As the 2008 NFL draws to a close, the Broncos have spent the last month planning for the 2009 campaign and beyond.
The shock and surprise of the team’s first head coaching change in 14 years has now settled into the reality that the Josh McDaniels era is underway at Dove Valley.
Ultimately, time will tell how successful Coach McDaniels is. This past week there were strong indications that he is off to a great start.
Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler told 850 KOA last week that he wasn’t exactly a happy camper when he heard the news of Coach Shanahan’s dismissal.
“I was mad, I was shocked, I was disappointed,” Cutler admitted. “Coming off my third year, we had a lot of success and I felt like we were going to take some steps back and start all over again. When it first happened, I wasn’t very happy about it.”
But after speaking with his new head coach several times, Cutler believes the Broncos hired the right guy.
“He impressed me from the start,” Cutler told 850 KOA. “(He’s) very sharp, you can tell he had a lot of energy. A month removed (from the change), after the fact, you can kind of understand why it was time for a change.”
Obviously I am no football coach and I didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. But I know the Broncos’ new coach had to get the quarterback is his corner.
Coach McDaniels is winning Cutler over and the quarterback believes the rest of the players will soon learn why he is so excited about his new head coach.
“I think the guys are going to be able to relate to him,” Cutler said. “I don’t think they’ll have any problems respecting him even though he is 32 because he has a presence about him and I haven’t even met him in person. This is just (from talking with him) over the phone. I have a good feel about him.”
Certainly none of this guarantees a spot in the playoffs next year but it is undoubtedly a good start.
Coach McDaniels has spent the last few weeks filling out his coaching staff. Most notably, former 49ers’ head coach Mike Nolan is the Broncos’ new defensive coordinator.
Nolan has often used the 3-4 scheme, one which many people have pointed out doesn’t fit the Broncos’ current personnel. Given the struggles the Broncos’ have had on defense the last few years, we would all be hard-pressed to think of a defensive scheme they could run that would produce a vastly improved result.
Furthermore, to think that Nolan can only coach a defense that runs a 3-4 seems short-sighted to me. The man has been coaching in the NFL since 1987. He knows defense, not just one defense.
Again, the credentials don’t guarantee a thing. But let’s at least give him a chance to unpack the moving boxes before we start telling him what defense to run.
Change can be unsettling. In this case, the sudden and dramatic nature of it turned the Broncos’ football operations partially upside down. That is difficult for all involved.
But that time is quickly becoming the past. Now Coach McDaniels is settling in and Cutler, for one, is embracing the change.
“I put down the phone (after their first conversation) and texted Casey (Wiegmann) and said, ‘You need to call this guy; he’s the real deal,’” Cutler shared. “When Josh was hired everyone (was thinking), ‘He’s 32 and he hasn’t had any head coaching experience.’ But it’s going to be fun.”
Coach Shanahan is a great football coach and will one day be in the NFL Hall of Fame. Before that, he will likely land a another really good head coaching position in the NFL. Moreover, his legacy will rightly be as one of the best coaches in Denver sports history. A big, big part of me wishes he were still the Broncos’ head coach.
I can also say that as the days go by, I find myself more excited about Coach McDaniels and his staff. I am looking forward to the off-season more than I have in a long time.
Now that the assistant coaches are on board, what are your thoughts about the new staff? I ask you keep your comments respectful; I enjoy reading your posts.
Thanks and I’ll catch up with you next week and share some thoughts about the Super Bowl.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Jay Cutler, Josh McDaniels, Mike Nolan
They would probably trade Doom for draft picks, a pick I think on the first day. Say second or three round depending on the other teams need and value of Doom.
Also I like Hillis at FB, I think they should have him and a good back maybe Torain run the football. Have Hillis block but also be able to catch passes and sometimes rushing out of the FB spot. Creates more mismatchs that way.
good points about the mismatches at the FB position, if they use a FB. To many games without one last year.
