be up to one person and one person only—Brandon Marshall. He has two possible routes he could take in this upcoming season. He can pout, much the same way that T.O. did in Philly when he and McNabb had differences.
Or, he can take the mans way out and play to the highest of his ability. There is something to say about a player that plays up to his ability no matter what.
I have yet to see Steve Smith or Andre Johnson complain about their quarterbacks’ ability. They simply go out and perform game in and game out. They’re competitors, and in today’s game that can be the hardest thing to find.

So, my advice to Brandon would be to go out there and do what your paid to do, and hopefully, what you still love to do. Don’t let all those days of practice go to waste. All the days of waking up early, running, sweating, cramping, and bleeding. All your high school days and college days with dreams to make it to the NFL.
You made it happen, but the work is not over. There is still football to be played and hardships to overcome. So, it’s time to get over your PMSS, and choose the route that you want to take. Hopefully it’s the mans route, the route of a competitor.

Does Brandon Marshall Suffer from PMSS?

The Denver Broncos have gone through some serious changes this offseason. From trading away their so-called Franchise quarterback, to the firing of their long time Head Coach, Mike Shanahan. Now Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver.

It’s what can only be described as PMSS, or Post-Mike Shanahan Syndrome.

Whether or not losing your head coach and starting quarterback warrants this attitude may be up for debate. My question however is, what ever happened to the days when players played just for the love of the game?

Now it seems as though money and stardom are all that matters. Marshall may be selfish, but he’s no idiot. He realizes that without Cutler to throw him the ball, and Shanahan to call over 600 pass plays a year, his stats will take a hit.

This, in the long run, could cost the player some money. However, you could also say that showing your not a team player and that your only out to help yourself may cost him the green. If no one bites on the talk of Marshall asking out of Denver, he could be stuck there for the 2009-2010 season.

What happens next will be up to one person and one person only—Brandon Marshall. He has two possible routes he could take in this upcoming season. He can pout, much the same way that T.O. did in Philly when he and McNabb had differences.

Or, he can take the mans way out and play to the highest of his ability. There is something to say about a player that plays up to his ability no matter what.

I have yet to see Steve Smith or Andre Johnson complain about their quarterbacks’ ability. They simply go out and perform game in and game out. They’re competitors, and in today’s game that can be the hardest thing to find.

So, my advice to Brandon would be to go out there and do what your paid to do, and hopefully, what you still love to do. Don’t let all those days of practice go to waste. All the days of waking up early, running, sweating, cramping, and bleeding. All your high school days and college days with dreams to make it to the NFL.

You made it happen, but the work is not over. There is still football to be played and hardships to overcome. So, it’s time to get over your PMSS, and choose the route that you want to take. Hopefully it’s the mans route, the route of a competitor.

Inside The Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Strong Safeties

As it was explained in my previous article about free safeties, the Broncos’ group of safeties as a whole just may have been the worst in team history.

There was not an ounce of passion, poor tackling, and a complete lack of effort on the part of Denver’s safety group in 2008.

The unit head coach Josh McDaniels, has put together for 2009 seems to be the polar opposite of that, and may be the deepest group of safeties on paper that the Broncos have had in a very, very long while.

That depth appears to be most prevalent at the strong safety position, where the Broncos made their biggest splash in the free agent signing period by signing future Hall of Fame selection Brian Dawkins from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dawkins joins a Broncos team that has had a storied history of successful safeties including Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, and John Lynch.

One of the most decorated safeties in NFL history, the thirteen year veteran has played in seven Pro Bowls, which is fourth most among any player at his position.  He has also been selected four times by the Associated Press as a first team All-Pro.

He has started 182 games in his career, and has played in 183 overall including eighteen post-season contests which are both Philadelphia Eagles’ records.

Over his career, Dawkins has recorded 898 tackles, 153 passes defensed, thirty four interceptions, thirty three fumbles forced, and twenty one sacks.

Last year, he completed one of the most prosperous seasons statistically that he has ever had, finishing with seventy five tackles, six fumbles forced, three sacks, and an interception.

Sure, Dawkins is not the “speedster” he once was, but he is undoubtedly an upgrade over Marquand Manuel at the strong safety position for the Broncos.

