Who Makes The Broncos In 2014

I am going to pick a different position group and go over who I think will remain on the team, who will be cut, and why. I will start off with the offense, and focus specifically on the running backs. Everyone at Dove Valley has said that Denver will make more of an effort to establish the running game this year, but lets be realistic, Manning will still put up big numbers, and his arm and ability to breakdown a defense are what makes this offense go. With that being said whoever is in the game at running back had better be able to pass block. My prediction is that Denver will keep 3-4 running backs for the 2014-2015 season. Obviously Montee Ball is the starter, and I believe he has the capability to be a very special back in the NFL. Then there is the battle at the number 2 spot with CJ Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, and now Juwan Thompson. Behind them are Kapri Bibbs, Brennan Clay, and Jerodis Williams, and they are competing of course to make the team, but also to be kept on the practice squad. Montee Ball was the best running back in college when he was at Wisconsin, and he has shown the skills in the NFL that warranted making him the starter and letter Knowshon Moreno leave. Hillman is a change of pace guy, and has the speed to hit the home run. CJ Anderson is last years Juwan Thompson. CJ showed up from basically nowhere, but runs with a chip on his shoulder, and he seems to be able to break through the defensive line into the second level of the defense as good, or better than anyone on the team. Anderson works hard and should make this team. Finally this brings us to Juwan Thompson who is the surprise of camp this year. This guy is the complete package. He is big at 225lbs, but also possesses decent speed running in the low 4.5s in the 40 yard dash. As I mentioned above I see Denver keeping 3-4 running backs, and I see the 3-4 backs making the team being Montee Ball, CJ Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, and Juwan Thompson. Kapri Bibbs will be placed on the practice squad for the year. Next time I will breakdown the offensive line and tight ends.

What To Take Away From The Broncos Win Against The 49ers

Denver defeats San Francisco 34-0. That headline alone would leave a lot to talk about. It would be easy for a team, or fan base to get excited after defeating Seattle, and San Francisco in consecutive weeks despite it only being the preseason. But the problem is it is only the preseason. The preseason is a very deceptive time of year for a football fan in that they know the games do not count, but also at times fail to see what matters. The classic example for this is the 2008 Detroit Lions who went 4-0 in the preseason only to not win a single game in the regular season. The build up going into the 2008 for the Lions is what made going 0-16 even worse. They showed so much promise in the preseason that the Lion fans were ready to celebrate being relevant in the NFL once again only to have those dreams erased come week one. So what can person watching these games take out of the preseason? I want to make it clear that it is still important to win games in the preseason. Seeing your 2nd and 3rd team players desire to win can sometimes bump those players up to 1st or 2nd string, and in turn if a 1st or 2nd string player is not giving his full effort and trying to win just as hard as he would a regular season game he could find himself demoted to 2nd or 3rd string. Winning also creates momentum and going into the season on a positive note is something that NFL teams strongly desire. What the preseason does the best job of showing is depth. How deep a team is at each position can often make or break a NFL teams season. Going into last season Denver was not nearly as deep as they are going into 2014-2015. What made this team deep is all the injuries the team suffered last year. Players like Chris Harris and Danny Trevathan came into their own, and players like Chris Clark and Kayvon Webster showed that they could be impact players in the NFL. Finally, and what I think the most important part of the preseason shows is what a teams mentality is. Have they come together as a team rather than a bunch of individuals? What players are going to step up into leadership roles? How will your team respond with their backs against the wall? These are all questions that are, or should be answered in the preseason. Thus far the Broncos are passing with flying colors. The offense seems to have picked up where they left off last year. Ryan Clady has been able to test himself against the Seahawk and 49er pass rush, Orlando Franklin has showed a pretty seamless transition to left guard, and Emmanuel Sanders is as good as advertised. Defensively things are quite different than last year. Rather than sitting back and resting in the fact this offense will score points the defense has shown a level of nastiness and grit that it didn't have a year ago. Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and TJ Ward have all made immediate impacts and have been as good as advertised. Demarcus Ware was getting constant pressure against Seattle, TJ Ward has been all over the field, and Aqib Talib has picked up this defense and his natural man to man abilities have been obvious in these first two games. Week 3 of the preseason is the week that teams treat like a regular season game. The starters will play into the 3rd quarter, and they will actually put a game plan together. Granted the team we are playing will be here to practice all week, but if a fan wanted to get a good feel for how his/her team will do. I am excited to see the continue progression of this team as we get closer to the season opener against the Colts.

Why Are There Fights In NFL Training Camps?

In light of Hard Knocks last week on HBO that showed a couple fights, and a couple of big ones breaking out today during the Denver Broncos practice causal fans of the game have begun to ask why these fights happen, and why there are not harsh penalties imposed by each team for players that do fight? It should be known that these fights are usually contained to training camp and obviously do not spill over into the games or continue into practices during the regular season. I understand how the public would have questions about these fights because we live in a world today where everyone is a winner, everyone gets a medal, and "violence" like this is often looked down upon. My goal in this post is to explain why these fights break out. The first reason there are fights in camp is pretty obvious, football is a violent sport. When you have guys who are extremely large, athletic, and aggressive all on one field together eventually a disagreement is going to happen. Football being a violent sport is the obvious answer, but there are quite a few other reasons these "disagreements" take place. Number one is a lot of these guys are playing for jobs. There are only a handful of guys who have a guaranteed spot on a NFL team, and the rest have to compete for their jobs. In most cases there are hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line, and these guys have to show that they have what it takes earn a spot on the team. There are 90+ guys at any given NFL training camp, and they are competing for 53 roster spots. Out of those 53 roster spots there are not many that are "open". If you look at the Denver roster, as hard as it is to believe there are maybe only 10 jobs that are up for grabs. An example would be the offensive line where the starters are pretty much entrenched at their positions, but the question is who will be the back ups? How will the guys competing for a back up spots stand out enough to be kept on the team? The answer is they have to make plays to stand out, and playing physical is one of the best ways to do that. On the defensive side of the ball there are guys doing the same thing. So basically you have two groups of guys, competing for for a limited number of roster spots, in a violent sport, where they will be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, or end up working regular jobs like the rest of us. Then you have the scenario where you have a guy trying to make the team going against the established veteran, and maybe the guy trying to make the team plays through the whistle, or is just playing with a little more intensity than what a normal practice would dictate and in turn that starts a fight. With football being a team sport as well as a violent sport it is important for your teammates to know that you always have their back. This means that if you are a defensive player and someone from the offense starts a fight with one of your teammates you are obligated to jump in. These fights can actually build team chemistry, and can be way for the entire team to come together if they know that every player on the team has each others back. Before the show Hard Knocks debuted on HBO fights in training camp were largely something that only players, coaches, the media, and people who have played the game at a high level understood. When the New York Jets were the team featured on Hard Knocks you actually saw Rex Ryan, the head coach of the Jets, ask a player to start a fight to raise the intensity level of the camp. Fights are usually broken up quickly, and with all the padding,face masks, and helmets there is little probability of a player being injured. So the next time you read about, or see that a fight has broken out in a training camp practice understand that there are usually a hand full of circumstances that have lead up to the event, most likely nobody was hurt, and the only people making a big deal out of it are the members of the media looking to drum up a story.

