Now that all the National Football League teams are into full blown free agency for 2010, I would like to point out a small factor that really is not so small for the Denver Broncos.
Every part of every season happens each year, from the games themselves to the off-season creation of the team. We all know that during the season, with the exception of the bye week, each team has a week to prepare for its game, and the game comes on Sunday (or Monday) whether you are ready or not. So sometimes, due to injuries or other unforeseen events, like the weather, a team can only get so ready. But it has to play on Sunday no matter how ready it is, so the value of and proper use of preparation time is vital.
So too is the off season player acquisition phase of the business.
Both Head Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Brian Xanders are very meticulous and organized men with a great passion for what they do.
Most fans do not get a chance to meet them personally, but I have been in this game a long time and I have seen some real characters. I have also seen top flight individuals and Josh and Brian are in that category, absolutely.
But there are only 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week.
Last year when they took over their roles the clock was already running.
Remember, Josh had to do every single detail that goes into being a head coach. He had to hire a staff, establish his own policies and procedures, evaluate the entire team which he had just taken over, and begin the process of looking at other players, both collegians and pro free agents, as well.
And even though Brian had already been on staff, he too had to make myriad adjustments, working with Josh on meeting after meeting as they began to determine what kind of player fit what they were trying to build.
But meanwhile, the clocked on, and it greatly favored teams that had been in pace for a long time regarding personnel decisions.
This year, with every member of the personnel evaluation team (way beyond the GM and head coach) having been in place for a year now, this makes a huge difference in your preparation for scouting and free agency. The time really does matter, and a lot.
It is somewhat like operating a restaurant and doing some remodeling. We have all entered a business that featured the little signs that say “Pardon our dust, we’re remodeling.” Of course, no problem. But it is difficult to be 100% into remodeling and still take care of all your present customers who just want their food. They really don’t care that you are remodeling.
The NFL schedule is like that as well.
It does not care if you are remodeling. Somebody is always remodeling. The challenge for any team is to play while you build. When looked at that way, last year’s 8-8 should be viewed in a very positive light, I believe.
Certainly, we all want more, always. Owner, coach, team, fans, press, we perpetually want more. But last year’s record, and the roster that made the won-lost record, was done during the most extensive remodeling process that the Broncos have undergone in a decade and a half.
This year, everything is in place right now.
I do not know who we have targeted or who we will sign, but I know the key players in the unfolding story of free agency have had a year to get ready, as opposed to six weeks.
There is an old saying that you cannot waste time without damaging eternity.
Time matters, and in this case the preparation time which the Broncos have had could yield big benefits in 2010 free agency.
Tags: Free Agency
Draft picks are a crapshoot. No way they are better than a pro bowl playmaker who makes orton look relatively decent. How many drafts picks have had an instant pro bowl impact compared to washing out or busting? The odds aren’t great. Could easily be a Marshall for crowder/ moss type player. They can’t afford 4 1st round draft picks in 2 yrs. Which could be the reason they traded a 1st for a 2nd last year
Its like I said in an earlier blog, everbody keeps talking about the uncapped year. Very few are talking about the fact that with no cap, means no floor as well. No floor means teams dont have a minimum theymust spend. Which last year was roughly 111 million!
I believe thats where we’re at. No big name free agents. No big extensions to our RFA’s. And my point will be further validated when (and if) we acquire multiple first round picks.
Which leads me to believe, we will probably trade one of them!
Doom gets paid…BMarsh is gone.
I agree, we can’t afford a lot of 1st round picks. And I also agree that a proven player is better than an unknown. But, to me, Marshall’s off-field issues are enough for me to let him go, for compinsation, of course. If we end up with 2 1st round picks, then I say trade one and try and solidify a spot on the line with a young, good player that will be here for a long time in a trade.
There is still the real possibility of a lockout next year, so why would any team, much less our beloved Broncos, dish out the big bucks with all the uncertainty! While I believe, and hope for it, Dumervil is most deserving of a payday- I just dont see it happening.
Sndvl I agree with a lot of your posts. And I agree with that last one. If no one offers doom a contract Denver can still not sign him long term. They can take the cheap way out for one more year. Which I think is a slap in the face. Make plays still don’t get paid. Hell I think simms got paid more than marsh! Lol
DrunkenBronc, its like the brain trust is drunk with power. And money. And its all theirs. No player can have it. lol
lol sndvl. Chris simms made 3.4 mil. Marshall made 2.2. There’s something seriously wrong with that picture.
I have read these post and can see both sides and 2 more. Frist there is the big bad AGENT, “I can get you more money.” Then the player. Who has ever said that denver has not offered X dollars to Marsh and Doom and they turned it down?
a fran. tag on a WR is $9.521 mil and on a LB is $9.68, that is what Doom and Marsh want. I am not saying they are not worth it, just saying
Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay and you’re O.K.
