SBNation.com User Blog: Scotty Payne

Alex Gibbs returns to the Broncos as a consultant

Scotty Payne — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:29:19 -0000

Speaking on behalf of Denver media, #Broncos just made an unfortunate hire: Alex Gibbs has been hired as offensive line consultant.
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) May 12, 2013

The Broncos have hired Offensive Line coach Alex Gibbs. Gibbs who is 72 years young will work with current offensive line coach Dave Magazu. Gibbs is expected to help out during Training Camp and during the season.

"He'll be a good resource," said Broncos coach John Fox. "I know from competing against (Gibbs) over the years that he can help us out."

Alex Gibbs coached the Broncos Offensive Line from 1995 to 2003. During those years the Broncos running game averaged 5th best in the league. Gibbs was apart of the Broncos two Super Bowl wins where he coached the Offensive Line that blocked for Terrell Davis and John Elway.

How does this impact the Broncos now? Well it seems like the Broncos are headed back to a more of a Zone Blocking Scheme. The Broncos also hired Greg Knapp and now Gibbs who both are zone blocking guys. The Broncos also drafted Montee Ball whose skill set best translates to a zone blocking offense. This hire has to get you excited about the Broncos run game and Montee Ball.

Another thing that comes with Alex Gibbs is the silent treatment. Under Gibbs the Broncos offensive line did not talk to the media. The trend was carried out by former Broncos offensive linemen Tom Nalen and Ben Hamilton. Recently the Broncos O-Linemen have started talking to the media more and more, but look for that to end.

Overall this is a exciting hire. John Elway knows how important a strong running game is for a older Quarterback. Elway had TD and Gibbs helping him win back to back Super Bowls. Lets see if Gibbs and Ball can help Peyton Manning to similar success!

Enjoy this video of Gibbs talking the Zone Scheme! (Thanks jonmark93)

Poll

Are you excited about the Broncos bringing back Alex Gibbs?

The Best Available Defensive Free Agents

Scotty Payne — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:36:38 -0000

The NFL Draft is over, and teams know where they stand heading into Training Camp and the Preseason. Teams now see what holes they have left on their team, and can look at the veterans who are available to fill them holes.

The Broncos signed two players last year in the final stages of Free Agency who ended up playing key roles on the 2012 team. Those players were Safety Jim Leonhard and Inside Linebacker Keith Brooking. Do the Broncos sign any veterans this year who can fill key roles on the team? Below I'll list the best available Free Agents on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive End:

Dwight Freeney and John Abraham figure to get a job at some point. Both are veteran pass rushers, and teams will be calling for their services around Training Camp. Isreal Idonije is a solid football player. He is coming of a solid season. Look for Idonije to help a NFL team next season.

Parker and Jackson may need some injuries to come about before they start getting some calls. I see both of them on a NFL roster during Training Camp.

The Broncos were in the market for a veteran pass rusher before they signed Shaun Phillips. Dwight Freeney may have priced himself out of Denver, and John Abraham was never an option it seemed. I believe Denver is set at this position unless an injury occurs.

Defensive Tackle:

There's some names amongst this group. Former first round pick Sedrick Ellis, veterans Richard Seymour and Casey Hampton stand out to me. Some team will give Ellis a chance. Most former first round picks get another shot. Seymour and Hampton both have something left in the tank, but the question is their health. If healthy both will be on a NFL roster.

Pouha, Wllliams, Okoye and Cody are on the second tier of the available free agents i believe. I would be surprised if all 4 arent given another shot.

I don't see the Broncos needing any of these guys unless an injury happens. They signed Terrance Knighton, and drafted Sylvester Williams in the first round and have Kevin Vickerson and Mitch Unrein already on the roster. So unless an injury occurs, the Broncos are set at the DT position.

Linebacker:

5 years ago this would have been a very good list. Now it's full of veterans who aren't what they used to be. Lots of names in this group, but age and injuries are concerns. A few names that stick out to me are Karlos Dansby and Daryl Smith. Both guys can start and contribute right away. I'm not too sure why both aren't signed.

Veterans like Urlacher, Bart Scott, Takeo Spikes, Bradie James and Nick Barnett will eventually be signed.

Do any of these guys fit the Broncos? Maybe. If the Nate Irving experiment isn't looking good in camp, the Broncos could call on the services of a Brian Urlacher, Takeo Spikes or Nick Barnett. The Broncos defense did have a older Keith Brooking in the middle of their defense last season, so it's totally possible.

Cornerback:

Quentin Jammer
Nate Clements
Terrance Newman
Adam "Pac Man" Jones
Sheldon Brown

No one on this list really jumps out to me. All these guys are past their prime, but can still play. Look for these guys to get a call at some point before/during the season, especially if an injury happens

The Broncos really do not need a cornerback. I view the cornerback position as one of the deeper positions on the team. Unless multiple injuries occur, i don't see anyone being signed.

Safety

A couple names stick out to me. Charles Woodson and Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes is still pretty talented and only 30 years old. Woodson is older, but he can still get it done. I'm willing to bet these guys are better than Mike Adams.

Yes Woodson and Rhodes would be perfect fits on the Broncos defense. Rahim Moore and Carter/Adams can get it done, but Rhodes and Woodson are proven veterans. I think either would be an upgrade at the safety position.

What do you think?

Is there anywhere on defense the Broncos should address this late in the offseason?

Poll

Should the Denver Broncos add any defensive free agents before training camp?

