2010 Denver Broncos Mock Draft Part Two: Could Denver Trade Down?

The Denver Broncos are fresh off of their biggest victory of the season, defeating the New York Giants 26-6 on Thanksgiving night.

In light of that victory, it’s time for a new mock draft.

My last draft segment had the Broncos taking Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, and I have since realized that taking Bradford will be all but impossible unless the Broncos trade up, which is something they simply cannot afford to do.

The Broncos have only five picks going into this draft, and they will likely try to move down on draft day unless a “can’t miss” prospect falls into their laps. 

Certainly it will be hard to pass on a guy like Rolando McClain, the star middle linebacker from Alabama, but the Broncos have to.

One interesting scenario would be for Josh McDaniels to go back to his New England roots and strike a deal with Bill Belicheck and the Patriots, who are armed with three second round picks.

The Chicago Bears are reeling right now, and the pick that they are sending to the Broncos is likely to be in the top 15 at the very worst.  They currently have a record of 4-6, and still have two games left against division leader Minnesota.

In all likelihood, the Bears will finish the season with eight losses or more, putting the Broncos in very good position for a high draft pick.

How does this all come together?

The Broncos could choose to trade down to New England’s pick by giving up a prospect like Florida’s Carlos Dunlap, who could fill in for the Pats’ departed Richard Seymour.  New England would be able to move up to, let’s say pick number 10, and the Broncos would move down to pick 27.

Moving down 17 picks is a huge discrepancy in the NFL Draft, and the trade value chart is often a good depiction of how much a team is willing to give up.

The 10th overall pick is worth 1,300 points on the trade value chart, and the 27th pick is only worth 680.  The Patriots would likely include both of their late second round picks to account for the difference in points. 

The Patriots hold Jacksonville’s pick, which is currently projected at 22nd and worth 360 points in the second round.  New England’s pick is worth 300, and the difference would be 40 points—essentially nothing.

Armed with three second round picks, the Broncos really would be in business.

In this projected sequence, they hold the 27th, 54th, 56th, and 60th picks in the first two rounds of the draft.

At this point, Broncos fans are salivating.

Here’s how I would spend those picks if I were Josh McDaniels and the rest of the Broncos’ brass.

 

First Round, 27th overall:  Colt McCoy, Quarterback, Texas

I love his intangibles and leadership as a quarterback prospect.  He has a much better arm than he’s given credit for and he is extremely accurate with his throws.  If you missed the Texas-Texas A&M game, then you missed out on just how mobile this kid really is.  He is a phenomenal athlete.

 

Second Round, 54th overall:  Javier Arenas, Cornerback, Alabama

Extremely versatile player, might not last to this pick.  He is an elite-level return man, and is more than just a good cover corner with excellent speed.  He has five sacks in his senior season, and is also a phenomenal tackler.  If he were a couple inches taller, he would be a top-20 pick.

 

Second Round, 56th overall:  Corey Wootton, Defensive End, Northwestern

Wootton is a versatile defensive lineman, who could potentially be the best five technique available in the draft.  He excels in stopping the run, but also gets a solid push in the passing game.  He is athletic enough to stand up in the 3-4 or put his hand in the ground.

 

Second Round, 60th overall:  Jerry Hughes, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, TCU

Hughes is an elite pass rusher who has really gone under the radar.  He reminds me a lot of current Bronco Elvis Dumervil, though Hughes is a couple of inches taller.  He is a phenomenal tackler who would transition well to the 3-4 defensive scheme, and he would add great depth to the Broncos’ linebacker core.

 

Third Round, 88th overall:  Jordan Shipley, Wide Receiver, Texas

The Broncos’ wide receivers are a fairly elite group as it currently stands, but Brandon Stokley is aging, and why not give first round pick Colt McCoy his favorite college target at the next level?  Shipley is an intelligent receiver with deceptive speed, and he is also an asset in the return game.

 

Fourth Round, 120th overall:  Eric Olsen, Offensive Lineman, Notre Dame

Again, here is some more versatility, which the Broncos’ coaching staff loves.  Olsen started last season as an offensive guard, and has been the center for the Fighting Irish in 2009.  He would be an ideal pickup for the Broncos at this point in the draft, as he adds both size and versatility to the interior of the line.

 

No Fifth Round Selections

 

Sixth Round, 184th overall:  Dexter McCluster, Running Back, Ole Miss

McCluster is Darren Sproles version 2.0.  He is a small back with blazing speed who does virtually everything well.  He has excellent hands out of the backfield and would be a great weapon in the passing game for the Broncos. 

Knowshon Moreno is the Broncos’ power back, and Correll Buckhalter has obviously lost a step or two.  McCluster would be a nice addition.

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2010 NFL Mock Draft Round One: QB Jake Locker To St. Louis?

For some reason, the NFL Draft is a really hot topic right now even though the NFL playoff race is in full form.  There is just something about this event that NFL fans simply love. 

Here’s my first projection of what could happen in April’s draft.

1. St. Louis Rams: Jake Locker – QB, Washington

Marc Bulger is simply not cutting it for the Rams anymore.  It doesn’t really help that their offensive line is inexperienced for the most part, and they have no legitimate wide receiver targets to speak of.  Locker will be an instant hit, creating offense on his own at times.

2. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry – S, Tennessee

When rebuilding, you’ve got to start somewhere. Fortunately, Brady Quinn showed a little bit of promise in his most recent game.  Granted, it was against the Detroit Lions, but an improvement nonetheless.  If he can continue to play moderately well, he will save the Browns of yet another project at the quarterback position in likely a new offense.  Berry may be the best prospect available in this draft, and will have an immediate impact.

