Josh McDaniels Is the Poster Boy for “Too Much, Too Soon”

It’s been a trying season for Josh McDaniels for various reasons. At the tender age of 33, he was thrust into the role of NFL head coach last winter—and at least as far as his team’s fanbase is concerned, he has failed miserably so far.

So it begs the question: Is there such a thing as being too young or inexperienced to be an NFL head coach?

I think so, and thanks to his latest brilliant idea of benching Brandon Marshall—which may have ostensibly cost Denver any shot they had of making the playoffs—McDaniels is the poster boy for proving the point.

See, with age and experience come a certain maturity and panache for handling players, team personnel, and opponents. But when you’re younger than a quarter of your roster, it’s almost impossible to possess those qualities.

McDaniels has now exhibited that lack of knowledge three times this season.

The first came almost immediately after he was hired, when a tiff between him and Jay Cutler got so heated that the “franchise passer” the Broncos had previously alienated the adequately capable Jake Plummer for was jettisoned to Chicago for…a few draft picks and the adequately capable Kyle Orton.

Then, there was the alleged incident with the San Diego Chargers, where McDaniels allegedly claimed “we own you.” Even if it went as McDaniels claimed—that the “owned” comment referred to his past with the Patriots—it was out of line. Outside of Ty Law and Jabar Gaffney, how many guys on the Broncos’ roster even ever played for the Pats? Exactly.

And now, finally, with the season on the brink of collapse, McDaniels benched his best offensive player. Sure, Gaffney had a big day in his absence, and the defense resembled little more than an obstacle course for Jamaal Charles, but there’s no way you can’t tell me having a two-time Pro Bowl receiver who is barely in his prime wasn’t a huge loss.

All because Marshall was late to an injury treatment session?

Please. There’s more to it, and both McDaniels and Marshall know it, and Marshall also knows that he’ll most likely be suiting up somewhere other than Denver next year. Which means unless they draft Jerry Rice or Joe Montana next year, this “new era” of mediocre football will continue for at least another couple years.

After all, the sum total of McDaniels’ efforts was an 8-8 season in which the team started strong, collapsed, and missed the playoffs. Sort of like 2008 with alleged fossil Mike Shanahan at the helm.

But hey, when you’re young and don’t know what you’re doing, bad decisions and immaturity seem acceptable—unless you’re Mike Tomlin, but he’s a special case of a young guy succeeding.

If I were an NFL GM, I wouldn’t even look at a guy who hasn’t been in the game for more than 10 years—especially one with so little experience above assistant to an assistant—to be the savior of my franchise.

To wit, I offer you two resumes, and urge you to pick the one lesser qualified to be an NFL head coach.

No. 1: Played HS ball for his daddy. Went to a Division III school where he had to switch positions to get playing time. Got graduate assistantship in college based on a connection from his daddy. Moved onto a defensive assistant job elsewhere based on another connection and spent eight years there (two as a coordinator) before being hired as a head coach.

No. 3: Played high school ball for a local legend and was a three-year starter for a two-time state champion. Three-year starter at Division I-AA school and then became a grad assistant there. Moved on to take lower assistantship at another level based on a previous connection, spending four years there (two as a coordinator) before being hired as a head coach.

Take away names and levels, and those resumes look very similar, don’t they? Clearly, the latter was a better player (and probably a few years younger) yet the former is very privileged.

I suppose I shouldn’t have to tell you that behind door No. 1 is, in fact, McDaniels.

For those who are counting, the second one is Tom Lennon—the current head coach at Seymour (CT) High School and a guy I graduated high school with 12 years ago.

But hey, clearly, as long as you know the right people, you’ll be fine regardless of how much you know.

Unless you’re black, in which case you’ll get a token interview before they hire the guy they really want…but that’s another story I’ve already written.

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Denver Broncos Mock Draft, Part Seven: Time for Marshall, Scheffler To Go

Following the Denver Broncos‘ pitiful excuse for a last chance at the playoffs, it’s time for their first offseason mock draft.

The writing is on the wall in Denver, and it seems as though both Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler have played their last game in the Bronco blue and orange, which should be fine with the fans.  Marshall and Scheffler clearly are not interested in this team or in hopping aboard the Josh McDaniels train.  That is not fair to the fans in the very least.

This will undoubtedly be my most out there mock of the offseason, but I hope you will all climb aboard my imagination for a bit.  I really feel the Broncos are going to make some big time trades before the draft this year, and I know many of you feel it too after the Marshall/Scheffler benching.

I did a piece recently about the likelihood of Marshall getting traded and which teams seem like the most likely candidates.  I came to the conclusion that the Jets , Ravens, Bengals , and Redskins  are the most likely to give Marshall a shot.  They have the picks (for the most part), and they have the need.

I really am struggling in deciding which team to go with for Marshall, but I think either the Ravens or Jets make the most sense.  Since the Ravens have the better package to offer, let’s go with them. 

