O-Line

[Joshua2585]

No! James is on his way out of Denver. He might be available each game this year, or he might not. Denver needs to draft a starting Tackle. Third round won't cut it. Whoever it is needs to be ready to start. #40 might be OK, but #9 will work. Everyone on this message board who has melted down, complained, whined and cried about O-Line, especially Right Tackle, should be down with a Tackle in the first round. If not, don't want to hear a bunch of bellyaching in the future from "trade up for QB" guys. Sewell or Slater. Pull the trigger and complete the rebuild of the O-Line. If a starting Tackle isn't drafted, we do not want to see what happens when Ja'Wuan James limps off the field taking himself out of the game, believe me. That is all.

The thing that kills me the most is that JJ is really good when he is actually playing. Such a shame to pay all that money for a guy that is a really good RT, but doesn't seem to love FB. JJ is like the Sam Bradford of o lineman!

[Hadez]

Just thinking out loud...but what if Sewell fell to us at 9....and Panthers entertained a trade involving Juwann James and picks for Teddy Bridgewater. Hoping the deal allowed both teams to come to compromise with paying off dead cap money.

Trading James is probably not going to happen unless we pay something for a team to take him. He has played under 100 snaps the past two years. He has a 10 mil guaranteed salary that comes with him to his next team if the trade happens. I do not mind the 9 mil dead cap hit the Broncos would take as we are going to eat the money we already paid sooner or later....it still would bring our cap down this year by 3 mil. I am not even sure if we send James and a 3rd round pick for *future considerations* (probably not a think in NFL like MLB) if we would get a trade partner. This draft's deepest position may be OT. No one is taking a chance on James and his 10 mil salary imo.

[Hadez]

The thing that kills me the most is that JJ is really good when he is actually playing. Such a shame to pay all that money for a guy that is a really good RT, but doesn't seem to love FB. JJ is like the Sam Bradford of o lineman!

From what I have seen of James in Denver he reminds me of a person with a low drive to work hard and is happy coasting now that he is paid. The talent level really does not matter on a person with that kind of personal trait.

I do not have time to look it up but I hope I quote this right

talent + effort = skill

Skill + effort = achievement

[samparnell]

The thing that kills me the most is that JJ is really good when he is actually playing. Such a shame to pay all that money for a guy that is a really good RT, but doesn't seem to love FB. JJ is like the Sam Bradford of o lineman!

I agree with you. It's hard to remember Ja'Wuan James' 63 snaps in a Bronco uniform from 2019. They were all on the road at Oakland, Indy and Houston, I believe, so Denver fans never have seen him in person in a regular season home game. He didn't finish any of the three starts he had in 2019, but the most snaps he had was 31 at Houston. Some of his snaps were pretty good, just so very, very few of them.

[CheyennePress]

So I hear all of the talk about James and his lack of a work ethic, and may be merited. For instance, his reluctance to return to the field when cleared. He also took heat for opting out from COVID, which I also get. That said, a lot of names listed as potential draft picks for the Broncos also opted out from COVID. How do you evaluate those guys? Why do they get a pass when James takes the heat and gets detracted as lacking toughness and with character flaws? Yes, there is a longer pattern with James, but don't you also doubt the commitment of players who opted out of college, their professional development and their teammates for COVID? I guess you can say that something is expected of you when you put your signature on a big contract like that, but do you detract from your perceptions of those given a chance to play but who declined? Do you worry about their skills regressing from 2019? I am not at all criticizing those questioning James' character and tenacity? How could you not given accusations he may have milked injuries in Miami, as well? I just didn't hear many commenting on those who opted out as possessing some of those same questions. It seems many are willing to treat 2019 and 2020 film as equal. I wonder how that plays out. Just a question I am surprised hasn't been asked more.

