Past Draft Failures are the reason for our current struggles

[MVP-06]

I think most people will agree that it takes 2-3 years to really analyze a draft class. I recently pulled up our drafts from the past and it's my opinion that we are currently suffering b/c of the drafts from 2001-2004. Of the 34 players drafted during that time we have 3, count 'em 3 players (Williams, Brandon, Hamilton) that are still on our roster from these classes.

This obviously points to two things:

1. We drafted poorly
2. To much turnover to be a consistent contender

Luckily we appear to have righted the ship from 2005-2007. We should start to see the difference in the next couple of years. My point is that I think we are headed in the right direction. Let's have another good draft and we should be legit contenders in the near future.

Here is a link to our draft classes in case you would like to reference: http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftteam.htm?tm=DEN&lg=nfl

[broncosker25]

I think most people will agree that it takes 2-3 years to really analyze a draft class. I recently pulled up our drafts from the past and it's my opinion that we are currently suffering b/c of the drafts from 2001-2004. Of the 34 players drafted during that time we have 3, count 'em 3 players (Williams, Brandon, Hamilton) that are still on our roster from these classes.

This obviously points to two things:

1. We drafted poorly
2. To much turnover to be a consistent contender

Luckily we appear to have righted the ship from 2005-2007. We should start to see the difference in the next couple of years. My point is that I think we are headed in the right direction. Let's have another good draft and we should be legit contenders in the near future.

Here is a link to our draft classes in case you would like to reference: http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftteam.htm?tm=DEN&lg=nfl

That was a much needed breath of fresh air. Thank you. During that four year peroid we had drafts that did not yield the fruits we desired. We spent a first round pick on a receiver who was inconsitent, we spent another first round pick on a tackle who was too big for our system, and we spent the second round pick from the Portis deal in 2004 on a rb who was fast, but not tough enough to be a number 1 back. We finally paid the price for those drafts last year, but as you pointed out the last three classes are starting to take effects and we can return to being an elite team in the next few years. I know everyone is disappointed because we have yet to sign anyone of significance, but would you rather be like the Jets and spend a lot of money on old lineman and underacheiving pass rushers? We have seen where that road leads, so at this point I am fine with our moves thus far in free agency.

[MVP-06]

glad im not the only one with the same opinion

[lancane]

glad im not the only one with the same opinion

You're not, most of us are frustrated because we could be closer then people think if not for 'the said' mistakes of recent years. First off let's take Bates, he comes in and totally eliminates our defensive scheme: we trade for Bly, when Foxworth was good enough, we trade Warren and sign Adams and Rice, but right now having Warren back under Slowik would be a breath of fresh air. IMHO Shanahan really hurt us this past year with three moves - one was Henry, he is a loser and has brought awful attention to this team, and I do not care if he took a paycut and played for free...he is crap. Secondly we let Warren go because of Bates and right now we need a good starter till we groom someone. Thirdly would be letting go of Coyer and hiring Bates instead of finding someone with a similar philosophy to what he wanted. Fourthly would have been giving Dennison the OC position and letting the idiot still coach the offensive line, we need a true line coach. Take away those few mistakes and righting them would be a step in the right direction. Problem is IMHO that Shanahan is a great game planner, but awful general manager, he hires too many friends and not enough proven coaches, he signs too many questionable instead of drafting above average athletes.

But I think we all have to realize that the chances this year to be anything is very slim, and that in truth it might be that way for another year or two.