Let the Offseason begin.

and a great summary of team needs. I agree with most other than not addressing the O Line. I think it was clear last night that upgrading a spot or two on our O-Line couldn’t hurt, at least add some quality depth.

I’d like EFX to just draft BPA because we have needs all over the field. I wouldn’t mind targeting Cordy Glenn at 25 but just so many needs. I voted MLB however is our biggest need.

However, finding elite talent trumps both so with that in mind the number 1 need areas are: a pocket collapsing DT, MLB, an earth grader OLman, and another banger at RB (would love to see a bell ringing RB to go along with that). There are still major questions marks at offensive center (I’m talking at least the potential for elite) and perhaps guard, meaning Beadles. If our run game is to truly dictate this is paramount. Remembering the SB years I would love to see that bell ringing FB mentioned above. These are the primary needs for our O in this poster’s view.

Defensively I think we may have some people capable of being coached into a more than serviceable upgrade at safety and CB but would love to find 21’s successor. The biggest need I see on D is someone that can make stepping up in the pocket a crowed and dangerous proposition. With Doom and Miller coming off the edge the combination could be trans-formative opening up improved play across the D. The D needs more improvement than the O in my opinion with MLB being right behind a pocket collapsing DT. I would take an elite player at either position whether that be FA or Draft, hopefully both will be filled by one or the other.

The overall read is we are putting some VERY solid pieces together and are not that far away from building that perennial contender we all covet. I’m happy with this year and totally looking forward to next.

One scenario:

1st – Mark Barron SS
2nd – Josh Chapman DT
3rd – Brandon Boykin CB
4th – Ryan Broyles WR

Free Agency

Peyton Hillis RB
John Carlson TE
D’Qwell Jackson MLB

Re-sign our key players.

interested to know why, since it’s a terrible waste of an investment a year ago. We may draft one late, but with a first round pick? Might be a bit of a stretch. Broncos drafted Moore in the 2nd round and they are not giving up on him after one year. I think free agency is the much, MUCH more likely route than drafting Barron in the first round. In fact, I would bet against that happening at this point, but they could because you just never know.

I think we’re overlooking the offense here. The Broncos have young talent offensively, but only a couple of players. If I had to pick guys to keep around from the offense this year, it’d be our OL, Tebow, McGahee, Thomas, Decker, and Royal. Everyone else can go or be role players. Everything else is fair game. McGahee is not going to be a featured back for much longer, if even at all next year. Thomas looks like he is going to be a stud, but Decker and Tebow could not get on the same page and Royal has been….let’s call it inconsistent as a receiver. He struggles mightily to get open.

I think a RB in the first round is not only realistic, it’s probably one of our top 3 need positions. Ball, Johnson, Moreno all might not even be with the team next year. I would keep Moreno around but who knows if he’s done enough to earn a spot with this new regime.

The Broncos have depth defensively but some of us are already putting too much stock in the New England games. Draft picks will NOT fix what happened against new England. You will have to go out like Houston did and pick up some stud defenders in free agency to build this defense with. LaRon Landry would be the PERFECT addition for the Dennis Allen defense. If we could get him and pair him with Moore or Carter for the future, I think we’d be looking good. I’d be happy if we got Mark Barron, but it’s too many assets in the same place. You have to get talent offensively, and I think we could use a serious boost at RB and WR.

Malcolm Floyd I believe he would be a great fit.

1. Yes, sign Landry, he can start for the next 6 to 7 years, I think McCoy is more than safe. You don’t get interest as a HC canidate if you aren’t tbashat good of an OC, at some point, Tebow has to make those throws on a consistent basis. You said Decker fell off, I disagree, I think teams understood he was Tebow’s primmary target so they rolled coverages to him, and if you don’t get the ball thrown to you or accurately on a consistent basis, there is litlle the dude can do. The success of the WR is dependent on the QB. Look at what Brady has done with his WR, they do awesome in NE, then leave and stink.

I agree that our O-line needs an upgrade and we need a couple of decent RB, would love to see Hillis and maybe Polk. Cut Moreno and keep JJ as you option/speed guy.

