After the Broncos' loss to the Oakland Raiders, some new areas of weakness have really emerged, namely on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines.

Thanks to former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and the Bears, Denver is currently armed with the eighth overall pick, one that could be very attractive to teams who want to move up for an elite level prospect in a very top-heavy draft.

One candidate who could possibly be willing to trade up is the Baltimore Ravens.  Trading up would be completely out of character for the Ravens, as they usually keep their picks or trade down for more.  They consistently build their team through the draft, and often end up taking the best player available when they pick.

This season, their main target in the draft needs to be a premiere wide receiver, and they will not be able to pick one up if they stick with the 21st overall pick.  That is why they should trade up with the Denver Broncos and acquire wide receiver Dez Bryant, who could be the top receiver prospect the Ravens crave.

Here is my projected trade:

Ravens Receive

• Broncos' first round pick (8th overall)

Broncos Receive

• Ravens' first round pick (21st overall)
• Ravens' second round pick (54th overall)
• Ravens' fifth round pick (150th overall)

It may seem a bit steep for a top ten pick, but the Ravens really seem to be on the verge of a Super Bowl contender, and an elite wide receiver prospect could vault them to where they need to be.

Meanwhile, the Broncos' draft slate appears to be much more filled out than it previously was, looking as such:

1. 21st overall (from Baltimore)
2. 54th overall  (from Baltimore)
3. 55th overall
4. 87th overall
5. 134th overall
6. 150th overall (from Baltimore)
7. 192nd overall
8. 242nd overall

With eight picks, the Broncos can much more easily take advantage of this very deep draft, and they need to start it off by going big in the first round.

1.  First Round, 21st overall (from Baltimore):  Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho

6'6" 330 lbs.

Iupati is a very hot prospect right now.  He has very imposing size and would fill an enormous void on the interior of Denver's offensive line at left guard. 

For a long time, I have been defending former Iowa guard/tackle and current Broncos reserve Seth Olsen as the player to be the heir apparent at left guard, but the Broncos would be wise to take Iupati and hope Olsen can be the future at the center position or depth at tackle and guard.

Iupati is an elite level guard prospect, and the Broncos can get him for a relative bargain.  He would provide Denver with great size on the interior, and would be the fourth piece out of five in what could potentially be the most talented young offensive line in the NFL with Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Chris Kuper, and Iupati.

Denver has really struggled to run the ball consistently and their interior pass protection has been marginal at best, though Kyle Orton doesn't always do the greatest job of escaping the pressure.  Iupati would greatly help Denver's pass protection, and would give Ryan Clady the help he needs at the left tackle position to succeed.

2.  Second Round, 54th overall:  Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

6'3" 230 pounds

This might seem a bit off the wall for Denver, who already have one of the deepest and most talented receiver cores in the NFL, but this would be a very, very smart pick.

Besides the fact that Thomas would likely be a first round pick if he had a quarterback who could get him the ball better, he fits a lot of different roles that Denver would like to have filled.

First of all, the Broncos lack a true deep threat opposite Brandon Marshall.  Certainly Eddie Royal has excellent speed, but his skills would best be used from the slot as many Denver fans anticipated.  Thomas has excellent speed, and could sneak into the first round based on his measurables alone.

Also, Thomas would take a lot of pressure off of the Broncos' other receivers.  Though Brandon Marshall has seemingly been the only wideout on quarterback Kyle Orton's radar all season long, another big play receiver could really free up Marshall on the opposite side and Royal in the middle.

Thomas would also be a solid developmental prospect in case Brandon Marshall bolts in a couple of years.

3.  Second Round, 55th overall:  Toby Gerhart, Running Back, Stanford

6'2" 240

Not a big shocker here.  As I mentioned in the early stages of the reasoning for Mike Iupati, the Broncos have really struggled running the ball, largely due to their lack of depth (or use of it in the case of Peyton Hillis). 

While many believe Peyton Hillis is the obvious answer for the Broncos as the team's power back, head coach Josh McDaniels has refused to use him this season for whatever reason, and he is simply being wasted.  Sadly, Hillis could be traded or released come this offseason if the team doesn't find a better use for him, though now that he has not played much his value may be diminished.

All of that being said, Toby Gerhart would be the perfect fit for the Broncos as a power back.  The Broncos have really struggled with short yardage plays, and the additions of Gerhart and Iupati could potentially erase those struggles.

