We sure do need another DT...

[TXBRONC]

I'd like to be optimistic as the next person, but the chances of an undrafted DT ever becoming a starter in the NFL are almost nil.

Don't take my word for it. Look at the statistics on Football Outsiders: LINK

Unfortunately, Harris is not likely to make the team, and if he does he's unlikely to ever amount to anything.

I didn't say anything about him being a starter Cugel. The author of the thread said he would have liked for us get another DT. I simply pointed that this what Denver did. Whether he amounts to anything or not isn't at issue right now.

[silkamilkamonic]

Thats the first time Ive heard anyone say that all off-season, and damn is it refreshing

A little too refreshing.

1) Warren is a solid starter

2)We don't even know if Thomas will pan out in the NFL, let alone this fall.

3)McKinley/Veal are rotation players, and that's it. They are solid with depth, but I don't expect either one of them to come out and surprise.

Denver is 1 injury short from being possibly the thinnest they have at Dline for a long while, and that's not a good thing.

I do think the DE position could possibly absorb some of the weakeness inside if they have a good camp, but we'll see.

[TheFuture6]

yea, we're fine at DT imo.

Thats the first time Ive heard anyone say that all off-season, and damn is it refreshing

[Sam_Z]

Personally I think Burton is gonna make a strong push for not only number 4 but number 3!
Thomas will beat him out as well as Mckinely.

[Broncosinindy]

DT is not set. Warren must step up his game. Thomas is not garunteed starting. and our DE's need to get to the QB with a good solid push from the inside.

[Dream]

Even with the consideration of the pending play of Warren and Thomas this year, if Thomas can even stay clean - defensive tackle is a need for next year. Defensive tackle is one of the hardest positions to translate to from college to the NFL, and the guys like Gordon, Burton and Harris went low or undrafted for a reason. Just because they fit the "bill" at defensive tackle, doesn't mean they can play.

Unlike a lot of people, I think Veal is a solid player. Those are solid numbers for a #3 or #4 defensive tackle. I guess I'm forgetting about McKinley, who could surprise here in Denver - but Denver could upgrade.

My guess is that we'll only keep four defensive tackles this year: Warren, Thomas, McKinley and Veal. Ekuban, and perhaps Crowder and Dumervil could move inside on pass rushing situations.

This next year in the draft is a gold mine for defensive tackles, and since we only have two first-day selections, I doubt it'll be addressed, but the talent is most definitely there.

[Morambar]

That was such a bogus call.

Veal was pretty good in 2005 but last year the most lasting memory of him is having that D holding call against him whilst being blocked 15 yards upfield by a Seahawks double team I hope he shapes up for TC, he's going to have it tough.

But hey, it only cost us the game and a trip to the playoffs; at least the "right" team won the SB, right?

End of last season I wanted us to draft two DTs, but with the new DC apparently liking the big bodies I'm optimistic McKinley and Burton will do well as our number three and four. I'd have preferred two DTs and a DE to vice versa, but apparently the front office (which is a lot closer to the team, yes?) saw something I didn't. I think we'll be OK; I'm a lot more worried about LBs right now.

[muse]

Sorry, OT but I love this quote from the above article:

It’s less imperative to grab a runner in round one, but the well appears to dry up after round four. It doesn’t appear that you have to use a top pick to get one of the better runners, but it certainly improves your chances of success. Alternatively, you could just wait for the Broncos to get tired of the one they happen to have at the moment.

I've got high hopes for Burton, especially now we've got competent line coaching for the first time in a long time.

[CasualFan]

I'd like to be optomistic as the next person, but the chances of an undrafted DT ever becoming a starter in the NFL are almost nil.

Don't take my word for it. Look at the statistics on Football Outsiders: LINK

Unfortuantely, Harris is not likely to make the team, and if he does he's unlikely to ever amount to anything.

Those stats from Football Outsiders makes all the whining about Shanahan not drafting a safety, a linebacker or returner look foolish. It's much easier to draft good players in those categories (and thus get them through free agency from other teams' past drafts) than it is to get quality at DT, OT and DE.

