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It's Saturday night, and as pathetic as it sounds I'm sitting at home with the wife and kid in bed, drinking some cold Coors Lights, and watching NFL Combine coverage. I love to mock, I love to dream up different scenarios that might make the Broncos better. Most of the mocks I come up with are based on my preferences, and are not very realistic. Well I think this one might be more of the direction the Broncos are heading in. I could be wrong, but hey, this is just for fun and to cure some boredom anyways, so its not crucial. Enjoy!
Cuts:
G Chris Kuper
LB D.J. Williams
LB Joe Mays
Lets start out with the players we cut. I like Kuper but keep hearing we want to move Franklin inside, making Kuper a high-priced back-up. I think we will approach him to re-structure, but Kupe, knowing a guy like Mike Shanahan will pay him top dollar, will just demand his outright release, I think we grant him that wish. Williams is done in Denver, he makes too much money, has a checkered history off the field, and has zero ties to the new regime. I truly feel from what i've been reading that Nate Irving and Steve Johnson are the guys Foxy and Elway want competing at MIKE, leaving Mays and his moderately large salary taking up too much space, time to cut him loose.
Tenders:
OT Chris Clark
DT Mitch Unrein
CB Tony Carter
P Britton Colquitt
I think it is imperative that we keep these 4 guys. Clark and Colquitt we can stick a low round tender on, but I think we need to stick relatively high tenders on Carter and Unrein or someone will snatch them up, I like both, and think they both have bright futures.
Let go:
RB Lance Ball
RB Chris Gronkowski
WR Jason Hill
G Tony Hills
C Dan Koppen
DE Jason Hunter
DT Kevin Vickerson
DT Justin Bannan
DT Ty Warren
Of this group I think the biggest losses will be Koppen and Vickerson. Fox has already said Walton is the starter, and they seem high on Phillip Blake so I think they are set at Center. I think Vickerson will want a big payday, he was good this past season, but there were times he dissapeared. While I'd love to see him stay, I think we let him walk. The rest can be easily replaced and I dont think we'll make a real attempt to keep.
Re-structure:
DE Elvis Dumervil
I'm not saying Doom needs to take a paycut, I'm saying Denver will approach him about a different way to distribute the money, to save money against the cap.
Free Agent Signings:
WR Brandon Stokley (1 yr)
WR Steve Breaston (3 yrs)
OT Ryan Clady (Franchise tag)
OT Jeff Otah (3 yrs)
DT Richard Seymour (1 yr)
CB Ronde Barber (1 yr)
Here we go, let the slamming begin. My thoughts are this; From what I'm hearing, Stokley wants to come back, I say we sign him to a 1 yr deal on the cheap. I think we bring in another slot guy to compete with and maybe learn from Stokley, enter Breaston, he's a perfect slot guy for this offense and can offer the breakaway threat we need from the position, dont think he'll be all that expensive either. I think we will move Franklin to Guard, especially if we cut Kuper loose. If this happens we will leave a huge void at RT. Otah was drafted by John Fox, has been a solid RT but not overly impressive for where he was drafted. He is a good pass protector, maybe a little better than Franklin in that regard, and a solid run-blocker. Sliding Franklin inside and adding Otah will fortify the right side imo. Seymour is EXACTLY what we need at DT, a guy that is nasty, can push the pocket, and fire up a defense. He will be pricey, but well worth it on a 1 year deal. I dont think CB is as big of a need as some around here do, we are very young at the position and there is tons of potential on the roster. Fox loves his vets, and I think a veteran precense like Barber will do wonders for Harris and Carter, I dont think he'll be real expensive and will want one more shot at a ring. Bring him in as a #3 or 4 CB.
Draft:
***Trade*** I have this feeling that we will trade out of the 1st round, I can see a team like Arizona or KC wanting to move up to take a QB like Matt Barkley, so lets just say we trade down to the mid to late 30s, and gain a 4th rounder in the process.
2.* S Eric Reid (LSU) 6'2" 212 lbs
I love Rahim Moore, despite one of the most boneheaded plays i've ever seen, but I am not sold on Mike Adams next to him and think Elway would love the opportunity to add an Atwater type next to Rahim. Reid is a playmaker at Safety, he's ferocious, has great range, and can bang in the box with the best of them. Reid and Moore will give us an incredible, young safety duo for years to come. Not completely sure how Carter will return from injury, I think Reid is better than Carter anyways.