4.  Third Round, 87th overall:  Myron Lewis, Cornerback, Vanderbilt

6'2" 204

Lewis is a relatively little known prospect but he has very good measurables and has proven to be a very durable, versatile player in his football playing career. 

He has nine interceptions the last two seasons, and was named second team All-SEC in 2009.  His size makes him a very attractive prospect for the next level, especially because of his ability to help in the running game as an effective tackler.

His size helps him bat down balls much more frequently than many other cornerbacks, though his speed at times is somewhat of a liability.  He is quicker than fast and reminds me a lot of Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears.

5.  Fourth Round, 134th overall:  Micah Johnson, Middle Linebacker, Kentucky

6'2" 258 lbs.

The Broncos could very easily look to this position much earlier in the draft, but Johnson is great value here.  He is a mammoth against the run, and almost fits the exact same mold as current Denver linebacker Andra Davis.  He is not so much fast as he is quick, but he is very versatile.

Johnson is close to a liability in pass coverage, but he can stay in on passing downs to rush the passer, an area he excels.  Some scouts believe him to be best fit as a pass rusher or strong side linebacker in the 3-4 defensive scheme.

6.  Fifth Round, 150th overall:  John Skelton, Quarterback, Fordham

6'5" 258 lbs.

Skelton is a very intriguing prospect to me.  I recently found out about him, and was extremely impressed.  He is quickly becoming one of the more popular prospects in the draft, and according to other reports, the Broncos have been scouting this kid since August.

They have been watching him this whole season, and with good reasoning.  Skelton is a physical marvel and has all of the tools to succeed at the NFL level.  With proper coaching, which he would receive in Denver, he could wind up being one of the bigger steals in the draft.  He has great footwork, escape-ability, and good zip on short range passes.  He throws a nice deep ball and can make any and every NFL throw.

Watch for this kid on draft day, he is an intriguing prospect.

7.  Sixth Round, 192nd overall:  Anthony Moeaki, Tight End, Iowa

6'3" 247 lbs.

As I have said in previous mock drafts, I think the Broncos are going to have a tough time passing on the versatility of Moeaki, especially at a position where they could lose Tony Scheffler at the end of the season.

Moeaki has been oft-injured in his time at Iowa, but he is one of the better players to come through Iowa City this decade.  He will likely fall in the draft due to his injury plagued career, but he is an excellent blocker in addition to being a good pass receiver.

He has good vision after the catch, though his speed is average.  He could be a nice find for some team late in the draft.

8.  Seventh Round, 242nd overall:  Erik Cook, Offensive Lineman, New Mexico

6'6" 315 lbs.

Cook adds quality depth and versatility to the Broncos' offensive line.  He is a very underrated prospect who could be the sleeper to fill the Broncos' void at center for the future.

He has experience in college at all of tackle, guard, and center, and could really provide the Broncos with some quality depth if injuries occur throughout the season.

There may be questions as to why I have not included defensive line in this particular segment.  I believe the Broncos will address the defensive line with the deep free agent class of 2010.  The defensive lineman available in 2010 are fairly deep, though it is very heavy on the top end and it lacks a lot of true 3-4 fits other than Terrence Cody as a nose tackle.

via www.usaplayers.com

via a.espncdn.com

After the Broncos' loss to the Oakland Raiders, some new areas of weakness have really emerged, namely on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines.

Thanks to former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and the Bears, Denver is currently armed with the eighth overall pick, one that could be very attractive to teams who want to move up for an elite level prospect in a very top-heavy draft.

One candidate who could possibly be willing to trade up is the Baltimore Ravens.  Trading up would be completely out of character for the Ravens, as they usually keep their picks or trade down for more.  They consistently build their team through the draft, and often end up taking the best player available when they pick.

This season, their main target in the draft needs to be a premiere wide receiver, and they will not be able to pick one up if they stick with the 21st overall pick.  That is why they should trade up with the Denver Broncos and acquire wide receiver Dez Bryant, who could be the top receiver prospect the Ravens crave.

Here is my projected trade:

Ravens Receive

• Broncos' first round pick (8th overall)

Broncos Receive

• Ravens' first round pick (21st overall)
• Ravens' second round pick (54th overall)
• Ravens' fifth round pick (150th overall)

It may seem a bit steep for a top ten pick, but the Ravens really seem to be on the verge of a Super Bowl contender, and an elite wide receiver prospect could vault them to where they need to be.

