OrangeandBlue: Denver Broncos Fan Blog

Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Kelly Stauffer, Andre Ware, David Klingler, Rick Mirer. Ouch. Every name on that list is a QB who was drafted higher than Jay Cutler. And that’s about the only notable thing any of them did in the NFL.

I’m seeing Broncos fans placing a lot of hope in Cutler. I am too. I hope he has a great NFL career and lives up to all the potential that Shanahan and the scouts see in him. But he’s not the savior of the franchise. He’s a raw, young QB with great ability — nd the same thing could have been said for every name in that list above. Let’s cool down on Jay for a bit and let him develop. Don’t buy his jersey yet. Don’t make a big deal if he throws an INT in practice. Time will tell if he deserves to be compared to Elway or Maddox.

At this moment, Jake Plummer is still the guy. Sure it’ll be good for him to feel the pressure of Jay Cutler standing on the sidelines, but right now, Jake Plummer is by far the best option at QB if the Broncos want to win football games. Jake, you aren’t forgotten here, and I’m still rooting for you. Jay will hopefully have his time, but this is still yours.

Traning camp starts at the end of this month and I’m eager for football news that is more than just speculation. But since it’s not here yet, I’ll join in the speculation. Here’s what I’m most interested in watching in training camp:

• QBs - Everyone is eager to see Cutler, but it’s a done deal he will make this team as a backup. I’m most interested in how Bradlee Van Pelt is going to do. He’s had a good offseason, but is he going to prove he’s valuable enough to keep three QBs on the roster?
• WRs - The Broncos always seem to have 5-6 young guys fighting for those last three spots. With L*lie (I don’t even want to type his name) not expected in camp, who will emerge as the #3 WR? How healthy is Javon Walker’s knee? Can Rod Smith again prove himself ageless? If Smith starts to show signs of slowing down, and Walker isn’t all the way back from his knee injury, the WR position could be more of a weakness than we expect.
• RBs - This is the weakest that the Broncos RBs have been going into camp in years. I’m a little anxious that Shanahan is overconfident about the Broncos running attack and feels he can throw anyone back there. Tatum Bell still hasn’t proven himself to be an everydown back, and Ron Dayne looked good at times, but didn’t play much last year. Is the committee of these two really going to get it done?
• DBs - The Broncos young DBs played pretty well last year. Now that last year’s rookies have a year of NFL experience playing together, can they surprise people as one of the best defensive backfields in the league?
• TEs - Plenty of questions here, and most of them start with ‘who’.
• K - Has Elam reached the point where bringing young kickers into traning camp is no longer a formality, and is actually competing for his job?
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Dear Mike Golic, Sean Salisbury, and Mark Schlereth,

As I anticipate training camp, I’ve enjoyed watching your Ultimate Depth Chart segments on SportsCenter. However, after watching yesterday, I’ve decided that I will watch future segments with my four year old daughter. That would be a much cheaper way for her to see clowns in action than to take her to the circus.

In yesterday’s segment, you discussed what would happen in the wild card round of the playoffs. Your projection was that the visiting Kansas City Chiefs would knock off the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field. Stinky, you did okay, and picked the Broncos to win. You are aware that the Broncos have beat the Chiefs the last five times they’ve played in Denver. Nice job. However, the fact that you allowed the other ‘experts’ to share their mindless reasons for picking the Chiefs means that your title of ‘expert’ is also called into question. You’re guilty by association.

First off, one of the reasons given was that if the Chiefs make the playoffs, then their suspect defense did improve and they will be rolling. So let me get this straight…their defense might be good enough to be a wildcard team, but now they are good enough to beat the winner of their division on the road? Where is the logic in that?

Second of all, you questioned Jake Plummer’s ability to win in the playoffs. I believe the statement was something along the lines of “Until Jake proves he can win in the playoffs…” Does only his last game count? (If so, then Tom Brady is questionable to, since his last playoff game was his first playoff loss — at the hands of Jake Plummer.) Wasn’t he responsible for the Cardinals first playoff win in something like 348 years? Wasn’t his rating over 100 in a playoff loss to the Colts a few years ago? Football is a team sport, and its pretty evident that it was the Broncos, and not Jake Plummer, who got beat by the Steelers last year, and the Colts in the years before that.