I hope the coaches are thinking what all of us are thinking – DRAFT ONLY DEFENSE!!!!! We’ve got the offense (for the most part) squared away, its the defense that needs a whole new face lift but keep Champ & Bly. Our offense needs a little help with figuring out who should be our starting FB or possibly RB – no question about that in my humble opinion… HILLIS!!!!! I’d say Hillis & Royal could share that (trade off) and maybe put Royal as a full-time kick/punt returner. The kid has speed and if some of the coaches could work with him a bit on being flexible and versatile by getting around guys trying to stop him, we’d have a gold mine with him (not that we already don’t). But from what I saw of the few games Hillis played in last season, he most definitely earned a fair chance to fight for a starting FB position.
I’m hoping the coaches see that our D needs the most help, with 2nd place going to our special teams and then the spot that needs the least help (but can’t forget them) is offense. And if all 3 areas could get at least a solid foundation, which I pretty much see on offense with Cutler as the leader they’ll figure out quickly that its ALL a TEAM effort.
There’s my 2 cents… for now!!
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
The Broncos have five expected Free Agent’s on there roster and some players may choose to viod the last year on their contract and become a Free Agent.
Andre Hall had injury issues.
Marlon McCree will be going into His 9th season also had ankle problems.
Tom “NAILS” Nalen is expected also to retire.
Michael Pittman will be going into His 12th yr. WOW! and had injury Issues.
Nate Webster going into His 10th season also with knee issues.
It’s a short list and pretty much all take care of themselves, Andre Hall maybe the only one retained but with His size and the amount of back’s we have I have my doubt’s. GOOD LUCK Gentlemen, Thanks for your service’s you will all be rememberd well.
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Here is an updated list of Defensive Linemen available through Free Agency.
Rocky Bernard (Seahawks)
Bertrand Berry (Cardinals)
Chris Canty (Cowboys)
Kevin Carter (Buccaneers)
La’Roi Glover (Rams)
Jovan Haye (Buccaneers)
Albert Haynesworth (Titans)
Grady Jackson (?)
Ed Johnson (Colts)
Anthony Montgomery (Redskins)
Ryan Neill (Bills)
Julius Peppers (Panthers)
Antonio Smith (Cardinals)
Terrell Suggs (Ravens)
John Thornton (Bengals)
Gabe Watson (Cardinals)
Who do you think Coach Nolan want’s?
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Here’s a list of expected DB Free agent’s.
Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders)
Oshiomogho Atogwe (Rams)
Yeremiah Bell (Dolphins)
Atari Bigby (Packers)
C.C. Brown (Texans)
Mike Brown (Bears)
Fakhir Brown (Rams)
Fernando Bryant (Patriots)
Phillip Buchanon (Buccaneers)
Josh Bullocks (Saints)
James Butler (Giants)
Chris Crocker (Dolphins)
Brian Dawkins (Eagles)
Reed Doughty (Redskins)
Andre’ Goodman (Dolphins)
Eric Green (Cardinals)
Brent Grimes (Falcons)
DeAngelo Hall (Raiders)
Rodney Harrison (Patriots)
Kelvin Hayden (Colts)
Sean Jones (Browns)
Brian Kelly (Lions)
Dawan Landry (Ravens)
Marlon McCree (Broncos)
Brandon McGowan (Bears)
Lawyer Milloy (Falcons)
Jarrad Page (Chiefs)
Jermaine Phillips (Buccaneers)
James Sanders (Patriots)
Darren Sharper (Vikings)
What do you think?
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I noticed no DL from The AFC west. I wonder what Coach Nunnely think’s of this list.
I also wonder what Coach Donatell thinks of the DB’s list, coaching most of His carrer on the eastern side of the US.
Coach Nolan has been all over.
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I was very concerned that Coach McDaniel was going to go away from the Broncos zone blocking scheme as it seemed at times like he wasn’t going to retain Dennison and/or Turner. But, they’re in the fold and, obviously, it means that the zone blocking is still going to be the offensive style of blocking.
