Offseason Mock: A Different Approach

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 4:49 AM MST

This one will almost certainly make some folks grouchy, but I wanted to throw it out there for the purposes of thinking about our team a little differently. The main assumptions in my approach to this mock are that we are much closer to being a very good offense than a very good defense. That an effective running game will make the defense better by picking up first downs, controlling the clock, and limiting the number of possessions for both teams. That we will be going back to a 4-3 and that a number of our players are already suited for it.

Quickly, here are my team needs by position:

RED ALERT!!! SEND HELP NOW!!!

Yellow Alert! Definitely could use some assistance!

DE, SAF, TE, OL, FB, RB

Help would be nice.

OLB, ILB

Not too concerned.

QB, WR, CB, K, P, LS

We should resign: Champ Bailey, Matt Prater, Brady Quinn, Ryan Harris

Free Agents: I'm thinking we'll have to put a good chunk of change into Bailey and Harris to keep them. Might make bargain hunting the order of the day in FA.

Kevin Boss TE NYG: Lots of fans want a replacement for Tony Scheffler. I want a replacement for Daniel Graham whose skills seemed to have diminished overall. His blocking was not as dominant and his hands turned to stone. And a vet player should not have to be told to line up by the rookie QB on the final drive of the final game of the season with a chance to win. Boss is a good all around tight-end who is not spectacular at anything but very good at everything. I'll take it

Le'Ron McClain FB BAL: A big nasty blocker with some ability to carry the rock. I love Spencer Larsen as a person and player but he's not a top of the line nasty FB. Frankly, I'd like to see Larsen be given a shot as a thumper ILB under the new coaching staff.

Cliff Avril DE DET: Player who has quietly improved each of his years in Detroit. He finished with 9 sacks this past year. He's under the radar so may come cheaper than some of the bigger names and can rotate with Ayers and Doom on the outside of the line. Actually I think he starts and Ayers is the rotational guy.

Ronnie Brown RB MIA: He had a bit of an off year and is getting a bit long in the tooth so I think that he won't cost all that much to sign. The flip of that is I don't think he'll want to sign a long term deal. He'll try to have a good couple of years and get a final payoff. He's a big back and that's what I want to complement Knowshon. D Will is the style change I'm wanting in a 2nd back.

Tom Zibikowski SAF BAL: He's a hard-nosed guy with experience and won't cost much.

Alex Smith QB SF: Yeah yeah, he sucks. At the same time he has flashed some talent at times. He might benefit by sitting and watching. He'd still have to be sharp to compete with Quinn for the backup position. I dunno. I've always thought he had a chance with some consistency in coaching.

The Draft: Here's the part methinks you will all hate. I'm not going crazy on defense, but I am so staying in the trenches. I am not projecting any trades because I don't believe that the CBA will be finished by the draft.

Round 1: Marcell Dareus DT 'Bama, I know everyone loves Fairly and I think he'll be a good Warren Sapp type DT. Great. What I want is a DT that makes the C and OG hitting him look like a Geo Metro in a crash test when the fire out on him. I want their back to bend and their knees to buckle. I want the FB and RB to get stacked up in the mess and the ILB to come in and make the tackle. I think Dareus will do that better. I also think that by the time the evaluation process is done he won't be considered a reach at #2.

Round 2: Rodney Hudson OG Florida State, OH MY GOD!!! THAT'S NOT A DEFENSIVE PLAYER!!! I don't care. I want to run the ball and I don't think that our interior offensive line is up to it. I was not impressed with Zane Beadles. I think he'll be a very good swingman that can back up both guard and the RT but I don't just don't think he's gonna get us there. Hudson is a versatile player with a good blend of athleticism and strength. I want someone who can ZB between the 20s and do his part to move a DT inside the five. I want someone to get some push on third and one. This player makes our defense better if he improves the run game.

Round 2: Christian Ballard DT Iowa, Well I did say that DT was our only red alert position. Ballard offers a bit more athleticism and ability to penetrate. With Dareus taking up multiple blockers I think Ballard might be the sort of player to take advantage and get in the backfield.

Round 3: Ben Ijalana OT Villanova OT with a lot of upside. Probably doesn't have the feet to play LT consistently but would be an upgrade over Beadles backing up RT. If Clady were to go down I'd expect Ryan Harris to go to LT and Ijalana to play on the right side.

Round 6: Eugene Clifford SAF Tennessee State: Safety with some speed and ball skills. I want some competition at the safety spot. We have some interesting players at the position but their best selves haven't come out yet.

