Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway, General Manager Brian Xanders and Head Coach John Fox completed their first full season together in 2011, which culminated in an AFC West title and an AFC Wild Card victory in the playoffs. Much of that success can be traced back to last offseason, when the team added 19 newcomers that made the 2011 opening-week roster.
Two of those newcomers — RB Willis McGahee and LB Von Miller — made the Pro Bowl. That made Denver the only team in the NFL in 2011 to have a free agent acquisition and a rookie make the Pro Bowl roster.
Combined, all of Denver’s 19 new players appeared in 213 games this season and started 103 contests. Thirteen of them played in 14 or more games this year and five of them started 10 or more games.
The first group of new players joined the team as rookies: Miller (1st round, 15 GP, 15 GS), S Rahim Moore (2a, 15, 7), T Orlando Franklin (2b, 16, 16), LB Nate Irving (3, 16, 0), S Quinton Carter (4a, 16, 10), TE Julius Thomas (4b, 5, 1), LB Mike Mohamed (6, 2, 0), TE Virgil Green (7, 15, 3) and CB Chris Harris (undrafted, 16, 4).
Denver’s rookie class combined to play in 44.9 percent of the Broncos’ offensive and defensive plays this season, which ranked the group No. 2 in the league. The eight rookies that saw time on offense or defense averaged 14.3 games played, which was third best in the NFL for the 2011 season. The group ranked second in the league with an average of seven starts per player and a combined 3,898 plays.
The rookie class saw three players (Franklin, Harris and Miller) receive All-Rookie honors, and Miller tied the club’s rookie sack record while becoming the second rookie in Broncos history to earn Pro Bowl honors.
The club also added nine new players to the opening-day roster through free agency: McGahee (15 GP, 14 GS), TE Daniel Fells (16 GP, 15 GS), CB Jonathan Wilhite (15, 2), TE Dante Rosario (14, 3) DT Mitch Unrein (14,0), DE Derrick Harvey (5, 0), G Manny Ramirez (2, 0), T Tony Hills (0, 0), DT Ty Warren (0, 0, was placed on IR after Week 1) and one player via trade: Brodrick Bunkley (16, 13).
The free agency/trade class combined to play 97 games with 47 starts. Bunkley, Fells and McGahee became regular starters for the team, and McGahee made his second career pro bowl while turning in the first 1,000 yard season from a Broncos running back since RB Tatum Bell ran for 1,025 yards in 2006.
“I think [RB] Willis McGahee as a free agent acquisition ended up with 1,200 yards in the regular season,” Fox said. “I thought he was a good get. We went into the draft and said we had to find three starters, [T] Orlando [Franklin], obviously, [LB] Von Miller, [he is] probably going to receive Rookie of the Year on defense. [S] Quinton Carter stepped in and did a good job. I didn’t really know what to expect because I didn’t really know the team until there late in July, so I don’t know that it was a great surprise but I thought those guys were all acquisitions that I thought performed well.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Offseason Additions
Man there are stats for everything.
Keep building EFX. Keep building.
Go Broncos.
3rdgen: I got your BBBP.
Great job by the people dealing with personal. If they can continue to build this team with that kind of success the sky is the limit! This next season, with more time to spend with the youngsters that join the team should really help us appreciate even more what a great job they are doing. Hope we can survive the attempted coaching grabs by other teams, we need stability in key coaching positions to grow quickly. Go Broncos!
So now we have something to build on. John Fox brought some D to the defense along with new DC Dennis Allen. I`m excited on us building the defense. GO BRONCOS!!!
After watching the playoffs, I think both sides of the line got to get bigger and stronger next year.
I say the broncos pick up Dennis Dixon as a back up QB. They draft Boise state RB Doug Martin in the 3rd. Russel Williams in the 4th. If Dre K. From Alabama is gone at 25. Then pick up NC DE who can also play DT Robert Quinn. 2nd round they should go for Janoris Jenkins. Any thoughts guys??????
Dixon might be a good choice as someone who can run a Tebow style offense. I haven’t done my research on the draft yet to have an opinion on the others.
Doesn’t Allen see that going to the Raiders as a coach is pert near a career ending move? It’s like entering a black hole…..literally.
