Mile High Report: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Along The Olentangy for Ohio State Fans!

The Fans Draft Strategy Part 2

Last post, I asked the question what we should do to address the center position. Surprisingly, there was no definitive answer. After 151 votes, Drafting Matt Tennant in the 2nd round was the most popular vote, but not by much. Tennant garnered 25% of the vote, J.D. Walton garnered 21%, Kevin Mawae garnered 21% and Maurkice Pouncey got 19%. It is interesting how different everyone's opinion is on how to address the Center position.

Now we are going to talk about another position of need: Guard. Last year, this was one of the worst places on our team. So far, we signed Russ Hochstein to a 2 year contract. The only Guards on our team right now are Russ, Seth Olsen and according to the Denver Broncos roster on NFL.com. So we obviously need help at the position. In the options, I am not going to include restricted free agents. If you think we should go after a restricted free agent say so in the comments. So Bronco fans, what do you think?

Poll
How do we address the Guard position
Draft Brian Bulaga in the 1st round
16 votes
Draft Mike Iupati in the 1st round
36 votes
Draft a Guard (Jerry, Asamoah, Johnson) in the 3rd Round
82 votes
Sign Bobbie Williams
15 votes
Draft a late round guard
1 votes
Other...specify in comments
1 votes

151 votes | Poll has closed

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

0 recs  |  Comment 18 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

You're talking about left guard, right?

Cuz we’ve still got Kuper unless somebody is willing to give up a first for him.

by Broncoman27 on Mar 18, 2010 7:10 PM MDT reply actions  

Technically

we don’t have him until he signs his tender. But in theory yes I am talking about left guard

by Nick Cast on Mar 18, 2010 7:16 PM MDT up reply actions  

Thanks for clarifying

I keep forgetting about how they need to actually sign the tender.

by Broncoman27 on Mar 18, 2010 7:17 PM MDT up reply actions  

No problem.

It’s definitely something I kept forgetting too. Hopefully we sign the guys we need to to their tenders so we can get down to football.

by Nick Cast on Mar 18, 2010 7:23 PM MDT up reply actions  

Hamilton

While no one was happy with his play last year, Ben Hamilton is still on the roster and still listed as a G/C. Matt McChesney is also a current option at 337 lb. if we want to go much bigger. Interesting side note – Mike Shanahan is going with massive players on both O and D lines. I guess he got as tired of players wearing out as the fans did.

It all starts with the lines

by Doc Bear on Mar 18, 2010 8:07 PM MDT reply actions  

I thought

Ben was a free agent this off season. Never even heard of Matt McChesney to be honest. Definitely an interesting side note. While guards who weigh less generally move faster, the wear and tear over the season is just too much for them.

by Nick Cast on Mar 18, 2010 8:10 PM MDT up reply actions  

Not always

Look at Ryan Clady. He’s 325, light on his feet, very powerful and no issues with injury so far. It’s as much about the genetics as it is the size.

It all starts with the lines

by Doc Bear on Mar 18, 2010 9:37 PM MDT reply actions  

True

but then there are people like all of Dallas’ offensive line who all weigh a lot but have no mobility. Clady is a special player I think he is an exception haha

by Nick Cast on Mar 18, 2010 10:30 PM MDT up reply actions  

Dustin Fry also

He’s a Big un.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Mar 18, 2010 10:40 PM MDT reply actions  

the OG/OT solution

There’s a number of quality OLs in this draft crop who are OTs. I would expect us to draft 2 OLs (at least), and there’s a strong likelihood that one will be a Tackle, and he also may not stay at OT permanently .

We’re actually in better shape at OG than OT is some ways. Putting Bulaga’s name in the poll is the right idea. I’ve been contemplating Trent Williams in the 1st, Roger Saffold in the 2nd, and a number of other OLs besides the ones that are more frequently mentioned. Marshall Newhouse is another.

The only Guards on our team right now are Russ, Seth Olsen and according to the Denver Broncos roster on NFL.com.