Conclusions:

I didn't address the linebackers this offseason. I think with some bulk in front of them, the trio of Mario Haggan on the strong side, DJ inside, and Wesley Woodyard at WILL will be adequate. Can't upgrade everything all at once and the linebackers don't scare me right now. I believe the two DTs in the draft with the addition of Avril give us a chance to move the defense up to the middle of the pack with a ball control offense further masking their deficiencies.

I approached this offseason with the idea that we could get to a comfortable level of depth on offense and get a good start on retooling the defense. I'm especially interested in making sure that the offense has as much opportunity to run the ball well as the an be given. That's why I went with an attempt to improve the OL in the draft. That and the idea that Tebow will develop better with more talent in front of him.

Tried to go bargain hunting in free agency rather than get all pie in the sky sign all them guys like you see in a lot of mocks. Want to spend my money on a couple of proven Broncos in Champ and Harris.

So there ya have it. Let'er rip! :)

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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Comments

I don't know why you don't like Zane

our rushing came improved significantly when he moved to guard and Harris went to RT.

I don’t think we need to spend a high pick on a guard. You have us selecting Ilajana in the 3rd which is good enough for our hole at RT.

I would rather take a LB somewhere instead of Hudson, but none are worthy of that high of a pick.

Put Phil Taylor in Hudsons spot and give me Mason Foster in Ballard’s spot and I like that draft.
Dareus
Taylor
Foster
Ilajana
Clifford

Nice thoughts though.

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"They said I couldn't be a high school quarterback, they said I couldn't get a D1 scholarship. You're not good enough, you're not skilled enough. They said I couldn't win a heisman. They said I couldn't win a national championship. They said I wouldn't be a first round draft pick. They said I couldn't play in the league. Appreciate that." - Tim Tebow.

by Nick Cast on Jan 31, 2011 4:56 AM MST reply actions

Could not agree more Nick!

Beadles played very well at the end and from what I have heard from Stink and big Al and Ledwold talking to NFL personel Beadles is one of our best lineman. Not a Ballard in the 2nd fan at all, Taylor will be the pick and he and Dareus together wow!!!

2/3 of the earth is covered by water the other 1/3 is covered by Champ Bailey!

THIS IS BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!

by The 3 Amigos on Jan 31, 2011 8:46 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Mark Schlereth described it best

when he said the other day on the fan. Our interior Oline is like “butter” they played soft. We need at least one guard early in the draft. I’ll take that to the bank! I agree with that 100%. I’ve been thinking this for a while I’m just too lazy to make a post about it. Glad you did Jaff.

by nhiddy on Jan 31, 2011 8:38 PM MST up reply actions

Yay! I'm not alone!

Agree that there is a severe lack of nasty in our interior OL.

And for the love of God let’s not have Russ Hochstein as our primary backup!

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 10:59 PM MST up reply actions

If this is based on a 43 defense

It should be Dareus, Foster, Austin and Ijalana and wouldn’t even hurt to exchange Austin for a good safety IF available

Kansas Bob

by kansas bob on Jan 31, 2011 9:31 AM MST up reply actions

Agree, maybe Robert Sands!! He is the best safety in the draft IMO. Really want 2 stud DTs though

2/3 of the earth is covered by water the other 1/3 is covered by Champ Bailey!

THIS IS BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!

by The 3 Amigos on Jan 31, 2011 10:04 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Dareus, Taylor, Foster, Sands would be perfect.

I agree with you on Dareus,jaffe28 Dareus will not be a reach by draft time. there were several games this past season he had a noticable limp that is not yet being talked about, but from a play to play basis he was dominate. He was consistantly double teamed and teams continouly ran away from him that why his stats are not up to par with Fairley. And also because he was in a 3-4, but u put him a 4-3 with the ability to use him explosive first step and he is an immediate force. Taylor in the 2nd would also be a steal for such a versatile player, very good athleticism and a capable stop gap player. M. Foster, is a playmaker more than athlete but is not a bad athlete as well. We need MORE PLAYMAKERS on defense, thats what we are lacking. We have decent players but not enough difference makers, but i think elway and fox, will take care of that very soon. But overall good post.

by DatdudeDubb on Jan 31, 2011 11:50 AM MST up reply actions

Wats up Bronco-Nation......

birds fan here obviously but i have a family member who is a die-hard Bronco fan so i pay attention 2 the Bronco’s quite a bit also, i also had the misfortune of being at the Raiderz game this year but lets try 2 forget about that, heres wat i would like 2 see Denver do Draft wise……i think u guys need help in multiple positions and i would like 2 think that Fox would consider trading the #2 pick and picking up multiple picks, at first i was in love with the idea of the Broncos snagging Patrick Peterson at the #2 spot but lately ive started 2 have second thoughts about Peterson/s true longterm value as a CB in this league, theres even sum rumblings that Amukamara will pan out 2 be a waaayyyy better CB but who knows, i honestly think things can only go up for u guys and that your team is in good hands with Fox.

by goldenbird09 on Jan 31, 2011 6:12 AM MST reply actions

Sorry but Dareus isn't anything like Warren Sapp.

