LB and DT. Which in the grand scheme of things, isn’t too bad for this team. We had so many questions going into camp, it looks like we have solved at least some of them. Our K and P look to be alright right now, but we’ll see once the action is live. One of the biggest Q’s was Marshall, and he isn’t showing any effects of his injury, so any suspension he (possibly) receives will be it and at least it should be at the beginning of the season and as you said, we have a lot of decent bodies at WR now to hold the fort down while he is out. All in all, I think this year is already shaping up to exceed my expectations. Preseason games will be really important.

And…. If Ramsey has a bad preseason, I expect him to be cut. I was thinking Sapp was a goner too, but it depends on the health of Pittman and Hillis.

My biggest concern remains DT. We just lost our only DT from the draft (fifth rounder Powell), and the only other acquisition from the reloading season doesn’t practice much (DRob) because we don’t want to risk injury. This means that we need for Thomas to step up in a big way and hope for good things from DRob if we are going to make headway stopping the run this year.

Another concern I have is Ekuban. A run stopping DE, it looks like he is being moved to DT. While he can handle the job (I’m expecting our system to use a lot of one gap at DT), there is little doubt that he is more effective at DE. That he is being moved shows two things. First, we have a problem at DT. Second, we lose our best run stopping DE. This may not sound like a big deal if you really want pass rushers on both sides of the line, but most plays in football are runs to the inside on the strong side, and it is a rule of thumb to have a run stopper at L-DE on most plays.

I’m just seeing Obf saying what I’ve written here – I read that Shanahan is convinced that his DE’s are fully ready for the season and offered a chance for Ek to stick with the team by moving to DT. This seems to indicate that someone has stepped up against the run, at least in Mike’s eyes. denver-broncos-denver.com has noted several times this week that in his opinion, Moss is doing very well against the run, Crowder has gotten good marks there as well at L-DE. D-Rob has said several times that while it’s nice that Mike is resting him more, the whole issue of the knees is overblown. Perhaps not later in his career, but I’m glad he feels that way. I think we’re Ok.

LB concerns me more – I have a sneaking hope that Woodyeard steps up and can back up Boss.

According to the HC, Webster and K2 are neck and neck. He said Webster had a great offseason and looks good. The Broncos got spoiled with Al Wilson since 1999. I am not as concerned about the LB’s as some. Look, if there is any spot I have my concerns it would be DT. The run defesne starts there. Plus the reports coming out of the camp is the defensive players are happy with the system they have reinstalled. They guys were saying we know what we are doing again. That to me speaks volumes. The OL is always gonna be steady. I think Shanny got depth in case Nails is little slow regaining himself. If anything I think the OL will be fine. Look at last year with an beat OL and top 10 running the ball.

It’s the first week of camp and most of these concerns should be dampened until the end of the preseason.

I agree Boss’ health is something to keep an eye on, as depth at LB is an area of concern. I would also like to see Woodyard get a backup spot, BB.
I see Niko as our starter at MLB. There’s doubt because nobody knows about him, but the kid is SMART and plays with FIRE on gameday. For what it’s worth, I distinctly remember his name being called in a Seattle game last season after he went into rage-mode and blew somebody up ala Romo. I thought to myself, “Man, the broncos need to get some young and hungry guys like that on the team.” Well apparently they felt the same way, and needless to say I am looking forward to seeing more intensity from the defense this season. I’d like to see him get in the weight room and add some size and strength to really show people who’s who at the MLB, but I feel like the “competition” is really about getting some depth at the spot and having two capable guys taking reps who feel comfortable with the scheme and rest of the starters and vice versa, rather than finding out who the actual starter is. They may be “neck and neck” right now as far as the media knows, but there will be no question after a couple weeks. Also Larsen is NOT an OLB answer, although he could be a very good MLB in the future if he can get his technique and body up to the pro level.

As far as DT.. OK first Ekuban, I don’t believe he is being “moved to DT.” I think it’s probably more likely that he’s being lined up at DT in certain formations to see how he looks and what he’s capable of there. (SEE: last season’s game @ Indy) Yes I did see that interview where he talked about doing whatever it takes to make the team, but I also know Shanahan likes to say things to players to get them motivated to step their game up.
It does suck that Powell went down, but he’s a rookie and has never played a down in the NFL, you don’t mention Kenny Peterson, Josh Mallard, or Alvin McKinley, who all made some big plays for the Broncos at the end of last season. No they are not names but at this point we need some of these no-name guys to STEP IT UP and make names for themselves. (SEE: Dumervil)

Concern for the O-line is just, but I also feel we are only seeing some very preliminary looks, especially with Holland TFTP. The coaches are throwing some guys into the mix and seeing what they’ve got. For instance, I can’t see Harris as seriously competing for starting RT, but in the first week of camp we might as well get him some reps and see what he can do. (Not much from what I’ve heard) Also I’ve heard that it was in fact Clady getting the better of Doom and actually pancaking him once or twice.

