Denver inks McCree too

[bennyboy]

Depth at safety

This is what i think...

- We now have 3 legit guys at safety as well as some depth. It will allow us to play the big nickel package that Sam Brandon used to play so well at.
- Our sheer number of needs is - thank goodness - decreasing somewhat. I think it's agreed that our needs are DT, OT, possibly 2nd WR and arguably a stud RB now that we have depth at S and LB.
- With the number of picks we have we can use the later picks for a) depth, b) development projects like OT and c) to use to trade up as we need to.
- Trading up isn't as bad an idea as it has previously been. Not saying that we will but the consequences aren't as severe now of trading into the 7-10 range for a DT or to take a shot at Clady (if that's who they want) in the same manner that they did with Moss last year (if he gets close to 12 and they're worried he won't quite fall to them).

I'd be happy with some veteran DT depth as the last thing to fix in FA and then fix the rest of the needs in the draft. We're solid now i think. Next year's draft may be the time to pick our stud S and LB given the quality of the class that everyone is saying is projected.

[jhildebrand]

Our Safety position now seems a bit crowded with the return of Lynch, the signings of Mcree and Manuel, and Abdullah in the fold. I would look for the Broncos to move Foxworth while they can get something for him.

Also, with most of the Free Agent signings being on the Defensive side of the ball, I would almost look for our first two picks to be on the offensive side of the ball. Shanahan just might be looking for an O lineman with the first and a RB with #2. Our #2 is a higher pick and somebody could fall. Remember, Steven Jackson was a "Top 3 pick" and slid forever. It could happen again!

[VABronco37]

:clap:YES:clap:
Two birds with one stone and if Lynch retires next year, we have his replacement.
Good stuff and to the Broncos

[pipes]

If Denver moves down and Phillips is the best value on the board, they damn well better take him......That's the whole point of building through the draft.

How many long term players does the Broncos have a safety? Hamza Abdullah......maybe. They have John Lynch, who's going to retire soon, and Marlon McCree, who's going to be 31 in a week and a half.

I'm stoked that Denver signed McCree, it means Denver won't have to reach for Phillips, but it shouldn't mean Phillips isn't the best option later in the draft should Denver move down......

Or maybe Shanahan bought him some time, literally.

Next season is what I keep hearing, "the best safety class in years".

Maybe Shanahan is waiting for next year to draft one because he was thoroughly unimpressed by this year's crop as many of the scouts are.

I think that the glaring needs are different now. IMO.

Glaring (in no order): WR, OT, DT, K, and P
Spots that could use an upgrade (in no order): RB, ILB, S, and CB if Foxworth is traded--his spot will need to be replaced

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

Lynch isn't even a lock to start. McCree would beat out Abdullah for SS.

Pretty certain McCree has never played Strong Safety in his life. He's a terrible tackler, decent ball skills. Manuel is a Strong Safety though.

I think McCree will back up John Lynch, or replace Lynch if he later decides to retire after the draft or something. Abdullah and Manuel should battle it out for Strong Safety.

[broncs2bowl]

Pretty certain McCree has never played Strong Safety in his life. He's a terrible tackler, decent ball skills. Manuel is a Strong Safety though.

I think McCree will back up John Lynch, or replace Lynch if he later decides to retire after the draft or something. Abdullah and Manuel should battle it out for Strong Safety.

MUG sorry to go against you, you are a very intelligent poster............however Mcree has been a SS forever and is actually a solid tackler.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

MUG sorry to go against you, you are a very intelligent poster............however Mcree has been a SS forever and is actually a solid tackler.

That's not true though.

He was a strictly a Free Safety at San Diego, now to be replaced by Eric Weddle. That was the previous two years. And when he was here in Jacksonville, he was a Free Safety as well. The only place he might have played Strong Safety, as far as I know, is in college or at Carolina.

And he's a terrible tackler. Ask any San Diego fan about that.

[broncs2bowl]

That's not true though.

He was a strictly a Free Safety at San Diego, now to be replaced by Eric Weddle. That was the previous two years. And when he was here in Jacksonville, he was a Free Safety as well. The only place he might have played Strong Safety, as far as I know, is in college or at Carolina.

And he's a terrible tackler. Ask any San Diego fan about that.

well whatever. FS SS is there a difference here in Denver. Maybe we move Lynch to SS? and start Mcree at FS

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

well whatever. FS SS is there a difference here in Denver. Maybe we move Lynch to SS? and start Mcree at FS

Yes, I would think there is a big difference here in Denver. At least this coming season. When Jim Bates was here, not at all, he just wanted Free Safeties, of which we had none.

Recently it was stated that we are going to employ a scheme that puts 8 men in the box. That specifically means that we need a traditional Strong Safety that is physical enough to line up in the box and defeat blocks, especially from a releasing Tight End.

This, in turn, places a greater emphasis on the Free Safety, the only remaining safety net in the deep middle. Our cover corners will give that person some slack, but not a ton.

Right now, Marlon McCree is the only Free Safety, centerfield type, we have on our roster. Lynch, Abdullah, and Manuel all are strong safeties. Though Manuel probably projects more as a special teams ace, and insurance in the event Abdullah is signed away in restricted free agency over the next month.

[broncs2bowl]

Yes, I would think there is a big difference here in Denver. At least this coming season. When Jim Bates was here, not at all, he just wanted Free Safeties, of which we had none.

