Quick Broncos Mock Offseason

[akbroncoguy]

I don't see Amerson at SS. Would be better fit at FS. Would better if we put Moore at SS. Amerson doesn't tackle all that well.

something i have felt with amerson too is that he is not that athletic. a lot of his picks seem to be thrown at him. which is not a bad thing especially as FS. All it means is he knows where the ball is going to be. He is an int machine, but also gets burnt repeatedly, i would prefer him playing deep center field and waiting for the ball, instead of matching up man on man.

[berlownacyo7s]

I agree. I think signing a big DT would be more beneficial than drafting one in the first round. A guy like Sammie Lee Hill or Terrence Knighton would go a long way in improving our team w/out the investment of a draft pick or a bunch of money.

Personally, I also think we should try to also add a WR in FA and then draft one in the 3rd/4th. The main guy I really like is Austin Collie (if his health checks out) due to his familiarity with Manning. I do not think we need to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on a guy who's going to be behind DT and Decker for the foreseeable future; furthermore, a guy like Stedman Bailey or Ryan Swope could be had in the third round and easily come in and play our 3rd fiddle/slot guy for Peyton.

So right now I think we should spend our first two picks on MLB and CB/S, and then let the rest of the draft fall to us, but keep an eye out for offensive pieces like a slot WR and/or backup interior offensive lineman.

[akbroncoguy]

The thing about Woods is that he isn't just a 4th receiver. Lets say Demaryius Thomas gets injured for a month, Stokely wouldn't replace him, neither would Willis. Robert Woods is a guy who can play that reserve role and come in start without missing a beat.

We have Phillip Blake and JD Walton coming back from injury who can play guard or center. And as a backup, Walton is as good as it gets.

I just don't like to pick based on slight injury ifs in rounds 1 and 2. And especially when the receivers are young and mostly healthy. the same thing could be said for amendola or walter in FA, after resigning stokes. eliminating one need for the draft.

That is also why I am also against Picking up B. Jones (i know this isn't in your draft) for the same reason. Kuper would start over him, and I think Beadles is doing a good enough job. you cannot draft early in case of injury when there are glaring needs at other places, unless you are drafting to cut or trade the injury prone player.

[THEdraftnik]

I just don't like to pick based on slight injury ifs in rounds 1 and 2. And especially when the receivers are young and mostly healthy. the same thing could be said for amendola or walter in FA, after resigning stokes. eliminating one need for the draft.

That is also why I am also against Picking up B. Jones (i know this isn't in your draft) for the same reason. Kuper would start over him, and I think Beadles is doing a good enough job. you cannot draft early in case of injury when there are glaring needs at other places, unless you are drafting to cut or trade the injury prone player.

Woods isn't just injury depth, he's the kind of player you draft because they've fallen for whatever reason... And then they go on and become one of the best players in the league at their position. With Manning, I think he's that good.

My thing with Jones is that I don't believe he is worthy of a 1st round pick, and honestly seems a tad weak at least against huge nose tackles. But, his versatility is ridiculous and I would take him in a heartbeat in 2nd round, and he could take Kuper's spot for all I care. If Kuper is as healthy next season as he was this season, Jones will be playing significant time in many games anyways.

[Tarheel23]

He's tall his man skills would come in handy guarding TEs and bigger receivers. I would much rather take Amerson on a TE than anyone on our current roster. Tackling can be coached Tall can't.

[beastlyskronk]

something i have felt with amerson too is that he is not that athletic. a lot of his picks seem to be thrown at him. which is not a bad thing especially as FS. All it means is he knows where the ball is going to be. He is an int machine, but also gets burnt repeatedly, i would prefer him playing deep center field and waiting for the ball, instead of matching up man on man.

He isn't getting burned for lack of athleticism. He breaks on the ball hard and he has bit quite a bit on double moves this season. He diagnoses plays and recognizes routes quickly so he can get beat on a double move.

[dukes88]

I like the draft - I think Minter is a great addition to the LB core, that is our #1 weakness in my opinion. Outside of Miller, Woodyard and Trevathan there are too many questions with each player.