The Best Available Offensive Free Agents

Scotty Payne — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:35:25 -0000

Quarterback:

The obvious big name here is Tim Tebow. We all know his story, what about the rest of the guys? Trent Edwards, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Matt Leinart will figure to make a roster to challenge for a backup Quarterback spot.

I do not see the Broncos in the market for a camp QB. obviously Manning will get the most reps in camp. Brock Osweiler and Dysert will figure to get their share of reps as well. The Broncos coaching staff figures to want have a long look at their two young QBs.

Running Back:

There's plenty of talent at this position, but most if not all of these veterans come with injury questions. Ahmad Bradshaw figures to be hot commodity. He can still start if healthy, and still is has a few good years ahead of him. Beanie Wells is still pretty young, but has been riddled with injuries through his career. He figures to be a low risk, high reward type signing for some team. Felix Jones isn't the burner he was when he first entered the league, but can still be a good back in a rotation for a team.

I believe Veterans Cedric Benson, Kevin Smith, Michael Turner and Peyton Hillis may have a hard time latching on with a team. All these guys are near the end of their career and only figure to get a call if/when a injury occurs.

Do any of the guys make sense for the Broncos? I don't think so. Recently drafted Montee Ball can be a three down back for the Broncos, and Ronnie Hillman figures to spell Ball on occasion. Willis McGahee figures to be cut sooner rather then later, and Knowshon Moreno, Lance Ball, Jeremiah Johnson, and un-drafted rookie C.J. Anderson figure to battle for a roster spot. Unless an injury occurs, i do not see a spot for one of these guys

Wide Receiver:

Brandon Lloyd is having a hard time finding a job. He's not the same player he was a few years ago, and his attitude may also have something to do with it. A team may take a chance on the veteran, but might have to need an injury to occur first.

Titus Young is very talented and still pretty young, but his attitude is the big thing here. If he can screw his head on straight he has a chance to be a contributor on a NFL team. He might be getting his last chance this summer.

I have a hard time seeing Randy Moss being on a NFL roster this year. This might be the end of his Hall Of Fame Career.

I have a hard time seeing the Broncos adding any of these guys. They seem set with their 5-6 WR's. Unless an injury occurs, they won't be adding any of these veterans.

Tight End:

This list would have been great 5 to 7 years ago. These veterans are not their old selves, however they can still add depth at the Tight End position on a NFL teams.

I do not see the Broncos being in the market for a Tight End. They seem set with Tamme, Dreessen, Green and Thomas.

Offensive Tackles:

I am a bit surprised that Eric Winston is still a free agent. He figures to get signed sooner rather then later and be a starter for a NFL team. The rest all figure to garner interest as well. Teams are always looking for depth at tackle and even a starter at this point.

Unless the Ryan Clady contract talks get ugly, i do not see the Broncos being in the market for a tackle. They're set with Clady and Franklin. They also have Chris Clark and rookie Vinston Painter to be the backups.

Interior Offensive Linemen:

Recently cut Adam Snyder may be the best guard available, but that's not saying much. None of the guards on this list really do not inspire much confidence. At best i see these guys being signed as backups. Dan Koppen who did a good job for the Broncos at center last year is the only center worth mentioning.

I think the Broncos are okay at Guard. They have Vasquez and Beadles at the starting spot, and Ramirez and Phillip Blake as backups. The Broncos do also have Chris Kuper on the roster still. It's interesting to see what they do with Kuper. At Center the Broncos seem content with giving J.D Walton the starting gig. I have a hard time seeing the Broncos adding another linemen.

What do you think?

Is there anywhere on offense the Denver Broncos should address through free agency late in the offseason?

Poll

Should the Broncos add any offensive free agents before training camp?

Yes

116 votes

No

277 votes

393 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Draft: AFC West Draft Review

Scotty Payne — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:41:02 -0000

Kansas City Chiefs

1(1): Eric Fisher, OT 6'7 306lbs

3(63): Travis Kelce, TE 6'5 255lbs

With Von Miller in your division you need solid tackles, and the Chiefs drafted a very good one.

3(96): Knile Davis, 5'10 227lbs

4(99): Nico Johnson, LB 6'2 248lbs

5(134): Sanders Commings, CB 6'0 216lbs

6(170): Eric Kush, C 6'4 305lbs

6(204): Braden Wilson, FB 6'3 251lbs

7(207): Mike Catapano, DE 6'3 271lbs

My Take:

I would have gone with Eric Fisher over Joeckel myself. Both are solid prospects, but Fisher has that mean streak in him that you want out of your Offensive Linemen. It does look like Left Tackle Branden Albert is staying put for now. If they do indeed trade him, Fisher will be their starting Left tackle. If they keep Albert, he'll move to the right side. With Von Miller in your division you need solid tackles, and the Chiefs drafted a very good one.

After that I'm not too excited with the rest of their draft. Is Kelce better then Anthony Fasano and Tony Moeaki? Also Kelces off the field issues could be a problem in the future. Knile Davis in the third round was a huge reach. I was not a big fan of his in this draft, and Davis had a fumbling issue. Not a fan

Nico Johnson was a good pick. Could challenge for a starting spot next to Derrick Johnson. Commings was solid value as well.

Kush adds OL depth, and Wilson is a solid FB prospect. I like Catapano as a prospect, just not sure where he fits. Good value though.

