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Denver Broncos Team Report May 2, 2008 - Broncos Forums - Denver Broncos Fan Forums and Live News Feed
Quote: : Denver Broncos Team Report
Scout.com/Miller Safrit
By Scout.
Com
Posted May 2, 2008
In the volumes of post-draft analysis, the Denver Broncos barely got a mention.
There wasn't much to talk about.
The Broncos stuck to their plan, targeting players that filled needs, and were pleasantly surprised when many of them fell.
There was no need to pull off complicated trades when the players Denver wanted were available to them.
When Boise State's Ryan Clady fell to the Broncos with the 12th pick of the draft, Denver's offensive line took a turn for the better.
The Broncos had usually picked linemen with late picks, with the exception of 2003 first-rounder George Foster, who didn't pan out.
Denver hit on plenty of those late picks at a time when not many teams were using the zone-blocking scheme.
The Broncos had to invest to get a top left tackle, and that's what they project Clady to become.
Clady wasn't drafted with the 12th overall pick to sit on the bench.
"He'll start at left offensive tackle the day he comes in," Shanahan said.
That means a shuffle for the rest of the line, which suddenly is deeper than it has been in a few years, even with the retirement of Matt Lepsis.
Chris Kuper, Ryan Harris and Erik Pears will probably fight for the right tackle spot, with any one of the three being capable of backing up Clady on the left side.
All three have credentials.
Kuper started most of last season at left guard and his strong play late in the season impressed the Broncos.
He was penciled in at left tackle before Clady was selected.
Harris was a third-round pick last year and the team likes his potential if his balky back holds up.
Pears started most of 2006 at left tackle and all of 2007 at right tackle, so he has versatility and experience.
Center Tom Nalen and guard Ben Hamilton are expected back at 100 percent.
Montrae Holland is coming off a solid year at right guard.
Veteran Casey Wiegmann and third-round pick Kory Lichtensteiger can provide depth at guard and center.
The improvements in the starting lineup and the talented depth should be good news for the Broncos running game.
--In the volumes of post-draft analysis, the Denver Broncos barely got a mention.
There wasn't much to talk about.
The Broncos stuck to their plan, targeting players that filled needs, and were pleasantly surprised when many of them fell.
There was no need to pull off complicated trades when the players Denver wanted were available to them.
Offensive tackle Ryan Clady was the first-round target.
Receiver Eddie Royal was the player Denver hoped would fall to them in the second round.
They each showed off their new Broncos jerseys the day after they were selected.
"That (has) happened zero times in my NFL career -- that I could pick out the first two guys I wanted with my first two picks, and that actually happened," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
The Broncos didn't get every player they wanted, but had plenty of fortune on the second day of the draft, as well.
Arizona State running back Ryan Torain was one pick in particular that fell into place.
Torain fits what Denver likes in its running backs but fell in the draft because of a foot injury.
Denver also has high hopes for many of its other second-day picks.
Almost all of them fit some kind of need.
Denver didn't trade any of its nine picks, which was a mild surprise.
Usually the Broncos pull off multiple deals, or at least one big one.
They had plenty of offers but Shanahan was content to stay put.
"You don't move just to move," Shanahan said.
"If the guy that you want is there, then you stay with the pick."
NOTES, Quote: S
--The Broncos signed a handful of undrafted free agents.
Among the most interesting were a kicker and a punter, because Denver has a wide open competition at each position.
Denver signed kicker Garrett Hartley of Oklahoma and punter Brett Kern of Toledo.
Because the Broncos have virtually no experience at either of their positions, they will have a chance to make the Broncos.
--One free agent signee to watch for the Broncos might be Colorado offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus.
Polumbus is a good athlete who posted intriguing workout numbers leading up to the draft.
He should fit well in Denver's scheme.
--Among the Broncos' cuts were veteran fullback Paul Smith.
Smith was a good special-teams player, but the team drafted Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis in the seventh round.