I don’t think you should forget about Fry and McChesney, nor Hamilton (at OC). The NFL site isn’t accurate if it failed to list McChesney (besides Kuper, who we also retain the rights to).

no goats, no glory.

by Colinski on Mar 19, 2010 1:09 AM MDT reply actions  

The Nfl site

http://www.nfl.com/teams/denverbroncos/roster?team=DEN
is what I am referring to. I didn’t see them but maybe I just missed them. I would say it is accurate that we are going to address the o-line in the draft. However, I think that we are going to be looking for a starting guard who can play tackle if one of ours gets injured. With that being said, Bulaga fits that bill perfectly. Iupati didn’t have a great showing at tackle, but he is a great guard. I haven’t heard much about Fry or McChesney to give a valid opinion, but Hamilton I thought was a free agent.

by Nick Cast on Mar 19, 2010 1:35 AM MDT up reply actions  

reply, more on OG/OTs

Bulaga is fine but most MOCKs have him going before we pick. I also like Trent Williams more because of the fluidity he exhibits and his size (not too big) and speed, which probably will serve him well in moving inside. All of this thinking applies to Saffold, too, as well as to Newhouse.

The strategy was a a hedge against Harris being unavailable at the beginning of the season, and we also need to develop greater quality depth at OT. Many OTs are moved inside (such as Kuper and Erickson, off the top of my head) so there’s no reason to be rigid in thinking. Some OGs, such as Iupati, are not good prospects for moving outside, but moving inside is a little different story.

Both Fry and McChesney are talented enough to have stuck around since coming into the NFL. Fry was a 5th rounder in 2007, McChesney was a UDFA in 2005. Both have been on rosters in some capacity each season since coming in and both have seen some action in the regular season. Perhaps what is more important, both fit into a power oriented blocking scheme and may stand a better chance of making the final cut this season because of that.

You should note that neither spent a particularly long period as a UFA. Other teams picked them up almost immediately (in most cases) when they became available. It’s common for OLs to bounce around for a while before finally making it, so, although not an indicator of their prospects, it’s consistent with the path that other successful OLs took and reason for optimism.

Re: Hamilton. He could still help at OC if he decides to play at a reduced salary (the minimum salary would still be substantial). I think the pairing of Wiegmann and Hamilton was simply too great a vulnerability last year. Opposing defenses could overload the area. He may want to skip the offseason workouts before deciding (a la Favre) but he could still help us — IMO. He wouldn’t be the only OC on the roster so his contribution would be more in the area of providing depth and experience. And that assumes that we wouldn’t have picked up a vet by that time.

no goats, no glory.

by Colinski on Mar 19, 2010 1:00 PM MDT up reply actions  

The issue I have is taking a guard top 15 is a waste

Paying a player that type of money to be a guard is not how great teams are built, I think you can find plenty of guards/tackle prospects that could be turned into gurads later in the draft that would have the same impact as drafting someone like Buluga. I much rather have the Broncos draft someone that will have an impact, even someone like CJ Spiller.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Mar 19, 2010 4:03 PM MDT reply actions  

I agree

I would rather spend top 15 money on someone who will make an immediate impact. I voted for drafting a guard in the 3rd round. Jerry, Asamoah and Johnson all can be very productive guards in this league and they can be gotten for a 3rd round pick. We don’t necessarily need to draft Iupati or Bulaga in the 1st. However, I wouldn’t totally be opposed to it. I do hope we go elsewhere but I would understand why they did it.

by Nick Cast on Mar 19, 2010 5:19 PM MDT up reply actions  

taking a Tackle may not be

I’ve made your argument before in the context of selecting Iupati, who I like but can’t justify picking that early, but the argument here — specifically as it relates to picking Trent Williams — is that a top-flight OT might be the best choice.

Part of the problem with the 1st pick is draft projections don’t provide anyone who does meet the criteria for both a top ten pick and someone we could reasonably use or feel comfortable drafting (e.g., Bryant). If we’re given a situation is which McClain, etc., are off the board then we’re stuck with a selection which may not meet the standard wisdom of what a top ten pick should be (now eleven).

A Tackle who isn’t used as a Tackle is a Guard for all intents and purposes, but there’s added value when that Guard can also play as a competent OT. Moreover, the real logical course may be to take the BPA and worry about what to do with that excess talent later, once Harris has returned and we’re satisfied with the situation at Tackle.

My feeling at this time is that Trent Williams is a special talent, and I’d feel quite comfortable selecting him over some of the other talent that should be available even though it could lead to crowding at the position. Ryan Harris’ prospects for a full recovery by next season are still uncertain enough to tip the decision in favor of Williams — tentatively, since we still don’t know who else will be available. The point of this analysis is to examine contingencies that might occur and pre-decide on what to do. I think it would be interesting to see who people would choose at #11 if the choices were:

Clausen, Jimmy (QB)
Bryant, Dez (WR)
Williams, Trent (OT)
Morgan, Derrick (DE)
Mays, Taylor (S)
Iupati, Mike (OG)

no goats, no glory.