3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh – DT, Nebraska

Suh is probably the best defensive line prospect to come along since Mario Williams back in 2006.  He is not as effective in the pass rush area, but he is a dominant force who demands double teams.  The Buccaneers are a huge rebuilding project and this would be a good start.

4. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy – DT, Oklahoma

McCoy draws comparisons to former OU defensive lineman Tommie Harris of the Chicago Bears.  He would bring instant credibility to a line that now features Grady Jackson and Sammie Lee Hill. 

5. Buffalo Bills: Russell Okung – OT, Oklahoma State

The Bills’ pass protection is horrendous, and it’s unlikely that owner Ralph Wilson is going to want to shell out the cash for a big name quarterback.  This is a deep draft for QB’s and a good one could be had in the second or third round.  If the Bills bring in Mike Shanahan, this pick will be Jimmy Clausen. 

6. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Morgan – DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

The Chiefs’ pass rush is not great, and Morgan may be the best pure pass rusher in the draft.  He is an athletic freak and would bring some legitimacy off the edge for Kansas City.  The Chiefs could also look for a replacement for Derrick Johnson if they decide to let him walk in free agency.

7. Oakland Raiders: Taylor Mays – S, USC

You can all but start printing Taylor Mays jerseys for the Raiders.  He is exactly what Al Davis craves athletically, and he would pair well with either Michael Huff or Mike Mitchell in the defensive backfield.

8. Seattle Seahawks: Sam Bradford – QB, Oklahoma

Unfortunately, this one is all but a lock to happen if Bradford’s arm checks out fine in the offseason workouts.  There is always a chance he could go higher, but it is hard to believe the Seahawks will pass on a franchise QB prospect.

9. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams – OT, Oklahoma

The Redskins need a lot of help, mainly in the coaching area.  The one area their team struggles most is along the offensive front.  Williams would come in and likely start for this team, though it’s unclear who he would be protecting at this point. 

10. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Rolando McClain – LB, Alabama

The final piece to the Jay Cutler trade comes down to this pick.  The Broncos could go a number of different directions here, but if Sam Bradford is off the board, the team will likely look for a partner to go alongside D.J. Williams in the middle of their defense.  McClain would help form a nice quartet with Elvis Dumervil, D.J. Williams, and Robert Ayers for the future.

11. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina): Jimmy Clausen – QB, Notre Dame

The Alex Smith project may finally be over.  Clausen could be too good to pass on here for the 49ers, who desperately need someone to sling the ball to Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.

12. New York Jets: Dez Bryant – WR, Oklahoma State

Bryant would either pair with Braylon Edwards or replace him if the Jets choose not to retain him.  Either way, this is a good pick for the Jets.  Bryant is a dynamic receiver and really the only elite one in this draft class.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden – CB, Florida

The 49ers’ secondary is not porous by any means, but again, Haden is too good to pass up at this point.  He is undoubtedly the best corner in this draft, and he gives the Niners a legitimate top cornerback.

14. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Dunlap – DL, Florida

The Titans’ defensive line has long been a strength of the team, and Dunlap is just another piece to the puzzle.  He is athletic enough to line up inside or out, and the Titans will love that about him.

15. Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Spiller – RB, Clemson

The Falcons lack a pure speed back in their offensive attack, and Spiller could really put them over the hump.  He is also a guy who can return punts and kicks, and he adds another dimension to their offense.  This would be a great pick.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham – TE, Oklahoma

Joe Flacco needs a more athletic safety valve than Todd Heap, who is nothing of what he used to be.  Gresham is the top tight end in this class by far, and he would be a great addition to the Ravens’ offense.

17. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas – S, Texas

Thomas’ stock is fast on the rise.  The Texans’ only weakness defensively is at the safety position, and this guy would help fill a major void. 

18. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Spikes – LB, Florida

Spikes would pair well with Channing Crowder to give the Dolphins a dynamic young duo of middle linebackers.  Spikes is extremely athletic and would be a great fit for this defense.

19. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Jahvid Best – RB, California

Jahvid Best is one of the best playmakers in college football.  His injury is minor cause for concern, and it shouldn’t hurt him too much on draft day.  This is a pretty popular pick among mock drafts, and Best could very well wind up heading north to play for the Seahawks.

20. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Davis – OT, Rutgers

Aaron Rodgers has been sacked over 40 times already this season, which is simply unacceptable.  They need to keep that kid on his feet or they will be sorry.  Davis is a huge offensive tackle prospect who would start protecting Rodgers’ blind side immediately.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tim Tebow – QB, Florida

There are a lot of connections here, but the Jaguars are struggling to sell tickets.  Tebow would help that immensely.  He fits what this offense does perfectly, and he would be a terrific weapon for Jack Del Rio and the Jags.

22. New York Giants: Arthur Jones – DT, Syracuse

The Giants are always looking for depth along their frontline defensively, and that is why they consistently put out a great pass rush.  Jones would be a nice addition up front for these guys, though they are already pretty deep at this position.  They could also look for a middle linebacker with this pick.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jason Pierre-Paul – DE, South Florida

The Eagles have one of the top pass rushes in the league almost annually, and they need to continue adding kindling to the fire.  Pierre-Paul is a hot prospect right now who would fit the Eagles’ defense perfectly. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati – OL, Idaho

The Steelers’ offensive line simply is not cutting it.  Ben Roethlisberger loves his group of guys, but they simply don’t keep his jersey clean enough as it currently stands.  Iupati is another hot prospect who could wiggle into the first round come draft day.

25. Arizona Cardinals: Greg Hardy – DE/OLB, Ole Miss

Hardy is a top pass rushing prospect who would help fill the void left by Antonio Smith this past offseason.  He was considered a top prospect last season, and has not disappointed this year.