Overall Grade: C+

Oakland Raiders

1(12): D.J Hayden, CB 5'11 191lbs

2(42): Menelik Watson, OT 6'5 310lbs

3(66): Sio Moore, LB 6'1 245lbs

4(112): Tyler Wilson, QB, 6'2 215lbs

6(172): Nick Kasa, TE 6'6 269lbs

6(181): Latavius Murray, RB 6'2 223lbs

6(184): Mychal Rivera, TE 6'3 242lbs

6(205): Stacy McGee, DT 6'3 308lbs

7(209): Brice Butler, WR 6'3 205lbs

7(233): David Bass, DE 6'4 262lbs

My Take:

I hate to say It, but I really liked the Raiders draft. They picked up a lot of talented players. First round pick D.J Hayden is very talented, but a big medical risk i believe. I believe they should have gone pass rusher or added to the defensive line. Players like Star Lotulelei and Sharrif Floyd were available. If they stayed at 3, they could have added Dion Jordan as as well. Just the way i would have went, but still not a bad pick.

Menelik Watson was a solid addition. The Raiders have a need at the tackle spot, and they added the very raw, but athletic Watson. He probably plays Right Tackle right now, but can shift the blind side potentially in the future. Solid for them. My favorite pick for them though is Sio Moore. A very versatile linebacker who can rush the passer. A steal in the third round I believe.

The Raiders added QB Tyler Wilson in the 4th round to compete with Matt Flynn and Pryor. I do like Wilson, and he does fit their offensive scheme very well. I'm not sure if he can develop into a starter, but I believe he can be a very solid backup for them at the very least.

Tight end Nick Kasa was another very solid pick for them. He could very well start for the Raiders week 1. Murray is a bigger back who figures to see some playing time. McFadden is always dinged up, and Murray could surpass Rashard Jennings on the depth chart. Rivera will serve as the move tight end for the Raiders. They took Kasa in the same round, but he figures to be the more traditional tight end. Both figure to see playing time for the Raiders. The Raiders finally took a DT in the 6th round. McGee may crack the roster because of the Raiders lack of talent at the position.

Brice Butler is a Al Davis special. Was a workout warrior at the combine, but is a good value in the 7th round. Could crack the roster. David Bass is a very solid 7th round pick. A developmental guy who could turn into a solid rotational pass rusher.

Overall Grade: A-

San Diego Chargers

1(11): D.J. Fluker, OT 6'5 339lbs

2(38): Manti Te'o, MLB 6'1 241lbs

3(76): Keenan Allen, WR 6'2 206lbs

5(145): Steve Williams, CB 5'9 191lbs

6(179): Tourek Williams, DE 6'3 260lbs

7(221): Brad Sorensen, QB 6'4 229lbs

My Take:

The big question for me when it comes to Fluker is what tackle spot he plays. If he plays Right Tackle, it's a great pick, if he plays Left Tackle, I don't like this pick at all. Now getting a Right Tackle this early is a bit of a reach if you ask me. Especially looking at the players on the defensive side of the ball who were still available. I understand they need to protect Philip Rivers though, so I believe they reached for a need.

Manti Te'o was selected by the Chargers. With Manti comes the distractions, the media attention and constantly being asked about said player. Manti is a good football player, I just question if the locker room can handle the media attention they're going to face. Keenan Allen was very good value here. Allen was considered the top receiving prospect before the combine. A slow 40 time and injuries really hurt his stock, but the Chargers got a helluva prospect here in the third round.

Steve Williams added some depth to their secondary, Williams gives the Chargers depth at rush linebacker after losing Phillips to the Broncos, and Sorensen gives McCoy a developmental guy to work with.

Overall Grade: B

Poll

Which division rival had the best draft?

Chiefs

25 votes

Raiders

214 votes

Chargers

76 votes

315 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Draft: Best Available Players on Day 3

Scotty Payne — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:10:01 -0000

Some big names are still available. Matt Barkley, Jesse Williams, Alex Okafor among others. Lets take a look at the best available prospects who expect to be drafted today.

Quarterback:

Matt Barkley
Ryan Nassib
Tyler Wilson
Tyler Bray
Landry Jones
Matt Scott
Zac Dysert
Sean Renfree

The Broncos could look into a few of the lower end guys of this group. They did meet with Dysert and Matt Scott who are some late round options. The Broncos only have two QB's on their roster currently, so expect one to be added at some point.

Running Back:

There's a lot of talent still left here. There's still a chance the Broncos could draft a guy in the later rounds. Knowshon Moreno can never stay healthy, McGahee is about to be cut, Ronnie Hillman Is a scat back at this point and then there's Lance Ball. The intriguing name Is Marcus Lattimore. Would it be worth It to spend a late round pick on him, and have him sit out a year until he's healthy?

Wide Receiver:

Quinton Patton
Da'Rick Rogers
Cobi Hamilton
Josh Boyce
Denard Robinson
Ryan Swope
Chris Harper
Ace Sanders
Kenny Stills
Corey Fuller
Aaron Mellette
Marcus Davis
Ryan Spadola
Marquess Wilson

I believe the Broncos could draft one of these guys. They have showed interest in Patton and Swope. So we'll see. After the big 3 at WR, It's pretty thin.

Tight End:

I don't believe the Broncos will draft a tight end at all today. Seem pretty set at that position.

Offensive Tackles:

The Broncos did show interest in the top 4 guys at some point throughout the process. Ryan Clady is holding out as of now and the Broncos do lack depth at tackle. A tackle could very well be drafted at some point today.