[BiscuitBronco]

So I hear all of the talk about James and his lack of a work ethic, and may be merited. For instance, his reluctance to return to the field when cleared. He also took heat for opting out from COVID, which I also get. That said, a lot of names listed as potential draft picks for the Broncos also opted out from COVID. How do you evaluate those guys? Why do they get a pass when James takes the heat and gets detracted as lacking toughness and with character flaws? Yes, there is a longer pattern with James, but don't you also doubt the commitment of players who opted out of college, their professional development and their teammates for COVID? I guess you can say that something is expected of you when you put your signature on a big contract like that, but do you detract from your perceptions of those given a chance to play but who declined? Do you worry about their skills regressing from 2019? I am not at all criticizing those questioning James' character and tenacity? How could you not given accusations he may have milked injuries in Miami, as well? I just didn't hear many commenting on those who opted out as possessing some of those same questions. It seems many are willing to treat 2019 and 2020 film as equal. I wonder how that plays out. Just a question I am surprised hasn't been asked more.

Interesting points.

My view;
1. Opt out due to Covid concerns: should not influence in anyway perception of commitment or willingness. College or pro players. For me, this is excluded
2. Historical (alleged) reluctance to play when passed fit (James) - I'm not James, I 've no idea how his body felt. Just maybe he really was still injured. I've been misdiagnosed in the past but jury is still out for me.
3. Perceived lack of willingness - I would've liked to see more from James this past year, some statements on his commitment to come back and compete for his starting job, some work out videos, just something to show he is fully committed to getting back into shape and back into the team. Nor have I seen any public support from James, from the team or his team mates. This is concerning.
4 James is just a bit better than serviceable RT for me. Overpaid for sure (not his fault) but even back to near his prime would he really make RT a position of strength? I have my doubts.

[Rich_C]

So I hear all of the talk about James and his lack of a work ethic, and may be merited. For instance, his reluctance to return to the field when cleared. He also took heat for opting out from COVID, which I also get. That said, a lot of names listed as potential draft picks for the Broncos also opted out from COVID. How do you evaluate those guys? Why do they get a pass when James takes the heat and gets detracted as lacking toughness and with character flaws? Yes, there is a longer pattern with James, but don't you also doubt the commitment of players who opted out of college, their professional development and their teammates for COVID? I guess you can say that something is expected of you when you put your signature on a big contract like that, but do you detract from your perceptions of those given a chance to play but who declined? Do you worry about their skills regressing from 2019? I am not at all criticizing those questioning James' character and tenacity? How could you not given accusations he may have milked injuries in Miami, as well? I just didn't hear many commenting on those who opted out as possessing some of those same questions. It seems many are willing to treat 2019 and 2020 film as equal. I wonder how that plays out. Just a question I am surprised hasn't been asked more.

I know there have been some to critique James for his COVOD opt out. I was disappointed but his circumstances were unique. Nearly all of my issues with James have to do with drive. In a sport like football it is a requirement.

With regards to these college players who opted out. I am sure they will have a few in game hiccups. That said they were not getting paid by their college teams. Thus they wanted to protect their health for their career. If anything I see those who are projected 1st rounders and they opted out of 2020 as good critical thinkers.

[Bad_Bubba]

There is little upside in trading James. You might have to give a draft pick to get someone to take his contract and you still get a dead money hit. Right now he is the Broncos answer at RT and I am sure the Broncos know it is tenuous at best. I think they are hoping that James knows if he does not perform this year he is probably done in the league and that knowledge will motivate him. Tackle has to be a high priority in the draft and this Tackle class is suppose to be deep. I expect the Broncos to go tackle in the second round. They can backup James in their rookie year and take over in 2022.

[samparnell]

So I hear all of the talk about James and his lack of a work ethic, and may be merited. For instance, his reluctance to return to the field when cleared. He also took heat for opting out from COVID, which I also get. That said, a lot of names listed as potential draft picks for the Broncos also opted out from COVID. How do you evaluate those guys? Why do they get a pass when James takes the heat and gets detracted as lacking toughness and with character flaws? Yes, there is a longer pattern with James, but don't you also doubt the commitment of players who opted out of college, their professional development and their teammates for COVID? I guess you can say that something is expected of you when you put your signature on a big contract like that, but do you detract from your perceptions of those given a chance to play but who declined? Do you worry about their skills regressing from 2019? I am not at all criticizing those questioning James' character and tenacity? How could you not given accusations he may have milked injuries in Miami, as well? I just didn't hear many commenting on those who opted out as possessing some of those same questions. It seems many are willing to treat 2019 and 2020 film as equal. I wonder how that plays out. Just a question I am surprised hasn't been asked more.

