Broncos-Eagles: Why Brian Dawkins Return to Philly Is the Smallest Story

Brian Dawkins was an absolute beast when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles—he covered well, and hit hard enough to blow up any receiver. But above anything else, Dawkins was the unquestioned leader of the Eagles on the defensive side of the ball.

He started his career in Philly, played 13 years there and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times while an Eagle. All his wonderful play led to him not only being one of the most feared safeties in the modern game, but Dawkins also became a huge fan favorite in the City of Brotherly Love (which can show their hate for the Eagles at times).

But really, B. Dawk’s return to Philly is a less significant story line among many good ones in this Christmas weekend game—most notably pending playoff positioning for both teams.

For the Eagles, a win against the Broncos and a Cowboys loss means they would clinch the NFC East and secure a Wild Card round home game. Beyond that, while the Saints (13-1) have basically sewn up home field throughout the playoffs, Philly could still take home field up to the NFC Championship game with two wins and a Minnesota loss.

For the Broncos, the game is more meaningful than that, as Denver must win both their last two games to secure a playoff spot in this year’s muddled AFC. In fact, the Broncos could actually clinch a playoff position with a win and losses by four of the 7-7 teams (JAX, MIA, NYJ, and PIT). Either way though, this game is the biggest of the season for Denver—a definite must-win if they want to make the playoffs this year.

The Broncos are coming off two tough losses in a row that have made their last two must-wins, meaning the playoffs start today if the Broncos want to still be playing in two weeks.

Of course, as the season rolls into Week 15 every team in the NFL is dealing with injuries and that includes the Eagles and Broncos.

Philly will likely be without the services of Michael Vick and safety Quintin Demps, as they are both listed as questionable. But, veteran running back/kick returner Brian Westbrook has been cleared to come back and play for the first time since Nov. 15, even though he will play in a limited role only.

For Denver, wide receiver/kick returner Eddie Royal will miss the contest due to his neck strain, and fullback Spencer Larsen is out as well. Royal has been underutilized in 2009, with only 37 receptions and zero touchdowns, but his 23.9 yards per return will definitely be missed. Fan favorite Peyton Hillis will step in for Larsen, but will still likely not see many chances in the offense since Josh McDaniels uses the fullback almost solely as a blocker.

The last huge storyline of this game is coaching, and there is a massive contrast when these two teams are compared.

The Eagles have one of the best coaches in the NFL leading their team in Andy Reid. Reid’s Eagles own 107 regular season wins with a .611 winning percentage—second best only to Bill Belichick. Reid is the commander of his team, the seasoned vet with five NFC Championship appearances, the fearless leader of a team that has no fear in him.

On the other hand, the Broncos head man is Josh McDaniels in his first year leading a team. McDaniels and Denver went 6-0 to start the season, but only 2-6 since—and most of the onus lies on coaching. In large losses to AFC opponents Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, the offense was mediocre at best and pathetic at worst. Last week against the Raiders, McDaniels had many coaching blunders, multiple mistakes that cost the Broncos valuable points.

If Denver hopes to win this game, and if McDaniels wants to avoid his first losing season in his football life (he told Woody Paige preseason), then he’s got to be on top of his coaching game today.

All in all, the Broncos task of beating a strong NFC team in the Eagles in Philadelphia today is a tough one to say the least, but nothing is impossible in the NFL. Denver can beat the Eagles, and they must to stay afloat in the AFC playoff hunt. One thing’s for sure, all of Denver will tune in to see what happens at 2:15 MT today.  

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On the Naughty List: Denver Broncos Collapsing Again, But…

It’s a scene that would drive any kid absolutely nuts. 

You are on your best behavior all year and yet when Christmas rolls around, there’s a big ol’ lump of coal sitting under the tree. Again.  You tried your absolute best to be a good boy or girl, yet in the end it’s the same results as previous years.

This feeling is shared by Broncos fans all over the world as the 2009 NFL regular season enters its penultimate week.  We tried our best.  We stood by our team during one of the most turbulent offseasons any franchise has endured in recent memory and it’s basically “second verse, same as the first” except this time with a different melody.

Everything is different about this Broncos team this year.  A new general manager, head coach, starting quarterback and defensive scheme. The team was expected to struggle and compete for a top ten draft pick.

The results? The team has been more competitive than expected, but lately this version of the Broncos seems eerily familiar to last year’s, except they lost the division title much earlier.  This season the Broncos stood at 8-4 and seemingly had a stranglehold on one of the two AFC wild card spots.  Life seemed great despite the Broncos struggling after a scintillating 6-0 start.

Then it started happening. Again.

The Broncos have now lost two in row, one to the undefeated Colts in which it looked like the Broncos might just pull off the upset and the other to the pathetic Oakland Raiders led by JaMarcus Russell in a last minute comeback.  I still can’t believe I just typed that last sentence. That one will hurt for a long time.

The Broncos now have quite a battle on their hands for the AFC’s final wild card spot.  It’s possible to clinch this week, but first they have a very tall order beating the Eagles in Philadelphia and then they need the Steelers, Dolphins, Jets, and Jaguars all to lose.  It’s possible as the aforementioned teams all face playoff caliber teams this week. Then again, the Broncos probably face the toughest test of all in playing the red hot Eagles. 

The point is the Broncos have no business being in this position.  Had they won the easily winnable games against the Redskins and Raiders, they’d likely have a playoff position wrapped up and could rest their key players to make a run in the postseason.  Once again with the Broncos, they have a severe case of “woulda, coulda, shoulda.”