Offensive Guard/Center:

Earl Watford
Brian Schwenke
Barrett Jones
Khaled Holmes
Jeff Baca
Alvin Bailey
J.C. Tretter
Eric Herman
Braxston Cave
Patrick Lonergan

One name from this list that sticks out to me Is Brian Schwenke. He's a very solid center prospect. Was listed by many as the second best center In this years draft. I believe he could be a upgrade over JD Walton. This depends on how the Broncos feel about Walton of course. Barrett Jones is the big name here, and could be a nice addition depth wise. I wouldn't be upset If we added another one of these guys to add depth along the interior offensive line.

Defensive End:

Alex Okafor
Cornellius Washington
William Gholston
Lavar Edwards
Michael Buchanan
Malliciah Goodman
Tourek Williams
David Bass
Devin Taylor
Joe Kruger
Stansly Maponga
Brandon Jenkins
Quanterus Smith

Alex Okafor Is the name many of us wanted in the third round, but he's still falling. A few other guys I'd like to see drafted are Washington, Buchanan, or Bass In the 4th round. They would give the Broncos another pass rusher to play with. Two names that I'm curious to watch are Brandon Jenkins and Quanterus Smith. Jenkins was apart of that solid FSU Defense before getting hurt and Smith was leading the nation In sacks before tearing his ACL. Smith could be a real steal late in the draft

Defensive Tackle:

Jesse Williams
Montori Hughes
Akeem Spence
Nicholas Williams
Josh Boyd
Everett Dawkins
Lawrence Okoye
Cory Grissom
T.J. Barnes
Kwame Geathers

After the Broncos added Terrance Knighton via Free Agency and drafted Sylvester Williams In the first round, I do not see a need for another Defensive Tackle. If Jesse Williams continues to fall, Elway could pull the trigger on him for value purposes. Barnes and Geathers could be late round projects for Fox/Del Rio

Outside Linebacker:

Im a big Greene fan. One of the better coverage linebackers In this draft. There's questions about whether he can come off blocks though. The Broncos did show interest In John Simon and Sean Porter during the process. Those are the two guys I'd keep an eye on for the Broncos.

Inside Linebacker:

A.J. Klein
Kevin Reddick
Nico Johnson
Jelani Jenkins
Keith Pough
Vince Williams

I'm not sure if any of these guys would give the Broncos anything they do not already have at ILB. If they want to add competition, i'd like to draft Reddick or Jelani Jenkins.

Cornerbacks:

The Broncos are pretty set at the cornerback position. I would be surprised If they drafted another one.

Free Safety:

I am not sure why Thomas has fallen this far, but he would be a solid addition at this point in the draft. I would also be happy with Rambo or Evans as well. Both would add some competition at the safety position.

Strong Safety:

The only guy i really like or really know anything about is Shamarko Thomas. I believe Thomas could add depth and competition at the position. I'm still on the fence on whether or not the Broncos will add a safety

Overall Opinion:

Heading into the final day of the draft here's what i believe are the Broncos needs. Defensive End, Safety, Receiver and Offensive Line Depth. I am pretty surprised the Broncos have gone this far without a Defensive end, but there's still plenty of talent available. If Okafor continues to fall he could be an option. A guy i really like is Cornellius Washington. I really like his upside. Another guy i like is Michael Buchanan. I believe his potential could intrigue Jack Del Rio and John Fox. One name too keep an eye on is Quanterus Smith. Would have been a second or third round player if healthy. Could be a steal for someone.

At receiver there's some names that really stick out to me. Da'Rick Rogers, Ryan Swope, Quinton Patton and Josh Boyce. I think either of those guys would be nice additions to our receiving core that is lacking depth. At safety i think Rambo, Phillip Thomas and Evans are the names to keep an eye on. A couple other names that intrigue me are John Simon, Kevin Reddick and Sean Porter.

Lets see what other prospects will be joining the Broncos!

Go Broncos!

2013 NFL Draft: Best Available Players on Day 2

Scotty Payne — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:18:34 -0000

Geno Smith? Manti Te'o? Tank Carradine? Matt Barkley? Those are only few of the names still available on the second day of the NFL Draft. Round 2 and 3 will be completed tonight. Looking at who's still available, there's tons of talent and value out there. Teams in the early second round must be licking their chops. Lets take a look at the best available prospects who expect to be selected on day two of the draft...

Quarterback:

Geno Smith - 6'3 218lbs
Ryan Nassib - 6'2 227lbs
Matt Barkley - 6'3 227lbs
Tyler Wilson - 6'2 215lbs
Mike Glennon - 6'7 225lbs
Tyler Bray - 6'6 232lbs

The Broncos won't be in the market for any of these guys. Only one QB went in the first round, and it wasn't Geno Smith. Surprisingly the Buffalo Bills selected EJ Manuel in the first round. Look for teams like the Jags, Eagles, Browns, and Jets to look at these guys

Running Back:

Eddie Lacy - 5'11 231lbs
Johnathan Franklin - 5'10 205lbs
Montee Ball - 5'11 214lbs
Giovani Bernard - 5'9 202lbs
Le'Veon Bell - 6'2 230lbs
Andre Ellington - 5'9 199lbs
Christine Michael - 5'10 220lbs
Stepfan Taylor - 5'9 214lbs

I expect the Broncos to come away with one of these guys tonight. I expect both Eddie Lacy and Franklin to be gone. The Broncos have shown a lot of interest in Le'Veon Bell and have met with Christine Michael a few time throughout the process. Montee Ball and Stepfan Taylor are also a few names to keep an eye on tonight

Wide Receiver:

Justin Hunter - 6'4 196lbs
Robert Woods - 6'1 201lbs
Keenan Allen - 6'2 206lbs
Quinton Patton - 6'0 204lbs
Terrence Williams - 6'2 208lbs
Markus Wheaton - 5'11 198lbs
Stedman Bailey - 5'10 193lbs
Marquise Goodwin - 5'9 183lbs
Da'Rick Rogers - 6'3 217lbs
Ryan Swope - 6'0 205lbs

I highly doubt the Broncos go after a WR on day two of the draft, but there's plenty of talent there. I wouldn't be upset if the Broncos came away with Patton, Wheaton or Swope.