Also agree that our DT group played decent, but they need a guy who can dominate, not sure if that guy is in the draft or free agency this season, but would like Cambell (home town kid) to get a shot.

If it’s truly a need, you can’t wait for a draft pick to develop, unless its a freakish athlete like Von. We need football IQ in the middle. Middle linebacker, strong safety, penetrating DT. Get that in free agency along with another starting quality corner. Then draft a runner, a pass catching T.E to keep drives alive on 3rd , some O line depth and another developmental DT. Pick up a cheap free agent backup QB, keep the staff and work hard on fundamentals and by that I mean the TT needs to learn to find open receivers, because they are there, he just isn’t hitting them, the receivers need to learn to hang on to the ball and the D needs to go back yo fundamentals with tackling. How many times has the D been in the right place to kill a drive and then just plain whiffed on the tackle? I lost count.

Ryan McBean showed some progression this season, but becoming a Defensive Tackle starter is still a long ways off, he’s here for depth only at this point. I’m not sure if it was a good idea to go after Ty Warren but we did. Belichick is the Master at using players up and letting them go or get draft picks for them of value and then the player fails somewhere else. Kevin Vickerson is another enigma for me, as he lost so much weight in the offseason. I believe it was reported that he took it upon himself to do so to try and gain some speed for the new 4/3 scheme. IDK? That’s 4 DTs we have not counting Unrein and I don’t see too much in that young man. DE/DT Ben Garland is waiting in the wings fulfilling his commitment with the Air Force Academy. I have no idea how he will fit in nor does anybody else.

At the beginning of free agency last year we had Amobi Okoye DT cut from Houston in the house. He opted to sign with the Bears for a one year deal. He is a young DT still raw and learning his trade, but Chicago saw enough of him to try and re-sign the 24 year old. Okoye is very intellegent as he was one of the youngest college players ever at age 16. Developing DTs is an arduous task and sometimes it takes 3-4 years to get them fully acclaimated to the NFL and certain systems. I think Okoye will explore his options before making a commitment at this time, but I may be wrong…

The Bears have reportedly explored a multi-year contract extension with Amobi Okoye.Okoye, signed after being released by the Texans in July, has been primarily used in a rotation with Henry Melton as a “three-technique” and projects as an ideal fit in Chicago’s 4-3 scheme. The former top-ten pick’s four sacks this season are the second highest total of his five-year career. Dec 16 – 8:47 AM

Our Defensive End position is an area coach John Fox will address in my humble opinion. Robert Ayers has become a popular choice by some of the more acquainted analyst and he has made some, but I’m not convinced he is the guy. Having 2 stellar pass rushers fits what Fox/Allen want to bring. Pressure from different angles and Von Miller will be relegated to learning his position (SOLBer) in the offseason. Miller will get his opportune sacks playing his position as there will be times when he can use his skills of eliteness from the outside blitz. Ayers on the otherhand will never be that ‘elite’ pass rushing and thinking different is only wishful thinking imo, so getting one this year is a must if we are to have an outstanding ‘Front 7’. Think Mathis/Freeney they’ve done it for years. Now this brings me to my point on the LDE position. You stated that you thought DE Whitney Mercilus would be a ‘bust’ and I want to know why you feel that way. Is it because he had a break out year? That he will most likely be labeled as a ‘one-year-wonder’? It is true that he walked away from his previous two years of lack luster performances to become the nation’s leading sack maker at 18 in 2011. Every year players in college step up from the previous years and go on to have outstanding NFL careers. Mercilus is foregoing his senior year to go through the draft to help support his parents who by the way are from Haiti just lik our great Elvis Dumervil…

Mercilus had a remarkable year for the Fighting Illini, tying Simeon Rice’s single-season record and leading the nation with 16 sacks. He also forced nine fumbles on the season, breaking Illinois and Big Ten records and ranking as the second-most in NCAA history. His 22.5 tackles for loss in 2011 led the Big Ten, rank second in the nation and third in the Illinois record book. Mercilus earned consensus first-team All-America honors, the first Illini to do so since linebacker J Leman in 2007, won the Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end and was named the College Football Performance Awards National Defensive Player of the Year. A 2011 season captain for the Fighting Illini, Mercilus helped Illinois to its second-straight winning season and a victory over UCLA in Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. He also led an Illinois defense that ranks in the top-10 nationally in total defense, passing defense, sacks and tackles for loss. Mercilus is the seventh Illini in the last five years to enter the draft with eligibility remaining. The previous six all were taken in the first three rounds. – Illinois football