I hope Allen doesnt leave. Our O line will be fine as long as Kuper returns.The D line needs SIZE DT and SPEED DE (Ayers) I thought Bob & Doug McKennzie would bring in some one from GB.
Allen look at the coaching revolving door at Dorkland
I was flipping channels tonight and stopped to watch a play of a Bowl Game between PSU and FSU from just a couple years ago… A tribute to Joe Pa…
anyway, the play that I watched the PSU QB flipped the ball to a big TE and this little Corner came up and just Wiped out his legs, and I mean WIPED him out, just like they should teach in the pros…
To my pleasant surprise that little cornerback is a Denver Bronco… It was Tony Carter…
russell wilson is 5’10 he would be the shortest qb in the nfl behind seneca wallace. I like him but i hope we dont waste a pick on him. If we get any random qb to learn from tebow i hope its foles or tannihill or that dude from az st. please draft DLINE, another beast like franklin!!! and a nice MLB….plus i home IrVINg can live up to his college hype…and moore can get bigger and better…watch out afc west…..!!! i do like the idea of getting dixon from steelers land, he has game and can throw a bit.
Sneak Peek #2 Pre-Free Agency Draft Board…
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2012_DT
Draft Board Rounds 4-7… We don’t have a Pick in the 6th (Mays Trade) but I list the players in case there is a trade where we acquire a pick. Also, we owe Cleveland a conditional pick in this draft (Quinn Trade), but I cannot find what pick… I think it is a fourth. We do have an Extra fifth Round pick from the Rams from the Lloyd trade
Rd4 (121)
a. Alameda Ta’amu DT Washington
b. Malik Jackson DE Tennessee
c. Brandon Brooks OG Miami(Ohio)
d. Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State
Rd5a (130)From Rams
a. Mike Martin DT Michigan
b. Dan Herron RB Ohio State
c. Brandon Lindsey OLB Pittsburgh
d. Jamell Fleming CB Oklahoma
RD5b (153)
a. Jarius Wright WR Arkansas
b. Hebron Fangupo DT BYU
c. Lucas Nix OG Pittsburgh
d. Kevin Koger TE Michigan
Rd6 (185)
a. Brandon Bolden RB Mississippi
b. Evan Rodriguez FB Temple
c. Joe Adams WR Arkansas
d. Akiem Hicks DT Regina (Canada)
Rd7 (217)
a. Asa Jackson CB Cal-Poly
b. Kellen Moore QB Boise State
c. Nicolas Jean-Baptiste DT Baylor
d. Tank Carter OLB TCU
It may look like there are alot of duplicate positions, but if we take a DT or two Early, then the DT names come off the late rounds, same with the RB’s or CB’s… That’s how a draft board works!
This may change a little, and hopefully we can have some news on Kuper before the draft. Lou, if Kuper doesn’t come back, one of our Strengths becomes a weakness, and that’s why I have the OG from Wisconsin so high on my Board…
ONE LOVE BRONCOS COUNTRY! B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Morning My Broncos Faithful!
Man, it’s hard to get used to the fact that there will be no Broncos football coming up on Sundays. I hate the fact that we now have to wait til the summer to see some pre-season action. UGH!!! Time to focus on my other passion I guess………NHL Hockey.
Looking foward to seeing what we do in the draft and FA. Hoping to see some steps forward……….and not backward!
From Legwold this morning:
In watching how the Giants and Patriots survived to make the title game, they did offer another template for the Broncos, who hope to go from fringe playoff team to title contender.
• It is about the quarterback. Intangibles are spectacular, leadership is always coveted, hard work routinely appreciated.
But at some point, in the biggest games, the guy with the ball has to make the throws from the pocket that decide the issue. The Giants’ Eli Manning completed 55 percent of his passes in a steady rain against one of the league’s best defenses for 316 yards, two touchdowns and a Super Bowl trip.
Despite being under siege behind his spotty offensive line — he was sacked six times and was hit at least 20 times overall — Manning played the position about as well as it could be played. He was creative and hit his receivers in key situations because of his accuracy.
