Target this DT

by 32Bronco32 on Feb 9, 2012 10:07 AM MST

Mike Martin from Michigan

I'm reading 3rd or 4th round projections for him. That is crazy, he has been the lone consistent dominant force on a bad defense his entire college career. I've watched many Michigan games and his motor is non-stop. He has the size and he also has a combination of bull rushing and speed moves on the interior to get to the quarterback. Something our defense was seriously lacking last season. Not only do I think he can contribute to our rotation from day 1, I believe he can be a starter by the end of the year. He also had an outstanding senior bowl. In my eyes he is well worth a 2nd round pick. If he makes it to the 3rd, that pure robbery for whichever team he falls too.

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I am interested to hear more about him

I didnt get to see a lot of him this season but have heard some good reports about him. The most intriguing thing I have heard is that he could project to be a better under tackle than nose.

"The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer." - Doug Ibbotson

by SteveUK on Feb 9, 2012 11:45 AM MST reply actions

I'd like to pick up Martin in 4th, along with Fletcher Cox in 1st. BAM!

"we don't plan to fail, we fail to plan"
" character is who you are, reputation is what they say about you"
"always have character, don't be one"

by Hogblog on Feb 9, 2012 12:52 PM MST reply actions

The DTs I'd like to look at past the first round are

Kendall Reyes
Mike Martin
Derek Wolfe
Brandon Thompson (probably in 2nd but I’d rather have Keyes)

If we could trade out of the first and pick up Reyes early in the 2nd and Martin with our last 3rd I’d be pretty happy with that.

He might fall farther due to his height.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Feb 9, 2012 12:53 PM MST reply actions

Another one to add to your list

Nicolas Jean Baptiste This kid is a sleeper in the D Tackles a big 335 pounder that gets low and has a great bull rush he just overpowers O Lineman .Remember how a lot of people here last tear were high on Phil Taylor . Well this Kid took over for him at Baylor and I don’t think they missed Taylor this year .

by ultraclassic04 on Feb 9, 2012 2:30 PM MST up reply actions

We were not the only ones high on Taylor

he was a late 2nd round pick who move up to the 20s range. I mocked him to us at #36 but knew he wouldn’t make it to us. Baptiste reminds me of when we wanted Sammy Lee Hill and he was supposed to last till the 6-7 round. He didn’t. Baptiste won’t either. The need for NTs is to great.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 9, 2012 2:52 PM MST up reply actions

You are right Digger

By the time the draft gets here Baptiste may well move into the third round .

by ultraclassic04 on Feb 9, 2012 3:21 PM MST up reply actions

Well

maybe not that high. He is a project. I’d say 4th. Maybe top of 4th maybe bottom, but 4th is my prediction.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 9, 2012 3:28 PM MST up reply actions

The big knock on Martin is he's height. If he was 6'3 or 6'4, he would be taken in first or second round.

However I agree with you that Martin is a beast. He was always double teamed but yet still made plays.

by tiderfootball09 on Feb 9, 2012 2:15 PM MST reply actions

Martin will be lower 2nd top of 3rd.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 9, 2012 2:17 PM MST reply actions

I am a big Martin fan also....

If Denver could get Cox to play the UT and Martin to backup the NT slot that would be great! If we lose him, we might be able to grab Ahiem Hicks in the 4th or early 5th. He is 6’5" 324 from Regina Canada and loaded with lots of raw talent and would be a great backup for Bunkley until he learns how to play DT in the NFL. He was originally a LSU recruit.

Kansas Bob

by kansas bob on Feb 9, 2012 5:06 PM MST reply actions

Hicks is a good NT project as well.

At any rate we better hope Bunkley liked Denver and will sign a reasonably priced contract to stay for at least two years with Martin, Hicks or Baptiste learn the ropes.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 9, 2012 5:36 PM MST up reply actions

DT Akiem Nick is one of those players like Jason Pierre-Paul who could blow up the Combines and really send his draft status through the roof!

"You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet other people's lack of understanding" -Julian Bond
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by bfree2bronc on Feb 9, 2012 7:00 PM MST up reply actions

You have Martin at NT?

I was thinking he’d play UT. He seems like someone who could really disrupt and penetrate. Maybe my read on him is wrong.

I’m not keen on drafting another NT, provided we resign Bunkley. We need a UT who can prevent Brady from stepping up.