I’m curious what you all think. Seems like DT has the potential to be a big #1 WR. Especially after a full off season and a healthy start. What about Julius Thomas after a full off season and healthy start? Seems like that could be two great targets to start with going into next year. I think we need a bigger slot receiver and a Doug Martin type RB, providing another target out of the backfield. I like Knomo but he is not durable and can not be depended on to make a SB run.
What do you all think….especially about JT?

beef and speed. WE got faster and will get faster when our two CB’s come off IR but Goodman and Mays make our D very slow. Watching the games today and the Patriots last night has shown me we need much more from our DT’s than run stuffers. These guys are making impacts on almost every pass play by getting pressure in the QB’s face. Not sure what the best route is to get those type of players as I am a big fan of getting the best player regardless of position in the draft.

a great motivational leader right smack in the middle of our defense, a Patrick Willis or Al Wilson type to be the captain of the defense. I hope Irving develops, and I hope we address some of our needs in Free Agency like Safety to go with Carter (Landry would be great!)…if there is not a BPA that is a MLB, DT or Cb at pick 25, I’d trade down into the 2nd round and take the best player on their boards at MLB, DT and CB as they come with three 2nd round picks…(1 from trading back and one from trading up). Then the remaining rounds I’d look for a great pass blocking RT and move Franklin to Guard for a beast of an OL and more OL and DL depth. I’d keep Moreno and hope he shows and Jeremiah Johnson…and go get another bruiser in the 5th Round (or re-acquire Hillis)… I’d seek out a proven WR in the draft for #2 or #3 and keep Royal for 4th WR and punt return duty..maybe keep Willis for 5th WR. For TE I’d elevate Thomas and Green and start them, but keep Fells (he earned it)…

Royal is gone unless he signs for cheap
I definately want Woody back
Weapon X won’t be back
Please no to VY as back-up QB
I want a stud RB, CB, DT, WR, S, pick-up this offseason (I’m not asking for much)
I think Quinn might re-sign for a reasonable price, he doesn’t seem to mind the role of back-up (maybe he just recognizes his ceiling)
I was strange to me that Irving never broke in to the rotation this year
We definately need to use our TEs more, otherwise pull them and get another lineman
I think not havign a healthy FB really hurt us down the stretch

I’m drooling at the prospect of bringing in a couple of those big name DB’s. Let’s see if EFX are willing to make this happen.

I keep forgetting that, if I’m Fox and Elway, it might have been easy for me to “blow off” the 2011 season back in July. New coaching staff. No OTAs. And yet we won the division and made the playoffs. It’s amazing, really.

My point is, it seems unfair to give up on some of these kids already. We really don’t know enough about Irving, Carter and Moore yet.

Anyway, a few thoughts…I think your lists are really comprehensive (good job), but I’d add Jerry Franklin to the list MLBs. He’s going to start shooting up boards and I’d love to see him here.

Oh, and Chris Polk sucks. ;)

Great points, great suggestion, great evulations.

I’d just a DT prospect I like (and will likely be available on the 3rd): Jared Crick, Nebraska