And Tom Brady is Tom Brady, as the Broncos saw firsthand the week before. Despite failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since the regular-season finale in 2009, Brady still led the Patriots on four scoring drives of at least 10 plays Sunday against, yes, one of the league’s best defenses.
Well, no need to elaborate on this at this point, I think we have had the QQ pretty well covered, LOL.
• Have a go-to guy. When things were tight Sunday, both winning quarterbacks knew where to go with the ball when they needed a play.
Even on a slow day for Brady, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski still finished at just over 17 yards per catch, and Brady targeted Gronkowski and tight end Aaron Hernandez on 20 of his 36 pass attempts in the game.
Manning went to Victor Cruz, who had 100 yards receiving by halftime Sunday and finished with 142.
The Broncos didn’t have a receiver finish with 45 catches this season.
Obviously the go to guy has been Demaryius for Tebow and if he remains healthy we should be ok there.
• Special teams isn’t just lip service. The Broncos simply haven’t consistently been one of the league’s best special-teams units in quite some time.
They’ve had moments, flashing potential in former special-teams coach Mike Priefer’s tenure as well as the work Jeff Rodgers did this past season, but simply haven’t changed enough games with the units through the years, especially during the recent playoff drought.
Both of Sunday’s games were decided on special teams.
I don’t see any major concerns here at all.
• Get there with four. In a year of historic passing yardage and double-take performances by increasingly accurate quarterbacks, two of the defenses that have the best four-man pass rushes survived despite their statistics.
Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said the regular season can be a time for extremes, but the playoffs are a time for balance, for the down-and-dirty work.
The Patriots and the Giants have consistently won with controlled rushes. The four-man rush teams can keep more help in coverage, unsettle opposing quarterbacks and set tempo.
For the Broncos, that means more help in the interior of the defensive line is likely on the way. They have quality edge players in Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, but they didn’t get pressure in the middle of the field nearly enough without blitzing or overloading the middle gaps.
Well no need to get into that anymore either since we have covered our deficiencies at DT ad nauseum here.
The way I see it is QB is our major question mark and DTs is our major need.
Add to that help needed in the secondary; safety and cornerback if Bailey remains at CB, cornerbacks only if Bailey moves to safety, plus we need some quality backups for the Oline and a RB corp deep enough that can actually share the load with equal talent and I think we’ve got it!
Of course that’s assumimg the QB question mark works out….
And how could I forget middle linebacker, LOL.
questions mark at QB bay? What are you talking about?
TT will be the starter at training camp! LMAO!
Hey Greatness, Robert Quinn came out of college last year. I remember because he was Richard Quinns brother (our former TE) and he was suspended for a season or something but he was so talented that I believe he still went in the first round last year.
I don’t think we wanna admit it but Walton is possibly the weakest link in our Oline chain. Don’t get me wrong, young guy and can still get better but a premiere C is needed. Walton could be great depth but as it stands he is not that impressive … and the line is where the battle is won or lost.
I hope champ moves to FS. If we can get a CB like Kirkpatrick, we would start him and Chris Harris as our 1 and 2.
What I also think we need more than anything, is a big body DT. Its been talked about ad nauseum but I hear we are looking more for a DT good against the run but that can also rush. Id rather have a massive guy good against the run that sucks up blockers and lets doom and ayers do the rushing. Just me tho
TRB
We also have SydQuan thompson who has shown promise. Its funny … the guys that have shown promise for us at CB are Harris the undrafted, SydQuan the 7th round pick, Cox the 5th round pick (even tho that ended bad), Vaughn the undrafted. While Aphonso smith sucked. Seems like we strike better CB gold later in the draft or after it. We have been luck in that aspect because we seemed to miss alot early in the previous Era. Also because I want champ at FS doesn’t mean ive given up on Rahim Moore. Champ is no spring chicken. Who says moore can’t take over in like 2 maybe 3 years. Only time will tell I suppose. TRB
Has Champ ever discussed the possibility of moving over to FS?
I’m just wondering if that’s a move he’d feel comfortable with.
His disscussed it .. never gone farther than that tho. But I think premiere safety play especially FS would be a difference maker … especially in the passing game since SS mainly run supports. Champ can also sure tackle.