26. Cincinnati Bengals: Navorro Bowman – OLB, Penn State

Bowman would be a steal with this pick and would pair very nicely with Rey Maualuga as a young core of linebackers for the Bengals, one of the surprise teams of 2009.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Arrelious Benn – WR, Illinois

Benn would pair nicely with Miles Austin in Dallas, though the Cowboys may not look this way if Roy Williams breaks out of his year long slump.  Benn is a physical receiver with good size.

28. New England Patriots: Jonathan Dwyer – RB, Georgia Tech

The Patriots really don’t need much.  They could look to offensive line depth, but it makes more sense to go after a guy like Dwyer who can run between the tackles and give them another weapon on offense.

29. San Diego Chargers: Marvin Austin – DL, North Carolina

San Diego’s run defense is horrid, and it all starts up front.  Marvin Austin could help rectify their woes defensively, and particularly against the run.  They could also look to Terrence Cody with this pick.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Terrence Cody – DT, Alabama

Pat Williams isn’t getting older, and the Vikings cannot afford to be missing that absolutely critical part of their defensive success.  A successor for Williams like Cody is just what the doctor ordered, though the Vikes could also look to a quarterback of the future here, or defensive end.

31. New Orleans Saints: Sergio Kindle – OLB, Texas

And the rich get richer.  New Orleans’ defense is already vastly improved, but their linebacker core is not anything to write home about.  Kindle is a top tier pass rusher, and he would help them on multiple fronts.

32. Indianapolis Colts: Bruce Carter  OLB, North Carolina

The Colts’ defense always plays better than the players they have, and this is certainly an area they need to improve.  They could also go with a defensive back, which may be even more likely. 

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On Second Thought, Is Josh McDaniels Solely to Blame For Denver’s Slide?

It is always easier to point the finger at someone else. 

The Denver Broncos’ recent four-game losing streak has pointed out weakness after weakness, but maybe not coincidentally, the horrid slide can be traced back to one roster move.

Earlier, I suggested that the Broncos’ four game losing streak was due to lack of an elite quarterback.  That is still partly true, but how is this for a statistic:

The Denver Broncos were 6-0 with Brett Kern at punter and are 0-4 without him.  Inversely, the Tennessee Titans were 0-6 before signing Kern and, since bringing him in to be their punter, the Titans are 4-0.

Coincidence?

Probably, but the evidence is undeniably odd.  Obviously, the Broncos’ major problem is not the lack of the second-year punter, but that Josh McDaniels foolishly messed with his roster.

Prior to the Broncos’ Week 8 matchup with Baltimore, McDaniels gave Kern the boot in favor of long-tenured veteran Mitch Berger. Berger proceeded to punt the ball a grand total of nine times against the Ravens in the Broncos’ first loss of the season.

Then, just days before the Broncos’ Monday night showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team’s first home game in over a month, McDaniels and company showed promising second-year cornerback Jack Williams the door in favor of the older, slower, but more savvy Ty Law.

Williams appeared to be a player on the rise with the Broncos.  He was considered to have a similar skill-set as former Bronco Darrent Williams and he is probably best known for his play in the end zone to help the Broncos beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.

When the Broncos cut Williams, they ranked first in the NFL in pass defense.  Since his departure, their pass defense has decreased to third in the league.

Now, don’t get this wrong.  I’m not trying to say that Jack Williams and Brett Kern are the difference between the Broncos being 10-0 and 6-4.  But Josh McDaniels tried to fix a team that was not broken.

Was the punting game a concern?  Maybe.

Was Williams a liability to the secondary?  Possibly, at times.

The fact remains that McDaniels tampered with team chemistry by cutting two lesser-known players in favor of veterans who are far past their prime. 

Thus, the Broncos’ Thursday night game against the New York Giants is solely the responsibility of McDaniels.  He needs to get his players jacked up.  He needs to renew the chemistry this team had when it was rolling with a six-game winning streak into the bye week.

If not, he may be kissing his own season goodbye.

Fast.

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2010 NFL Mock Draft, Denver Broncos Style

For me, the NFL Draft is never too far away.  If I have said it once, I have said it dozens of times.  This is the single greatest event of the sports year in my opinion, and it’s one of the most fun to speculate on. 

The Denver Broncos’ recent struggles have given way to lofty criticism, and they have exposed various obvious weaknesses on the team as well.  As of now, this team has five draft picks.  They own the rights to Chicago’s first round pick, and they traded away their own to the Seattle Seahawks.

If the season ended today, the Broncos would have the 11th overall pick in the draft, which is the same pick they took Jay Cutler with back in 2006. 

I firmly believe at this point that the Broncos need to look to an elite quarterback prospect with this pick, and this is the perfect year to do so.  This year’s quarterback class is very talented at the top end, featuring four or five legitimate potential first round picks. 

As it stands, the teams that could potentially be looking for a quarterback who would theoretically be picking ahead of the Broncos are the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and the Washington Redskins.

To get a moderately accurate idea of what the Broncos could be looking at in terms of prospects, let’s mock the draft until the proverbial 11th overall pick, in which the Broncos will be selecting in this case.

1.  Cleveland Browns:  Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee

2.  St. Louis Rams:  Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington

3.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska

4.  Detroit Lions:  Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma

5.  Buffalo Bills:  Russell Okung, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State

6.  Kansas City Chiefs:  Rolando McClain, Middle Linebacker, Alabama

7.  Oakland Raiders:  Carlos Dunlap, Defensive Lineman, Florida

8.  Seattle Seahawks:  Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Notre Dame

9.  Washington Redskins:  Taylor Mays, Safety, USC

10.  Tennessee Titans:  Joe Haden, Cornerback, Florida

 

The Denver Broncos are now on the clock. 

