From the Broncos’ suite at Lucas Oil Stadium, General Manager Brian Xanders sat down with DenverBroncos.com to discuss the 2012 NFL Combine last Sunday.
He touched on a variety of subjects, including the familiarity that he, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway and Head Coach John Fox have with each other now.
Xanders called the group’s second combine together “pretty similar,” with the exception that this year there’s more stability in the coaching staff.
“Last year the coaches were all newly hired,” Xanders said. “Then we had quick evaluations for free agency for three weeks, then we left for the combine. This year we had more time.”
Even new Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio had nearly a month after being hired to evaluate last season’s games so he had a solid grasp on the Broncos before heading to the combine.
In addition, the front office had meetings in December to talk about prospects’ character, and the coaching staff got involved for February meetings. Xanders said those meetings, just before the combine, serve as a “base of knowledge” for the coaches.
“For example, our defensive line coach will get to see all the defensive linemen top to bottom quickly on tape, and we’ll read the character and the evaluation,” Xanders explained in early Feburary. “It gives them a first exposure before they go down to the NFL Scouting Combine.”
Xanders called that thorough preparation crucial.
“It’s one of those things where we feel really good about our plan, our structure and our system,” he said.
Once the club arrived in Indianapolis — 48 people deep, including personnel, coaches, trainers, doctors and other team staff — everyone was assigned individual tasks.
For the doctors and trainers, everything obviously revolved around medical checkups. The coaches paid careful attention to their position group’s on-field performance, and took part in interviews for their respective positions, as well. The personnel staff had different assignments during the day and during the evening.
“The biggest thing you want to do is get the feedback when we get back into our building,” Xanders said. “Who did well in the interviews? Who did not? Then the testing, obviously, I see it more like a bell curve. There are guys that do really well and are really fast, then most of them are in a tight group, then there are some outliers where the guys don’t run as fast.”
At Lucas Oil Stadium, the Broncos were assigned a suite overlooking the field — a home base for the personnel staff and coaches to watch workouts and discuss players.
During the 40-yard dash, typically one or two members of the personnel staff will watch the players from the stands with a stopwatch, recording the times before relaying them upstairs to the suite.
This year, the staff members entered each player’s time on an iPad, entering it into the team’s database.
That allowed anyone in the suite to simply refresh a screen on his laptop and immediately see the time.
And when those numbers showed up, Xanders said he was overall “very impressed.”
“These kids have run really fast and they’re very prepared,” he said. “There’s a lot of good kids in this draft in terms of just the people.”
While the combine is “just a piece of the puzzle,” players can certainly help themselves at the annual event.
“Absolutely,” Xanders said while watching workouts. “There are guys that will run a low 4.4 or 4.3 (40-yard dash) and you want to go back and dig deeper. Those are guys that help themselves here. It’s already happened — there are guys we’re going to go back and investigate.”
In the end, Xanders said, the combine is essentially “a confirmation of what you see on film.”
“Our draft board is really set off the football tape,” he said, “But it’s a piece of the puzzle.”
We’ll have more from the sit-down with Xanders in the coming weeks, including his thoughts on approaching the draft with the No. 25 overall selection as opposed to No. 2, which the team held last season, and a close look at the Broncos’ unique interview process.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: 2012 NFL Draft, General Manager Brian Xanders, NFL Scouting Combine
Wow ab glad u and your mom are doing good and are safe
I see Chokeland put the franchise tag on S Tyvon Branch…
And the Steelers have a tough decision on which LB to cut- Farrior or Foote..
Still waiting on some Bronco signings/cuts…
Thanks Skills.
@sndvl lol Poor guy having to stay with the Chokeland Gayders.
Either one. I also wouldnt mind seeing one of them in Denver. We need someone to help Irving progress more while filling a hole. Also wouldnt mind seeing Ward. Hes got some solid hands. Age on a team is good to help mentor the youth. Its like that in High School and College Seniors help mentor the freshman. Its like a unspoken law. Well it was at my high school.
I also wanted to say thanks to Greatness and BT for clearing up my mis conceptions about Irving. If he can come back from a broken leg and play i can. Ill just have to work a lot harder than i have been. I could still have a future in the game.
Tonight was a huge eye opener. Lifes to short to sit back and be scared to be all you can be. Its time for me to stand up accept whats happened and move on. Work harder and harder its all you can do.
