Lofa Tatupu

[Houshmazode]

An earthquake comes and everybody dies?

I'm out of cp.

[champ&dreallday]

If hes' still in shape would take a vet minimum deal, I'm all for it. Nate has improved and looks decent for a 3rd down MLB. However, I wouldn't mind a guy like Lofa that's looking to hit anything moving on 1st and 2nd down. With a lot of free agent MLBs, I don't think he should be our starter tho.

[gtown53]

He's 31 years old (28 football years old), has been to 3 Pro-bowls, and he has recovered from knee injuries and the same Pectoral injury that Elvis Dumervil suffered, AND recovered from. It tells me that the people who actually "Coach" the Broncos may not see Nate Irving as the answer at MLB. And keep in mind that Nate Irving is coming back from injuries that almost killed him. This may also give us a clue about how things went with D'qwell Jackson.

Smart move on the Broncos part.

[Mantheyman]

How is that? All the players I mentioned are multi-year starters at MLB who all can be 3 down linebackers. What are the deficiencies of the other linebackers that Mosley doesn't have?

Then why are they rated as 3-4th round prospects? If they were ready to be 3 down, impact ILB's from day one they would rated higher. Not saying you couldn't find a diamond in the rough, but expecting a rookie 3rd-4th round pick to start and be a stud for your team is unrealistic.

[cdumler7]

It never ends... John Elway is to MLB what Mike Shanahan was to D-Line.

They did use a decent pick on trying to find their future guy with Nate Irving it just didn't work out. They kept hoping with a couple of years he could develop into that player and unfortunately he never quite seized the opportunity. My guess is everybody they have brought in have been 30 years or older so they are not looking for the long term fix at MLB at this point. Just once again another 1-2 year type guy and maybe use another mid-round pick as that seems where the MLB position has some decent depth in this year's class.

[crash123go]

They did use a decent pick on trying to find their future guy with Nate Irving it just didn't work out. They kept hoping with a couple of years he could develop into that player and unfortunately he never quite seized the opportunity. My guess is everybody they have brought in have been 30 years or older so they are not looking for the long term fix at MLB at this point. Just once again another 1-2 year type guy and maybe use another mid-round pick as that seems where the MLB position has some decent depth in this year's class.

Irving played very well in place for Von. I haven't given up on him being the Mike, he has shown great growth and is a explosive player. Lets not overreact just because Elway is being thorough and wanting to bring in competition. Irving could still be the starter next year and I wouldn't be shocked

[cdumler7]

Irving played very well in place for Von. I haven't given up on him being the Mike, he has shown great growth and is a explosive player. Lets not overreact just because Elway is being thorough and wanting to bring in competition. Irving could still be the starter next year and I wouldn't be shocked

I guess I would be shocked a little. I haven't given up on Irving either but he has had a few chances and the coaches still didn't seem to want to put him there. Maybe he just doesn't do well in traffic like you need a MLB to do. I do want him on the team as he is actually a pretty darn good playmaker as he would shock me with how quickly he could get into the backfield when Von went down. Who knows though as this is shaping up to be a pretty crazy off season.

[beastlyskronk]

Fox and co want a thumper at mlb,Irving was and still is a slasher. He finds the holes and knifes through them to make a play. That's risky in the middle, but you can do it if you have really good instincts. I think he has great instincts, the coaching staff is just hesitant.

[Cutler4tw]

The faster everyone gets over Irving not being the answer at MLB the faster we can move forward the kid has had 2 years to make the position his own and has failed Irving is a good depth guy and that's it we need a LB of the mold of Al Wilson someone with a nasty swag about them a leader who leads with his words but most importantly with his play that kind of attitude and play is infectious just like at Sherman and the hawks D they feed of him and he backs up what he preaches on the field so is Lofa can bring this kind of attitude to the Broncos I'm all for it

[AussieBronco76]

An earthquake comes and everybody dies?

Thats some earthquake.

[roushmartin6]

The next Lenon/Bradley/Brooking MLB. I doubt he is his former self but if he could come close it might be a slight upgrade, would still rather have Jackson though

[Letswinplz77]

I think it's clear that the FO does not view Irving as an ILB. As much as I'd love for us to get our QB of the defense in the draft and have him be a 10-12 starter, I just don't see any guys in this draft that could be that for us. Mosley will be long gone before our pick and all the guys rated below him just seems to have too many deficiencies in their game right now to make them day one starters.

And for whatever reason, It seems that JDR has a thing for veterans as his starting ILB's, so I see that trend continuing. I'd say odds are pretty good that we'll land one of these guys (Smith/Tatupu/Jackson/Beason)

I disagree. Our future long term starting linebacker could be in this draft, we just need a talented placeholder until then.

[roushmartin6]

Never heard anything more about this