A lot of really good prospects off the board, and quite a few of which the Broncos will be keeping a close eye on come draft day.  Still, this draft is extremely deep at almost every position, and the Broncos need to take advantage.  Here are some of the top available prospects they could be looking at in this situation.

• WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
• RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson
• DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
• OLB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
• QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

Ultimately, general manager Brian Xanders and Josh McDaniels have the final call of which player is picked.  McDaniels has not been known to be part of a team which selects a quarterback very high, but the only constant in this world is change.

McDaniels and the Patriots never picked a quarterback very high, but they never really had to either.  Drew Bledsoe was the quarterback of the team early in the 2000’s, and he was a former first overall pick.  He was replaced by Tom Brady, who is a once in a lifetime gem found late in the sixth round.

The Broncos picked quarterback Tom Brandstater in the sixth round in 2009, but it’s unhealthy at best to assume he is the long-term answer at the position.  He seems to have the tools to potentially excel at this level, but you can’t really bank on it. 

Thus, this pick is an absolute no-brainer.

With the 11th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select…Sam Bradford, quarterback from Oklahoma University .

I love the sound of that, and Broncos fans would too.  Bradford has a great head on his shoulders, and because he suffered a season-ending injury this season, he could wind up as the biggest steal of this draft.

Bradford is a near perfect fit for the Broncos’ offense.  He is the most accurate quarterback in the draft with above average arm strength, and he is a great leader on and off the field.

The Broncos likely will part ways with Chris Simms after this season, and if the price is reasonable they could retain Kyle Orton.  In fact, they probably should.  That way, Orton could be good insurance in case Bradford’s development is slow, or if the Broncos simply do not want to start a rookie quarterback.  Denver would then hold three quarterbacks in Bradford, Orton, and Brandstater.

After this pick, the Broncos have to wait a little while to select again.  They would be in line for a mid-late second round pick with their 6-4 record.  As it stands, that pick would fall somewhere in the early 50’s, and right now at exactly 51st.

Using Scout’s Inc.’s rankings, the top available prospects are:

• G Jon Asamoah, Illinois
• TE Aaron Hernandez, Florida
• DE/OLB Jerry Hughes, TCU
• G Mike Iupati, Idaho
• RB Joe McKnight, USC
• DE Corey Wootton, Northwestern

At this point, there is no real standout prospect the Broncos have to have.  A wise decision here would be to trade down for a second, fourth, and sixth round pick.

Let’s say the Broncos move down ten spots, to the bottom of the second round.  They have acquired an extra fourth and sixth round pick to potentially maneuver again if they wish.

In this case, the Broncos still get the guy I would have taken with the 51st pick.

With the 61st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select…Corey Wootton, Defensive End, Northwestern.

This is a player I really like for the next level.  He has outstanding size for a defensive lineman at 6’7″ 280 pounds, and he could be a good five-technique prospect.  The Broncos are a little thin on depth and youth at the defensive end position, and Wootton would be an ideal addition at this point in the draft. 

The Broncos’ next pick would come a little way past the middle of the third round, somewhere around the 83rd overall selection.

This pick may be a bit of wishful thinking on my part, but I’m going to go for it.  Scout’s Inc. rates this kid as the 75th best prospect in the draft, but the one thing I know about the NFL Draft is that the 75th best prospect could go in the first round, and the 10th best prospect can sometimes fall to the third.

With the 83rd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select…Vince Oghobaase, Defensive Lineman, Duke.

What in the world?  A Duke football player?

You heard it here first.  Vince Oghobaase is a very solid defensive lienman who is athletic enough to play inside in a 4-3 or as a five-technique in the 3-4.  He and Wootton would give the Broncos a good pair of young defensive linemen with great athleticism, versatility, and intelligence, something which is valued very highly by this coaching staff.

In the fourth round, the Broncos have, as this situation has played out in this mock draft, two picks.  This is a place where they can certainly address a wide variety of areas. 

After taking their quarterback of the future and solidifying their defensive front, the Broncos can now focus on other areas of the team.

With their two fourth round picks, I like the Broncos to take Florida State safety Myron Rolle and Oregon cornerback Walter Thurmond .

Myron Rolle is a very intriguing prospect to me.  He was a top prospect for the Seminoles coming out of high school, and showed why in his first three years at Florida State. 

He graduated from FSU in 2009 and accepted a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University, and has been studying there for what would have been his senior season at Florida State.  According to Rolle, he planned on maintaining football shape in his time in England, and he would return to the United States for the NFL Scouting Combine and a career in the NFL.

This is a man who has very lofty goals and dreams, and one who is inspiring.  He gave up millions of dollars in the NFL to research in England a potential cure for cancer.  He is an outstanding student who would have an opportunity to learn from the very best in Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey.

Thurmond is a very underrated prospect.  He has been a four year starter for the Ducks and he will go later in the draft than he should because of a knee injury he suffered earlier this season.  He is a very good tackler and has 12 career interceptions, and when he gets the ball he certainly knows what to do with it, scoring six career touchdowns.

In the sixth round, I think the Broncos will turn back to the offensive side of the ball.

Since they have two picks in this projected situation, they have a lot of flexibility in the earlier rounds. 

With their first sixth round pick, I think the Broncos should take Iowa tight end Anthony Moeaki.

Moeaki has been oft-injured in his Iowa career, but head coach Kirk Ferentz calls him, “The best tight end I have ever coached.”  Those are some high praises considering Dallas Clark once roamed Kinnick Stadium.

Moeaki is undoubtedly a complete tight end.  He could very well go higher than the sixth round, and he probably should simply based on his skill set.  His biggest asset is his ability to run block, which often goes unnoticed.  That being said, he is also a very good pass receiver.  He does not have great speed, but he finds a way to get open.

