SB Nation - C.J. Jones

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 11/4

NJ Chiefs Fan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:52:28 -0000

(Photo above: Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli and tight end Leonard Pope helped load some of the 30,000 pounds of protein products donated by Tyson Foods. The players, and other volunteers, transferred the food to vehicles from approximately 60 area relief organizations.)

The Chiefs continued what has been a futile search for help at wide receiver when they claimed Chris Chambers off the NFL waiver wire on Tuesday.
Released by the Chargers on Monday, Chambers is just another attempt by Pioli/Haley to add some firepower to their passing game. To this point, they’ve failed miserably.

Bobby Engram, Quinten Lawrence, Rodney Wright, C.J. Jones, Terrance Copper, Amani Toomer, Ashley Lelie, Bobby Wade and now Chambers. That group combined has provided the Chiefs offense with 27 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Almost all of that belongs to Wade, with his 20 catches for 226 yards and both scores.

More WR Juggling … Wednesday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

KC Star Photo Gallery: Kansas City Chiefs players join volunteers to distribute food at Arrowhead Stadium

The changes won’t be as glaring as the overhaul the Chiefs underwent in 2008, when Gailey reshaped the offense mid-season to customize the scheme to quarterback Tyler Thigpen’s strengths. Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard suffered season-ending injuries in the same game, and Thigpen was forced into a starting role. It was important to keep him healthy, and to do that meant shifting to the spread. That allowed Thigpen to expand the pocket and improvise, if necessary, and it worked. The Chiefs aren’t planning to reintroduce the spread or any kind of gimmick offense — just a more finely tuned scheme that allows Cassel to release the ball faster and get plays in quicker.

"We’re always going to play to our players’ strengths," Haley said.

Chiefs use bye week to fine-tune offense from KC Star

KMBC's Karen Kornacki reported that the district will gut Southeast high School stadium, which is about 50 years old, and build a new multi-sports complex.
It will cost $3.5 million but there is talk of increasing it to $10 million, Kornacki reported.

The stadium will be paid for with grants, sponsorships, private donations and fundraising.

Kansas City School District Athletic Director Kimble Anders said they have applied for an NFL grant and they have the support of the Chiefs team.

KC Schools Plan To Build New Stadium from KMBC.com

There's more. The NBA is exploring a fan's accusation that Dallas Mavericks player Drew Gooden mumbled a gay slur in his vicinity. Last week, Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson reportedly did the same, twice in two days.

Do any of these incidents require a congressional hearing? Nope. Do they indicate that we've become so supersensitive about what famous people say and do that nobody with more than 10 entries on Google should ever open his mouth or leave her house without first clearing it with a publicist? Probably.

But the controversies are also a sign of society's robust health. We debate these words and behaviors -- are they heinous and unforgivable or just dumb and obtuse? -- because we don't really know just how to feel about them. And sports is both mirror and lamp. The mirror shows us where we are; the lamp leads us up and out.
Chicago Blackhawks' blackface forces the issue from The Chicago Tribune

It’s gotten to the point where my favorite week of the football season is the Chiefs’ bye week. Why? Because I get a break from the constant reminder that my favorite team just isn’t that good.

During the bye week, I don’t have to worry whether GM Scott Pioli is the most overpaid, overhyped executive in the history of football. I don’t have to worry whether Matt Cassel will tear his rotator cuff after Branden Albert blows another blocking assignment. I don’t have to worry whether coach Todd Haley will pull a Tom Cable on Larry Johnson.

The Blessed Bye Week from National Football Post

There is no doubt that, particularly after 2003, there was a good amount of evidence pointing towards Chris Chambers’ becoming a star WR; since then, though, he has basically fallen off of a cliff...

...Simply put, regardless of how ugly a quarterback or how decrepit a team a WR is surrounded by, elite WRs simply catch a higher percentage of the balls thrown to them than Chris Chambers does.

Chris Chambers, the Worst WR in Football from Patriots Daily

Scouts from the Kansas City Chiefs were present at today’s Notre Dame practice in South Bend. Joining them were representatives from the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.

There are a handful of very interesting NFL prospects playing for the Irish and the Chiefs currently hold 8 draft picks (and counting!) so it’s never too early to keep tabs on the players of note at each school Kansas City is scouting.

Chiefs Scout Notre Dame Practice from KCChiefsBlog

Player Tweets

studie32 Had a great time with @douggieboomer today. . . . Back to the grind tomorrow.

Media and Fans

ArrowheadPride RT @robmikesh Year to date, I have as many #NFL rushing touchdowns as the entire Kansas City Chiefs running back corps.

ArrowheadPride As I sift through today's news, I realize LJ is soo last week.

Adam_Schefter Bengals terminated the contract of veteran G Scott Kooistra.

Tomahawkkid88: Just launched a brand new awesome ALL POSITIVE chiefs forum. Chech it out and sign up as a member at www.barryskoolaid.com GO KC!

BillKempin: Sportscasters bashing the Chiefs for signing guys released by other teams seem to be unaware it' illegal to sign dudes playing elsewhere.

QueenJerrica: Dude on Jimmy Fallon says he is a chiefs fan lol

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: There Was A Time I Could Move, There Was A Time I Could Breathe Edition

August West — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:51 -0000

More photos » by John Russell - AP

You know what I'm digging? The realization that we may actually see some exciting plays on offense, even if the results are inconsistent. Maybe we'll finally see a few plays that make us stand up and cheer, if nothing else.

Browse more photos »

In Facepalm news, kick returner Mark Jones won't be able to go on Sunday thanks to a hamstring injury he aggravated earlier in the week. Dane Looker and C.J. Jones caught punts on Thursday as the team tries to decide if they need to sign someone for the interim.