There is no denying what he has accomplished on the field is special, but Dawkins hopes to make an even more prominent impact off the field.

He is unquestionably a great leader, and he is a man of faith that Eagles fans, players, and coaches alike are going to sorely miss for this season and beyond.

Dawkins brings the Broncos the vocal leader they have lacked for a couple of years as well as significant experience in post-season play.  He has played in five NFC Championship games, including last season.

It could be stated that Dawkins legitimizes Denver’s defense to a degree, as he makes everyone around him that much better. 

He sets the tone, and while he is known as a man of faith off the field, Dawkins is not afraid to lay the wood on an opposing player.

Hauling in Dawkins this offseason was key to Josh McDaniels’ offseason plan, as he continued to revamp this defense the right way.

Now, instead of learning the ropes from sub-par athletes, the young defensive backfield prospects in Denver will have Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey, two Hall of Fame caliber players to gain knowledge from.

While each player on the defense will be learning from Dawkins and the excellent leadership he provides, the two players that may benefit most from their experience around “Weapon X” are fellow strong safeties Josh Barrett and David Bruton.

Barrett was acquired in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, and many felt he was an absolute steal where the Broncos obtained him.

He has ideal size at 6’2″ 225 pounds, and runs a blazing 4.36 second 40-yard dash.  The knock on Barrett has always been that he is lazy, but he proved to the Broncos’ staff last year that those accusations were not true, working his way up from practice squad to the active roster, and now a significant contributor on special teams.

Despite playing in only five games last year, Barrett recorded twenty three tackles and an interception, and gave Bronco fans hope for the future at the strong safety position.

Perhaps his most significant contribution came in a week fourteen match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs when he was given the daunting task of covering All-World tight end Tony Gonzalez, and Barrett was able to hold his own against the future Hall of Famer.

Thanks to his superb size and speed combination, the Broncos and their fans fully expect this youngster to be a consistent contributor for a long time.  He has the frame to be an excellent tackler, and the speed to be an excellent ball-hawk.

While Barrett is the heir apparent at the strong safety position to Dawkins, the Broncos have high expectations for 2009 fourth round draft pick David Bruton.

Bruton spent the past four seasons playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and was an absolute machine.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran the second fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.46 seconds, but he has a lot of work to do with his coverage skills before the Broncos thrust him into a prominent defensive role.

The Broncos are expecting Bruton to contribute immediately on special teams, and for good reason.  He appeared in 596 special teams plays over the course of his career in South Bend, and led the team with 182 tackles over the last two seasons.

As a senior in 2009, his ninety seven tackles ranked third in Notre Dame history for a defensive back, and the team captain was rewarded for his efforts by being named as an honorable mention All-American by The NFL Draft Report.  He also had four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

The defensive backs will be led by 18-year coaching veteran Ed Donatell, who is in his second stint with the team.

This is shaping up to be one of the more talented defensive units the Broncos have had in quite some time.  While the results may not be as immediate as the fans desire, it is no fault on the managements part, for they have done all they can to add talent, experience, athleticism, size, and leadership to this unit.

Inside The Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Free Safeties

In 2008, there is no doubt that the Denver Broncos possessed the worst group of safeties in the National Football League, possibly in team history.

For a franchise that has been graced with the likes of Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, and John Lynch, last season’s group that included Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, and Calvin Lowery was among the most embarrassing Mike Shanahan could have possibly assembled.

To rectify this problem, head coach Josh McDaniels brought in four new safeties to compete for roster spots with the Broncos, and to help create turnovers for a secondary that has been likened to Swiss cheese in recent years.

I will admit, the safety positions are some I had difficulty assessing.  What constitutes a “free” safety? 

Any casual NFL fan knows that the free safety can be favorably compared to a center fielder in baseball.

Still, I was unsure of which safeties on the roster should be considered the free safeties, so I consulted the ever reliable website Wikipedia for a definition, and here is what I came up with:

The free safety tends to be smaller and faster than the strong safety. His job tends to be to stay back a bit, watch the play unfold, and follow the ball. On pass plays, the free safety is expected to close down the receiver by the time the ball gets to him.

Offenses tend to call play-action passes, specifically to make the free safety expect a run play, which would draw him closer to the line of scrimmage and reduce his effectiveness as a pass defender.