Amen ab and it just might make u a better player cause u realized how much u really love the sport!
The guy saying Brees was very good is an idiot. Brees is one of the best if not the best QB in the league. He just doesnt have the rings unfortunately. Only one. But he plays to a caliber where he should have a lot more.
Well guys its been a long scary night. Nice chatting with yall. Ill catch you in the morning. Goodnight and GB2
Skillz the sports my life and always has been. When i got hurt i got bitter. I lost it and kinda gave up on myself. Its funny it takes me almost dying to open my eyes and say what the hell am i doing? I love that sport and im giving up on it. Im letting my family down. My uncles down. My grandfather who got me into the game down. Its time to STOP being a coward and take responsibility and turn it into a drive to be the best i can be.
@ alaskan……..you said he doesn’t have the rings………only one. lol I’m pretty sure there are many a football player that would give their left nut for “only one”. hahaha
Morning Everyone! TGIF!
This off-season is moving at a snail’s pace…………so frustrating! You forget how much you’ll miss the season until it’s over.
Good morning Broncos Country……..any cuts/signings that are posted would be greatly appreciated,I’m used to getting most of my info on this blog,thanks to Bay,he spoiled me I guess,lol.
T.G.I.F.
BFE
I’m back after my blog offseason. Just had to get away and enjoy this abnormal South Dakota winter. Wish it could be like this every winter.
Catching up on the blogs. Nice to see some new people on here! Look forward to reading everyone’s comments.
“It’s a good thing football season is over so I can get back to wishing it was football season already!”
Happy Friday all FA is 2 teusdays away … 11 days and counting.
TGIF! Later days, TRB
FA is coming soon, but do we expect a flurry of activity right away or will it trickle across the off-season?
Morning BFE, TRB and nice to see ya again brian……..
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20082041
Numbers are Tallied .. the Broncos only have 6 picks in the draft … 6 picks … because McDs mistakes still come back to haunt us.
We lost our 6th to the eagles for Joe Mays (fair enough) and we lost our fifth for … wait for it … Brady freaking Quinn. Unfreakingbelievable … so there you go Bronco fans. One pick in each round except the 6th. Our fifth round pick comes from the rams trade, luckily its a high pick too.
We also lost a 5th in 2013 for Bunkley. Fair enough as well.
rnd1 – #25
rnd2 – #57
rnd3 – #89
rnd4 – #122
rnd5 – #135 (Rams pick via Brandon Lloyd trade)
rnd7 – #227
TRB
McD’s stain on this organization will never completely be gone……..no matter how much you scrub it.
I agree with alaskan in the fact the we should sign Ward. Not to be a serious threat at reciever but with how often we run the ball he would fit perfect on our offense. Behind DT, Decker, and Royal though.
TRB, these draft pick numbers are getting more confusing by the day. The pick for Brady Quinn in 2012 was “conditional,” and he hasn’t played a single down since he was traded. Why do/would we still owe it to Cleveland?
Also, for the latest Tebow rumor, thanks to KDVR….
http://kdvr.com/2012/03/02/tim-tebow-trade-rumors-swirl-around-denver-nfl/
People who report sports are too friggin’ bored!
Look at our recent DL picks over the last decade or so….. Really pathetic list… Thank God we got lucky on Dumervil… I wonder what is to blame? Are our scouts not good talent evaluators, or did Shanny and McD’s just not have a good eye for D??
Either way, hopefully we have the right mix in the FO to learn from this, b/c we’re not winning the big one if we’re gonna draft like this….
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20072458?source=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dp-sports-broncos+%28Denver+Post%3A+Sports%3A+Broncos%29
Instead of speculating draft picks and FA signings……let’s do something different today. What is everyone’s favorite bronco moment, and worst.
Favorite: has to be the JE helicopter spin for the first down in the super bowl against the packers. That is still one of the best super bowls of all time and especially sweet cause after rooting for the broncos since 87, I was so happy to see JE get that ellusive SB win. That moment summerized JE’s dedication to winning at all costs. LOVE IT!
Worst: Well, the whole McD fiasco is right up there but as for a moment, it would have to be watching the clock tick down and seeing the Jags upset our broncos the year before the SB win in the Wild Card game. That team was built to win it all and they just fell flat. I was in complete shock…….but looking back it was a great motivator for the two season after.
