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Reviewing the Draft - 2003 Edition

NEW YORK - APRIL 22:  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the podium on stage during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

People always argue if a draft class was good or not and grade it. Most people including me think think that it take 2 or 3 years before you can actually grade a class. Leading up to the draft we will take a look at who the Broncos drafted in the past 10 years. These drafts were conducted by Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels

George Foster - Offensive Tackle - Georgia - 20th Overall

Foster didnt make much of an impact in his rookie year only playing one game. But in 2004 Foster made a huge impact. He played and started every game for the Broncos at right tackle never missing a snap. He was part of the offensive line that set the Broncos franchise record at the time for least sacks given up in a season at 15 and helped Tatum Bell reach his first 100 yard game. In 2005 he again started every game leading the Broncos to the 2nd best rush offense in the league with Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson. In 2007, The Broncos traded Foster and Bell to the Lions for Dre Bly

Star-divide

Terry Pierce - Linebacker - West Texas A & M - 51st Overall

In Pierce's rookie season, Pierce didn't play for the first seven games. When he finally got put into a game, he recorded three tackles. Later on in the season he suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was placed on IR. In 2004 Pierce battled for a starting position.  Unfortunately he suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament and lost his chance. He healed by the time the season rolled around but mainly played on special teams and recorded only five tackles. In 2005 he again fought for a starting spot but was waived by the Broncos.

Quentin Griffin - Runningback - Oklahoma - 108th Overall

Quentin was small for a runningback. At 5'7 and 195 pounds he ran a 4.48 40. Griffin played in 10 games for the Broncos in his rookie season starting only one of them. He racked up 345 yards and 3.7 yards per carry. in 2004 he set a Broncos franchise record for must rushing yards in a season opener with a career high 156 yards on 23 carries against the Chiefs. 7 weeks into the season he tore the ACL in his right knee ending his season. The injury caused him to the bottom of the depth chart and released him.

 

Nick Eason - Defensive Tackle - Clemson - 114th Overall

Eason's Bronco career was short lived. He was injured by an achilles injury and his season ended. He was sent to NFL Europe and later waived by the Broncos on the practice squad.

Bryant Mcneal - Defensive Tackle - Clemson - 128th Overall

 

McNeal didn't have much of a Bronco career. He never got into any game and was eventually moved. Tampa Bay picked him up and soon released him. (I'll be honest I couldn't find hardly any information on this guy)

Ben Claxton  - Center - Mississippi - 157th Overall 

Claxton was a 6'2 301 pound center. His career didnt last long here and he was on 4 teams in the 2003 season alone. (Again....could not find anything on this guy)

Adrian Madise - Wide Receiver - TCU - 158th Overall

Madise was a 5'11 195 Pound receiver. Madise in his rookie year was mainly a kick return guy. His highlight was an 83 yard return. In 2004 he was suspended four games for taking a banned substance. He never played another game.

Aaron Hunt - Defensive End - Texas Tech - 194th Overall

Hunt is a 6'3 270 pound defensive end. He never made the final cuts for the Broncos but today is a CFL All Star for the BC Lions.

Clint Mitchell - Defensive End - Florida - 227th Overall

Mitchell was one of many defensive ends drafted by the Broncos in this draft. He was with the team for a full season before being moved to the Amsterdam Admirals. 

Ahmand Galloway - Runningback - Alabama - 235th Overall

Galloway had to sit out the entire 2003 season due to an injury he had at Alabama. He lit it up in NFL Europe and Denver called him, their future. They didn't live by that and traded him later on to the San Diego Chargers.

 

Summary: 

This draft was Awful. Clearly defensive line was a huge need for the team. Mock drafts had us taking Jerome McDougle but he was off the board by the time our pick came around. It's too bad we didn't look at someone like Osi Umenyiora. Either way, can't be too happy with this draft, with most of the players not being in the league anymore let alone playing a couple seasons.

What do you think?

Poll
Grade the draft
A
5 votes
B
21 votes
C
30 votes
D
93 votes
F
306 votes

455 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 40 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Thanks Colby for that splash of cold water on all my draft dreams

Why couldn’t you have just picked one of the good drafts like…oh wait…ummm…. dang it never mind :-)

by Fan in Exile on Mar 22, 2011 11:42 AM MDT reply actions  

This is the lowest F- possible. One of the worst drafts of any team in the entire decade.

A monkey throwing darts at a paper with draft prospects would have done better. I think Shanny must have been on meth or huffing paint in the war room.

Kyle Orton is currently one of the ten most talented Denver Broncos. And that is precisely the problem and why he shouldn’t start in 2011. We are rebuilding from the very bottom so that = Tebow.

by McGeorge on Mar 22, 2011 11:54 AM MDT reply actions  

Griffin was decent

and the only reason I liked anything about this draft

Dear Santa- All I want for Christmas is a Stud NT and David Harris- Thank you!