Tight End:

Zach Ertz - 6'5 249lbs
Travis Kelce - 6'5 255lbs
Vance McDonald - 6'4 267lbs
Gavin Escobar - 6'6 254lbs
Jordan Reed - 6'3 236lbs

I doubt the Broncos will address the TE position. Tamme and Dreessen did well and Virgil Green and Julius Thomas are also on the roster. I'd love if the Broncos selected Jordan Reed. I like him as a mismatch problem for defenses, but doubt that happens.

Offensive Tackle:

Menelik Watson - 6'5 310lbs
Terron Armstead - 6'5 306lbs
David Bakhtiari - 6'4 299lbs
Dallas Thomas - 6'5 306lbs
Brennan Williams - 6'6 318lbs

Another position i dont think the Broncos target on day two. Watson and Armstead figure to go very early in the second round. Both are raw but have very high potential. With the run on offensive linemen, don't be surprised if there's another run on tackles tonight.

Offensive Guard and Center:

Larry Warford - 6'3 332lbs
Brian Winters - 6'4 320lbs
Brian Schwenke - 6'3 314bs
Barrett Jones - 6'5 306lbs

I'd be surprised if the Broncos targeted one of these guys tonight. I believe the Broncos are set at guard. Vasquez and Beadles are pretty solid. The Broncos could target a guy like Schwenke in the late second.

Defensive End:

Tank Carradine - 6'4 276lbs
Margus Hunt - 6'8 277lbs
Damontre Moore - 6'5 250lbs
Sam Montgomery - 6'3 262lbs
Alex Okafor - 6'5 264lbs
Cornellius Washington - 6'4 265lbs
Corey Lemonier - 6'4 255lbs

I'm a big Tank Carradine fan as many of you know, if somehow he fell to 58. I would be one happy guy. Now that's very doubtful. I'd like to see Damontre Moore at 58. Think he would be solid edge rusher. Two guys who i find intriguing in Washington and Lemonier. Washington is a helluva athlete and can get after the passer. Lemonier is has a great motor and has the size to be 3 down DE in the NFL. Both could be had at 58.

Defensive Tackle:

Jesse Williams - 6'4 323lbs
Kawann Short - 6'3 299lbs
Johnathan Hankins - 6'3 320lbs
John Jenkins - 6'4 346lbs
Brandon Williams - 6'1 335lbs
Bennie Logan - 6'2 309
Akeem Spence - 6'1 307lbs

After the Broncos selected Sylvester Williams i do not see another DT being selected. The Broncos now have Kevin Vickerson, Knighton, Williams and Unrein at DT. That's a very solid rotation at Defensive Tackle.

Outside Linebacker:

Arthur Brown - 6'1 241lbs
Jamie Collins - 6'4 250lbs
Sio Moore - 6'1 245lbs
Khaseem Greene - 6'1 241lbs
John Simon - 6'2 257lbs
Zaviar Gooden - 6'2 234lbs
Chase Thomas - 6'3 244lbs

Some very interesting names on this list. I really like Arthur Brown. I do doubt he'll be available at 58 though. Jamie Collins and Sio Moore are two interesting names for me at 58. I know Bronco Mike loves Moore, and i do too. Very versatile linebacker who can rush the passer. Jamie Collins is a 3-4 edge rusher in the NFL and could be a fit for the Broncos. John Simon is a guy i'd be interested in, in the 3rd round. A high motor, never quit guy who will leave it all on the field. Very high character guy too. A type of guy Elway drafts.

Inside Linebacker:

Manti Te'o - 6'1 241lbs
Kevin Minter - 6'0 246lbs
Kiko Alonzo - 6'4 238lbs

Sorry Tim, the Broncos passed on Te'o. I'm pretty surprised that he fell out of the first round. I thought for sure Minnesota would draft him with one of their 3 first round picks and Baltimore at 32 was a logical fit, but they all passed. You will have to think he'll go early in the second round though. Kevin Minter is in the same boat as Te'o. Neither are 3 down Linebackers right now, and may never be. I doubt either will be there at 58 though. Kiko Alonzo could be an option in the 3rd round.

Cornerback:

Jamar Taylor - 5'11 192lbs
Johnthan Banks - 6'2 185lbs
Dwayne Gratz - 5'11 201lbs
Darius Slay - 6'0 192lbs
David Amerson - 6'1 202lbs
Tyrann Mathieu - 5'9 186lbs
Robert Alford - 5'10 188lbs
Blidi Wreh-Wilson - 6'1 195lbs
Logan Ryan - 5'11 191lbs
Leon McFadden - 5'10 198lbs
Jordan Poyer - 6'0 191lbs

The corner position is a very deep positon. There could be up to 12-13 corners taken tonight. A guy i really like is Jamar Taylor, but he probably goes quick. A few guys who could to Denver at 58 are Darius Slay, Johnthan Banks, Robert Alford and Blidi Wreh-Wilson. All three fit the mold of the "Bigger Cornerbacks" the Broncos are reportedly looking at. I really wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos decided to pass on the Cornerback position as well.