I am looking forward to see if we sign some big names in free agency. I am really hoping for Avril. We should do whatever it takes to get him to put pen to paper and ink a deal. We need to always have 2 great pass rushers in at once. Vondoom is GREAT but we need Avril to give them a breather without our D-fense missing a beat. just look at what our DE group could look like(including Von Miller even though he is OLB) Dumervil-2nd-Ayers-and Avril-2nd is Hunter. Plus Von Miller lining up on the outside also bringing the heat.
Maybe somebody here can help me understand this….
The Broncos gave up Peyton Hillis, AND a 6th round draft pick in 2011, AND a “conditional” 5th round pick in 2012, ALL for Brady Quinn.
Do we seriously still owe Cleveland the conditional pick for 2012, when Quinn hasn’t even played?
the brady quinn for hillis trade was prob one of the worst moves in franchise history.
Tide – good to see ya.. I’m with you, I don’t get it. I hope that is a mistake, unless the condition was at least a 5th, and possibly higher if he played a certain amount… Seems WAY too high, but Quinn was a first round pick, so looks like we paid for him based on that… Silly….
KK, yeah, well. No argument there. However, I personally don’t think we still owe Cleveland that pick. They only show one pick in the 5th, and it’s at #4.
We traded, per my understanding, #25.
Oh well, it’ll all come out in the wash………but I still feel like we should have 7 picks instead of 6. Whatever.
Claiborne, Kirkpatrick and Jenkins are at the top of the class for DB’s this year, and most likely won’t fall to #25. Minnifield could go late 1st and 2nd rd for sure. Dennard probably won’t make it out the 2nd rd. The rest of these guys are projected to go in 2-3 rounds, with Hayward that last DB to go in 3rd round.
TRB – know you mentioned you really like Josh Robinson as he posted a great time in the 40. (dark horse maybe to move up ?).
Coach Fox stated we’re looking for speed as Broncos didn’t have much success vs. Teams like Packers, Patriots & Lions who took advantage of this weakness. Looking at DB’s, the slowest I believe are in the 4.5 range for the 40 yd dash. We should have Vaughn and Thompson back this season if all goes well. What a find Harris was as UCFA last season.
You guys & gals think we’ll add more than one DB in the draft??
1.Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU Height: 5-11. Weight: 188.
2. Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama Height: 6-2. Weight: 186.
3. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama Height: 5-10. Weight: 193.
4. Chase Minnifield CB, Virginia Height: 5-10. Weight: 183.
5. Alfonso Dennard CB, Nebraska Height: 5-10. Weight: 204.
6. Stephon Gilmore*, CB, South Carolina Height: 6-0. Weight: 190.
7. Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State Height: 5-10. Weight: 196.
8. Trumaine Johnson, CB/FS, Montana Height: 6-2. Weight: 204.
9. Jayron Hosley*, CB/PR, Virginia Tech Height: 5-10. Weight: 178.
10. Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt Height: 5-11. Weight: 192.
11. Brandon Boykin, CB/KR/PR, Georgia Height: 5-9. Weight: 182.
Hey, OT. Good to see you, too! Have to catch you guys later. Have busy day ahead, and need to hop to it. :bounce:
Oops. My hopping smiley didn’t work….
Re: 5th pick for Brady Quinn
It must have been a 5th that would have moved higher, if Quinn had any production. Just guessing. So, maybe we do only have 6 picks after all.
Later guys…..have fun.
Later Tide, have a good day! Let’s just hope that it really was McD’s structuring all these deals, and that Xander’s had nothing to do with them….
Dunno guys … just reporting what the denverpost did … and it would appear they were confused as well before this post … this article seems official and while i don’t understand it it would apear that we don’t have a pick … tis what it is.
RBF i have seen soem places where Minnifield goes in the late 2nd and early 3rd … I only see 3 CBs going in the first Clairborne, Kirkpatrick, and Jenkins (maybe Stephon Gilmore as well … had great showingin combine) … the rest are 2nd round and 3rd I believe …. won’t know till the day tho … gonna be alot of roller coasters … for example … much like last year with all the QBs flying off the board … something crazy like that might happen again … like Tanninghill going off the board in the first.