To a Broncos fan, it’s like being stuck in the Twilight Zone.  One year ago, the team had a three game lead over the Chargers with three to go and all they needed to do was win ONE of their final three games, including one at home to the Raiders, and the AFC West would be theirs.  Again, “second verse, same as the first.”

If the team misses the postseason this year, it is highly doubtful Josh McDaniels loses his job unlike what happened to Mike Shanahan last year.  This is McDaniels’ first year trying the change the culture of an entire organization that had gotten stuck in neutral the past few years.  Overnight miracles were not expected.

Indeed, McDaniels has given Broncos fans much hope this year despite recent struggles.  Given the amount of roster turnover this season, the fact that the Broncos are currently even competing to make the postseason shows promise. 

The Broncos weren’t expected to win much more than five games and the Broncos had that matched by week five.  I’ve even told people that if the Broncos finish 8-8 I’d be content considering how bad things looked this summer.

Would it be disappointing to miss the playoffs this year after such a great start to the season? Absolutely. As Herm Edwards so eloquently put it,  “You play to win the game! You don’t play it to just play it.” It would be a darn shame to see the team miss the postseason after the season started with such promise.

Now, I have been as pessimistic in this column as I have been all year, but I still hold out hope for the future. Think about it. If McDaniels was this good this year, his first as an NFL head coach, think of how good he will be the next few seasons as he learns from his mistakes and continues to get personnel in place that fit his system. 

This team will be better next season.  I have no doubt about that.  What seemed like a multi-year rebuilding project is now just a matter of putting the pieces together.  The Broncos are much further ahead than anyone thought they would be at this point, playoffs or not.

Who knows? Maybe instead of coal yet again next year, Broncos fans will get the best kind of Christmas present, one that doesn’t arrive until February: the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Besides, you think coal is bad this year?  Think of what Jay Cutler has under his tree this year.  Use your imagination on that one.

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Denver Broncos 2010 NFL Mock Draft, Part Five: Denver Looking Offense Early?

After the Broncos‘ loss to the Oakland Raiders, several new weakness have really emerged, namely on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines.

Thanks to former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and the Bears, Denver is currently armed with the eighth overall pick, one that could be very attractive to teams who want to move up for an elite level prospect in a very top-heavy draft.

One candidate who could possibly be willing to trade up is the Baltimore Ravens.  Trading up would be completely out of character for the Ravens, as they usually keep their picks or trade down for more.  They consistently build their team through the draft, and often end up taking the best player available when they pick.

This season, their main target in the draft needs to be a premiere wide receiver, and they will not be able to pick one up if they stick with the 21st overall pick.  That is why they should trade up with the Denver Broncos and acquire wide receiver Dez Bryant, who could be the top receiver prospect the Ravens crave.

Here is my projected trade:

Ravens Receive

-Broncos’ first round pick (8th overall)

Broncos Receive

-Ravens’ first round pick (21st overall)

-Ravens’ second round pick (54th overall)

-Ravens’ fifth round pick (150th overall)

It may seem a bit steep for a top ten pick, but the Ravens really seem to be on the verge of being a Super Bowl contender, and an elite wide receiver prospect could vault them to where they need to be.

Meanwhile, the Broncos’ draft slate appears to be much more filled out than it previously was, looking as such:

1. 21st overall (from Baltimore)

2. 54th overall  (from Baltimore)

3. 55th overall

4. 87th overall

5. 134th overall

6. 150th overall (from Baltimore) 

7. 192nd overall

8. 242nd overall

With eight picks, the Broncos can much more easily take advantage of this very deep draft, and they need to start off by going big in the first round.

 

1.  First Round, 21st overall (from Baltimore):  Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho

6’6″ 330 lbs.

Iupati is a very hot prospect right now.  He has very imposing size and would fill an enormous void on the interior of Denver’s offensive line at left guard. 

For a long time, I have been defending former Iowa guard/tackle and current Broncos reserve Seth Olsen as the player to be the heir apparent at left guard, but the Broncos would be wise to take Iupati and hope Olsen can be the future at the center position or added depth at tackle and guard.

Iupati is an elite level guard prospect, and the Broncos can get him for a relative bargain.  He would provide Denver with great size on the interior, and would be the fourth piece out of five in what could potentially be the most talented young offensive line in the NFL with Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Chris Kuper, and Iupati.

Denver has really struggled to run the ball consistently and their interior pass protection has been marginal at best, though Kyle Orton doesn’t always do the greatest job of escaping the pressure.  Iupati would greatly help Denver’s pass protection, and would give Ryan Clady the help he needs at the left tackle position to succeed.

 

2.  Second Round, 54th overall:  Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

6’3″ 230 pounds

This might seem a bit off the wall for Denver, who already have one of the deepest and most talented receiving cores in the NFL, but this would be a very, very smart pick.

Besides the fact that Thomas would likely be a first round pick if he had a quarterback who could get him the ball better, he fits a lot of different roles that Denver would like to have filled.

First of all, the Broncos lack a true deep threat opposite Brandon Marshall.  Certainly Eddie Royal has excellent speed, but his skills would best be used from the slot as many Denver fans anticipated.  Thomas has excellent speed, and could sneak into the first round based on his measurables alone.

Also, Thomas would take a lot of pressure off of the Broncos’ other receivers.  Though Brandon Marshall has seemingly been the only wideout on quarterback Kyle Orton’s radar all season long, another big play receiver could really free up Marshall on the opposite side and Royal in the middle.