I’m really not as cranky as I sound. I’m just tired of listening to talk about football, and far more interested in watching it. What happens on the field is all that really matters anyway, so let’s get on with it already.

This is the time of the year when Broncos fans long for any news out of Denver, and there is little to report. Only a few moves were made in May, but we report them here so that you can keep up with the latest moves in anticipation of training camp. It’s less than two months away!

• The Broncos signed back DB WIllie Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks was a first round pick for Broncos a few years ago, but he never really contributed much. He was traded away to the 49ers last year, but has since been cut. With all the young talent in the Broncos defensive backfield, I can only imagine they are hoping he can contribute as a special teams player.
• With the end of the NFL Europe season, the Broncos signed three players who performed well there including RB Marty Johnson, LB Kevin Harrison, and DT Bryan Save.
• With the departure of Mike Anderson, most have speculated that RB Ron Dayne would get the shot to be the #1 back. Those speculations were confirmed in the QB minicamp as Dayne was getting reps with the first team.

As expected there was little activity in early April, as the Broncos and most other teams were preparing for the draft. All that changed this weekend as the draft reshaped the roster for 2006.

• Early in the month, the Broncos re-signed LB Patrick Chukwurah.
• Good news came out of Dove Valley this month as we learned that Dwayne Carswell has begun the process of coming back from his serious injuries in a car accident last fall. We’re all rooting for you, House.
• The Broncos acquired WR Javon Walker for a 2nd round pick in a draft day trade with the Packers. Walker should easily start, and if the Broncos can lock him up long-term, he should replace Rod Smith in a year or two as the Broncos #1 WR. Until then, he’ll certainly start and be a big contributor in the Broncos offense.
• The Broncos made a huge trade to move up in the draft and pick up QB Jay Cutler with the 11th pick. Some considered Cutler to be the best QB available in the draft. He may be the big-time QB that the Broncos have been lacking since Elway. As well as Plummer played last year, he won’t be replaced this season, but you can bet he’ll be aware of Cutler’s presence on the bench if things don’t go well.
• The Broncos other picks included TE Tony Scheffler (W Michigan) in the 2nd round, WR Brandon Marshall (C Florida) - 4th round, DE Elvis Dumervil (Louisville) - 4th round, WR Domenik Hixon (Akron) - 4th round, G Chris Kuper (North Dakota) - 5th round, and C Greg Eslinger (Minnesota) - 6th round.

It won’t be popular with some, but I have high hopes that the Broncos will draft LenDale White this weekend. So many reasons why:

• Being on the West Coast, I got to see LenDale play a lot of games at SC. He’s a great back, and as we saw in the Rose Bowl, he comes to play in big games.
• I think his running style would be great in the Broncos system. He is strong between the tackles and has the patience to sit back a bit and wait for the holes to develop.
• I like Tatum Bell, and I’m excited to see Dayne get his chance. But in order for the Broncos offense to work at it’s best, especially in the big games, an elite back needs to be lining up behind plummer. As well as the Broncos can run the ball with just about anyone, there is still a difference between a good back and a great back. Terrell Davis had 100 yards in every playoff game he played not just because of the offensive schemes, but because he took those schemes to the next level. From what I’ve seen, LenDale White can be that kind of elite back that even the best teams will fear. We’ve seen how well Plummer can play when the game isn’t fully on his shoulders, so let’s get some broad shoulders to help carry it.
• I want to see a featured back again. The multi-headed running attack has worked out, but a featured back would be better. Let’s get a guy who can wear down a defense and drag them along behind him in the 4th quarter. Throw Tatum in there for a few carries just to really keep the D on their toes, but I want to see LenDale back there getting 25 carries a game.

I don’t really care how it happens. Some will say that the 15th pick would be too early to pick him. Maybe he is going to fall farther, but if he gains 1200-1500 yards and gains over 100 yards in playoff games, no one will care when he was picked. No one at the 15th pick is a sure thing, so it’s not a matter of trying to decide who to get based on every experts mock draft. Who can contribute to this team next year and for years to come. LenDale is as safe of a bet as anyone else as that spot.

LenDale grew up in Denver…let’s bring him home.

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Okay, with little time left until the draft, I thought it to be about time for me to post a mock draft.