There's no way Khloe's a Kardashian. No frickin' way.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Feb 10, 2012 8:43 AM MST up reply actions

The games I saw

of him Jerry, which was not much I admit, he seemed to be playing NT. He was almost always making plays in the backfield though. IDK what his career TFL is, but I bet it’s good.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 10, 2012 10:35 AM MST up reply actions

Even in the Senior Bowl practices....

He lined up at the 1. And his matches against Ohio State’s Brewer were well publicized.

For some reason, I keep envisioning him as a UT in the NFL (or at least on the Broncos).

There's no way Khloe's a Kardashian. No frickin' way.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Feb 10, 2012 6:12 PM MST up reply actions

There is a very good chance Jerry that we do not

re-sign Bunkley. He is going to ask for big money and quite frankly I don’t think we should pay it. He did great this year as a run stuffer, which I know is all you really want from a NT, but if he wants franchise tag type money or even close to that, forget it. He was #24 on the best FAs list. The draft and FA list is full of DTs. He is replacable. It all depends on the money he’s asking. That is where EFX is referring to reasonably priced FAs. Our own. If they want to re-sign, great, if not, don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you. They (our FAs) all are replacable.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 10, 2012 6:24 PM MST up reply actions

Bunkley was a bright spot on the D Line

But how much better was he than Marcus Thomas ? I don’t think there is a lot of difference in the two neither one collapses the pocket to get after the QB .Both are good against the run . Sign both of them if they will accept a fair and reasonable contract . They both should talk with Champ like he says the grass isn’t always greener on the other side . If one of them leaves Martin would be an excellent replacement .

by ultraclassic04 on Feb 10, 2012 6:48 PM MST up reply actions

I think we need to resign Bunkley.

If we don’t…well…

To me, it doesn’t make any sense to let a position of weakness weaken further by letting our best player go.

I’ve made it clear that I can’t tell the difference between McBean, Bunkley and Thomas. But other people I respect say Bunkley’s play stood out last season. I believe them. We have to resign him.

If we don’t keep Bunkley, then that changes everything. Then we need to seriously consider Poe or Ta’amu in the first round.

Regardless, I’d love to get Martin in orange and blue. To me, he’d be a penetrating UT. But I think he could also play NT too. Trouble is, I agree with your statement above: He’s going late second, early third.

There's no way Khloe's a Kardashian. No frickin' way.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Feb 10, 2012 7:38 PM MST up reply actions

I loved Bunkley last year

and at the price we paid he was a bargain. If we can get him for 3 mil/yr range and Warren re-do his to 1 yr./2 mil. I would be ecstatic. I don’t think that happens. Both will be gone because of price I’m afraid.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 10, 2012 8:26 PM MST up reply actions

Gotta disagree

If Warren were going to be released, he’d have been released already. The team slow-played that hand when Warren got injured; they took a while before they even put him on IR. He’s also still guaranteed some money for next year if I remember correctly. It’s important to note that he was our biggest money splash in FA last year. It’s tough to see the team going in a different direction all the sudden given how they’ve played that hand thus far. Seems like they like the guy.

As for Bunkley, he was a dominant force in the run-stuffing all year long, as he was in Philly. We gave up a draft choice to get him, and he was what we thought he was. Since the team gave a draft pick to get him and got what they thought they were getting, it’s tough to see a scenario where they all the sudden say, “OK, that worked out… now let’s let him walk”. Since there were no real surprises in price or performance, letting him walk means they intentionally gave away a draft pick to bring him in as a one-year rental. I just can’t see it that way. I think he’ll be a major priority.

What we need is a penetrating DT through the draft. Or two. One high-round guy that has high potential to wreck havoc and collapse pockets from the middle is really what we need, IMO.