Thomas would also be a solid developmental prospect in case Brandon Marshall bolts in a couple of years.

 

3.  Second Round, 55th overall:  Toby Gerhart, Running Back, Stanford

6’2″ 240

Not a big shocker here.  As I mentioned in the early stages of the reasoning for Mike Iupati, the Broncos have really struggled running the ball, largely due to their lack of depth (or use of it in the case of Peyton Hillis). 

While many believe Peyton Hillis is the obvious answer for the Broncos as the team’s power back, head coach Josh McDaniels has refused to use him this season for whatever reason, and he is simply being wasted.  Sadly, Hillis could be traded or released come this offseason if the team doesn’t find a better use for him, though now that he has not played much, his value may be diminished.

All of that being said, Toby Gerhart would be the perfect fit for the Broncos as a power back.  The Broncos have really struggled with short yardage plays, and the additions of Gerhart and Iupati could potentially erase those struggles.

 

4.  Third Round, 87th overall:  Myron Lewis, Cornerback, Vanderbilt

6’2″ 204

Lewis is a relatively little known prospect but he has very good measurables and has proven to be a very durable, versatile player in his football career. 

He has had nine interceptions the last two seasons, and was named second team All-SEC in 2009.  His size makes him a very attractive prospect for the next level, especially because of his ability to help in the running game as an effective tackler.

His size helps him bat down balls much more frequently than many other cornerbacks, though his speed at times is somewhat of a liability.  He is slightly faster than average and reminds me a lot of Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears.

 

5.  Fourth Round, 134th overall:  Micah Johnson, Middle Linebacker, Kentucky

6’2″ 258 lbs.

The Broncos could very easily look to this position much earlier in the draft, but Johnson is great value here.  He is a mammoth against the run, and almost fits the exact same mold as current Denver linebacker Andra Davis.  He is not so much fast as he is quick, but he is very versatile.

Johnson is close to a liability in pass coverage, but he can stay in on passing downs to rush the passer, an area he excels in.  Some scouts believe him to be best fit as a pass rusher or strong side linebacker in the 3-4 defensive scheme.

 

6.  Fifth Round, 150th overall:  John Skelton, Quarterback, Fordham

6’5″ 258 lbs.

Skelton is a very intriguing prospect to me.  I recently found out about him, and was extremely impressed.  He is quickly becoming one of the more popular prospects in the draft, and according to other reports, the Broncos have been scouting this kid since August.

They have been watching him this whole season, and for good reason.  Skelton is a physical marvel and has all of the tools to succeed at the NFL level.  With proper coaching, which he would receive in Denver, he could wind up being one of the bigger steals in the draft.  He has great footwork, escape-ability, and good zip on short range passes.  He throws a nice deep ball and can make any and every NFL throw.

Watch for this kid on draft day, he is an intriguing prospect.

 

7.  Sixth Round, 192nd overall:  Anthony Moeaki, Tight End, Iowa

6’3″ 247 lbs.

As I have said in previous mock drafts, I think the Broncos are going to have a tough time passing on the versatility of Moeaki, especially because they could lose Tony Scheffler at the end of the season.

Moeaki has been oft-injured in his time at Iowa, but he is one of the better players to come through Iowa City this decade.  He will likely fall in the draft due to his injury plagued career, but he is an excellent blocker in addition to being a good pass receiver.

He has good vision after the catch, but his speed is average.  He could be a nice find for some team late in the draft.

 

8.  Seventh Round, 242nd overall:  Erik Cook, Offensive Lineman, New Mexico

6’6″ 315 lbs.

Cook adds quality depth and versatility to the Broncos’ offensive line.  He is a very underrated prospect who could be the sleeper to fill the Broncos’ void at center for the future.

He has experience in college at tackle, guard, and center, and could really provide the Broncos with some quality depth if injuries occur throughout the season.

 

There may be questions as to why I have not included the defensive line in this particular segment.  I believe the Broncos will address the defensive line with the deep free agent class of 2010.  The defensive lineman available in 2010 are fairly deep, though it is very heavy on the top end and it lacks a lot of true 3-4 fits other than Terrence Cody as a nose tackle.

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NFL Playoff Scenarios: Denver Broncos Control Their Own Destiny

It has been a season of ups and downs for the Denver Broncos. 

After an unbelievable 6-0 start, this team was on pace with the best in the NFL and appeared to be primed to put San Diego away in the division for the first time in years.

The Broncos have proceeded to lose six of their last eight games, the most embarrassing of which happened on Sunday afternoon against the Oakland Raiders.

Still, the Broncos control their own destiny in terms of the playoffs, but the only likely way they will make it out of the crowded AFC wild card chase is to win their last two games—a road contest against Philadelphia and a home game against Kansas City.

The Broncos currently hold the sixth seed in the AFC, and a lot of their playoff hopes depend on what happens in Sunday’s Baltimore–Pittsburgh matchup.  Here are some of the potential scenarios the Broncos could face come playoff time.

 

1.  Worst Case Scenario:  They Miss Out

This could very well happen with one more loss.  The Broncos are going to have to approach their last two games as though they were playoff contests because any slip at this point in the season, especially with the AFC playoff race as clouded as it is, could cost the Broncos in a big way.

If the Broncos miss the playoffs, they will have absolutely wasted one of the best starts in franchise history, though they will have exceeded the expectations of many critics either way.