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 22, 2011 11:57 AM MDT up reply actions  

No he wasn’t. He was a midget with fumbling problems. Don’t think he even made it 5 years in the NFL. None of them impactful.

Monkey with darts beats this draft.

Kyle Orton is currently one of the ten most talented Denver Broncos. And that is precisely the problem and why he shouldn’t start in 2011. We are rebuilding from the very bottom so that = Tebow.

by McGeorge on Mar 22, 2011 1:18 PM MDT up reply actions  

LOL

Sad but true

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow me on Twitter @MHR_KaptainKirk

by KaptainKirk on Mar 22, 2011 3:42 PM MDT up reply actions  

ha ha true

but he had some production unlike his fellow draft class members here!

Dear Santa- All I want for Christmas is a Stud NT and David Harris- Thank you!

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 23, 2011 10:56 AM MDT up reply actions  

Aaron Hunt was drafted by the Broncos... no way.

He’s a beast at DE in the CFL and was a big part of one of the most dominating d-line’s ever back when Cameron Wake was still on the Lions… and we let him get away.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Mar 22, 2011 12:06 PM MDT reply actions  

What I want to know is who is the jackass who gave this draft a "B"?

Average Raider Fan's IQ = 89
Bill Williamson's IQ = 75
Find yours by clicking here.

by kwool79 on Mar 22, 2011 12:10 PM MDT reply actions  

Shanny lovers

those who think he does no wrong

Dear Santa- All I want for Christmas is a Stud NT and David Harris- Thank you!

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 22, 2011 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions  

It was probably Bill Williamson trolling the site for stuff to steal for his next article.

Kyle Orton is currently one of the ten most talented Denver Broncos. And that is precisely the problem and why he shouldn’t start in 2011. We are rebuilding from the very bottom so that = Tebow.

by McGeorge on Mar 22, 2011 1:19 PM MDT up reply actions  

Haha!

Seriously, that guy is worthless. How he’s the beat writer for the AFC West ESPN is beyond me. He can’t spell. He can’t put a gramatically correct sentence together. His opinions are someone else’s regurgitation. I’ll admit, my writing and grammar aren’t always correct, but I’m an engineer. He WRITES for a living and still can’t get it right. Pathetic.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by go4broncos on Mar 22, 2011 1:36 PM MDT up reply actions  

Yes. does that matter. No. Major NFL bust.

Kyle Orton is currently one of the ten most talented Denver Broncos. And that is precisely the problem and why he shouldn’t start in 2011. We are rebuilding from the very bottom so that = Tebow.

by McGeorge on Mar 22, 2011 1:19 PM MDT up reply actions  

Pierce was a 2nd rounder...

That is absolutely high enough to be a bust. Good drafting teams regularly get long-term starters with 2nd round picks… Pierce wasn’t even a decent backup/ST player. BUST

by cjfarls on Mar 23, 2011 10:35 AM MDT up reply actions  

high hopes

I had high hopes for Terry Pierce and Nick Eason, and yes I think Pierce went to Kansas

by Baghdad on Mar 22, 2011 12:57 PM MDT reply actions  

Yeah… and looking at those “objective” numbers I described from the 2002 post, where each pick is compared to what value you should expect to get from that pick… Denver had the worst draft in the league that year. That’s as of league stats after 2009. 2010 stats aren’t figured in.

For a picture of how historically bad this was, from 1999 – 2008, only four teams had drafts this bad or worse. Oakland in 2000, Arizona in 2002, and both Minnesota and Detroit in 2005.

Awful, awful draft.

by tunesmith on Mar 22, 2011 1:12 PM MDT reply actions  

With all these picks we couldn’t trade up 5 spots ahead of PItt and get Palamalu??? You have got to be kidding me! And Nnamdi Asomugha went #31 to the Raiders!!! Good job Shany. Pure F-

by BGBronco on Mar 22, 2011 1:25 PM MDT reply actions  

Brandon Lloyd got selected after Griffin! Hilarious!!!!

by BGBronco on Mar 22, 2011 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions  

Wow...this draft alone is enough to fire Shanny all over again....

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The artist formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Mar 22, 2011 1:42 PM MDT reply actions  

Makes one wonder about our scouting department at the time...Colby do you have any info on them?

Or did Shanny listen to their wisdom or non wisdom? Never really built up the team after the SB wins. Shanny great? Or inherited players in the beginning of his tenture…A little of both I suspect.

by bfree2bronc on Mar 22, 2011 1:52 PM MDT reply actions  

Eason is still in the league

Rotational DL with the Steelers

What I am truly interested in is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world.
Albert Einstein

by bradley on Mar 22, 2011 1:58 PM MDT reply actions  

Past Drafts...