Projected Trade

Broncos Receive:

• Ravens First Round pick (21st overall)
• Ravens Third Round pick

Ravens Receive:

• WR Brandon Marshall

It will suck losing Marshall, and the media will be all over us for it, but I think it’s the right decision moving forward (even though two of my jerseys will be gone to waste). 

I also think we are going to find a suitor for Tony Scheffler , and his value right now is nothing less than a third round pick, in my opinion.  I think the Bills liked him last offseason, and he would still be a good fit there. 

Another projected trade:

Broncos Receive:

• Bills’ Third Round pick
• Bills’ Sixth Round pick

Bills Receive:

• TE Tony Scheffler

With these two trades, our draft slate would be much more appropriate given the depth and quality of this class. 

I do have one more projected trade that I think could happen based on one potential head coach signing, and it is a trade that I hate because I love the player, so here it goes:

Broncos Receive:

• Redskins Fourth Round pick

Redskins Receive:

• RB/FB Peyton Hillis

Obviously, a lot of that potential trade depends on Mike Shanahan deciding whether or not he wants to coach the Redskins this season, and that seems likely at this point.  Shanny reunites with not only Clinton Portis , but he gets a new power back in Peyton Hillis as well.

With these three trades, our draft slate would look as such:

1. First Round, 10th/11th overall (from Chicago)
2. First Round, 21st overall (from Baltimore)
3. Second Round, 46th overall
4. Third Round (from Buffalo)
5. Third Round
6. Third Round (from Baltimore)
7. Fourth Round (from Washington)
8. Fourth Round
9. Sixth Round (from Buffalo)
10. Sixth Round
11. Seventh Round

From here, I think I am ready to make my mock draft, after that mouth full.

First Round, 10th overall:  Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

McClain is the best linebacker prospect in this draft, and he seems like an excellent leader.  He is the best player on the best defense in college ball, which just happens to be a 3-4 scheme.  I love his potential in the league, and having two first round picks allows us to make this move.

First Round, 21st overall:  Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

I think Iupati has become a very popular/logical selection for the Broncos.  He is a beast at the offensive guard spot, and he would fill a gaping hole on our offensive line.  He is instinctive and has great footwork.  This would be right about where I would expect Iupati to come off the board.

**Projected Trade**

Broncos Receive:

• Jacksonville Jaguars  2nd Round pick (through Patriots), 42nd overall
• New England Patriots 4th Round pick

Patriots Receive:

• Buffalo Bills ‘ 3rd Round pick (through Broncos)
• Baltimore Ravens 3rd round pick (through Broncos)

Second Round, 42nd overall:  Tim Tebow, Quarterback, Florida

I will get hammered on for this pick, but the only thing wrong with Tebow is his long release, and that has been/can be worked on with our coaching staff.  His intangibles are off the charts, and he has Ben Roethlisberger potential to me.  I think he will impress McD and the rest of Broncos’ management with his strong arm, escape ability, measurables, leadership, and instincts. 

Second Round, 46th overall:  Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

Assuming he declares, Thomas is one of the most underrated prospects available in this draft.  He has excellent size (6’3″, 230) and good speed given that size.  He is a big play threat that would make our offense miss Brandon Marshall a little bit less, especially right away.

**Projected Trade**

Broncos Receive:

• Seattle Seahawks 3rd round pick (through Philadelphia)
• Philadelphia 5th round pick

Eagles Receive:

• Two 4th round picks

Third Round (from Seahawks through Philadelphia): D’Anthony Smith, Defensive Lineman, Louisiana Tech

Hard working defensive lineman who could make the transition to a 3-4 defensive end in our system.  Coaches rave about this kid, and I think he will impress us in the offseason activities.

Third Round:  Vladimir Ducasse, Offensive Lineman, UMass

This pick is made with the assumption that Ducasse works out well as a center for us.  He is a smart player, so you know he will be on our radar.  We were scouting some of the higher rated center prospects last year as well, and I think this kid has the versatility to make the switch. 

Fourth Round:  Danario Alexander, Wide Receiver, Missouri

I love this kid’s size and athleticism.  I think he would be an excellent complement on the outside to Demaryius Williams for the future.  He has outstanding size along with great playmaking ability.  He will win deep ball battles, unlike our former fourth round pick Brandon Marshall, on a consistent basis.

Fifth Round (from Philadelphia):  Tyson Alualu, Defensive Lineman, California

This guy has a motor that never stops.  He is versatile, durable, and great at stopping the run.  He would be a welcome addition, especially at this point in the draft, to our defensive attack.

Sixth Round (from Buffalo):  Tony Moeaki, Tight End, Iowa

Tight end for tight end, Tony for Tony.  I love this kid, and not just because Iowa is the college team I call my favorite.  Moeaki has all the talent in the world but will fall on draft day because of prior health issues.  He is a great pass receiver and an even better blocker.  If he can stay healthy, this pick is a steal.

