On Monday, Executive Vice President of Football Operations met the media on the same day Brian Dawkins announced his retirement.
In addition to the coverage already on DenverBroncos.com, we thought we’d highlight a few more key quotes from Elway’s press session.
On Brian Dawkins’ retirement:
“For a guy like that, it’s always tough to make that final decision, take that final step, but he’s obviously had a great career. He called [Head Coach] John Fox this morning. I did not talk to Brian, but the career that he’s had for 16 years—[three] years here in Denver and [13] in Philadelphia—he had a tremendous career. I’m sure he took the time that he wanted to take since the season was over. In that situation, it always does take that kind of time. I’m sure that he went through it many, many times. It’s always tough to take that final step. He’ll be missed. He did so many tremendous things for the Broncos, not only on the field, but his leadership off the field was something that we’ll always be grateful for.”
“We left it up to him. We were going to let him make that decision. Obviously, we would like to have had him back, but it was going to be his decision, and we told him to take his time, because when you make career decisions like that, they do take that time. He did take his time and, obviously, came with the decision that he felt was best for him and his family.“
On how QB Peyton Manning affects the team’s draft approach
“I think the bottom line is we want to do the best thing to surround him with a team that’s going to give him an opportunity to win. We can go in with an idea of what we would like to do, but that changes as players come off the board. It’s always fluid, so to be able to have a game plan, just like going into a football game and having a game plan, once you get into the game and you see what’s going on, it’s a fluid situation. It will be the same thing with the draft. Obviously, there are guys that we have pinpointed and like, but you never know where they’re going to go and when they’re going to be there. That’s something that’s fluid and changes all the time.”
On how the team predicts who will be available at No. 25
“It all depends. What we try to do is just see when we get to that position, who is left on the board. Then, if there are three or four guys that we like, compare them and see which would have the biggest impact and is going to have the biggest impact for our football team. Those are the things—we’re always going to get to three different guys. We can’t predict who those three or four different guys are going to be by the time we get to No. 25. We just try to do as many mocks as we can to be able to discuss as many different situations and the different players that might be there.”
On whether defensive tackle is the team’s greatest position of need
“We struggled a little bit, losing [DT] Brodrick [Bunkley] in free agency. We wanted to keep him but couldn’t do that. We don’t feel as bad about our tackles as everybody else does. I think that we feel OK there and [DT] Ty Warren will be back coming off an injury and [DT Kevin] Vickerson is coming back and then we have some young guys in there where we feel like we’ll be OK. It’s not nearly the need in our minds that people think it is.”
On whether the team needs to draft a cornerback
“We struggled all last year against anybody that spread us out. That is the thing. Every team has needs. It’s just a matter of the impact of the people you can find to help solve that need. You can never have enough good corners; you can never have enough good pass rushers. There is no question, corner is another spot that is very vital if you’re going to be good on the defensive side because of where the game is going and the amount of spread offense that we’re seeing now you have to be good in the secondary. But, you’re only as good as your pass rush too. You have to combine both of those. Obviously our pass rush is better than it’s been, but we have to get better when people spread us out.”
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway, Kevin Vickerson, Peyton Manning, Ty Warren
BFE I do believe so. I know that is part of Jenkins problem.
On April 23, 2011, Jenkins was cited by a Gainesville police officer and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was cited for the same violation in January 2011, and paid a $316 fine. He was arrested in May 2009 during a downtown Gainesville fight that resulted in probation and community service. On April 26, 2011, he was dismissed by the Florida Gators football team, due to his second drug related arrest in 3 months
I read Cosell’s mock too and thought it was cool…different to say the least!
I wanna know why Jackson and Jenkins stocked dropped so far because of weed posession,and not Kirkpatrick?
BFE because everything was dropped with KP.
Jackson didn’t get caught with it,but failed multiple drug tests!
So he still did it.
OK,I found out that Kirkpatrick’s friend took the blame for the weed.
BFE have you read the whole situation with KP and that?
KO was with friends and they got pulled over and weed was in the car and KP didnt know the weed was there and his friends said he didnt know about it either.
Huge difference,sorry I brought it up without first looking up the facts.
Ok BFE lol. Thats why his stock hasnt dropped from it.
Well, when we talk about draft stock we are talking about media drafts….we will see who falls after the real draft. They may all go late …or early!
Thanks DAWK for the memories!!
Its all good BFE ive done that once or twice.