Meanwhile, the Broncos' draft slate appears to be much more filled out than it previously was, looking as such:

1. 21st overall (from Baltimore)
2. 54th overall  (from Baltimore)
3. 55th overall
4. 87th overall
5. 134th overall
6. 150th overall (from Baltimore)
7. 192nd overall
8. 242nd overall

With eight picks, the Broncos can much more easily take advantage of this very deep draft, and they need to start it off by going big in the first round.

Continue reading this post »

Sleepers are becoming a hot trend of the NFL draft.  In fact, one might argue that the "sleeper" is not becoming a huge part of the draft, but it is something that has already become.

In today's NFL, it seems that the unheralded prospects are the ones making their way to the top faster than others, and the "sure things" are falling through the cracks.  Players like DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora of Troy are having stellar careers when top picks like Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss of Ohio State and Florida respectively are largely busts.

Now, am I trying to paint the picture that every small school kid is destined to turn out to be the next great NFL star?  Hardly.  I am merely suggesting that small schools can produce big playmakers for the National Football League.

Probably the rarest form of a small college sleeper is found at the quarterback position, where former Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco (now of the Baltimore Ravens) has somewhat paved the way for those lesser known signal callers to make their way to the NFL.

Potentially following in Flacco's footsteps is Fordham quarterback John Skelton, a pro-style field general from the great state of Texas.  Though Skelton was not heavily recruited in high school, he has put together one of the more impressive careers in FCS history for the Fordham Rams.

Now, many are going to have to take that last sentence with a grain of salt, but this kid seems to have the skillset it takes to play at the next level.

I am not trying to paint this young gun like the next Peyton Manning, but upon watching some highlight video of what he has done in college, here is a quick scouting report:

Strengths

• Arm Strength
• Footwork
• Escape Ability
• Accuracy on deep throws
• NFL size

Weaknesses

• Lower Release Point
• Not very dominant despite low level of competition, but clearly a man among boys.

Skelton is listed at 6'5" and a remarkable 258 pounds, which is roughly 57 pounds more than he weighed when he was a high school senior.  That kind of weight growth is normal for a lineman or tight end, but certainly not for a quarterback.  Obviously Skelton has been on some kind of weight training regiment to get him in prime NFL shape.

Despite all of the added weight, Skelton remains very mobile and active in the pocket.  Upon watching film, he has excellent footwork in the pocket.  He moves around very well and reads the pressure like an NFL quarterback needs to.  The speed of the game increases in the NFL probably about 20 times as fast as it is in the Patriot League, but he appears to have the correct instincts to make it work.

Another thing I really liked was his quick release and arm strength, especially on deep throws.  In the film available online, he hits deep out routes with relative ease, and has great touch on his deep ball.  He doesn't put too much air under his passes, which is key at the next level in terms of the speed of the defensive backs.

The only thing that concerns me is a lack of pure dominance at a lower level of college competition.  He has over 10,000 total yards in his time at Fordham, but players like Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have demolished that mark against the top levels of competition.  You wonder why Skelton has been unable to do that.

Regardless, if a lack of dominance is the only thing preventing this kid, he should be just fine.  If he gets into the correct system at the next level, he could be a star two or three years down the road.  He has the size and skills to make it at the next level, and he could be one to watch for on draft day.

Skelton can be had likely for the low, low price of a fifth round draft pick or later, so keep an eye out.

**For you Denver Broncos fans, I really believe this kid is a solid prospect for Josh McDaniels' system.  He runs the spread in college and has great accuracy on his short throws.

Sleepers are becoming a hot trend of the NFL draft.  In fact, one might argue that the "sleeper" is not becoming a huge part of the draft, but it is something that has already become.

In today's NFL, it seems that the unheralded prospects are the ones making their way to the top faster than others, and the "sure things" are falling through the cracks.  Players like DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora of Troy are having stellar careers when top picks like Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss of Ohio State and Florida respectively are largely busts.

Now, am I trying to paint the picture that every small school kid is destined to turn out to be the next great NFL star?  Hardly.  I am merely suggesting that small schools can produce big playmakers for the National Football League.

Probably the rarest form of a small college sleeper is found at the quarterback position, where former Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco (now of the Baltimore Ravens) has somewhat paved the way for those lesser known signal callers to make their way to the NFL.