2. DT Sylvester Williams (NC) 6'3" 313 lbs
After letting Vickerson and Bannan walk, we need to replace them. I think the idea will be to slide Wolfe down inside with Seymour, and let Ayers man the LDE position, ideally. However, with Unrein as the only backup at DT we need some serious depth. Williams is a guy that could flirt with the 1st round, but there is always some DTs that fall a bit, if Williams slides to pick 60, its a no-brainer.
3. DE Cornellius Carradine (Fla. St) 6'4" 265 lbs
Where will this guy go? With his injury I think this about the spot where he will go. With Doom, Ayers, Jackson, and possibly Wolfe we have solid depth at DE, but I think we will take advantage of a deep draft class and pluck a mid-round DE for the right side behind Doom. Carradine is quick, has great pass rush moves, and would fill in nicely if Doom were to get hurt.
4.* MLB Kiko Alonso (Ore.) 6'3" 242 lbs.
We continue to add youth and depth to the defense here. I think Elway and co. will be looking to add some more competition at MLB but wont spend a high pick to do so. Alonso is a good value here, and could wind up winning the startig gig with his football smarts.
4. RB Lonnie Pryor (Fla. St) 6'0" 230 lbs.
Fox has said we will add a power back at some point. It really seems they feel Hillman can possibly become a #1 back. I think McGahee and Moreno stick around for another year because they are both fairly cheap, but where is the power back? Enter Pryor, this guy hurts people when he actually gets the chance to run, and lead blocks as good as any FB in this draft. I'm not sure what our offensive plans are for the FB, but he could be a very versatile addition as he can play both FB and RB.
5. G Hugh Thornton (Ill.) 6'3" 320 lbs.
We will add o-line depth in this draft, Thornton is flat out nasty in the run game. A nice #4 interior lineman and a possible future starter.
7. WR Brandon Kauffman (E. Wash) 6'4" 215 lbs.
This guy has been incredibly productive at the college level. A big, physical receiver that will be an insurance policy in case we cant resign Thomas or Decker in a couple of years.
There we have it, I'm 12 beers deep so go easy. Dont be afraid to let me know what you think though.
Cuts:
G Chris Kuper
LB D.J. Williams
LB Joe Mays
Lets start out with the players we cut. I like Kuper but keep hearing we want to move Franklin inside, making Kuper a high-priced back-up. I think we will approach him to re-structure, but Kupe, knowing a guy like Mike Shanahan will pay him top dollar, will just demand his outright release, I think we grant him that wish. Williams is done in Denver, he makes too much money, has a checkered history off the field, and has zero ties to the new regime. I truly feel from what i've been reading that Nate Irving and Steve Johnson are the guys Foxy and Elway want competing at MIKE, leaving Mays and his moderately large salary taking up too much space, time to cut him loose.
Tenders:
OT Chris Clark
DT Mitch Unrein
CB Tony Carter
P Britton Colquitt
I think it is imperative that we keep these 4 guys. Clark and Colquitt we can stick a low round tender on, but I think we need to stick relatively high tenders on Carter and Unrein or someone will snatch them up, I like both, and think they both have bright futures.
Let go:
RB Lance Ball
RB Chris Gronkowski
WR Jason Hill
G Tony Hills
C Dan Koppen
DE Jason Hunter
DT Kevin Vickerson
DT Justin Bannan
DT Ty Warren
Of this group I think the biggest losses will be Koppen and Vickerson. Fox has already said Walton is the starter, and they seem high on Phillip Blake so I think they are set at Center. I think Vickerson will want a big payday, he was good this past season, but there were times he dissapeared. While I'd love to see him stay, I think we let him walk. The rest can be easily replaced and I dont think we'll make a real attempt to keep.
Re-structure:
DE Elvis Dumervil
I'm not saying Doom needs to take a paycut, I'm saying Denver will approach him about a different way to distribute the money, to save money against the cap.