We didn't get killed by the run this year - yes DT is a need, but Knighton added to the rotation makes us better and no late first round pick DT is going to make the impact we are looking for, well very slim chance anyway.

We do need help at DB and Jammer can help and Moore will be motivated and made huge strides this year in his game. We do have some guys coming off injury that can help back there as well - we have not had troubles making good CBs (Carter, Harris). I am really excited that JDR is staying on another year.

Moreno, McGahee and Hillman are a nice combo, not sure I like the McGahee drop - but who knows how he comes back from this. Moreno showed workhorse abilities and was a beast blocking and catching in the passing game.

Overall - a great offseason.

[akbroncoguy]

He isn't getting burned for lack of athleticism. He breaks on the ball hard and he has bit quite a bit on double moves this season. He diagnoses plays and recognizes routes quickly so he can get beat on a double move.

I said he is not that athletic, as in his speed will not blow anyone away, which is true. he breaks on the ball hard because he cheats. Which is okay. Cheating creates turnovers and picks. But it also gets you burned on the backside, and he is not fast enough to make up that ground that he lost. Which i thought i had explained in my other post, however poorly.

[akbroncoguy]

With Woods, he is similar too Wilson. They run routes well, they make the catches they should. The only difference between the two for me is that Woods runs harder, and is NFL size. I do not know if that justifies going 2 rounds ahead of Wilson.

also looked more at minter. he is better than the first time i looked at him. he is better in coverage than i thought. My idea for our MLB is a run stuffer and someone who fights off OLineman, so this can free up woodyard and Miller to face less blockers and allow less runs to the secondary. For that i like Andrew Jackson. 270 lb monster who played very well against Alabamas NFL Caliber line. But Minter is better in coverage and it is a passing league. If we were to go Minter I wouldn't be unhappy.

[SoundsOfSuccess]

You can't "minimize his plays over the middle" with the slot receiver. Unfortunately the role of the slot receiver is to gain seperation using his ability to go straight, right, or left and utilize his quickness. It stinks Collie can't continue to be the player he was looking to be, but there's a lot of players who would benefit the Broncos better for the slot.

And that's assuming Stokely doesn't come back, and he has no reason to call it quits now.

[beastlyskronk]

I said he is not that athletic, as in his speed will not blow anyone away, which is true. he breaks on the ball hard because he cheats. Which is okay. Cheating creates turnovers and picks. But it also gets you burned on the backside, and he is not fast enough to make up that ground that he lost. Which i thought i had explained in my other post, however poorly.

His speed won't necessarily blow anyone away, but I don't think it's a stretch to say he'll run a 4.4 at the combine. And I said breaks on the ball hard, but honestly I've never seen a CB break on the ball as fast as he does. He gets a lot of momentum going forward when he jumps those routes, thus making it harder for him to stop and turn around which brings you to the next weak part in his game which is his stiff hips. I don't think it's bad enough to keep him from playing CB though.

[Tarheel23]

You can't "minimize his plays over the middle" with the slot receiver. Unfortunately the role of the slot receiver is to gain seperation using his ability to go straight, right, or left and utilize his quickness. It stinks Collie can't continue to be the player he was looking to be, but there's a lot of players who would benefit the Broncos better for the slot.

And that's assuming Stokely doesn't come back, and he has no reason to call it quits now.

Collie could set up on the outside and Decker could be in the slot. There is plenty of area near the sideline where Collie has a low chance of another concussion. But I'm also figuring in that Stokely is coming back to be the regular slot guy.

[Tarheel23]

His speed won't necessarily blow anyone away, but I don't think it's a stretch to say he'll run a 4.4 at the combine. And I said breaks on the ball hard, but honestly I've never seen a CB break on the ball as fast as he does. He gets a lot of momentum going forward when he jumps those routes, thus making it harder for him to stop and turn around which brings you to the next weak part in his game which is his stiff hips. I don't think it's bad enough to keep him from playing CB though.

I agree 100%. Still think he would better be suited at SS. I think you would have to respect him at that position more. But Saftey or corner his abilities would be nice to have in Denver.

I really like the Terry Hawthorne pick more and more. Anyone have any dirt on him?