And for all you Tuten haters, guess you don’t know as much about conditioning as you’ve bellowed time and time again. If there was any doubt in Coach McDaniels mind about Tuten’s capabilities, Tuten would be on the outside looking in.
Nolan as DC is a fantastic choice. Some of you have been belittling him because he stunk as HC. Guess what? Being an excellent DC/OC or whatever doesn’t mean you can cut it as Head Coach. If there ever was a prime example of someone with exceptional talent as as OC/DC or whatever, look at Norv Turner. He’s been a head coach more than once and he’s sucked at it every time, but he’s still an exceptional OC.
Think DT for 1st round draft pick. A dominating DT will totally upgrade the performace of the rest of the defense. With a dominating DT, the DE’s will be freer to rush the QB. With less time, the secondary can play tighter giving the QB less to look at, etc, etc.
Brooncos and SD in a tight battle for West AFC champions.
hey what happened to mike anderson and any chance of him playin FB for us again. i also wouldnt mind Ceisel Sapp come back i mean there not outstanding but how often do u think our FB will be used when we throw i bet we have hillis in and a fast RB. and bout that DB list Dawkins will most likely resign Nnamdi Asomugha will be tagged and Darren Sharper will prolly resign. Oh and Mike Brown from the bears is injury prone hes out every week with a new injury.
Potential DT’s in this years draft
Kenderick Allen UFA Vikings
Jonathan Babineaux UFA Falcons
Rocky Bernard UFA Seahawks
Shaun Cody UFA Lions
Colin Cole UFA Packers
Damane Duckett UFA 49ers
Dwan Edwards UFA Ravens
Fred Evans RFA Vikings
Gary Gibson RFA Panthers
La’Roi Glover UFA Rams
Kedric Golston RFA Redskins
Howard Green UFA Seahawks
Jovan Haye UFA Buccaneers
Albert Haynesworth UFA Titans
Grady Jackson UFA Falcons
Jason Jefferson UFA Falcons
Tank Johnson UFA Cowboys
William Joseph UFA Raiders
Jimmy Kennedy UFA Jaguars
Antwan Lake UFA Saints
Brandon McKinney RFA Ravens
Anthony Montgomery RFA Redskins
Kenny Peterson UFA Broncos
James Reed UFA Saints
Darrell Reid UFA Colts
Ryan Sims UFA Buccaneers
Kenny Smith UFA Patriots
Montavious Stanley RFA Saints
John Thornton UFA Bengals
Kevin Vickerson RFA Titans
Darwin Walker UFA Panthers
Gabe Watson RFA Cardinals
Mike Wright UFA Patriots
Ellis Wyms UFA Vikings
Jeff Zgonina UFA Texans
potential FA DE’s
Victor Adeyanju RFA Rams
Jason Babin UFA Chiefs
Bertrand Berry UFA Cardinals
Stephen Bowen RFA Cowboys
Chris Canty UFA Cowboys
Kevin Carter UFA Buccaneers
Earl Cochran RFA Texans
Phillip Daniels UFA Redskins
Chauncey Davis UFA Falcons
Ebenezer Ekuban UFA Broncos
Demetric Evans UFA Redskins
Ronald Fields UFA 49ers
Otis Grigsby RFA Vikings
Jason Hunter RFA Packers
Stanley McClover RFA Texans
Jerome McDougle UFA Giants
Jayme Mitchell RFA Vikings
Mike Montgomery UFA Packers
Eric Moore UFA Rams
C.J. Mosley UFA Jets
Igor Olshansky UFA Chargers
Julius Peppers UFA Panthers
Orpheus Roye UFA Steelers
Corey Smith UFA Lions
Antonio Smith UFA Cardinals
Josh Thomas UFA Colts
Kenechi Udeze UFA Vikings
James Wyche RFA Jaguars
Renaldo Wynn UFA Giants
i ment FA with the DT’s not draft
ILB’s
Eric Alexander RFA Patriots