TRB
Tackling is one skill we were lacking on this year.
yup, and special teams was autrocious…………especially kick coverage………we gave way too many teams really good field position all year long. And our return game was far from specatular and below average at best.
hopefully they have an offseason of tackling
TRB… There are some good Big Body DT available in the later Rounds…
I don’t think I put one on my board that was less than 330… I also would like to Beef up the D-Line… Literally…
Arkansas has 2 sub 4.4 guys according to the draft info… It would be nice to get one of those guys in the late rounds as a Return Option if Eddie Royal is gone… Either way, this team is at a huge disadvantage with a guy like Willis returning Kicks…
Only reason willis had to return kicks was becasue Vaughn was hurt … Vaughn is more than fast enough. 4.3 speed. He can return.
Hate to bore you and clog the blog with a whole article that you can see yourself if you like…
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/322230-a-favorite-emerging-in-oakland?sct=nfl_bf1_a5&eref=fromSI&eref=fromSI
Looks Like Allen may not be the front runner… but since press time the Raiders have decided not to interview Mike Tice… It says Mornhinweg is the leading candidate for the Oakland Job…
Vaughn may not be here though… Some guys never come back fully from injury, especially burners…
I hope he can, but I would like one of the little fast guys that can play the slot also…
If we Draft Kirkpatrick, and Champ moves, and Squid plays well Vaughn may not get a spot on the team…
Personally, I would like for these other teams just forget our coaching staff for a few years. We need some stability with the team, and changing coaches every season does not get that for us.
I hope we Keep Royal, he is a top Return Man And hes a good slot target for Tebow… as for the draft and FA we need to draft a young CB, i like the Kirkpatrick kid Goodman just aint cuttin it next to bailey we also need a HUGE YOUNG BEAST at DT… in FA id like to see fox go out and get a real pass catching TE Tebow need a playmaker at TE Fells Thomas and Green are decent at best… O line will be good again maybe we can upgrade LG or C.. i see Denver Drafting more on defense like last year and see them going after playmakers via FA…9-7 or 10-6 is very likely for next year and would be better but we got a tough schedule, but i see Denver winning the AFC west fairly easily
We cant give up on our TEs yet. Fells on the other hand might not be coming back. I believed they used him as a bridge for the young TEs. Dependign on what they show this offseason … doubt Fells and Rosario are back. I am mostly intrigued by Virgil Green. Considered the Hback type (like Aaron Hernandez) … he was very atheletic, fast and a good receiver but not that big. His weakness was supposed to be blocking, but on many occasions last season I saw him block his butt off so well and seal the edge. He and Julius might have a bright future. We are just gonna have to wait for some of these guys to bare fruit. Moreno showed flashes last year, and Ayers towards the end of the year improved and played stronger. And it took them like 3 years … and they were first rounders. So Irving, Rahim, QC, The TEs still have time in my book with a true offseason.
I agree… I haven’t gotten down on any of the draft choices yet… would be nice if Moore showed more tackling ability, but like you said, they are very young…
I think Julius Thomas will be a BEAST! I also think Ingram, the TE that we signed to a future contract that played with Tebow at the University of Florida will be productive for the Broncos as well…
A commitment to Suffocating Defense is what I am really looking for… and looking forward to!!!
Oakland Tribune reports Raiders are looking to hire Dennis Allen as head coach. 18 minutes ago ARGH!
DEN FA:
1. Mario Haggan OLB
2. Brodrick Bunkley DT
3. Wesley Woodyard OLB
4. Eddie Royal WR/PR
5. Joe Mays MLB
FA:
1. Rashean Mathis/Richard Marshall CB
2. Bernard Berrian/Desean Jackson WR
3. Tanard Jackson/Sean Jones FS
4. Earnest Graham FB
5. Dan Connor/EJ Henderson MLB
6. Vince Young QB
Draft:
1 Dontari Poe DT 6’5″ 350 5.33
2 Chris Polk RB 5’11” 224 4.43
3 Vontaze Burflict MLB 6’3″ 247 4.61
4 Josh Robinson CB 5’10″ 192 4.39
5 Joe Adams WR 5’11” 174 4.35
5 Akiem Hicks DT 6’5″ 323 4.99
7 Darell Scott RB 6’1” 240 4.42
What do you all think?
