On Monday, Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway announced via Twitter that as many as 13 of the allowed 30 visits by potential draftees will visit Broncos headquarters this week.
While I certainly realize that the collective bargaining agreement and its ultimate settlement is at the forefront of media conversation these days, the draft still exists, talent still must be evaluated, and that moment will come when every NFL team makes its selections for 2011 and sets in motion roster adjustments and changes that hopefully will lead to great seasons.
So the draft is coming, and it really is right around the corner.
Much has been made of the Broncos’ brain trust taking a hard look at the quarterback position, but they are actually doing that at all positions, some just being more glamorous than others.
When it comes down to it, a team is going to draft players, and there is no way of knowing absolutely how that infusion of new talent will impact the existing roster here and elsewhere.
The last two weeks on the team website DenverBroncos.com has looked at the linebacker and running back positions. This week the offensive line is being profiled.
In Broncos history, like that of every team, there have been players who have not made it. But to build a team, you can never worry about what did not work out. You have to have a short memory that way, like a cornerback who must get burned now and then or a baseball closer who gives up the big homer.
You have to move on from whatever did not work out.
But the three positions listed above provide a clear illustration in Broncos history that players come from everywhere, that when the water begins to seek its own level, there is no stopping it. Here are six examples of guys who have been great players for the Broncos, and together they remind us all that great players are better known after they achieve greatness than before.
At running back, in 1967 the Broncos took three-time All-American Floyd Little from Syracuse. One of the greatest running backs in NFL history, Little was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
However, in 1995 the Broncos used the 196th pick in the draft, their second selection in the sixth round (not even their first sixth-round pick) to take running back Terrell Davis from Georgia. And nobody except serious draftniks and scouts even knew who he was.
But TD was the cornerstone of back-to-back world championships. Floyd Little was the sixth player taken overall, and Terrell Davis the 196th. So success can be selected anywhere. Don’t turn your nose up at a guy just because you do not know him.
At the linebacker position the Broncos in 1974 selected Randy Gradishar the pride of Ohio State. He had failed the physicals of both the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Colts, both teams feeling that a leftover injury from college made him a bad risk. So the Broncos took a flyer on Gradishar with the 14th pick overall, and his greatness still has him under consideration for veterans committee selection into the Hall of Fame.
Then, in 1983, with the very last selection made by Denver, the Broncos used their 310th overall selection to choose a nose tackle/defensive end from Minnesota named Karl Mecklenburg.
I remember vividly that the first time he came to Denver no member of the press even wanted to interview him and I used a favor with a veteran reporter to have him ask Meck a few questions, just so the NFL’s 310th choice would not feel left out.
Gradishar chosen at 14, Mecklenburg at 310. Talent comes from lots of places.
And in the offensive line, Ryan Clady was the 12th selection overall in 2008, and Clady is widely regarded as one of the best left tackles in the NFL. But back in 1979 the Broncos displayed both sides of how it works. The number one draft choice was a tackle from Nebraska named Kelvin Clark, the 22nd pick overall.
That same season, Denver signed a free agent tackle who had been cut by the Baltimore Colts named Dave Studdard. Just a guy. Already cut once.
Clark was pretty much a total bust for the Broncos after being the 22nd overall NFL choice, and Dave Studdard became a starter and a fixture who protected John Elway in two Super Bowls (XXI and XXII). Studdard started for Denver from 1979 through 1988 despite never being drafted at all.
So Clady and Studdard run the spectrum from 12th overall pick to a street free agent signed for virtually nothing.
Remember, players all come from somewhere.
This team has had an illustrious history, second most wins in the NFL since Pat Bowlen bought the team in 1984, two Super Bowl wins and six AFC titles (five under Mr. B.) And we have a hard working group of player personnel people doing everything they can to study every player.
Do not make the judgment based on how famous the player is before he gets taken.
Let the water seek its own level, and it might just fill up the pool.
Tags: NFL Draft
Love the theme!
Richard Quinn/Shannon Sharpe…OK not a fair comparison…ahem Knoshown/TD…lol
The draft!
It’s a crapshoot I tell you….
A successful one in my view is when about half of the players you draft on any single year have a lasting positive effect on your team.