This Season It's About Attitude......

Last year the Denver Broncos had the most successful year an offense has ever seen in the NFL. Most games were essentially "over" once Denver got up by 10-14 points as it would force teams to have to throw the ball against us, and that played right into the strengths of the team. Once Denver got to the Super Bowl they were faced with playing a team that is more "in your face" than any other team we had played all year. What is interesting is Denver was down about 50% of its starters for most of the last part of the season, playoffs, and Super Bowl. I am sure that had more to do with the score than most NFL "experts", or Seahawk fans will admit, but it would take someone with a high level of stupidity to think that missing players like Von Miller, Ryan Clady, Chris Harris, and others didn't come into play during the last game of the year. What Seattle also did was point out that Denver simply wasn't playing with the same chip on its shoulder it did during the season, and Denver all but folded right after the 1st play of the game. Going into the 2014-2015 season there is no new offensive, or defensive scheme to learn. There hasn't been a lot of turnover on the team, and the guys here now do not have much to learn as far as installation goes going into the season. Quite simply this season comes down to one thing and that is ATTITUDE. Recognizing that Denver was not exactly the most physical team last year John Elway went out and signed some big name players who play with that attitude to Denver's defense this season. Demarcus Ware is a very intense player, along with amazing pass rushing abilities, he has a high motor, and plays with a chip on his shoulder that Denver needs in their front 7. TJ Ward could be the most physical safety in the game. He will no doubt cause a lot of excitement this year with his intensity, but also will break some hearts when he chooses to level a opposing player rather than get an interception or simply break up a pass. Aqib Talib is one of the most physical corners in the game, and isn't limited to playing specifically on the left side (see Richard Sherman). This season Denver will put up points, and win games, but what is going to take this team over the top is their attitude. Simply put the Broncos need to be bullies this year. I am not saying they should play dirty, but they need to play through the whistle, not just impose their will on offense this year. IF the Broncos defense can play with the same intensity on defense as they do offense there is not another team in the NFL that will be able to compete with us.

Camp Has Officially Started!

The start of camp is something that the Broncos players, and fans have been looking forward to since the debacle that was the super bowl. As camp continues to ramp up we are hearing many things coming out of Dove Valley about how the team has progressed. Offensively it appears Manning's arm strength is continuing to get better each year, Emmanuel Sanders has shown that he has the potential to have a break out year for his career, and the offensive line with Orlando Franklin moving to left guard is far more physical than it was last year. In my opinion the big story of camp thus far is the approach the defense is taking into this season. Last year there just wasn't enough "nasty" on the defense. To rememdy this issue John Elway brought in guys like TJ Ward (who will be a fan favorite by week 4), Demarcus Ware, and Aqib Talib. Add them in to the return of Von Miller, Kevin Vickerson, Derek Wolfe, Rahim Moore, Chris Harris, and Quentin Carter. From all reports we are hearing that the defense is sticking to the identity it is attempting to create and that is playing physical, in your face football much like the 49ers, Seahawks, and old Baltimore Ravens. Last year Denver would beat teams by going up by 10-14 points and force opposing teams to have to pass the ball. Missing Von Miller hurt because we couldn't seem to sustain a consistent pass rush. This year however Miller will have help in the form of Demarcus Ware, and that isn't a good thing for any team the Broncos face. I think it is a safe bet that Denver is going to score a LOT of points again, and thus making the teams we face have to throw the ball more in order to keep up with our pace. Teams are going to have to come to the reality that when it is 3rd and 8 or more Ware and Miller will be able to pin their ears back and just come after the QB. If you add that in with the fact that with the addition of Aqib Talib playing opposite of Chris Harris Denver should create a LOT of turnovers. Everything coming out of Dove Valley is positive at the moment, and a healthy Denver Broncos team with their new additions should have no problem winning the super bowl this year.

How The Broncos Offense Got Better......