Safety:

Phillip Thomas - 6'1 208lbs
D.J. Swearinger - 5'11 208lbs
Bacarri Rambo - 6'1 211lbs
Jonathan Cyprien - 6'0 217lbs
JJ Wilcox - 6'0 213lbs
Shamarko Thomas - 5'9 213lbs
Shawn Williams - 6'0 213lbs

I'd be surprised if Denver didn't at least entertain drafting one of these guys. Cyprien doesn't figure to last long. Phillip Thomas could be an option at 58. I'd love if the Broncos drafted Bacarri Rambo(I love his name) or Shamarko Thomas in the 3rd round.

Who do you guys want drafted in rounds 2 and 3? Did i leave anyone off this list who you think gets drafted in the 2nd or 3rd rounds?

Go Broncos!

2013 NFL Draft: Scotty's Two Round Mock

Scotty Payne — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:02:27 -0000

First Round, 28th Overall: DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State. 6'3 266lbs

STRENGTHS:

Flexible athlete with the natural bend to dip and contort his body to get under or around blocks. Shows excellent snap anticipation and fires out of his stance. Projects as a strong-side 4-3 end who can play the run well and get pressure on the quarterback. Possesses good quickness off the snap for his size and flashes some shimmy to get the inside lane. Finds the ball well and uses active hands to rip past tackles after initial contact. Brings power to his punch, can bull his man towards the quarterback with leverage. Swallows running backs after shedding his man in the run game, has athleticism to make tackles in space. Stacks and sheds well, sets the edge and works off blocks to make stops in the run game. Times jumps well to knock down passes if unable to get to the quarterback, also looks comfortable making plays in coverage (18 career passes defended).

WEAKNESSES:

Lacks elite length for the position and doesn’t have the natural start/stop explosion of some pass rushers. Pops straight up out of his stance at times, losing strength at the point of attack, and is inconsistent turning the corner as a pass rusher. Usually looks for misdirection when unblocked but loses contain when getting caught up in pulling guards instead of keeping outside leverage. Motor tends to run hot/cold at times, especially late in games or if the play isn’t to his side of the field. Needs to consistently finish when he gets his hands on the ball carrier. Has a history of several minor injuries, including a left hand issue that bothered him this past season.

(Via: NFL.com)

My Take:

Looking at the draft board, it's hard to place Werner to any team before the Broncos. Werner was considered a top 5 pick before the whole process began, and his stock has fallen because of his workouts. Werner isn't the flashiest of athletes, but he's a helluva football player. Werners tape doesn't lie, he's a stud and would be a great addition to the Broncos defense.

What i like about Werner is that he can do everything. He can set the edge, he can sack the QB, he's a solid tackler, he can swat down passes, and has a great motor. He reminds me of a smaller version of Derek Wolfe. This is why i think John Elway will rank Werner high on their draft board. He's very smart, mature, married and just a solid football player. Adding Werner with Robert Ayers, Derek Wolfe and Von Miller will give the Broncos a young pass rushing nucleus.

Second Round, 58th overall: DT Jesse Williams, Alabama. 6'4 323lbs

STRENGTHS

Brute nose tackle (though he plays some five-technique) with a very good motor. Solid two-gap player who keeps his eyes in the backfield to find the ball. Plays with leverage, gets under the pads of his man to hold the line or push him into the backfield. Has enough quickness and power off the snap to pop off his blocker and grab backs heading outside or coming through the middle. Uses quick hands to swipe aside lunging blockers to penetrate into the backfield. Stays upright against cut blocks and gives second effort to get up when on the ground. Gets low with power in short-yardage situations. Also hustles to the sideline to chase scrambling quarterbacks and stretch plays when fresh. Pushes the pocket a bit as a pass rusher, and will work past lesser blockers’ shoulders into the backfield. Cleans up piles, sending linebackers flying.

WEAKNESSES

Not an exceptional athlete, relies on hustle and strength to make plays. Lacks the quickness and agility to be a regular factor in pass rush or corral quicker ballcarriers in space. Thick in the middle and a bit thinner in the legs; plays top-heavy, ends up on the ground too often. Gets caught up on blocks at times inside, lacking hand and foot quickness to disengage to make the play.

(Via: NFL.com)

My Take:

I'm a big Jesse Williams fans. Big man who is athletic for his size. Yes he's a bit of a one trick poney, however i believe he will be a stud Nose Tackle in the future. The Broncos Kevin Vickerson and Terrance Knighton on the roster right now. Neither is signed long term, and honestly neither is a dominant player. Adding Williams would give the Broncos something they haven't had in a long long time. A young, playmaking front seven

What i like about Williams is this. He can eat up blockers. That will allow Miller, Werner and the Linebackers make plays in the backfield. Williams can also make the play himself. Yes he isn't much of a pass rusher, but he can push the pocket and is athletic enough to chase down running backs and scrambling QB's. There's a good chance Williams could very well go in the first round or early 2nd round, but his stock has been falling a little bit.

So that's what i think could happen in the first two rounds, but honestly the Broncos can go a number of different ways. The Broncos don't have any big needs and could go Cornerback, Interior OL, Defensive Tackle, Defensive End, Linebacker or safety, and could even trade back again. This is a tough draft to mock for the Broncos.

Tell me what you think of this draft.

Go Broncos!

