The draft is over and all the National Football League teams are moving forward with rookie mini camps and their other camps, continuing with the off-season conditioning programs that are also well underway.
The buzz over the draft continues, however, and one of the biggest questions of all cannot be answered anywhere right now, that being, How did my team do?
Nobody will be able to properly assess that for a couple of years, overall, even though a lot of players will step up and make rookie impact of some sort right away.
A couple of things I am sure about relative to the Broncos revolve around passion, intelligence and character. You can never bat a thousand, but the Denver Broncos’ draftees in 2010 as a group rank very high in test scores (four of the players came out in the top 20 among all players in the Wonderlic test) and in terms of character issues.
Critics will always be out there (and a lot of critics are way, way out there), but when was the last time you heard a coach say he was looking for dumb, lazy players who get into a lot of trouble? Never, of course.
So they all have to play, but it is good to start off with players who have graded out well on those intelligence and character issues.
Now they all report to begin the competitive phase in one of the world’s great meritocracies, pro football.
The first thing players do in a locker room, literally and figuratively, is get naked. They strip down not only their civilian clothes but also any labels that have been attached to them in the myriad of reports done on every guy.
They step into the classrooms and onto the fields as equals-no one gets to carry a sign on his back that says how high he can jump, how fast he can run, or how well he can learn. No matter what has been said and written about his ability in any of those areas, he has to prove it all over again among his peers.
The coaches and personnel people took the players for their potential, but potential is a word left behind in the locker room, like press clippings-on the field, performance does not lie and determines who is what.
I have seen many examples, to paraphrase a Biblical verse, when the last shall be first and the first shall be last.
It happens in the classroom and on the field. If a player shies away from that kind of competition, or thinks his previous accomplishments give him bonus points going in, he will be sadly disappointed.
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News, an intelligent draft evaluator whom I respect as much as any writer in the country, gave the Broncos an “A” for this year’s draft. I was really glad to see that, but when those guys hit the field this weekend, Rick’s grade won’t help them. They have to do it on their own.
Let the competition begin!
Tags: 2010 NFL Draft
SB …I ain’t worried too much about youth in the secondary,we have McBath,Bruton,Smith,Cox,Barrett,Carter,and Thompson.Our LB’s are pretty young with Ayers,Doom,DJ,Kirlew,Larsen,Haggan,Moss,Reid,and Woodyard with Haggan being the oldest at 29,the Dline is what I’m worrid about the most,I know we have young talent in Baker,Fields,McBean,LeKevin Smith,and Thomas,but to me they didn’t show much improvement last year,so we need more depth,maybe we get it in next years draft,but for this year I think we’ll be good to go.
Samoan
Maybe a race down hill between Hawkins and Al– Naa Al would only put stickem on Hawkins wheels and pook him in the eyes.–Ha
FTR
bobcat82 good point
I forgot Aeyodele LB and Nate Jones DB,we got so many new players I can’t remember all of ‘em.LOL
I think our secondary will be fine even when Dawk and Champ retire,we got some great players in waiting.
But I think if we get some young depth on Dline and keep the players we have(sign Doom)we will be good for many years.
LDE NT RDE
GREEN J WILLIAMS BANNON
OLB ILB ILB OLB
AYERS HAGGAN DJWILLIAMS DOOM
LC RC
CHAMP GOODY
SS FS
DAWK HILL
BASIC 4-3 D
haha BFE we run a 3-4
I had it all diagramed out,but it didn’t show it spaced out in formation like i done it?????????
yeah it removes extra spaces.
Yeah you got me,HAHA,just thinking out loud,had it all spaced out and diagramed like a formation,but when i posted it,it came out in a line.
I knew we ran a 3-4 just wasn’t thinking.
haha I figured that is what you meant. Looks solid enough
Good enough for this year I think.Maybe we can add more depth in next years draft,or FA.You never know what might happen before the season starts too,could be a blockbuster trade,you never know.
I just want to see Phillip Rivers on his back looking at the pretty clouds via his old team mate, Doom, Bdawk and the rest of the D! The chargers are the new raiders in my book.
in a 3-4 obviously theres a change in the logistics of a DE compared to a DE in a 4-3 yeah?
lol @ camharland… but it won’t be very easy for Rivers to look at the pretty clouds when you have players like the Doominator & Weapon X, slamming you into the ground. Nope, Rivers will be buried this season and what he’ll be staring at is a bunch of dirt on top of him. muwahahahaha
ahaha, man, our whole defense is going to be one big monsterous beast this season… I can feel it. My patience is running real thin having to wait.
