Mindfield's Makeover

[MindField]

After thinking about it for several weeks now, and all the permutations of what could happen, I have narrowed it down to how I think the re-construction of the Broncos will go down.

Elway is brought back as Exec VP to be a sounding board, a figurehead and a minority owner of the team. His first job will be to assist in hiring the new GM with Bowlen/Ellis approval.

In the end, I think the Broncos go in one of two directions, either a) Brian Xanders is essentially 'promoted', and allowed to actually do the job his title suggests he should, or b) Rick Smith will return with Kubiak.

The Kubiak/Smith combo is just too predictable, however, so I believe the Broncos are going to ultimately empower Xanders, with Elway having a large say in the hiring of the next head coach.

I do think Kubiak has a very real chance of being available, but Gary has final say now in Houston, and ultimately, I don't believe the Broncos are willing to have Smith come back and run the organization and have Xanders and Kubiak answer to him.

So in the end, Xanders becomes what he is as GM.

Xanders and Elway will decide on Jim Fassel as the next Head Coach, as Fassel is everything McDaniels wasn't.

Fassel fits the role of a coach that had a successful run with the NY Giants, and took a team QB'd by Kerry freakin' Collins to the Super Bowl. He also did that behind the 'Thunder and Lightning' RB tandem of Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne, so you know he values the run.

Fassel is also an offensive minded coach, which I believe the Broncos are going to want, as the development of Tebow is obviously critical.

Fassel is also a coach that would understand he defers to Xanders in personnel matters.

I just think Bowlen and Ellis in particular have shown they are fans of Brian Xanders, after all, they already got rid of Ted Sundquist and the Goodman's to advance his standing in the organization. Also, since they wouldn't have to interview a bunch of candidates when they already have a young executive in the building, I just think that is the direction the Broncos will go, which by extension probably means Gary Kubiak won't be the next head coach.

Fassel hires Rick Dennison as the OC, and Eric Mangini after he is fired by the Browns as the DC.

So that's where we start.

[MindField]

Premature Emockulation

1) DE Nick Fairley, Auburn
2) FS Quinton Carter, Oklahoma
2) (From Mia) CB Curtis Brown, Texas
3) NT Phil Taylor, Baylor
3) (Aq from Team X for K Orton) OLB/DE Antoine Carter, Auburn
5) (From Team X for K Orton) FB Owen Marecic, Stanford
6) TE Konrad Rueland, Stanford
7) DE/OLB Thomas Keiser, Stanford

Kyle Orton is traded for a 3rd round pick and another pick (maybe a 5th?) to one of several possible teams, including Washington, Minnesota, Tennessee, Miami, Arizona among others. In the end, someone will need a QB, and Orton will be traded for a 3rd plus another pick.


ORT Ryan Harris and LDE Kevin Vickerson are signed to four year contract extensions.

RB Laurence Maroney and DT Marcus Thomas are allowed to walk in free agency.

Denver signs Dallas free agent DE Jason Hatcher to a five year contract.

Denver releases RB Correll Buckhalter, TE Daniel Graham and FS Brian Dawkins.

OLB/DE Jason Hunter is re-signed to a two year contract.

The Broncos sign CB Champ Bailey to a four year extension.

WR Eddie Royal is signed to a six year extension

OG Russ Hochstein retires

[THEdraftnik]

I like it. Don't know too much about Carter, I would rather have Stephen Friday but this was obviously well thought out and planned.

[Snarfalicious]

I think the part I get most excited about with Xanders is the fact that he's spoken about the defense being the main focus this offseason. It seems obvious, but over the past few years we've found that the obvious solution doesn't necessarily come to fruition. That would probably be the biggest reason why I would back Xanders staying aboard.

I like the draft. You can't say it's flawed at all. It addresses specific needs with high upside players. The only thing I might flip is Carter for Aaron Williams and put Carter in the Brown spot. It'd be a risky move because Carter might get picked up before then but it might be worth the try with Barron as a consolation prize. Just a thought but I think Williams has a bigger upside as a cover corner. Nice job I can dig it.

[MindField]

I think the part I get most excited about with Xanders is the fact that he's spoken about the defense being the main focus this offseason. It seems obvious, but over the past few years we've found that the obvious solution doesn't necessarily come to fruition. That would probably be the biggest reason why I would back Xanders staying aboard.