Hey, after what we've seen this season we've all got a right to be beyond worried about the return game sans Jones.. heck, we could even feel some Paranoia in B Flat Major... by The Avett Brothers! Can't wait for their show at the The Mother Church (a.k.a. The Ryman, home of the original Grand Ole' Opry) Saturday night.

Vince Young is back in the saddle again, and of course everyone in the football-covering national media is talking about it... examples here, here, here and here.

Follow us through the jump to find out what pisses LenDale off...

Think the Titans' record is due to lack of effort? Then LenDale White would like to have a word with you in this back alley:

"It pisses me off," running back LenDale White said. "I know all the people on my team work hard. I know that everybody does when we go out there for game day. I know everybody out there was fighting to get a win. Everybody went out there and prepared to get a victory.

"Nobody quit on us. We gave effort. Believe me, we did what we could. We tried very hard, but it is what it is."

Forgive me for not shouting hooray over the fact that Collins takes losing well.

Paul K asks, so if Fisher knew Vince Young was getting the nod, why did he waste first team reps by splitting them up on Wednesday? Shouldn't Vince get the most practice time possible?

David Boclair delivers a timely list of costume suggestions for Nashville sports figures, including this gem:

Alge Crumpler ought to sport the Lester Hayes look.

After all, the Tennessee Titans' tight end has had some issues with fumbles at inopportune times. There was the one against the Ravens in the playoffs, which brought an end to the team's 2008 season. Then a remarkably similar one on the first drive against the Colts two games ago seemingly started a stretch in which the team since has been outscored 90-9.

Hayes, of course, was the Oakland Raiders' defensive back who famously kept a gooey adhesive dubbed "stick'em" on his socks so he could rub it on his hands throughout the game — an act that later was deemed illegal by the league.

That type of goo would have to be good for Crumpler.

I love Thom Abraham's show (he, along with his sometimes co-host and former Titan Brad Hopkins, put this together), but this Terrible Towel business has to stop. Your weakness is defined by your superstitions. I mean the people of Pittsburgh have an excuse for this crap: they're surrounded by damned run-down nuclear plants*... you'd expect that to mutate some brain cells. (* - edited for accuracy)

If you see anything good or Titans related on your travels around the internets, be sure to send it to mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!

Who Wants to be a Chiefs WR? Anyone? Anyone?

Joel Thorman — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:26 -0000

With the addition of Bobby Wade reportedly happening today, I thought it would be a good time to do a quick review of how we ended up with the receivers that we did. Obviously, this position has been a revolving door the last nine months with the exception of Dwayne Bowe and Mark Bradley, the only two leftovers from the '08 squad.

There have been players entering their second season that were released (Franklin), veterans that were signed (Toomer) and released and even a few veterans that made it on the 53 man roster (Engram).

All in all, there have been 14 players that have been seen on the Chiefs roster at one point since Scott Pioli's January hiring.

Four were cut from last year, a few more came off the street and a bunch in between.

Still on the Roster from Last Year
Dwayne Bowe
Mark Bradley
On the Final Roster Last Year But Not Now
Will Franklin
Jeff Webb
Devard Darling (IR)
Kevin Robinson
Signed and Released Between January and Today
C.J. Jones
Rodney Wright (PS)
Amani Toomer
Ashley Lelie
Taurus Johnson
Jeff Webb (Re-signed)
Signed Over the Offseason, Still on the Team
Bobby Engram
Terrance Copper
Quinten Lawrence (Draft)

Horse Tracks 9/2/09 - Roster down to 75; Brandstater to start tomorrow; Moreno, Jordan, Thomas return to practice

Douglas A. Lee — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:11:05 -0000

DB - Roster Trimmed to 75 - Zach Eisendrath
Denver released P Britton Colquitt, WR C.J. Jones, TE Jeb Putzier and C Blake Schueter yesterday to get down to the 75-man roster limit. Friday comes the final cut, to 53 players. Obviously, expect some players you had high hopes for. It happens every year, folks...

DB - Tuesday: McDaniels - Broncos TV

DP - Moreno back at work - Lindsay Jones
Not only did Knowshon practice yesterday, but so did LaMont Jordan.

DP - Brandstater shifts to driver's seat - Mike Klis
Sounds like Chris Simms will be starting in Cincinnati (speculation on my part). Although the Broncos did put a claim in on QB Kevin McConnell, Detroit snatched him up with their own QBs Culpepper and Stanton banged up. Tom Brandstater will start Thursday, and Ingle Martin will see some action.

DP - Versatility will be a big factor in finalizing roster - Jeff Legwold
The Browns and Jets also put claims in on O'Connell (not the Chefs). DL Marcus Thomas also returned to practice yesterday.

FOX - On the Mark: Diva WRs don't impress Rice - Mark Kriegel
Jerry Rice is (obviously) not happy with how Brandon Marshall and others have soiled the image of his position.

FOX - NFL trades that need to happen before kickoff - John Czarnecki
Czarnecki thinks the Ravens or Colts should give it up for Brandon Marshall.

N - Jets consider deal for unhappy receiver Marshall - Bob Glauber

DB - Maintaining Their Mentality - Chris Gentilviso

DP - Security on alert for Broncos game after vehicles broken into at RTD lots
Umm, I guess you should take the bus to the Big IF on Thursday...

DB - Wait and See - Mike Rice

DB - Bears Game Review - Mark Cooper

SI - NFC North, not NFC East, might be best division in NFL - Peter King
PK says don't compare JC to The Greatest Ever. Plus, lots more on Floyd Little. Not really in a good way, either...