So this year with seven picks, if three picks help us out long term it’s a decent draft, if four do it becomes a very good draft.
And in what order that will happen is anyone’s guess, as so accurately described by Mr. Saccomano.
However take a close look at how teams like the Packers, Patriots and Steelers draft year after year!
There is the proof right there that it isn’t all just the luck of the draw, there is a science to that madness, you just have to have the kind of management team who understands it and executes it.
It will be interesting to say the least to see if the triumvirate has IT when it comes to the draft.
The McD/Xanders tandem certainly didn’t!
Bay,
The 3 teams you mention have one thing in common, they draft football players first, positions second. They want team players with a team mentality and do not waste time with the “Me First” crowd no matter what their apparent/suspected talent level. That’s why injuries don’t hurt them as much as most teams. Look at the injuries Green Bay had last and yet still they won the big one! There was a week or two where they weren’t sure they would have enough OL to play a game! That is also why they are always at or near the top every year. Talent is a wonderful thing but desire and attitude may be even more important and that is what those 3 draft.
Yeah it was funny here when the McD supporters kept saying last year the reason we weren’t doing well was because of the rash of injuries, and some of us Anti-Mcd fans laughed that off asking them what about Green Bay then? That was a major topic.
I hate saying McD, it just leaves a dirty taste in my mouth, I should just say Josh… or nothing at all, haha.
No offence to any Elway fanatics, but if we draft a QB ANYWHERE in this draft I will lose more respect for this organization (and Elway) than I already have…I know you insist it isn’t Elway, but if this is anything other than a smoke screen I will lose all faith!
TEBOW IN 11′
p.s. if he does that bad this year we can grab Luck next year!
I don`t see the Bronco`s drafting a QB in this draft. That would be a wasted pick. They can get a vet QB in FA.
I have to say I feel a little sorry for any team that “needs” a QB because the pickings are little slim this year. Doesn’t seem to be anything close to a cinch pick available, certainly not in the 1st round. Some intriguing possibilities but what coach or GM wants to bet his future on a possible in the 1st round? That is part of the reason there is so much turnover in coaching! Stop betting on ” possibles” and you may last longer!
Nice read
I never snubbed a player cuz I dont know him but thats probably because I dont follow college football that much. I do snub players taken way ahead of their projected round like Beadles last year which caught me off guard. Like Bay says theres a formular. Last year the Patriots had virtually all hits. Now the question is was it that they draft good players or they are such great coaches they can bring out the best in focus players. A bit of both I suppose. This year for example, what positions do Patriots need? like NONE and have like 14 picks. Before this draft is over, they will probably trade half their picks away for more quality picks to make sure they get the guys they want because they dont need that much help.
Ive often thought of Moreno as TD, not just cuz they both went to georgia but their build and style is/can be the same. Moreno just needs that zone blocking. Still holding out for richard quinn who I wasnt a fan of drafting. We better not take a QB at all. This year is like 2007 (Jamacus russel and Brady Quinn in the first round) thats how bad the QB talent is. I personally think Jake Locker will be the best out of all of them. Give Tebow a full year before u decide he is not it just because he is not the prototypical QB Elway is. Franchise QBs come in different forms.
I have a problem with Elway looking for himself in a QB because there may never be another Elway like player. Everyone is different am I right? So give Timmy a chance to try and have the same effect on a franchise that Elway did.
we’re gonna draft a kicker with our first pick to throw everybody off guard, seriously…relax, no QB, and likely no offensive player for at least the first three rounds. I think Fox and Elway have seen the franchise do that so much in the past years and fail, they know to do something different. I think Elway would have seriously only went after a QB if Luck was available, I think we’d only have to worry then.
So I said I would hit the NFC West up with Bay’s letter this morning so here is my progress update…actually first I must say that this short dabble of looking at other blogs makes me appreciate our site even more!!:
-The Seachickens have their comments turned off on all of their blogs. Doesn’t surprise me at all….
-The Niner’s blog is like cracking a national secret to get into…and I’m waiting for my account to be “moderated” before I can post. Who do these guys think they are?
-I posted on the Ram’s latest blog, but they haven’t had a comment since March 20th!! My comment is awaiting moderation.
-Posted on the Cardinal’s site, but it’s also awaiting moderation.
