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View Full Version : Observations on the offseason/a look at the team


Zealander
04-25-2008, 12:55 AM
Well looks like we just concluded our off season trades. Overall I really like what Shannahan has done. The signings are low risk, low salary (as far as I know Robertson details are still undisclosed) with big upsides. I think he's put together quite the quiet little season here. It's obvious he addressed our holes, and I think he did so adequately. Lets look.

LB's -I'm really high on the linebackers we brought in. Boss especially, he's a body and I think he has a good head on his shoulders. Niko is given a good shot to be a MLB, although Shannahan seemingly "giving" him the starting roll makes me a little apprehensive. With DJ on the weak side we have the chance at a very strong line backing core.

WR - Shannahan brought in a couple of new WR's. We really just need one of these guys to pan out. With Marshall as our guy and stokley in the slot we need that solid #2. Jackson seems like he could be the man for the job, but we have a lot of competition here. Mike brought in guys that have struggled as of recently. We can call ourselves optimistic because those guys didn't have a consistent QB like Jay Cutler to throw to them. With any luck at all one of these guys should pan out. Marshall should heal well, he should be able to match and probably up the bar from last season.

S - Then we filled depth at the safety position. McCree is a player and a defensive leader. With Lynch and Abdullah already on the roster we will be able to find guys with our depth to put together a good squad at the safety position.

The Defensive Line - Finally we brought in our defensive tackle. Dewayne Roberston has proven to be a consistent player. If his knee holds up there isn't any reason he won't be a solid tackle for us. Put him along side Marcus Thomas and we could get some pressure from the middle this year. That would be fantastic. I am really high on our defensive ends, the guys just ooze talent and all they need is that support from the center to really strike fear into a quarterback.


Now I am really not a football expert but so far to me the team looks like this on paper.

OFFENSE
QB - Cutler - He can take us.
HB - Henry I don't like the guy, but I like the player. He has the meanest stiff arm around. He led the league in yards before things went south last year. (I still love the HB pick)
FB - Sapp/Bell (Crossing my fingers for Owen Schmidtt)

Offensive Line - Is the biggest puzzle we have, I won't name guys here but I think I should mention that the coaches are high on Harris and I'm very excited to see what he can do. I would really like to see that addition of a guy or two in the draft, we need to build this team to protect Jay.

WR- Marshall , Jackson (maybe), Stokley - Dangerous.
TE - Scheffler / Graham - Great

DEFENSE
The Line - will be constantly changing. I think this unit is going to be much improved.

LB's - Williams, Niko, Boss

S - Lynch, McCree - Strong
CB's - Champ and Bly - Great

To me, this looks like it could be a very strong team on paper. We just need things to go our way. I am surprised Shannahan brought in so many personnel. He stated that he was going to change the way things worked, and "Build through the draft". I think he made the right moves, and he put us in a possible win now position. If we can get another strong infusion of talent from the draft this year to go along with the '06 and '07 we will have a great core of guys for years to come.

Bottom line is guys, this looks like it could be a ten win plus team if things go well. I think we have something we can be excited about here Denver. How does Bronco mania feel?

:salute:

skeeter01
04-25-2008, 02:29 AM
I'm really glad you started this thread. I agree with almost everything said here. Shanny takes alot of grief from most posters here, I for one think the guy does good things for this organization. Remember, some of the bad moves last year could have well been Ted Sun.'s fault, including , letting Myers go. Any way, the free agent singings all filled immdeiate holes. Will they all work out ? Doubtful, but you cannot rely on the draft to produce immediate help. These signings allow us to draft BAA without having to make trades to get the targeted player. Hopefully it was Ted that moved up to get Moss, as I think we all think we coulda stayed put. My favorite signing is Niko, I could be wrong, but watching and listening to this guy, he does not talk big about himself. He really wants his play to show what he can do.I think he is really gonna surprise us. He may not be quite as good as Al was, but I do beleive we have a solid / and copmplete L/Backer crew. 1st- Clady, 2nd-DT, 2 fourths- CB & WR{returners}, 5th RB, 6ths=G/C, 7ths- Kickers :-)

bjoli198
04-25-2008, 03:15 AM
I think DEs is pretty much set, if Chris Long or Vernon Golston not just happens to fall to us.

Zealander
04-25-2008, 11:25 AM
Niko is definitely something to be excited for. I hear he has good vocal skills as a leader, a great quality in a MLB.

I also think our DE's are set, I see lots of mock drafts with us taking an end but I really don't think it is necessary. I can't wait to see what Moss has in store for us, and even without him... we would be fine. We just need that pressure from the middle and the rest will fall into place.