1. Houston Texans: RB Reggie Bush USC     

I honestly don’t know why this is debated.  Kubiak wants to establish what he had in Denver, and that’s a solid running game.  Bush is the best back to come out in a long time.

2. New Orleans Saints: OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson  Virginia 

Drew Brees will take a big sigh of relief once this selection is made.

3. Tennessee Titans: QB Matt Leinhart  USC

I personally don’t think that Leinhart is better than the other two QB’s on the board, but don’t tell that to Norm Chow the offensive coordinator for the Titans whom coached Leinhart at USC.

4. New York Jets: DE Mario Williams NC State

Unbelievable athlete that will make New York fans forget about Abraham.  Another option here could be a quarterback. 

5. Green Bay Packers: OLB AJ Hawk Ohio State

Packers biggest need is at linebacker and AJ Hawk is as good as it gets coming out of college.

6. San Fransico 49ers: TE Vernon Davis   Maryland

Alex Smith needs some weapons, and VD is going to be one heck of a franchise TE that Smith will be able to rely on for some time.

7. Oakland Raiders: S  Michael Huff  Texas

I would hate for this to happen, but it makes since.  This defense compiled a pathetic total of 5 int. last season.  Huff will get that by himself in one season.

8. Buffalo Bills: OT Winston Justice USC

The Bills have spent time on their O-line this offseason and Winson Justice woul be an immediate improvement for them.

9. Detriot Lions: QB Vince Young  Texas

New coach that’s going to want a new QB to build his franchise around.  Young is the man.

10. Arizona Cardinals: QB Jay Cutler Vanderbilt 

McCown is gone and Warner is older and not that great.  Cutler would be the guy to come in and learn for a year or two and then take over this franchise.

11. St. Louis Rams: DT Haloti Ngata  Oregon

The Rams have been losing D-Lineman and Haloti is a gifted athelete who could come in as a starter and have an immediate impact

12. Cleveland Browns: DE Kamerion Wimbley Flordia State    

A mock draft isn’t what you think should happen, its what you think is going to happen.  The two players that the Brown were really high on were Ngata and Wimbley.  With the 3-4 thing goin on and Ngata gone, expect them to take Wimbley

13. Baltimore Ravens: DT Brodrick Bunkley Flordia State

A YOUNG defensive lineman that can make a difference is lacking.  Pick would make since here.

14. Philidelphia Eagles: WR Chad Jackson Flordia

Missing TO? Pickup another guy with a bad attitude

15. Denver Broncos: CB/S Jimmy Williams  V-Tech

I actually wasn’t planning to have this happen, it just did.  But this pick makes since.  John Lynch and Nick Ferguson aren’t getting any younger.  Williams is a ballhawk and has no problem getting in the box and sticking his head in there.

16. Miami Dolphins: OLB Chad Greenway Iowa

Great replacement for the departed Junior Seau

17. Minnesota Vikings: OLB Ernie Sims Flordia State

Mike Tomlin wants a Derrick Brook’s esk player for his new defense, and Ernie Sims is awesome.  Plays much bigger than his size and can either rush the QB or drop back in coverage.

18. Dallas Cowboys: OLB Manny Lawson NC State

A great fit for the outside of the edge on that 3-4 defense

19. San Diego Chargers: CB Tye Hill Clemson

After years and years of high drafts picks on CB’s, could this finally be the difference maker they are looking for?

20. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Santonio Holmes Ohio State

If Holmes falls this far, you can bet the Chiefs jump all over him.  They lack a true difference maker in the receiving corps (I’m not including tight ends in that statement).

21. New England Patriots: CB Antonio Cromartie Flordia State

Obviously biggest need for the Pats, and Cromartie is the Ty Law type athlete that could help that team finally feel okay about losing him.

22. San Fransico 49ers: RB DeAngelo Williams Memphis

Nolan fell in love with this guy at the Senior Bowl.  Who wouldn’t have?

23. Tampa Bay Bucs: CB Richard Marshall Fresno State

There is absolutly no depth behind Barber and Kelly.  Marshall would be a quality nickle and eventually a solid starter

24. Cincinnati Bengles: S Daniel Bullocks Nebraska

Ballhawk saftey with a good combo of size and speed.  Would bring good attitude and leadership to the Bengals secondary.

25. New York Giants: OLB DeMeco Ryans Alabama

The obvious choice for New York.  Everyone knows they are taking a backer here, and Ryans would fit right in.