Sixth Round:  Myron Rolle, Safety, Florida State

I don’t know why draft sites have this guy rated so low right now, but he is a lot better than he is getting credit.  I would find it excellent if we were able to pick this guy up in the sixth round.  Again, I’m basing this off of an ESPN.com ranking of 49 (roughly sixth round pick) and a projected late fifth round pick by CBSSports and NFLDraftScout.com.

Seventh Round:  LeGarrette Blount, Running Back, Oregon

Very little risk with this pick.  Blount has had character issues, but he is worth a seventh round draft pick.  We weren’t afraid to waste it last year, so why should we this year?  The risk is worth the reward if he can screw his head on straight.

Obviously, the needs of this team will change after free agency.  I think trading Marshall and Scheffler works because we free up money to go after Dumervil, Orton, and Kuper, our primary FAs.  I think Dumervil will sign a five or six year deal, preferably six.  Orton will sign a two year deal, and Kuper a four or five year deal.

More to come on the draft, so stay tuned!

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Why Denver Must Select Jimmy Clausen in the NFL Draft

Let me start by saying this is not a hate on Kyle Orton story.  The guy did the best he could have done with his physical talents and the position he was in. 

He won six straight games.  He played injured.  He’s good in the community. I actually like the guy. 

But he is not a franchise quarterback.

In the modern history of the NFL, just two teams have won the Super Bowl without a superstar quarterback; the 2000 Ravens, and the 2002 Buccaneers.  What do those teams have in common?  They both had all-time great defenses.  Defenses loaded with Hall of Famers. Denver is not going to have in that kind of defense in the 2010-11 season. 

While the defense has been very good, this defense will be another year older and our best players will be another year past their primes.   I’m pretty confident saying that Kyle Orton will not be quarterbacking a Super Bowl winning team with that defense playing alongside him.

I’m sure that Josh McDaniels learned the oldest saying in the NFL during the three-peat in New England.  If you do not have a franchise quarterback, you must get one.  He thought he had one in Jay Cutler, but Cutler showed that he was unwilling to play for Josh after the trade rumors, which ultimately lead him to the prime pickings of Jason Campbell or Kyle Orton.

If McDaniels wants to save his job past his four year contract and if Pat Bowlen ever wants to see the Broncos win another championship, they cannot pony up with Kyle Orton for the long haul.

This year the Broncos will be selecting 10th in the NFL Draft.  There will be three teams needing quarterbacks selecting in front of them in St. Louis, Washington, and Cleveland.  Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen are the only two prospects that will receive a top ten grade at the position.  

It is possible that Cleveland or St. Louis could surprise and take an elite defensive player such as Suh or Eric Berry instead of a quarterback, especially Cleveland who has Brady Quinn already on the roster.  That would leave us in a position where Washington picks sixth with at least one QB still left on the board.  That QB could very well be Jimmy Clausen, and if it is, Denver must do whatever it has to do to select him.

Why?

Jimmy Clausen is simply the best Junior quarterback of all time, and he comes from Charlie Weis’ pro style offense.  Yes, the latter was also said about Quinn, but Quinn did not compile the stats that Clausen has. 

Clausen has better stats with less talent around him at this point of his career than Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Matt Ryan.  This season Clausen amassed 3,722 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions, all on the national stage with more pressure than any quarterback in the nation and playing half the season not being able to push off an injured turf toe.

The Broncos must trade past Washington and get Clausen.  The best trade scenario would be with Cleveland to acquire the third pick, which kills two birds with one stone.  It puts Denver ahead of Shanahan and Washington, and also gets Cleveland out of the way.

The draft value of the third pick is 2,200 points. The value of the 10th pick is 1,300 points which is a 900 point difference.  Nine hundred points is roughly the 18th pick in the draft, or a second and a third round pick.

After the inevitable trade of Brandon Marshall, Denver must get their franchise QB while they are in the best position to do so.   Stay with Kyle Orton for the next five years and we will all look back and face palm ourselves as Cutler and Clausen are leading their teams deep into the playoffs every year.

Josh McDaniels, save this franchise while you still can.

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Playoffs Or Not, Broncos Exceed 2009 Expectations

As the New Year begins and the football season comes to a close, one cannot help but look back to the beginning of the season, and even the year, when the Broncos were entrenched in one of the most attention-getting and controversial offseasons in franchise history.

The Broncos had fired long-time head coach Mike Shanahan and in mid-January hired former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace Shanahan at the helm.

Little did we know what would transpire. A couple months following McDaniels’ arrival, rumors spread that the new head coach tried to trade quarterback Jay Cutler in a deal that would have sent former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassell to the Broncos.

The McDaniels-Cutler relationship soon disintegrated and the disgruntled quarterback was eventually traded to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Kyle Orton, as well as two first-round draft picks and a third-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

This trade spawned a myriad of negativity from the Broncos faithful as well as the entire football community. The Broncos were soon considered a mockery; their demise seemed imminent.

The Broncos offseason was not a complete disaster. Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan was brought in as the new defensive coordinator and the defense as a whole underwent an extreme makeover.

Additions to the defense included veterans such as safety Brian Dawkins, linebacker Andra Davis, defensive back Andre Goodman, defensive back Renaldo Hill and others.

