This mock is based on the league-wide two-round mock I posted here:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=13505976&sid=4842eb0dd4b88ab09038913f45cbe5a5#13505976

Unrestricted FA's we re-sign

OG Russ Hochstein
DE Jason Hunter
DT Brodrick Bunkley
DT Marcus Thomas
OLB Wesley Woodyard
K Matt Prater
P Britton Colquitt

Players we release or let walk

Andre Goodman
Knowshon Moreno
Eddie Royal
Daniel Fells
Dante Rosario
Derrick Harvey
Joe Mays
Spencer Larsen
Ty Warren
Kevin Vickerson

Brady Quinn

Retirement

Brian Dawkins

FA's we sign

QB David Garrard
TE John Carlson
CB Terrell Thomas

2012 Bronco Draft

Round 1: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: The safety pickings are slim here, and we can get a DT in Round 2. Plus, another WR would help Tebow tremendously.

Round 2: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Can be a good partner for Bunkley. A disruptive player.

Round 3: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma St: Runs a 4.47 40. Complete safety. Good hitter and good in coverage.

Round 4: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas: Can replace Royal in the return game.

Round 5, Pick 1: Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky: Can be a late-round steal and good compliment to Willis McGahee.

Round 5, Pick 2: Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly: Good tackler, and can also help out in the return game.

Round 7: Chad Diehl, FB, Clemson: Great lead blocker for McGahee and Rainey.

Depth Chart:

Offense

QB: Tebow, Garrard, Weber
RB: McGahee, Rainey, Ball, Johnson
FB: Diehl, Green
WR: D. Thomas, Floyd, Decker, Hill, Adams, Willis
TE: Carlson, Thomas, Green
LT: Clady, Hills
LG: Franklin, Beadles
C: Walton, Ramirez
RG: Kuper, Hochstein
RT: Harris, Beadles, Clark

Defense

DE: Dumervil, Ayers, Hunter, Beal
DT: Bunkley, Thompson, Thomas, McBean
SLB: Von Miller, Mario Haggan
MLB: Nate Irving, Mario Haggan
WLB: D.J. Williams, Wesley Woodyard
CB: Champ Bailey, Terrell Thomas, Chris Harris, Asa Jackson, Syd'Quan Thompson
FS: Markelle Martin, Rahim Moore
SS: Quentin Carter, David Bruton

Special Teams

K: Matt Prater
P: Britton Colquitt
KR: Joe Adams
PR: Asa Jackson

Now that we are separating the men from the boys in the AFC West, I think that I will make my playoff projections:

AFC East: New England will end up 12-4 and get the second seed. The Jets and Buffalo will continue to play themselves out of the playoff race, with the Jets and Bills ending up at 9-7 and 7-9. Miami will bring up the rear at 5-11.

AFC North: Baltimore and Pittsburgh will tie for the top at 12-4, but the Ravens will win the tiebreaker, and get home field in a three-way tie with the Pats and the Texans. The Bengals will be the second wildcard after winning a tiebreaker with the Raiders, and the Browns bring up the rear.

AFC South: The Texans end up at 12-4 with the third seed, while the Titans finish 9-7 and out of the postseason. The Jags are for third, and the Colts can look forward to Luck.

AFC West. The Broncos will win out and take the West at 11-5, the Raiders will miss the Wild Card on a tie-breaker, and the Chiefs and Chargers will bring up the rear. The Chargers will be dismantled at the end of the season.

NFC East: Dallas will end up taking the division with an 11-5 Record while the Giants fade to 9-7 because their schedule is too tough. The Eagles and Washington bring up the rear.

NFC North: The Packers go undefeated. The Bears go 10-6 and get the fifth seed. The Lions end up 9-7 and out of the playoffs, and the Vikes bring up the rear.

NFC South: The Saints go 12-4 and end up with the three seed. The Falcons go 10-6 and get the 6 seed. The Bucs end up 7-9, and the Panthers bring up the rear, although they will be a team to reckon with in the future.