Potentially following in Flacco's footsteps is Fordham quarterback John Skelton, a pro-style field general from the great state of Texas.  Though Skelton was not heavily recruited in high school, he has put together one of the more impressive careers in FCS history for the Fordham Rams.

Now, many are going to have to take that last sentence with a grain of salt, but this kid seems to have the skillset it takes to play at the next level.

I am not trying to paint this young gun like the next Peyton Manning, but upon watching some highlight video of what he has done in college, here is a quick scouting report:

Strengths

• Arm Strength
• Footwork
• Escape Ability
• Accuracy on deep throws
• NFL size

Weaknesses

• Lower Release Point
• Not very dominant despite low level of competition, but clearly a man among boys.

Skelton is listed at 6'5" and a remarkable 258 pounds, which is roughly 57 pounds more than he weighed when he was a high school senior.  That kind of weight growth is normal for a lineman or tight end, but certainly not for a quarterback.  Obviously Skelton has been on some kind of weight training regiment to get him in prime NFL shape.

Despite all of the added weight, Skelton remains very mobile and active in the pocket.  Upon watching film, he has excellent footwork in the pocket.  He moves around very well and reads the pressure like an NFL quarterback needs to.  The speed of the game increases in the NFL probably about 20 times as fast as it is in the Patriot League, but he appears to have the correct instincts to make it work.

Another thing I really liked was his quick release and arm strength, especially on deep throws.  In the film available online, he hits deep out routes with relative ease, and has great touch on his deep ball.  He doesn't put too much air under his passes, which is key at the next level in terms of the speed of the defensive backs.

The only thing that concerns me is a lack of pure dominance at a lower level of college competition.  He has over 10,000 total yards in his time at Fordham, but players like Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have demolished that mark against the top levels of competition.  You wonder why Skelton has been unable to do that.

Regardless, if a lack of dominance is the only thing preventing this kid, he should be just fine.  If he gets into the correct system at the next level, he could be a star two or three years down the road.  He has the size and skills to make it at the next level, and he could be one to watch for on draft day.

Skelton can be had likely for the low, low price of a fifth round draft pick or later, so keep an eye out.

For my first few mock drafts this offseason, I have projected the Broncos to make a trade. This particular mock will not feature a trade, though I feel it could be in Denver's best interest to do so. They would not have to cope with the cost of a top ten pick, though they might be forfeiting some talent in the prospect they acquire. While it may in fact be wise to trade down and acquire picks, the Broncos can do well with the six selections they currently possess.

This is a very deep draft, especially at the top end. During the 2009 draft, the Broncos traded their own 2010 first round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a second round pick which was used on cornerback Alphonso Smith. Critics thought the Broncos to be idiotic for doing that, especially after trading away quarterback Jay Cutler. They thought the Broncos' first round pick was sure to be a top ten pick, and the Bears' pick would be in the 20's or later.

Looks like Josh McDaniels was and is smarter than them, and the Bears are currently 5-8 and projected to send Denver the eighth overall pick in the up-coming draft. Here's how I would project Denver's draft if they decide to stay put with all of their picks.

First Round: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

It is clear after three seasons that the 6'4" 245 pound linebacker on the nation's top defense is the best linebacker in this draft if he decides to come out. The All-American has recorded 266 tackles, eight sacks, five interceptions, and a fumble forced in his time at Alabama. McClain is smart, durable, and a great defensive leader. If the Broncos selected him, they would have one of, if not the best linebacker group in the NFL. McClain would pair in the middle with D.J. Williams, while emerging star Elvis Dumervil and 2009 first round pick Robert Ayers man the outside spots. McClain has excellent range against the run and takes great angles. He is one of the best pure tacklers in the draft, and projects as a three down linebacker at the next level. The prospect of adding him has to be exciting for the Broncos, whose only real defensive weakness is against the run.

Second Round: Dan Williams, DL, Tennessee

Williams would be a great value pick here for the Broncos. He adds good size and athleticism to the front line, and would make a great eventual replacement for Kenny Peterson, Vonnie Holliday, or Ryan McBean. He has great versatility as a lineman and is a run stopping force. He has imposing size at 6'3" 327 pounds, and has the ability to get in the backfield on a very consistent basis. Williams is an ideal potential fit for the nose tackle position in the 3-4, and would be great insurance up front for Denver's linebacker core.

