SB Nation User Blog: Disco_Stu

Draft Countdown Analysis of Denver's 2009 Draft

Disco_Stu — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:28:17 -0000

Draft Countdown Analysis of Denver's 2009 Draft

Thanks to McGeorge for bringing this to my attention; hope he jumps over here to add his commentary!

Can't say I agree with everything, but it makes some valid points. Guess that's why they play the game, right?

Denver Runningback Contracts

Disco_Stu — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:07:25 -0000

The biggest knock on 1st round pick Knowshon Moreno hasn't been his abilities, or is placement as a first round pick...but rather, the fact that Denver signed several draft picks prior to the draft.

I'll hold my opinion for later, but I believe an examination of what Denver is on the hook for with the current RB stable is in order.

LaMont Jordan

Two years, $2.5 million, $500,000 guaranteed.

J.J. Arrington

Four years, $10 million, $1.8 million guaranteed.

Correll Buckhalter

Four years, $10 million, $1.8 million guaranteed.

Ryan Torain

Four years, $1.903 million, $198,000 guaranteed (one year into this deal)

Peyton Hillis

Four years, $1.755 million, $49,800 guaranteed (one year into this deal)

Now, my thoughts. The arguement of "why draft Moreno, when so many other RBs are on the roster!" rings hollow. Quantity does not equal quality, and there isn't a back listed here that couldn't be cut.

LaMont Jordan seems like an insurance/tutor signing. If other backs can't handle the load, Jordan is there. Jordan can be an example to the other backs of how things are done. But if he's leap-frogged on the depth chart, his cap hit is VERY managable.

JJ Arrington isn't going to set the world on fire. But he could be a good backup and solid kick returner. The $1.8 million guaranteed hit isn't great, but not debilitating.

Buckhalter will probably be what he was in Philly: a solid back-up. Good insurance, especially after what we all witnessed in Denver last year.

Pinnock is a blocking fullback. Easily kept if he's good, easily dropped if he isn't.

Selvin Young is probably gone. I like him, and I was appreciative of his awareness in knocking a fumble out-of-bounds two years ago in Buffalo...but I don't think he can beat out anyone else.

I would be SHOCKED if Hillis goes anywhere. McDaniels has already stated that they will be looking to use Hillis where ever they can. I like this. More cowbell, more Hillis.

Ryan Torain is on the bubble. Reports have him still out of practice, and that won't help his case. He'll have to show he can add something that another back can't...otherwise, he'll be let go with barely a cap hit.

But the biggest question, for ANY player, is this: can that player help the team win? Moreno has the vision and insticts to thrive in Denver's running game. He can run, he can block, and he is pratically another WR in the passing game. Coupled with a Peyton Hillis in a two-back set...the mind races while thinking of the options (both stay back, but who rushes...or is it a pass? One or the other motions out...is it a run or a pass? BOTH motion out and are effective receivers...a two-back set with a TE in close becomes five-wide!) Moreno will be an asset to the Denver Broncos.

Report from the Game

Disco_Stu — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:49:15 -0000

Here now, my take on what I'm sure everyone was waiting to hear: just how good was the half-time entertainment, Antigravity?

I can honestly say: it was okay. Those odd jumping boot thingies were interesting, and we got to see a new world record set on consecutive backflips using them. History, folks. Then they had four guys, two trampolines, and a wall. Fun to watch, overall.

Other than that, it was a pretty tame afternoon. *twitch, twitch*

My voice is gone, and I nearly took today off to recover. I have never, NEVER been in a stadium going as berserk as INVESCO Mile High after the 2-point conversion. Here are my REAL thoughts after the game.

Keep in mind the following. We were at the top of the stadium. Literally. No one behind us. Great for seeing the field, not so great for fine detail. I have read little and seen less on the controversial plays. Therefore, I don't have much to add on those plays.