NFC West: The Niners will go 13-3 and get the 2-seed, and the Hawks, Cards, and Rams bring up the rear.

AFC Playoffs

Wild Card: The Broncos will face the Steelers at home for their first playoff game since the 2005 AFC Championship game. In a matchup between Ben and Tebow, the Bronco defense keeps them in it, and they win in OT. In the other Wild Card game, the Bengals will upset the QB-less Texans.

Divisional Round: The Broncos end up going to New England, and this is where the train stops, although not without a fight. As for the other game, the Ravens beat Cincy again, and get the Pats at home for the AFC Title game

Championship game: The Ravens go to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years after defeating New England.

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card: Dallas defeats the Bears at home, while the Falcons finally defeat the Saints in their third try.

Divisional Playoffs: The Packers beat Atlanta again, while the 49er defense leads the way in a win over the Cowboys.

NFC Title: The Niners had a great year, but the train stops here. The defense can't carry them all year, and they don't have enough offense to dethrone the champs.

Super Bowl 46: The Packers join the Dolphins in Perfectville after beating the Ravens for their second straight title.

I am listening to the online podcast of today's Mike and Scott show on 104.3 the fan. Today, Mike was talking about the integrity of the Broncos after they played an excerpt from Joe Ellis's press conference. Mike was criticizing the fans and calling them hypocrites because of all the salary cap violations that happened in the 90's that they supported because the Broncos were winning Super Bowls. 

Now, I thought that the only thing that happened was by accident because Bowlen just took money from Elway's and Davis's contracts to pay for the construction of Invesco Field. Recently, though, I have been hearing things like how the Broncos were doing more things like restructuring contracts for several players. 

What really happened in this mess?

In light of what has been happening with Oden and Roy, I decided to write this post.

This season, it may be the last dance for the Lakers and Celtics(just like the Bulls had 13 years ago), especially if there is a lockout. Phil Jackson may resign after this year, and both teams will be a few years older by the time the 2012-13 season begins. 

What I just mentioned, as well as the Oden and Roy situations, is why I wouldn't mind seeing a full-year lockout next year. That may be the best thing that could happen to this franchise with falling potential.

We would have extra time to re-evaluate what to do with Oden and Roy, and they would have extra time to get healthy for us if they are going to actually still be our future. Also, this franchise would have time to re-evaluate what direction it is going in and make necessary changes. 

Grace and Peace, 

PABroncofan

Hi, everyone. On the heels of this big trade that was made, I decided to do a new mock draft. Here are some pre-mock thoughts first:

1. With Quinn in the fold, I still think that the Broncos will draft a QB. Brandstater will be gone by opening day, as he is not the future.

2. Orton will probably be the starter for most, if not all of 2010, since he knows the system. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brady Quinn starting at some point next year if he can get a solid grasp of the system. After this year, Orton will be gone, possibly to the Browns after Delhomme and Wallace suck up the joint.

3. After Seattle passed on him, I have a gut feeling that B-Marsh will stay for one more year, at least.

4. Scheffler will be traded to the Rams for their fourth-rounder. They have a definite need at the TE position. Daniel Fells, who should be a backup, is slated to be their starter, and Randy McMichael is a UFA.

ON TO THE DRAFT!!

TRADE: The Broncos trade this year's #1(11th overall) to the Seahawks for their #1(14th overall) and their second-rounder this year(40th overall).

First round(14th overall): Mike Iupati, G, Idaho

I felt that he would be a reach at 11, so I figured we trade down a few, let the Hawks take C.J. Spiller at 11, and we can get Iupati at a little more reasonable price. We need that road grader to put next to Clady, and he is the man.

Second round(40th overall, from Sea): Donald Butler, ILB, Washington

I know that some of you may want Spikes here, but he is a character risk. Butler has been shooting up draft boards since the Senior Bowl, and is actually rated the #1 MLB/ILB by The Sporting News. They compare him to Jerod Mayo, and you know how he is doing in the same scheme in New England.