 

2.  Best Case Scenario:  Fifth seed

The best case scenario for the Broncos would be to win out and have the Ravens lose one of their final two games.  If that happens, Denver will have control of the fifth seed in the AFC, a situation in which they would travel on the road to play against the fourth-seeded Cincinnati Bengals or New England Patriots. 

At this point in time, it is likely that the fourth seed will be held by the Bengals, but that could all change in one game.

 

3.  Sixth Seed

Right now, the Broncos control their own destiny as I said before.  If they win out, they will clinch a playoff spot, and at the very worst, the sixth seed.  The Broncos will obtain the sixth seed if they and the Ravens finish with the same record, since the Ravens own the tie-breaker from their regular season win.

If the Broncos get the sixth seed, they will have a tough road to the Super Bowl which will start, if the season ended today, with a trip out to New England to take on Tom Brady and the Patriots.

 

The Broncos’ current record in the AFC is 6-5, which is second best to the Ravens (6-4) and Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) though both the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are close behind with an AFC mark of 5-5.

Denver has a better overall record than the Jaguars, Dolphins, or Jets, and the only team that holds a tiebreaker with Denver in the “in the hunt” group is Pittsburgh, who beat Denver earlier this season.

So what is the formula for the Denver Broncos?

Just keep on winning.  If the Broncos win both of their games, they will be in the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and will have finally broken whatever funk they were in. 

If Denver misses the playoffs this season, they will have dropped a second consecutive division lead of three or more games. 

The playoffs start Sunday for Denver.  Their first challenge?  Try and stop the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles from taking over the second seed in the NFC.

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Another Denver Broncos Collapse Would Be Catastrophic

A franchise mired in mediocrity took a giant leap forward when they fired two-time Super Bowl champion and head coach Mike Shanahan after losing a three-game lead with as many games remaining.  Owner Pat Bowlen selected Bill Belichick prodigy Josh McDaniels as his replacement.

He received so much criticism in the offseason prior to even coaching a single NFL game. He attempted to trade an up-and-coming big-time quarterback in Jay Cutler for the New England backup and former quarterback in his Patriot offense, Matt Cassel. 

It didn’t happen, but Jay Cutler was so pissed off that his new coach would think of getting rid of him that he demanded a trade.  He got his wish and ended up with the Chicago Bears for two first-round draft picks and the unwanted Kyle Orton.  Following that move McDaniels received a huge backlash from the Denver media and the fans.

The team that has sold out every game in its existence was on the verge of making a reprehensible decision if it turned out badly.  Following “Cutler-gate,” the Broncos star wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, had some offseason troubles and also demanded a trade before the season began.  He wasn’t as lucky as Cutler.

McDaniels decided to keep the disgruntled wideout and the Broncos began the season as a huge underdog.  McDaniels’ imprint was set in stone and it was relatively quiet in the locker room as the 2009-2010 season began.

The Broncos opened up with probably the most memorable game of opening weekend.  Brandon Stokely caught a miracle deflection and scampered 87 yards to lead the Broncos to their first victory.

They followed it up with a couple of wins against the lowly Browns and Raiders.  Respect was not officially earned from the national media until they defeated the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers.  The fanbase was buzzing and they had forgot all about Shanahan and Cutler in Denver. 

Kyle Orton was playing out of his mind and a once terrible defense had made a complete turnaround.  Former 49ers head coach Mike Nolan had transformed the Broncos into a formidable foe for opposing offenses.  Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey led one of the most feared secondaries in the NFL.  No hopes in August had officially turned into promising Super Bowl aspirations as the Broncos headed into November.

The Broncos strolled into Baltimore on top of the world for a tough game against a very good Ravens team.  After losing three straight, the Ravens were in a must-win situation.  The Broncos were only down 16-7 entering the fourth quarter after playing easily as poorly as they had all season.

They were unable to extend their great start, but were forgiven for the loss in Denver because of the desperation shown by the Ravens.  Next on the docket were the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.  The Broncos defense was stout and gave the Broncos a 10-7 lead in the third quarter with a Robert Ayers fumble recovery and return for a touchdown.

The Denver offense did absolutely nothing after their first drive in which Matt Prater capped off with a 40-yard field goal.  Every other drive ended in an interception or punt.  It turned out to be far too much to overcome as Ben Roethlisberger manufactured 21 unanswered points to finish the game.

The Denver defense only allowed 14 legitimate points.  One Orton interception was returned for a touchdown and the other Steeler score came off a turnover at the Denver 25-yard line.  A sad story for another very good performance by the Denver defense.

Skepticism was beginning to set in throughout the Mile High city.  Fans were crossing their fingers that the Broncos would straighten it out against an underachieving Redskins club.  Things started out promising for Denver when the offense clicked from the opening kickoff.  Kyle Orton hit Brandon Marshall for two very long first-half touchdowns and ended up with a total of 193 yard passing through two quarters.

What didn’t appear of any significance at the time was a tweak to the ankle of Kyle Orton just before the end of the first half.  McDaniels was forced to put Chris Simms in the game for the entire second half and he finished 3-of-13 for 13 yards and an interception.  Enough to generate zero second-half points and cost the Broncos a much needed road victory.

Now the Broncos were 6-3 and tied for the division lead with the hated San Diego Chargers.  In addition to the tie, the Broncos had their hated rivals at home next on the schedule.

Chris Simms was given his first start since 2006 and he played like it.  He only played three series before being replaced by the injured Orton.  He finished 2-of-4 for 10 yards and looked lost in the pocket taking a handful of sacks.  Josh McDaniels should have been criticized much more for his decision during the game.