1. Most NFL careers are 3-4 years…. so the fact that players aren’t in the league should be no surprise, since they were drafted 8 years ago.

2. Question for the shanny haters….Why did Shanahan have to be the smartest guy in the world year in and year out? Its not like other teams didnt pass on players. Terence Newman went #5 Nnamdi went #31. Does that make Al smarter than Jerry? Sometimes its just luck. Hell Antonio Gates never got drafted. Thats means 32 teams passed on him not once.. not twice… but 5, 6, 7, maybe even 8 times. But shanahan is in idiot?

3. The Broncos had a good (not great) team in ’02 and they were better in ’03. still good in ’04 and ’05. Sometimes you get to the point where you just have talent and need experience. If you look at NE and Indy… they have talent and experience. Their drafts dont mean much since they are just filling holes. Thats how we were in ’02, ’03, ’04… So this is a C draft by default. Nothing special, but not bad either.

by Triz06 on Mar 22, 2011 2:21 PM MDT reply actions  

actually, Indianapolis is by far the best drafting team in the league if you go by the impact of the players they draft.

And New England is only average – their strengths seem to come from other sources, like getting multiple draft picks or free agency or coaching.

by tunesmith on Mar 22, 2011 2:34 PM MDT up reply actions  

perhaps, maybe the Steelers. They consistently come up

with guys who excel in the draft.

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Mar 22, 2011 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions  

yup, those are good instincts. according to this list http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2010/4/20/1430373/the-nfl-draft-by-numbers-do-drafts

they’re third behind baltimore, just ahead of the jets. This doesn’t take into account some more recent drafts, or 2010 player performance.

I have it on my list to update that analysis (he told me how) but it will take forever. :)

by tunesmith on Mar 22, 2011 6:51 PM MDT up reply actions  

tunesmith you are the man! Great link...and thanks

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Mar 22, 2011 9:50 PM MDT up reply actions  

perhaps, maybe the Steelers. They consistently come up

with guys who excel in the draft.

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Mar 22, 2011 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions  

This I think was by far Shanny's worst draft

But in fairness to him, the 2003 class was not that great in general, there were some very good players -in Andre Johnson, Suggs, Nnamdi, D. Clark, and Polamulu, but there were a tremendous amount of busts as well (Foster being one of them), but looking at the d-line prospects in this draft, they were far and few between, with Kevin Williams, Ty Warren, and Suggs being three good ones, but drafted way ahead of us, and Osi and Robert Mathis being the only two that really panned out that we could of drafted.

"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 22, 2011 4:37 PM MDT reply actions  

I disagree Colby, it wasn't "awful", it was

“AWFUL”! That was a horrible scab for you to pull off for us again! What made it all the worse was the fact they traded Foster and Bell for Bly! Foster and Bell may not have been pro-bowlers but at least they were competitive and good teammates. Sad thing about Foster was that he had the ability to be a pro-bowler but not the drive or heart. Hate to see wasted talent. I too loved Q, he was someone you could root for. I know he wasn’t a legit starter, a bit of a gimmick but someone you liked to pull for. Sorta a poor mans Barry Sanders. Hated to see his injury, he never really came back from it.

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Mar 22, 2011 6:04 PM MDT reply actions  

That was the year

when Shanahan tried to move up into the top-10 to get Terrell Suggs and failed. Too bad he didn’t offer half of this draft for him.

Also, I have a story about Clint Mitchell. In a column after the draft that year, Woody Paige said that Clint was going to be an All-Pro in a few seasons. We all know how that turned out.

by PABroncofan on Mar 22, 2011 7:28 PM MDT reply actions  

I think guys like Woody hope that guys like you and me

don’t remember their “expert” opinions and insights! lol

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Mar 22, 2011 9:52 PM MDT up reply actions  

yep... that is one friggin horrible draft

When Foster is the best player in the draft (and he was just average at his best), out of 10 picks, that is about as bad as it gets. Q was a marginal, replacement/street FA level player and everyone else is/was worse than that.

A blind squirrel should be able to find more nuts given 10 chances…. you almost have to try to do this bad.

by cjfarls on Mar 23, 2011 10:32 AM MDT reply actions  

LOTS OF INJURIES

This was a bad draft, but there were A LOT of injuries. Thats something NO ONE can plan for. I dont know who we could have had, would have been nice too know that. If we passed up a future hall of famer and got a nobody I would understand. Can anyone answer that?

by alkatraz76 on Apr 14, 2011 11:39 PM MDT reply actions  

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