The need for a tight end could come up if the Broncos lose Tony Scheffler to free agency.

With their other sixth round pick, I think the Broncos need to address the center position.  I think the best senior center prospect in the draft is Baylor’s Justin Walton, and the Broncos could go after him.  Walton has good size for the center position, and would help the Broncos greatly with inside pass protection which is really lacking at the moment.

To recap, here are my projected draft selections at the moment if this situation were ever to play out.

1. Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma
2. Corey Wootton, Defensive End, Northwestern
3. Vince Oghobaase, Defensive End, Duke
4. Myron Rolle, Safety, Florida State
5. Walter Thurmond, Cornerback, Oregon
6. Tony Moeaki, Tight End, Iowa
7. Justin Walton, Center, Baylor

I think this would be a very solid draft for the Broncos.  Not only do they get their quarterback of the future, they solidify their defensive front as well as add much needed depth, speed, and youth to their secondary. 

Obviously, this is all just my speculation and maybe a little bit of wishful thinking.  The holiday season will do that for a guy.

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The Denver Broncos’ Problem? An Apparent Lack of Quarterback

After starting 6-0, the Denver Broncos hit an apparent high.  For once, the bye week killed momentum, and teams finally have the Broncos figured out.

Eliminate the short pass, and you can win by 20 or more every time.

The Denver Broncos’ four game slide can be traced back to a number of different things.  Lack of running game, lack of deep passing game, lack of pass protection, and below average special teams play.

Still, the most prevalent and obvious area that the Broncos lack is a legitimate passing threat.

Kyle Orton was an MVP candidate through the first six games of the seasons.  He had nine touchdowns compared to only one interception, and he was arguably the most efficient quarterback in the league through that time.

He was getting the job done, and the Broncos did not hardly have throw the ball further than 15 yards on any given play.

Then, after the bye week, the Baltimore Ravens did something that no other team had done all season long, and that was blitz nearly every play, and take away the middle of the field on passing plays.

The Broncos were stunned.

Their offense became predictable, especially in the passing game.  They have thrown only two touchdown passes since week six, and rank only 19th in the NFL in passing offense.

It would appear, through ten weeks of the season, that the Broncos need Jay Cutler, and Jay Cutler needs the Broncos, but that is beside the point.

What is the Broncos’ answer at quarterback?

It certainly is not Chris Simms, who is the second highest paid backup in the NFL today, and one who has since proven that he is not an NFL starter, and maybe not even a backup anymore.

Simms’ decision making is slow to develop, and his arm strength is nothing like what it was in the preseason. 

For now, and probably for the rest of the season, the Broncos will ride it out with Kyle Orton, who is far and away the most experienced quarterback on the team.

He is a leader, winner, and he rarely makes stupid mistakes.  He is as accurate as any quarterback on short passing routes, and he is efficient.

But he can’t move the ball down the field with regularity or when the Broncos need it.

Orton is what we all thought he is:  A game manager.  He is not capable of driving the ball down the field at any given time in a game when the Broncos need a score.

Now, the Broncos have come back a few times this season, largely thanks to the arm of Orton.  An 87 yard pass on opening day to win the game, a 51 yard strike to Brandon Marshall against the Cowboys to win the game, a game-winning drive against the Patriots, and a clincher touchdown toss to Brandon Stokley in the Broncos’ last win against San Diego.

But it all means nothing now that the Broncos’ offense has seemingly become anemic.

This is a team that started the season plus seven in the turnover margin, and minus seven in the last four games.  The Broncos’ offense was able to capitalize on turnovers, which the defense has been unable to force in recent games.

When the Broncos have the ball on offense, they are not able to move downfield with the passing game at any given time.

So, what is the answer to Denver’s passing woes?

Like I said before, the team is likely to stick with Orton for the rest of the season, but there are plenty of other options for the future.

Rookie Tom Brandstater showed a bit of promise in the preseason, and many fans are calling for him to take snaps already.  He is a very intelligent player who has quickly adapted to the offense, and was even seen warming up on the sideline yesterday in case Orton’s ankle wasn’t okay.

Though Brandstater has showed promise, it’s unhealthy at best for any team to believe they can plan the future around a rookie sixth round pick.

Lucky for them, the up-coming draft is absolutely littered with elite-level quarterback prospects.

Many believe Washington quarterback Jake Locker to be the number one overall quarterback prospect, and unless the Bears’ pick is in the top five, he is unlikely to be a Bronco without a blockbuster trade.

Jimmy Clausen is another likely top ten pick if he leaves early, and he reminds me a lot of Jay Cutler both in ability and attitude.  He has a bit of an anger problem it would seem, and the Broncos might stay away from that anyway.

That leaves the original “Big Three” for the Broncos to choose from, and I cannot say I would be disappointed if any of these guys ended up in orange and blue.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford was said to be the top quarterback prospect coming into this season, and thanks to a season ending injury, he may be the biggest steal of the NFL Draft.

Bradford is at his best when he is playing behind an elite offensive line, something the Broncos certainly have.  He is the most accurate quarterback in the draft, bar none.  He can make all the NFL throws, and he has good mechanics.

He can scramble for a first down when he needs to, and he is a very smart player.  He is a good leader, and he has the potential to be an elite quarterback at the next level.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is another guy the Broncos could target, but they could likely trade down and get him.  He is arguably the most productive passer in college history, and he has more wins than any other quarterback in college football.

He is overall a very sound player, and there is not one area where he is not fit to play at the NFL level.  He has prototypical size, and his arm strength and accuracy are both good.  Like Bradford, his short-range arm strength is superior to his longer range.  He is a leader in every sense of the word, and a proven winner.