The Denver Broncos only signed two free agents to the offense that are expected to make a real difference, but the Broncos are looking at some very tough decisions on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line, and quarterback are the only two position groups on the offense where things are basically set for next year. John Elway, John Fox, and the rest of the player personnel department are going to have some very tough decisions to make everywhere else on the in regards to who stays on the team, and who starts. The wide receiver position has two guaranteed starters in Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, but as far as who takes Eric Decker's spot and who makes the team is anyones guess. Denver signed Emmanuel Sanders this offseason not as a potential replacement for Decker, and though he has the inside track for the position he will have some serious competition. Along with Sanders the Broncos have Andre 'Bubba' Caldwell, and Cody Latimer who was the Broncos 2nd round pick in the draft. Last year Bubba Caldwell showed signs that he is ready to move into a starters roll this season. He made some big catches last season, is sure handed, and is probably the fastest player at the position, and may be the fastest player on the Broncos entire roster. Cody Latimer is a player whose upside is limitless. He has the size that Demaryius Thomas has, is known for his ability to catch the ball, and put up an amazing time in the 40 going into the draft. The Broncos have said they do not expect Latmier to start this season, but I watched the kid play through college, and I wouldn't count him out of the conversation. My guess is that Sanders will probably win the starting roll going into the season, but I think Latimer is simply too talented to keep off the field and by mid season I think we could see him starting playing opposite of DT. Tight end is another position that even though the Broncos have one of the best in the game in Julius Thomas they also have Joel Dressen, Jacob Tamme, Virgil Green, and a name Bronco fans are not familiar with Gerell Robinson. The first four names on the list everyone in Denver probably knows. Joel Dressen is coming off an injury, but is solid, Jacob Tamme came here along with Manning and is one of the most consistent players on offense Denver has. He can also move out and play the slot receiver position. Virgil Green is more of a blocking tight end that Denver uses in goal line and short yardage situations. The wild card is Mr. Robinson. Gerell Robinson originally came to Denver as a wide receiver, but the offensive coaches have switched to him to tight end, and though he doesn't have the size that the others have he is probably the best athlete in the bunch. Should Robinson make the 53 man roster he will give opposing defenses a ton of problems. Linebackers will not be able to cover him due to his speed and route running ability that transfers over from his years at wide receiver. He and Julius Thomas would create nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators to deal with, and with teams being forced to treat both of them like wide receivers it should open up a lot of running lanes for Montee Ball. If I had to guess I think out of the group of tight ends Denver has Joel Dressen will end up being the odd man out. Obviously Julius Thomas isn't going anywhere, and Jacob Tamme's ability to play the slot as well as tight end makes him valuable. Neither Tamme or Thomas are the best blocking tight ends, and Denver has said they want to utilize the run more this year which would lead you to believe that Virgil Green will also make the team. I see Robinson making the team because he can also play wide receiver, and anytime you have a player that can play multiple position it makes his value go up. Finally that brings us to the running back position. Denver has named Montee Ball as the starter, and though he had problems holding on to the ball early in the year last season he showed he has the ability to be a very good back in the NFL. He has the vision to see the hole, explosiveness to hit the hole with authority, and while he isn't necessarily a home run threat he does possess decent speed, and the ability to make people miss in the open field. Behind Ball Denver has guys like CJ Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, Kapri Bibbs, Brennan Clay, Juwan Thompson, and Jerodis Williams. CJ Anderson showed flashes last season during the preseason, but an injury kept him from the field for most of the year. Ronnie Hillman would be the only home run/change of pace back Denver has, but has had problems holding onto the ball since he came into the league. With Ball as the starter, and CJ Anderson looking like his back up Denver will have to make the decision as to what to do with the rest of the players looking to make the team. I am not sure Denver is ready to give up on Hillman yet, so that leave basically one roster spot for four guys to fight over. The player that is intriguing is Kapri Bibbs. He has the ability to get the tough yards, as well as break a big run here and there. My guess is that if he plays well during training camp Denver could try and hide him on the the practice squad for the year, but he is another player I would not be surprised to see on the 53 man roster. THe moral of the story for the Broncos: So many weapons, so few roster spots. It will be exciting to see how things shake out.

Thoughts on the Broncos 2014 Draft

Let me start by saying that this is the best I have felt after any of John Elways drafts. It was clear the Broncos had a solid board of players, and even managed to get lucky a couple times. With Bradley Roby, Denver got lucky. This is a kid who should have been a top 10 pick. He has the athletic ability, ball skills, size, and great speed that any corner would desire. His weakness is his ability to focus. He is a classic example of the guy who could be the best in the game, but will allow himself to become, or at least look unfocused, and that is what he needs to work on. Cody Latimer falling to Denver was a stroke of luck as well. Latimer could become another DT by the middle of next season. He is big 6'5, about 220lbs, runs in the low 4.4's, and catches everything thrown his direction. In fact of all the things I have heard about him the one I hear most is this guy can catch the ball. Michael Schofield was an interesting pick that some in the Denver media, and Denver fans criticized. It makes complete sense to me. Moving Orlando Franklin to left guard was the right idea. With him moving to the middle you could say that Denver has one of the most powerful interior offensive lines in the game. Ryan Clady is coming back, and due to the fact that Chris Clark had an amazing year at LT it isn't hard to believe that he will have just as much success, if not more at right tackles. Schofield fits in because he can play multiple positions, but his main position is right tackles. He is essentially taking a year to "study" under Clark and Clady before he gets his shot (unless someone gets hurt). He could also step in and play both guard positions. Matt Paradis is a center who is going to come in and try to push Manny Ramirez for the starting spot, but I think Manny will win this one for this year. Going forward it would not be surprising at all to see Paradis take over as center. He is fantastic at making line calls, and picking up blitzes. He will be given a shot to start, but I would be very surprised if Paradis was the starter going into the year. Lamin Barrow is a guy who is getting beat up pretty bad in the media here. I have watched film on this guy, and no while he isn't Vontaze Burfict, he can make all the necessary tackles, can get to the ball, and isn't a liability in coverage. I think he will go into next season as the starting middle linebacker for the Broncos next year. Corey Nelson is a linebacker they brought in because he is fast, and very good in coverage. Last year Denver had Trevathan and Woodyard running around on 3rd down, and probably were the best nickel linebacking pair in the league. Nelson should step right into a special teams role, and if he has a great camp and preseason maybe he could be a surprise for the Broncos next season.

Projected Bronco Starters As Of Right Now

During this time of year all the fans seem to focus on is who will be signed/traded/drafted next. Sometimes it's good to sit back and assess what you have, and that will better guide you with the direction to go for the draft, and next round of free agency. The offense: Manning at QB, Ball at RB, Clady at LT, Orlando Franklin at LG, Ramirez at Center, Vasquez at RG, Clark at RT, JT at TE, DT at WR, Bubba Caldwell at WR, and Wes Welker in the slot. Once again this offense will put up crazy numbers, but I for one hope that we lean on the running game a bit more this year. The defense: DeMarcus Ware at RE, Vickerson at DT, Knighton at DT, Malik Jackson at LE, Danny Trevathan at Will, Nate Irving at Mike, Von Miller at Sam, Talib at corner, Chris Harris at Corner, Rahim Moore at FS, and TJ Ward at SS. Question marks here are do they keep Chris Harris on the slot and play Kayvon Webster on the outside? Nate Irving has been given chance after chance to show he can handle the responsibilites of the Mike. If not they most certainly will look to the draft, or the next round of free agency which is set for June 1st. I am happy with those lineups and we still have the draft, and the June 1st free agency period. This is a team that is built to win a super bowl.