I agree with Darin also and say cut Ramsey. (though I doubt it would happen) He’s soft and inaccurate and will never be more than a clipboard and visor in the NFL (and he ain’t no Kube). Hackney plays like he’s got a pair.

I see the defense coming up big this year with youth, speed, and intensity. We saw a lot of confusion from the D last season that I believe came from over-thinking. I would get so frustrated watching them and just wanting them to attack the play more. Like, run to the ball and tackle the guy.. This led to Champ being our best LB last year.. Like BFinSD said, the players feel like they know what they’re doing now and they can just REACT to plays. This will make a huge difference this year. HUGE.

I am with you on 10-6 as a realistic goal. IMHO this is the first year we get to see “The New Style” Denver Broncos. This is the prototype for our team o’ the future. No not all the pieces are in place yet, but I really like the kind of players we have in camp, and I am really excited to see what they can put together. I would like to see some more PRIDE and INTENSITY from the team which has been in decline since we lost some of our heart & soul guys over the last few years. Hopefully some of these guys are warriors and can get us back on the path to glory.

Marshall will not be suspended.

OK that’s my 2¢. Cheers!

GO BRONCOS!!

I like Niko to start too. I’m reading that Webster has the edge in starts right now, and the race is close. Webster might get some edge from being an older vet (more savvy), but I agree with you and what I’d like to see.

On Ek, I’m afraid that it looks at this point less like getting some looks at DT and actually being moved in the depth chart. I may be wrong (I hope I am), but it’s looking more like a permanent move.

I didn’t mention Peterson, Mallard, or McKinley because I don’t see them as starters. They can spell Thomas or DRob, but I don’t see them as consistent play makers.

We agree on Ramsey. I think he’s in danger, and I think Hackney easily edges him.

Good chance on Marshall not getting a suspension. If he does, I’m thinking two (and no more than 4). No suspension is a possibility with Marshall’s “Looking forward to the raiders MNF” comment (words to that effect).

Again, lots of great points that you make!

I know Defensive Tackle is a concern for most of us on this site. Given our strength at End we will probably keep four tackles and five Ends. It seems to me that D-Rob and Marcus Thomas are for sure. McKinley is a pretty fair run stopper so I add him as the third. This leaves Stevin Harris or Mallard for the fourth. Mallard is small, but I like his athleticism and veratility. If niether of these two fit the need for the fourth DT then Kenny Petersen or Nic Clemons could be considered, They both have the size, quickness and ability to play the one gap DT. Regardless of personnel, I see a lot of rotation for us on the entire Defensive Line. My main concern is LB but if D-Rob is that dominant DT that makes the other better, then maybe we are OK there too as they keep the opposing O-Line off our MLB. Just a thought.

There are no concerns in the ‘la-la-land-of-pre-season-feel-goods.’ Therefore I am not concerned. I’m having visions of the ‘T’ formation making a comback. Selvin on the right, Alridge on the left, and Hillis in the center. In this land Selvin runs for 2000, Jay throws for 4000, and our defense watches most of the game from the sidline.

See! I told you…there is no concern.

Injuries are by FAR my biggist concern. As Shanahan stated in his backing off his playoffs “guarantee”, having some luck with injuries is a key to any succesfull season. Any elite team in the league has a similiar laundry list of concerns, even the mighty Pats. Part of being succesfull in this league is having the bll bounce your way more often than not. Is it better to be lucky than good? Sometimes!

Viewing individual positions allows us to focus on problems/strengths but my main concern is collective. In other words, how well will certain areas of the team perform as a unit? The reason we should be concerned is last year. When a large infusion of new players are playing together for the first time under a new system there’s reason for concern.

Last year’s problems were taken into account when this year’s scheme was installed so there’s reason to believe that we won’t see the same problems again. Moreover, and this is hardly trivial, the players like this year’s scheme. However, there are problems with cohesion when a new scheme is implemented, and there’s also uncertainty about how individual players will perform under game conditions, which requires adjustments that then require time to implement.

I’m less concerned with immediate results than I am with creating a nucleus for long-term success, and that’s why, in part, I’d like to see the bulk of this year’s draft class on the final roster. If that means accepting a poorer record because of youth then I think it’s worth it. Looking at the Broncos’ roster acquisitions since 2000 reveals how little talent has been accumulated in the post-Elway era, and I think this has led to an inevitable decline in performance and, more importantly, a loss of team identity.