Eric Barton UFA Jets
Monty Beisel UFA Cardinals
Ricky Brown RFA Raiders
Channing Crowder UFA Dolphins
Andra Davis UFA Browns
John DiGiorgio RFA Bills
Keyaron Fox UFA Steelers
Tony Gilbert UFA Falcons
Kris Griffin UFA Browns
Napoleon Harris UFA Vikings
Brian Iwuh RFA Jaguars
Larry Izzo UFA Patriots
Teddy Lehman UFA Bills
Paris Lenon UFA Lions
D.D. Lewis UFA Seahawks
Ray Lewis UFA Ravens
Mike Peterson UFA Jaguars
Bart Scott UFA Ravens
Adam Seward UFA Panthers
Cody Spencer UFA Jets
Zach Thomas UFA Cowboys
Patrick Thomas UFA Chiefs
Dontarrious Thomas UFA Vikings
Jonathan Vilma UFA Saints
Nate Webster UFA Broncos
OLB
Jon Alston RFA Raiders
James Anderson RFA Panthers
Darryl Blackstock UFA Bengals
Rocky Boiman UFA Chiefs
Michael Boley UFA Falcons
Keith Brooking UFA Falcons
Kevin Burnett UFA Cowboys
Khary Campbell UFA Redskins
Angelo Crowell UFA Bills
Donté Curry UFA Panthers
Karlos Dansby UFA Cardinals
Isaiah Ekejiuba UFA Raiders
Keith Ellison RFA Bills
Troy Evans UFA Saints
Heath Farwell UFA Vikings
Alfred Fincher UFA Redskins
Andre Frazier UFA Steelers
Roderick Green UFA 49ers
Clark Haggans UFA Cardinals
Tyjuan Hagler UFA Colts
Marques Harris UFA Chargers
Arnold Harrison RFA Steelers
Leroy Hill UFA Seahawks
Rashad Jeanty RFA Bengals
Brandon Johnson RFA Bengals
Freddy Keiaho RFA Colts
Lance Laury RFA Seahawks
Wesly Mallard UFA Seahawks
Corey Mays RFA Bengals
Darrell McClover UFA Bears
Willie McGinest UFA Browns
Ryan Nece UFA Lions
Shantee Orr UFA Browns
Carlos Polk UFA Cowboys
Takeo Spikes UFA 49ers
Gary Stills UFA Rams
Terrell Suggs UFA Ravens
Robert Thomas UFA Raiders
Sam Williams UFA Raiders
Coy Wire UFA Falcons
Pierre Woods RFA Patriots
i didnt look into it but i never knew pittmans contract was up. and about the FB issue lorenzo Neils contracts up lol
raiderhater78, The Broncos did miss Cecil Sapp last year, He’s was as consistent as anybody in the last five years and truely wanted to be here.
I forgot to add Ebeneezer Ekuban as a Free Agent He to has served The Broncos well and will be remembered fondly GOOD LUCK Sr.
THNX for the info, what do you think our D Coaches are thinking about what they have to work with and what’s available? Do you forsee any trades?
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monodono-
You nee to get in with the organization. your research and knowledge is rediculous!
Thanks for the input you guy’s, some times I feel like I’m talking to myself. broncos14441 I would love to have my own Blog site with The Organization, I’m just another Fan who craves the info. Mr. Rice get me in Bro! “A Fan for the Fan’s Blog”. Anyway…
I think we’ve made some strides here in evaluating the current roster, and if we look at our Free Agents list’s we may see some trade possiblities. We do have a plethera of RB’s and maybe some TE’s or D Linemen who may no longer fit in. I would love to find a new home for some of the talent on our TEAM.
Niko Koutouvides LB/ST
Mario Haggan LB
Boss Bailey LB
Ryan McBean DE
John Elglebeger DE
Adam Bergen TE
Clifford Russell WR
Edell Shepherd WR
Jayson Foster WR
Alex Haynes RB
Vernon Fox S
Herana-Daze Jones S
Jack Williams CB
The question is were can we move these Men to get the maximun return? Any Ideas ?