How To Help Manning? Use a Fullback

Fullback? I think you can hear a lot of Denver fans thinking fullback? We don't need a fullback. In my opinion I think it would seriously boost our running game, and that will take pressure off Manning. Will Manning put up a lot of points this year? Absolutely. Should he try and have another season like he did last year? No. He needs the running game to take pressure off of him. Using a fullback would help Montee Ball out immensely, and I do not think Denver has to look outside their roster to fill this position. I think the answer is Virgil Green. Julius Thomas took the NFL by storm this year and has solidified himself as the starting tight end in Denver. Virgil Green was more of a blocking tight end anyway. WHy not put him in the back field with Manning and Ball? If Manning see's something and wants to throw the ball instead of running it Green could be motioned out of the back field and into another tight end, or even a slot receiver. Any football coach has wants multiple players who can play multiple positions. Virgil Green provides just that with his ability as a tight end, but if John Fox, Adam Gase, and Payton Manning can figure a way to utilize Virgil Green more by putting him at fullback that could only benefit the team. If you think what I am saying is crazy I would point out that the only Denver Bronco teams to win the super had a guy named Howard Griffith leading the way for Terrell Davis, and they were able to take the pressure off of Elway so teams were constantly kept off balance. Denver will need to focus more on the running game next year if they hope to get back to the super bowl, and letting a guy like Virgil Green lead the way for Montee Ball it will make things easier on the entire offense.

After Free Agency What Should Denver Do In The Draft?

After getting major impact players in free agency the Denver Broncos still have the draft to improve as well. After this past year I think it would be fair to rate last years draft as a solid B-. Sylvester Williams was almost a non factor all year until Vickerson went down, and Williams really came in a played solid. Montee Ball had some fumbling problems at the beginning of the year, but he is poised to be the Broncos number 1 back next year. Kayvon Webster showed some flashes of being a solid NFL player, but played like a rookie for much of the playoffs. Quantarus Smith was injured, Tavares King was cut, Vincent Painter was a non factor, and finally Zac Dysert should push Brock Osweiler for the starting spot when Manning retires. So what does Denver this year with the 31st pick? As of today Denver still has a major hole at middle linebacker. With the 31st pick Denver can always "take the best player available" route, but I would like to see them address the needs they still have. To me there are 3 holes that still need to be filled for Denver. The 1st would be drafting another corner who can play in the slot. Chris Harris is moving to the outside to play opposite of Aqib Talib. That leaves Kayvon Webster, who in my opinion is best suited for an outside corner position to try and play the slot. Plus Denver doesn't really have many options at corner. I would look for them to take at least one corner in this draft and if they target anyone I would like to see Jason Verrett from TCU who would immediately be their #3 corner. He does not have the size that every team seems to want in the NFL, but he makes up for it with a absolutely tenacious mentality, speed, and quickness. He is the ideal slot corner. In the 2nd round drafting Chris Boreland out of Wisconsin could be a starter immediately for the Broncos. He has great instincts, and always manages to find his way to the ball. In the 3rd round Denver could address their need for some toughness up front by picking up Gabe Jackson, who is a 330lb guard from Mississippi State. Could he start next year? Maybe. Does he provide some depth and competition for either Orlando Franklin, or Manny Ramirez? Absolutely. For the rest of the draft I think Denver should target the best player available, and keep your eye on them drafting a running back as well.

How Will DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and TJ Ward Upgrade The Broncos?

Going into free agency I think it is fair to say everyone in and around Denver had a pretty good idea about the positions, and type of players Denver needed to bring in. Bottom line is Denver needed to get "tougher". Not that they were not already tough, as you don't get to the super bowl without having some level of toughness. Well John Elway being John Elway went out and gave this team an even tougher mentality. As of today, March 13th, 2014 I still think Denver will make one or two moves, but even if they were to not make any more moves I think as a free agent class this may be the best one Denver has ever had. Yes, I know Manning was the biggest free agent pick up in the franchise's history, but this group of 3 players make up the best collective free agent class I can remember. Lets start off with TJ Ward as I have been singing his praises since this years free agency began. TJ Ward is a player who plays with such intensity that he makes the players around him better. What he gives Denver is that player who will intimidate opposing teams receivers from openly running across the middle of the field. He can come up into the box and help with run support, and is probably the best blitzing safety in the NFL. He immediately makes the Broncos tougher. The next two players came as extremely pleasant surprises. I will touch on Aqib Talib first. I think most people were under the assumption that Denver would bring Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie back and he would be our number 1 corner. I thought Talib would be out of our price range, but was so happy when I read he signed here that it was hard for me to hold in my excitement. He also fits the profile of getting the Broncos "tougher" in that he is a bigger corner, who possess the speed to cover any receiver, but isn't afraid to mix it up with anyone on the field. Since Denver signed him for 6 years they obviously brought him in to take over for Champ Bailey as the corner who will shut down opposing teams best wide receiver. Talib plays with a chip on his shoulder and while he is not exactly old himself he will provide a great example to our young defensive backs. Finally this brings me to DeMarcus Ware, or one of the best pass rushers in this generation of the NFL. He will be playing right defensive end here, and is as good or better than any defensive lineman the Broncos have ever had. With Ware and Miller chasing down opposing QBs guys like Talib, Ward, and Chris Harris will be able to create more turnovers. One thing is certain, and that is Denver will be an all around tougher team in the upcoming

Champ Bailey Released? Bittersweet Goodbye

The Champ has left Denver. He is a person that has lived up to his nickname in more ways than one. It is my opinion that Champ Bailey is the best corner to ever play the game. I know people will continue to day Deion Sanders is the best, but I would disagree simply because Champ is one of the best tackling corners to ever play. Upon hearing the news it felt like I was punched in the gut. After sleeping on it I have softened my position, but only on the condition Denver brings in some more big names on defense. On the business side of things this move makes sense, but when healthy Champ can still play, especially if he moves to safety. Denver is in a position where we can't afford to lose anymore quality players on defense, and in fact we need to bring in 3-5 new players to complete this defense. They are now 28 million under the cap, and maybe Peyton Manning would renegotiate his contract to give us even more cap space to bring in the players we need so he can be assured of winning another Super Bowl.