Money, it’s a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
A new car, caviar, four star daydream
Think I’ll buy me a football team
Money, get back
I’m all right Jack, keep your hands off of my stack
Money, it’s a hit
Don’t give me that do goody-good bullsh@t
I’m in the hi-fidelity first class traveling set
And I think I need a Lear jet
Money, it’s a crime
Share it fairly but don’t take a slice of my pie
Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today
But if you ask for a rise it’s no surprise that they’re giving
None away, away, away, away, away, away, away, away
On this beautifully meaningful Pink Floyd song on this money talking night, I wish you all a good night.
Lol I’m out too. Goodnight.
One last joke:
Instead of bidding on Julius Peppers, a confused Al Davis accidentally purchased $91.5 million of Dr. Pepper.
Wait to see what other teams want to pay B-Marsh and match it! Even though he has been a bit of a pain for our team, he is a bigger pain to other defenses. we will not get anyone, through the draft or free agency, that will be a suitable replacement. Pay him what he wants and if he still acts like a child, cut him! The league will probably have a lockout next year, anyway!
how about we try and get Shaun Rogers.. theres a rumor that he wants out of cleveland and they are willing to trade him
Hey so its been a awhile since i have posted on here, and the main topic these days are b-marsh and doom. I personally seem them both suiting up with denver next year. My prediction is doom isnt going anywhere, no team really would want to pay the money he is worth, and give away a first and 3rd draft pick. And as for marshal, he just wants money, and he wants it now. This was never about mcd, or the broncos it was about the money. So he threw a fit, and so now the broncos are going to let him look around, and match what ever he is offered, because they will get a better deal that way because a contract from another team will be a little smaller then a contract by denver. And if you remember from mid-way through the season Pat said that marshal was playing his way for a big pay raise. And marshal said he would love to be a bronco this year during the pro-bowl. If brandon marshal was going anywhere he would have been gone by now cause a team would have know that they wanted him, and he is the kind of player you go for. So look forward to b-marsh and doom playing together next year for the broncos.
Go Broncos!
This morning reports from the DP are not very encouraging:
Had or Hadnot? The Broncos and free-agent center Rex Hadnot have reached an impasse in negotiations. Hadnot visited the Broncos on Friday. . . . The Broncos completed their visit Sunday with free-agent defensive end Dwan Edwards, but it doesn’t appear there will be an agreement.
And this is the update on Marshall, also from the DP:
Brandon Marshall remains the Broncos’ property today after his weekend excursion to Seattle that included an arrival by seaplane.
Getting off that plane with Marshall were his fiancee, Michi Nogami, and two of his former Broncos coaches, Jeremy Bates and Jedd Fisch, now top offensive assistants with the Seahawks.
As Marshall stepped onto the dock that leads into Seahawks headquarters, the first man to greet him was new Seattle coach Pete Carroll, followed by chief executive officer Tod Leiweke and general manager John Schneider.
Clearly, the Seahawks want Marshall. Less clear is whether they are willing to acquire the game-changing receiver in exchange for what would be the No. 6 overall draft pick.
Marshall was scheduled to leave Seattle on Sunday night. The Seahawks were to spend the next day or three contemplating whether to submit an offer sheet to Marshall and the Broncos and how to structure their offer.
Sounds like a presidential motorcade arrival, hard to figure out all the Bronco fans who have problems realizing that this is for real, not a plot to get the Seahawks to show us how much money Marshall is worth. If thta’s the case, there is going to be a bunch of p@#ssed off team officials in Seattle, not to mention the owner who has obviously already opened his pocket book quite generously.
Bowlen would never use such a plot, he has too much respect around his peers owners in the league, he in no way shape or form wants to ruin that and he is way too classy to use such a strategy anyway. It’s just fans grabbing at straws in an attempt to convince themselves that Marshall will still be a Bronco after all, you might want to try to think of something else, just saying.
This is how Greg Jones from the Seattle Post concludes a super long article of Marshall in his paper today. In the article he refers to absolutely all the good ad all the bad Marshall has done starting back to 2004, as if to let everyone know in Seattle what they are in for if they sign him. Anyhow, that’s his conclusion:
So there you have it. Love him or leave him. Sign him or send him packing. The Seahawks have a choice to make, one that will go a long way toward establishing the tenor of the new Pete Carroll era.
I’m guessing Carroll figures he can help Marshall. And I’m certain he knows Marshall could help him as well, since winning football games requires having the most talented players possible.
Thus I expect something will be worked out, given the Seahawks are desperately trying to turn things around and seem willing to gamble at greatness. And Denver doesn’t really want another season of a disgruntled Marshall and should compromise when push comes to shove over compensation.