If the offense puts a receiver in the slot, then the free safety may be called upon to cover that receiver.

Free safeties occasionally blitz as well. When this happens, the pressure is often very severe since a blitz by a defensive back is not usually anticipated.

Thanks to this definition, I have come to a conclusion as to which three safeties of the six on Denver’s roster should be labeled “free”.

One of the first moves the Broncos made this off-season was to sign former Miami Dolphins safety Renaldo Hill to a four year, $10 million contract, which is extremely modest considering Hill is fully expected to be the opening day starter.

Hill joins the Broncos after spending three years in Miami where he undoubtedly revived his career.

In three seasons with the Dolphins, Hill recorded 195 tackles and six interceptions, three in 2008. 

Hill is a ninth year player out of Michigan State who has played virtually every position in the defensive backfield, including cornerback, which is the main reason I believe he will be the Broncos’ starting “free” safety.

He has more speed than his safety counterpart in Brian Dawkins, and probably is not as good of a tackler, although Hill is no slouch in that area.

Hill has only started all 16 games in a season once in his career, so the Broncos decided insurance was needed.

To spell Hill at free safety as well as eventually take over as the full-time starter, Denver used one of three second round draft choices on former Texas Tech All-American Darcel McBath.

McBath measures out at 6’1″ 198 pounds, so he has the ideal size and speed combination to excel at this position.

In his 45 games as a Red Raider, McBath recorded 214 tackles and 12 interceptions, including seven as a senior in 2008.

McBath gives the Broncos a playmaker and ball-hawk at the free safety position.  He does not have blazing speed, but he has a nose for the ball and his two interceptions for touchdowns last season prove that he knows what to do once he has the ball in his hands.

Providing depth along with McBath is eighth-year veteran Vernon Fox, who was acquired in 2008 as a free agent.

Fox had arguably the most exciting defensive play for a Bronco in 2009 when he recovered a fumble against the New York Jets and returned it 23 yards for a score, the first of his career.

There is really nothing that Fox is great at, but he does everything well, which is probably why he has played in 96 career games.

For a position that severely lacked in 2008, Josh McDaniels has definitely given fans a hope for the present and future by making very smart acquisitions at this position over the course of the off-season.

The Real Meaning Of Baby TO

First there was Randy Moss, then Terrell Owens, and now Brandon Marshall has officially joined the class of spoiled, immature, pre madana wide receiver class.

A few months ago Marshall officially requested a trade out of Denver due to the fact Denver wouldn’t give him a major contract extension and because the Broncos training staff allegedly ignored Marshall’s hip injury.

After requesting the trade Denver has recieved nothing better than a 4th round pick and has decided not to trade Marshall at the moment.  Marshall has publically said he will not sit out, because if he does he will lose up to 16 grand a day and Marshall said “i’m not stupid.”

Marshall was then asked if he will be wearing a blue and orage 15 next year.  His response was “i’ll be wearing a 15.”

Well Brandon I am going to disagree about your statement of being smart.

How could a wide reciever who was drafted in the 4th round in 2006, passed on by every team for four rounds until Denver decided to give him a chance do this Denver?

How could a player who has been given numerous chances to play after allegidly physically assaulting two different women in the past 3 years ask for a trade?

How could Marshall ask for the team who took public criticism for Marshalls bone head mistakes?

Sure with two very productive seasons in 2007 and 2008 Marshall deserves to make more than 2 million a year, but why can’t he be patient and wait like every other player who had to wait to get their big pay day?

Why does Marshall have to act like spoiled brat and back stab the team that has put up with three years of shear stupidity and selfishness?

I say Denver sits Marshall on the bench for the entire 2009 season and let his stock drop for when he’s eligable to be a free agent next year. 

Who is going to want to sign a player with previous leagall problems and who has sat the bench the entire year let alone make the 10 million a year that he wants.

If Marshall wants to hurt Denver and put them in a sticy situation then they should do it right back. We’ll see ow much money BABY To makes in 2010 after producing 0 catches, 0 yards and 0 TD’s.

It’s time for Denver to put Baby TO in his crib for a year and let him know that crying can’t get you everywhere. 

Bye Brandon.  Thanks for the embarassment.

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