Speaking of proven winners, how about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow?  This guy is an absolute jack of all trades, and if scouts continue to dislike his mechanics, he could be had for the low, low price of a second round pick.

Though Tebow is not the most accurate quarterback, he places excellent touch on his passes.  In my opinion, he is the greatest college football player of all-time, and I do not believe for one second that this man could not adapt to an NFL offense.

He is a physical marvel, so much so that some are considering him as a tight end/h-back for the next level.  He is both a vocal leader, and leader by example.  His mental toughness and makeup are second to none, and he is an outstanding student.

The Broncos could also look to rising prospects like Western Michigan’s Tim Hiller, whose scouting report reminds me of Peyton Manning. 

Other than his laser, rocket arm strength, Hiller is a stellar student who graduated in only three years and is currently working on a masters.  He stands at 6’4″, 229 pounds, and he has a great sense for timing and when receivers are going to break out of their routes.  His mobility is well below average, but he is an accurate, strong-armed passer who could be a diamond in the rough.

Penn State’s Daryll Clark, Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour, and Pittsburgh’s Bill Stull are also solid quarterback prospects for the next level.  At the very least, the Broncos are going to need to look into one of these prospects for at least a backup option if Brandstater happens to be the long-term option.

Either way, the Broncos need someone who can consistently make a clutch throw or move the ball down the field when the offense needs to answer an opponents’ score.

Because right now, they can’t, and as a result they are in a four game losing streak.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Jerseys I Would Want My Kids to Wear

In a day and age in which professional athletes are often depicted as criminals or over-greedy, grown up babies, I feel that the need for specific role models in sports is absolutely critical.

While the media often only highlights the negative aspect of off-field activity, there are plenty of players and coaches who spend a considerable amount of time off the field doing charity work, promoting foundations, going into the community, or creating a cause of their own.

Whenever I have kids, I want them to share my passion in sports, particularly football. If they don’t, I will love them just the same, but for those growing with their kids right now, I will raise the question: Whose uniform do you let your child walk around wearing?

Being a Bronco fan, I will use myself as an example. Before the whole Jay Cutler fiasco in Denver, there is not a doubt in my mind that Cutler was the most loved athlete in the city of Denver.

Everybody had his jersey.

I had his jersey, and I bought a pink one for my fiancee, who later bought herself a blue one. My brother had a white No. six hanging on his wall. Our good friend Tanner Thoms, who writes here on B/R, received a white Cutler jersey from my family for Christmas. I bought a blue Cutler jersey for my little nephew for his birthday.

We were a Cutler family. Then, it happened.

Jay Cutler displayed arguably the most childish acting I have ever seen from a quarterback, and unless you have been living under a rock, you saw it too. Cutler forced a trade out of Denver and is now a Chicago Bear, where he leads the NFL in interceptions.

Talk about a bad case of karma.

And so, the whole moral of the story is: Get to know a player before you spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on his jersey.

Here are ten sure-fire bets of players who exemplify not only greatness on the field, but integrity and respect off of it.

Begin Slideshow

Have Sports Mascots and Stadium Names Crossed The Line?

Where do professional sports teams draw the line? Is there a line to be drawn?

All across the sports globe, there are questionable if not borderline offensive and derogatory mascots and stadium names.

Or are there?

This topic was recently brought to my attention by fellow Bleacher Reporter Chaz Mattson, a fellow Denver Broncos columnist who sparked my interest with an enlightening debate.

The topic at hand was the Washington Redskins, and we were at disagreement over whether or not their mascot was offensive to Native Americans.

Maybe it is, but any offense taken by those whose heritage is that of the Native Americans is simply selfishness on their part.

I mean no offense by this whatsoever. I realize, acknowledge, and am embarrassed at the fact that this nation of people suffered mass genocide and horrid treatment from European men taking over this country.

It is absolutely wrong, but that does not mean that the term Redskin cannot be used in good spirit. The team means no offense by it, and as the 90,000 plus who visit the biggest stadium in professional football eight weeks a year prove that not only is this mascot loved, its name is held in high regard.

But what if this team were called the Washington Whiteskins? The Washington Blackskins? 

Would it be offensive then?

As a white person myself, I can honestly say no.

Now, my family and ancestors did not suffer the same way Native Americans did.  They did not endure genocide in this way. But in this day and age, the term “Redskin” is often considered pejorative and a good majority of Native Americans are enraged that this term is being used so loosely.

My advice: Don’t watch the Washington Redskins.

If you don’t like something, then don’t support it. But don’t ruin it for those who do support it either. For a vast majority of the people who support the Redskins, they do not take the name in vain. They hold it in high regard.

But if the term “Redskin” as a sports team is offensive to someone, then we might as well throw out every other pro sports team’s name and mascot.

The Bears play at Soldier Field. Should soldiers be offended by it? Should those who have seen war or lost loved ones at war file a lawsuit against the Chicago Bears for the stadium they play in?

The Miami Hurricanes better change their nickname as well. There have simply been too many people lost to hurricanes to associate a game with the term.

Let’s not forget the hundreds of other Native American nicknames in sports like the Indians, Seminoles, Illini, and Fighting Sioux.

The New Jersey Devils had better change their nickname for Christians, because Satan is the enemy of God. 

As a Christian myself, my parents never allowed me to follow anything Devils or even the Tampa Bay Rays when they were called the Devil Rays. It’s okay to not follow a team because you do not agree with their name.

Do I take offense to the Devils because of their choice of mascot? Absolutely not.

Do I agree with it? Absolutely not.

We all need to remember what we are talking about here–sports.

The Redskins are part of the game of football. There is no blasphemy going on whatsoever. 

Obviously, this is only my opinion, and there are those who will hate me for it. I am sorry.