TRB
Josh Johnson and Jayron Holey for 2 CB`s if we do that. Hosley is also a great P/R.
And all this speculation for Griffin and trading .. all this hype around Griffin and Luck … it happens every once in a while … people are tooted as soooo good they can’t bust and are can’t miss … and they do … always in the moment we wanna say stuff like “He is awesome” “He wont fail” etc. Vince Young did, Brady Quinn did, Alex Smith did for a while, JRussel had all the physical capabilities. Some people just don’t click at the next level … would do well for people to remember that before they annoint guys … Rodgers lasted till the 20s…cam was supposed to suck … every year there will be someone highly tooted … their will be combine warriors … and some will bust some will … the idea that Luck and Griffin are almost incapable of busting is crazy. Not saying they will but before u sell the whole farm … teams need to think about that. I say Browns stick with Colts … Redskins on the other hand have been dying for a real QB forever so they should go for it … so has Miami but Flynn is all but theres … there will be other years and other QBs.
TRB
Last comment on this… I have a had time believing that our GM had nothing to do with those trades… I mean, what exactly was his job if he didn’t?? If it was me, I would’ve cleaned house when I came in, but apparently Xander’s made quite an impression on JE.. Either that or the X man has some major dirt on Mr. Bowlen….
I said my peace, no more… Afterall, it’s Friday!!
*I have a hard time believing
OT, we’ve got to remember that X-mans hand was forced by the almighty dictator McD. There was not one single individual at Dove Valley that had any SAY in ANYTHING. McD had all powers remember, and it was Xanders job to execute whatever he was told to do. Xanders is now apart of making decisions with Elway and Fox and knows that he is no longer walking on eggshells when walking through the Dove Valley offices.
Thx TRB and strand. Boykin reminds me of Thomson with size and speed.
** Syd’Quan Thompson**
@Killer i said rings cause Brady has multiple Brees doesnt. I was making the comparison to him. I know Brees has one. I won 500 bucks when he got that ring.
Greatness yesterday was saying 2 CBs with 2 of our first three picks. Im thinking we might Grab Robinson in the 2nd Boykin, Minnifield, Dennard if hes there same with Gilmore. Hosley or Hayward.
I have really liked Syd’quan Thompson. I think he has a bright future.
Thanks alaskan… I kinda skimmed to fast thru the chatter with Greatness but picked up on the “Hillis” conversation. lol.
No problem Royal. And its Josh Robinson. LOL! I said J. Johnson. Blah.
I wouldnt mind the signing of Farrior or Flethcer they could help Irving progress.
Ward would be a nice signing. Good blocker at WR.
Still would like to see Carr or at least an attempt to sign him. Also I wanna see us get Super Mario. Or also at least attempt to get him.
Hester brought in wouldnt bother me either.
I still have faith in Vaugnn and Thompson big time. I`m liking Robinson the more I read about him in know EFX wants speed, speed, speed. We can very well pick this guy.
alaskan……….I think Brees will add to that collection before his career is over. He’s had a couple of tough post season losses these past couple years. I think the saints D is not close to what it was when they won it all.
I wonder if we`ll tag Prater today?
They shouldn’t tag him………….just sign the man already!
I think your right. Prater says he loves it here in Denver. I want to see us sign him to a 4 year deal to tell you the truth, lock him up.
Killer, He plays where he deserves more. The D just cant hold other teams from scoring.
Thompson and Vaughn both have huge upside. Thompson is a ball hawk when hes in the game. Only played like two games this year had a pick in both. Vaughn did ok this year and will improve a whole lot as time goes on.
Prater needs to be resigned. Long term. I think if they dont get a deal done by mid next week theyll tag him. Bunk also needs to be resigned.
I hope Moore can turn out to be like Reed. During the draft last year i heard some compare him to Reed.
The deadline for tags is this Monday.
Brees could add to his collection of rings if he doesn’t pull his proverbial ‘Manning’ too hard and ask for some ridiculous contract that excludes the Saints from signing their other top performers to max contracts…
If he holds out for money or doesn’t sign a team friendly offer he will fall greatly in my book of Greatest of All Time, same as Peyton for always thinking about being highest paid in the league… Brees has got to be top 20 right now, and top 10 in the modern era…