It is more important than ever to have a talented starting quarterback if you plan on being a consistant competitive team. The three worst passing defenses of 2011 are in the playoffs only because they are also the top three passing offenses in the league.
This story appears in the Dec. 26 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
BILL WALSH ALWAYS BELIEVED that pro football should evolve into a game played primarily through the air. Now, nearly a quarter century after the legendary 49ers coach introduced the West Coast offense, Walsh’s pass-happy vision is becoming reality. Through Week 13, NFL quarterbacks were completing 20.5 passes per game, tied for most all-time, and teams were averaging 230.1 passing yards per game, destroying the previous mark of 221.6 that was set just last year. In 1978, the year before Walsh took over the 49ers, teams averaged 158.8 passing yards per game.
So why are these records under fire? One obvious answer is the lockout. As a result of the shortened preseason, run-blocking was atrocious in the first month of the season, the worst I’ve seen in my nine years of analyzing tape of every NFL game. Take the Titans, for example: Behind a revamped run-blocking scheme (O-coordinator Chris Palmer switched Tennessee from man-to-man to zone blocking), the Titans averaged a paltry 2.4 yards per carry in their first three games. Chris Johnson, the league’s top rusher last year, managed only 98 yards on 46 carries (2.1 ypc) in September. That forced Tennessee to turn loose veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck, who is on pace for his first 3,500-yard season since 2007. Eventually, the Titans’ run game (4.4 ypc since September) caught up with the pass offense, and Tennessee emerged as a playoff contender.
Year of the Quarterback
ESPN has dedicated 2011 to examining one of the most crucial positions in all of sports — the quarterback.
Year of the QB "
The shortened preseason also handcuffed defensive coordinators. It’s much harder to scheme complex blitzes and pass coverage than pure run defense, so most coaches employed vanilla play calls in the early going. That left all sorts of coverage creases that were expertly exploited by such teams as the Packers, Patriots and Saints, who boast superstar QBs and returned their top four receivers.
Another factor? Due to a rash of injuries among elite cornerbacks, receivers throughout the league are lining up against some sketchy defenders. Of my 10 highest-rated cornerbacks entering the year, only three (Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Asante Samuel) have played in every game. No team has been hit harder by injuries than the Patriots, whose secondary is giving up an NFL-worst 310 yards per game, up from 259 in 2010. By Week 13, the Pats were starting Nate Jones, a safety they signed off the street, alongside wideout Matthew Slater, with punt returner/receiver Julian Edelman as their nickel back. And this is a surefire playoff team.
But the rise of the pass is not just due to short-term trends. It’s also the result of the passers themselves. The NFL will never have 32 franchise quarterbacks — there will always be a few Rex Grossmans and Tarvaris Jacksons — but the league has never had this many quality passers at the same time. Three QBs — Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers — have a chance to shatter Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 passing yards, a hallowed mark that has stood for 26 years. Rodgers also has a shot at the records for single-season TD passes (50) and QB rating (121.1). Brees is a solid bet to become the first QB ever to complete 460 passes in a season.
The average NFL quarterback now produces 7.2 yards per pass attempt, which matches the best mark ever, set in 1983. A record eight passers — the big three, plus Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer and the now-injured Matt Schaub — are racking up at least 8.0 yards per attempt. Overall, QBs are throwing about 8 percent more passes than back in 1983, yet the leaguewide interception rate of 2.9 percent is the second-lowest since the AFL-NFL merger. Think about that for a second: Despite more pass attempts, productivity is as high as it’s ever been, and mistakes are extremely low. That’d be like Darren Sproles maintaining his whopping 6.8 yards per carry and zero fumbles per game while running it 20 times a game instead of the 5.3 times he does now.
Quarterbacks all over the league are lighting up the passing tree, executing everything from Walsh’s beloved dink-and-dunk scheme to the vertical attack championed by Sid Gillman and Don Coryell. Matthew Stafford could throw for 3,000 yards on short passes alone (10 yards or fewer). Rodgers boasts a perfect QBR on throws of 21 yards or more. Manning has already reached 1,000 yards on such passes, and Newton is on pace to do the same. Newton and fellow rookie Andy Dalton could become the first rookie QB duo to throw for 3,000 yards each.
Now just imagine if Newton and Dalton continue their remarkable progress. Imagine if college QBs Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III are as good as projected. Imagine if Peyton Manning returns next season at full strength.
Forget the Year of the Pass. Don’t be surprised if 2011 is Year One of the Decade of the Pass

If we can upgrade this position it will have the most impact on our defense. Middle LIinebacker is the key to any 4-3 defense. They typically relay the defensive call from the DC. They are one of the key guys against the run, especially up the middle. They provide support on runs outside and prevent cut backs (faster MLB’s will get to the outside and make plays when the DE or CB can’t turn it back inside.) Good MLB’s engage blockers and shed them to get to the ball carrier. Good MLB’s hit the gap and plug the hole where the running back wants to go. Good MLB’s avoid O-lineman trying to make blocks at the 2nd level. They cover tight ends. They pick up the running out of the backfield when the QB goes for the dump pass and limit it to only a few yards if any. They cover the middle of the field in the zone defense. Joe Mays didn’t do any of this consistently. He had a good play once in a while where he blew up the running back, but as the season progressed he became invisible. Upgrading the MLB will be the most bang for the buck in upgrading our defense.