The offense was also revamped. McDaniels brought in running backs Correll Buckhalter, Lamont Jordan and J.J. Arrington (who would eventually be cut). Wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd were also acquired, not to mention the acquisitions of Orton via trade and rookie running back Knowshon Moreno as a first-round draft pick.

Possessing arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL the Broncos went into the 2009 season with less than attractive expectations. With their backs against the wall, the Broncos soon proved all the naysayers wrong as they began the season with six straight wins heading into their Week Seven bye.

Following the bye, they promptly lost their next four contests and were looking like the team everyone expected at the beginning of the season. They came back with back-to-back wins against the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs in Weeks 12 and 13. They proceeded to lose their next three games and are now in danger of missing out on the postseason.

However, even if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs on Sunday, and end up not making the playoffs, they will still finish at an even 8-8 on the season. Their defense, with one game left to play, has given up a respectable 280 points compared to the 448 points they rendered last season.

Kyle Orton has more than held his own this season and proven himself to be a very capable quarterback for the Broncos. Orton and wide receiver Brandon Marshall have established a potent Mile High connection as well.

Additionally, the Broncos are sending five players to Miami for the Pro Bowl in February, three of which are on defense. They had only three representatives in the Pro Bowl last year and they were all on offense.

Regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s game, the Broncos have overall been a pleasant surprise to their fans and it is hard to argue that they have not exceeded expectations this season.

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Pat Bowlen Should Pull the Plug on the Broncos’ Poor Decision Making

When the pages of football history reflect back on the 2009 Denver Broncos, perhaps they still won’t have a definitive pulse on the team other than they missed the playoffs.  This is premature speculation, however, when your team goes from the driver’s seat and controlling their own destiny all season long to life support, there is much doubt about the Broncos‘ ability to make the playoffs.

In fact, following the loss at Philadelphia on Sunday, Denver is now officially on the outside looking in at any playoff possibilities.  Currently the Broncos sit at 8-7 and are probable to reach 9-7. 

The Broncos knew since midseason, when they lost to Baltimore and Pittsburgh, that they would probably need 10 wins to make the playoffs. The team was 6-0 at the bye and has since lost seven out of nine games. For an undefeated team to go in the tank so quickly is nothing short of pathetic and ridiculous.

To quote Broncos owner Pat Bowlen from this preseason, “Eight and eight isn’t going to get the job done.”

To second that motion, neither does 9-7, and sometimes 10-6 and 11-5 won’t get it done either.

Herein stands the reason to look at the mish mash of poor decisions, a poor trade, poor use of the draft, poor offensive scheming, poor use of talent available, and poor coaching at the head coaching position.

 

Poor Decision Making

With full application, here are some of the Broncos’ biggest and most obvious blunders in their decision making this season. At Baltimore why didn’t they try to stretch the field?  At home against Pittsburgh, why did they force the physical run game against a more physical defensive line? In Washington, why couldn’t Chris Simms finish the job? At home against San Diego, why was Chris Simms the starter? After two wins against the Giants and the Chiefs, the Broncos knew they would need a full effort against the Colts. So why did they spot the most dangerous team in football 21 points before showing signs of life? How could they have lost at home to the Raiders for the second year in a row?  Why another slow start in Philadelphia?

Say what you will, all of those questions are net results of bigger problems in Dove Valley that owner Pat Bowlen needs to take into further consideration.  Yes it’s true, the franchise is somewhat cash strapped by currently paying two head coaches.

Understandably, the Broncos are now in a precarious position without a franchise quarterback. They also appear at this juncture to be without a competent head coach as well.

When looking at the base of work this season, it’s no small wonder that the Broncos have hit the skids after a stellar start. What made this team dangerous early on was the defense. What has proven to be their undoing in the end will be the lack of offensive production and a worn down defense at times down the stretch.

 

The Jay Cutler Trade

It is still too early to say the Jay Cutler trade was a good thing for either Chicago or Denver. What’s not too early to say is that this trade made two mediocre teams less potent than they were the year previously on the offensive side of the ball.

For all the Jay Cutler haters, he has thrown for a league leading 26 interceptions and has been poor in his performance most of the season. However, don’t sell that situation short. Jay Cutler has possibly the worst offensive line in football and only one real offensive weapon at the tight end position to speak of.

That was not the case in Denver. Broncos fans know Jay had a multitude of weapons to choose from, though he locked on Brandon Marshall far too much. Kyle Orton set an NFL record with Brandon Marshall for total completions to one receiver in a game against the Colts recently. It doesn’t get more locked on than that and the Broncos still lost that game.

For the Jay Cutler supporters, he just out-dueled Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football in a game that seemed almost destined to be another fantastic finish by Favre. Cutler threw for 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in Denver in 2008 where Kyle Orton has thrown for 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Now much has been made of the fact that Orton has not thrown a large number of interceptions, which is certainly commendable, however Peyton Manning, the best quarterback in football, has 18 picks because of his willingness to take chances.