Here’s how the Broncos were constructed, going up to 2007.

DRAFT & College FA —-—-—-—-—-TRADE-—-—-—-—-—-—--FA-—--

2001-G/C Ben Hamilton (4a)-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—--

2002 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——TE/LS Mike Leach

2003-RB Cecil Sapp (CFA)-—-—TE Nate Jackson(SF)-—-—- LB Louis Green

2004- LB D.J. Williams (1) --——-CB Champ Bailey

2005-CB Karl Paymah (3a)-—--DE Ebenezer Ekuban (Cle)-—-S Hamza Abdullah
CB Domonique Foxworth(3b)-—-DE John Engelberger (SF)
T Erik Pears (CFA)

2006—QB Jay Cutler (1)-—-—-—-—-N/A-—-—-—-—-—-— RB Andre Hall
TE Tony Scheffler (2)—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—TE Chad Mustard
WR Brandon Marshall (4a)-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—DT Kenny Peterson
DE Elvis Dumervil (4b)-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-———LB Nate Webster (UFA-Cin)
G Chris Kuper (5)

2007—DE Jarvis Moss (1)-—-—CB Dré Bly (Det)-—-—-— G P.J. Alexander
DE Tim Crowder (2)—-—-—-—-—-N/A-—-—-—-—-—-—LB Jordan Beck
T Ryan Harris (3)-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- DE Larry Birdine
DT Marcus Thomas (4)—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— DE Paul Carrington
DT Steven Harris (CFA)—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- TE Daniel Graham (UFA-NE)
WR Marquay McDaniel (CFA)—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- QB Darrell Hackney
S Roderick Rogers (CFA)-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— G Montrae Holland (UFA-NO)
RB Selvin Young (CFA)—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—WR Taylor Jacobs
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-DT Josh Mallard
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-WR Glenn Martinez
—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—--DT Alvin McKinley (UFA-Cle)
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-P Sam Paulescu
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-K Matt Prater
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-QB Patrick Ramsey
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-CB Lamont Reid
-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-WR Brandon Stokley
—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——-LB Jamie Winborn

I’ve left out this year’s class and it contains an even greater number of FAs and draft choices than in previous years.

What’s noticeable about the composition of the Broncos is the near void of players who were drafted before 2004. Only Nalen and Hamilton remain from before then. And if things go as I expect then there will be a large contingent of new players on this year’s roster. This is both good and bad. The good part is that it brings in a lot of new talent. The bad part is that it may take time to develop the cohesiveness that comes from playing together for years. Despite this, I would love to see them bring in a couple more draft classes like the last few year’s and completely reload the team, which is what I think it will take. Therefore, I measure this year’s results in terms of team growth rather than mere win/loss record.

Your posts never fail to get us all thinking and educate us and entertain us at the same time. I send a big THANK YOU from Alaska!

...that wasn’t my intent. If you want a good pick-me-up, here’s a great and very positive answer to a lot of the concerns from our Very own fearless leader, Guru!

While the prize of the draft’s DT’s may be Fili Moala of USC (In 2007, while starting all 13 games he had 32 tackles, including 5.5 for losss of 21 yards including 2.5 sacks for minus 16 yards), there are several DT’s in this draft that could help –
Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss, 6-3, 298, 58 tkl, 3.5 sk, 10.5 tfl, 1 pbu, and 1 int in ‘07 is one example,
Alex Magee, DT, Purdue, 6-3, 295, 38 tkl, 4.5 tfl, 2 pbu in ‘07 is another, or
Darryl Richard, DT, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 290, 30 tkl, 4.5 sk, 7 tfl, 1 pbu in ‘07, even Sen’Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn

It’s a fairly good draft for DT’s and it’s even deeper at linebacker. (I think that Styg is right, and we need to look seriously at SLB. I love Winborn’s story, but not his over-pursuit habits). I have a couple of articles that I’m working on and it’s obviously too early to put them up, but I suspect that Colinski and others would agree that this could be a fine draft for us.

Colinski has made several good points, I believe. We were victims of our own success in terms of draft placement – the Broncos have gone longer without at top ten pick than any other team in the league. We have great coaching, and were often of the belief that we were just a player or two (usually a FA) away from the Big Dance, and got caught in the wishful FA market. Our drafting was documentably poor, but the Goodman’s, as I suggested in the post of Barrett, seem to be turning that around for us. Things are looking better for this year, and greatly better for next.

I think that HT has the right of it – we can make a run at the playoffs this year, and if we don’t we can get some young guys a lot of good experience. Even if we do sit some of them, most will get some experience, all will learn the system and that’s a big plus as well.