If Orton was good enough to go at the point, he should have started the game.  Instead he spotted the Chargers a 13-0 lead that was insurmountable.  The Chargers walked all over the Broncos at Invesco Field for a 32-3 victory.

Panic had officially set in.  Now 6-4, the Broncos were on the verge of one of the biggest collapses in NFL history.  No team to start 6-0 had ever lost their next five games.  The struggling New York Giants came to town on Thanksgiving evening and the Broncos destroyed them.

In a dominating effort, the Broncos controlled the entire game and allowed only six points. A 26-6 victory was satisfying for the city and kept the Broncos on pace within the division and conference.

An easy victory in Kansas City by 31 points had given the Broncos a two-game cushion in the wild-card race and kept them within one of the Chargers.  The Broncos then traveled to face the undefeated Indianapolis Colts and they had multiple chances to change that mark.

A number of unsuccessful offensive drives in Indianapolis territory lead to a two-game deficit in the AFC West.  An AFC West championship now looked like a lost cause with San Diego playing so well.  The Broncos had an 8-5 record with two very winnable games remaining.

Ahead for the Broncos: a divisional home matchup against a very bad Raiders team as well as a season finale against a team they just throttled by 31 points in the Kansas City Chiefs, with a road game against the streaking Philadelphia Eagles in the middle.

So, with three games remaining the Broncos had everything on the line this past Sunday at home against the Raiders.  Dismal offense and an opportunistic JaMarcus Russell in the final minute of the game caused the Broncos to lose what could have been pretty much a Wild-Card clinching game.

A victory would have given them a 9-5 record and they would have been one win from clinching an AFC playoff spot.  Now they are 8-6 and travel to Philadelphia this week.  The Eagles are still in must-win mode with the Giants on their heels and a chance to catch the Vikings for the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

Denver is in chaos over these Broncos.  Who can they expect on the field?  A team that beat the Patriots, Cowboys, and Chargers, or the team that lost to the Raiders and Redskins? 

Josh McDaniels has made many mistakes in his young coaching career and most likely will learn from them.  Many risky on-the-field decisions, just like his mentor Bill Belichick, may have cost the Broncos points on a few chances. He needs to realize this team can’t score at will and they need to put up anything they can.

The Broncos still have a legit chance of making the playoffs and the loss could actually benefit them when it comes to first-round opponents.  If they finish up as the No. 6 seed they will probably travel to Cincinnati.

Can Denver fans take another collapse?  Prosperity early in the season has turned into a lot of holiday season agony for Broncos country.  It will be three straight seasons in which Denver has had a two-game or more lead with less than three weeks remaining and not made the playoffs. 

Maybe it’s just bad luck or maybe it’s the curse of John Elway.  Mike Shanahan was a genius but didn’t have the same luck without ole No. 7.  The Broncos blew a must-win against a terrible 49ers club two years back and, essentially, a playoff game against the Chargers last year; Shanahan lost his job.  Should McDaniels lose his?

Same story, different path of getting there.  Maybe the solution is hiring John Elway.  Denver fans need to start calling for Elway to get back into the game and on the field in Denver.  Maybe that will bring a little December magic.

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2010 Denver Broncos NFL Draft Player Profile: Idaho G Mike Iupati

After the Denver Broncos lost the most embarrassing game of the season to the Oakland Raiders at home on Sunday, I realized the team’s biggest flaw was the interior of the offensive line.

Now this was not new news, as many Bronco fans have already pointed out that Denver‘s true weaknesses offensively have a lot to do with lack of experience in the system and a totally non-existent interior offensive line.

Led by veterans Casey Wiegmann and Russ Hochstein, the interior of Denver’s line has a ton of experience.  What they boast in the experience category is outweighed immensely by their inability to help the Broncos’ offense move the ball on a consistent basis, especially in short yardage situations.

Denver was unable to run the ball against Oakland, and it is not the first time they have been shut down on the ground this season.  Knowshon Moreno looked absolutely lost when running the ball on Sunday, and Kyle Orton was sacked three times.

The solution to these woes?

Denver must draft Idaho guard Mike Iupati at any cost and actually, the guy could turn out to be quite the bargain.

Iupati stands at 6’5″ and roughly 330 pounds.  He is a mammoth on the interior line and he plays with a mean streak.  For the second straight season, he was named first team All-WAC, and was selected as a first team Walter Camp All-American for the Vandals.  Not to mention he was also one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s top interior lineman.

The Broncos’ first round pick is going to turn out to be a very high one, as Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears currently project to send Denver the seventh pick in the 2010 NFL draft as the final piece to the blockbuster trade that occurred this past offseason.

Obviously, Denver is not going to go after Iupati that early in the first round.  What appears to be the best option is to trade down with anyone who is willing, and take Iupati later in the first round if they can.  The only problem is going to be finding a suitor for that pick.

The Broncos do not need to trade down, as their top pick could turn out to be an elite level player like Rolando McClain or dare I say—Ndamukong Suh.

Either way, the Broncos’ interior offensive line is absolutely dreadful, and picking up Iupati would be a step in the right direction.  Denver has lost whatever edge it had offensively, and they are failing to cash in from inside the 20. 

I have been all about bringing in Seth Olsen in the past, and I think that is a route the Broncos definitely will explore.  If Olsen can transition to center, and Iupati can be brought in to start at left guard, the Broncos will dance with joy.

Speaking of interior linemen, how about the performance of Denver’s run defense on Sunday?  Another pitiful output.  The Oakland Raiders racked up nearly 250 total rushing yards against Denver, a number that is utterly unacceptable.