Second Round(45th overall): Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina

The Broncos take a prospect to groom behind Jamal Williams.

Third Round: Now, for the sleeper pick. Johnathan Crompton, QB, Tennessee

Just hear me out on this one. This guy has more potential than Brandstater, and he improved a lot in his senior season. McDaniels could work with him for a few years, and he could be the starter eventually if Quinn isn't the man. TSN has him rated as their second QB overall, only behind Sam Bradford.

Fourth Round(from Rams): J.D. Walton, C, Baylor

The Broncos need a center. There is still a chance that they could get Mawae, and if they do, this guy can be groomed behind him.

Fourth Round: Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest

Is a physical corner with good speed that is a good value at this spot. He can be groomed behind Bailey and Goodman.

No Fifth rounder

Sixth Round: Marshall Newhouse, G, TCU

Has the size that McD wants(6-3, 326). He is a project, but could be worth taking at this position. More of a guard in the pros, but is also categorized as a tweener.

Seventh round: Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan

Best punter in the draft, and can kick off in an emergency.

2010 Opening Day depth chart(Rookies in CAPS)

Other players that will leave as FA, be cut, or traded from now until Opening Day: Stokley, Gorin, Moss, M. Thomas, Greisen, Hamilton, Colquitt, Trapasso, V. Fox, V. Holliday

Offense

QB: 8 Orton, 10 Quinn, 12 CROMPTON
HB: 27 Moreno, 28 Buckhalter, 29 Arrington
FB: 46 Larsen
WR: 15 Marshall, 19 Royal, 10 Gaffney, 11 McKinley, 84 Lloyd
TE: 89 Graham, 81 Quinn, 85 Marquez Branson
T: 78 Clady, 74 Harris, 78 Polumbus, 68 NEWHOUSE
G: 72 IUPATI, 73 Kuper, 71 Hochstein, 70 Olsen, 68 NEWHOUSE
C: 70 Olsen, 50 WALTON
K: 5 Prater
KR: 29 Arrington

Defense

DE: 97 Green, 93 Bannan, 98 McBean, 72 L. Smith
NT: 99 J. Williams, 91 Fields, 75 Baker, 90 C. THOMAS
OLB: 56 Ayers, 92 Dumervil, 95 Reid, 91 B. Atkins
ILB: 57 Haggan, 55. D.J. Williams, 52 BUTLER, 59 Woodyard
CB: 24 Bailey, 21 Goodman, 33 A. Smith, 32 Jones, 22 GHEE
FS: 20 Dawkins, 31 McBath
SS: 23 Hill, 30 Bruton, 36 Barrett
P: 6 MESKO
PR: 33 A. Smith
LS: 66 Paxton

Last week, I had a vision about this Patriot-Bronco game, but I didn't want to say anything until after the Dallas game, if we won. But now, since Denver is going into this game 4-0, I am seeing some parallels to the 1977 Week 5 game that they won in Oakland.

For starters, both of these Bronco teams hired new coaches in their first year from the Patriot staff(Miller, McDaniels). Secondly, both of these teams acquired new QB's that were solid, but also maligned throughout their careers(Orton, Morton). Next, just like 1977, this Bronco team is going into a Week 5 game undefeated against a perennial power that is or may be close to a decline(70's Raiders, 00's Pats).

So, with that in mind, I feel that this game could be a changing of the guard in the AFC, just like that Bronco-Raider game was 32 years ago. In the immortal words of Tom Jackson: "It's all over, Hoodie"!

On Bleacher Report, someone wrote an article about how the Pats don't deserve to be considered the team of the decade because of Spygate. But now, he is attacking the Broncos, as well as other teams:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/210359-the-astrisk-more-teams-than-the-patriots-deserve-it

The guy who wrote the article says that he thought it was just an accounting error, but he says that he realizes it simply wasn't because of the deferred payments to Elway and Davis for 29 Million dollars. Interesting.

