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**Idiot_Kicker** · 07-03-2013, 03:32 PM

Defense (26):

D-Line (9)
Save the last minute signing of John Abraham, the D-line looks set, with extra roster spots utilized on developing players Malik Jackson, Jeremy Beal and Quanterus Smith

LDE D Wolfe, J Beal
LDT T Knighton
RDT K Vickerson, S Williams, M Unrein
RDE R Ayers, M Jackson, Q Smith

LB's (7):
Things will get interesting this year, because I think I see an increase in some
3-4 sets on the horizon. The crystal ball says Nate Irving wins the starting MIKE job, and Lerentee McCray beats out Steven Johnson for the last LB spot because of his 3-4 skills. I also believe Stewart Bradley is going to be a steal for this defense, and is going to have a nice bounceback year.

SAM V Miller, S Phillips, L McCray
MIKE N Irving, S Bradley
WILL W Woodyard, D Trevathan

DB's (10)
The Broncos always seem to go deep in the secondary, and I think that trend continues. Tony Carter is the odd man out at corner, and Mike Adams could be victimized by Duke Ihenacho, especially if David Bruton or Quinton Carter prove capable of starting. Five corners and five safeties seems about right.

CB C Bailey, C Harris, K Webster
CB DRC, O Bolden
FS R Moore, Q Jammar
SS M Adams, Q Carter, D Bruton

Practice Squad:

1) QB Z Dysert
Zac wants to be a Bronco, and I think will take the PS spot
2) RB CJ Anderson
Having him on the PS free's up a roster spot somewhere else
3) TE L Reed
Could be the surprise player in camp
4) OT V Painter
He's a developmental 6th round pick who needs a year here
5) WR G Robinson
One of two WR's to make the PS
6) WR Q McDuffie/Lamaar Thomas
One makes it, one doesn't
7) DT R Fuga
Nasty NT type that will make a strong impression in camp
8) S D Ihenacho
May be good enough to beat someone out for a roster spot

OK, that's it. Happy Sparkler day

**Idiot_Kicker** · 07-03-2013, 04:29 PM

BTW, that looks like a pretty damn strong roster, if I do say so

**berlownacyo7s** · 07-03-2013, 05:32 PM

Pretty good. Only a couple of things I might disagree with. I think Lance Ball will somehow make it on to the final 53. He plays special teams whereas M. Ball, Hillman, and Moreno do not. Maybe they can replace L Ball's ST game with Hester, but I'm not entirely sure they will. I would prefer Lance to NOT make the cut, but my gut says he will slide by. Maybe Greg Orton's spot on the team is the one in jeopardy if we were to keep 5 RBs.

Also, I'd rather keep Phillip Blake than Foketi, and I think the FO might feel the same. It would be pretty early to give up on Blake after drafting him a year ago. Would they risk losing him to another team in the process of shifting him to the PS? I'm not sure. It would be easier to start Blake on the roster and Foketi on the PS.

I think there's going to be a decent chance Q. Smith starts the season on the PUP as well. I'm not sure they'll want to rush him back through his rehab and push him into a spot on the 53. Better to let the knee heal up and start him on the roster exemption. I'm not sure who else we'd keep in his place though. Maybe S. Johnson or T. Carter? I know they have Phillips listed at SLB, but he'll be playing a lot of DE as well, so my feeling is that they wouldn't necessarily have to replace Smith with another D-lineman.

Finally, I do not think McCray will beat out Johnson for the LB spot. Just don't see it. Johnson won over the coaching staff last year in his quest to beat the odds and make the final 53 as an undrafted rookie, and I don't really see them changing their minds so soon. I could also see a scenario where we keep Joe Mays as well. Either way, I think McCray is more PS than roster at the moment.

**Idiot_Kicker** · 07-03-2013, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by berlownacyo7s View Post

Pretty good. Only a couple of things I might disagree with. I think Lance Ball will somehow make it on to the final 53. He plays special teams whereas M. Ball, Hillman, and Moreno do not. Maybe they can replace L Ball's ST game with Hester, but I'm not entirely sure they will. I would prefer Lance to NOT make the cut, but my gut says he will slide by. Maybe Greg Orton's spot on the team is the one in jeopardy if we were to keep 5 RBs.

