Depth Chart Intrigue

by poorboywilly on Sep 5, 2008 7:16 PM MDT

I looked over at denverbroncos.com to see their depth chart, updated Tuesday, and found some interesting things I wanted to discuss.

First off, WR. I figured from the start that D-Jack was probably going to be receiver number 2, so no suprise that with Marshall out he is receiver 1, but I didn't forsee ER taking over the starting role next to Marshall when he returns. Stokely always was a lock at slot (see Shannahan's many "best slot in NFL" comments), Colbert didn't do anything to differentiate himself and I never figured Parker would stick.

Secondly (and related), TE. I still kind of wish Mustard was around, but the interesting thing here is that Scheff never really did much in preseason, but is number 2. Did Scheff ever really fall out of favor as some speculated, or are these simply Shannahanigans? I imagine Nate will help out in the slot or split wide quite a bit this week to help take on Marshall's load, but I think the Broncos like the 1-2 punch of Graham-Scheff quite well.

Thirdly, Jack MF Williams is listed behind Champ at LCB. Does that make him the nickelback, or does it depend on the situation?

Fourthly (heh), Michael Pittman gets the nod for third string kick returner. That'd be interesting to see.

Lastly, Spencer Larsen is no longer listed as a LB. I assume he's going to be playing mostly special teams anyways, what with Peyton Hillis appearing to be very good (and our traditional sparing use of the FB), but I wonder if his die has been cast now, or if the'll still give him a chance at LB too?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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I think Jackson is BMarsh's backup at the position.

Royal is #2 WR, backed up by Colbert.

I believe that’s how it works.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Zappa on Sep 5, 2008 8:44 PM MDT 0 recs

Yeah

that’s how I’ve come to understand it, I just didn’t see it coming…glad that it is though, ER looks good!

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Sep 5, 2008 9:33 PM MDT up 0 recs

Shannahanigans!

My new favorite word.

but I digress

"It's the first time that I've probably ever seen a 260 pound back run into a free safety and go flat on his back, I mean it was exciting." ~John Elway

by jibbons on Sep 5, 2008 9:19 PM MDT 0 recs

BEST WORD EVER

I miss Al

by birkheac on Sep 5, 2008 9:35 PM MDT up 0 recs

And the bane

of fantasy players everywhere. Glad I gave that up (except for trying unsuccessfully to get in the MHR league. sniff.)

by jonahsilas on Sep 5, 2008 11:42 PM MDT up 0 recs

Yikes!

Engleberger starting at LE with Ekuban backing him up, plus Peterson, Shaw and Clemons providing the depth at DT… it’s the only place on our depth chart that scares me, but it does so with room to spare. We’re also an injury to the fragile Boss Bailey away from starting our 2007 LB corps, only shuffled as to positions.

Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/

by ejruiz on Sep 5, 2008 9:26 PM MDT 0 recs

d-rob will save us!

except when he goes down, and we have thomas and peterson starting, with shaw, clemons, and harris for depth. this was our biggest need position this year. worried yet?

by davecheffy on Sep 6, 2008 10:21 PM MDT up 0 recs

Crowder

I am still surprised to see him third string, but it’s only his second year, I suppose. I like that we have Woodyard and Larsen on St, but apparently Larsen isn’t going to get a sniff of MLB any time soon. Makes sense.

Shaw doesn’t even have a number, but he’s listed ahead of Clemons? Hmm…And we haver Lowry backing up MCree – did anyone hear what convinced them to send Barrett to the PS? Not that he won’t do well to learn for a year – the pro game is very, very fast.

Atwater for the Hall!

by broncobear on Sep 5, 2008 11:52 PM MDT 0 recs

Yeah

I was pretty curious about Crowder too. He just screams every down to me, but I’m not the coach either, so I’m sure they’ve seen plenty. However, there is no doubting Ekuban has what it takes, in my opinion. Curious that we heard about him moving to tackle but he’s still listed as an end. Perhaps that was just a preseason experiment?

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Sep 6, 2008 1:24 PM MDT up 0 recs

My thoughts.

1. Yes, Royal is our #2 receiver. This excites for two reasons. One, we drafted a guy to be a returner that is good enought to start! Two, we have the ability to stretch the field verticaly, making double teams against possession receiver Marshall MUCH more difficult to employ.

2. Scheff played hurt in the pre-season, and this may be a factor. I tend to think that he and Jackson will compete for the #2 spot well into the season. Either way, we are loaded at TE depth, and that’s a terrific thing.

3. Nicklebacks are typicaly shown as the back-up for the #2 CB (the RCB, right being fro the defense’s perspective). However, as you point out, it is likely situational. Denver is enamored with the “big nickel” concept, and they run the BN differently than they run their 3-3 nickel and base nickels.

4. Agree on Pittman being interesting as the #3 returner. It doesn’t make much sense to me, but the coaches obvioualy know more than I do.

5. No idea on Larson. I am in the camp that wants him on STs or as a bck-up at LB, not at FB.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 6, 2008 6:13 AM MDT 0 recs

Thanks HT

Speaking of the Big Nickel (not that free newspaper…), that’s something I haven’t heard much about in a while. Who would be the big nickel on this team? Lowry is on the low end of the size spectrum for a safety and only slightly bigger than the corners. Hamza maybe? He has the most height at 6-2, which could be the biggest factor in the BN (Gates is 6-4, Gonzalez and Zach Miller are 6-5) if they use it to try and neutralize the TE. Something to keep an eye on for sure.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Sep 6, 2008 1:20 PM MDT up 0 recs

Manuel is my choice for run stopping SAF.

Still learning about Lowry.

Also, on another issue… I wouldn’t worry about Crowder guys. While listed third, I think he sees good time in rotation.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 6, 2008 5:05 PM MDT up 0 recs

I like

Crowder more than Moss. I am not willing to write moss off as a bust yet . he got hurt last year. But I really think he needs to show something this year. I wasnt a fan of the pick

by broncfanstuckinsd on Sep 6, 2008 5:13 PM MDT up 0 recs

I think he might go either way.

Crowder is solid as a sort of man stopping, pass rushing kind of guy. Moss has never been a man stopper, and his ability as a pass rusher is still unknown. I think we’ll know more in the next few weeks.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Sep 6, 2008 5:21 PM MDT up 0 recs