One player who may be able to stop that bleeding is Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody, who is an absolute space vacuum in the middle of the defensive line.  Cody demands two blockers on every play, and would give the Broncos a huge weapon defensively.

These are two players I have not been so high on early in the draft scouting process, but I think they are two players the Broncos need to look at acquiring come draft day, and they need to look hard.

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A Fine For Denver Broncos’ Brandon Marshall Would Be Ridiculous

While the Cincinnati Bengals honored fallen teammate Chris Henry by wearing a No. 15 patch on their helmets Sunday, Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall had a different idea.

Marshall, who was friends with Henry while the two were in college, decided to honor Henry by wearing Henry’s nameplate on his jersey during pregame warm-ups before the Bronco’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

However, the move by Marshall violates the NFL‘s uniform policy, as players cannot sport any nicknames, other player’s name, or other numbers on their jerseys. Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who’s last name was Johnson at the time, was fined in 2007 for his nameplate saying “Ocho Cinco” before the game.

Ochocinco also said earlier in the week that he would wear Henry’s No. 15 jersey in Cincinnati’s matchup with the San Diego Chargers Sunday, no matter how much money he would be finned. But he decided not to wear No. 15.

But for Marshall, this is a special circumstance. He wants to honor his fallen friend by wearing the nameplate on his jersey and I don’t see any reason why the NFL should fine Marshall for this. Quite frankly, if the league does fine the Denver wide out, it would be ridiculous and I think the NFL would make a terrible mistake by doing so. 

There was a report Sunday afternoon that Marshall would receive a “hefty fine,” and if he is, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would make the “No Fun League” look terrible. Why would you send a message like that?

I can understand getting fined for putting nicknames on jerseys, but when a player is trying to honor another player, it’s pretty sad. If a member of the Los Angeles Angels wore Nick Adenhart’s No. 34 with Adenhart’s name on the back short after his death on April 9, 2009, I don’t think Bud Selig and Major League Baseball would have come after that player. 

“He [Henry] was a buddy of mine,” Marshall told the Colorado Springs Gazette . “It’s devastating to lose him, especially him getting on the right track and being able to turn things around.” 

Henry and Marshall became buddies while the two played against each other in college. Henry played for West Virginia, while Marshall was at Central Florida. 

The NFL and Goodell need to recognize that Marshall’s act was a tribute to his late friend and not an act of self promotion.

However, fanhouse.com is reporting that two league sources said that Goodell has not yet decided if he’ll fine Marshall or not, but fines are not likely. 

Let’s hope so. Fining Marshall would show no class in the league and would not be the right thing to do. 

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Denver Broncos: 3rd and Uh Oh

If there was one thing sacred in my entire existence, it used to be that the Broncos were absolute money on third and short come Sundays.

Everyone and their mothers knew what would happen in that situation and sure enough the ball was snapped, handed to the RB on a stretch in the now-famous one cut and go style, then poof, like it was magic first and ten. 

Those were the days.

Even last season when the Broncos put every RB in existence on their IR whenever the Broncos needed to convert a crucial 3rd or 4th and short, we did it.  We were not as successful as in the past, but let’s be real, last season was the exception, not the rule.

As I watch my team struggle this season with that type of situation I find myself wanting to find one guy I can blame, one person that I can point to and say “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE RUNNING GAME YOU A$$%#@!&”, but I can’t. 

I’m one of those people who tries to be as honest and real as possible all the time, so in this a moment of weakness, I must stay true to myself.

That said, there is not one person who can be blamed for the Broncos struggles on the ground in short yardage situation this season, they are all to blame.

If you watch the games as closely as I do, you will notice that the Broncos are caught in a classic transition from one system or style of running to another and therefore, they are not performing either the old one or the new one up to par.

When McDaniels got here we all knew he was going to install his offense but never in my wildest dreams did I think he would mess with one of if not the most prolific running scheme for the last decade and a half, call me naive if you want but I just didn’t think that would happen.

Like most times when I think such thoughts, the complete opposite happened and McDaniels brought his running-game scheme with him.

While I was surprised, a small part of me kinda expected it and its not like his scheme is horrible, but like the zone blocking scheme, his requires a unique type of offensive lineman, one that we do not have within the organization. 

Its no secret that McDaniels prefers a power scheme with big, bulldozer type of linemen, and the Broncos always prefered the smaller, yet more athletic linemen.

Obviously, this type of linemen are not interchangeable and so that causes a problem.  That is not to say all is lost along the offensive line, we do have a pair of elite tackles in Clady and Harris (when healthy), that can perform both styles and not just do it well, they can be dominant. 

However, the problem lies in the interior of the offensive line, this is where our guards and centers are experiencing the biggest problem with the transition and have been getting dominated.

Kuper, Olsen (R) and Hochstein all have good size and strength, while Hamilton and Wiegmann are both very savvy and athletic, they are undersized and constantly overmatched. 

Both Kuper and Olsen are young players who have shown a lot of promise within the new scheme, they also have the frame to put on more weight if required.

Hamilton and Wiegmann, who have been sharing duties as the main centers for the O-line, are both on the last leg of their careers and with each passing week, this area has become an even bigger area of concern.

Depth along the interior is another issue because behind Kuper and Olsen only Hochstein remains and he is another one that is on the latter part of his career. 

That is not to say that this “grey beards” can’t perform they certainly can, but only as stop gaps they are no longer dominant as they once were, especially the centers.