CSG - Brandstater will be the starting quarterback for Broncos - Frank Schwab

TJ - Brandstater could benefit from ugly situation - Chhun Sun

CSG - Report: Orton dislocation might jeopardize opener - Frank Schwab

NFP - NFL notes: Broncos may need help at QB - Matt Bowen

CBS4 - Rookie Tom Brandstater To Start Broncos Finale - Vic Lombardi

LTC - Broncos struggle through injuries - Brian Howell

NFL - Teams incorporating 3-4 defense to add pressure on quarterbacks

AFC West News

NFL - Chiefs release veteran WR Toomer; DE Boone, OT Goldberg also cut

KCS - Croyle gets nod to start Chiefs’ preseason finale - Adam Teicher

KCS - Chiefs notebook: Veterans Darling, Boone won’t play for team this season - Adam Teicher

SDUT - Picture is bleak for watching live tilts - Jay Posner
Way to go, Dolts fans. You're supposed to be SB contenders, and you don't even show up?

SDUT - Newest Charger says he's finally healthy - Kevin Acee

SFC - Russell's universe - David White

SFG - Raiders Silver and Black Blog : Asomugha won't miss opener - David White

NFL News

NFL - Nursing sore shoulder, Brady's status for Pats' preseason finale unknown

NFL - Bad break: Bengals rookie OT Smith out two weeks with foot injury
Is it just me, or does every lengthy rookie holdout seem to result in injury?

NFL - Umenyiora back with Giants, expresses regret over skipping practice

NFL - Williams, Dolphins work out 'quiet and easy' extension through 2010

NFL - Kubiak: QB Schaub should be healthy for Texans' season opener

NFL - Niners release veteran QB Huard in favor of rookie Davis

NFL - Rams trade oft-injured CB Hill to Falcons, cut TE Klopfenstein

NFL - Panthers acquire DT Leonard from Browns to help fill void along defensive line

NFL - Browns place OL Tucker on injured reserve, ending season, maybe career

NFL - Bears sign veteran Hood to help injury-depleted secondary

NFL - Portis has more words for Riggins, whose Redskins record he's chasing

NFL - Feds investigating charges that players' union tried to collude with NFL

NFL - Passed over by the NFL, Pacman close to deal to play in CFL

NFL - Goodell says it will be challenge for some teams to avoid TV blackouts

NFL - Sons of Panthers owner Richardson resign from organization

NFL Opinion

NFP - Preparing for cutdown day - Jack Bechta

NFP - DMN: Real action is off the field - Mike Lombardi
Lombardi says this week is all about the waiver wire, not the final preseason games.

Y! - Carpet burns bumbling Lions - Dan Wetzel

Y! - Disciples can learn from 'warm' Belichick - Jason Cole

Y! - Lawsuit latest chapter in NFLPA mudslinging - Jason Cole

NFP - Why Favre doesn’t have to be great - Matt Bowen

Y! - Analyst: Favre looks 'slow' - Jason Cole

NFP - Tavern talk: Blue team observations - Mike Lombardi

PFW - Teams overspending on 'name' players - Audibles
Not expecting much from the Cutler-Bennett connection.

PFW - Many head coaches already on hot seat

CBS - NFC East preview: Giants, Eagles look playoff-bound - Clark Judge

CBS - Camp wrap: Highs, lows, faves, raves from national tour - Pete Prisco

NFL - QB group rankings reveal teams in trouble if starter goes down - Pat Kirwan
Denver's group comes in at #26

NFL - Offseason showed that quarterbacks matter, now maybe more than ever - Steve Wyche

NFL - Three for the show: Decade dominators know what's at stake in '09 - Thomas George

NFL - Relationship between QBs and coordinators is secret to success - Vic Carucci

NFL - Spread the news: More teams looking for wide-open attack - Bucky Brooks

NFL - Working with young QBs can lead to system changes - Steve Wyche

ESPN - Small rookie giving Steelers big lift - Len Pasquarelli
Obviously, Pasquarelli must be friends with Stefan Logan's agent; it's the only way he comes up with these individual stories...

NFP - Preseason rankings: linemen - Wes Bunting

NFP - What's the matter with Michigan? - Ray Gustini
Good question.

Broncos release four as roster cutdowns begin

John Bena — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:57:06 -0000

Teams across the NFL has to pare their rosters from 80 to 75 players as the League prepares for the start of the 2009 Regular Season in 9 days. For the Broncos, that meant saying adios to 4 players, since Brandon Marshall is on the Reserved-Suspended list (currently, anyway).

As such, the team released P Britton Colquitt, WR C.J. Jones, TE Jeb Putzier and C Blake Schlueter.

Schlueter was a 7th-round pick in this past April's draft, and Colquitt seemed to be making a late run at Brett Kern's starting job, with two beautiful punts inside the 5-yard line Sunday Night. Too little, too late, I suppose.

The Broncos now sit at 75 players for Thursday's preseason finale against Arizona. Teams have to be at 53 players by Saturday, 9/5.

2009 Denver Broncos Training Camp - 8/3 AM - Slowly building a football team

John Bena — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:15:05 -0000

This is bittersweet for me because it is my last report. Once done, I will head to the airport and back home. I miss my girls and am glad to be heading home, but the past 4 days or so have been incredible My thanks to the Denver Broncos for allowing me, and by extension you, access to the inside. A 2-year veteran now, I am already looking forward to next year.

