Everyone knows that the National Football League draft is a big key to the long term success of any team, but like any key, all it does is get you inside the room.
Too much is made by fans and press about instant success or failure of draft choices, but these comments often are based on what people think they know about the players. And quite frankly, with the exception of a very small minority of observers, most fans have not heard of most players.
But they love watching the game so much that in their minds, they think and assume they have heard of everyone. So when their favorite team steps up and makes a choice, more often than not the reaction is that “I never heard of that guy,” followed by something to the effect that he possibly is not very good.
But if people could see the amount of video, the size of evaluation books compiled by scouts and studied like they are all prepping for graduation from a master’s program, fans would all realize the amount of work that goes into the selection process.
But making the choice is just the beginning.
Following the conclusion of this year’s draft the Denver Broncos announced that the team has reached agreement with 13 undrafted college free agents. Since this process happens with very little fanfare, compared to the draft, these 13 young men are largely anonymous to most season ticket holders, as well as to the vast members of Broncos Country.
But for the last eight seasons in a row, one of those undrafted free agent players has made the Broncos’ final roster. Last year it was cornerback Chris Harris of Kansas, who led all NFL rookie defensive backs in tackles in 2011.
The previous year cornerback Cassius Vaughn of Ole Miss made the Broncos as a UFA, and the list goes on.
Once upon a time wide receiver Rod Smith and Steve Watson were guys like that, so it shows that talent comes from a lot of different areas.
The first think all Bronco rookies will do before taking the field for rookie mini-camp next week is administrative, and after that they head to the locker room, take off their civilian clothes, and get ready to practice—get ready to compete, as it were.
And at that moment in time, it does not matter who had the nicest clothes, who got the biggest signing bonus, or who had the thickest file of press clippings from their hometown papers.
Figuratively speaking, they get naked and then re-dress for competition.
And the NFL is a meritocracy above all other things. Everybody wants to win, and you can be sure the coaches will promote, advance and play the players who are better than the others.
Production, not press clippings, will tell the tale.
If someone is the fastest at his spot, but does not run fast and gets beaten out by the “slower” player, it is just like track—the runner who breaks the ribbon is the winner.
And of course veteran free agency is another means of adding players to a team, and of course this year the Broncos made what is probably the greatest free agent signing in NFL history by adding Peyton Manning. The NFL’s all-time leader at quarterback in Pro Bowl selections (11) and seasons with 25 or more touchdown passes (13) is without question the most celebrated signing of the off-season.
But they all get added up.
Bronco veterans, veteran free agents, draftees and UFAs all get evaluated by the same coaches, on the same fields.
And how they perform in those practices and in preseason games determines the final roster.
Talent and hard work go hand in hand as part of the competition process, and the winners determine themselves, and sometimes cut themselves, on the field.
So don’t worry too much about whether or not you are familiar with a player’s name.
His future performance is going to determine how well that name is known in time to come.
I really think we can get 3 or 4 guys who make the roster this year that were CFAs.
Thanks for the reality check!
I used to own a T-Shirt that said “GET NAKED”…. lol
Nice read Sacco, not to mention the flip side of the coin, how a lot of well known, sure fire, high draft picks never even made a splash in the NFL…
I would much rather be pleasantly surprised by a nobody that becomes somebody than somebody that is expected to be great and then fizzles….
ILMSDB!!!!
AB I have a friend who is being reassigned to alaska he is in the Air Force. Where is your bar located? He brings a bit of business
Well LAX its a long ways from the Military Bases. Nearest base is 3-5 hours away.
Damn well he wont live on base so maybe
Do you know what base? Elmendorf Clear of Eilson?
Leave it to Sacc to sober up the conversation – but what he says is right on … as for AF in Alaska, my son was assigned to Faribanks (I forget the base name) to fly A-10′s several years ago – we took five days to drive from Temecula, CA, to Fairbanks, in March – what a trip … however, when he got there, they wouldn’t pass the blood-pressure part of the physicval, so he ended up running the base coffee shop for a year … what a bummer .. but he and his wife really loved Alaska … vowed they’d move back there some day … don’t know how they feel about it now … for years they kept their Alaska car plates … neat – seeing all those little people trekking along …
Wiemin f it was Fairbanks than it was either Clear or Eilson. Those are the only two AF bases there. Elmendorf is actually somewhat known. It has B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers A-110 Thunderbolts AC-130 B-52 C17 plus many more according to many rumors I have heard about it not sure if its all true. Wouldnt surprise me if so much aircraft was there in case we go to war with Russia or China or something because how close Alaska is.
Great read Jim. Thanks
Very well said Mr. Saccomano. Its like some of us fans just know enough to get ourselves in trouble. We tend to know a lot about a little, maybe its just a few players from a team or a college conference we like. I for one am not a huge college fan. Sure, I love watching the big games between ranked teams but I’m no expert on ALL the talent that is out there. Therefore, I really heavily on analysts to learn about players. The one I trust most is Mayock because he seems to evaluate players fairly without some kind of personal agenda. During the draft I was taken aback by some of the moves our FO made or didn’t make. However, as I reflect and look at the players we got and the players we already have. I am very pleased. In all honesty after re-evaluating I think we got an absolute gem in Wolfe. This guy is a freakn animal. He has the size, power, attitude, and drive to cause havic in the middle which is exactly what we need. Thank you for putting things in perspective Jim. I believe in our FO!
Go Broncos!!!!!
Wiemin, I teach biology at Chaparral High School in Temecula!!!!
Go Broncos!!!!
I really don’t want to be scathing critical, particularly with my first ever post here, but isn’t this article at little too defensive and condescending? I wasn’t too concerned about the players we picked in the 2012 draft having seen the likes of TD and of course the great Karl Mecklenburg selected in the latter rounds, but this article has does the opposite of it’s stated aim.
I’m sure the 2012 guys will fill some roster spots and may even star, only time will tell. Let’s hope the pressure you felt to write this piece is a reaction to the “media” appraisal of the draft picks and not from the Broncos second guessing their own choices.
Thanks for giving some perspective to the Broncos off season efforts to make the team better. I think the bottom line question is whether or not the Broncos are a better team today than they were at the end of the 2011 season? I think any honest assessment would be that they are. Certainly, none of us can know for sure what the final product will look like come September, but it seems apparent to me that given the FA signings and the injury recovery of some significant players who did not participate last year, make the team better initially. Given that, the draft and UFAs can only enhance the potential to make the team even better. I have been a Bronco fan since 1964 and I have grown weary of the negative natterings on the DP’s boards. This is my first post here and I am hoping for a more intelligent and fair discussion of our team. BTW I was deeply saddened by the passing of Lonnie Wright. He was a friend of mine when we attended CSU way back when. I remember when he made the roster and how excited he was about that. What a great athelete and gentleman. Rest in peace brother.