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BroncoAssie, your right on the Money!
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You all have done a great job with the research. Having been off the site now for about a week, I come back to 125+ comments that took me 30+ minutes to read…and enjoyed every word!
07Elway – I have both the Elway and Cutler FHs, and if I could only pick one, I’d keep John’s. I like the Cutler one, but the orange jersey on Elway looks fantastic! He’s got his old Mizuno shoes…towel tucked in the waistband…seriously sweet FH!
Just my 2c from up here in the frozen north.
GO BRONCOS!
BroncoAussie, once again I think your right on the Money! That’s exactly why I posted each of those players. Where do you see any new Trades and with who?
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AK-Broncomaniac… thanks for the input. I’m so excited to get mine, they’re supposed to get here tomorrow (Monday). I’m practically beside myself, I’m so excited to get Elway’s most definitely. And I really wanted Cutler’s just b/c in my opinion he reminds me so much of a young Elway… so full of talent just itching to get his chance to lead this team to victory. Yeah, when I saw Elway’s FH with the classic Orange jerseys I had to have one but its taken me sometime to get them.
Can’t wait til tomorrow!!!!!!! :p
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
bronco#80, I would Seriously Love a position with The Organization!
I also Love your D! I think it’s the best one so far, Just not sold on Woodyard at Safety yet. I need to see more of it to be sure.
I also Love Ron Brace and Bertram Berry but would put Marcus Thomas or Dewayne Robertson at DE.
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WHAT HAPPENED TO bronco#80′s COMMENTS? IT LOOK’S LIKE I’M TALKING TO MYSELF AGAIN.
BroncoAussie, what if (and it’s a big if) The Raiders didn’t tag Nnamdi Asomugha with a franchise lable and The Broncos were able to sign Him. Then maybe They could trade Bly and Bailey. Just a thought
But on a serious note, I think if there will be any trades it would be for a Veteran Safety or draft picks. I would love to see The Broncos sign Brian Dawkins type player. Then maybe we could draft a good Safety next year.
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monodono – don’t want to get hostile so soon but are you saying we should trade Champ? I won’t say anymore about that till I read your answer. But seriously??
Asomugha is an awesome player and I just read that he gave quite the compliment to Cutler but I’m not sold on the idea of he’s better than Bly & Bailey put together. You were definitely right when you said that was a big if… that’s a HUGE if.
Didn’t mean to jump in there like that but you got me goin now!!
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
07elway, I never said Asomugha was better than Champ and bly put together. I was mearly dreaming then I woke up
The dreem included signing Asomugha as a FA. Then trading Bly and Bailey to move some older players with Very high salaries and get something like another CB + draft picks. ( Just a dream) Remember I said I sometimes say thing’s to spark debate and discusion or just pandemonium HA! GOTCHA!
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I Here is a list of FA safeties!