Enough mushy stuff, let's get back to the football. It has been easy to see over the first 4 days of camp that Josh McDaniels is taking the task of rebuilding this football team seriously. Not from a pure aspect of the roster, either. The Broncos had become a team void of fundamentals, with little regard for the details. How many times under Mike Shanahan were mistakes or turnovers accepted as "part of the game". Surely they are, but simply because something is EXPECTED doesn't mean it should be ACCEPTED.

In a sport when one mistake, one mental or physical miscue, can cost a team a win, a playoff spot, or more, the attention to detail, the mastery of the fundamentals is what can separate 10-6 from 8-8 or 8-8 from 6-10. It will be a focus now, and the Broncos should be better for it as the season goes on.

Each practice has been a building block to the next one, and each day has seen an increase in 7x7 and 11x11 work. One can't succeed in a team environment if they can't succeed against another person or blocking sled. It has been that focus that is going to benefit this team in 2009. The physicality of the workouts, practicing in pads, is going to help this team. They may not be the most talented team every Sunday, but they will be as prepared as anyone. That is a step in the right direction.

Now, on to some thoughts from my final practice at Dove Valley...

In the past there were practices dedicated to Special Teams. Usually in the afternoon, these workouts would include only players that were on the Special Teams units and would last 75 minutes or so. While I can't say there won't be a workout like that this year, there has yet to be one and with the work going into special teams during the main practice I'd venture to say there won't be. It is the efficient use like this of the practice time available that impresses me about the way these workouts have been scheduled.

Whether you support McDaniels or not, I'd be interested to hear anyone say they aren't impressed by how this camp is being run from an organizational standpoint. There are very few wasted movements and the team gets in and out of team/individual drills fast.

Each workout is filled with teaching. Specifically the D-Line, getting a ton of one-on-one instruction. Today's focus - spacing and getting low. In a 3-4 defense, it is the job of the defensive line to hold their ground in order to allow the linebackers to make plays in space. How well the Broncos' defense picks up the 3-4 will depend largely on this unit getting it done.

The O-line was working on exploding off the ball, doubling the D-end, sealing the edge, and getting to the next level (LB or S). Of the new guys, Mitch Erickson seemed to be getting the most praise from Rick Dennison while Black Schlueter was struggling just a bit.

LB Nick Greisen was carted off during the workout. While he was favoring his left leg, he was able to walk into the locker room. No update was given by Coach McDaniels after the workout.

The special teams work included punt team - specifically on punts coming from mid-field, both covering them from a punt standpoint and retuning them as well. Eddie Royal, Matthew Willis and Alphonso Smith were all returning punts.

At one point, the QBs were in a pod all by themselves working on play-action/bootleg. Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd were standing in different spots - flat, the middle, far pylon of the end zone - and each quarterback would practice booting to his right. That, of course, is against the grain for Chris Simms, and he struggled just a bit. Kyle Orton, however, looked pretty good making all the throws. More on Orton later.

At the same time, Linebackers were in a pod with the DBs practicing their footwork dropping in coverage. For Elvis Dumervil and Tim Crowder, two former D-Ends trying to convert to LB, this will be the hardest transition.

One quick note about Josh McDaniels. He is all over the field. He gets heavily involved in all the workouts, all positions. Whether it is going over technique with defensive linemen or dropping in coverage during wide receiver drills, McDaniels is in the middle of all of it. If anyone thought that McDaniels, as a QB Coach/Offensive Coordinator, would only be working with the QBs, you are largely mistaken.

On to 11x11, where during Red Zone work Champ Bailey proved he still has it. Bailey stepped in front of C.J. Jones to juggle, then intercept, a Chris Simms pass in the end zone. Bailey can still go get the football.

Time Crowder is really playing well. With Jarvis Moss in limbo and Robert Ayers still holding out (could change at any minute), Crowder is really taking advantage of the opportunity to play. At one point during the workout, Crowder took Nate Swift down to the ground hard on a completion across the middle. At another point, Eddie Royal got a bit annoyed with Crowder's physicality, leading to screams of "Don't get mad, this is football" from some of the defensive coaches.

Other than Ronald Fields, Chris Baker and Carlton Powell were getting reps at NT

Jack Williams has been getting the reps when the Broncos go to the Nickel.

Tom Brandstater.....Where can I begin. The kid has some tools, no doubt about it. He is raw, however, and really needs to work on his mechanics. I guess what I am saying is not to expect any late-round, Tom Brady-type magic when it comes to Brandstater's progress this season.

As for the other quarterbacks, Kyle Orton is beginning to look more comfortable in the offense. I am going to give all the QBs a bit of a pass, no pun intended, when it comes to their roller-coaster performance this week. It is going to take time, and reps, to learn a new offense and there are going to be bumps in the road. Let's be honest, the final exam isn't until September 13th, over 5 weeks away.

During one play, Marcus Thomas had to cover Daniel Graham after a shift. With the vocal encouragement of his defensive teammates on the sidelines, Thomas did his best to keep up with the TE on his drag route. Graham made the catch, as the ball just squeezed past the arm of a diving Thomas. Solid effort, indeed.

One general observation; the Broncos' defense will be extremely tough to throw against this season, especially down near the goal line.

Eddie Royal catches everything. Everything, I tell you.

LaMont Jordan did drop a sure touchdown during team drills. Jordan was running with the first team with Correll Buckhalter taking the morning off.

Whatever your opinion of Alphonso Smith, he is a natural returning punts and is extremely at ease with the football in his hands.

Some group sprints ended the working part of the practice, but as is the case with the other days, the team goes back to their pods and finishes with what I would describe as a light cool-down. The teaching never stops, however, and there is little time wasted.