26. Chicago Bears: WR Sinorice Moss  Miami

Wideout much like his older brother Santana that will help out this struggling Bears offense significantly.

27. Carolina Panthers: OLB Bobby Carpenter Ohio State

Bobby was overshadowed by AJ Hawk, but he is still a playmaker.  The Panthers need a playmaker in their LB corps.  Remember his name, he will make an impact in the NFL. 

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Marcedes Lewis  UCLA

Leftwich needs another weapon, and Lewis would be a nice fit in that Jacksonville offense.

29. New York Jets: S Donte Whitner Ohio State

Whitner can play anywhere in the secondary, and would be a great defensive playmaker for the Jets.

30. Indianapolis Colts: RB Laurance Marony  Minnesota

He’ll pick up right where Edge left off.

31. Seattle Seahawks: CB Kelly Jennings Miami

Aside from Trufant, the hawks have no one worth mentioning.  Jennings would change that.

32. Pittsburg Steelers: RB Lendale White  USC

Who would have thought 6 months ago that Lendale White would fall this far?  He’ll be just fine as a replacement for the big back bus Bettis.

Here’s the montly summary of offseason moves made by the Broncos in March:

• Courtney Brown signed a contract extension.
• The Broncos re-signed Gerard Warren, Mike Leach, and Ron Dayne only hours after they hit the free agent market.
• The Broncos signed LB Nate Webster, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals.
• DE Kenard Lang, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, was signed. He becomes the fifth Brownco — former DLineman for Cleveland who are now in Denver.
• Mike Anderson, Jeb Putzier, and Quentin Griffin will not be Broncos in 2006. Anderson followed Trevor Pryce to Baltimore, Putzier signed with the Texans and Quentin Griffin signed with the Chiefs. So far, no Broncos fans have shown any sorrow that Q won’t be back.
• In a three way trade involving the Jets and the Falcons, the Broncos acquired the 15th pick in the 1st round of this years draft. In order to move up, they gave up the 29th pick and a 3rd rounder this year, and a fourth round pick next year.
• The full schedule has not yet been announced, but we do know that the Broncos are playing a game in KC on the evening of Thanksgiving. It will be the first regular season ever played on the NFL Network.
• The Broncos were awarded a compensatory pick at the end of the fourth round in next month’s NFL draft.
• Though nothing official has happened, the Broncos keep looking at some other options at QB. They haven’t expressed dissatisfaction with Bradlee VanPelt, but just want to have some competition for that backup QB spot.
• The Broncos resigned LB Keith Burns. Burns’ contribution in the locker room makes him valuable, and I’m glad the Broncos are acknowledging that and keeping him around.

I believe that covers it. If anyone see anything I missed, please leave a comment.

For those who don’t follow each and every offseason move, I’m publishing these occasional off-season updates. These aren’t geared to keep you up to date on rumors, just some of the actual moves that have happened with the roster and coaching staff.

February is typically a quiet month for player movement, but there were a few key moves made by the Broncos which will have some bearing on what happens next season:

• Gary Kubiak, as expected, accepted the head coaching job of the Houston Texans.
• Many thought that Mike Heimerdinger was to be the next offensive coordinator, but he was brought in as the assistant heach coach. Rick Dennison was promoted from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator. A new offensive line coach has not been named.
• With Kubiak’s departure, there was speculation that Tom Nalen might follow Kubiak to Houston, but that speculation was quickly put to rest as the Broncos signed Nalen to a deal that would make him a Bronco for the rest of his career. This was a key move to keep the Broncos best offensive lineman on the roster.
• Matt Lepsis was also signed to a four year deal late in the month.
• In a move to get under the salary cap, RB Mike Anderson, TE Jeb Putzier, and DL Trevor Pryce were all cut by the team. There is a chance that each of them might come back, but only at significantly reduced salaries. It looks as if the RB position will be opened up for Ron Dayne and Tatum Bell, and perhaps the cutting of Putzier is a sign that the Broncos think Wesley Duke might be a key player next season.

JetsTV.com is reporting today that the Broncos are trading one of the first round picks, probably the 29th, to the Jets for John Abraham. Says the deal is to be officially announced tomorrow. We’ll have to wait and see, but there has certainly been a lot of speculation about this already.