Quote: TO NOTE: "I really didn't think he was going to be there." -- Broncos coach Mike Shanahan on first-round pick Ryan Clady, an offensive tackle from Boise State.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--TE Stephen Alexander is very unlikely to be back, he will probably retire.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Boss Bailey: UFA Lions;
$17.5M/5 yrs, $4.35M SB.
--WR Keary Colbert: UFA Panthers: $7.3M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
--WR Darrell Jackson: FA 49ers;
1 yr, terms unknown.
--LB Niko Koutouvides: UFA Seahawks;
$7.5M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
--S Marquand Manuel: UFA Panthers;
$4.5M/3 yrs, $500,000 guaranteed.
--S Marlon McCree: FA Chargers;
Terms unknown.
--WR Samie Parker: UFA Chiefs;
1 yr, terms unknown.
--DT Dewayne Robertson (trade Jets).
--C Casey Wiegmann: UFA Chiefs;
2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--S Hamza Abdullah: RFA;
$972,000/1 yr.
--DE Ebenezer Ekuban: UFA;
1 YR, terms unknown.
--DE John Engelberger: UFA;
2 yrs, terms unknown.
--CB Domonique Foxworth: Potential RFA;
$972,000/1 yr.
--TE Nate Jackson: UFA;
$2M/2 yrs, SB unknown.
--CB Karl Paymah: Potential RFA;
$972,000/1 yr.
--OT Erik Pears: Potential ERFA;
Terms unknown.
--FB Cecil Sapp: UFA;
$645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB;
2008 cap: $485,000.
PLAYERS LOST
--K Jason Elam: UFA Falcons;
$9M/4 yrs, $3.3M SB.
--S Nick Ferguson: UFA Texans;
1 yr, terms unknown.
--LB Ian Gold (released).
--LB Warrick Holdman (released).
--OT Matt Lepsis (retired).
--C Chris Myers: RFA;
Traded Texans.
--FB Paul Smith (released).
--WR Javon Walker (released).
Http://oak.scout.com/a.z?s=66&p=2&c=751930
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Nice little fluff piece, but it does generate excitement for the mini-camps to come shortly.
(When do those darn things start?
Isn't there some sort of rookie camp coming up soon before all the QB camps start?)
I think the first two picks and a couple of others will be contributors this year as has been cussed and discussed (ad infinitum) elsewhere in this august forum.
And it had been said that the Broncos needed to get three or so starters out of this draft, and they got that and more.
This is the third year in a row that they had a solid draft, and it portends well for the team and organization over the next couple of years
I agree that it was not a draft rife with controversy or excitement.
But it was a draft that will be important, more so than the pundits and "experts" will or can acknowledge.
In fact, I think Denver will be ignored by the media until they start winning the tough games and that will be fine with me.
I expect the usual season of pathos, comedy, excitement, boredom, interest, pain and joy.
That is entertainment, and that's what I'm talking about....
In two years, though, watch out.
Orange Crush (or the Fighting Blueberries) coming atcha
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I really appreciate the article Clay and it nice to see that someone from the media outside of the Denver press complementing this draft class.
He's right in that it's very much a very under the radar kind of draft.
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Quote: : Nice little fluff piece, but it does generate excitement for the mini-camps to come shortly.
(When do those darn things start?
Isn't there some sort of rookie camp coming up soon before all the QB camps start?) June 11-13
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Quote: : Nice little fluff piece, but it does generate excitement for the mini-camps to come shortly.
(When do those darn things start?
Isn't there some sort of rookie camp coming up soon before all the QB camps start?)
I think the first two picks and a couple of others will be contributors this year as has been cussed and discussed (ad infinitum) elsewhere in this august forum.
And it had been said that the Broncos needed to get three or so starters out of this draft, and they got that and more.
This is the third year in a row that they had a solid draft, and it portends well for the team and organization over the next couple of years
I agree that it was not a draft rife with controversy or excitement.