One last impression. I have been very impressed with Mike Nolan. He is energetic, is involved with his players and passionate about what he is trying to accomplish. Perhaps it is simply a surprise to me, but I didn't expect that from the guy I saw coach the 49ers.

2009 Denver Broncos - Breaking Down the Roster - The Receivers

Steve Nichols — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:30:09 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

6 months ago: Denver Broncos wide receivers Jabar Gaffney, left, and Chad Jackson confer during drills at football camp at the Broncos' headquarters in the south Denver suburb of Englewood, Colo., on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Browse more photos »

What happens to Denver's passing game relies heavily upon what happens with the Brandon Marshall holdout. The team wouldn't gain or lose much in terms of Marshall's presence or absence respectively, but the receiving corps would be structured very differently.

Denver has a playmaker in Eddie Royal, who has played at the #1 spot before (during a Marshall suspension). Denver also has an excellent slot receiver in veteran Brandon Stokley. Denver brought in Jabar Gaffney this offseason, a vet of the NE system. Denver also has 2009 5th-round draft pick Kenny McKinley to train up. More important than having a star on your receiving corps, it is crucial to have multiple targets who all have a good level of talent. So if Marshall stays, Denver has multiple talents. If he goes, Denver has multiple talents. The only question is how the players line up on the depth chart.

The key is that "good" in depth beats "excellence" at the top at the receiver positions. We'll explore this further while sorting out the receivers Denver has going into camp...

photo courtesy of the NFL

Brandon Marshall - WR #15

Age - 25

Style - Possession; excellent run blocker

Contract highlights - (hat tip to Rotoworld) 2009: $2.198 million, 2010: Free Agent

MHR-U code name - "BM" (The jury is out on if this means "Batman" or "Bowel Movement")

Brandon Marshall is at once both a great and terrible player.

On the plus side:

Can out-muscle any defensive back in the NFL. This means he can run over a DB for yards after a catch, and also that he is an excellent run-blocker.
Is not afraid of physical contact. Will fight for the ball.
Has excellent moves in tight quarters.
While not a speedster, he still has more "football" speed than many possession receivers.
An arm injury may have caused several drops in '08, but he continues to heal.

The negatives are equally impressive:

Legal troubles off the field are always a problem with the potential to face suspensions.
Shows flashes of stupidity (to name one: a TD celebration that was political in nature and was narrowly averted by wiser teammates).
Attitude - "holdout"
Recent hip surgery.

If Marshall is with the team in '09 he can play at the #1 spot and be very productive. But even so, questions would remain. Is he a long-term answer for a team that isn't going to tolerate "me first" attitudes and off-field issues? Between hurting his arm in an embarrassing off-field incident last year, or having hip surgery this year, Marshall may be an injury risk as much as a behavioral issue.

For these reasons, Marshall is hard to gauge. He is capable of playing at #1, but he might really be falling to the #2 spot behind Royal. Such a move by the coaches would be understandable, and yet the demotion of a player to a lesser-depth spot would only reignite existing problems. I seriously question Marshall's long-term potential to play for Denver, and yet his trade value is going to be much lower than his playing potential.

For now, let's place Marshall at #1 if he stays with the team. Given his run-blocking skills and his ability to create yards after receptions, he would be a terrific short- and mid-range target for a QB adapting to the Denver pass system.

Analysis - Marshall would easily make the cut, and would likely make the top WR spot on the team. However, his future with Denver beyond this year is in serious jeopardy. At the time of this writing, I would place Marshall's chances of playing for Denver this year at about 70/30.

photo courtesy of the NFL

Eddie Royal - WR #19

Age - 23

Style - Speed; superhuman agility

Contract highlights - (hat tip to Rotoworld) 7/24/2008: Signed a four-year, $3.955 million contract. The deal contains $2.4 million guaranteed, including a $1.55 million signing bonus. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

MHR-U codename: "Royal with Cheese" (With affection, from the movie "Pulp Fiction")

Royal has it all. High talent, great attitude, good character, team focused. I pick him to be the future of the Broncos.

Positives:

Can turn on a dime. Few CBs in the league can stick with him on a route when he changes direction. (May have destroyed CB DeAngelo Hall's career in the first Denver/Oakland matchup in 2008 by making Hall look less-than-average in Royal's rookie debut).
Quickness, speed, and the ability to create distance after making a change of direction.
Reliable hands.
Exhibits great character on and off the field. Plays where he helps the team (dropped from #1 to #2 to make way for Marshall after the latter's suspension).

Negatives:

Royal was considered a prototypical slot receiver coming out of college. When he hit the pros, he may have been labeled a #2 receiver because he played behind Marshall. Fortunately, this stereotyping won't affect professional coaches, who may very well play Royal at #1 down the road.

Royal is rapidly passing Marshall as the fan favorite WR for Denver. While most fans admire Marshall's abilities, his off-field distractions have created a rift amongst fans that preceded even the McDaniels/Cutler debacle. But Royal has played like a Pro Bowler, and done so without drawing attention to himself. Fans appreciate his amazing talent and his quiet professionalism. It would be nice if Marshall stays and allows Royal to chew up opposing #2 CBs, but Royal is already a top-notch talent that can be a dangerous threat at #1.

Royal can give Denver's new QB a deep threat when the defense needs to be stretched vertically. Underneath, Royal can keeps defenses honest by forcing them to divide the assignments of safeties between both sides of the field. Most teams won't have a #2 CB that can consistently cover Royal. Those few teams that either have a strong #2 CB or that play a lot of zones will fare only slighter better.

As Royal gains experience, his route running will improve. Combined with his his agility, it is reasonable to assume that CBs won't be able to cover him effectively as he ages.