Now, those five touchdowns might not seem like a whole lot, but consider the Broncos of 2008 and 2009 and the fact that both teams have had short yardage and red zone issues. Give the Broncos Jay Cutler and those five TDs this year and you are probably looking at a team that beats Washington, Oakland, and Philadelphia, and possibly the Colts. 

People can make the case either way with Jay Cutler at this point. He is a bust or he will be good once he gets the talent he needs in Chicago.

Ironically enough, the name of Jay Cutler probably was what drew Brian Dawkins to Denver shortly before Jay was traded. Brian Dawkins has become the spiritual leader of the Broncos this season and really set the tone for this football team. It’s an area usually reserved for quarterbacks to make their mark, and that is also a large reason why Jay Cutler was traded.

Two things that will be inescapable from the trade however, is the lack of point production by the Broncos this season and the draft picks used from the Jay Cutler trade. 

 

Poor Draft Day Decision Making

Running back Knowshon Moreno has proven he belongs in the NFL, but he has not proven he was worthy of a first round pick. Additionally, linebacker Robert Ayers has yet to emerge and prove he’s worth the first round money as well.

The Broncos could have had any number of defensive players that are making their mark this season in the first round.

Josh McDaniels correctly diagnosed the multitude of issues plaguing the Broncos, most notably in the defensive backfield, yet the odd trade of a first round pick to get Alphonso Smith in the second round is still baffling when looking at the lack of production from the rookie this season.

The Broncos do have some talent from the draft in house, but as with most draft classes, it’s still far too early to make the call on how last year’s draft will shape the franchise over the long run. The fact that is clear this season is that the 2009 draft class by and large has not helped this football team this season.

The Broncos have had full draft classes make immediate impact before, dating back to the John Ralston and Dan Reeves era. So while it’s a rarity to have a full class make instant impact, it’s not acceptable to have a full draft of underachievers in their first season either.

 

Poor Offensive Scheming

This almost goes without saying. If the Broncos did not have as good of a defense as they do this season, they probably would have less touchdowns than they already do on the season, in which they have clearly under-produced on the scoreboard.

The reality is that there is a myriad of predictable playcalling, poor situational playcalling, and pathetic short yardage calls that have killed the Broncos during all of their losses this season.

The predictability of the bubble screen makes most of the fan base nauseated, so why not Coach McDaniels?

Poor situational play calling, in particular on third down, almost goes hand in hand with the lack of creativity and not using their talent base properly to their advantage. Not using Dan Graham, Tony Scheffler, the slot receivers, and Peyton Hillis more is inexcusable.

 

Speaking of the Poor Use of Talent… 

This is possibly the deepest scar on this team. When the Broncos were winning, every player was making a contribution because they were getting the opportunities to do so.  Somewhere along the way Josh McDaniels discombobulated his football team. It probably happened when he traded Jay Cutler but he solidified his paralysis by analysis shortly after his fist pumping antiques.

Without being too redundant, Josh did not stretch the Ravens defense, tried power running instead of zone blocking against the Steelers, and lacked a good evaluation of Chris Simms as a backup quarterback. Moreover, Ben Hamilton was replaced on the offensive line about the same time coach McD started warming up to using zone rushing schemes more. Hamilton has had concussion issues in the past but those have not shown themselves to be the case this season. Go figure.

 

Speaking of Poor Coaching…

This applies most particularly to Josh McDaniels and his abilities as a head coach. His tirade and trade of Jay Cutler put him on the hot seat. The fast start cooled the temperature quite a bit, but missing the playoffs this season is still inexcusable.

For someone who preaches team yet goes out of his way to rub Jay Cutler’s nose in it during press conferences while his own team hasn’t made the playoffs is inexcusable.

For a team that was finally starting to live up to expectations to suddenly go into the tank is all the more inexcusable, and it happened on Josh McDaniels’ watch.

 

What Mr. Bowlen Should Consider In the Very Near Future 

The reality is there are two coaches being paid by the franchise right now and the better one hasn’t coached a down this season. Additionally, the likes of Bill Cowher are also making themselves available now as head coaching candidates.

Josh McDaniels showed he was open to every possible option by trading Jay Cutler and trading first round picks for second to third round talent. With that in mind, if the Broncos don’t make the playoffs and make a run, despite signing Josh to a high dollar amount, he should consider new options at this position sooner rather than later.

The errors on the field are obvious and painful to watch, not to mention atrocious in nature. At the very least Josh McDaniels has proven he is not a fully competent offensive coordinator. 

With that in mind, Pat Bowlen might consider bringing in a hand picked offensive coordinator. It’s a radical concept, but Mike Leach is about to be axed from Texas Tech as the head coach and he has a solid offensive mind especially when considering the spread offense. 

On a more radical edge, and probably the better decision, is the idea of hiring a new head coach now while a good one can be attained. An even more radical thought is to kiss and make up with Mike Shanahan and find a way of bringing about reconciliation.