Also, I'd rather keep Phillip Blake than Foketi, and I think the FO might feel the same. It would be pretty early to give up on Blake after drafting him a year ago. Would they risk losing him to another team in the process of shifting him to the PS? I'm not sure. It would be easier to start Blake on the roster and Foketi on the PS.

I think there's going to be a decent chance Q. Smith starts the season on the PUP as well. I'm not sure they'll want to rush him back through his rehab and push him into a spot on the 53. Better to let the knee heal up and start him on the roster exemption. I'm not sure who else we'd keep in his place though. Maybe S. Johnson or T. Carter? I know they have Phillips listed at SLB, but he'll be playing a lot of DE as well, so my feeling is that they wouldn't necessarily have to replace Smith with another D-lineman.

Finally, I do not think McCray will beat out Johnson for the LB spot. Just don't see it. Johnson won over the coaching staff last year in his quest to beat the odds and make the final 53 as an undrafted rookie, and I don't really see them changing their minds so soon. I could also see a scenario where we keep Joe Mays as well. Either way, I think McCray is more PS than roster at the moment.

Could be right about Lance Ball. He is on every special teams and is a player the coaches seem to trust. I am a huge Steven Johnson fan, so I believe in him as well, I just believe McCray is really going to be a nice fit for our defense and make an instant impact.

Only way Joe Mays makes it is to beat out Stewart Bradley, IMO

Quanterus Smith is supposed to be ready for TC, and if he practices, he can't go on the PUP. I think he makes the team but spends most of the season inactive.

Philip Blake really SHOULD make the team if he is not a bust.

**samparnell** · 07-03-2013, 08:15 PM

Vinston Painter will never make it to the PS. NFLDraftScout gave him a 4th round grade, and I'm sure the Broncos were happy to see him in the 6th. Offensive Tackles are coveted in the NFL, and Painter has a lot of upside.

Pat Kirwan has this thing he calls the Explosion Number. It's Bench Reps + Vertical Leap + Standing Broad Jump. He says when a front seven defensive player or an offensive lineman has an Explosion Number 70 or higher, he has a better chance of NFL success.

At the combine, Derek Wolfe's numbers in those three areas added to about 75. After watching him in 2012, we can agree that he did well on the DL as a rookie. At the combine, Vinston Painter's measurables for the explosion number are a little over 70.

Alex Gibbs is now an OL consultant. Painter's strength, speed, agility and explosiveness are well suited to zone as well as angle/assignment blocking. The Broncos might be able to stash Foketi on the PS, but not Painter. Chris Clark's job may be in jeopardy.

PS Elway drafts well. Of the sixteen players the Broncos selected in his first two drafts, fifteen are still with the team. The Broncos draft players in the later rounds in order to develop them; guys like Virgil Green, Jeremy Beal and Danny Trevathan, and now Vinston Painter.

**#24 Next Champ** · 07-03-2013, 09:06 PM

^ They have drafted very, very well

**Idiot_Kicker** · 07-04-2013, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by samparnell View Post

Vinston Painter will never make it to the PS. NFLDraftScout gave him a 4th round grade, and I'm sure the Broncos were happy to see him in the 6th. Offensive Tackles are coveted in the NFL, and Painter has a lot of upside.

Pat Kirwan has this thing he calls the Explosion Number. It's Bench Reps + Vertical Leap + Standing Broad Jump. He says when a front seven defensive player or an offensive lineman has an Explosion Number 70 or higher, he has a better chance of NFL success.

At the combine, Derek Wolfe's numbers in those three areas added to about 73. After watching him in 2012, we can agree that he did well on the DL as a rookie. At the combine, Vinston Painter's measurables for the explosion number are a little over 70.

Alex Gibbs is now an OL consultant. Painter's strength, speed, agility and explosiveness are well suited to zone as well as angle/assignment blocking. The Broncos might be able to stash Foketi on the PS, but not Painter. Chris Clark's job may be in jeopardy.