[primetime714]

Well 2 sacks for a DT is decent, and 2 sacks for a DT who plays the 1 technique like Knighton is impressive. PFF doesn't account for outside factors. Slightly less vulnerable against no huddle is a main reason I brought him in. No, not every team runs a no huddle, but NE does and if we want to win a Super Bowl then we need to go through NE at least once. Will it be superior when he is another year older? Bannan can't play forever. IMO he's already on borrowed time and it's not like Knighton was expensive in this scenario.

2 sacks is not that great, its ok for a NT, but that's because a NT's primary responsibility is against the run. And Bannan was instrumental in slowing down Ray Rice and the running game forcing the Ravens to rely on miracle long bombs. Also the ability of the defense to stop the run and get opposing offenses into passing situations is instrumental to their success. I'd be happy with Knighton if I thought he'd maintain that level of success against the run while bringing a little extra against the pass, but he is mediocre at best against the run and in sure passing situations the Broncos can use situational pass rushers inside. And by this I'm not saying the Broncos should stick with what they have, but I don't think Knighton is the answer. I'd rather look to the draft or a more accomplished FA like Richard Seymour or even a situational player like Jason Jones who would make a more noticeable difference. I won't be disappointed with Knighton if the Broncos do sign him, but I think many of this forum mistakenly believe he is the upgrade at DT we've needed for years. I know I haven't convinced you of that, so agree to disagree here.

10 years? You act like it's been 10 years since he has spoke a different language. You don't just forget how to play football. Sure he may take a bad angle or two early on, but that's why their are 4 games before the season that don't count for anything. Tracy Porter can't cover or tackle. Jammer can do both, and matches up well with TEs. And again, we won't win a Super Bowl beating teams with elite TEs.

And as for the risk factor, how can you honestly want to play it safe after the game you just had to witness? How are you not disgusted that all it took was 1 of 7, seven, different things going for us and we would have won that game? (Rahim Moore making a routine play, Stokely catching a routine pass, Knowshon not getting injured, McCoy growing some cojones, again McCoy growing some Cohones, the refs not giving Baltimore a 20 minute break for Manning to get cold, Manning not audibling on 3rd down to a run) And you want to play it safe?

Explain to me why.

I don't discount that there is the potential for decent upside should this move work out like you think it will. However 1) I don't think Jammer would sign here as a role player when his role would be much greater elsewhere 2) I think Jim Leonhard is very good in coverage and would cost less 3) The major coverage failures against Baltimore were from Champ and the one blunder by Moore. 4) there is a very real chance (whether you'll admit it or not) that Jammer would get buried on a depth chart that is very deep in the secondary despite the failures of one game. If it can happen to both Florence and Porter in one season is Jammer really that much better than them at this stage of his career? No, he's not.

Again similar to Knighton I wouldn't be upset with the signing of Jammer, but to me its not the best use of funds because there is a decent risk with probably only minimal upside (a nickel/dime DB). To me the Broncos would be better served keeping guys like Bannan and Leonhard at lower salaries than Knighton and Jammer and using the addition money on guys that are clear upgrades.

Speaking of the risk the fact that the Broncos had so many opportunities to win that game only speaks to the fact that talent wasn't the issue, execution was. The Broncos were clearly the better team on paper and for most of the game clearly looked to be the more talented team. They made some stupid mistakes and paid for it. Re-play that game 9 more times and I think the Broncos win it as many as 7 times. Poor decisions and fluke plays killed them. There are certainly opportunities to improve upon the talent but neither Knighton nor Jammer clearly do that IMO. They offer potential situational improvements to go along with potential situational downgrades and they do so at a higher cost than the guys they would be replacing (both of whom are proven in this system).

[beastlyskronk]

I agree 100%. Still think he would better be suited at SS. I think you would have to respect him at that position more. But Saftey or corner his abilities would be nice to have in Denver.

I really like the Terry Hawthorne pick more and more. Anyone have any dirt on him?

If he plays S you have to let him roam the middle of the field so his ball skills can really shine. He'd be great to cover TEs in man to man. It's funny though, the same reason people think Amerson will shine at S are the same reason Champ would shine at S. Except Champ is a better overall player and is much more fluid.