I respect the views and customs of all races, but I do not agree with boycotting or taking offense to sports nicknames. If you are one who does, I simply say with all due respect do not follow those teams, and please do not ruin the game for those who do.

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Denver Broncos Must Sweep San Diego to Keep Season Alive

So what is the remedy for a three game losing streak?  How about a division showdown with your biggest rivals?

The Denver Broncos are reeling.  They have not won since a Monday night match-up on the road against the San Diego Chargers.  Inversely, the Chargers have not lost since that contest.

Both teams have a 6-3 record going into this game, arguably the biggest game of the year for either team thus far.

For the second straight season, the Broncos have seen a three game lead in the division disappear.  Now it is time to prove that this team is not a fluke after their 6-0 start.

During the losing streak, the Broncos have not been able to do two things which are absolutely essential to victory in this league:  Stop the run and score points.

Thankfully, they are playing a team ranked 32nd in rushing offense and 20th in scoring defense.  This is a huge trap game for the San Diego Chargers.

The Broncos are, like I said, reeling, and they are banged up at key positions.  Kyle Orton is considered questionable for Sunday’s game, though it seems unlikely he will miss a game of this magnitude.  Ryan Harris is not going to play on Sunday, and that has proven to be a lot bigger of a deal than anyone could have imagined.

All of that being said, the Broncos are in great shape to win this game.  They are in a similar situation to the Baltimore Ravens from week eight, who broke a three game losing streak of their own to beat the red-hot Broncos.

The Chargers cannot stop the run, and rookie tailback Knowshon Moreno is literally on the brink of cracking 100 yards for the first time in his short career.  He will likely be a focal point of Denver’s offensive attack with Orton likely limited.

The Broncos are at home for this game, and they need to come away with a win.  The only way they can lose this game is to let the Chargers control the clock by running the ball well.  That doesn’t seem so likely with San Diego having the worst rushing attack in the game today, but we did just watch Ladell Betts go for over 100 yards and a touchdown this past weekend.

The most likely formula for success for Denver is to get up 7-0 right away.  They need the Chargers to play from behind at an early stage because they want them to be one dimensional offensively.  The key for Denver is the number seven.

If the Broncos lose this game, their season is not lost, but with a short week to work with, it certainly wouldn’t hurt this team to have a 7-3 record and a one game lead over their biggest division rivals.

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NFL Midseason All-Pro Team

Now that the NFL has reached a midway point, it is time to start dealing out premature awards and accolades. 

For this particular piece, I am going to recognize the NFL’s elite through eight games this season with an All-Pro team, chosen entirely by myself.

Offense

Quarterback :  Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

Favre is my leading candidate for league MVP at this point, because he has turned the Vikings from pretender to contender with his laser arm.  He is only a tenth of a point behind Drew Brees of New Orleans with a 100.0 quarterback rating, and has thrown 16 touchdown passes compared to only three interceptions.

Running Back :  Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Johnson is on pace for just under 2,000 yards, is averaging nearly 120 yards per contest, has six touchdown scores, and averaging a staggering 6.7 yards per carry.  Not to mention he has only fumbled the ball once.  He leads the league by far with six runs over 40 yards and 12 runs over 20 yards.  He also has 21 receptions, one of which went for a score.

Running Back :  Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Peterson has lived up to the hype of his nickname, “All Day”, and is playing excellent football for the Vikings this season.

He has rushed for 784 yards on 163 carries, nine of which have gone for touchdowns.  Peterson is one of the toughest players in the league to bring down, and he gives the Vikings a very powerful, versatile weapon on offense that not many teams can adequately defend.

Wide Receiver :  Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

Jackson is certainly playing for a big paycheck in his contract season with the Chargers.  The 6’5″ phenom out of Northern Colorado has only 42 receptions this season, but is tied for the league lead with seven touchdowns and is averaging over 17 yards per catch.

Wide Receiver :  Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

Wayne is really proving why he was considered a No. 1-“A” receiver when Marvin Harrison was still playing with the Colts.  In his first year without Harrison on the other side, Wayne has caught 59 passes for 753 yards and six touchdowns.  He also leads the league with 44 first-down receptions.

Tight End :  Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts

I realize the tight end position is not all about receiving, but Clark’s numbers deserve special recognition.  Through eight games, the former Iowa tight end has 60 receptions for 703 yards, which both lead all tight ends by a long shot.  He has become an even bigger part of the Indianapolis offense this year, and is proving to be one of the top, if not the very best, tight end in the league.

Left Tackle :  Ryan Clady, Denver Broncos

Clady is a guy who simply does not get the credit he deserves.  He has allowed one sack in 24 games as a professional, which is downright outstanding and quite frankly unheard of.  He is a dominant force at his position.

Left Guard :  Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings

You know those huge holes opened up for Adrian Peterson?  You know why the Vikings have the most feared left side of an offensive line in the league?  It’s all thanks to the best guard in the game, Steve Hutchinson. 

Center :  Nick Mangold, New York Jets

The Jets have a stellar running game, and Mangold is a huge part of their success.  He is the leader of their unit, and has really become an elite player at his position since coming out of Ohio State in 2006.

Right Guard :  Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints

Disappointing for Saints fans that Evans is the first player from their team to appear on this list, but he is most certainly deserving.  The Saints have the league’s most feared offensive attack, and for the first time in a long time, they have an elite rushing attack.  Drew Brees loves this guy, and I’d be willing to bet Reggie Bush, Mike Bell, and Pierre Thomas do too.

Right Tackle :  Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans

No stranger to this accolade, Roos is the best right tackle in the game today.  Unfortunately, this run-blocking phenom is buried under Tennessee’s poor record, but he is still an elite player.