by Colinski on Mar 19, 2010 8:54 PM MDT up reply actions  

You

have very good thoughts Colinski. My personal feeling is that Trent isn’t necessarily the best player available for us. There has to be a mix of BPA and team needs.
Lets assume that Bradford, Sue, McCoy, Okung, Berry, Bulaga, Davis, McClain, Clausen and Spiller are all gone in the top 10. That would leave
Maurkice Pouncey C
Joe Haden CB
Dan Williams DL
Trent Williams OT
Mike Iupati G
Dez Bryant WR

These are the people that I think we might pick with the 11th pick. Trent is a good player but there are players that we can get instead of him that would help us a lot more such as Pouncey and Haden IMO

by Nick Cast on Mar 19, 2010 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions  

it's possible, that's why I qualify my comments as contingency planning

I’d probably take Haden. I also have no problem moving for the other picks. The scenario that I’ve discussed previously is to go ahead and take Williams and bargain with Green Bay (or another team) to take Wiliiams and trade us their #23 pick and other considerations.

This is going to be a much longer draft because it’s spread out over a number of days so we’ll have the chance to negotiate with teams.

My point on drafting has always been to have greater utility for the entire draft. One obvious way for us to do that is to trade back and fill a greater number of positions, which we are capable of doing. There’s still more than six openings on our roster, so I’d be quite happy if we could trade back for extra picks — especially in this draft. BTW — those picks need to be in the 2-5 range.

no goats, no glory.

by Colinski on Mar 20, 2010 9:02 PM MDT up reply actions  

good plan

Another one is Joe Haden. If Joe Haden falls to us, look for Green Bay to try and trade up to get him. They can really use a corner. A few pieces and Green Bay will be a legit contender. Williams and Haden could be the players Green Bay would want to trade up with us and get. We could get a nice bounty for the trade up too. If we can get additional picks in rounds 2-5 then we would get good bargains.

by Nick Cast on Mar 20, 2010 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

MileHighReport(MHR) is the ultimate independent resource for the Denver Broncos on the web. Along with MHR Radio, the official podcast of MHR, we look to provide hardcore Denver Broncos fans positive, independent insight about the Broncos, 24/7/365!
Start posting about the Broncos »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Bill-hicks-smoking_small
Better Know the Jacksonville Jaguars: Ask Big Cat Country
Legend_of_the_seeker_small
Five Inconspicuous Reasons the Broncos Have a Bright Future
C1060ltp4_small
Bushido: the Soul of a Bronco
Mhr_shirt_small
Broncos Vs Vikings Studs and Duds
Throwback_orton_small
Tebow's Throwing Motion Sickness

Recent FanPosts

Broncoman_1__small
Kudos for Coach McDaniels
Agentj_small
TOP 5 Q from 2010 Preseason
Studs-terkel_small
Better or Worse in 2010? Chibronx brings the Nerdy Tables. You Bring the Debate
Uncle-sam_small
2010 Schedule Analysis and Prediction Final Part & Hold Yourselves Accountable!
Mhr_shirt_small
Roster Analysis
Broncos_small
Ryan Harris
Images_small
The Questions "I" Want Answered Can the Broncos make the Playoffs?
399_small
Broncos add 5 to practice squad

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Getting Social With MHR

Facebook_badge_medium_medium
Black_generated_button

Milehighreport_email_medium

Next Game

SPONSORS

Web Stuff

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Photo

2010 NFL Preview, Baltimore Ravens: It's Joe Flacco's Turn

New York Jets wide receiver Darrelle Revis signals to the fans during football practice at the new Meadowlands Stadium, Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) +22 updates

When You're A Jet: Darrelle Revis Agrees To Terms With New York On Extension

Photo +9 updates

Matt Leinart Reportedly Signs One-Year Deal With The Houston Texans

More from SBNation.com >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Bolts From The Blue
Chargers Sign Veteran QB J.T. O'Sullivan
Music City Miracles
LeGarrette Blount Claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mocking The Draft
Rock out with your mock draft out: Scott Wright

General Manager/Head Coach

Milehighreport_small John Bena

Superstock_253-215_small Jeremy Bolander

Asst. Head Coach

Coach_pic_small Steve Nichols

Tahoetim_small Tim Lynch

Tjpic1_small TJ Johnson

Broncos_camp_2_054_small Sayre Bedinger

Position Coach

Bronco-pride_small BShrout

Me_as_a_simpson_small ejruiz

Mmgg_004_small KaptainKirk

Broncohoodie_in_africa_small kentuckybronco

Quality Control

800px-john_brown_painting_small mdierk