Free Agent Signings:
WR Brandon Stokley (1 yr)
WR Steve Breaston (3 yrs)
OT Ryan Clady (Franchise tag)
OT Jeff Otah (3 yrs)
DT Richard Seymour (1 yr)
CB Ronde Barber (1 yr)
Here we go, let the slamming begin. My thoughts are this; From what I'm hearing, Stokley wants to come back, I say we sign him to a 1 yr deal on the cheap. I think we bring in another slot guy to compete with and maybe learn from Stokley, enter Breaston, he's a perfect slot guy for this offense and can offer the breakaway threat we need from the position, dont think he'll be all that expensive either. I think we will move Franklin to Guard, especially if we cut Kuper loose. If this happens we will leave a huge void at RT. Otah was drafted by John Fox, has been a solid RT but not overly impressive for where he was drafted. He is a good pass protector, maybe a little better than Franklin in that regard, and a solid run-blocker. Sliding Franklin inside and adding Otah will fortify the right side imo. Seymour is EXACTLY what we need at DT, a guy that is nasty, can push the pocket, and fire up a defense. He will be pricey, but well worth it on a 1 year deal. I dont think CB is as big of a need as some around here do, we are very young at the position and there is tons of potential on the roster. Fox loves his vets, and I think a veteran precense like Barber will do wonders for Harris and Carter, I dont think he'll be real expensive and will want one more shot at a ring. Bring him in as a #3 or 4 CB.
Draft:
***Trade*** I have this feeling that we will trade out of the 1st round, I can see a team like Arizona or KC wanting to move up to take a QB like Matt Barkley, so lets just say we trade down to the mid to late 30s, and gain a 4th rounder in the process.
2.* S Eric Reid (LSU) 6'2" 212 lbs
I love Rahim Moore, despite one of the most boneheaded plays i've ever seen, but I am not sold on Mike Adams next to him and think Elway would love the opportunity to add an Atwater type next to Rahim. Reid is a playmaker at Safety, he's ferocious, has great range, and can bang in the box with the best of them. Reid and Moore will give us an incredible, young safety duo for years to come. Not completely sure how Carter will return from injury, I think Reid is better than Carter anyways.
2. DT Sylvester Williams (NC) 6'3" 313 lbs
After letting Vickerson and Bannan walk, we need to replace them. I think the idea will be to slide Wolfe down inside with Seymour, and let Ayers man the LDE position, ideally. However, with Unrein as the only backup at DT we need some serious depth. Williams is a guy that could flirt with the 1st round, but there is always some DTs that fall a bit, if Williams slides to pick 60, its a no-brainer.
3. DE Cornellius Carradine (Fla. St) 6'4" 265 lbs
Where will this guy go? With his injury I think this about the spot where he will go. With Doom, Ayers, Jackson, and possibly Wolfe we have solid depth at DE, but I think we will take advantage of a deep draft class and pluck a mid-round DE for the right side behind Doom. Carradine is quick, has great pass rush moves, and would fill in nicely if Doom were to get hurt.
4.* MLB Kiko Alonso (Ore.) 6'3" 242 lbs.
We continue to add youth and depth to the defense here. I think Elway and co. will be looking to add some more competition at MLB but wont spend a high pick to do so. Alonso is a good value here, and could wind up winning the startig gig with his football smarts.
4. RB Lonnie Pryor (Fla. St) 6'0" 230 lbs.
Fox has said we will add a power back at some point. It really seems they feel Hillman can possibly become a #1 back. I think McGahee and Moreno stick around for another year because they are both fairly cheap, but where is the power back? Enter Pryor, this guy hurts people when he actually gets the chance to run, and lead blocks as good as any FB in this draft. I'm not sure what our offensive plans are for the FB, but he could be a very versatile addition as he can play both FB and RB.
5. G Hugh Thornton (Ill.) 6'3" 320 lbs.
We will add o-line depth in this draft, Thornton is flat out nasty in the run game. A nice #4 interior lineman and a possible future starter.
7. WR Brandon Kauffman (E. Wash) 6'4" 215 lbs.
This guy has been incredibly productive at the college level. A big, physical receiver that will be an insurance policy in case we cant resign Thomas or Decker in a couple of years.
There we have it, I'm 12 beers deep so go easy. Dont be afraid to let me know what you think though.
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