Analysis - If Marshall returns, Royal will make the team. He would likely play at the #2 spot. If Marshall does not, Royal again easily makes the team, but starts at #1. In either event, unless Marshall undergoes an epiphany in '09, there is a good chance that Royal will someday become the Rod Smith of Denver's future by playing at #1 full time.

photo courtesy of the NFL

Brandon Stokley - Slot Receiver #14

Age - 33

Style - Possession; tough

Contract highlights - (hat tip to Rotoworld) 12/7/2007: Signed a three-year, $10.1 million contract extension through 2010. The deal included a $5 million signing bonus. 2009: $900,000 (+ $560,000 "signing bonus"), 2010: $1.4 million, 2011: Free Agent

MHR code name - "The Slot Machine"

A veteran that may well be the best slot receiver in football today.

Advantages:

Solid hands.
Is not afraid to take a hit when going for passes over the middle.
Can muscle his way through traffic to fight for the ball.
Runs routes better than most slot receivers.
A veteran who has played the position for years, he knows all of the tactics involved when reading the coverage arrayed against him.

Negatives:

Is a concussion risk.
A threat for other injuries (history - Achilles)
It is unknown when Stokley will start to decline due to age.

Some would call him the top slot receiver in the NFL. He earned his reputation playing alongside Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in Peyton Manning's amazing Colts passing game. He catches what comes his way, and relies on his strength and power when facing safeties and LBs in the middle of the field. Sacrifices himself (perhaps too much) to make any catch. As a sly veteran, he can fool most nickelbacks (many of whom are younger players trying to work their way up depth charts).

Fans were amazed when a string of injuries forced Stokley to step up to the #1 spot briefly and held his own very well in 2007. The only real knocks on Stokley are his age and injury history. He's stayed healthy for the most part with Denver, but he takes some scary shots to move the ball forward for the team.

Analysis - If Marshall returns, Stokley may have a challenge for the slot with Jabar Gaffney. Without Marshall, Stokley should be a lock for slot.

photo courtesy of NFL.com

Jabar Gaffney - WR #10

Age - 28

Style - Possession; effective run blocker

Contract highlights - (hat tip to Rotoworld) 2/27/2009: Signed a four-year, $10 million contract. The deal includes $3 million guaranteed. 2009-2012: Under Contract, 2013: Free Agent

MHR-U Code name - "Gom Jabbar"

Jabar has been practicing at the #2 WR position opposite Eddie Royal (in Marshall's absence). If Marshall returns, Jabar could play at slot or #4! Where Jabar ends up may be one of the most under-analyzed controversies going into camp.

Advantages:

Good hands
Good run blocker
Can use an initial burst of speed to gain separation on short routes
Has played in the NE system

Negatives:

Denver is his fourth team since 2002
Doesn't sustain speed after his initial burst

Jabar will make the team, so that's out of the way. The fascination with Jabar's situation should be that he may end up as high as #2 or as low as #4 on the depth chart. He's been practicing at #2 in camp, but if Marshall returns he may compete with Stokley for the slot position. In my opinion, Stokley is such a role player at slot that he just shouldn't be moved to #4. On the other hand, Gaffney doesn't have the speed to play at #4 (a spot where sure hands often take a back seat to stretching the field for "better" receivers). Neither Stokley nor Gaffney should be playing #4. Perhaps both players will play at slot, regardless of whom gets the coveted slot position on the official chart.

If Gaffney plays at #2, he'll be the short-to-medium range option while Royal stretches the field north/south. With safeties pulled long strong side and short weak side, TEs and slots would benefit from any holes created short on the strong side (particularly routes that would carry them past a free safety playing too close on Gaffney).

Got that? We might have to throw it all out. Fifth-round pick Kenny McKinley doesn't expect to start at #5 on the depth chart, and neither does Chad Jackson.

Analysis - Gaffney will make the team. The big question is how high or low he ends up being on the depth chart.

photo courtesy of the NFL

Kenny McKinley - WR #11

Age - 22 (ROOKIE)

Style - Well-rounded

Contract highlights - Not yet signed at the time if this writing.

MHR-U Code name - If he works out, perhaps "McDaddy" (as in Mac Daddy). If he bombs, perhaps "They killed Kenny!" (as in South Park).

A few tidbits (gleaned from BroncoBear's definitive work on our receivers): Steve Spurrier calls him the best WR he ever coached. Kenny broke Sterling Sharpe's college records for yards gained and receptions. His number is one of only five retired by USC (South Carolina), and he's caught a pass in each of his last 43 games.

Advantages:

Speed
Route running
Hands
Agility and leaping ability
Elusiveness

Disadvantages:

His frame may dictate that he could be an injury risk at the pro level
Will have a hard time against press coverage
Can be out-muscled fighting in heavy traffic

This kid may be a shock to the NFL. Remember that the so-called "experts" (including me), thought Royal would be relegated to the slot position. Well, Kenny is a prototype slot receiver too, but his abilities are immense. The competition for slot is intense (see Stokley and Gaffney), so once again the presence or absence of Marshall is key.

Kenny is well rounded. Blessed with good hands, speed, agility, and character, he can "do it all". His major drawback is his light frame, which limits his "physicality" in traffic and might make him an injury threat. Trainers will do what they can to put together a routine for him to become limber while building up protective muscle. As with other slight players, Kenny may prove the experts wrong. (USC's opponents are still smarting).

Analysis - How does this kid not make the cut? The only problem may be whether or not he starts. His future looks bright.

photo courtesy of the NFL

Chad Jackson - WR #16

Age - 24

Style - Speedy, but tough.