PS Elway drafts well. Of the sixteen players the Broncos selected in his first two drafts, fifteen are still with the team. The Broncos draft players in the later rounds in order to develop them; guys like Virgil Green, Jeremy Beal and Danny Trevathan, and now Vinston Painter.

I seriously doubt the Broncos would go with Painter over Chris Clark at this point. Painter is athletically gifted, but has just one year of big boy football experience as an OT. There is no way you are going to convince me Peyton Manning would be more comfortable with Painter protecting his backside, and the reality is, Ryan Clady has a shoulder issue in addition to his contract situation.

In OTA's Clark, like Manny Ramirez, were lining up with the first team, and are being prepared to play if needed. Again, I seriously doubt the Broncos spend all that time working with Clark and Ramirez to suddenly switch gears. Painter was a sixth round draft choice for a reason, and I don't believe another team will give him a spot on their final 53 as a rookie right out of the gate. To me Painter is headed to the PS, or if he get's nicked at all, IR'd just like Philip Blake was

**crash123go** · 07-04-2013, 01:04 PM

We didn't draft painter to be put on the practice squad. I don't get how people even think this, you can't have a successful franchise if your having to put draft picks on the practice squad. Not happening bro. Either Clark is gone, Blake is gone or we carry 9 lineman

**crash123go** · 07-04-2013, 01:10 PM

Also since Webster is a hybrid cb/safety i see us carrying 6 corners with one of Adams or jammer cut. Corners who can cover man on man, especially a young corner are more valuable then a old safety

**bronx_2003** · 07-04-2013, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by Idiot_Kicker View Post

I seriously doubt the Broncos would go with Painter over Chris Clark at this point. Painter is athletically gifted, but has just one year of big boy football experience as an OT. There is no way you are going to convince me Peyton Manning would be more comfortable with Painter protecting his backside, and the reality is, Ryan Clady has a shoulder issue in addition to his contract situation.

In OTA's Clark, like Manny Ramirez, were lining up with the first team, and are being prepared to play if needed. Again, I seriously doubt the Broncos spend all that time working with Clark and Ramirez to suddenly switch gears. Painter was a sixth round draft choice for a reason, and I don't believe another team will give him a spot on their final 53 as a rookie right out of the gate. To me Painter is headed to the PS, or if he get's nicked at all, IR'd just like Philip Blake was

I agree with this, good point.

Chris Clark is almost a lock.

**broncos SB2010** · 07-04-2013, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Idiot_Kicker View Post

I seriously doubt the Broncos would go with Painter over Chris Clark at this point. Painter is athletically gifted, but has just one year of big boy football experience as an OT. There is no way you are going to convince me Peyton Manning would be more comfortable with Painter protecting his backside, and the reality is, Ryan Clady has a shoulder issue in addition to his contract situation.

In OTA's Clark, like Manny Ramirez, were lining up with the first team, and are being prepared to play if needed. Again, I seriously doubt the Broncos spend all that time working with Clark and Ramirez to suddenly switch gears. Painter was a sixth round draft choice for a reason, and I don't believe another team will give him a spot on their final 53 as a rookie right out of the gate. To me Painter is headed to the PS, or if he get's nicked at all, IR'd just like Philip Blake was

I agree that Clark will be the primary backup but I also think Painter makes the final 53.

**broncos SB2010** · 07-04-2013, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by crash123go View Post

We didn't draft painter to be put on the practice squad. I don't get how people even think this, you can't have a successful franchise if your having to put draft picks on the practice squad. Not happening bro. Either Clark is gone, Blake is gone or we carry 9 lineman

I think both of those are very likely.

**Mosk** · 07-04-2013, 03:41 PM

Good job man, here's my 2 cents.

QB - Obvious 2 choices.

RB - I have a feeling the Broncos will keep 5 backs, with Hester playing a hybrid FB role. Montee, Ronnie, and Knowshon are locks. The final spot goes to either Lance or CJ Anderson. Ball is an obvious coach favorite and I'd like to finally see us move on from him, but I doubt it. Maybe CJ can replace Ball's special teams play, as he will most likely do everything and anything the coaches ask from him.