Third Round: Adrian Clayborn, DL, Iowa This would be another great value pick. As I have stated in previous mock drafts, I am really high on Clayborn and if he declares for the draft I think he would be a steal at this point. He is an excellent run stuffer and a relentless pass rusher. He is very athletic for his size, and has good burst off the line of scrimmage. Clayborn is versatile enough to play inside or outside in the 4-3, or as a five technique or rush linebacker in the 3-4. The Broncos will love his versatility and burst.

Fourth Round: Mike Johnson, OL, Alabama The Broncos need some size and depth on the offensive line, and Johnson gives them just that. He has been a very versatile performer for the Crimson Tide, playing both tackle and guard in his time there. This season proved that the Broncos are somewhat weak in depth at offensive tackle, and they lack the size on the interior line (left guard and center in particular) to effectively run their offense. Johnson can play tackle or guard, and if Seth Olsen can transition to center, Johnson could be the eventual starter at the left guard position.

Sixth Round: Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss I'm going with another SEC player here in McCluster, one of the most versatile players in the draft. He has blazing speed, and can help the Broncos in many different areas. He can line up as a return man, catch passes in the screen game, carry the ball, or line up as a wide receiver. He is a jack-of-all-trades who is vastly undersized, and he could end up being a big steal.

Seventh Round: Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan Mesko has a booming foot, and Mitch Berger clearly isn't the Broncos' long term answer at the punter position. This kid was one of the few bright spots for the Wolverines in 2009, and should have a long future punting on Sundays.

Okay, so this one is far too long to copy and paste everything I wrote on this, but yesterday or a couple days ago someone suggested compiling a list of players who would be great ifts for the Broncos available or potentially available in the coming NFL Draft.

This list is by far the most fun I have done in a while, and it really was like putting together a list of presents.

Check out the slideshow and let me know what you think!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/307076-dear-santa-college-football-christmas-wishlist-for-the-denver-broncos

I'm projecting another trade with this one, another trade with New England since they have the most firepower to move up in the first round (three second round picks) and we would be foolish to stay in the top ten as we are currently projected.  There's no way Suh is falling to us and there is no way we can trade up for him and salvage the draft.  We're not one Ndamukong Suh away from a Super Bowl, though we might just stumble upon it this year anyway :D

**Projected Trade:  Broncos trade pick nine in round one for picks 21, round two pick 20, and round five pick 25**

In my mock, Joe Haden fell to the ninth pick and I think the Pats would love to pick him up for their secondary.  If not him, I could see them going for Derrick Morgan or Dez Bryant.  I know it's not customary for them to trade up, but they also probably do not have the roster space for four more picks in the first two rounds.  They are going to need to deal some picks, and whether the go for veterans or rookies, I think this is a very possible trade.

Round one:  Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida  6'3" 252

I know Spikes had some anger issues earlier this season, but this guy really is a proven leader on the field. He is an instinctive player with the perfect size (6'3" 252 lbs.) and ideal speed to play the position in the 3-4 scheme.

Spikes would give the Broncos—provided they can re-sign Elvis Dumervil—the best young core of linebackers in the NFL with Dumervil, D.J. Williams, Robert Ayers, and Wesley Woodyard.

He is arguably the most productive linebacker, statistically speaking, in this draft, though his stock has taken a small hit due to the amount of talent possessed by this draft class. Denver would be wise to trade down and hope for an elite defender like Spikes to fall into their laps as the eventual replacement for Andra Davis.

Round Two:  Javier Arenas, CB/RS, Alabama   5'8" 195

This would be the steal of the draft in my opinion. I believe Arenas to be the most versatile player in the entire draft, and if the Broncos could get him in the second round, it would be absolute robbery.

Arenas is probably the best return man in the nation, as well as an All-SEC performer at defensive back. His talents will go unnoticed as we near closer to draft day due to his lack of elite speed and short stature.

Make no mistake about it—this kid can play.

Arenas is a ball—hawking cornerback who also puts pressure on the quarterback out of the nickel package. He would be a much welcome addition to the Broncos who clearly value his type—versatile, smart, and able to contribute to special teams.

Round Two:  Colt McCoy, QB, Texas  6'3" 215

I know many Bronco fans are not in favor of drafting a quarterback, especially early, but if McCoy falls to this point in the draft, the Broncos would be foolish to pass on him.