Denver Broncos 2013 Pre-Draft Position Breakdown: Secondary

Scotty Payne — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:46:05 -0000

I will present information on each player as it relates to their:

1) Contract numbers for the 2013 season

2) 2012 Production

3) Likely place on 2013 Depth Chart/Roles

The goal will be to determine what potential holes the Broncos need to fill on the current roster and whether or not that position group has a low, moderate, or high need heading into the 2013 NFL Draft. Next up is the secondary!

The Broncos currently have 6 cornerbacks on their roster. Champ Bailey, Chris Harris, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Omar Bolden, Tony Carter and Mario Butler. The Broncos also have 6 Safeties on their roster currently. Rahim Moore, Quinton Carter, Mike Adams, David Bruton, Blake Gideon and Duke Ihenacho.

Contracts:

Cornerbacks:

Player	Position	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Other Bonus	Dead Money	Cap Figure
Champ Bailey	CB	9,500,000	0	1,500,000	1,250,000	11,000,000
Chris Harris	CB	555,000	668	0	668	555,668
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	CB	800,000	2,100,000	0	5,000,000	2,900,000
Omar Bolden	CB	480,000	118,607	0	355,821	598,607
Tony Carter	CB	715,000	0	0	0	715,000
Mario Butler	CB	480,000	0	0	0	480,000

Notes:

Champ Bailey is the second highest paid player on the Broncos behind Peyton Manning
Chris Harris really needs a pay raise
Tony Carter would not count against the Broncos cap if he was cut.

Safeties:

Player	Position	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Other Bonus	Dead Money	Cap Figure
Rahim Moore	S	779,375	433,750	0	867,500	1,213,125
Quinton Carter	S	555,000	113,750	0	227,500	668,750
Mike Adams	S	1,750,000	0	250,000	0	2,000,000
David Bruton	S	800,000	400,000	0	1,200,000	1,200,000
Duke Ihenacho	S	480,000	0	0	0	480,000
Blake Gideon	S	405,000	0	0	0	405,000

Notes:

Mike Adams is the highest paid player amongst the safeties.
Mike Adams would not count against the Broncos cap if he was cut.

2012 Production

Cornerbacks:

Player	Tackles	Sacks	Interceptions	Forced Fumbles
Champ Bailey	66	0	2	0
Chris Harris	61	2.5	3	0
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	51	0	3	0
Omar Bolden	13	0	0	0
Tony Carter	27	0	2	0
Mario Butler	0	0	0	0

Notes:

Outside of the playoff game, Champ Bailey enjoyed another dominant year.
Chris Harris is turning into one of the better corners in the league
DRC has the talent, now can he put it all together?
Tony Carter has a good year and Omar Bolden has turned into a pretty good special teams player

Safeties:

Players	Tackles	Sacks	Interceptions	Forced Fumbles
Rahim Moore	72	1	1	0
Quinton Carter	2	0	0	0
Mike Adams	80	1	0	2
David Bruton	5	0	1	0
Duke Ihenacho	1	0	0	0
Blake Gideon	0	0	0	0

Notes:

Rahim Moore had a very solid season for the Broncos. Lets see if he can improve on this past season.
Mike Adams wasn't flashy, but played well.
Quinton Carter is coming off an injury plagued 2012 season. I personally think he's the best safety on the Broncos roster, so lets see if he can step up this season
Bruton once again was our special teams ace.

Depth Chart/Roles for 2013

The cornerback position seems set. Champ Bailey and DRC starting outside and Chris Harris locking down the slot. Omar Bolden and Tony Carter will be reserves and play special teams. At the safety position i believe Rahim Moore has one spot locked down, and Quinton Carter will compete with Mike Adams for the other spot. Bruton will make the team as it's special teams ace. Ihenacho and Gideon are battling for roster/practice squad spots.

I'm excited to see what DRC can do for us. He's a very talented corner. Jack Del Rio and John Fox are very good defensive coaches, so i'm excited to see what he can do in a good defense next to Champ Bailey. Will all due respect to Champ Bailey i think Chris Harris is our best corner on the roster. In todays NFL, you need a very good Slot Corner, and Harris might be the best in the NFL. The man deserves a pay raise. Omar Bolden told John Elway he's looking to take someones job this upcoming season. I'm anxious to see if he can or not. Bolden would have gone much higher in the draft if it wasn't for injuries. Tony Carter came out of no where last season. He played very well at times, and other times didn't look so good. Lets see if Carter can continue to improve his game.

The safety position may be the weakest positon on this defense. Rahim Moore and Mike Adams did hold their own, but neither stood out(in a good way). I'm excited to see what Quinton Carter can do if he can stay healthy. As i said earlier he might be the best safety we have on the team. Mike Adams is our veteran presence at the safety position. He isn't flashy, but we could do much worse.

2013 Draft Need: Moderate to High.

I'm on the fence with this one. The Broncos have been connected to corners all offseason(even after signing DRC). DRC has a 1 year contract and we're entering what could possibly be Champ Baileys final season in a Broncos uniform. Now i do think the Broncos have bigger needs than corner, but i'm not ruling out the possibility the Broncos use a high pick on one. It's a very deep corner draft and the Broncos could get a very corner at 28 depending how the board falls. I do think the Broncos would be fine if they didn't draft one and went with what they currently have, but we'll see. Some names the Broncos could take in the first round are... Xavier Rhodes, Desmond Trufant, Jamar Taylor, D.J Hayden, and Johnthan Banks.