Contract highlights - 2009: $535,000, 2010: Free Agent

MHR-U code name - If he doesn't make the cut, "Hanging Chad". If he plays well, "Action Jackson"

The first thing that comes to mind is that Jackson just doesn't break the starting roster for teams he tries to play for. And yet, coaches see something in him that makes them keep bringing him back.

Advantages -

Can accelerate past most CBs and stay in high gear.
Catches passes without breaking stride.
Excellent agility, and elusive.
Not afraid to catch in heavy traffic. Will fight for the ball.
Another player with a NE history.

Disadvantages -

Significant injury history
Does not run crisp routes
While he jumps and extends well for balls, he uses poor mechanics to catch balls "on the numbers"
Hasn't played up to his potential yet, and could be a prospect with a limited window to achieve.

Perhaps with good coaching, this kid can break through whatever is holding him back. He has potential to be a scary, deep-field threat. But the prime focus of any WR is to stay on the field and catch balls. Jackson has problems in both areas.

Despite his speed and deep-threat prowess, he plays very well in short ranges (ala NE). While he is agile going for the ball and eluding tacklers, he isn't disciplined on his routes. His toughness is solid, as he fights for the ball by jumping or diving, and will catch a ball that requires some acrobatics. He is agile enough to evade tacklers one-on-one, and tough enough to plow through some tackles in other instances.

Oddly, while his athleticism allows him stretch for catches (vertical and horizontal), he has a tough time catching the passes that most players love; "on the numbers". If he can stay injury free, and work on inside catches, he may have a turnaround in the future. At the rate he's going, he's on the bubble.

Analysis - The first five players on the list will make the roster. Jackson has a good shot, but is not home free. He's in the mix, and will have to bring his best game to make the roster.

The Rest

photo courtesy of the NFL

Brandon Lloyd is a 27-year-old receiver. His agility allows him to out-jump anybody (a great sideline trait), and he has a reputation for sacrificing his body to make great catches in midair. Unfortunately, he isn't fearless in traffic and avoids hits, and gets injured here and there. He has shown some flashes of potential in the past (good years in '04 and '05, as well as a deeper maturity in '06 and '07). He will be in the mix with Jackson and others for the last few spots.

Beyond Lloyd, the names get a little fuzzier.

photo courtesy of the NFL

There's Matt Willis, a 25-year-old signed from and to the Raven's practice squad several times dating back to May 4th of '07 (until Denver picked him up in December).

photo courtesy of Wikimedia

There's also 28-year-old C.J. Jones. Our own Guru has the most current information on Jones here.

Overall Analysis

Let's say Marshall stays. My guess is the following chart:

Marshall (a demotion rocks the boat more than needed)
Royal
Stokley
Gaffney
McKinley
Jackson
Lloyd
Willis
Jones

Take your pick on how many receivers we take. The range is probably a bare minimum of six.

Without Marshall, I would move Gaffney up 2 spots (!):

Royal
Gaffney
Stokley
McKinley
Jackson
Lloyd
Willis
Jones

Without Marshall, Gaffney has been practicing at the #2 position. With Marshall on board, I don't think Gaffney should bump Stokley.

In both charts, McKinley is the lowest player I would call a lock to make the cut. Marshall's presence allows McKinley more time to grow in the system, but Marshall's absence would allow McKinley to get started right away in 4-receiver sets.

In both charts, we have players at the #4 position that are good matchups against #4 CBs, and a great slot. I think Gaffney holds his own at #2, while Royal excels at #2. At #1, Marshall would be solid, while Royal would be just as good. In other words, the presence or absence of Marshall is nothing to fret about.

If Marshall stands with us, things are great at WR. If he isn't with us, we have the depth to absorb the loss; we would remain a solid team at WR. I imagine that our OL will protect our new QB, and I think our running game will be exciting.

Orton will have everything he needs to do well, and his more conservative approach (read "accuracy instead of forcing") should serve him well.

I'll take depth and good players over excellence at one or two spots any day. It works for Brady, it worked for Cassel, and it should work for us.

All the best,

Poll

Does Marshall play for Denver in 2009?

Yes, and ONLY 2009

375 votes

Yes, and beyond 2009

492 votes

No; he's outta here

62 votes

How would I know?

98 votes

1027 votes | Poll has closed

Horse Tracks 6/25/09 - Highlights from XXXII always a great start to the day!!!

Douglas A. Lee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:47:10 -0000

DB - Broncos Awarded Jones
The Broncos received WR C.J. Jones off waivers from the Chefs, who had signed Jones earlier this spring. Jones is familiar with Josh McDaniels' offense from his time in New England.

DB - Ready for the Big Leagues
Gray Caldwell profiles DT Chris Baker, who the Broncos signed as a UFA despite mid-round projections heading into the draft. Baker appreciates the veterans' help in minicamp and OTAs, and the chance to practice against one of the NFL's top O-Lines.

DP - Iowa coach slain in school shooting
Casey Wiegmann and several other NFL players are grieving the shocking loss of their legendary high school coach, Ed Thomas.

DP - Coach gave all to small town
Kiszla eulogizes Ed Thomas as Parkersburg, Iowa faces another tragedy.

NFLN - NFL Videos: Top Ten Gutsiest Performances: Terrell Davis
Of all days to forget your migraine medication...haha. TD and Co. share their memories of Super Bowl XXXII.

NFL - Top 10 gutsiest performances of all-time
Vote for TD here; I'll admit, he probably doesn't deserve to be #1 here - but I'm voting for him anyway!

SPI - Could Jake Locker be John Elway Jr.?
SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!!!!