This is not the only issue though, play calling is another area of concern.  If anyone would please explain to me why on God’s green earth are we running a two-tight end set on short yardage instead of putting Hillis and Larsen in the backfield and just plowing ahead?

Let’s not pull a guard, just put your big boys out there and let them do what they do best, which is maul each other over.

I don’t know if its that McDaniels refuses to use a two-back set in that type of situation, but at some point he has got to realize that what he has been doing is not working and he needs to change it up and try something that will get the job done.

Two weeks ago against the Chiefs (yeah I know its the Chiefs), we saw Hillis carry people on his back for five or six yards on almost every play that he was in, while last week against the Colts we struggled to gain a couple of yards on some crucial third and forth downs. 

I can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, if we would’ve ran Hillis up the middle with Larsen as his lead blocker he might have been able to carry the Colts linebackers and get the yardage needed for a first down. 

Linebackers are quick and athletic but smaller than our 250-pound RB/FB, and let’s not forget that Hillis has what you might call deceptive speed.

McDaniels’ love affair with the one back set in short yardage is inexplicable given our personnel along the interior line. 

His system is not at fault here; it’s his refusal to concede to the fact he simply does not have the right personnel right now to run it that concerns me.

I mentioned above that depth is an issue as well, and that is because no matter how talented and how much promise Kuper and Olsen show, we need to be able to rotate them in and out because they will get tired after a couple of plays. 

Trust me I know, I am a big guy and no matter how much you train and exercise, if your a big person you will lose your breath rather quickly. 

This issue however, is a fairly easy fix, we just need to address it either through FA or the upcoming draft and I am confident that McDaniels will do so.

Also, the issue at center will be addressed through the either medium as well.

As disappointed as I am in this area I must give the devil his due, McDaniels has coached his rear end off this season and has silenced most, if not all of his critics. 

He is an extremely smart and bright coach who’s got a very long and bright future ahead of him (hopefully with the Broncos) filled with Super Bowl trophies I’m certain. 

I am also confident that this little issue will be ironed out sometime in the near future and we will once again experience the certainty of the Broncos in a short-yardage situation.

At least we got the Raiders coming into town this Sunday, and just like good chicken soup, the Raiders are always a cure for whatever ails you.

GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!

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The Future of Denver Broncos Quarterbacks

When I thought of Kyle Orton at the helm of my beloved Broncos I honestly went nuts.  Just the mere thought of it made me a little queasy, not because I loved Cutler on the contrary but because I just didn’t see Orton performing to the level he has thus far.

I was obviously wrong and Orton has performed well above anyone’s expectations, but the question remains, is Orton the future at QB?

Well lets break it down.

Orton is still young enough at 27 to be the future and while his stats don’t really scream future star they definitely don’t scream the Griese blues.  Orton has size, arm strength and better yet accuracy to take care of business at this level, but something is missing.  Orton is the type of QB who prides himself in not putting his team in a difficult spot by making silly mistakes.

He is a smart QB who studies hard learns the game plan and follows it to the letter.  However it is in there where his biggest weakness also resides.  While he does so much of the work right Orton lacks the killer instinct that would allow him take the next step.  I am referring to that certain “thing” that sets aside a QB like Manning or Brady among so many others in the rich history of this our beloved sport.

It is that (not to quote Marty again) gleam that twinkle in their eyes that ability to every once in a while put the team on his back and say “I’ll get us there boys”.  It’s that ability to know when the plan is not working and start winging it that separates the great ones from the average.

Elway did in record fashion while Manning does it almost on a weekly basis and guys like Montana, Marino, Favre, Brady and Young knew when to go ahead and just ” turn it on” and take their team to victory.  Now I do recognize that a big part of this comes from familiarity with not only the scheme but the players as well but the x factor resides with the QB.

He is the one that has the most contact with the coaches and he is the one that can always call an audible to put the team in a spot to win.  All of the QB that I mentioned above had that killer instinct and they never seem to be satisfied always wanted more and were willing to put life and limb on the line to get the W, while Kyle sometimes seems happy to just not throw a pick.

I hope that this is not viewed as a bashing of Orton because as I said before a lot of that killer instinct will come with time spent with the players and within the system and I certainly hope Orton has it and its just waiting to unveil it when he is more comfortable, but as of now this is where, in my opinion, lye’s his biggest weakness.

So does that mean that the future is in the roster already?  Well, While I do like Brandstater (I think Sims should join his father in the booth) his measurable are very similar to Orton’s.  Brandstater has great size, athleticism, accuracy and great arm strength (think Matt Ryan not Jay Cutler) it is too early and I have yet to see him get any meaningful time on the field.

I will say this though, Brandstater did show a grittiness and that killer instinct in college as well as playing in a pro style offense and that bodes well for the rookie.

Some of my fellow brothers in orange and blue have taken to the draft already to answer this question, I have heard the likes of Tebow, Bradford, McCoy, Pike, Locker, and many others as the future answer, well I say not so fast.

Beware of the siren call of this young studs coming out of college with promises of stardom.  Most of this guys are coming from the spread option system a system that while its success at the college ranks can not be denied, it is a system that exploits the biggest disparity in the college ranks, which are speed and awareness.

The spread option preys on the difference in speed between schools and the mere fact that student athletes just simply don’t have the time to do the necessary amount of film study to read the little signs.  It is also a system that create habits in QBs that would be frowned upon at the pro level.