[Cugel]

Burton will be a beast this year count him on the 3-4 spot and will challenge for the starting spot, he has the speed and the size for the new system. I remember seeing him chasing down the quarterback a couple of times in the Oakland game while they were double teaming him. With a year under his belt I think he will just get better. I was watching him becouse he had 93 pryce's old number.

I sure hope you're right. He and Alvin McKinley could battle for the starting spot opposite Warren to start the season.

Hopefully, before the season is out, Thomas can move into that starting spot.

Frankly, next year the Broncos are going to need to draft some MORE DTs as well, since Warren isn't going to stay forever and none of the other DTs (other than Thomas) are ever likely to be elite DTs.

[Broncobulldog07]

Burton will be a beast this year count him on the 3-4 spot and will challenge for the starting spot, he has the speed and the size for the new system. I remember seeing him chasing down the quarterback a couple of times in the Oakland game while they were double teaming him. With a year under his belt I think he will just get better. I was watching him becouse he had 93 pryce's old number.

[Cugel]

We did. We signed Thomas' linemate as undraft free agent.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5517382,00.html

Broncos sign five rookie free agents
STORY TOOLS
By Associated Press
May 2, 2007
The Denver Broncos have signed five rookie free agents, including Auburn guard Tim Duckworth, Texas running back Selvin Young and another defensive player from Florida.

The Broncos signed defensive tackle Steven Harris of the national champion Gators. Broncos draft picks Jarvis Moss, a defensive end, and Marcus Thomas, defensive tackle, also played for Florida.

Denver also signed Hampton University wide receiver Marquay McDaniel and Wisconsin safety Roderick Rogers.

Duckworth was projected as a potential first-day NFL draft pick, but his name wasn’t called.

Young finished his career at Texas ranked 19th on the school’s all-time rushing list with 1,713 yards on 365 carries with 25 touchdowns. He was part of the 2005 team that won the BCS national championship. In 2003, he became the first player in Longhorns history to return both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game.

McDaniel left Hampton having tied the school record with 22 touchdown receptions in 46 career games.

Rogers received second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors in each of his final two seasons at Wisconsin.

I'd like to be optomistic as the next person, but the chances of an undrafted DT ever becoming a starter in the NFL are almost nil.

Don't take my word for it. Look at the statistics on Football Outsiders: LINK

Unfortuantely, Harris is not likely to make the team, and if he does he's unlikely to ever amount to anything.

[dbdom]

Veal didnt have a great season in 2006, but I quite like him as a player and he has some upsides, but he has a battle on his hands to stick on the team with the numberrs there.

[BroncoSexyDaddy]

Would be nice to add another DT for depth!

I like the DE spot now but we are only 3 deep at DT...Warren/Mckinley/Thomas....I sure don't want to count on Veal,Burton,Gordan...1 more DT sure would look nice!

I would cut Veal, Burton,and Gordan.

[TXBRONC]

Would be nice to add another DT for depth!

I like the DE spot now but we are only 3 deep at DT...Warren/Mckinley/Thomas....I sure don't want to count on Veal,Burton,Gordan...1 more DT sure would look nice!

We did. We signed Thomas' linemate as undraft free agent.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5517382,00.html

Broncos sign five rookie free agents
STORY TOOLS
By Associated Press
May 2, 2007
The Denver Broncos have signed five rookie free agents, including Auburn guard Tim Duckworth, Texas running back Selvin Young and another defensive player from Florida.

The Broncos signed defensive tackle Steven Harris of the national champion Gators. Broncos draft picks Jarvis Moss, a defensive end, and Marcus Thomas, defensive tackle, also played for Florida.

Denver also signed Hampton University wide receiver Marquay McDaniel and Wisconsin safety Roderick Rogers.

Duckworth was projected as a potential first-day NFL draft pick, but his name wasn’t called.

Young finished his career at Texas ranked 19th on the school’s all-time rushing list with 1,713 yards on 365 carries with 25 touchdowns. He was part of the 2005 team that won the BCS national championship. In 2003, he became the first player in Longhorns history to return both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game.

McDaniel left Hampton having tied the school record with 22 touchdown receptions in 46 career games.

Rogers received second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors in each of his final two seasons at Wisconsin.