WR - With now 5 backs, I see a guy like Orton going to the PS instead. DT, Decker, Wes, King, and Holliday all make the squad. And since I agree about the 4 TEs, I can see only 5 WRs making the team. Tamme lines out wide or in the slot more times than not, so he can act like that "6th receiver." I really hope Thomas and Green can turn the corner this year, I've always been pulling for them to succeed.

OL - I agree with everything except I don't see Foketi making it over Painter. Painter wasn't drafted to be stashed on the PS, someone will sign him before he even makes it there. Painter is going to be developed into a swing tackle and may eventually replace Clark. Blake kinda seems like the odd man out, but given his age and injury last year, he may make it to the PS.

DL - Looks good there.

LB - I like McCray and all, but like others have said, Steven Johnson won over the coaches last year. He was a pleasant surprise in beating the odds of making the final 53 last year, and I think he does the same this year. I like Johnson, he has a great story and seems like a team-first, high character guy.

DB - That's a very good group right there. One guy who I really want to see stick around is Ihenacho - the dude got yoked up this offseason (I follow him on Instagram lol - he's hilarious btw) and he's really putting in work to make the team. I really hope he cracks the final 53, but I don't know whose spot he takes.

Again, great job man. I just don't see several UDFAs making the team this year, our roster is stacked from top to bottom. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see it. I always love rooting for an UDFA to make the team, but with the talent we have already, the odds are against them.

**samparnell** · 07-04-2013, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by Idiot_Kicker View Post

I seriously doubt the Broncos would go with Painter over Chris Clark at this point. Painter is athletically gifted, but has just one year of big boy football experience as an OT. There is no way you are going to convince me Peyton Manning would be more comfortable with Painter protecting his backside, and the reality is, Ryan Clady has a shoulder issue in addition to his contract situation.

In OTA's Clark, like Manny Ramirez, were lining up with the first team, and are being prepared to play if needed. Again, I seriously doubt the Broncos spend all that time working with Clark and Ramirez to suddenly switch gears. Painter was a sixth round draft choice for a reason, and I don't believe another team will give him a spot on their final 53 as a rookie right out of the gate. To me Painter is headed to the PS, or if he get's nicked at all, IR'd just like Philip Blake was

There's one good thing and one bad thing about being a backup player who has been on the team for a while. The good thing is that you've been around long enough to know the system and coaches. The bad thing is that you've been around long enough for the coaches to know exactly who you are and how much upside you have.

Chris Clark's years as a backup T with the Broncos won't mean much if he gets pancaked by Painter or run out of the Sumo Circle by him. When the pads go on, the coaches find out who is at the front and who is at the back of the line. FYI Painter played two seasons at VaTech plus seven other games his RS Freshman and sophomore seasons. BTW OL coaches like players who have come over from the D-Line because they are aggressive.

Pardon the repetition, but Pat Kirwan has this thing he calls the Explosion Number. It's Bench Reps + Vertical Leap + Standing Broad Jump. He says if a front seven defender or an offensive lineman has a number of 70 or more, he is well prepared to play in the trenches of the NFL.

Derek Wolfe's explosion number was about 75. He did well as a rookie partly because of his explosiveness. When Virgil Green came out of Nevada's Pistol, his blocking was considered questionable. As a rookie in 2011, he was a great blocker. His explosion number was almost 76. Painter's explosion number from the Combine workouts was a little over 70.

Like I said, IMO Painter either makes the roster or is picked up by another team. Guys like Clark, Ramirez, CJ Davis and Saulsberry have been around and know the system, but they are a known quantity as well which may work to their disadvantage. Who lines up where in OTAs doesn't mean squat when the hitting begins. That's when coaches can observe the true pecking order. Seniority counts for little if you're getting out hit.

PS Painter seems to have the makings of a LT/LG and Foketi seems like a RT/RG. I like Tackle/Guards; guys like Dave Diehl.

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