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Thought this was an interesting read from Mike Klis' Denver Bronco's mailbag in the post. He claims Royal was drafted over DeSean Jackson for character reasons...
I really like how the Broncos are now paying more attention to a player's character when acquiring new talent. It seems that the Broncos adopted a new philosophy this offseason. They didn't overspend in the free-agent market for run-down talent. What compelled the Broncos to take this new direction?
-- Jay Yu, Los Angeles
Jay - I think there were just enough embarrassing off-field incidents in the past year or so for Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan to recommit to their goal of having the Broncos' organization stand as a beacon in the Denver community. The Broncos' lineup of trouble last year: David Kircus, Brandon Marshall, Travis Henry, Darrell Hackney and Todd Sauerbrun.
At heart, Shanahan is a street-wise kid from the blue-collar suburbs of Chicago. His background helps explain why he has been prone to give players with a troubled past a second chance.
This year, though, Shanahan didn't have to spend one second explaining why he acquired the latest character risk. To the contrary, high character came into play with the Broncos' second-round pick, No. 42 overall. By far, the most talented receiver/returner available at No. 42 was DeSean Jackson. But there were enough flags on the Cal star that had the Broncos wondering if Jackson didn't have a little Javon Walker-like attitude in him.
They had just dumped Walker in part because of his occasional self-before-team forays. Why turn around and add another player with a similar reputation? So the Broncos took Eddie Royal - who not only has exceptional returner-receiver skills, but also exudes maturity - with their No. 42 pick. Jackson didn't go until seven picks later to Philadelphia.
That fine line between character and talent, though, can be difficult to straddle. You can't have a locker room of choirboys and win in the NFL. All teams wish they had 45 men who are beasts on Sundays and exemplary citizens the rest of the week. And all teams know it doesn't work that way.
-- Jay Yu, Los Angeles
Jay - I think there were just enough embarrassing off-field incidents in the past year or so for Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan to recommit to their goal of having the Broncos' organization stand as a beacon in the Denver community. The Broncos' lineup of trouble last year: David Kircus, Brandon Marshall, Travis Henry, Darrell Hackney and Todd Sauerbrun.
At heart, Shanahan is a street-wise kid from the blue-collar suburbs of Chicago. His background helps explain why he has been prone to give players with a troubled past a second chance.
This year, though, Shanahan didn't have to spend one second explaining why he acquired the latest character risk. To the contrary, high character came into play with the Broncos' second-round pick, No. 42 overall. By far, the most talented receiver/returner available at No. 42 was DeSean Jackson. But there were enough flags on the Cal star that had the Broncos wondering if Jackson didn't have a little Javon Walker-like attitude in him.
They had just dumped Walker in part because of his occasional self-before-team forays. Why turn around and add another player with a similar reputation? So the Broncos took Eddie Royal - who not only has exceptional returner-receiver skills, but also exudes maturity - with their No. 42 pick. Jackson didn't go until seven picks later to Philadelphia.
That fine line between character and talent, though, can be difficult to straddle. You can't have a locker room of choirboys and win in the NFL. All teams wish they had 45 men who are beasts on Sundays and exemplary citizens the rest of the week. And all teams know it doesn't work that way.
Official Knowshon Rockwell Moreno Fan Club Member #10
smiley
Only time will tell if it is wrong or right...
Center, 3. OT
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