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Archive for 2013

Gradishar to Announce Second-Day Draft Picks

April 18th, 2013 - 9:58am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

In 2011, Shannon Sharpe did it. In 2012, it was Terrell Davis.

Now, for the 2013 NFL Draft, it’s Randy Gradishar’s turn.

On Friday, April 26, Gradishar will announce the Broncos’ second- and third-round picks live from Radio City Music Hall. The Broncos Ring of Famer was selected as one of 32 “NFL Greats” to participate in the draft — continuing the program that began in 2011.

This year’s class of 32 players includes six Pro Football Hall of Famers, and many argue that Gradishar should be in Canton sooner rather than later.

Here are just a handful of notes on one of the key pieces of the Orange Crush defense, compiled by Erich Schubert:

In 145 career regular-season contests (134 starts) over 10 seasons, Gradishar totaled 2,049 tackles—an average of 205 tackles per season—and set a franchise record by leading the club in that category for nine consecutive years (1975-83). He also accounted for 33 turnovers (20 INTs, 13 FR) during his career to tie for the fourth most by an NFL linebacker during that span.

In addition to his seven Pro Bowl selections, Gradishar is the only Bronco to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earning the honor in 1978 after accumulating 286 tackles (190 solo), four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He helped the franchise make its first four playoff appearances (1977-79, ’83) while leading Denver to consecutive division titles (1977-78) and an appearance in Super Bowl XII during the 1977 season.

Currently a Senior Committee candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gradishar was a finalist for the Hall of Fame in 2003 and ’08 and a semifinalist from 2005-07. During his 10-year career, his seven Pro Bowls were surpassed only by Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert.

Additionally, his 145 consecutive regular-season games played from 1974-83 were matched only by Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 13 Comments »

Continuity Key on Defense

April 17th, 2013 - 3:07pm by Andrew MasonOther posts by

Wesley Woodyard was just happy to see a familiar face in the defensive coordinator’s office when he returned for workouts this week.

“Huge,” he said Wednesday. “I mean, today, as players we go over and talk about things that we already knew from last year, so it’s a huge help that we come in with the same defensive system two years into it, and not really having to worry about learning all new things, all new coaches, all new schemes.”

Jack Del Rio’s return was a relief to many Broncos — chief among them Woodyard and cornerback Champ Bailey, the two longest tenured defensive players on the roster. For Bailey, this will be just the third time in his 15-year career that he’ll work under the same coordinator as he did the previous year. But at least Bailey knew what it was like to have continuity. Woodyard never did.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 58 Comments »

Decker Plots Revenge for Manning Prank

April 17th, 2013 - 1:20pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

If there’s one thing Eric Decker has learned about playing with Peyton Manning, it’s that he always needs to be on his toes.

That was on full display last week at Duke University, when Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker worked out with Manning and his brother Eli along with three Giants receivers.

“It’s funny because Peyton and Eli love to joke around with one another,” Decker said. “I think that makes us as receivers more comfortable, that these guys work their tail off, they demand the best out of you, but they like to have a good time.”

But you can’t get too comfortable.

At the end of the workout sessions, Decker wasn’t in on the joke when he received a $3,000 invoice from Manning.


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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 12 Comments »

Moore’s Mentality: ‘Let’s Go Try Again’

April 16th, 2013 - 2:00pm by Andrew MasonOther posts by

Advanced statistical metrics aren’t kind to every player. But they revealed little but raves for safety Rahim Moore’s performance in 2012, which saw arguably more improvement than anyone else on the Denver roster.

But the nature of his position — and of playoff football — is that an entire season of outstanding play can be overshadowed by one gaffe at the worst possible moment. That’s why the perception of Moore is defined by a misplay on a deep pass from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones, and not on a season’s worth of steadiness and growth.

If fans stew over such an error, it’s one thing. That can be harmless, as long as the player ignores the chatter. What matters is whether Moore gets over it and re-focuses on what’s next — and according to Champ Bailey, he already has.

“Let’s go try again, that’s pretty much his mentality,” Bailey said Monday. “I don’t think it affected him as much as people think. Because he got so much better last year. I can’t wait to see him improve this year.”

Few understand how much one play can affect perception than Bailey. He has been so stellar as a cover cornerback for so many years that when he allows a touchdown — as he did when beaten deep by the Ravens in the first half of January’s playoff loss — it’s as much of a shock to the system as stepping into 9-degree chill without wearing a shirt.