Well, enough food on the plate for today, I’ve done my job, the floor is now yours, LOL.
For everyone that thinks letting Marshall go to Seattle is just a plot to see what he is worth- that is wishful thinking. If you want to resign a player you do not let him shop himself around. You bring him into your office and hammer out a deal with his agent, you do not let him jump on a plane and leave town to visit other teams.
Every team knows the market value of a player, do not kid yourself that they need an offer from another team to find out what he is worth.
The Broncos are more than fine letting him shop around and see if they can get a trade worked out.
At this point it would be a miracle if he resigns as a Bronco. I think he will be gone. I hope I am wrong, I would love to see Marshall as a Bronco for years to come.
It looks like we got more down to earth kind of guys on this blog and more dream all you can kind of dudes on the previous blog, and it’s been like that all week-end, pretty funny stuff, reminds me of the grown up table on the holidays with a separate table for the kids, not that there are no kids here and no grown ups there, but I think it’s cool, it’s like a novelty idea developping here, two kinds of blogs hence the clashes are diminished, you don’t like the tone on one then the other one is probably your cup of tea, and vice versa, and it has worked great the last three days, and hardly anyone is crossing over, pretty cool stuff, first time I have ever seen that.
1/2 Colleague Mike Tirico bumped into Brandon Marshall after the wide receiver returned to Denver. Marshall said the visit was great…
about 2 hours ago via web
Adam_Schefter Twitter page
Marshall also said he is still very open to staying in Denver and would not be surprised if this process lasts until the NFL draft.
about 2 hours ago via web, same source.
yawn….
Wow. There really isn’t anything going on. I guess it’s better than getting bad news.
Baylin, I didnt take you for a Pink Floyd fan!
So Hadnot and Edwards were made an offer they COULD refuse! Guess McD really didnt want them after all.
Since Sheff is still on the roster, does that mean we can still look forward to him being a Bronco next year.
Im pretty shocked nobody has talked to Doom. I know the price is steep, but I figured at least Miami would entertain him for an evening!
I guess Denver isnt the only team laying on the floor!!!!!
McD has been quoted as saying Sheffler is welcome to play in Denver next year….SURPRISE!!!!!!!!I know somebody is gonna say that McD is just saying that and Sheffler will be gone,but before you do,let me say this.I hope all of you Marshall and Sheffler haters,or should I say McD lovers,eat crow and we sign Marshall and Sheffler to big fat contracts….PAY THE BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sndvl from my understanding this uncapped season is making the signing of free agents very slow. All of the free agents are asking for big $ after seeing the Julius Peppers signing. So even if our offers were considered OK in a “normal” year, Edwards and Hadnot are looking to see if anyone will offer more.
To be honest, I have no idea what the plans are for Sheff. I definately feel that Doom will be back though.
I was excited for free agency but there really hasn’t been any BIG news yet. I’m ok with the few signings so far but I’m neither impressed or dissabpointed with anything the broncos have done.
I’m with you Beast. I don’t want to lose any of our “top notch” talented players. And Marshall and Sheff are definately two of them. I’m not really concerned about Orton or Doom because they will be back next year unless something really crazy happens.
sndvl, Pink Floyd and many others, grew up with music, mainly hard rock, to this day I have a collection of about 700 albums from circa 1967-1972. Hendrix, Deep purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, Cream, Steppenwolf, the Doors, those kind of bands. Just because you call me grandpa doesn’t mean I don’t know how to rockn’n roll, LOL.
I’m 32 and from the list of albums you have, “you’re allright in my book” Baylin. Plus your a broncos fan so you muist be cool.
On another note, does Elway 07 or DynamicDave ever post here anymore? I haven’t seen them posting for a while.
Ooops.. Mean’t “plus you’re a broncos fan” LOL I teach biology but my grammar and punctuation are terrible.
I haven’t seen either for a quite a long time, they both have their own type of Bronco website, Dave is at fanhuddle.com and 07 at broncosarebest.blogspot.com
Thanks baylin.
Don’t sweat it, I just did my own typo, for a quite a.. LOL, no big deal.
So say Marshall does go to Seattle, what will we do with the #6 pick, just pick at both 6 and 11 or look to trade down?
brian, good question, I have this growing feeling, with what Bowlen said about drafting a QB, that it might just be what McD is thinking with the #6, Claussen probably being his first choice due to the Notre Dame ties. It might require to move up a couple spot but we have enough amunition to get it done. As far as the #11, I see them trade that down because Bowlen will not want to fork over for two top 12 draft picks, plus we need a variety of help, not just a few good men. Of course, this is simply answering your question as far as what we might do with those picks, not what I think we should do. I would agree with the trading down the #11 but I would have a problem for a QB with the # 6, I would rather trade it up for Suh or Gerald McCoy.