Rank Name Type Yr Ht/Wt College 2008 Team
S 1 Jermaine Phillips UFA 7 6-1/214 Georgia Tampa Bay
S 2 Oshiomogho Atogwe UFA 4 5-11/210 Stanford St. Louis
S 3 Brian Dawkins UFA 13 5-11/210 Clemson Philadelphia
S 4 Sean Jones UFA 5 6-1/215 Georgia Cleveland
S 5 Mike Brown UFA 9 5-10/207 Nebraska Chicago
S 6 Rodney Harrison UFA 15 6-1/218 Western Illinois New England
S 7 Darren Sharper UFA 12 6-2/210 William & Mary Minnesota
S 8 Lawyer Milloy UFA 13 6-0/210 Washington Atlanta
S 9 Josh Bullocks UFA 4 6-1/207 Nebraska New Orleans
S 10 Dawan Landry RFA 3 6-1/220 Georgia Tech Baltimore
S 11 Renaldo Hill UFA 8 5-11/190 Michigan State Miami
S 12 Yeremiah Bell UFA 5 6-0/205 Eastern Kentucky Miami
S 13 Jarrad Page RFA 3 6-2/220 UCLA Kansas City
S 14 Will Allen UFA 5 6-1/200 Ohio State Tampa Bay
S 15 Atari Bigby RFA 4 5-11/211 UCF Green Bay
S 16 James Butler UFA 4 6-3/210 Georgia Tech NY Giants
S 17 James Sanders UFA 4 5-10/207 Fresno State New England
S 18 Jim Leonhard UFA 4 5-8/185 Wisconsin Baltimore
S 19 Keith Davis UFA 6 5-11/207 Sam Houston State Dallas
S 20 Nick Ferguson UFA 10 5-10/201 Georgia Tech Houston
S 21 Abram Elam RFA 3 6-0/207 Notre Dame NY Jets
S 22 Eugene Wilson UFA 6 5-10/195 Illinois Houston
S 23 C.C. Brown UFA 4 6-0/208 Louisiana Houston
S 24 Marlon McCree UFA 8 5-11/204 Kentucky Denver
S 25 Chris Crocker UFA 6 5-11/192 Marshall Miami
S 26 Matt Giordano UFA 4 5-11/200 California Indianapolis
S 27 Jon McGraw UFA 7 6-3/209 Kansas State Kansas City
S 28 Gerald Sensabaugh UFA 4 6-0/218 North Carolina Jacksonville
S 29 Anthony Smith RFA 3 5-11/192 Syracuse Pittsburgh
S 30 Reed Doughty RFA 3 6-1/210 Northern Colorado Washington
S 31 Tank Williams UFA 7 6-2/223 Stanford New England
S 32 Pierson Prioleau UFA 10 5-11/188 Virginia Tech Jacksonville
S NR Michael Boulware UFA 5 6-3/220 Florida State Minnesota
S NR Nate Salley RFA 3 6-1/216 Ohio State Carolina
S NR Mike Adams UFA 5 5-11/196 Delaware Cleveland
This to me is a Great group of Men to choose from!
Out of all of them I like Sean Jones the best. I would also like to see Jermain Phillips or Dawan Landry.
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I just read the Bio’s on James Butler and Jarrad Page these guy’s are just what the doctor ordered.
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monodono – I see what ur sayin buddy but I gotta say trading Bly and Champ not a good idea. Nnamdis good but we need to Keep Champ. What we could do is Trade Bly and Boss and get somethin from them. I know im prolly the only 1 but I wouldnt be hurt if we traded DJ for a better D-Line with all the tallent at LB in the FA & Draft. Ray Lewis will most likely go back to the Ravens but Suggs would be good to pick up and so would Olshansky. they both know the 3-4 already. I agree Dan Connor would be good pick up so would Nick Roach from the Bears, hes worked with both Briggs and Urlacher.
monodono – And that’s why didn’t get so hostile on you right away. I knew there had to be some kind of method to your madness up there. Wouldn’t exactly say you got me, but you had me thinkin why you would want to trade Champ of all people!! I’ll let you just keep dreamin’
Trading Champ is just nuts!! Like raiderhater78 said, maybe trading Bly & Boss but I don’t even like the idea of trading Bly. I’ve still got my faith in him pretty firmly. And Boss… didn’t really have a chance to see what he could do for us b/c of his injury. He just might be worth seeing what he could do next season, hopefully he won’t be injured all over again. But if he were to get injured again or something, I’d say its time for him to go. No use in paying a guy millions for him to sit on the sidelines season after season. That’s just money down the drain.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
I dont know whats happening to my comments, they keep on getting takin off of here or disappearing for some reason.
I want to post my Defense since people didnt get to see it.