Jay Cutler wa a little too amped up at the end of the game. I believe this game as personal, and he was trying just a bit too hard. The interception and "fumble" seemed to be results of Jay pressing more than he should of. I don't expect to see those mistakes very often.
Sproles' return for a TD changed the game. Before that point, the crowd was going crazy. After that, it took awhile to bring the noice back up. Without that return, the Broncos roll the Chargers.
There were some shaky calls going both ways. I added a new "how can they not call the block in the back?!?!?!" incident to my memory, right up there with some of Dante Hall's returns.
I was disappointed in Prater's lack of touchbacks. I was expecting more in the thin air. A 52-yard field goal will earn some forgiveness, however.
Kerns' few punts looked great. Great distance, and pinned the returner into a corner. Special teams aren't there yet, but they're improving.
The defense needs to find ways of getting off the field on 3rd and more-than-three.
On many of the painful long receptions, one name kept showing up (to me, at least): Karl Paymah. I could be wrong, but it seemed like SD found the weak spot and kept attacking it. Not sure if this was bad play by Paymah or...
...the lack of pressure on Rivers. I kept hoping for it. I kept praying for it. It never came. We're in for a heart burn-inducing season if the QBs have that much time all season. We are saved by...
...the offense. It is for real. I can't speak highly enough of the offensive line. Others have mentioned this, but a line that young should not be playing that well. The play calling is...crazy. The receiving talent is incredible. And given time, Jay Cutler will dissect any defense.

One little story, just to re-emphasize how draining that game was. Crowd is off the hook after Eddie gets the 2-pt conversion. In the middle of that, I'm the first person around to notice we have a man down...and I'm pretty sure it's Eddie. The crowd slowly starts to go quiet...just in time for Eddie to jump up, pump his fists, and start the party over again. That should be it...only, there's still 24 seconds on the clock, Broncos only lead by 1...and we have to kick to Sproles. Stomaches tighten up again, and they won't relax for another five minutes or so (the solid ST stop helped a bit).

I won't forget this game, and I doubt anyone else (SD fans included) will either.

The Other Side of Sports

Disco_Stu — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:09:55 -0000

First, an admission: this post really doesn't have much value, other than allowing me to channel some of my excitement for tomorrow's game. If you're looking for a discussion about the on-field events...I would suggest heading to the other posts (all of which are excellent, as per usual).

Tomorrow's game will be special, and not just because Denver has a very real shot of going up 2-0, and taking a two-game lead over San Diego in the division (only a 1-game lead over the winner of KC-oakland...but that doesn't really matter). Tomorrow, I get to attend the game with the following people:

My Wife. It will be our first Bronco game together (her first ever!); we attended a Chiefs-Patriots game a few years ago at Arrowhead while visiting some friends (sidenote: i wore my away Ed McCaffery jersey to that one). She was a big Avalanche fan when we met, and she's become an incredible football fan; she even beats me at fantasy football. Plus, she's the one who pointed me to the Brazilian twins in the Good Luck Bikini thread...she's an incredible woman, and I can't wait to share this with her!
My Dad. My football fan-dom is directly attributed to him. He's always been a friend and a role-model, and this will be his first NFL game...ever. A real father-son moment.
My cousin, a Navy vet who worked on the last operational F-14 Tomcat unit. His girlfriend is currently in the process of shipping out to Afghanistan, so it's awesome that the pregame will include a salute to the armed forces.

Like I said...this is just an emotional outburst, but it gets me thinking: how many other such stories are out there? Jonahsilas is in town for his bachelor weekend (which sounds like an awesome time!)...there must be hundreds or thousands of such stories, all bringing an insane energy to a relatively small spot of land during a 3.5 hour stretch of time. It connects one special moment (me with my family) to all the other special moments, all with the energy generated from pride in our team, and pride in our city and state. I don't know where this is going...but it feels special.

Go Broncos, and I hope everyone on MHR enjoys the ride tomorrow!