Dareus is big and strong , where Sapp was one of the fastest , penetrating DT’s ever. Not a good comparison.

He is a solid pick because he will be a Rock inside but besides him your picks would depress me if that happened.

by Broncosfansd on Jan 31, 2011 6:56 AM MST reply actions

Broncsfsnsd he said sapp and Fairley.

2/3 of the earth is covered by water the other 1/3 is covered by Champ Bailey!

THIS IS BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!

by The 3 Amigos on Jan 31, 2011 8:49 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Right :)

I compared Fairley and Sapp saying I perferred big and strong in Dareus to a penetrating DT like Fairley.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 12:34 PM MST up reply actions

No NO No!

Feel like we need at least one LB. And a higher rated Safety. And some youth and a big body at DE to.

Natural Wonder

by natural wonder on Jan 31, 2011 9:17 AM MST reply actions

I think Avril as a FA might fit your desire for a younger DE :)

And he’s got NFL experience. With the exception of Bowers I think its gonna be hard to plug in a rook at DE an expect him to contribute. Also want to see what Ayers can do with his hand on the ground.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 6:57 PM MST up reply actions

I am not projecting any trades because I don’t believe that the CBA will be finished by the draft

I thought this was a funny statement considering there would also be no FA if the CBA isn’t finished by the draft but you included that.

I don’t mind the draft but obviously I don’t love your 2nd pick. I love Dareus and I love Ballard but I would like to see another defensive player at that spot. I definitely disagree that DJ, Woodyard and Haggan will be adequate. DJ is the only starting linebacker in a 4-3 in that line. Haggan is very slow and I would prefer he get traded or be depth. Woodyard has never impressed me in his opportunities as a starter. I think he has hit his ceiling and hasn’t made the most of his opportunities. He should be kept for depth though because he is a great rotational backup. I also think DJ should move to the weakside so that makes ILB a need.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 31, 2011 10:05 AM MST reply actions

I believe there will still be a FA period.

I expect that it will be shortened and much closer to the season with current unrestricted FA grandfathered and permitted to look for other teams. The off season will just be in reverse with FA coming after the draft this year.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 12:36 PM MST up reply actions

There will be until March 3 I believe

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Jan 31, 2011 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

only if there is not a lockout. If they decide to play under the last proposed offer then there will be a FA after the draft I believe.

If there is a lockout I am under the impression that there will be no FA at all.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 31, 2011 5:49 PM MST up reply actions

My understanding is that,

FA begins right about the same time as the new league year. Unfortunately the new league year heralds the end of the CBA as well. There cannot be any movements of current players without a CBA in place so until one is agreed upon there will be no FA or trades involving current players.

My belief is that the won’t get an agreement done before the draft so no trading players for picks. I believe that one things the players won’t budge on is a chance for this crop of FAs to test the market, even if fairly briefly, prior to football being played this year. So even if the CBA isn’t done til August I’d expect a couple of weeks for an FA feeding frenzy.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 7:04 PM MST up reply actions

Linebackers

I think that that group would be adequate for a year but definitely don’t think the would be the long term solution. I agree with you that we will have a matchup problem with Haggan on TE in coverage. I also think DJ is likely to end up outside eventually. I thought about putting my starters as Haggan at Sam, Mays at Mike and DJ at Will.

For the most part, I don’t think that we will be able to fix the defense in one off season and was really trying to come up with a way to stabilize the run defense while turning the offense into a top ten ball control unit that would make the defense better by making the defense less important. Honestly, I’m not totally in love with taking a guard as early as I did, but I figured if I was going to use a pick on interior offensive line I want a complete prospect and Hudson is that.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 12:47 PM MST up reply actions

Everytime i bring this up i always get shot down as just another Tebow detractor

but I’m going to bring to up cause it’s a valid point. Tebow is left handed meaning the right side is the blind side when he plays. With this being said, can Harris be a solid and sturdy blind side tackle in NFL. Can he stay healthy all season and be able to block the other teams best pass rushers on a consistent basis with little help. If he can’t, do we move Clady over to right side and put Harris (if retained) at LT or bring in a new RT who can play the blind side.