McCoy is one of the winningest and most productive collegiate quarterbacks of all time. He is accurate, smart, and capable on the run.

He is the perfect fit for Josh McDaniels' system, and he has more raw talent than any other quarterback on Denver's roster.

For some reason his draft stock is plummeting, and the Broncos would be wise to take advantage. This kid is an outstanding leader who could learn behind Kyle Orton for a year or more if needed.

Round Three:  Adrian Clayborn, DL, Iowa  6'3" 285

As much as it pains me to say this, it would make sense for junior sensation Adrian Clayborn to bolt from Iowa City for the NFL next season. If he waited another year, his stock would drop immensely because of his age (would be a redshirt senior) and there is always the risk of being less productive or getting injured.

Clayborn, like many players from Iowa, is a very underrated prospect. There is a chance that if he tests well, he could go well higher than the third round.

Clayborn is a very versatile defensive lineman. He can play inside or outside in a 4—3; he has the athleticism to play five technique for the 3—4 or even stand up if asked to.

He is having his most productive collegiate season and is quietly one of the better defensive linemen in the nation.

Round Four:  Mike Johnson, OL, Alabama  6'6" 305

This is another guy who has a lot of versatility, which is attractive to the Broncos' regime. Johnson has been a stalwart on the Alabama offensive line and he is known for his prowess against the run.

The Broncos would love to pick him up in the fourth round, though some scouts feel he could go higher. Ideally, Johnson would be the heir apparent at center while Seth Olsen, a fourth round pick in 2009, would take over at left guard, giving the Broncos a great group of young offensive linemen.

Round Five:  Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Ole Miss  5'7" 175

How many times have the Broncos been burned by Darren Sproles over the last couple of years?

Now, they have the opportunity to pick up their own version.

Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster is a very versatile player. He is being considered at both running back and wide receiver, with the potential to be a deadly kick or punt return man as well.

He has elite speed, but his stature has caused scouts to shy away. At only 5'7" and 170 pounds, he is not the most imposing physical specimen, but he is a weapon nonetheless.

His stock is on the rise, and by my next mock draft he could be projected as a third-round pick.

Round Six:  Anthony Moeaki, TE, Iowa  6'4" 250

As an Iowa fan, this pick might be a little bit of wishful thinking, but this kid is an underrated prospect who can play. Again, notice the theme of versatility.

Moeaki can catch, block, and has good vision with the football in his hands. The Broncos might look to him in the draft if Tony Scheffler leaves via free agency.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz calls Moeaki "the best tight end I've ever coached," which is pretty lofty praise considering Dallas Clark once played in Iowa City.

Moeaki has been injured frequently in his time at Iowa, and that could cause him to free fall on draft day. Some team could be getting a steal, and the Broncos could be that team.

Round Seven:  Zoltan Mesko, P, Michigan  6'5" 232

I would love for the Broncos to be able to get Iowa punter Ryan Donahue in next year's draft, but Mesko is a similar prospect with a booming foot who would be good value in the seventh round.

Mitch Berger has improved since his horrible start with the Broncos, but he is obviously not the long-term answer at the position.

For years, the bain of the Denver Broncos' existence has been Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts. 

Dating back to the early 2000's, one of the most lop-sided matchups in the NFL has been the dominance of the Indianapolis Colts over the Denver Broncos. 

These aren't the same Denver Broncos.

I realize the Colts are undefeated, and that they are playing this game at home.  I know that a victory for them clinches a first round bye.  I even understand the magnitude of the potential NFL record 22nd straight regular season victory for the Colts.

But so do they, and that may not be the best thing. 

In the NFL, winning is winning, and you can't make excuses for it.  The Colts have been up to every task so far, but they are walking on egg shells.

This is a team living on the edge, winning half of their games by four points or less.  They also overcame a 17 point deficit against the Houston Texans two weeks ago.

Again, the only thing that is important is that they are winning, but the living on the edge could stop when Denver visits Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday.

The Colts are a very favorable matchup for the Broncos, provided Denver brings the game it plays in the eight games they have won rather than the four games they have been blown out in.

The Colts' rushing offense is putrid, ranking 32nd in the NFL with nearly 88 yards per game.  Despite the inept running attack the Colts boast, they still rank fourth in the NFL in total offense and scoring. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Indianapolis ranks a very mediocre 18th against the run, allowing 111.7 yards per contest. 