 

Defense

Defensive End :  Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

Allen has to be considered the most feared pass rusher in the league.  He is simply outstanding at his craft, and when he smells blood, he doesn’t just get a taste—he has a feast.  Allen has 10.5 sacks this season, tied for the NFL lead, and has also forced three fumbles to go along with a touchdown.

Defensive End :  Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts

Freeney is another pass-rushing specialist, and he is good at it.  No one has more sacks since 2002 than this undersized end out of Syracuse, who causes havoc for opposing offensive linemen every week.  His 9.5 sacks are second in the NFL, and he has also forced a fumble.

Defensive Tackle :  Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings

Williams is a dominant force at defensive tackle for the Vikings.  He is an excellent pass rusher, and is equally as capable against the run.  He has five sacks this season for the Vikings.

Defensive Tackle :  Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens

Ngata doesn’t have gaudy statistics like he did last season, but he takes on a double-team almost every play.  He is that dominant.  I have never seen anyone with the imposing size of Ngata who is as athletic as he is. 

Outside Linebacker :  Elvis Dumervil, Denver Broncos

Dumervil is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with 10.5, and he also has two forced fumbles.  Dumervil is playing the best football of his career in a contract season and is proving why undersized pass-rush specialists can still make an impact in this league. 

Outside Linebacker :  James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

Harrison is following up on his Defensive MVP performance from 2008 with an equally dominant 2009 season.  He has 48 tackles, eight sacks, and four forced fumbles.  He, like Freeney and Dumervil, is an undersized pass-rush specialist, and has got to be the leading candidate for Defensive MVP after his performance thus far.

Linebacker :  Brian Cushing, Houston Texans

Cushing is not only the leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year at this point; he could very well be the league’s top defensive player overall this season.  Second in the NFL with 78 tackles, he also has 1.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a safety.

Linebacker :  Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers

Willis is the most complete defensive player in the NFL today, and has the best coach to improve his craft in Mike Singletary.  The former Ole Miss product has 77 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, seven passes defensed, and a touchdown.

Cornerback :  Leon Hall, Cincinnati Bengals

Leon Hall is having a banner season.  Though he was on the wrong end of the “Immaculate Deflection” in the Bengals’ week one contest against Denver, he has had a Pro Bowl caliber season.  He has 41 tackles, four interceptions, 16 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.

Cornerback :  Darrelle Revis, New York Jets

Revis is capable of shutting down an entire half of the field, which is oftentimes the case.  He is a dominant player in this league, and usually, the cornerbacks who don’t have the greatest statistics are the ones who never get the ball thrown their way.  This guy is one of those cases.

Free Safety :  Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints

Nobody plays center field better than Darren Sharper, the active NFL leader in interceptions.  This season, three of his seven picks have gone back for touchdowns and he leads a resurgent New Orleans defensive backfield.   

Safety :  Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos

Dawkins doesn’t have gigantic numbers this season, but it could be argued that he has had the greatest impact on a team, more than any other acquisition this offseason.  He is electric on the field, and a phenomenal leader.

 

Special Teams

Kicker :  Rian Longwell, Minnesota Vikings

Longwell is as good as gold.  There is simply no other way to put it.  He has hit on 13 of his 14 attempts this season, and has been a very reliable weapon for the Vikings offensively.

Punter :  Shane Lechler, Oakland Raiders

Lechler will go down as arguably the greatest punter this league has ever known.  He leads the NFL with an average punt of 52.3 yards and a net average of 44.9.  He is the highest paid punter in the league, and for good reason.

Return Man :  Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

Harvin is tied for the league lead with 860 kick return yards and has two scores in that category.  It was hard to put him in over Joshua Cribbs, but the Vikings don’t let Harvin return punts because he is also a key component to their offensive attack.

There you have it, NFL fans.  I hope you enjoyed it and I am ready to hear about all the players I left off of this list!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Denver Broncos Draft Preview, November Edition

As fellow Bleacher Reporter John Lorge pointed out to me today, it’s never to early to be thinking about the draft.  His mock draft really got me thinking about the NFL’s annual selection process, which is by far and away my favorite part of the season, as pathetic as it may sound.

With the draft, your team cannot lose.  Dreams are made for over 256 young men on this day (or three days) and hundreds more following as free agents.

As if enough change has not already happened to the Denver Broncos, here is some more food for thought as the future approaches.

As per this moment in time, the prospect I think the Broncos need to have on the very top of their board is Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.

McCoy has been a four year starter for one of the Nation’s best teams, and is considered to be one of the most durable players in the entire draft, regardless of position.  Here is one intriguing scouting report from ESPN.com on McCoy.

“Exceptional intangibles. His mental and physical toughness are outstanding. He’s a proven leader and winner. Enters his senior season with a starting record of 32-7. His teammates respect and believe in him.”

McCoy has an above average arm in terms of strength, and his accuracy is nearly unmatched by any other quarterback in this draft.  It is a marvel to me that he is not projected to go higher in the draft, though that is usually the case for fifth year senior quarterbacks whose college numbers are absolutely outstanding.

This is a guy who is a dual-threat quarterback, though his passing is more of a strength than his running.  He has great escape ability and is very good at throwing on the run.

In short, I think Colt McCoy could end up being one of the bigger steals of the draft.  He is vastly underrated to me, and I think that if he were two inches taller he would be a top five pick, even though he stands at 6’3″.

The major aspect of McCoy aside from his natural, God-given talent is his ability to lead a team to victory.  He is clutch.  He is poised.  He is the perfect fit for the Josh McDaniels system, and though many fans feel Tom Brandstater is the long-term answer at quarterback, if McCoy is staring the Broncos in the face on draft day, it will be tough to pass him up.

 

 

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