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
07elway:
I like your version better!
Eat dirt Rivers!
http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/04/27/tebows-jersey-the-top-seller-among-rookies/
GO BRONCOS!!!
Speaking of Tebow’s jersey, it was the final kick out the door for Marshall when Tebow was given his old number! I love it! I wonder if, since #15 was also Tebow’s number in college, this had anything to do with McD wanting to draft him like out of spite for Marshall? JK.
Rivers… eat dirt!
SIGN DOOM!
Why don’t they just make a jersey with blank name and numbers and sew on little velcro patches. Then just sell the names and numbers to be stuck on. Then the NFL wouldn’t have to waste so much money on players jersey’s who don’t sell as much or get traded or whatever. Than because they don’t waste so much money they can trickle that down to the little man..us..and lower mechandise and ticket prices.
LOL! Imagine. Jerseys with tear away numbers/names. They be putting numbers back on jerseys every play!
lol Brian…
I guess the NFL still gets enough money from the guys who bought #15 Marshall, and now are buying #15 Tebow
SIGN DOOM!
Aussie… You’re right! it’s confirmed.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2010/04/28/broncos-fans-meet-your-new-no-87/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dp-blogs-broncos+%28Denver+Post%3A+Sports%3A+Broncos%3A+Blog%29&utm_content=Twitter
SIGN DOOM!
Maybe they should start offering a guarantee on jerseys of at least 3 years and if a players leaves a team, they will replace the name for free!
That’s awesome seeing Decker take McCaffrey’s jersey. To me this means he is ready to step up to the plate. I’m sure he knows the legend of Ed Mc. and is embracing the challenge of living up to that number. I love it. Go get em’.
GO BRONCOS 2010.
whats every1s depth chart thoughts?
broncofanlvnm: I was thinking more along the lines of the replica jerseys for merchandise sales to fans like us. However, yeah, they would have to put new ones on every play. Or they could use it as a diversion, wait a mintue Royal doesn’t wear number 2, where’s #19?? hut hut hike, oh crap. LOL!!
Who thinks Tim Tebow will start at least one game this season???
Go 87!!! After watching Deckers plays I seen that he is alot like Ed McCafrey he goes up to get the ball and isnt affraisd to get hit.. Now in the NFL he needs to be a little bit more careful….
kase78matt – it’s very early, but here’s my take:
QB – Quinn
RB – Moreno
WR 1 – Royal
WR 2 – Gaffney
WR 3 – Decker (Thomas coming in on special plays that will target him)
LT – Clady
LG – Kuper
C – Walton
RG – Beadles
RT – Ryan Harris
DL – Green
NT – Williams
DL – Bannan
OLB – Doom
ILB – Ayodele
ILB- – D.J.
OLB – Ayers
CB – Champ
CB – Goodman
SS – Dawkins
FS – Hill
Nickel – Perrish Cox
Dime – I’m in between Phonzy and Nate Jones
Haggan will play 1st backup for almost all the LB positions.
Quinn will be on a short lease with Orton behind him and Brandstater will be waived. Tebow will come in on special downs for a “different look”. All the rookies and sophomores will push Hill for the starting job. I see no more Jarvis Moss and Jammie Kirlew will come in when Ayers and Dumervil get tired.
Rivers is gonna get twisted like a prezel sprinkled with dirt. Sign Doom. He deserves it.
mad orange. I agree with most of your picks for starters with a few possible exceptions.
Offense.
I hope Quinn can be better than Orton but I’m not sold on that yet. You forgot a TE on offense which will be Daniel Graham. I would like D. Thomas to beat out Gafney, but he is way behind on knowledge of the offense so it may take a while.
Defense
Haggan may be the other guy next to DJ, he was a captain last year and is moving back to his natural position. Other than that I like the picks. Our Broncos are going to kick some a** next year.
GO BRONCOS ….
mad_orange_devil_27… I agree with your line up. except, I gotta think D. Thomas will start over Decker and maybe start where Marshall left off.
SIGN DOOM SIGN DOOM SIGN DOOM SIGN DOOM!!! HE IS TALKING TO THE RAIDERS!!!!
LOL JK JK
WE do need to sign doom
That ain’t funny NastyNate… soooooooooooooooo not funny. I giggled a little bit but that’s it. We’d be toast if the Doominator went to the Raiders. oh the horror!!! lol Don’t scare me like that!
SIGN THE DOOMINATOR so Rivers can eat dirt!!! hahaha I like my evil plan. Now that’s funny.