The defense is in place to contend now, but the offense needs fine tuning and direction from a coordinator who is aware of the pitfalls of formations and play calls.

The bottom line is that this problem isn’t going to get better; in fact, the problem has been getting worse and costing the franchise victories. So the questions to Mr. Bowlen are how many more first round selections and talent will the Broncos be trading under Josh McDaniels only to fall short? How many more losses will be enough for this franchise to pull the plug on the boy wonder?

The only thing Broncos fans should take to heart is that until the franchise finds a quarterback they can rally around with a supporting cast, it’s only going to get worse, and this season is proving that out.

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2010 NFL Mock Draft, Denver Broncos Edition: Dez Bryant to Denver Possible?

With every week the NFL draft picture becomes clearer, and unfortunately for the Denver Broncos, it seems more and more likely that it will be their next significant event, unless they get a win and some serious help this weekend.

Either way, the Broncos have lost seven of their last nine games, and in those seven losses they have exposed various areas of weakness.  So many weaknesses, in fact, that it appears they will likely trade down in the draft to stockpile picks and take advantage of a very deep draft.

If they do not trade down, I think the Broncos should look to the best player available with their first round pick.  After the Chicago Bears‘ exciting overtime win against Minnesota on Monday night, that first round pick moved back a couple of spots, but is still in the top 10.

The Broncos are almost guaranteed a top 15 draft pick, so they will wind up with a very solid player no matter what, but who could they target if they do not trade down?

With their first pick, I really think the Broncos could be hard pressed to pass on Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant . 

Do not be confused, the Broncos are still in dire need of interior offensive linemen, but Bryant is too good to pass up on at this point in the draft, and he also fits a huge hole in Denver’s offense.

Yes, you read that right.

Despite the fact that the Broncos have Brandon Marshall, one of five players in NFL history to record back to back to back 100 catch seasons, they are still in need of a playmaking number two wide receiver.  Some of you might be asking, “What about Eddie Royal?” 

Eddie Royal is a fine player and he has all of the tools to succeed in Josh McDaniels’ offense, but not as a number two guy.  Kyle Orton has clearly not gotten him the ball enough on the outside, and his services would be better used in the slot much like Wes Welker over in New England.

Enter Dez Bryant, a game-changing playmaker on the outside who would provide Kyle Orton with a second go-to guy in the passing game.  Not to mention he would make the jobs of Royal and Marshall worlds easier.  He is also a huge asset in the return game, an area the Broncos have struggled save for one game this season.

If the Broncos stick with their first round pick, I truly believe they will look to the best offensive player available, and in this case, Bryant fits the bill.  He has great size as a receiver, game-changing speed, and he would be a great fit on the opposite side of the field from Marshall.

I know many Broncos fans, including myself, are really high on Idaho guard Mike Iupati.  He would be an excellent fit in Denver’s offense at left guard, an area of Denver’s front line that has been absolutely dreadful this season.

If the Broncos don’t trade down and take him in the first round, they will probably not be able to get him, which is why I have devised an alternate option for their second round pick.

It is clear that the Broncos need help at guard, and though I think Seth Olsen could be the answer at either guard or center, there is a player available in this draft that could also be an excellent fit for the Broncos on the interior line.

UMass offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse is a very underrated prospect who could possibly fall to the Broncos in the second round, and if he does, they would be wise to jump at the opportunity to draft him.

Ducasse is still developing in terms of his overall football awareness, and his level of competition is going to seriously increase when he makes the jump to the NFL, but this is a guy who has great natural talent and at 6’5″ 330 pounds, he is an ideal fit to play guard in Denver’s system.

The Broncos have struggled to find consistency in their running game or pass protection all season long, and a lot of that can be attributed to their lack of size on the interior line.  Ducasse brings a versatile weapon who is athletic enough to play tackle if someone drafted him to do so.

He would give the Broncos a very good, young left side of their offensive line, and though he is a small downgrade from the coveted Iupati, it is not much in terms of a talent drop off and this kid has great potential to succeed at the next level.  If he falls to Denver in round two, expect him to be the pick.

If the Broncos go for two straight offensive players in rounds one and two, which I believe they should (unless some guy named Suh falls into their laps), they would be wise to address the defensive side of the ball with the third pick.

In the third round, I like the Broncos to upgrade their depth and youth at the cornerback position by drafting Vanderbilt star Myron Lewis .  I really like Lewis and had him going to Denver in my previous mock draft in the third round, and this pick has not changed.

One of the reasons I like Lewis is because of his 6’2″ 205 pound frame.  He has excellent size for the cornerback position and has very long arms.  His speed is not elite, but his size helps him make up for it.  He is an excellent open-field tackler and would give the Broncos another weapon on special teams right away.

With their fourth pick, I think the Broncos should again look to the best player available.  In that case, I think they should go for Ole Miss playmaker Dexter McCluster. 

McCluster is one of the fastest players available in this draft, and the Broncos really lack a big time speedster at the running back position.  Though his size may be in question, the Broncos should have no reservations about a smaller running back given the amount of times they have been burned by San Diego‘s Darren Sproles, who is an excellent complimentary back, receiver, and return man.