He also goes on to question the validity of other teams, like the 90's Cowboys, and George Halas's Bear teams.

Enjoy!!!

On Bleacher Report, I just found this interesting article on Pat Bowlen. It basically says that the deaths of Darrent Williams and Damien Nash had an influence on how he felt about Mike Shanahan:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/201216-has-pat-bowlen-gone-around-the-bend

I think that this article gives a good insight on why we are where we are with the Broncos as of this moment, why a certain Mr. Cutler is gone, and why a certain Mr. Marshall may be joining him. And, it explains why the Broncos were looking for so many high character guys in the 2008 draft.

Enjoy!!

I was reading his chat transcript from the other day, and a fan from Olympia asked him the following question:

"Matt (Olympia): Bill, What should the Blazers do to get themselves to the next level? They have something like 5 draft picks...can they package some of those to get a veteran? Who would you want to put with their core of BRoy, Aldridge and Oden(other than Durant)?"

Here was the Oden hater's response:

"Bill Simmons: I think their talent has been vastly overrated - they have 2 keepers (Roy and LA) and I'm not sold on anyone else on that roster except Rudy. Outlaw, Blake, Pryzbilla, Oden... these are all bench guys. I thought they made a serious mistake not using Raef's contract to get a blue-chipper this year. They look better on paper than they actually are... "

What does this guy have against the Blazers?

I was on Bleacher Report today, and someone posted an article about Elway and why he doesn't get the same criticism as Brett Favre:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/125778-why-does-john-elway-escape-the-same-criticism-we-give-brett-favre#comment_body_592882

What do the idiots that write on this site have against him? They keep talking about how he was as much of an INT machine that Favre was. That isn't really accurate. People, and we have talked about this over and over, don't realize how Dan Reeves' system handicapped him.

Recently, I read something very interesting. I don't know how many of you are familiar with Bleacher Report, but someone recently wrote a column entitled Ultimate Leaders: The ten greatest QB's in NFL history. Guess where he had Elway rated? 10th. He had the "almighty" Joe Montana 1 and Brady 2. Here is the link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/92726-ultimate-leaders-the-10-greatest-quarterbacks-in-nfl-history

I argued with the guy, but he still doesn't see Elway as better than 10th. He basically blames him for their SB losses the Broncos had in the 80's.

Also, I was in the SI Vault, and I was looking at the Sept 3, 1984 issue(with Joe Theismann on the cover with a piece of tape on his mouth). I went back to the Extra Points part of the NFL section on Page 46, and it was ripping on Dan Reeves' offense. Eason Ramson, a former 49er TE who was traded to Denver that year, said to his old teammates that Dan's offense was "too confusing. Also, here is the one that really got me. Ronnie Lott said that "if Elway played in our system, he would be one of the leaders in passing". That pretty much verifies what we have been saying about Elway all along, despite the protestations of chuckleheads above.

                      Well, it happened again. Another PSU choke job against a Big 10 opponent with an undefeated season on the line. Why am I not shocked? This team is turning into the Boston Red Sox. It is pathetic. I can't believe they didn't beat that team at least 30-7. That should have been a cakewalk. That Iowa team had no weapons outside of the RB, and we were running the ball at will. I don't get it. How is this the ending? Please explain it to me. I don't like to use the word, but does this team have a curse on it? Right now, NFL Films is doing an America's Game special called The Missing Rings about great teams that didn't win the SB, like the 81 Chargers and the 98 Vikings and the 90 Bills. They should do a Missing Rings episode about Penn State. It would take several hours, because there has been a lot of them. I think another one popped up tonight.

                I was on Football's Future, and I responded to a topic about Brady and Belichick, and a Patriot fan came back at me about being a hypocrite because of some Salary Cap problems the Broncos had in the 90's. I have heard about that, but I forgot the whole story. What exactly did the Broncos do, and how much were they penalized? I just hope that there is no controversy like this tied to our future success. That would really be terrible.