SS Barrett
FS (get safety in FA, Jermain Phillips (bucs) , Nick Ferguson (texans) , Darren Sharper (vikings) , or Oshiomogho Atogwe (rams)
CB Bly
CB Champ
OLB Dumervil
ILB Maulaga (assuming we get him in 1 round)
ILB D.J. Williams
OLB Woodyard
DE ( get Bertrand Berry or Chris Canty in FA)
NT Ron Brace ( get him in 2 round from Boston college)
DE Marcus Thomas
This was posted on nfl.com about 2 hours ago:
Broncos hire former player Phifer as assistant LBs coach
02/09/2009
The Denver Broncos on Monday hired Roman Phifer as assistant linebackers coach. Phifer, a 15-year NFL veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion, retired from the NFL in 2005.
Just had to come on here and say… I can’t contain my excitement anymore. I put up my Elway fathead today… HOLY TOLEDO!!!!!!!!! I think I’m in love! I can’t stop staring at it. If you don’t have one, I HIGHLY recommend it… SO worth $100. I could keep on boasting about it but I don’t want to rub it in. Bottom line… I LOVE it!! Cutler is going up tomorrow…. WAHOO!!!!
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!!
if i had to chose between Nnamdi and Bly im goin Nnamdi but to just trade Bly not a good i dea hes still has lots of tallent and I promise with a better Pass Rush and better Safties we’ll see his full potential. he gets burned cause they throw to his side so much.
I’m not sure everybody reallizes that both Champ Bailey and Dre Bly are in their 11th season’s and are scheduled to make over 17 Million combined The season. That’s a whole lotta money for just two players Ya I know it’s Champ I’m just saying WOW! Anyway….I got you guy’s talkin and thinkin.
The more I read the more I like about this guy James Butler and He’s only in His 4th season, The broncos may be able to get Him for a good price. Plus His size is perfect at 6’3″ 210 lbs. That’s what I’m talkin about.
I think NT and FS is The Broncos biggest need’s right now, not LB. It would be Great to get a top shelf LB in the Draft, But our need is DL and S.
I’ve also been looking at FA QB’s. Since Patrick Ramsey is a FA this year and a igh paid one at that. I think there is more value out there versus cost. I really like J.T O’sullivan what do you guy’s think?
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raiderhater78, actually I think Suggs will be tagged as a Franchise or trasitional player, and Ray will get paid, so that leaves Bart Scott on the FA stand. I alos agree with you Dre does have allot of talent and I have faith in His talent.
bronco#80, did’nt you have Woodyard as your safety on your first post of your D?
BroncoAussie, your absollutely right The Broncos biggest need is not CB but if The Broncos could sign Nnamdi that’s the only way they could think about a trade involveing Dre or Champ. They aslo hit the cap pretty hard.
Dre 4.5mill, and Champ 12.7mill. in fact if you look at the salaries and cap hits it’s a little lopsided.
Daniel Graham 4.1 Mill
Tom Nalen 4.1mill deserved every bit of it.
Patrick Ramsey 3.2Mill ?
Brandon Stokely 2.6Mill
John Engleberger 1.9Mill
Niko Koutouvides 1.3Mill fot ST?
Marquand Manuel 1.1Mill
Tony Scheffler 699,480
Elvis Dumervil 551,110
Brandon Marshall 526.824
Peyton Hillis 307450
Wesley Wood yard 301,666
I know there is some rookies in there, but Eddie Royals Cap hit will be 1.4Mill
Food for thought.
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Sorry those were last years cap hits
Roman Phifer will assist Don Martindale with the linebackers. This will be his first job as an assistant coach. This should complete the staff for 2009.
monodono, I had put Woodyard at FS in my first post, but I decided to scratch that and put him at OLB. Thinking about it, I think He should play OLB. There are some good safetys in FA like Jermain Phillips (bucs), Nick Ferguson (texans), Darren Sharper (vikings), or Oshiomogho Atogwe (rams). Are secondary is set except for the one safety we need. Barret, Champ, and Bly should stay were they are. The 4 main positions that we need to get through FA or the daft is DE, NT, ILB, and FS.
I hope we draft a Safety. Kinda random but thats all i got to say.
If we could get Raji with are 12 pick that would be great, if not go with Maulauga.
Just figured Id say that.