As for Beadles, i liked him in McD’s offense but i’m really iffy on him in a ZB scheme. I don’t think he’s got the pure athleticism to be a guard and definitely not a tackle in a ZB scheme.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Jan 31, 2011 10:36 AM MST reply actions

Sorry, but gonna have to shoot you down again.

It’s not about the blindside. It’s about strong versus weak side. Defensive units do not switch their scheme in a week where they play a left handed QB. Their best pass rusher is still going to be coming from over the left tackle for his part. I’d love it if they did try to switch just to play us though. It would mean their best pass rusher is doing something he’s not used to. He’ll be going in reverse of his muscle memory and will likely lose some effectiveness. Frankly it would be an advantage to us if teams changed their scheme just to play us and we did the same thing we do every week.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 12:51 PM MST up reply actions

I don't expect a team to completely flip the field

I probably shouldn’t have said the opposing teams best pass rushers but that doesn’t change my position. A smart DC would attack the blindside seeing as its harder for the qb to see that side of the field. He’s going to gameplan against the weaknesses of our team and seeing as the blind side is always the easier side to hit the qb, he’ll take advantage of that. We’re going to have to be ready for that. Now do we want Harris being the one taking the brunt of the pass rush or should we find a better alternative.

Plus their are many players out their who can play multiple positions on the d-line. A guy like Julius Peppers (who we do have to play next year) would be licking his chops to go up against us. Peppers going up against Harris and attacking Tebow’s blind side, that’s kind of scary.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Jan 31, 2011 3:55 PM MST up reply actions

Harris actually moves his feet pretty well.

He’s proven that when he’s healthy that he holds up in pass protection well. I’m not worried about him against most DEs. A few players like Peppers will represent a challenge for every tackle, blind side or not, they line up across. Harris and the rest of the offensive line will be helped by Tebow’s mobility as well.

With Harris my biggest worry would be that he becomes injured again and leaves Zane Beadles out at right tackle.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 4:27 PM MST up reply actions

Thats why in my original comment i asked if Harris can be a solid and sturdy tackle

I like Harris and he’ll excel in the ZB scheme but he can’t stay healthy which has really hindered his development and hurt his future. I’m actually somewhat on the keep Harris bandwagon but If Harris is to be retained, we’d better hope he can stay healthy otherwise it could be a very long year for us.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Jan 31, 2011 4:43 PM MST up reply actions

One big reason why I put an OT in my draft :)

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 5:19 PM MST up reply actions

still dont liek Boss

he had a 50% catch rate, not good for a scrambling QB like tebow that will need to be baile dout every now and again.

by nsink on Jan 31, 2011 11:43 AM MST reply actions

Do you know what DT's and Lloyd's catch rates were?

Lloyd was at 50% and DT and Royal both had 56%. DT also lead the wide receivers in drops despite having very limited playing time. We could do much worse then Boss.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Jan 31, 2011 12:54 PM MST up reply actions

llyod

also had a great ypc. Which is fine for my deep threat 50% good YPC and YAC.

But for a TE with a scrambling young QB like Tebow, we need a guy that catches everything and can break out routes from nothing to help the QB. A safety valve for tebow 7-15 yards away. Not a deep threat TE like Boss who only catches 50% but for an average of 14.5 yards. we ahve DT and lloyd for Deep threats. we need a safety valve TE.

by nsink on Jan 31, 2011 1:08 PM MST up reply actions

apples to oranges

A rookie WR we are trying to develop. Compared to a TE. Plays for a WRs like Thomas are supposed to be high risk/high reward plays. so a lower % but higher reward is acceptable (if not wanted), however we dont need high risk/high reward with our TE we need a low risk high catch even if low yards safety valve option for our young scrambling QB

by nsink on Jan 31, 2011 1:10 PM MST up reply actions

Boss makes plays over the middle

An area that is hard to catch in because of hits right when you catch the ball. As for DT, he’s been catching footballs for over a decade, he needs to have had that down since his 2nd or 3rd year in college.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Jan 31, 2011 6:39 PM MST up reply actions

Not sure how to check this but,

could that me more a result of Manning’s accuracy than Boss’s hands? Catch rate is completions per target if I’m right, so both ends are important. I think Boss has shown pretty soft hands when the ball comes to him accurately. Course that could be an issue with Tebow as well. His accuracy is not perfect at this point in his career.

I picked Boss because I want an all around TE before a pass catcher. Will 100% agree with you that there are better options for receiving TE but I think Boss will be fine as an outlet receiver. Stretch the seam some other way this year.

by jaffe28 on Jan 31, 2011 12:55 PM MST up reply actions