McCluster has that big play potential for the next level.  He is small in stature but he is very competitive and has blazing open field speed.  He is a versatile player who would give the Broncos a home run threat offensively.

The Broncos do not have a fifth round pick, one of the reasons they would be wise to trade down.  Waiting two rounds for a pick late is not all that bad, and I think they could look again to the best player available in the sixth round.

No change here, I still think the Broncos should look to Iowa tight end Tony Moeaki in round.  Moeaki is a very good athlete with great ball skills and reliable hands though his biggest strength is his ability to block.  He has been injury prone in his time at Iowa, but he is a great player when healthy and could be excellent value if he falls this far.  He would be a nice replacement for Tony Scheffler if he leaves for free agency.

In the seventh, I look for the Broncos to go for more depth, and they clearly need depth along the offensive line.  I think a good value pick here would be New Mexico offensive lineman Erik Cook . 

Cook has been a very versatile performer for the Lobos, playing all of tackle, guard, and center in his time there.  He would be a nice late addition for the Broncos and he has a good NFL blood line as his brother Ryan plays for the Minnesota Vikings.

Here is a recap of my Broncos mock draft:

1.  Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

2.  Vladimir Ducasse, G/T, UMass

3.  Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt

4.  Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss

5.  Anthony Moeaki, TE, Iowa

6.  Erik Cook, G/C, New Mexico

This draft may be heavy on the offensive players, and many will argue that the Broncos need young defensive linemen.  I will quickly point to the fact that their defensive line has been one of their biggest strengths this season, though they have struggled against the run at times.

The Broncos have two players waiting in the wings that they have high hopes for in Everette Pedescleaux and Chris Baker, two undrafted players who have been developing all season under veterans Vonnie Holliday, Kenny Peterson, and Ronald Fields.

Denver may also have a need at middle linebacker, but they will probably not be picking high enough anymore to nab Rolando McClain, and their duo of Andra Davis and D.J. Williams will be just fine for another season.  Wesley Woodyard is really coming on as well as a second year pro.

Another area the Broncos might like to address is their pass rush.  Though Elvis Dumervil has been absolutely outstanding in 2009, the Broncos haven’t generated a great pass rush outside of him.  They could use a guy like McClain, Michigan’s Brandon Graham, Ole Miss’ Greg Hardy, or TCU’s Jerry Hughes early on in the draft as well, and all are options.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Yakety Sax: Denver Broncos’ 2009 Slapstick Comedy

There’s a saying that is very popular on the World Wide Web: “Yakety Sax makes everything funny, no matter how tragic.”

For those of you who don’t know, “Yakety Sax” is the theme song to the old television comedy The Benny Hill Show.  Look it up on YouTube, listen to it, and try not to laugh.  I bet you can’t do it.

Anyway, after the Broncos lost yet another heartbreaker—this time to the Philadelphia Eagles 30-27—I pulled up Yakety Sax on my iPod while watching some highlights of the Broncos in 2009.  It fit perfectly. I couldn’t help but laugh, and laugh hard.

Think about it.  The year started off with the Broncos hiring a wonderkid from New England as head coach after firing two-time Super Bowl champion coach, Mike Shanahan.  It was the first in long line of “Yakety Sax” moments that Broncos fans had this year.

Soon after came an even stranger moment.  After getting wind that Josh McDaniels was going to trade him for Matt Cassel, then-franchise quarterback Jay Cutler demanded a one-way ticket out of town.  Here was a young, talented quarterback coming off a Pro Bowl year, and suddenly he wanted out of town.  Cutler and McDaniels continued a sort of public back-and-forth, and when Cutler decided to blow off owner Pat Bowlen, the team had had enough. Cue “Yakety Sax.”

Cutler was sent to Chicago for Kyle Orton and two first-round draft picks.  Kyle Orton was supposed to lead the Broncos to the Promised Land? Kyle “Game Manager” Orton? Once again, “Yakety Sax.” 

The team then went through the motions of training camp and the preseason.  The Broncos finished the preseason 1-3, including a loss to Cutler’s Bears at Invesco Field.  More importantly, star wideout Brandon Marshall was suspended for most of the preseason after being caught on camera acting like a child during practice.  Give me some of that sweet “Yakety Sax.”

Finally the beginning of the 2009 season arrived, and it could not have started any stranger for the Broncos.  The Broncos had fought the Bengals to a 6-0 lead when the Bengals scored late in the fourth quarter, putting them up 7-6.  With under 20 seconds to go, Kyle Orton had a pass tipped up in the air, and it looked like Cincinnati had won…until Brandon Stokley grabbed the pass out of the air and took it to the house.  If that isn’t “Yakety Sax,” I don’t know what is.

After that improbable victory, the Broncos started to roll and were 6-0 going into their bye week.  Josh McDaniels was being hailed a genius, and everyone was heaping praise upon Kyle Orton, now that he finally had talent to throw to.  Denver was 6-0, San Diego was 2-3, and it looked like Denver would have a cakewalk to the AFC West title.