And I really wouldn’t be surprised if McD put in an attempt to start Tebow but I doubt that he’ll start…. most likely he’ll get some playing time but I doubt he’ll start. Tebow is gonna be like McD’s little project, so by next year, depending on what happens with Orton & Quinn he could definitely have some starts then.
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
HAHA 07elway i think i would have a mini heartattack if he left the Broncos. I am sure our GM and Coach are not THAT stupid..
and I think tebow will be in alot for the Wild Horse
Glad to see Decker get the #87,he said it was ironic,because he was drafted at #87,and he would do Eddy Mac proud,now if he can play like Eddy Mac,he’ll be a Helluva WR.GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW…I can see Thomas,Gaffney,with Royal and Decker doing some rotation at the WR position.
Thomas #1WR
Gaffney #2WR
Royal & Decker rotating the slot WR.IMO
So glad you found that amusing NN… my heart almost jumped out of me before I saw that you were “JK”. I can only hope our coach & GM aren’t that stupid… who knows what’s going on. And I can totally see McD putting Tebow in for the Wild Horse… that’s one reason I’m excited to have him on this team, they need to put that formation in motion more often. It worked everytime we used it (which was like what… 3 times??).
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
Big D 44- I was just thinking how McDaniels loves to run out of 3 WR sets. I think he’ll use Graham and Richard Quinn in big sets but look out for Marqueez (i think that’s how you spell it) Braxton to catch some passes this year. I think Thomas won’t be an every down starter THIS year but he’ll definitely come in just to get him the ball. I was struggling between Haggan and Ayodele honestly.
D~J~C – I just think Decker is so much more NFL ready than Thomas right now. Decker is a very good WR, I saw him tear up Cal last year, he caught something like 16 passes. He was a one man recieving squad last year for the Gophers.
I been missing for a day or two i see you guys miss my opinions a bit. lol. Joking dont bash me. I would say Champ Tebow and Dawk. I love Champ he is my favorite player of all time and i try to model my game off of his play and he deserves it so does Dawk theyre time is running out tho. I love the CFAs honestly i might like them more than some our draft picks honestly. I’m not exactly sold on Haggan being our starting Lb nor am I sold that Hill is the best option we have at safety i think we have more talent.
Right now Eddie is the best reciever on our team and he is the most ready to make an impact and start and you guys have him playing slot, rotating you guys dont know what your talking about. Thats a slap in the face for Eddie Royal.
I read an article that stated McBath will battle Hill for the starting spot???
#1NYCBroncosFan – I agree, I think Royal will be on the field more than he was last year and deservedly so, 2009 was the year of Marshall. Thomas, Gaffney and Decker will get a lot of 1 reciever sets because of the matchup problems they will give a defense.
Beast – I can totally see that happening, McBath played great last year. We didn’t even bring in any true Free Safeties. We brought in a few Strong Safeties to battle for the spot behind Dawkins. I’m excited to see what Kyle McCarthy will do, he’s a great player.
Opinions are just that opinions,I don’t think we drafted Thomas with our #1 pick so he can ride the bench,Eddie is a great WR,but he fits in the slot better than outside.IMO..not putting Royal down,just think that’s where McD will put him.
I like our class of UDFA, with the exception of a few. NYCFAN, I like Haggan, he is a solid starter, not much of a pass rusher, but I like him on 1st and second down, and I think he played special teams as well. If I had to pick my favorite UDFAs, I would pick TE Overbay CB Vaughn OT Marinelli, OT Duncan, LB Alexander, The Boz’s nephew, and being that I am in the Air Force, I like Garland.
If Thomas isn’t ready,and needs time to learn routes,I can see Royal being #1 outside WR over Gaffney easy,but with his size and strength he will eventually be #1 WR.
I’m not worried about Royal, he was under utilized last year, and McDaniels was aware of that, and spoke of it in an interview pre draft.
Royal will definitely see a lot of playing time this year,with all the WR we have it’s hard to say who will play what position,and when Thomas and Decker come in,Hell who knows for sure who will start.I’d like to see Thomas,Royal,and Decker,but you know how much McD likes Gaffney.And Thomas and Decker ain’t proven,but I know they’ll be big time WRs.
Don’t count out Brandon Stokely, all I know is we will have a great receiver rotation, and won’t need to rely on one receiver to be a Brandon Marshall.
The whole funny thing with Eric Decker wearing #87 is that he was born in 1987, was the 87th player selected in the draft, and has always idolized Ed Mac!!
Someone on here said that they went ahead and ordered his jersey…Where can you find his jersey because I have looked and can’t find it anywhere. The only ones I can find is Tebow and Thomas!