Monodono-
Monodono – I see what your getting at but you also have to think bout there Cap. To pay Lewis that money and Tag Suggs is gunna cost a fortune. You know there gunna be trying to build on that O-Line next year cause thats bout all they can fix lol. Plus who knows maybe Ray wants to leave in which u know there gunna tag him and not suggs. i d k its the NFL nothing turns out as expected.
bronco#80 – i like the Idea of D first pick but I personally would like to see our 12th overal pick go On the best LB in the draft
The Ravens may do what u said even tho im not sure Lewis wants to go back or they have the money to bring him and suggs back.
BroncoAussie – your absolutely rite our Number 1 Goal should be that line and LBs but if Nnamdi isnt tagged we need to jump on him quick cause hes gunna be big and every1 knows it.
Monodono – that is a lot of money to place on just 2 players thats why id like to see Dre go but we need a good plan to protect that side better if we let him go. which is where i kept hittin that champ at safety proposal cause then he can be at both sides at once and that frees up our safety issue. i know its a wild hope but I promise if its done u wont think im crazy. hes an amazing tackler, Blitzer, and the best pass defender in the league and know 1 will throw his way so if they dont know what side of the field hes gunna be on they cant avoid him. Plus then we wouldnt have to get Nnamdi or trade bly cause we could use Paymah and Williams (i know a lot of u r unsure bout Williams but hes good and watchin him intercept the ball in pre season was amazing i wanna see what he does on the field in a real game.)
raiderhater78, in my opinion I think we could do without getting any LB this offseason
OLB Woodyard
ILB Larsen
ILB DJ Williams
OLB Dumervil
The reason I think we should get Raji before Maulaga is because we have Larsen. Larsen is a great LB and I think he should play LB rather than FB (we have Pittman for FB). With Raji we will have are NT and then we we will put Marcus Thomas at DE. After that we just need to focus on DE (Bertrand Berry) and FS (Jermain Phillips, Nick Ferguson, Darren Sharper, or Oshiomogho Atogwe) in FA or the draft. Oh yeah and Im still not sold on the champ at safey idea!!
Hope this works…
Here’s my ideal starting Defensive line up:
At CB Champ and Dre. Karl paymah is the only other player I’m comfortable with. The Broncos need atleast one more back up.
At SS Josh Barrett or possibly a FA like Dawan Landry or Jarrad Page, and a FA At FS someone like Sean Jones or James Butler or Jermain Phillips would do nicely. Patrick Chung out Oregon would be the only rookie I would look at to many good FA’s out there. Hopefully We could pick up Taylor May’s next year in the Draft.
At LB I would put Larson and Williams on the inside with Haggan and Dumervil on the outside with Moss as a backup. (untill He proves Himself, which will happen it just may be at DE). Jamie Winborn has also proven to be an excellent backup/starter. With the lack luster performance of Niko, and Nate going to Free Agency I think we do need a little help at the LB possition. A FA LB like Suggs, Scott or Vilma would be Great to go with a Draft of Rey Maulaluga, Brian Cushing or James Laurinaitis.
At DE I would start Tim Crowder and move Dewayne Robertson from DT. I also think we could move Kenny peterson or Marcus Thomas although I would rather Keep Him at DT. Depending on what Moss endsup doing I think we are good at the ends.
At DT I think we are fine here as far as backup’s go, Mathias Askew may actually turn out to be a diamond in the rough, at 6’5′ 302 lbs His frame could hold more beef and this guy may bloom. The same could be said about Nic Clemons at 6’6″ 300 but I’m not sure He is ready. Carlton Powell, well we will see how He heals form the Achilles injury and He is still young I hope He fight’s through this and I wish you the best. That all said, this is still the number one position we need help at! With a premier True NT like Albert Haynsworth or Gabe Watson and a Draft pick like BJ Raji, Terrance Taylor, or Ron Brace The Broncos D will flourish. IT ALL STARTS AT NT!
now how’s that for a D?
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
I forgot to add Bertram Berry at DE….