Is Glax the guy who also claimed to have a revolutionary defensive scheme that was going to change all of football? I saw him being discussed on the last blog earlier today, but didn’t have a chance to comment because I was busy at work. I confronted him via blog that night he was saying that stuff on Coop’s blog, but it didn’t detour him one bit.
Samurai, I am almost 100% sure we won’t take a QB in the first, but the fact that we are looking for a QB so openly is scary to me. I read an article on NFL.com that speculated we might take Cam…I honestly had to laugh because cam is more of a risk than Tebow in my mind…I just haven’t been this excited about a Broncos QB ever and I rather not see him get thrown under the bus without as much as a chance to prove himself!…all I ask is don’t make that mistake Elway!
Tebow 11′
Yovi:
I wouldn’t let the media hype worry you. No one from the Broncos have said anything different about our QB that they haven’t said about every other position, and they’re essentially obligated to say it because its the PC thing to say….all positions will be evaluated.
I too dont like that Elway has been way into qb’s. Give Tebow a chance than after a decent amount of time if he can’t do it than we can look into a qb. but next year. plus fox said we were going to use our first 4 draft picks for 4 starters. i highly doubt that a rookie qb would start.
TEBOW 2011!
Another reason I seriously want Tebow to start this year is because if he doesnt. If luck is available next year and elway really wants him, he will make moves to get him, and then we would have luck without Tebow ever getting a real shot. All we want is for the kid to get a shot, if he fails he fails but he wont IMO. All he does is win and defy odds. His work ethic and intangibles carry him in a remarkable way. Not to mention he is a double threat. I dont think we will draft a QB either and like I said, Franchise QBs come in all shapes and sizes, not just the prototypical Elway build. Just a chance is all we ask for … a real shot. A year dedicated to making it work before we go wasting picks. Thats all I want at least..
3rdGen
The person you are refering to was gmoneycricket or someing close to that. That guy was halarious. Havent heard from him in a while. I wonder why? lol
3rdGeneration. That’s because Broncos are number one, plus they owe it to the fans to keep up the site after what they had us go through the last couple of years.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Both sides will have sizeable contingents at Wednesday’s federal court hearing in the case of Brady et al v. the National Football League et al.
But some big names in the NFL and the NFL Players Association won’t be in attendance.
Sources said Tuesday that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and general counsel Jeff Pash, as well as named plaintiffs Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, aren’t expected to appear in U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson’s court when she hears the arguments for and against an injunction to lift the NFL lockout. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, another named plaintiff, already has said a previous commitment will keep him from making the trip.
THEY ALL REALLY HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO?????? What a joke
With the number of DT’s in the draft this year and no DT’s on the roster with any experience, if Denver drafts a QB in the draft at all it will clearly indicate that they have totally taken leave of their senses! There is no starting QB in the draft this year with all of them being 1-3 year projects, with a lot of luck. There is certainly no QB worth the millions a 1st Rounder gets. Too many holes for them to be experimenting on a QB with the hope he will work out someday. I think both Elway and Fox are smart enough to see that or they wouldn’t be where they are. I understand due diligence in evaluating all players as long as it doesn’t take too much time away from the looking closely at ones you really need on the team right now. Let’s hope the time spent on players they don’t really need doesn’t cause a misfire on the ones they do!
Once you have a good foundation with a good system that works and players buy into, you can interchange players without much of a hitch, alas Packers, Patriots etc…. (Except of course a couple of key players on each side).
The Broncos enjoyed great success in the mid to late 90′s due to all players buying into the system. They were ready to win and bought into Shanny’s system. Most of those players were late round selections… Davis, (6th rd), Sharpe (7th rd), FA -Schlereth (10th rd) etc. Rod Smith – UFA. JE was of course the only 1st rd selection. We had a few castoffs from other Teams as well. Only thing with Shanny was that he held on to this philosphy and really didn’t start to focus on building thru the draft until his last few years, which by then was too late. (Of course no stability on the D side). Now with FA coming up every 4 to 5 years, they can’t let up and have to find those players thru the draft each and every year. Picking up players from FA is a good thing but really only to plug a hole for a year or two.
They big key for the triumvirate is to find those players each and every year going forward. Let’s build the foundation starting with our Defense.