Some examples of this bad habits are bad footwork and bad mechanics.  QBs like Tebow, McCoy and Bradford while talented, would have to have their mechanics and footwork broken down in a long and hard process that would take a few years to see any returns on.  That is why I simply don’t like QBs coming out of this system.  Some of you might be angry at this point but the proof is in the pudding.

Russell, Smith, and Young are big examples of spread option QBs that have yet to perform in the pros. 

The spread option is at its best when it takes advantage of the difference in speed between the offense and the defense, but when you take into consideration the fact that in the NFL “elite” speed is as common as wet ones in a BBQ joint the scheme falls apart.  Which in turns impedes the QB from this system, to do what he does best, which is make one or two reads and either throw it or take of running.

When that is taken away the bad footwork and bad mechanics are more noticeable.  It is no coincidence that the young QBs that have the most success in the NFL are those that come out of pro style systems in college. 

Regardless of whether we look at the short or long term it is the QBs like Flacco, Ryan, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, and Palmer, that have all come out of pro style systems in college that have always had more success and are able to sustain it.

If the Broncos feel like they must address this situation through the draft I hope they are not lured by the hype machine of the BCS and the big schools but instead take long hard looks at guys like Skelton, Pike, and Locker among others. 

They may not be as hyped as their big school counter parts but the meassurables are there along with the good footwork and good mechanics.  Their learning curve will be considerably shorter and if history is any indication, and it usually is, they will produce faster and longer.

However, I believe that the answer might be closer than we think, with more time I am confident that either Orton or Brandstater will prove to be more than capable.  They might not be up to our unusually high expectations but if Dilfer won a Super Bowl I know that Orton or Brandstater can win at least two.

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2010 Denver Broncos Mock Draft Pt. Four: McClain to Denver a Done Deal?

For my first few mock drafts this offseason, I have projected the Broncos to make a trade. This particular mock will not feature a trade, though I feel it could be in Denver‘s best interest to do so. They would not have to cope with the cost of a top-10 pick, though they might be forfeiting some talent in the prospect they acquire.

While it may in fact be wise to trade down and acquire picks, the Broncos can do well with the six selections they currently possess. This is a very deep draft, especially at the top end. 

During the 2009 draft, the Broncos traded their own 2010 first-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a second-round pick which was used on cornerback Alphonso Smith. Critics thought the Broncos to be idiotic for doing that, especially after trading away quarterback Jay Cutler. They thought the Broncos’ first round pick was sure to be a top-10 pick, and the Bears‘ pick would be in the 20s or later.

Looks like Josh McDaniels was and is smarter than them, and the Bears are currently 5-8 and projected to send Denver the eighth overall pick in the up-coming draft.

Here’s how I would project Denver’s draft if they decide to stay put with all of their picks.

 

First Round: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

It is clear after three seasons that the 6’4″, 245 pound linebacker on the nation’s top defense is the best linebacker in this draft if he decides to come out. The All-American has recorded 266 tackles, eight sacks, five interceptions, and a fumble forced in his time at Alabama.

McClain is smart, durable, and a great defensive leader. If the Broncos selected him, they would have one of, if not the best linebacker group in the NFL. McClain would pair in the middle with D.J. Williams, while emerging star Elvis Dumervil and 2009 first-round pick Robert Ayers man the outside spots.

McClain has excellent range against the run and takes great angles. He is one of the best pure tacklers in the draft, and projects as a three down linebacker at the next level. The prospect of adding him has to be exciting for the Broncos, whose only real defensive weakness is against the run. 

 

Second Round: Dan Williams, DL, Tennessee

Williams would be a great value pick here for the Broncos. He adds good size and athleticism to the front line, and would make a great eventual replacement for Kenny Peterson, Vonnie Holliday, or Ryan McBean.

He has great versatility as a lineman and is a run stopping force. He has imposing size at 6’3″, 327 pounds, and has the ability to get in the backfield on a very consistent basis.  Williams is an ideal potential fit for the nose tackle position in the 3-4, and would be great insurance up front for Denver’s linebacker core.

 

Third Round: Adrian Clayborn, DL, Iowa

This would be another great value pick. As I have stated in previous mock drafts, I am really high on Clayborn and if he declares for the draft I think he would be a steal at this point. He is an excellent run stuffer and a relentless pass rusher. He is very athletic for his size, and has good burst off the line of scrimmage. 

Clayborn is versatile enough to play inside or outside in the 4-3, or as a five technique or rush linebacker in the 3-4. The Broncos will love his versatility and burst.

 

Fourth Round: Mike Johnson, OL, Alabama

The Broncos need some size and depth on the offensive line, and Johnson gives them just that. He has been a very versatile performer for the Crimson Tide, playing both tackle and guard in his time there. This season proved that the Broncos are somewhat weak in depth at offensive tackle, and they lack the size on the interior line (left guard and center in particular) to effectively run their offense. 

Johnson can play tackle or guard, and if Seth Olsen can transition to center, Johnson could be the eventual starter at the left guard position.

 

Sixth Round: Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss

I’m going with another SEC player here in McCluster, one of the most versatile players in the draft. He has blazing speed, and can help the Broncos in many different areas. He can line up as a return man, catch passes in the screen game, carry the ball, or line up as a wide receiver.

He is a jack-of-all-trades who is vastly undersized, and he could end up being a big steal.

 

Seventh Round: Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan

Mesko has a booming foot, and Mitch Berger clearly isn’t the Broncos’ long term answer at the punter position. This kid was one of the few bright spots for the Wolverines in 2009, and should have a long future punting on Sundays.

 

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