Especially at SS where we do have 2 kids that can improve with good training. I hope Dawks stays, if not as a player, as a coach or something.

The other position of needs that can be found in the draft. The quality I want the guys to have includes:

A QB who can support the running game if Tebow gets hurt would be great.

We need bigger size at WR, TE and RB. We need players that can go catch the ball even if it’s not right on the money or even if it is in high-traffic. Thomas is great and Decker has potential, but after that, all or WRs are way to small to get the ball in high traffic. TEs were not used that much, hard to say where thos guys stand. If Tebow can trust his receivers to go get it (or at least ensure the D-back don’t pick the ball instead), it will help a lot. McGahee was great, but we ned someone that can push through the gaps for a yard or two everytime it is needed and that is younger.

O-line could use a better pass defence player. Although with our young core, I’m hoping the off-season will help them get much better and give Tebow an extra second or two to throw. He needs it. He didn’t have 2 seconds against the Pats and it killed us more then anything else.

D-line will depend on how we resign. We have to invest some money on our current roster because we don’t have 20 draft picks and those guys did a good job.

But ultimately, I hope we draft the best guy on the board everytime. We have plenty of holes to fill that we don’t need to draft for positions. And also, draft healthy players as much as possible. I don’t want to have to wait for half a rookie contract is over before a guy can prove himself (i.e. Thomas)

Wow, there are a lot of big-time FA’s this year. Who knows how many will actually escape their incumbent teams, but at least some of them will have to fall through the cracks.

I agree with most of the sentiment that the draft is meant to try to get the players that will potentially provide the most impact, with the position being somewhat secondary. 2011 draft was messed up due to the lockout, so the emphasis was placed more on position of need by more teams than usual. The free agent market is more ideal for positions of need, and to acquire veterans in places where youth is an overwhelming concern. That is why a veteran safety, or perhaps a great one like Landry, would stick out to me more than anything. I think getting a solid WR in FA would be important as well for this reason. Royal and Willis are essentially the same number 4 option, so I think Eddie is gone. VJax would be killer as a deep threat and a big body to boot. I don’t know how well he blocks, but its gotta be better than 170 pound DeSean. You nailed those right on the head I think.

As far as D-line goes, I would love to steal Red Bryant. He cannot be moved, and running up the middle would be very difficult. I am fine with drafting D-line; look at the Giants and how often they draft and sign D-line, and find a use for virtually all of them. The guys we had this year all did admirably for what was expected from them, and compared to what we are used to. However, looking at the teams in the playoffs, and taking a closer look at how disruptive most of those units are and how important it was to their success in the games, it is easy to see how much our team lacks there.

Right now, I don’t see much use in investing more in tight ends. This offense does not throw much on first and second downs, which seem to be the better downs to use TE’s in patterns, as they are used to help block pass rushers on the more intense 3rd downs.

Very interesting to see how it will play out.

LaRon Landry would be a great prize. As would London Fletcher (who’s showed no signs of slowing down).

We have to get stouter on D, all across the board. DB’s, DT’s, DE’s, LB’s…. everyone needs to come together for a strong offseason this summer. Speaking of summer…. I’d sacrifice my own hand to the gods right now for some warmer weather. Blehhhk!!!

On offense, we need to simply gain some experience, which we did in boatloads by beating dreaded Blitzburgh. Even next year, there will be some teams who have our number – it’s expected with a young O-Line, young QB, and young WR’s – but there will be many more teams who can’t figure us out. Reps, reps, and more reps for Tebow, DT, Knowshon, Decker, JT, Virgil Green, and the entire starting O-Line.