Then “Yakety Sax” struck again, in a not-so-good way.

Denver got blown out by Baltimore and Pittsburgh. They lost an inexcusable game to Washington (HUGE case of “Yakety Sax”) and got blown out again by San Diego. Suddenly, the Broncos were 6-4, and the Chargers were 7-3.  The Broncos offense couldn’t score, and the defense that was highly vaunted earlier in the season couldn’t even stop the likes of Jason Campbell. 

Denver got back on track with a win at home over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving, and then by beating the lowly Chiefs a week later.  It looked like the ship was righted, and Denver was looking good for at least a wild card spot.

Then, just like a bad headache that won’t go away, “Yakety Sax” started playing again.  Denver lost in a valiant effort to the Colts (a more muted version of “Yakety Sax”), but then lost on a last-minute drive to JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders at home (that would be the MEGA mix of “Yakety Sax).

That said, the Broncos would still control their own playoff destiny, as long as they beat the Eagles in Philadelphia this past Sunday.  Again, the Broncos put up a good fight, scoring 17 unanswered points, but it wasn’t enough as Philadelphia won on a field goal with under 10 seconds remaining.

It was that “Yakety Sax” again, except this time it had a funeral march melody to it.

The Broncos are still in the hunt for the postseason, but they need to beat Kansas City this week, plus rely on other teams to fail in order to make it. They are no longer in control of their own fate—not a good thing, heading into the final week of the regular season.

It has been a “Yakety Sax” kind of season, which means anything could happen no matter how wacky or comical.

So Broncos fans, when it’s all said and done, look back at this season and laugh.  It might be a pained laugh, like when your car won’t start right after you got done slipping in the shower and before that your burnt your breakfast.

So pull up some highlights of the year and crank some of that “Yakety Sax.”  Laughter is the best medicine (or so they say), and Broncos fans could use a heavy dose right about now.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Fordham’s John Skelton: A Franchise QB of the Future in Hiding?

Sleepers are becoming a hot trend of the NFL draft.  In fact, one might argue that the “sleeper” is not becoming a huge part of the draft, but it is something that has already become.

In today’s NFL, it seems that the unheralded prospects are the ones making their way to the top faster than others, and the “sure things” are falling through the cracks.  Players like DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora of Troy are having stellar careers when top picks like Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss of Ohio State and Florida respectively are largely busts.

Now, am I trying to paint the picture that every small school kid is destined to turn out to be the next great NFL star?  Hardly.  I am merely suggesting that small schools can produce big playmakers for the National Football League.

Probably the rarest form of a small college sleeper is found at the quarterback position, where former Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco (now of the Baltimore Ravens) has somewhat paved the way for those lesser known signal callers to make their way to the NFL.

Potentially following in Flacco’s footsteps is Fordham quarterback John Skelton, a pro-style field general from the great state of Texas.  Though Skelton was not heavily recruited in high school, he has put together one of the more impressive careers in FCS history for the Fordham Rams.

Now, many are going to have to take that last sentence with a grain of salt, but this kid seems to have the skillset it takes to play at the next level.

I am not trying to paint this young gun like the next Peyton Manning, but upon watching some highlight video of what he has done in college, here is a quick scouting report:

Strengths

• Arm Strength
• Footwork
• Escape Ability
• Accuracy on deep throws
• NFL size

Weaknesses

• Lower Release Point
• Not very dominant despite low level of competition, but clearly a man among boys.

Skelton is listed at 6’5″ and a remarkable 258 pounds, which is roughly 57 pounds more than he weighed when he was a high school senior.  That kind of weight growth is normal for a lineman or tight end, but certainly not for a quarterback.  Obviously Skelton has been on some kind of weight training regiment to get him in prime NFL shape.

Despite all of the added weight, Skelton remains very mobile and active in the pocket.  Upon watching film, he has excellent footwork in the pocket.  He moves around very well and reads the pressure like an NFL quarterback needs to.  The speed of the game increases in the NFL probably about 20 times as fast as it is in the Patriot League, but he appears to have the correct instincts to make it work.

Another thing I really liked was his quick release and arm strength, especially on deep throws.  In the film available online, he hits deep out routes with relative ease, and has great touch on his deep ball.  He doesn’t put too much air under his passes, which is key at the next level in terms of the speed of the defensive backs.

The only thing that concerns me is a lack of pure dominance at a lower level of college competition.  He has over 10,000 total yards in his time at Fordham, but players like Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have demolished that mark against the top levels of competition.  You wonder why Skelton has been unable to do that.

Regardless, if a lack of dominance is the only thing preventing this kid, he should be just fine.  If he gets into the correct system at the next level, he could be a star two or three years down the road.  He has the size and skills to make it at the next level, and he could be one to watch for on draft day.

Skelton can be had likely for the low, low price of a fifth round draft pick or later, so keep an eye out.

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