Find Replacement For Eric Decker In Draft

Eric Decker is a fan favorite, especially among the female fans of Denver. Eric Decker is also a very good football player. So good that it is likely that Denver will not be able to retain his services for the upcoming season. John Elway is left to find a replacement for a wide receiver who was highly productive, and a favorite of Manning. While watching the combine this weekend I cam across a player who would not only be a replacement from Decker, but could be a slight upgrade in certain aspects of the game like deep play ability, and ability to run after the catch. This players name is Jeff Janis, and he comes out of Saginaw State University. At 6'3 and 220lbs one would guess he would be a possession receiver, but then you see his 40 times of being in the 4.3's and came in officially at 4.42, and you can see how he is also a deep threat. He set a record for receiving yards in Division II college football with over 1600 yards, and was able to haul in 106 passes in a year and you see a complete player. Every player has drawbacks and the fact this kid played in Division II shouldn't hold him back. However if it keeps him under wraps long enough for Denver to draft him in the mid rounds as a replacement for Decker (should he leave) I think Denver would have found a diamond in the rough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dNdDnMNvi4

Denver Broncos 2014 NFL Draft Overview

After looking at the positions Denver should focus in free agency and the combine starting this past week it is time to really look at the direction Denver should go in this years NFL draft. To put it bluntly Denver should look at the best player available when the 31st pick in the draft. As an independent blogger I still have the freedom to say that I believe Denver's roster from top to bottom is already the best in the NFL. However the teams in the NFL are so closely matched that things can change drastically over the course of one offseason. Teams like Oakland and Cleveland have a ton of free cap room, already have some solid young pieces, and are just two examples of teams who could arise quickly this season. Great teams are built in the draft and Denver needs to make sure it hits on their picks this year. All the positions where Denver has holes such as corner, middle linebacker, safety, defensive end, and even defensive tackle are all possibilities. However they could also look to add depth to positions like wide receiver, guard, and even running back. While last years draft was not bad I think they expected more out of Sylvester Williams, and even Montee Ball. Denver needs to have one or two guys that they draft this year to really step up. Some names that should be available when Denver picks are Stephon Tuitt a DT from Notre Dame, Bradley Roby a corner from Ohio State, Dee Ford a DE from Auburn, Kelvin Benjamin a WR from Florida State, Jason Verrett a corner from TCU, Yawin Smallwood a MLB from UCONN, and even though it may be a little high to take Shane Skov, or Chris Boreland, both middle linebackers from Stanford and Wisconsin respectively I think there names would be in the mix as well. Another potential player here would be a corner named Keith McGill who is 6'3, and very talented. Any of these players would be solid pick ups, but one thing is for sure and that is Denver should not get to fascinated with any prospect and should take the best player available when it comes time for them to make their draft picks.

Denver Bronco Free Agent Running Back Breakdown

This past years super bowl is still tough to watch. Not so much that we lost, but the fact that Denver didn't even seem to show up. One of the things I think we saw through the playoffs, and especially the super bowl is you have to be able to run the ball, and not just when you need to pick up a first down. Next year I think Denver will still play at the frantic pace it played with this past season, but I hope we see more of an attempt to get the rushing attack going early, and often. Knowshon Moreno had a very good year, but he is somewhat injury prone. I do not think he should be resigned. That leave Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and CJ Anderson as our running backs. Ball looks to be the real deal, but he has had fumble problems since he got to the NFL. Ronnie Hillman also has big problems with holding on to the ball, and is more of a change of pace back than anything. Finally CJ Anderson who had great showings in the preseason before he got injured, but he too is very young and unproven. With Denver wanting to win a super bowl now I am not sure Denver has time to wait until one of these guys sets himself apart from the others. 1) Ben Tate from the Houston Texans. Tate has managed to make a name for himself while running behind Arian Foster. Ben Tate runs hard, blocks well, and would be the feature back on just about any other NFL team. The problem with getting Tate is he is going to ask for a lot of money. I would say he is worth it, but Denver has other needs and doesn't need to break the bank on bringing in a RB to split carries with Montee Ball. Still, in my opinion Tate is the best free agent back available. 2) Maurice Jones-Drew from the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a move that probably makes more sense than any other. While MJD is not the perennial pro bowl player fantasy owners are use to seeing he can still play the game at a high level. Also, as far as the risk vs reward goes I think it should be noted that MJD has put up the numbers he has in Jacksonville, and done so while being the only offensive threat on the entire team. I think if he came to Denver where he isn't responsible for carrying the entire offensive load he could get back to being the force he once was. He has connections here through Jack Del Rio, and he has to know that Denver will give him the best chance to win a super bowl. 3) Legarrette Blount from the New England Patriots. Blount is 6 feet tall and weighs 250lbs, but still has good speed and quickness. While he never was really a feature back anywhere he would fit into the mold of what John Fox likes at running back, and that is a guy who doesn't do anything real fancy yet can get the tough yards and punish a teams defense. With Denver looking to incorporate their running game more into their game plan each week getting a 250lb work horse would seem like a no brainer. Blount paired up with Montee Ball would give us two solid runners, and Hillman would be a good change of pace back. Blount would be able to keep the clock going, and the other teams offense off the field after Denver jumps out to a lead. Knowing that they have to make their running game more of a priority next year. All three of the above mentioned players are physical, hard nosed players who have shown they can get the job done. Bronco fans would probably like nothing more than to go back to how this team won its super bowls in '98 and '99, and the way they won was Elway and the offense would jump out to a lead, and then it was time for TD to take over and run the clock out. Denver proved it had the best offense in the history of the game last year, but overlooked their running game and I think that ended up really hurting them. I firmly believe that one of these backs would be the only missing piece on the Broncos offense.