Are you considering deleterious post-Covid health problems experienced by physically active, athletic individuals? Do you think that would justify a college athlete with a professional career in sports as a valid reason to opt out?

[samparnell]

There is little upside in trading James. You might have to give a draft pick to get someone to take his contract and you still get a dead money hit. Right now he is the Broncos answer at RT and I am sure the Broncos know it is tenuous at best. I think they are hoping that James knows if he does not perform this year he is probably done in the league and that knowledge will motivate him. Tackle has to be a high priority in the draft and this Tackle class is suppose to be deep. I expect the Broncos to go tackle in the second round. They can backup James in their rookie year and take over in 2022.

For the reasons you state and others, Denver needs to draft a starting Tackle. Second round might accomplish that since Denver has #40 which is eighth pick in the second, I think. Denver has surrounded Drew Lock with young talent at the offensive skill positions. The RT spot is the remaining missing piece of an O-Line rebuild. Those who have complained bitterly about the O-Line in general and RT specifically, and who want to do everything possible to help Lock, should be in support of drafting a Tackle at #9. About four Tackles will probably be drafted in the first round, maybe even five. They are a sought after commodity. Denver needs to get the best one possible this year, and that means picking T in the first round.

[welderhead]

I figure the Falcons take Pitts and the Bengals take Slater or Sewel. Miami could trade down and this scares me because new offensive coordinators' eyes get real big when the possibility of a fresh unsullied quarterback appears. Is anyone worried we could trade up for Fields or Lance?

[lvbronx]

I actually think there's a good chance James will play well this season. Like others have said, he thinks of himself first. This is a contract year for him and his career (future money) is on the line. He has a history of playing well in these circumstances.

Having said this, I don't think he can be counted on and he certainly shouldn't be resigned under any circumstances. But I don't think another RT in his place is urgent this year. I'd look for one that can sit and learn from Munchak for a year and be a Plan B this year of James doesn't work out.

[listopencil]

I actually think there's a good chance James will play well this season. Like others have said, he thinks of himself first. This is a contract year for him and his career (future money) is on the line. He has a history of playing well in these circumstances.

Having said this, I don't think he can be counted on and he certainly shouldn't be resigned under any circumstances. But I don't think another RT in his place is urgent this year. I'd look for one that can sit and learn from Munchak for a year and be a Plan B this year of James doesn't work out.

If all of that is true then we need to draft one with our second round pick. That's the sweet spot in this draft for a guy that could come in and take the job away from James by next season.

[listopencil]

For the reasons you state and others, Denver needs to draft a starting Tackle. Second round might accomplish that since Denver has #40 which is eighth pick in the second, I think. Denver has surrounded Drew Lock with young talent at the offensive skill positions. The RT spot is the remaining missing piece of an O-Line rebuild. Those who have complained bitterly about the O-Line in general and RT specifically, and who want to do everything possible to help Lock, should be in support of drafting a Tackle at #9. About four Tackles will probably be drafted in the first round, maybe even five. They are a sought after commodity. Denver needs to get the best one possible this year, and that means picking T in the first round.

I agree with your reasoning, although I think this particular field of Tackles this year has a small group of guys that would be starting RT's who should be available at #8 in the 2nd round. Guys like Eichenberg, Mayfield, Little, Jenkens, Cosmi, Leatherwood. I think one of those guys will be there.

[lvbronx]

With the oline shaping up does anyone think it's Cush that's in a little trouble? Meinerz was drafted as a C and in the same round as Cush was last year. When you look at our inside guys, there's serious competition and Cush is the least versatile of the bunch.