Anyway brian, with you not blogging on week-ends you missed some big time blogging with FA, it would take you forever to catch up, but there was some good stuff on here.
baylinorcrush: Yeah, I know unfortunately the weather in the midwest has been somewhat decent and my cabin fever is really kickin’ it into high gear. I try to keep my eye on sportscenter for any breaking news, but I sometimes miss what goes on here. I was just curious what we’d do just because I know we picked up a DT from Baltimore and was curious if we still would need to pick up a DT/NT in the draft still.
Everyone is saying we won’t draft a QB cuz it isn’t McD’s way but I could see it happening.
My long rant put me at rest about whatever will happen to Marshall…everyone knows how i feel about that
on a sidenote, Bradford said he wont throw at proday because of his arm again…i understand injuries but im just seriously starting to feel like the draft classes are getting way too privileded with thier combine sit outs, top ten money requests…and lord knows what else…But then again, I always wanted to play WR in the NFL…and if i had the chance…who knows how i would act i guess…
keep marshall, trade sheffler for a second and sign ben watson xD.. so we get two second rounders..
I think sports in general is the one thing where you have to pay up front for the product with sometimes minimal kowledge.
Pro sports: I’m not going to throw at the combine or at proday, I was really awesome in college so I’m going to want a bunch of money, I may or may not be good or get injured but I want at least 75% of my contract in guarenteed money. Ownders, coaches, and GMs: Ok you got it.
Rest of the world: I’m not going to do anything that’s not in my job description, I don’t want to take credit for anything that fails, I want all credit for anything that succeeds, I have a great resume, so I’m going to want a lot of money to work for you.
Owners, CEOs, HR and PR people: Get the @!#$% out of here.
Yup Brian, its just one of those “thats just the way its done things”
Looks like the Chiefs are bign Chambers back
Filed to ESPN: KC re-signed WR Chris Chambers to a three-year deal worth up to $15 million that includes $5.9 million in gtd money.
for a bum like chambers…the more i see stuff like this, the more I understand Marshalls perspective….wish the best for him
BigD- you mispelled meant as well! LMAO…just messing with you buddy! Hey, since youre a bio teacher, maybe you can help me with my significant other. As in a quick lesson on recessive genes. She is SO worried our baby will be born with red hair and blue eyes. We both have brown/brown!!!! lol! She might listen since youre an expert on these matters!
Baylin, that is an awesome list! Im a big fan of Clapton myself. I also had the chance to see Black Sabbath with Ozzie and Iommi back in 97! But I credit Dark Side of the Moon for turning me onto rock music! I love the classic rock on Vinyl. IMO, there is no better way to listen to it!!!!!
Brian, if Seattle parts way with that 6th pick, we will prob grab that QB of the future. Even though we want Suh/McCoy, Mr.Bowlen would rather pay that kind of money to the new Franchise. I still think it was a subtle hint for McD to look at McCoy (the longhorn variety)…we will soon find out!
49ers paid David Carr good backup QB money — two years, $6.25 million, with another $1.87 million worth of incentives.
Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, David Carr….can you say offseason competition…Alex Smith will probably win tho….
It is kind of obvious that they’ll be looking for the QB of the future otherwise we’d of gave Orton a contract extension. Its just a matter of when we’ll make the move for it. I think this year’s draft is the place to look for it. IMO
LOL. Very funny SNDVL. It seems that you have the whole recessive allele thing figured out. Even if you both carry the traits there is only a 1/4 chance for each trait (red hair or blue eyes). Sometimes people carry recessive traits and do not know it though.
We must be really bored if this is what we are talking about. LOL.
GO BRONCOS.
sndvl, we do have stuff in common, I saw Ozzie and Tony Iommi in Pensacola around 93- 94, something like that, but I saw them in Montreux Switzerland when their very first album came out either in 1970 or 71, also saw Led Zeppelin there in 1970 when they came out with the Led Zeppelin II album, Bonham bare hand drum solo is something I will never forget. Those two concerts in Montreux were played in the old casino that burned down there during a Frank Zappa concert, the event was then immortalized by Deep Purple with “smoke on the water”, Montreux is on Lake Geneva and the casino was built by the water. Lots of crazy concerts over the years, like the Who at Folssom stadium, Grateful Dead at RedRocks, Pink Floyd in the superdome, Golden Earring, Spirit, Frank Zappa in the CU basketball arena, I better stop here, this is a Bronco blog, LOL.
Actually Baylin, your stories are a lot more interesting than any free agency news.lol I’ve seen some good shows myself but my concert resume is nothing compared to yours. I’ve seen two concerts in George, Washington on the Columbia River.