possible strategies in the construction of the 2009 Denver Broncos

Wat's up people?

Anyways,  if any of yall checked NFLN today, you probably caught some of last years wildcard games. They were full of Denver acquisitions, so I was particularly interested; Minn/Phi (Buckhalter & Dawkins), Bal/Mia (Goodman & Hill), SD/Ind (Reid & SD Dline perfomance). A few things were immediately apparent, a few things took a moment. The immediate: I watched both Hill and Goodman in deep 1 on 1 coverage against WR Clayton usually...both had adequate deep speed, both played the ball well, the were consistent, both were left on islands by their D-scheme...I like. Buckhalter has wheels and reads his blocks well...Dawkins is a beast and he takes heads...I love it too much...I kept thinkin...there's a bunch of connections on our team...I'm gonna go through the ones that jump out at me.

McD needed a coaching staff, he looted the AFC west for it's best at needed areas such as DL (chargers) and LB (raiders)...I'm pretty sure we nabbed someone from K.C might of been for secondary. This gives us numerous advantages this season; we weaken the division in areas we need to improve, and we acquire a new level of familiarity with our opponents, whom constitute 6 out of 16 games and our path into the play-offs.

We needed a DC who could take our D and its horrendous 2008 resume and turn into something workable, and dare I say, feared. We wanted to change scheme to a 3-4, and we found someone to do it. Someone proven...Nolan built the Superbowl Raven's D...not so much a head coach, but the SF D hasn't been to blame...Nolan has also coached in Denver prior to this stint. From 1987-1992 he was our LB coach, so he know's the organization, the town, and the expectations...he also knows one of our, IMO, best FA acquisitions; Ronnie Fields. We need a NT now, someone to anchor our 3-4...Nolan also needs someone who can help him implement his system and expectations. Fields is from SF, plays NT, is familiar with scheme, and is entering the prime of his career...Bringin in players with a degree of comfort and the ability to assist scheme/team transition; this theme seems to continue...

We needed help at safety, why not bring in a future HOF in Brian Dawkins, we need help at RB, someone who is proven to catch and be a threat on 3rd down...Buckhalter makes sense...he comes to Denver with a former teammate in Dawkins (and vice versa) and they both fill glaring needs now while mentoring rookies/future starters.

With the Marshall situation and it's potential ramifications, we needed alil insurance at WR...we brought in Brandon Lloyd...once again, a transplanted teammate (played with Orton in Chicago). He offers another deep threat, veteran depth, and source of info for the other WR with regards to Orton.

We needed more help at safety and at corner opposite Champ...that team over in Miami had a crazy year, bouncing back from 1-15 to go 10-6 with a first year coach and a "noodle -arm QB (Pennington aka 2008 comeback player of the year). Goodman and Hill helped achor a tough, resilient Miami secondary last year. They both come over at the peak of their careers, familiar with each other's playing tendancies as well as offering each other a friendly face. They both will also help mold young talent (Smith, Mcbath, Bruton, Barrett)...I'm seeing a trend here...

We need depth at receiver, RB; Gaffney and Jordan. Not so much at LS, we got Paxton tho. Continuing the obvious trends of transplanted teammates, you have here another example. But I this also connects to another theme in McD's strategy; bringin in players who can help him implement new schemes asap, and in all phases of the team.

On offense; Orton is a veteran QB who is familiar with playing in a variation of the spread O, Jordan will help the RB's learn the new system, Graham the TE's, Gaffney and Jackson for the WR's, Paxton for the ST's (heard he was an emergency OLineman, could possibly help verbage with O-line too).

On Defense; As I mentioned earlier, Fields is able to transiton smoothly to Nolan's defensive scheme, but numerous other FA signings also bring 3-4 experience McBean from Pitt, and Andra Davis from Cleveland. Our secondary is now built on experience, solid tackling, consistency, and in the case of Champ and BDawk, All-Pros who are Canton-bound.  Our front 7 has bulked up and appears to be versatile and very hungry...

As Training Camp nears, position battles and cuts are on the horizon. I saw another theme in McD's team construction. Not sure if this is viable, but it would seem that we have numerous players who permit us some extra roster flexability: Spencer Larse (LB/FB), Ayers/Dumervil/Reid/Crowder/Moss (OLB/DE), Hill/McBath (S/CB), Reid/Bruton (marquee ST players in addition to defensive depth), Paxton (LS/OL)...it would seem havin versatile players like these would allow us to keep more players at certain positions.

exp: If we have Larsen who can play both LB and FB, doesn't that potentially save us one roster spot at RB? That spot may allow us to keep an extra HB (Jordan or Torain).

I think this approach is to be commended...It appears the roster has been built with a couple strategies in mind: Make player transitions to team as smooth as possible (familiar coaches, teammates, schemes), make team scheme and culture transition as smooth as possible (familiar players and proven leaders/mentors), immediate success with a foundation for the future and team chemistry...or that's wat I see anyways (N-E Ways...jokes, but I don't mind superBowls the N-E Way...Broncos all day everday)

Go Broncos!!