But it was a draft that will be important, more so than the pundits and "experts" will or can acknowledge.
In fact, I think Denver will be ignored by the media until they start winning the tough games and that will be fine with me.
I expect the usual season of pathos, comedy, excitement, boredom, interest, pain and joy.
That is entertainment, and that's what I'm talking about....
In two years, though, watch out.
Orange Crush (or the Fighting Blueberries) coming atcha
I'm not sure where your three starters are out of the draft, unless Licthensteiger beats out Nalen for the position which I would like to see, if for no other reason youth movement and so next year we do not have to change things up AGAIN when Nalen goes....
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Quote: : I'm not sure where your three starters are out of the draft, unless Licthensteiger beats out Nalen for the position which I would like to see, if for no other reason youth movement and so next year we do not have to change things up AGAIN when Nalen goes....
Probable starters from the draft:
Ryan Clady-LT
Eddie Royal-KR/PR
Peyton Hillis-FB
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Quote: : Probable starters from the draft:
Ryan Clady-LT
Eddie Royal-KR/PR
Peyton Hillis-FB I've never thought of KR/PR as starter but still Royal will get plenty of playing time.
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Quote: : I'm not sure where your three starters are out of the draft, unless Licthensteiger beats out Nalen for the position which I would like to see, if for no other reason youth movement and so next year we do not have to change things up AGAIN when Nalen goes....
I think he may have meant "future starters"...which there are a lot of, IMO.
I can see almost all of our picks being starters in a few years or less, except for maybe that CB (Williams).
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Quote: : Probable starters from the draft:
Ryan Clady-LT
Eddie Royal-KR/PR
Peyton Hillis-FB Considering that royal may see 3-4 touches an game well that is a stretch IMO
Hillis sure I can see that when we are in a two back set ..
Maybe a third at most of the plays..
So it looks more like 1.75 at best..
When I talk about starters I think in terms of being in every play on there side of the LOS...
But then that is just me..
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Quote: : I think he may have meant "future starters"...which there are a lot of, IMO.
I can see almost all of our picks being starters in a few years or less, except for maybe that CB (Williams).
I can see the potential in this statement as many as 5 full time starters form the draft if they all pan out..
Perhaps the FA group may bring in almost as 3..
I'm not sure what mikey has done to make wiser choices, but I applaud it.
WELL DONE PAT!!!
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Quote: : I can see the potential in this statement as many as 5 full time starters form the draft if they all pan out..
Perhaps the FA group may bring in almost as 3..
I'm not sure what mikey has done to make wiser choices, but I applaud it.
WELL DONE PAT!!!
Besides Clady who else do see as potential starters?
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Quote: : I think he may have meant "future starters"...which there are a lot of, IMO.
I can see almost all of our picks being starters in a few years or less, except for maybe that CB (Williams).
That's pretty much the take I had;
It's not likely anyone will beat out Nalen for the start at center, but Nalen's also the last player we have left from the Super Bowl teams;
Even the kicker, who was just starting then, is in Atlanta now.
I don't think anyone's likely to poach our center, but that's because he's been playing since the early '90s.
You can bet Denver is eying multiple potential starters (especially since Myers is in Houston now) and I hope most of them are already on the team, whether due to the '08 draft or not.
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Quote: : Considering that royal may see 3-4 touches an game well that is a stretch IMO
Hillis sure I can see that when we are in a two back set ..
Maybe a third at most of the plays..
So it looks more like 1.75 at best..
When I talk about starters I think in terms of being in every play on there side of the LOS...
But then that is just me..
I wouldn't call all those guys "probable" but I can see it.
Clady will either start or be a bust at LT, and our top three WRs are a guy whose hand is uncertain, an excellent slot receiver and an underperformer from Carolina;
If Royal justifies Shannys eagerness to pick him in the second he could well be a #1 or #2 WR.
And if we stabilize our line I can see us running two backs a LOT;
With a versatile fullback that gives us a lot more options, and opposing Ds a lot more complications.