I still think if we could get Jackson in the 4th,we would get a good CB,I watched him play opposite the 5th dimension(Eric Berry) at UT,he has a lot of skill.
Hey 66,what’s up bro?
well, Rahim Moore needs to step it up now or he will be replaced by Adams, Bruton, and/or the other guy we picked up from ATL’s Practice Squad.
Darcel McBath is now a free agent again I want him back personally has a lot of upside
McBath has my vote,he’s got potential.TRB likes that kid!
With Dawk gone Adams will probably start,Hell I don’t even know which players are listed at SS or FS?
Haha Alaskan..
You absolutely LOVE Jones. It will be interesting to see how he pans out in the NFL. Personally there is just something about him that I do not think he’s all that special. I don’t know what everyone else sees in him. I believe Martin, Hightower, Jeffery, Hill, Barron will all be better players at #25 but that is my opinion.
Again not criticizing you just stating my opinion…I think you might be crushed if we don’t draft him!
Carter,Moore,Adams,and Bruton,we need one more,McBath would do nicely.
B&O,when did we pick up another Safety?
Bay:
Looks like you still Bleed Orange and Blue! Great to hear from you! I just started posting more myself!
The drama here is different than before you said your good Bye!! (As I am sure you know) LOL We got Pot smokers. Beer drinkers (Me and BFE) and the new Broncos Pack of youngsters! Religion come’s up from time to time. It’s still hard to post without getting into a fight if you feed the troll’s. Mention TT as history and you’re called out Bro! Old deference of opinions will come up. I say put it on the Bus and let us talk old stories and good old Broncos Football!! No one needs to leave this blog just cuz Wiki Bay is back-full or part time!!
JUST SAYING!!
ILMSDB
FTR
Don’t know if anyone has posted this but it will be AWESOME to see TD announcing our picks!!
The NFL announced that former players will announce their team’s second- and third-round draft picks Friday from Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Here are the AFC West representatives:
Denver: Running back Terrell Davis.
FTR…
“wiki” bay got all of his information from denverpost, nfl.com, espn and other news sites. Haha, he just never left his computer which is why he posted all the new information the second that it was out!
I would love Martin, Hill, or Jeffery with our 25th pick but I also wouldn’t mind trading down about 10-15 spots and picking up Reyes or Worthy would both could still be available then!!
freak,Bay gave his opinions and insights on the things he posted,so give him a little credit bro!
Hey FTR,what’s shakin’ bro?
Freak your not high on Jones and I cant stand Jeffery. He has serious weight issues which isnt good for a WR. Also freak dont know if you saw but Jones is now largely being talked about a top 20 pick now.
oldsouthstander posted that Dawk was gonna retire as a Bronco,I read several articles stating that Philly was in the process of getting him a one day contract to sign,so he can retire as an Eagle,and retire his #20.
Good night guys!
AB… TEN also lost their best DT Jason Jones in free agency this year so they may go interior DL… just another thought! no real way to tell
BFE… if it’s five o’clock somewhere I bet I can find a 4:20 somewhere!!! LIVE ACTION!!!
He announced his retirement as a Bronco. He does have till he hands in his papers to sign a 1 day contract with Philly.
BFE, we picked up Rafael Bush from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in October.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Monday morning started out like most mornings for safety Rafael Bush, who was on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.
He was getting ready to start his day when his agent called.
Less than 24 hours later, Bush was on a plane to Denver after the Broncos signed him to their active 53-man roster.
“I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a blessing,’” Bush said. “It was unexpected, it was surprising. But it was something that I always wanted, to be on somebody’s roster. The opportunity came.”
Bush arrived in Denver early Tuesday morning, and spent most of the players’ off day meeting with coaches and some of his new teammates. He participated in his first practice Wednesday, and said the players have already accepted him into the locker room.
“Those guys have brought me in like I’ve been here already. All those guys welcomed me in,” Bush said. “The first day of practice went well. I’ve been picking up on the defense so far with what they’ve already given to me.”
But there are some parts of Denver that the South Carolina native is still getting used to.
“The worst thing about practice is getting ready for the altitude,” Bush said. “It’s a lot colder definitely. The time zone’s a little different. But this is just like anything else. It’s business and that’s my job to get used to it so that’s what I plan to do.”