This is an area the Broncos must take advantage of, and very well should.

Denver's rushing offense ranks ninth in the NFL at 125.6 yards per contest, and they might be one of the hottest units in the league.

Correll Buckhalter made Kansas City's run defense look absolutely silly, averaging over nine yards per carry.  Rookie Knowshon Moreno is in his best stretch as a pro, rushing for 86 yards in each of the last two games and scoring three of his five touchdowns in that timeframe.

Additionally, Denver fans breathed a sigh of relief when Peyton Hillis, the breakout running back from 2008, was spotted on the field against the Chiefs.  He came in on the final drive of the game and ran the ball seven times for 47 yards.

A welcome sight for the Broncos and their fans, to be sure.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos had really been struggling against the run until the last two games.  They rank 16th in this particular category, which is clearly the weakest part of their defensive attack.

The Broncos should be able to limit Joseph Addai and the Colts' running game while running the ball well themselves.

 Another area where the Broncos could excel is in the passing game defensively.  Obviously, the focal point of the Colts' offense is their elite passing game featuring two of the league's best in Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne.

Manning and Wayne lead the NFL's top ranked passing attack, but they face a very stiff task in Denver who rank second in the entire league in passing defense.

Denver is led by All-Pros Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, and veterans Renaldo Hill and Andre' Goodman who lead the team with a combined six interceptions.  The Broncos also added veteran Ty Law and top youngsters Darcel McBath, Alphonso Smith, and David Bruton to the mix in their defensive backfield.

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Denver's defense is their pass rush, which is a big reason for the success of the defensive backfield.

Led by current NFL sack king Elvis Dumervil, the Bronco pass rush has been rejuvenated under Mike Nolan in the 3-4 defensive scheme.  Denver features ten different players who have recorded a sack in 2009, and it could become 11 if rookie first round pick Robert Ayers records his first quarterback takedown of the season against Indianapolis.

The Broncos rank fifth in the NFL with 34 sacks, and the Colts lead the NFL with only 10 sacks allowed.  This will be the key matchup in the game, as the Broncos have to apply pressure to Peyton Manning to be able to win.

Another thing the Broncos have on their side is the simple fact that the Colts are undefeated, which may be confusing on the surface.

I know this isn't baseball, and may not even be applicable, but in baseball when a team is on a hot streak, it is not the worst thing to have to play them.  Winning streaks are bound to end, and the Colts' win streak isn't exactly picking up steam.

The Broncos could catch them at their highest point, and bring them back down to earth.  The Colts likely are not going to go 16-0, and with their defense ailing worse than it has in years, this could be the week for them to slip up.

I am not going to be so bold as to say the Broncos will go into Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday and beat the undefeated Colts, but I would say it is a definite possibility.

I think this is a very favorable matchup for the Broncos, who are in desperate need for a win this weekend to potentially gain ground on the San Diego Chargers who also have a tough road game in the works.

Maybe the Broncos will finally get the best of Peyton Manning and the Colts.  Maybe the stars will align just right, and Denver will even stick it to Indy on their home turf.

Maybe all those years of blowout playoff and regular season losses were all just setting up this contest, where neither team's sideline will feature the likes of Mike Shanahan or Tony Dungy.

Maybe, just maybe.

I already know how a lot of you feel about jerseys on this site, as I have read numerous comments.  Seems like a good majority of you will either not buy a jersey until the player is retired a Bronco, or some will not buy it unless it's a proven player with a long contract.

That being said, I know many of us have Jay Cutler jerseys collecting dust in the closet, and for that I am sure Josh McDaniels is dreadfully sorry...actually probably not.

Anyway, for Christmas, I am ULTRA excited to give my 4-year old nephew an orange Brian Dawkins jersey.  I am also excited (even though I'm not a Minnesota fan) to give our family friend a Percy Harvin jersey.

Jerseys are a very fun gift in my opinion.  My nephew will never take his Eddie Royal jersey off, despite the fact that his dad is a Bears fan.  My brother and I wear a jersey two or three times a week.

With all of that background information, I ask:  What jersey would you buy if you had to pick one today?

For Christmas, my mom and dad are getting me an orange #59 Wesley Woodyard jersey to add to my collection.  I think Woodyard displays everything it is an NFL player should be:  Fast, instinctive, emotional, and willing and able to do whatever he can to help our team win.