Denver Bronco Free Agent Defensive Tackle Breakdown

The 2013 Denver Broncos finally put getting big, strong, and powerful defensive tackles on the team a priority. Prior to this year Kevin Vickerson was the only defensive tackle I thought was a true player at that position. He showed that during the season when he is healthy he can play at a very high level. Denver also signed Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton to the team from Jacksonville, and while he had a slow start one could make an argument that he was the best defensive player Denver had coming down the stretch. Along with the signing of Knighton Denver used their first pick in the draft to take Sylvester Williams out of North Carolina. He basically disappeared for the first half of the season, but finished strong and showed he could get to the QB by getting a couple sacks during the time he was in the game. All that being said I still think Denver needs to add another veteran to the team who is as big and as strong as the 3 players I mentioned above. With Vickerson coming off a hip injury getting a guy who could step in for him would be a smart move. So, once again, if I was in the front office of the Denver Broncos these would be the players I would target. 1) Linval Joseph from the New York Giants. Denver would be a much improved team if they could land a guy like Joseph. First off he is big, 6'4 and 325lbs, physical, and has a great motor. He could come into Denver and be a nice addition to competition that will take place to see who will be the starters at defensive tackle going into next year. 2) Jason Hatcher from the Dallas Cowboys. While Joseph is a younger guy who will be looking for a larger contract, Hatcher is older (31), would be more affordable than Joseph. I also believe Hatcher has the best pass rush ability of all the other DTs up for free agency as he put up some impressive numbers last year getting 11 sacks. While he isn't as wide as other defensive tackles (Hatcher weighs 299lbs) Hatcher more than makes up for it by using his length (6'6). This is a player who reminds me of Richard Seymour, in that he is tall, exceptionally strong, and he is quick enough to get up field to the opposing teams QB. Sylvester Williams has shown his ability to rush the passer, and adding Hatcher would give Denver another guy who can generate pressure up the middle. I get excited when I think about the possible defensive line we could put out in nickel, and dime situations. With Hatcher and Williams at defensive tackle we will be able to make a team think twice before trying to run on us. Then when you put Shaun Phillips, and Von Miller on the outside you now have 4 guys who can flat out get to the QB. 3) Paul Soliai from the Miami Dolphins. Soliai fits the mold of what Denver would be looking for him to do. He is older so he to could probably be attained at a cheaper price, and being 6'4 and 340lbs it would give Denver another 330+ pound defensive tackle to plug up the middle with. While not as versatile as Hatcher, Soliai could come in and compete for a starting spot just like every other player has to. He would be a great insurance policy should Vickerson, Knighton, or Williams get injured. Finally I am including a long shot here, but BJ Raji from Green Bay is available and I have read that Green Bay doesn't necessarily want to sign him. I am not sure Denver has the cap space to bring in a guy like Raji who would step in and be one of the starters here immediately. If there was a way that Denver could land Raji we would go from having two very good defensive tackles to having a very special player there as well. If I had to pick one of these guys to come to Denver it would be Jason Hatcher from Dallas. To get a guy who who not only has the size to stop the run, but also can generate a LOT of pressure up the middle by using his length to compliment his strength. Now obviously I would love to see BJ Raji come here, and I think Manning and Champ have both agreed to to renegotiate their contracts to free up more cap space, but I am still not sure they could afford what Raji will most likely ask. Of course there are other solid players out there at the defensive tackle position, but these are the four that caught my eye the most.

Denver Broncos Free Agent Defensive End Breakdown

Up until last year Denver enjoyed the service of a fantastic defensive end, and one of the most prolific pass rushers in the game in Elvis Dumervil. Had his fax machine worked correctly he would still be a Denver Bronco, and while Shaun Phillips stepped in and did more than a great job at filling in Denver could use another pass rusher who is consistent, and can play the run as well as the pass. Shaun Phillips is also a free agent, and while Denver has said they will let their free agents test the market there has been talk that Phillips is the free agent Denver would like back the most. With Von Miller coming back next year Denver will get one of the top 2 defensive players in the game back into their line up. Denver is in a position where their window for the winning a super bowl is down to about 2 years, and adding another top flight pass rusher would help ensure they achieve that goal. Like I did with the other positions I have broken down I will put out the names of players I would target if I was in the front office of the Denver Broncos. 1) Jared Allen from the Minnesota Vikings. Last time Allen was a free agent there was talk that he could decide to come to Denver. He opted to go to Minnesota, and continued to play at an incredibly high level. The one player on Denver whose health issues concern me most is Derek Wolfe. During the Seattle pre-season game Wolfe had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and taken directly to a hospital. Once he returned to the field he had trouble keeping weight on, and just wasn't the Derek Wolfe we have become accustom to seeing. Should Wolfe not be able to return to football Denver really will have a big hole at defensive end. Should he be able to come back and Denver is able to land Jared Allen it will give Denver one of the most well rounded, biggest, and physical defensive lines in the game. 2) Justin Tuck from the New York Giants. Justin Tuck is not the dominant force that he once was in the NFL where he could play any position on the defensive line and dominate anyone he came up against. That said he still managed to get 11 sacks, and was able to force a couple fumbles last season. Denver would make sense for Tuck because he won't have to carry the load as far as getting pressure on the QB goes due Von Miller coming back, and hopefully Shaun Phillips as well. What makes Tuck special isn't just his pass rushing ability. He is also good against the run, and can play the 3 technique (gap between the center and guard) and the 5 technique (the gap between the guard and the tackle). Derek Wolfe is able to do the same thing, as can Malik Jackson. Having players who can play multiple positions opens things up for your defensive coordinator to get creative. Tuck is also an older player who has been to the super bowl, and he would provide great veteran leadership. 3) Michael Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks. We all saw in the super bowl that the Seahawk defense is extremely physical, plays with an edge, and are fast. Bennett is around the same size as Allen and Tuck, and is probably a step faster than both. He managed to rack up 8.5 sacks last year as well as forcing a fumble. Usually a player coming off a super bowl win will try to capitalize on his teams success by turning it into a big free agent deal. He is slightly younger than Allen and Tuck, so there is the potential to sign him to a contract that is longer than 2 years. If Bennett is looking to go to a place where he will not be the focal point of opposing teams offensive lines he could put up some big numbers here as he will most likely never get double teamed because opposing teams usually save that distinction for Von Miller. You can never have too many pass rushers, but bringing Shaun Phillips back, and signing one of the above players will not only create more pressure, but will help free up Von Miller to get up field and make plays in the backfield. Robert Ayers has not shown enough to warrant giving him another contract, and while Jeremy Mincey is a highly touted defensive end who came here from Jacksonville he didn't really show any signs of being special. In this climate of "win NOW" the Broncos need to bring in players who will have an impact right now. I am not saying that we mortgage the future, but we do not have the time for a player come here and develop. Which is why, in my opinion these 3 players would make the most sense for Denver to target this offseason.