If Torain comes back 100% from his injury he might be a starter also.
I don't expect a lot of starters from the draft anyway, even with lots of picks;
It's too much of a crap shoot and there's too much competition for the obviously talented players.
Add in injuries, different schemes, the NFL learning curve and the (supposedly) declining value of later picks and I think you're doing good to get two or three starters ANY year.
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Quote: : in TX I wouldn't call all those guys "probable" but I can see it.
Clady will either start or be a bust at LT, and our top three WRs are a guy whose hand is uncertain, an excellent slot receiver and an underperformer from Carolina;
If Royal justifies Shannys eagerness to pick him in the second he could well be a #1 or #1 WR.
And if we stabilize our line I can see us running two backs a LOT;
With a versatile fullback that gives us a lot more options, and opposing Ds a lot more complications.
If Torain comes back 100% from his injury he might be a starter also.
I don't expect a lot of starters from the draft anyway, even with lots of picks;
It's too much of a crap shoot and there's too much competition for the obviously talented players.
Add in injuries, different schemes, the NFL learning curve and the (supposedly) declining value of later picks and I think you're doing good to get two or three starters ANY year.
I would think one or more of the WR FA we got this year to take the #2 slot and or the #1 slot IF Marshall does not come back to 07 levels..
I do not see a 5'9" WR to play #1 in this offense not even at #2 but after Stokely is gone he might work into being the slot guy and that is a partime player on offense..
In any case he will not be a full time starter this year way to much playbook to learn.
clady will either BOOM or bust..
If everything they say is true about being the only true OLT in the draft..
Then OK he should do great IF he can handle Mikeys playbook..
He is the only one I seeing playing this year as a starter.
I like what I see in Woodyard as a eventual replacement for Deep safety playing center field although with his LB experience he could be heir apparent for Johns slot..
I'm shocked to see him available as UFA thought he would be available in the 4th most thought he'd be gone by then.
I think Aldridge could wind up a decent little RB with lots of potential as change of pace guy..
I do not know enough about the other draft choice and less of the other UFA
One starter this year form this class with 4-5 more down the road..
NOT COUNTING kickers..
BTW mikey has with one exception sucked at taking WR in the draft..
Marshal being that exception but then we ave not yet made it through season three yet when they always blow up..
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Quote: : I would think one or more of the WR FA we got this year to take the #2 slot and or the #1 slot IF Marshall does not come back to 07 levels..
I do not see a 5'9" WR to play #1 in this offense not even at #2 but after Stokely is gone he might work into being the slot guy and that is a partime player on offense..
In any case he will not be a full time starter this year way to much playbook to learn.
clady will either BOOM or bust..
If everything they say is true about being the only true OLT in the draft..
Then OK he should do great IF he can handle Mikeys playbook..
He is the only one I seeing playing this year as a starter.
I like what I see in Woodyard as a eventual replacement for Deep safety playing center field although with his LB experience he could be heir apparent for Johns slot..
I'm shocked to see him available as UFA thought he would be available in the 4th most thought he'd be gone by then.
I think Aldridge could wind up a decent little RB with lots of potential as change of pace guy..
I do not know enough about the other draft choice and less of the other UFA
One starter this year form this class with 4-5 more down the road..
NOT COUNTING kickers..
BTW mikey has with one exception sucked at taking WR in the draft..
Marshal being that exception but then we ave not yet made it through season three yet when they always blow up..
I don't realistically see anyone but Clady starting this season, certainly not by Opening Day.
When I saw the scouting on Woodyard I also immediately thought of Lynch;
You know my thoughts on our safety positions and I think we're pretty much on the same page, but if Shanny listened to me he'd have taken more than one top DT prospect in the last few drafts.
It's the draft, and I don't really expect anyone to consistently do anything, because "consistency" is not a hallmark of the draft.
If it was Night Train Layne would never have played a Pro down, and Courtney Brown would be a first ballot HoFer.
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