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
If he does it will be Claussen would be my guess.
lol! OC
Then we’ll have to call him Johnson McDaniels or Josh McJohnson…
Or more simply McJoshson, LOL.
One thing is for sure… that picture at the top of the article… Joshnson looks a lot more aged than just a short twelve moths ago….
Kind of like Presidents look as soon as they take office…
You guys are too hard on him, I said I would give him one more year, so he has carte blanche before I call him a Doofus.
With the Rams and the Bucs and the Skins in front of #6. I think Claussen will be out of the picture by then???
Cody,
I just want to say that I kid with respect to our head coach and the names I use are not really degrading like those you posted. I’m not judging you at all, but that is exactly the reason I am here and not at the DP. I fought off the Mc”insert degrading comment here” guys for the entire off season last year because I try to give respect to the Head Coach of my favorite team. I question his moves in respect to the fact that my hope is riding on him but try not to use dergrading names for the guy. Just my story…
They called me a Joshkateer…..
I’m not to worried about getting Claussen because it’s high likely he’ll be gone if we do get the 6th pick. I think Dan Lefevour or Tony Pike both should be available in the 3rd round.
Anyway, I am very happy now, we have signed Bannan, a 6’3″, 310 lbs man who can play the nose or DL and we have a serious chance at signing Jarvis Green, a 6’3″, 285 lbs DE. All along I have been pleading for rebuilding our D line first and all around, and we are two third there. So glad McD is looking at it the same way I am, it’s like a dream, I never thought it would actually happen… So now I guess I can become a dreamer too… Cool!
McD is doing the right thing, he is shoring up the D line in FA, and if everything goes according to my plan, LOL, he will take care of the O line in the draft because it is so deep this year. That would be too cool, but one can always hope…
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TRENCHES MY FRIEND.
BTW, if we get Jamal Williams in here at 350lbs at the nose, we are fully set with three new starters on D line, and to think that somme bloggers here did not think we needed much help on the D line, because they said Fields, Peterson and McBean were doing all right, what were they thinking??? So glad McD is not thinking like they are….
i really hope we sign Jarvis Green because he is an every down player
So this is the latest, the Browns acquired Seneca Williams, so they have him, Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, how weird is that, obviously one of them is on the way out, probably Quinn, he would be cheaper than his counter part Notre Dame teammate Claussen, I say no, just filling in space here, LOL.
if do sign Williams and Green what do we do in the draft? Im thinking these are our priorities
1. O-line
2. Wide Reciever
3. ILB
4. DB
5. Power RB
Talking about Walker being released from the Raiders, I have to be the first one to admit that I was very excited about the potential when we got him from the Packers. So, I was wrong, this man ended up being a short illusion when he became a Bronco, and a total waste when he became a Raider, do I feel sorry for the guy? No, because he made millions, and yes, because undoubtedly he about lost it all when Williams bled out on his lap, how could anyone recover from that? Hope you find peace within yourself Javon.
i am really hopin we get jamal williams cuz he and bannan can team up and form us a run-stopin defense and pass-stopping defense of course
According to Mike Tirico,an ESPN announcer,Marshall told him he is open to the possibly of remaining in Denver,Tirico says maybe he won’t be gone after all,so if you’re listening TRB hang in there bro this roller coaster ride ain’t over yet my friend.
Marshall told him that at a Denver Nuggets game tonight.
iowa I agree,keep beefing that Defense up McD,at least if we can’t score next year we can at least slow the other team down and keep it close.
we got green
Green is ours, and it’s said the office isn’t letting Williams go to NO without a contract signed.
Starters: Bannan, Williams, Green.
Backups: Peterson, Fields, McBean (they played very well in the first half of last season, so if they’re backups, they will keep fresh, and so the DL).
I like what I see…