Bailey understands that it’s the exception, rather than the rule, that everyone remembers. That’s convenient, but it doesn’t tell an accurate picture.

“People want to talk about one play — like I said, even with myself, you can’t define somebody off one play,” Bailey said.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 65 Comments »

Elway Featured in ESPN’s ’30 for 30′

April 16th, 2013 - 10:25am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

Just a heads up, Broncos fans — you might want to tune in to ESPN at 6 p.m. MT on Tuesday, April 23.

The network’s newest 30 for 30 feature is titled Elway to Marino, exploring the 1983 NFL Draft, when a record six quarterbacks were selected in the first round. The first of those was John Elway.

The film is directed by NFL Films’ Ken Rodgers, and tells the story of the draft from the perspective of many of the players taken — including Elway and Dan Marino — along with head coaches, general managers, team owners and agents.

Marvin Demoff, the agent who represented both Elway and Marino, reveals his detailed diary from the days leading up to the draft all the way through to when the Broncos famously traded for Elway. The drama following the Baltimore Colts’ selection of Elway is chronicled in great detail, revealing a lot of interesting subplots. For example, did you know that the San Francisco 49ers briefly considered including quarterback Joe Montana — just 15 months removed from Super Bowl win — in a trade for Elway?

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 4 Comments »

Carter Inks Exclusive-Rights Tender

April 15th, 2013 - 9:06am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

On the morning the Broncos’ voluntary offseason conditioning program kicked off, cornerback Tony Carter put pen to paper.

Carter signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender Monday, one of four players to sign their tenders in the past week, joining Mitch Unrein, Chris Clark and Lance Ball.

Carter had a breakout season with the team last year, setting career highs in every category — 24 tackles, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns — in 15 regular-season games.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 62 Comments »

2013 NFL Draft Linebackers Week Recap

April 14th, 2013 - 6:45am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

As we head toward the 2013 NFL Draft, DenverBroncos.com is taking a week-by-week look at prospects at each of the positions.

This week, we focused on linebackers.

Below is a recap of the content posted this week to fill you in on the ‘backers that are available in the draft this year:

Articles

2013 NFL Draft Preview: Linebackers
A look at some of the top linebacker prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Miller’s A&M Replacement Ready to Make NFL Jump
Texas A&M linebacker Sean Porter hopes his versatility will help when he makes the leap to the NFL.

Broncos Position Breakdown: Linebacker
Andrew Mason takes a close look at the Broncos’ linebacker position group.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 57 Comments »

Adams to Participate in NFL Franchising Boot Camp

April 14th, 2013 - 6:43am by Stuart ZaasOther posts by

While this year’s rookie class enters the NFL via the draft this April, Broncos safety Mike Adams will be preparing for life after football.

Adams is one of 21 players – 12 former and nine active – that will take part in the new NFL Franchising Boot Camp April 26-29, 2013, at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Over the four days, participants will hear firsthand from franchisees, franchisors, professors, former players and executives at the IFA on all aspects of franchising. Carolina Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson, who spent more than three decades as a restaurant franchisee, will open the program as the keynote speaker. In addition, four former NFL players with franchise ownership experience — Angelo Crowell, Don Davey, Tyoke Jackson and Jamal Lewis — will take part in panel discussions.

Ross School professor of business economics Francine LaFontaine, co-author of The Economics of Franchising (Cambridge University Press) and leading academic expert on franchise performance, business creation and survival, serves as faculty director of the program, and joins three other Ross faculty members who will lead program workshops.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 2 Comments »

Kiper Sees Hayden as Denver’s No. 1 Pick

April 13th, 2013 - 7:36am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

In his latest conference call covering a variety of topics on the 2013 NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. specifically discussed how he sees the Broncos’ draft unfolding.

Kiper currently has Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden, headed to Denver in the first round.

Below is his full answer on why he sees Hayden, who underwent emergency heart surgery in November, as a logical pick for the Broncos. He also touches on why Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore could fit in Denver and whether the team could take a running back in later rounds.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 78 Comments »

23 Players to Attend 2013 NFL Draft

April 12th, 2013 - 11:58am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

Radio City Music Hall will be bustling on April 25, when the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft kicks off.

This year, 23 of the top college prospects will be in attendance to take the stage and shake hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when their names are called.

Among them are a few players that have been linked to the Broncos in recent mock drafts.

Here is the full list of attendees (highlighted players have been profiled by DenverBroncos.com):

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 52 Comments »

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