Denver Broncos Free Agent Safety Breakdown

During 2013-2014 season the Denver Broncos were able to have a lot of success by piecing together their secondary seemingly on a weekly basis. Going into the season cornerback was pretty set as far as starters go with Champ Bailey, Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie, and Chris Harris making up one of the better groups of corners in the league. Rahim Moore was the starter at free safety, and Duke Ihenacho won the battle for strong safety. Rahim Moore is a solid starter in the NFL, and while Ihenacho flashed at times he showed that he was shaky against the pass. Denver will get Rahim Moore back healthy next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if they went out and signed a true strong safety. Should Denver look to go after a strong safety they should include the following players in their consideration. 1) TJ Ward from the Cleveland Browns. TJ Ward is a player who would be a household name if he didn't play in Cleveland. Ward has above average coverage ability, can cover a ton of ground, has amazing instincts, and is a punishing hitter. Though he is a bit undersized he would fit fantastically into what is hopefully an attempt to get more physical on defense. 2) Donte Whitner from the San Francisco 49ers. Whitner also fits the profile of the type of safety that Denver is looking for. He would be coming from one of the most physical defenses in football with San Francisco, and would provide a verbal leader in the defensive backfield. Also a bit undersized Whitner, like TJ Ward, makes up for any issue with his size with ferocity, and speed. 3) Bernard Pollard from the Tennessee Titans. Bernard Pollard is a player who you hate if you are playing against him, but would be happy to have on your team. Think Bill Romanowski. Pollard does not have the coverage skills that either of the above two safeties have. In fact I would say the weakness in his game is his coverage skills. What Pollard does exceptionally well is tackle, and play physical football. He has a reputation for playing on the borderline of dirty, and while I wouldn't assume any players intentions are malicious Pollard plays an old school style of football. Denver needs attitude, Denver needs a player who can get under opposing teams skin, and Denver flat out needs more nasty on its defense. Pollard would fit that roll fantastically. As of today nobody is really sure how the safety position in Denver will turn out. Champ Bailey has recently said he would be open to a move to free safety, Denver could look to the draft, or stay with Ihenacho. Regardless of their decision safety will be a position to watch going into the 2014-2015 season.

Denver Bronco Free Agent Cornerback Breakdown

Going into the 2013 season corner was one of the positions where Denver didn't look to have any holes. With Champ Baily still on the outside, Dominic Rodgers Cromartie coming in, and Chris Harris being regarded as one of if not the best nickelbacks in the NFL. Then in Champ went down in the preseason with a foot injury that I do not believe he ever really fully recovered. That left Denver with Rodgers Cromartie, and Chris Harris as their starters which was not bad either. When DRC was injured in the New England game during the regular season we all to to see just how much he meant to this team. Re-signing him should be one of the top priorities of the offeason, if not THE priority. Most people still think Champ has enough left in the tank to play at a high level at corner, but there is talk of him moving to safety as well. Should Denver not sign DRC, and Champ moves to safety Denver would be left with Chris Harris and either Kayvon Webster, or Tony Carter on the other side. Webster looks like a player, but was exposed a bit in the regular season game against New England and never really seemed to get his swagger back. Tony Carter has a issue with tackling, and being physical. He is a good special teams player, and can be a teams 3rd, or 4th corner but he is not a starter. So to get back to the Super Bowl it is pretty clear that they will have to sign a corner. 1) Charles "Peanut" Tillman from the Chicago Bears. Thinking about this move for the last couple days I think Tillman makes the most sense. Granted his older he still has the size 6'2 and 198lbs, and coverage ability to be a impact player at corner. He also would be another veteran to help guys like Kayvon Webster, Chris Harris, and whatever corner the Broncos most likely will draft this year. He is known for making big players, and is also not afraid to get physical. Again, he most likely will not be the long term solution in the environment where Denver's window for a Super Bowl is the next 2 years he could be a nice piece to get us there. 2) Brent Grimes from the Atlanta Falcons. Grimes can play the ball, is tough, and isn't afraid to tackle. He is another player that creates turnovers, and has a reputation for making a big play. His play speaks for itself, and would be a big pick up for Denver. 3) Aqib Talib from the New England Patriots. Denver fans got to see how much of an impact Talib made in the AFC Championship. With New England apprehensive to give him big money getting him to Denver may be in the cards. He is 6'1 and 205lbs so he would have the size teams want at corner, but still has the coverage ability to play anywhere. He is younger than the players mentioned above, and he also doesn't have an issue with tackling. Bringing back DRC should be the priority, but probably more than any position Denver needs to bring someone in. Next year Denver will be getting back Von Miller, Kevin Vickerson, Chris Harris, Rahim Moore, and Derek Wolfe all back healthy. Adding a player like one of the 3 above would set Denver up to be at corner, and give Jack Del Rio more freedom in the defenses he calls.