I like the draft. You can't say it's flawed at all. It addresses specific needs with high upside players. The only thing I might flip is Carter for Aaron Williams and put Carter in the Brown spot. It'd be a risky move because Carter might get picked up before then but it might be worth the try with Barron as a consolation prize. Just a thought but I think Williams has a bigger upside as a cover corner. Nice job I can dig it.

Yeah, you can slice the second round in alot of different ways, and I like your suggestions as well.

We basically have the same concept, just with different players, which is OK, that's what makes it fun.

[Snarfalicious]

Yeah, you can slice the second round in alot of different ways, and I like your suggestions as well.

We basically have the same concept, just with different players, which is OK, that's what makes it fun.

Yeah I agree. The second round will definitely be very interesting this year. There's so many players who can find themselves in the first where we thought we would be in the second and vice versa. It's still early which is why that's the case but I do believe this is a talent rich draft that can give you some very nice players through the third. There's plenty of options to right the D.

[MindField]

Depth Chart

The roster could then look like this:

Offense

QB 15-Tebow, 9-B Quinn
RB 27-Moreno, 35-Ball, 37-J Johnson (signed from PS), 25-L White
FB 46-Larsen, 48-O Marecic (5th)
WR 84-B Lloyd, 88-D Thomas, 12-Willis, 17-B Davis
WR 19-E-Royal, 10-Gafney, 87-Decker
TE 82-Gronkowski, 81-R Quinn, K Rueland (6th), 85-B Coates
C 50-JD Walton, 63-J Byers (from PS), 69-E Olson
RG 73-Kuper, 69-E Olson
LG 68-Z Beadles, 64-Daniels (re-signed from PS)
RT 74 R Harris, 75-C Clark
LT 78-R Clady

K 5-M Prater

Defense

NT 76-J Williams, 97-Bannan, 91-P Taylor (3rd)
LDE 99-K Vickerson, 98-R McBean, 95-M Stehle (from PS)
RDE 96-J Hatcher, 90-N Fairley (1st)
LOLB 56-R Ayers, 58-A Carter (3rd), 93-D Veikune
LILB 57-M Haggan, 51-J Mays
RILB 55-DJ Williams, 59-Woodyard, 54-L Robinson
ROLB 92- E Dumervil, 52-J Hunter, 94-T Keiser (7th)
LCB 24-C Bailey, 32-Cox, 41-Vaughn
RCB 21-A Goodman, 22-S Thompson, C Brown (2nd)
FS 31-McBath, 20-Q Carter (2nd)
SS 23-R Hill, 30-Bruton

P 4-Colquitt

That's 59 players total, not a bad start, and illustrates we can fill in some holes and be a better football team next season, and this does not even really include any real free agents, which could be added to supplement other positions, such as TE, which might not be able to be addressed until late in the draft.

[Rob Letts]

Probably the best mock draft I've seen on these boards.

No matter what way you look at it, we need Fairley on our team.

Good job :thumb:

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I like it but I've got a feeling Fairley ends up in Carolina.

[BroncosFreak#1]

I really don't understand why Fassel hasn't gotten anther HC gig already. I would like it. The only thing is, I prefer Dareus to Fairley, but that is like choosing chocolate or vanilla, you can't go wrong really.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I don't like vanilla.

[BroncoSexyDaddy]

If we draft Fairley move up and grab Cameron Jordan i would be sold on this idea.

[InElwayWeTrust]

I really don't understand why Fassel hasn't gotten anther HC gig already. I would like it. The only thing is, I prefer Dareus to Fairley, but that is like choosing chocolate or vanilla, you can't go wrong really.

He has done an awesome job for us down here in Vegas. I definitely wouldn't be opposed to us getting him. There are others that I prefer, but I like Fassel a lot.

Also, I am willing to bet if this goes down like this, Fassel brings RB Dede Dorsey with him from Las Vegas. He is a very electrifying player, and I can't for the life of me figure out how he isn't on an NFL roster. He is small and quick kind of like Sproles, but he finishes every run fighting for extra yards. I would LOVE to have him as our 3rd down/ passing downs back.

[Cutler2007]

If Fassel, does he reunite with Fox as DC (and Studs as RB coach)?

[stnzed]

And who do the Broncos take with their 2012 Top5 pick?.......