Why ESPN is Stupid

Disco_Stu — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:39:52 -0000

A few weeks of family in town/vacationing in Yellowstone kept me away from the inter-tubes, but I return just in time to see a quick break down of the Broncos Training Camp:

• What John Clayton says: The Broncos train at their headquarters near a suburban airport. What's amazing is the amount of parking spaces available, which is important because Broncos fans flock to the summer practices. There are plenty of workers there to funnel the cars to a lot within walking distances of the facility. Places to eat are located more than a mile away, which is appropriate. Broncos practices are all about football. Coach Mike Shanahan wants it that way.
• What to do besides training camp: The peaceful, scenic area is home to a number of recreational parks, as well as Pirates Cove, a family aquatic center. Englewood Golf Course offers visitors an opportunity to work on their swing when not attending practice, while the CityCenter Englewood Amphitheatre will play host to free outdoor concerts as part of the Sounds of Summer series. Another point of interest is Merrill Engineering Laboratories – where, if you aren't already aware, the world's first electronic dynamic wheel-balancing system was invented in 1945.

Full Article Here

Very cool that they provide alternative activities. But...wait a second. Pirates Cove? Englewood Golf Course, CityCenter Englewood Amphitheatre? Merrill Engineering Laboratories? Yes, they are all in Englewood, as is Dove Valley. But Englewood, CO is an odd place that stretches between Santa Fe and Arapahoe. Most of the "attractions" listed in the article are on the OTHER SIDE of Englewood, and no where close to Dove Valley!

I do believe someone at ESPN just Googled Englewood, grabbed a few tidbits, and left it at that. Stupid.

Good Article on Javon Walker

Disco_Stu — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:46:29 -0000

Good Article on Javon Walker

Ignore who the author is. While this isn't exactly "new" news, it is still a pretty good introspective article. Puts some pieces together that I hadn't yet connected.

Good News for Marshall

Disco_Stu — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:53:10 -0000

Good News for Marshall

Ahead of schedule on making catches with both hands: this bodes well!

Dallas Writer has Denver ranked 28th

Disco_Stu — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:14:26 -0000

Dallas Writer has Denver ranked 28th

Also has Dallas ranked #3.

Can't say I'm "upset" really. Just chuckled, rolled my eyes, and wondered how Kansas City is better than Denver right now.

This team is REALLY going to surprise some people...

Winds of Change

Disco_Stu — Sat, 31 May 2008 03:50:18 -0000

This FanPost has no factual content. There are no statistics, no tables, no analysis (although, I am a huge fan of all of the above!) No, this post is about a difficult-to-describe event: Shivers down the Spine.

See, I've been getting them recently, and with greater frequency. I don't know what, precisely, happens when I get that feeling. Something with the brain and central nervous system, I'm sure...but I'm a Software Engineer/Math Geek, not a doctor.

(If anyone knows WHY you get shivers down your spine, or hiccups for that matter, let me know!)

But these shivers...they keep happening. They happened when I looked at the sum of Denver's 2008 Draft (both in talent and character.) They happened when I realized Jay Cutler was a Top 10 QB in 2007...with untreated diabetes. Then again when I see quotes like (paraphrasing) "his blood sugar is down, his spirits are up, and his fastball is back." They came when Brandon Marshall "mocked" Cutlers comments, with Jay not missing a beat in making a come-back (term used on purpose.) It happened again when Champ sounded impressed by Jay's recovery, and again when Stokley and Jackson sounded impressed. Again, when Shanahan promised Rosalind Williams that Denver would "make her proud" this season.

Fellow Broncos fans...the winds of change are blowing. Nothing flashy, but Denver is getting back on track. The team is coming together. And most importantly: Ladies and Gentleman, I am pleased to present Jay Cutler's Denver Broncos.

And there go the shivers again. :o)

RB Dominic Rhodes re-signs with Colts

Disco_Stu — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:36:55 -0000

RB Dominic Rhodes re-signs with Colts

That takes care of that question. :o)