Dumervil + Dareus = Defense in DENVER!!
Theres a video on NFL.com about Gabbert that is definitely worth the watch.
Interesting to see the EF-X Trio in full concentration!
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-everything-to-prove/09000d5d81f1aa54/Everything-to-Prove-Episode-7?module=HP_cp2
Just noticed the poll at the Denver Post website asking who the Broncos should take at #2. Not surprising Marcel Dareus is leading, whats surprising is how close the second choice is!
Out of 20,205 votes-
MD-29.90%
PP-24.50%
Instead trade #2 for more picks-14.76%
If Panthers don’t take Gabbert with first overall pick, Cardinals will get him at #5 pick.
Then again maybe the Bills.
I say we trade with either the Bengals or Cardinals and get their 1st round pick and their 2nd round pick! You have to remember, the cardinals have like the 5th pick in the 2nd round I believe so I think we should highly consider being trade partners with them!!!
It makes the most sense trading with the Cardinals because they do not want to take a chance losing out on either Newton or Gabbert and we get their 5th overall pick and another 2nd round pick that will put us at 3 2nd round picks!!
Hopefully Peterson is there at #5 as he would be absolutely worth the #5 overall pick, I think he is even worthy of the 2nd overall pick. It all comes down to the Bengals with Peterson. They either take Peterson or Green. They also need a QB. Most people have Bengals taking Green.
I have checked out about 10 mock drafts just a minute ago and everyone has the cards taking Gabbert if he is there!! I think they would for sure want to seize up their QB and trade with us and give up their 2nd round pick!!!
Thank you Mr. Saccomano, you always have good columns. They are always good reads with a lot of insight and great Broncos history, much appreciated!
This portion really lifts the spirits after having a dismal year, with all thats going on in the NFL and what have you, this makes me proud to be a Broncos fan.
“This team has had an illustrious history, second most wins in the NFL since Pat Bowlen bought the team in 1984, two Super Bowl wins and six AFC titles (five under Mr. B.) And we have a hard working group of player personnel people doing everything they can to study every player.”
I have faith in out organization to do whats right and return us to prominence.
-Royalty
*our
Thats right Kengro it was cricket.
He was throwing out a bunch of defensive formations, then somebody asked him if he was ‘some kind of coach’ because ‘he knew a lot about defense’ I think that may have given him a big head (idk) but, he really got passionate about it; then, I don’t really know who called him out on it and finally kinda forced his hand into answering the first portion of the question ‘if he was some kinda coach’ after posting that he had just played HS football but that they had had ‘complex defensive schemes’ a lot of the fellas kinda laughed it off and I really think he took it personally, well obviously lol because he hasn’t been back since. To get it straight though no one said anything hateful, vicious or attacked him personally, no one went all Glax on him lol. I think he just was sensitive. Who knows…
I would be very happy also to see something like this..
dareus
paea/austin
wilson/jones
Freak30? “Very happy” to see Dareus with our first pick… Never thought I would see that on any of your posts. lol
If we can pull off getting dareus and paea, our front seven would go from league worst to just about league best. I’m all for that. The orange crush could be back
Looking at this draft trade chart though if we were to trade down to the fifth spot according to the chart it could be worth a second and a third pick just to move down three spots. I like the idea of that too.
http://www.draftcountdown.com/features/Value-Chart.php
Todd McShay’s projection has 8 defensive ends going in the first round. McShay has Da’Quan Bowers going sixth overall to Cleveland. Bowers is one of several defensive linemen with injury concerns entering the draft. Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers led the nation with 15 ½ sacks, however having surgery on his right knee kept him from attending the combines and ran a 4.8 – 40 on his pro day. According to McShay Robert Quinn is powerful, but because the North Carolina Defensive End was suspended by the NCAA for the entire 2010 season he hasn’t seen live action since December 26, 2009, so, question marks. Defensive Tackle Nick Fairly, the Defensive MVP in the BCS National Championship game and Lombardi Award winner (awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker) was inconsistent at times in his two seasons at Auburn , as noted many times on this blog. Not on the list of question mark players who else but Alabama Defensive Tackle Marcell Dareus, who seems to have it all.