I also picked up a Woodyard because my collection to this point is pretty large.

6-Cutler

7-Elway

10-Gaffney

15-Marshall

16-Plummer

19-Royal

20-Dawkins

22-Hillis

24-Bailey

27-Darrent Williams

27-Moreno

55-D.J. Williams

78-Clady

80-Smith

88-Scheffler

92-Dumervil

That's a collection I've been working on in excess of 5 years now, and I plan to continue adding to it every year. 

I raise the question again:  What jersey would you buy from our roster today?

On ABC's hit television show Scrubs, there is a very colorful character named Ed, an intern who is known for his laziness and timely humor.  In the show, Ed makes popular the verb "zwah", which according to Urban Dictionary is defined as "a word that you yell only when someone has been completely owned."

We will come back to that.

Josh McDaniels has been in the news for the wrong reasons lately, and he finally set the record straight.

The first incident was that he allegedly told San Diego Chargers' linebacker Shaun Phillips, a player known for running his mouth constantly, that McDaniels shouted "We own you" at him.  McDaniels was apologetic, and a little frustrated by the accusations, also saying that Phillips was one who should also be at fault.

"I was two or three steps out of the tunnel when Shaun Phillips raced up to me with his helmet off and said, 'I'll kick your [expletive] ass, too,' " explained McDaniels. "I'm not saying I felt physically threatened but that's exactly the way it went down. It surprised me in a way but we played them a lot when I was in New England and he's always been that kind of guy.

"I wasn't out there trash-talking their players, going through their drills. This guy has been doing this since I've been in the league and, because they won, he takes the liberty of telling his side of the story. I didn't swear at him or threaten him. What I actually said was, 'I've heard the same thing from you for four or five years now, and when I was in New England, we owned you.'"

McDaniels apologized for saying even that, but said also that it was nothing near what Phillips portayed.

In fact, McDaniels was so rubbed the wrong way that he has asked the league to look into the events of that particular day further.  He also added that maybe the Chargers don't know the whole story either.

"I don't think [Chargers coach] Norv Turner knows what happened and I know he wouldn't approve of it," said McDaniels. "If one of my players ever did that, I'd be livid. I think any coach would be."

Shaun Phillips, if what Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is saying is true, (and for the record, we'll take his side in the matter because you are known for running your mouth) then you have just been "Zwahed"!

After the incident and the reports that McDaniels tried to start a fight with the San Diego ball club by saying, "We own you," Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark felt the need to throw in his two cents on the situation.

Might I add in a very immature manner.

Essentially, what Clark suggested was that if a coach came to you and said something along the lines of what McDaniels said, the opposing player(s) should be able to retaliate in a physical manner. 

Despite my thinking that he might be joking, he actually had the gall to go on and say he wanted to petition something to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Absolutely laughable, and McDaniels was stunned as well.

"I'm hearing that I'm being called a renegade coach and that I'm always trying to stir things up and [media] are asking questions based on erroneous information. I even read where [Steelers safety] Ryan Clark wanted the commissioner to do something about a coach taunting players. I have a lot of respect for Ryan Clark and that bothers me.

"I'm not trying to exacerbate the situation by talking about it but if somebody is going to make a judgment about me, I'd appreciate it if they had all the facts and properly report it."

Ryan Clark, you also have just been "Zwahed"!

The other incident McDaniels was involved in recently was the NFL Network not editing out one of his atomic "F"-bombs on live television.

McDaniels was heard accross the nation saying, "All we're trying to do is win the motherf***ing game!"

Now, this is commonplace in the NFL, as sad as it may be.  I do not approve of swearing, nor do I promote it.

Nonetheless, it is a huge part of the game today because people often get caught up in the moment and say things they shouldn't (not that we haven't seen countless coaches mouth these things on the sidelines).

"I'm not going to apologize for coaching the game but I apologize that people had to hear that," McDaniels said.

McDaniels has been ridden pretty hard by the media all year long, and this was just fodder for them apparently.  The statement above is worthy...

Media, you have just been "Zwahed"!

McDaniels and the Broncos are fresh off of what turned out to be the biggest victory of their season so far, and this is how the media rewards them. 

Now that they have finally bugged the guy to the point where he was obligated to address the situations, they got what they deserved--

A verbal slap in the face, also known as the "zwah".