This is a follow-up post to alvinfall's original post earlier this week.  I had promised TSG and Styg a post on Ray Maualuga, but several things have happened since that point in time.  One, I picked the wrong time to get an MBA and search for a new career.  I never in my wildest dreams thought it would be this difficult to find a job.  Times are tough for many people right now.  Two, I'm not so sure I want Rey Rey anymore.  In fact, I currently covet several players more including BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo and Brian Cushing (point for boydy on Cushing, he has been for him from the start).

I am so sick and tired of the McCulter soap opera that I am making a proclamation right here and now :  I REFUSE TO ENTERTAIN ANY MORE BS ABOUT THIS TOPIC FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN PERSONS DIRECTLY AFFILIATED WITH THE DENVER BRONCOS.  As Russ put it, this situation is fast becoming a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma stuck deep in a turd.  OK, that last part was mine ;-).

With that said, how about some Peyton Hillis highlights (someone will have to show me how to insert a clip, or insert it here for me.  Here is the link):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSjDe0WDuCg

After watching those highlights again, I am reminded of a comment by styg during a mid-season MHR radio broadcast.  I did change it somewhat but most of the credit goes to him: "Hillis wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions." 

I am hoping the Broncos see what I and many others here at MHR see from these highlights.  Peyton has everything I want in a RB, which includes power running first and foremost, decent if not great speed for a 250 pound guy, above average pass blocking ability and great hands.  If the decision makers don't see these attributes in Hillis, I don't know what they are looking at.  In closing, let me say that I believe the Broncos should not spend a high draft pick on another back, especially since we have already signed Buckhalter from Philadelphia and continue to bring in other free agent RBs for visits.

How about a poll?

Lee Rasizer of RMN hints in his article yesterday that Mario Hagan may get a start at MLB this week against Atlanta.  While nothing is for sure, this comes as a shock to me, since I vaguely remember the Broncos acquiring him two weeks or so ago.  Jim Ryan, the Broncos linebackers coach has some good things to say about Haggan: 

"He's only been here a couple weeks, but he's been terrific," Ryan said, without divulging the team's weekend plans. "He's a hard worker. He's in here extra, trying to pick everything up, which he needs to be because he doesn't know the defense as well as the other guys. And he's a physical presence. He looks like a big, physical linebacker. So I think he has a chance to help us."

 An exerpt from Rasizer's article hints at what the next game might bring:

The situation became so fluid with middle linebacker Nate Webster's sprained knee last week that it wouldn't be surprising to see Mario Haggan, whom Denver acquired two weeks ago, at middle linebacker against Atlanta on Sunday.

I think Haggan has the size (he's listed at 6'3" and 252 pounds) to be a linebacker.  I don't have any info about him as far as his speed.  Someone else here may be able to find that out. :)  On to the poll:

This link is to an article in the DP a few days ago concerning what Boss had to say about the 34 defense, as well as what Shanny had to say about the fumble by Marcus Thomas (hilarious).  Sorry if the faithful members have already seen this.  I don't visit the DP near as much as I used to before finding MHR.

Only reason I post this is to further encourage discussion on possible movement to the 34 as the base defense.  I've been for this for some time now.

Question for someone more knowledgeable than me...Out of the past 10 SB winners, how many have run the 34 as a base defense?