ETN - Sports set tone for life of Hall inductees
Former Broncos WR Brian Stablein was inducted to the Metropolitan Erie Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

CCP - TVCC unveils 2009 Hall of Fame class
Former Bronco Robert Jackson will be inducted to the Trinity Valley Community College HOF.

KCS - Chiefs sign safety Mike Brown, add depth to secondary - Kansas City Star

Y! - Merriman is a man on a mission - Charles Robinson

SDUT - Forged by a force
Kevin Acee profiles Dolts draft choice Larry English.

SDUT - Multimedia: Bolts healthy, hungry as camp nears

NFL - Contract extension could keep WR Jennings in Green Bay through 2012

NFP - Wednesday whys: Jennings was a priority - Andrew Brandt

NFL - Peppers most likely staying with Panthers after signing franchise tender

NFL - Panthers have no intention of trading Peppers - Steve Wyche

NFL - New Giants LB Boley likely to miss start of training camp after hip surgery

NFL - Former high school coach of four NFL players shot, killed in Iowa

NFP - Ed Thomas: More than a football coach - Matt Bowen

NFLN - NFL Videos: 32 in 32: Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL - With improved offensive line, Jaguars in position to rebound in 2009 - Bucky Brooks

NFP - Diner morning news: Building the lines
Lombardi is puzzled by the big-money extension the Stillers gave OT Max Starks.

NFP - Ripple effect of Jennings' new deal - Matt Bowen

SI - NFL players share views on Ron Jaworski, Tiki Barber, Howie Long - Ross Tucker

CBS - Top 50: Rebounding Palmer leads second-25 elites
Pete Prisco counts BMarsh among his second tier of top-25 NFL players.

FOX - Schein's Nine: Cutler should grin and bear it
Adam Schein thinks JC and the Bears' receivers are good enough to pass their way to the Super Bowl, and expects big things out of Larry Johnson this year. I think he's serious, too...

NFP - 2009 NFP scouting series: Texas A&M - Wes Bunting

Broncos awarded WR C.J. Jones on waivers

John Bena — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:05:41 -0000

More photos »

via cache.boston.com

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The Denver Broncos were awarded wide receiver C.J. Jones off waivers from Kansas City, it was announced Wednesday.

Jones (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) is a third-year wide receiver who has spent time on the active roster with Cleveland (2003) and New England (2008) as well as parts of two seasons on the practice squad with the Browns (2003-04) and Patriots (2007). Jones, who entered the NFL with Cleveland as a college free agent in 2003, was declared inactive for 11 games as a rookie and spent five weeks on the Browns' practice squad. After spending the 2004 season on the Browns' practice squad, Jones was allocated to NFL Europa, where he caught 10 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown for Cologne. He was released following Cleveland's training camp in 2005 before being allocated by Seattle to NFL Europa where he made seven catches for 82 yards with Berlin.

Jones spent the 2006 season out of football after competing in Seattle's training camp. He spent the entire 2007 season on New England's practice squad. In 2008, Jones was declared inactive for the first regular-season game for the Patriots before being released and spending the rest of the season out of football. Kansas City signed Jones on March 5, 2009, as an unrestricted free agent but waived him on June 19.

Jones spent the 2005 season playing with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League where he returned nine kickoffs for 236 yards (26.2 avg.) and six punts 55 yards (9.2 avg.).

In college at the University of Iowa, Jones was a two-year starter, totaling 72 catches for 902 yards (12.5 avg.) and 10 touchdowns in 24 games. As a senior, Jones set an Orange Bowl record when he returned the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown against the University of Southern California.

Prior to playing for the Hawkeyes, Jones was a standout at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan. He amassed 74 catches for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding eight scores on punt returns.

Jones was named one of the top 50 players in the state of Florida as a junior and senior at Santaluces High School in Santaluces, Fla. Clinton Jones was born on Sept. 20, 1980

Chiefs Sitting on $31.6 Million to Spend

Joel Thorman — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:56:15 -0000

Uh, Scott, you know there's a salary minimum, right?

The Kansas City Chiefs have spent approximately $95.4 million on player personnel this season. Problem is, that's still $31.6 million away from the $127 million salary cap for the 2009 NFL season (H/T Bill Williamson at ESPN for the $31.6 million figure).

This is BY FAR the most amount of cap space remaining in the AFC West. The Broncos ($12.5 million), Chargers ($7.8 million) and Raiders ($8.2 million) are nowhere near the Chiefs when it comes to cap space.

Below are a few of the places Chiefs GM Scott Pioli has been spending his money.

$745,000

$14.65 Million

$620,000

$3.2 million

$1 million

$875,000

$310,000

$535,000

$1.01 million

$620,000

$1 million

$310,000

$535,000

$1.545 million

$620,000

$385,000

$745,000

S Jarrad Page**

*Restricted free agent signed tender

**Restricted free agent has not signed tender

New GM Scott Pioli spent $14.65 million on his new quarterback, Matt Cassel, but other than that has scraped the bottom of the barrel as far as paying free agents. He inherited Mike Vrabel's contract from the Patriots (coincidentally one he helped negotiate) and spent a million plus on Zach Thomas and the RFAs.

The cap value of the Chiefs' 2008 rookies was about $11.6 million. But that was with 12 draft picks. This year, with only eight picks (and just one first rounder), the Chiefs will likely spend between $6-8 million (we'll be getting more in depth on what the Chiefs can expect to pay their rookies tomorrow).

So, let's say after the rookie deals are done the Chiefs are looking at $24 million to spend. If you're Scott Pioli, what are you spending $24 million on?