At 3 if you want Irving to be dat guy we can go Bruce Irvin OLB 6’2” 254 4.53
Out of the players, rookies or older Tebow has shown the most potential. Not only did he bring the broncos from very low standings to the playoffs he never gave up. In an interview of him he said “..its just a game..” Yes he cares, hes like the team captain. He brought hope to a team who could have easily given up. When they made it into the playoffs with the team, you could see the happiness of each and every player, but what really stuck with me was his faith and devotion to god. No matter how hard times got he wore his religion on his sleeve, he doesnt care what other people think about him. He is a legend and if the broncos trade him or get rid of him, I will follow him to where ever he goes. He has shown passion about the game he loves, faith for the god many stop believing in, and most of all he showed love to all his fans and team mates. As just a man he is one of the best i’ve seen, as for quarter back he is absoutely amazing. No matter what team he plays for he is the #1 man!
Back to his faith in an interview such as the one I mentioned earlier he said, “I dont know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future.”
That right there proves he is a good man and a great quarter back, lets see if the broncos make the best decision for the team. by the way, thats my 14 yr old daughter that wrote that..pretty good huh……
Thx to the raiders looking to hire allen … my world has officially been shattered. I swear we cannot retain a DC for more than 1 year. This crap is freaking frustrating … the first good one we have in a long time ends up a raider of all freaking teams. im so pissed off right now words can’t explain … the man I thought to possiblybe a future Bronco HC is now the HC of the hated Raiders … after only one season. This team is so boned. All the quality DCs are gone too. Not unless we go to a premiere defensive team and find one of their coords. But im sure if he succeeds with us next year he will be gone after that year. We are totally cursed in the DC area.
TRB
and find one of thier defensive position coaches** … its one thing to lose allen … its another thing to lose him when all the other good defensive coordinators are already gone.
maybe we should bring in Tom Jackson from his cushy job at ESPN! hahaha
Jack Del Rio
Raiders are finalizing deal with allen. U traitor.. I hope u fail.
socal … i feel the same way … its wrong … and i shouldn’t but i do. We got a shannahan situation … in reverse.
TRB
Just liked how we were rebuilding our d. That’s all I wanted since shanny was here. Changing dc’s is not good. Just hope we can get sommeone aggrssive. Although someone who can teach these youngins to takle.
So who’s out there that we can take a look at.
AdamSchefter
Raiders have identified Broncos DC Dennis Allen as the leading candidate to become their next HC. Raiders told other candidates they’re out.
That sounds like a done deal to me.
Good thing we have a D minded HC, I bet all the ones here who wanted an O minded HC are a little relieved now, haha.
As I always thought the new Colts GM Grigson will have nothing to do with the retaining of Manning or not, since it’s all a matter of money. The Polians got fired so owner Irsay could cut ties with Manning. I’ve never been so certain of anything:
“One thing he (Grigson) kind-of, sort-of told me, without really wanting to tell me, was that Irsay will be the guy I’m going to sit down and talk with,” Manning said. “That’s going to happen at some point, but we haven’t had that conversation yet because we really don’t need to have that conversation yet.”
This for the one interested about how Manning feels about the whole thing:
http://indy.st/xqMCCg
the ones interested…
I think it’s just downright disgusting how the Colts are handling the whole situation. Manning has been nothing short of a class act his entire career in Indy and this is how he’s treated? He deserves to be with a better organization.
Yah im disappointed about the Allen deal too. We need to pony up more $$$ to these guys to make them want to stay. 7 DCs in 7 years is not the way to get it done. I guess the problem is paying a 1st year DC big money. I personally wouldnt take that risk but perhaps we should have.
Manning deal is gonna get crazy. I think he is out of Indy and i hope he lands here. I have brought this up before and most people seemed to think we couldnt afford him. I agree with that for the most part. However is think the Colts are burning bridges and the revenge factor might come into play. I remember another top notch QB taking a pay cut to help out his team. Neil Smith help us win two superbowls.
Just pipe dreams i know……
I can’t believe we could be losing Allen to the Raiders but we should be ok with Fox as HC hopefully we just bring another guy and plug him in