McShay called the Denver Broncos the “real winners” because he has the Carolina Panthers taking Auburn quarterback Cam Newton with the No. 1 pick. That would leave the entire defensive draft board to Denver at No. 2.
McShay has Denver, which has massive needs on defense, jumping on Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. McShay indicated he thinks Dareus may be the best player in the draft and he thinks the Panthers should take him. McShay thinks this would be a major coup for Denver.
Todd McShay’s compare/contrast on Nick Fairly and Marcell Dareus so why take one over the other?
“It comes down to scheme versatility and just being able to provide more, in the case of Dareus.” said Todd McShay, “When you look at Fairly he’s a phenomenal pass rusher. He’s one of the better pass rushers you’ll ever see coming out of the college ranks in terms of his initial quickness his athleticism, explosiveness, but he’s not great versus the run. He takes some plays off and there are some concerns that taking plays off match with a lack of work ethic off the field, leads him to have some bust potential. Dareus, it’s an every down thing. He’s not as great an athlete in terms of the initial pass rush, but he’s strong versus the run, he’s going to give you three downs, has no concerns about work ethic and is just going to be with you day in and day out. Thats why I think Dareus if he’s not the first overall pick, certainly will go in the top five.”
BTW Todd McShay as well as Mel Kiper have PP going to the 49ers with the 7 overall pick.
-Royalty
Do we pick a QB first and then trade Orton or trade Orton first and get what we need… Either way Tebow in ’11
I love reading ESPN.com articles and finding all of the typos and missing words that their HORRIBLE writers always do. Makes me laugh
If Carolina picks Newton #1, they aren’t trying to build a team, they are trying to make a splash. Same sort of thing Tenn tried with Young, Way too much risk with him to be a #1 pick. Questionable work ethic in particular and ethics in general, no time under center, comes from a simplistic ofense, doesn’t like the film room, more worried about being an icon than being a QB, very much a me first player. Hopefully, they won’t wake up and realize they should take Dareus so Denver can take him but I suspect that Carolina will take Gabbard, not Newton. Too many questions and not enough answers. Fairly is a major talent but also has some major questions left to be answered. He, like Newton, is another player who has gotten along on his athletic ability and not had to work to improve. In fact, most of the DT’s other than Dareus have some questions about something. After Dareus, it gets a little confusing trying to sort out the true possibilities from the hype.
I have a gut feeling that Cam Newton will be good. I know there are a lot of people that dont like him but i think that he has everything that he needs to be a productive player and maybe a franchise type QB if he buckles down and works hard. Only thing i dont know is how well he can read defenses and stuff like that. But i just have a feeling about him. Same feeling i have about Tebow
I honestly don’t understand why everyone is hyped on Newton and weren’t on Tebow…Newton is Tebow, the only difference is that he played at auburn and doesn’t even have close to the work ethic or leadership that Tebow possesses! My personal thoughts on Cam: THE NEXT BIG BUST! if there was one thing I saw in the BCS bowl it was that Newton really struggles in the pocket! I hope Carolina takes a QB so we can trade back to the Cards spot and pick Peterson, Miller, Fairley, or Bowers..Then with the 4th and 5th picks in the second we may be able to pick up Mathews, Paea, and or Raheem Moore…Then with our late pick in the 2nd we get a solid catching TE…Honestly if we could do that I think I would be extremly satisfied with our draft…probably more than any other scenario, I mean how many teams have the option to trade back and get another 2nd and still sit in the top 5? Lets not mess this up!
TEBOW 11′
Haha BroncoRoyalty…
That’s just an option that I would be very happy with! My very first option and the mock draft I am going with this draft is!
Trade with Arizona and get their #5 pick and get Peterson
Paea/Austin
Nevis/Wilson
Matthews/Stocker
Jarrett
I think that is my dream draft right there!! I believe that would be our best option in this draft!!
Yovie honestly I think its a race thing. Its ok for Cam to be a mobile QB cuz he is black but were down on Tebow last year cuz he was mobile and white. Its a diservice to both races because Black QBs arent given credit as pocket passers and white QBs are almost looked down on if they are more scramble than pass but its ok for black QBs. Altho Aaron Rodgers has to be like the fast white QB ive ever seen in the NFL. That man moves but his passing is phenomenal which is why he probably didnt catch flack.