Bush signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted college free agent after the 2010 NFL Draft out of South Carolina State, where he was named to the school’s all-decade team. He led the Bulldogs to two consecutive undefeated Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships his junior and senior seasons, and accounted for the team’s only touchdown when he intercepted Appalachian State’s quarterback Armanti Edwards for a 46-yard pick-six in the Bulldogs’ 20-13 defeat in the FCS playoffs. He received team awards three consecutive years at the school, including best newcomer, best safety and defensive MVP.
Bush spent the majority of the 2010 and start of the 2011 season on the Falcons practice squad, but was called up to the active roster for one game at the end of last season after one of the Falcons safeties was put on injured reserve.
Bush said his time on the practice squad enabled him to adapt to the speed of the NFL game.
“Honestly, the practice squad over in Atlanta helped me,” Bush said. “It kind of slowed the game down for me as well. I felt more comfortable and I started playing faster and seeing things faster.”
Even with Bush’s lack of game experience, the Broncos front office and coaches thought enough of the safety’s talent to give him a shot on Denver’s active roster.
“He’s a guy that our scouts had high grades on,” Head Coach John Fox said. “Our pro personnel department liked him, and we’re just bringing him in to see how he does in our system.”
For Bush, hopefully he’s done with impromptu plane rides this season.
That is from DenverBroncos.com. http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Bush-Excited-for-Opportunity/67cfc3ab-1181-4816-94e0-242ecac7abed
I apreciated all of Bay’s posts in the morning,I hate looking all that stuff up,I was happy to drink my coffee,and read Bay’s posts,like having a freaking Denver sports page delivered to my front door,thanks Bay!
BT I have seen a lot of talk about them going after Worthy or a DT along with a CB and a DE.
Thanks bro for the info,so we have Carter,Moore,Adams,Bruton,and Bush,probably still wouldn’t hurt to have one more(McBath),how many Safeties do we usually carry anyway?
BFE the norm (I think) is 5 or 6. Normally 1 or 2 that can be CB or S
LMAO@Turtle…….’GETCHA SOME’……later dude!
well, if we sign people after the draft, we need to get Thomas if we aren’t happy with what we get at DT in the draft, definitely need to go get Mario Haggan back here, and now we need to get Darcel McBath
ab,I don’t think we have any that can play CB/S…LOL.
Moore was supposed to be able to play both positions coming outta college,but he’ll be lucky if he starts at Safety!
I think with an offseason, Moore will get the job. If he fails, he will be stuck on the bench for the season again. Moore and Carter can be a great safety tandem soon, if only Moore would get better at tackling.
bf30:
That is why he is the wiki!! I did not have to go to all the sites you mention! (But I did and read all Bronco related info as all good Bronco Fans do). All I had to do was log on to here to get a recap. But he did far more than just copy and post! Bay did contests and added his Bronco Opinion and I respect that! I for one do care where he got his wiki Facts! I liked his play by play so I could add my color commentary!
Just saying!!
ILMSDB!!
I don’t see Haggan starting,but is a solid backup tho!
I’d like to see Miller-Irving/Mays-Woodyard as our starting LBs,unless we draft Hightower.
Miller-Hightower-Woodyard would be a great lineup,imo.
Remember DJ is suspended for 6 games,and is supposidly on the trading block.
I dont think Moore will start this year but be a solid backup after a full offseason. Next year though I believe he can land the starting job.
bf30:
Just me Bro. Me and Bay have had some fights here! Just respect like I have for you too!
FTR
I’ve had some decent fights with Bay too,but he is a big boy and can hold his own,and I respect him for that.Hell I’ve had fights with probably 50% of the bloggers on here!
@BFE LMOL
Coffee and Bay. Like Bud Lite and Jim Beam!! LOL
Just saying
GO BRONCOS
FTR
I think bay and i couldve had a nice few *cough* discussions *cough* lol
Yo BFE loved the burnout on the cops drive way story!
IMSDB
FTR
BFE, i dont think Hightower is going to be a Denver Bronco next season. If he is, it should be Miller, Mays/Irving, and Hightower. that is fearsome.
Man FTR,I stayed drunk all weekend……started drinking Friday at 4:00 PM,went to bed at 6:00AM Saturday morning,got back up at 4:00 PM Saturday evening,grabbed a bite to eat,and started back drinking at 4:30PM…..and drank until 5:00 AM Sunday morning.haha!
coffee+Bay=Bud Lite+Jim Beam……..lol.