Horse Tracks 7/17/09 - Rod Smith to the College HOF. Congrats, 80!

But I have to take you to task over your punting comment. Gross average is a individual statistic – net average is the team statistic. It doesn’t really matter how far you kick it if you’re constantly out-kicking your coverage. I would much rather have a guy that generates great hang time and can kick directionally when needed than worry at all about gross average – just my take. Go Broncs!

BM wants to get paid and Denver wants him to play out his rookie contract. Me thinks there is nothing more to the BM story than his frustration with his contract and the looming CBA issues that could keep BM in contract limbo for quite a while.

He and his agent know that if he got traded, the first thing his new team would do is lock him up with a long term deal. Unlike the more complicated Cutler fiasco, BMs issues are only about money and he is using what little leverage he has with the hip misdiagnosis to get a new contract from Denver or anyone that would trade for him. It’s a long shot for him to secure a new deal and he is making an interesting… run at it, but Denver still holds all the cards and everyone (including BM) knows this.

Unlike with Cutler, I applaud the Broncos for taking the hard line with BM. That dude has already said he will show up for camp which is a great thing for Denver because $2.2 million is a big-time bargain for a 100+ catch WR coming off a Pro Bowl start at age 24.

There is Jamie Dukes article on NFL.com where he says a few Bronco players have “in private” expressed their distrust of McDaniels.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/07/16/players-media-have-trust-issues-with-mcdaniels/

“I’m just ready to do this now,” Baker said as beads of sweat raced down his face during a break last week. “It’s my dream to make it to the NFL and I’m committed to doing what I have to do to get there.”

The Broncos are thin at defensive tackle, helping Baker’s chances. And he’s intriguing because he has great skills. He posted a 5.12-second 40-yard dash and 35 1/2 inches in the vertical jump at the NFL combine.

In comparison, Boston College’s B.J. Raji, the first defensive tackle drafted, ninth overall by the Packers, ran a 5.23 40 and topped out at 32 inches on the vertical.

For the value it sounds like the Packers got hosed with this Raji kid, and the only reson Baker wasn’t up there with him in the draft was because of 2 fights helping his teammates. Baker sounds like the kind of guy I would want on the team. Great find nyc, thanks.

Wanted to read it, sounded interesting, but it says you have to be an insider to read the story. Just a heads up

According to Cutler, McDaniels continued to deny his role even when confronted with incontrovertible evidence that he had tried to trade for Cassel, his pupil in New England.

When has Jay Cutlers’ word become hoyle? Somebady please SHOW me the evidence.

From the CSG article

Denver’s safety situation was among the worst in the NFL last season – not just the worst safety situation, but perhaps the worst situation of any position group in the league. Seven players started at safety for the last season, including linebacker Wesley Woodyard, although that was more of a 4-4 look for the to begin a game against Carolina. Among those players there were no sacks, one interception, no forced fumbles and one recovered fumble the entire season. In addition to making almost no big plays, they were often liabilities in coverage and did little to help a bad run defense.

And the MSM thinks the D Line was the only problem……………..

I’m going to put a picture of him inside my toolbox to go alongside the ones of Jayby, Phyllis, and this guy Max that are already taped in there. I agree with the guy that was going to punch him in the face yesterday; I’ll help.

Since it’s an insider piece that many of us can’t otherwise read, someone reposted it here:
(hope this is kosher)

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=146184.

Btw, full disclosure, I actually sort of know the author of that piece, and she rocks, but it’s a good piece anyway. And for the record she told me that Eddie “was lovely”, was very nice to her. :-)

And congrats to Rod!

is on Twitter.

Be kind, guys. ;-)

In new piece on SI.com just posted (not to dredge up this whole debate again, but just thought it was interesting to get his perspective; see also his thoughts on the Chiefs signing Matt Cassel):

Why are you so down on Jay Cutler? I listen to you all the time on Sirius and every chance you get, you are bashing the kid. The situation that unfolded in Denver would have had a lot of players wanting out. I think you are going to eat your words once Cutler is slinging touchdowns and Chicago is putting up wins.
— Nick Patel, Sylva, N.C.

I think as a rank-and-file player in the NFL for seven years I lose respect for players that behave in a manner that suggests they are above the team. I can understand Cutler might have been hurt by the Broncos’ interest in Cassel and wanted out. But his subsequent behavior, including not returning repeated phone calls and text messages from owner Pat Bowlen, was immature at best.

I also think he is overrated as a quarterback. Many people are enamored with his physical skills and statistics but the numbers that stand out to me are his 17-20 record and his 18 interceptions last season. If he leads the Bears to the NFC North title, I will be happy to say I was wrong but for now that is my story and I am sticking to it.

if this was posted here or anywhere else , but just in case. Yet another look at our linebackers….

http://www.footballnewsshare.com/13106-inside-the-denver-broncos-roster-the-middle-linebackers/

I loved reading this from Colquitt, speaking about his brother learning from ST coach Priefer:
"Dustin has gone from being decent to great," Britton said. "Just hopefully getting a little bit of knowledge here, whether it is for a few years or whether it is just this summer in training camp. I feel like I’ve already gained some knowledge and can definitely get a lot better just from him alone."