Honestly I think it will come down to this. I think Peterson or Dareus will go one and depending on who goes 1 we will take the other (hoping Dareus goes 1). Lotta DT talent in this years draft, plus we inked Vickerson which sounds like we are dedicated to starting him. Vickerson and Paea sounds good to me.
How does trading down work im curious, when u trade down must the team trading up tell you who they are going to draft with the pick? And what if they tell you they will draft someone but then draft someone else like oh say the person you wanted. For example if we wanted Patrick Peterson and traded spots with the Bills cuz they want a QB or something and Take Peterson just to scoop us, are there any parameters that will get them in trouble or stop that from happening or is it just the honor code and based on wanting repeat trade business with the person?
casino royal, you hit the problem on the head. How hard is he prepared to work to be the man? He has never had to work that hard because he just flat had more athletic talent than the players around him. Not true anymore. Will he buckle down or fold? How much money do you risk to find out? How good could VY be if would just get over himself? Newton has every bit as much talent but also seems to have a lot of the same issues as VY. There is nothing so far to show he can overcome those issues any better than VY has.
Yovi
I’ve always loved tebow. I own 2 of his jerseys lol. I never said that I hope we draft cam or anything, I just think he will be a good player for whatever team he goes to is all I said. I feel that way about christan ponder too but I hope that we don’t draft him either. Cam was just brought up in the post above mine was the only reason I talked about him.
Tebow in 11
TRB…
I do not know if you have to tell the team who you are going to draft but EVERYONE knows that the Cards biggest need is QB. QB is the biggest position in football and they will take a QB! I am pretty sure the Bills will take Miller so that just leaves the Bengals which could take either Peterson or Green!
But here would be this scenario if out of the top 5 picks Denver would only be the team that traded it would be like this!
With us trading our #2 pick with the Cardinals that then that most likely is:
Dareus, Miller, Gabbert, Newton, Green, and Peterson will most likely be the top 6 picks!!
Panthers- Most likely taking a QB but have been said to really like Clausen so they could take Dareus but comes down to Newton, Gabbert, and Dareus!
Cards- The need a QB more than any team on the board so they have no chance on drafting any other position but QB so they take either Newton or Gabbert!!
Bills- Need a LB more than anything so will most likely take Miller or a QB if Newton or Gabbert is still on the board!
Bengals- They need a big QB and WR and I really see them taking Green but they could also take Peterson so this is what it really comes down too! They could also take Dareus as they need DL help if Dareus is here!
Broncos- We could take Peterson here, in my opinion, and still get another 2nd round pick!! With getting another 2nd round pick this would give us great ammo in the 2nd round and we could grab DL talent like Paea, maybe, Austin, Nevis, and others that will slip to the 2nd. We could also grab our MLB in either Wilson or Jones!! I believe this would be our best choice or either getting Peterson at #2 would be our best choice! He is the best player in the draft and would also dominate at not only defense but also ST!!
acording to this page http://www.draftcountdown.com/features/Value-Chart.php if we trade our 1rd pick to arizona we should get in return their
1rd pick 2rd pick, 3rd pick, 4rd pick, 5rd pick
ST. PAUL, MINN. — The NFL and NFL Players Association wrapped up a hearing Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson in which the players requested an injunction to lift the lockout.
Nelson said she will take the case “under advisement” and she will need “a couple weeks” to issue a ruling. In the meantime, she suggested a continuation of negotiations in a federal court setting.
a couple of weeks??!?!? BLAH! I want trading and FA to be possible before the draft. Rule NOW darn it (in the favor of players). Altho we already knew it will take a while for the ruling.
Huh? If Panthers take Marcel, we better take PP or trade back. NO NEWTON
http://m.nfl.com/site?t=VmNvU3BzNEToIbrfM9fOmw&sid=nfl2
yea I saw that article too sndvl. mindless drivel. How can we take Cam who is Tebow without the supercharged intangibles? Not to mention we said we cant miss with this pick and need an instant starter and that defense has been negelected alot. Taking all 3 into factor, PP is the man. I Hope and expect the Panthers to take Dareus and us to take PP. P-squared in 2011!!!