Denver Bronco Free Agent Middle Linebacker Breakdown

As of this date Denver doesn't posses a middle linebacker that could be a starter in the NFL. Along with making sure the defense is in the right formation, and making the correct audibles, the middle linebacker is the heart of the defense. Denver hasn't had a real middle linebacker since Al Wilson was on the team, and it was also apparent in the Super Bowl that Denver simply doesn't have a true emotional leader of the defense. There are a few options here. One would be moving Danny Trevathan inside and having him play the Mike, and allowing Wesley Woodyard to move back outside to the weakside linebacker position where he doesn't take the pounding that comes with playing the Mike. That would be a gamble as Trevathan hasn't played in the middle and even he would probably have to gain about 10lbs to be effective. If that move doesn't happen there are a few free agent options out there. If I were the GM I would target one of these players. 1) Brandon Spikes from New England would be a great fit as he brings an element of physical play, but he is also an emotional player that the rest of the Denver defenders could rally around. At 6'2 and 255lbs he has the size and strength to make a difference inside. Though his 40 time when he came out of Florida was pretty bad, but you have to look at the film to really see what he can do, and he is every bit as physical the film showed. He is also still a fairly young player which is also a benefit. 2) Jon Beason from the New York Giants has expressed he wants to stay in New York, but John Fox drafted him so even if there is an outside chance that Denver could land him it would be worth a try. More of a 3 down linebacker than Spikes, and Beason is also regarded as one of the better linebackers in the football. The reason I have him at number 2 is it will take a lot of money to get him here, but he could be a fix if Fox can talk him into leaving New York. 3) Daryl Smith from the Baltimore Ravens. Daryl Smith is a little older than the above 2, and wouldn't provide the long term solution for Denver, but Denver is looking to win now, and Daryl Smith could be the most athletic of either of the above linebackers I am suggesting. Smith also played for Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville, so he would be immediately familiar with at least the concept of this defense. While not the emotional player that Brandon Spikes is Daryl Smith can is one of the more underrated linebackers in the NFL. All 3 of these guys can play football, but to me Brandon Spikes would be the best pick up. He is younger, more physical, and brings that edge Denver so desperately needed against Seattle. If Denver wants to get serious about becoming a more physical team middle linebacker is the place to start. With Kevin Vickerson making a huge impact last year before he got hurt, and Terrance Knighton really asserted himself as one of the better DTs in the league getting Brandon Spikes would solidify that middle of the defense bring that leadership and nastiness on defense Denver is missing.

Free Agent Wish List For Denver Broncos

Keeping this one short and to the point here are some free agents that Denver should look to target this offseason. Running Back: Ben Tate, or Maurice Jones Drew Wide Receiver: Kenny Britt, Robert Meachem, Mario Manningham Defensive End: Jared Allen, Lamar Houston, Justin Tuck, Michael Bennett, Michael Johnson. Defensive Tackle: BJ Raji, Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett, Henry Melton Linebacker: Brandon Spikes, Karlos Dansby, Jon Beason, Jonathan Vilma Cornerback: Walter Thurmond, Peanut Tillman, Aqib Talib, Brent Grimes, Alterraun Verner, Brandon Browner, Deangelo Hall Safety: TJ Ward, Chris Clemons, Bernard Pollard, Ed Reed, Donte Whitner The reason I chose these players is they all have some nastiness to their game, and it was obvious in the Super Bowl that is something Denver was missing. Obviously Denver can't sign all of these players, but these are the names I found that fit best into the holes Denver has.

How To Fix The Denver Broncos In 2014

The Super Bowl is over. It was humilating. Time to move on to next year. I do not believe that things are as bad for the Broncos as a lot of people would have you believe. Denver simply couldn't get anything going from the 1st snap of the game. Regardless of that play I think the game would have been much different had we not been missing Ryan Clady, who is one of the top left tackles in the game, Von Miller, one of the two best defensive players in the game, two of our starting defensive linemen in Kevin Vickerson, and Derek Wolfe, and two starting defensive backs in Rahim Moore and Chris Harris. So as we look at next year we have to figure all those guys will be back healthy next year. Going into next year Denver will again have one of, if not the strongest rosters in the NFL. They do need to add a couple pieces. The first thing that should be on their list is to get help in the secondary. Signing a guy like TJ Ward from Cleveland would be a big upgrade for our safety positions. It would give Denver a real physical strong safety that can come up in the box and stop the run, or drop in coverage and not be a liability. Obviously bringing Dominic Rodgers Cromartie back should be a priority as he is one of the better young corners in the game, but another move Denver should look to make is signing Brandon Browner from Seattle. Browner originally spent time with Denver, but was let go and picked up by Seattle. He is coming off being suspended for NFL subatance abuse which should allow Denver to get him even cheaper. If not Browner maybe a Aqib Talib, or Brent Grimes would be the right fit. The next huge need for Denver is a legit middle linebacker. For this spot I purpose two names. One being Brandon Spikes from New England. He is one of the premier run stoppers in the NFL, and plays with a nastiness and mean streak that Denver needs. He also has the personal attributes to be an emotional leader on the field for Denver that Denver has been missing for quite sometime. The other player would be Daryl Smith from Baltimore. He fit in well taking over for Ray Lewis, and could also be the defensive leader Denver is looking for. Finally the last need on defense for Denver would be another proven pass rushing defensive end. There are a couple different ways Denver could go here. Jared Allen is a free agent, and he could come in immediately and be the every down defensive end we are looking for. Another option would be to go after Justin Tuck. Who can play up and down the defensive line, and get pressure from everywhere. In my opinion adding Jared Allen would be the move to make as with Von Miller coming off one side and Allen coming off the other it will be tough for any QB to have enough time to get comfortable in the pocket. Offensively there are not really any big changes that need to be made. Decker will be a victim of the salary cap as he will be looking for something in the 7 million dollar per year range, and Manning has proved over and over that he can take a guy like Austin Collie, or Blair White and make them solid NFL receivers. I think re-signing Bubba Caldwell would be the smart move here. One move I think would be worth taking a look at is bringing Maurice Jones Drew. While he is not the back he once was, but he is still one of the better backs in the NFL. While I think Montee Ball will be a very good NFL player the window for Denver winning a Super Bowl just got one year smaller, so bringing in a guy like Jones Drew is the type of move Denver needs to make to make opposing defenses respect Denver's running game. Finally the last decision that Denver needs to make is on Zane Beadles. Denver had the best offensive line in the NFL last year, but when they needed to run the ball at times they struggled. Was Zane Beadles the problem? Probably not. Denver will have to choose if he is the best guard available for the team, or if another free agent out there is. Players to target: TJ Ward, Brandon Browner, Brandon Spikes, Jared Allen, and Maurice Jones Drew. Players to keep: Dominic Rodgers Cromartie, Zane Beadles, Wesley Woodyard