I'm officially an idiot. We didn't need Quinn to win dumbass. (Slap to the face!) Great job Tebow and Team! After years of mediocrity we fans deserve a pat on the back for staying true, too. So I hereby take credit for this win for being such a great fan... even having doubted Him once ;D

by Rodney A on Feb 11, 2012 5:10 PM MST up reply actions

I hear you Rodney

and I am not one to disagree with good logic, but I have to this time. I have no idea what our cap situation is, but I do know Doom is set to make 14 mil this year, Warren 4 mil (+you say he is to get some of the bonus yet) and Bunkley will be able to fetch at least a 3 yr/ 15 mil deal from lots of teams. Add in 1 mil to Ayers and we will be spending roughly 25 mil on our starting DL. Then you talk draft pick. KK’s post the other day stated our DL was one of the highest priced last year, if we keep Bunkley, Warren, Thomas and draft a DT we really will be. Something has got to give.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 11, 2012 6:03 PM MST up reply actions

I would say it's possible one of them walks, but both of them is unlikely IMO

We can’t intentionally plan on two rookies starting and/or making major contributions effectively. Nor can we count on guys like McBean to hold the line. I would be really surprised if Bunkley isn’t priority #1 in FA. He’s young, a fairy recent first-round pick, he just spent a year learning our defense and he’s enormously effective. He pretty much defines what we’d be hoping to draft if we let him go. Letting him go means we now need a run-stuffing starter to go along with the penetrator that we already need.

I would be surprised if Warren is released simply because of how the team has played it out so far, but one way or another, I’m pretty convinced we keep at least one of them.

by Rodney A on Feb 12, 2012 7:20 PM MST up reply actions

I miss you around.

IMO Bunkley and Thomas are NTs and Warren and Vickerson UTs. The problem last year was both our UTs got hurt. The problem this year is both our NTs are FAs. Now people have us drafting a DT this year and they all seem to want a UT because they see we need pressure from our DTs so that Ayers can get him some sacks. I think if we draft one it should be a NT because I think the opening will be there once Bunkley or Thomas walk. Mc Bean will stay, he’s a RFA.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 12, 2012 7:38 PM MST up reply actions

Hebron Fangupo 6-1 331 5.08

Fangupo spent two years on a religious mission in the Philippines after high school, then two years at Mt. San Antonio Community College. Considered one of the top JUCO recruits and chose USC. Fangupo had a limited career at USC because of injuries and decided to transfer to BYU after someone broke into his Los Angeles apartment when his wife was home alone. At BYU, he was told he wouldn’t see much playing time but impressed with his brute power and hard work. The coaching staff call him the strongest player they’ve ever coached. He had 26 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and two pass break-ups in 2011.

He will be 27 for the 2012 season and should be a late round pick.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 9, 2012 6:49 PM MST reply actions

unless he has a great combine - he will probably end up as an UDFA

Given his West Coast bias and his religion, he might choose to accept an offer from the Broncos if he does end up as an UDFA. He sounds a lot like Chris Baker in that he has the physical tools, but he didn’t play enough to get noticed in college. Do you know if he got a combine invite?

Win the individual battles at the LOS - all else flows from that.

by DE_BroncoFan on Feb 10, 2012 8:01 AM MST up reply actions

Yep.

They invited him. Here’s the entire list.

There's no way Khloe's a Kardashian. No frickin' way.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Feb 10, 2012 8:40 AM MST up reply actions

I don't see how you could say the Michigan defense was bad when they were ranked 12 by the AP and 9th by coaches...

11-3 record overall isn’t shabby either, but DT Mike Martin was one of the reasons why. The only thing that will hold him back is his height at 6’1, other than that he should be OK…

"You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet other people's lack of understanding" -Julian Bond
Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Feb 9, 2012 6:56 PM MST reply actions

UM's D was pretty bad under Rodriguez.

Win the individual battles at the LOS - all else flows from that.

by DE_BroncoFan on Feb 10, 2012 8:03 AM MST up reply actions

Not just this past season

Martin has been a stable in the michigan defense throughout the dreaded Rich Rod days when they were not even in the top 100 in overall defense. Yes, I am a Michigan fan lol. But all bias aside I love what Martin can bring to a defense.

by 32Bronco32 on Feb 9, 2012 10:09 PM MST reply actions

More on Martin...

Here, Here, and Here.

I like this guy not just because he went to U of M, but because of his personality and that huge motor he has…The tape measure will fool a lot of people. Some guys just play tall. The length of a middle finger is about 4 ", and to me it’s more the length of those arms that makes the dif.

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on aimlessly and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Feb 10, 2012 2:21 PM MST reply actions

That's good stuff metalman

I admit I have to look at the 2nd and 3rd here’s yet, but I like it. Weight room warrior, wrestling champion, shot put champion, ect. He reminds me of Paea from last year that we all fell in love with because he got hurt and would be in our range. then we all got bitch slapped when we passed on him twice over.

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 10, 2012 2:49 PM MST up reply actions