Recently it was stated that we are going to employ a scheme that puts 8 men in the box. That specifically means that we need a traditional Strong Safety that is physical enough to line up in the box and defeat blocks, especially from a releasing Tight End.

This, in turn, places a greater emphasis on the Free Safety, the only remaining safety net in the deep middle. Our cover corners will give that person some slack, but not a ton.

Right now, Marlon McCree is the only Free Safety, centerfield type, we have on our roster. Lynch, Abdullah, and Manuel all are strong safeties. Though Manuel probably projects more as a special teams ace, and insurance in the event Abdullah is signed away in restricted free agency over the next month.

ok ill shut up now

[Cugel]

Yes, I would think there is a big difference here in Denver. At least this coming season. When Jim Bates was here, not at all, he just wanted Free Safeties, of which we had none.

Recently it was stated that we are going to employ a scheme that puts 8 men in the box. That specifically means that we need a traditional Strong Safety that is physical enough to line up in the box and defeat blocks, especially from a releasing Tight End.

This, in turn, places a greater emphasis on the Free Safety, the only remaining safety net in the deep middle. Our cover corners will give that person some slack, but not a ton.

Right now, Marlon McCree is the only Free Safety, centerfield type, we have on our roster. Lynch, Abdullah, and Manuel all are strong safeties. Though Manuel probably projects more as a special teams ace, and insurance in the event Abdullah is signed away in restricted free agency over the next month.

MUG, are there any decent coverage FS they could draft in the 4th round?

I think that's where they might look at drafting a Safety, unless they acquire a 3rd round pick. First two picks have to be OL/DT, or possibly RB/DT (not my preference), unless somebody falls unexpectedly or the Broncos trade up into the top 7 to take Ellis or Dorsey somehow.

Either way, Safety could be one of their 4th round picks if there were somebody there who was decent. I don't know who they could take there though.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

MUG, are there any decent coverage FS they could draft in the 4th round?

I think that's where they might look at drafting a Safety, unless they acquire a 3rd round pick. First two picks have to be OL/DT, or possibly RB/DT (not my preference), unless somebody falls unexpectedly or the Broncos trade up into the top 7 to take Ellis or Dorsey somehow.

Either way, Safety could be one of their 4th round picks if there were somebody there who was decent. I don't know who they could take there though.

I think so.


Domonique Barber, Jonathan Hefney, DJ Wolfe, and Eric Wicks probably all project as Free Safeties. The problem is timed speed for some of those guys, but they all have ball skills.

Then you have guys like Marcus Griffin, Craig Steltz, and Jamie Silva that can do both.


Free Safety is definitely trickier to fill then Strong Safety in my opinion though, and this draft is a bit limited in that type of dynamic centerfield guy. All the top Free Safeties should go towards the top of the draft with Reggie Smith and Quentin Demps being two of the best. Most of the talent in the 4th Round area will fit Cover-2 Schemes, due to lack of speed, and Strong Safety, due to physical nature and diminished ball skills.

There are always a few diamonds in the rough, but in the 4th Round, every prospect will have questions due to lack of ideal measureables. I just believe most of these guys are "players" and will do fine in the NFL. Definitely more strong safeties then free though.

[elevation INC]

I think so.


Domonique Barber, Jonathan Hefney, DJ Wolfe, and Eric Wicks probably all project as Free Safeties. The problem is timed speed for some of those guys, but they all have ball skills.

Then you have guys like Marcus Griffin, Craig Steltz, and Jamie Silva that can do both.


Free Safety is definitely trickier to fill then Strong Safety in my opinion though, and this draft is a bit limited in that type of dynamic centerfield guy. All the top Free Safeties should go towards the top of the draft with Reggie Smith and Quentin Demps being two of the best. Most of the talent in the 4th Round area will fit Cover-2 Schemes, due to lack of speed, and Strong Safety, due to physical nature and diminished ball skills.

There are always a few diamonds in the rough, but in the 4th Round, every prospect will have questions due to lack of ideal measureables. I just believe most of these guys are "players" and will do fine in the NFL. Definitely more strong safeties then free though.

i actually prefer barber at FS, and caleb campbell at SS what do u think of those guys MUG???

i would like either 1 of them

[elevation INC]

Yes, I would think there is a big difference here in Denver. At least this coming season. When Jim Bates was here, not at all, he just wanted Free Safeties, of which we had none.

Recently it was stated that we are going to employ a scheme that puts 8 men in the box. That specifically means that we need a traditional Strong Safety that is physical enough to line up in the box and defeat blocks, especially from a releasing Tight End.

This, in turn, places a greater emphasis on the Free Safety, the only remaining safety net in the deep middle. Our cover corners will give that person some slack, but not a ton.

Right now, Marlon McCree is the only Free Safety, centerfield type, we have on our roster. Lynch, Abdullah, and Manuel all are strong safeties. Though Manuel probably projects more as a special teams ace, and insurance in the event Abdullah is signed away in restricted free agency over the next month.

i actually think abdullah should play FS where he had his best games while covering for lynch. he wasnt bad at SS but he wasnt great either. He played great at FS when he covered for lynch though. I think using abduallah and mcree at FS is wise then use lynch who is a liability against the pass as our guy in the box or SS. and if lynch doesnt start we focus on bringing in a true SS from the draft in the 4th rd. Caleb Campbell comes to mind, as does Jamar adams.