The same goes for the Safety position. It's a deep safety draft, but at the same time i think the Broncos could do fine with what they have. I don't think they draft a safety in the first round, but i could see one anytime after that. A few names who could be possibilites are... Eric Reid, Phillip Thomas, D.J. Swearinger, Bacarri Rambo, Matt Elam, Jonathan Cyprien, and Shamarko Thomas.

Go Broncos!

Denver Broncos 2013 Pre-Draft Position Breakdown: Linebackers

Scotty Payne — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:49:47 -0000

I will present information on each player as it relates to their:

1) Contract numbers for the 2013 season

2) 2012 Production

3) Likely place on 2013 Depth Chart/Roles

The Broncos currently have 7 linebackers on their roster. Von Miller, Wesley Woodyard, Nate Irving, Joe Mays, Steve Johnson, Bradley Stewart, and Danny Trevathan

Contracts:

Player	Position	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Other Bonus	Dead Money	Cap Figure
Von Miller	SLB	2,284,125	3,443,251	0	12,409,313	5,727,376
Wesley Woodyard	WLB	3,000,000	250,000	0	250,000	3,250,000
Nate Irving	MLB	555,000	173,750	0	347,500	728,750
Danny Trevathan	WLB	480,000	26,018	0	78,054	506,018
Joe Mays	MLB	4,000,000	166,667	0	833,334	4,166,667
Steven Johnson	MLB	480,000	4,000	0	8,000	484,000
Bradley Stewart	SLB	900,000	200,000	100,000	300,000	1,200,000

Notes:

I still have no clue why the Broncos paid Joe Mays that much.
Von Miller for 5 million is still a helluva bargin
Wesley Woodyard and Bradley Stewart will be free agents in 2014

2012 Production:

Player	Tackles	Sacks	Interceptions	Forced Fumbles
Von Miller	68	18.5	1	6
Wesley Woodyard	117	5.5	3	1
Nate Irving	13	0	0	0
Danny Trevathan	33	1	0	0
Steven Johnson	10	0	0	1
Joe Mays	20	.5	0	0
Stewart Bradley	11	0	0	0

Notes:

Von Miller and Wesley Woodyard are studs.
Wesley Woodyard lead the team in tackles and was tied with Chris Harris for the team high in Interceptions with 3.
Von Miller lead the team in sacks and was tied with Elvis Dumervil for a team high in forced fumbles with 6.

Depth Chart/Roles for 2013

Von Miller will be your starting strong side linebacker and Wesley Woodyard will be your starting weakside linebacker. After that, it's all up in the air. Nate Irving, Joe Mays, Stewart Bradley, and Steven Johnson are both battling for MLB starting spot. Danny Trevathan will assume the same role he had last year. Trev will be in on passing/nickel downs. Do the Broncos coaches give him reps outside of those situations is something i'm curious about.

Lets talk about the middle linebacker position. I personally would love to see Nate Irving start inside. He's a thumper and is talented. Now the question is, is he another Joe Mays? Or can he do or improve on what Keith Brooking did last year? I'm excited to see more of Steven Johnson. I liked what i saw from him last preseason, so lets see if he's improved his game. I think Joe Mays and Bradley are battling for a roster spot. The fact Joe Mays is counting the Broncos 4 million this year is terrible. However both Bradley and Mays have very cuttable contracts. Their dead money numbers are $800,000 and $300,000 respectively. It seems like the Broncos coaches are going to let these 4 guys battle it out this offseason and may the best man win.

2013 Draft Need: Moderate to Borderline low

The Broncos are set on the outside. The question is, do the Broncos have a starting middle linebacker? Last year they showed they can have a top 5 defense without having a top of the line Inside linebacker. Do they decide to go that route again, and go with Irving, Johnson, Mays or Bradley? or do they use a high draft pick on a guy?

The Broncos should have a few Inside linebackers available when they pick at 28. Tims favorite Manti Te'o, Arthur Brown, Alec Ogletree and Kevin Minter could be available. If the Broncos do not feel comfortable with what they have inside, they could pull the trigger on one of those guys. The draft will give us a good idea on what John Fox and Jack Del Rio think about our current inside linebackers.

Poll

When do you think the Broncos should draft a Inside Linebacker?

1st round

26 votes

2nd round

36 votes

3rd or 4th round

57 votes

5th-7th round

29 votes

Happy with our current guys

39 votes

187 votes | Poll has closed

Report: Broncos attend DE Tank Carradine's Workout

Scotty Payne — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:01:18 -0000

The 11 teams at Carradine's workout -- Chiefs, Lions, Browns, Saints, Bengals, Vikings, Colts, Broncos, Patriots, Falcons, Niners
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) April 20, 2013

The Denver Broncos were among the 11 teams who attended Cornellius "Tank" Carradine's workout. According to people there, Carradine ran a 40 time of 4.75.

135 days ago Carradine underwent knee surgery, so the fact he's running a 4.75 now is amazing.

Carradine is an obvious option for the Broncos at 28. With the release of now Baltimore Raven Defensive End Elvis Dumervil, the Broncos now have a hole at DE. Carradine could help replace Dumervils production.

Many scouts are on record saying Carradine is the best pass rusher in this draft class, and that if he didn't hurt his knee last November he would be a top 10-15 pick. Carradine is a 6'4 276lb defensive end and is very athletic. Carradine also has an ideal frame that you look for at the defensive end position.

ProFootballTalk goes on to say that Carradine had an "Impressive workout".

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Carradine ran a 4.75-second 40-yard dash at a workout for NFL scouts today. That’s a good time for a defensive end in any context, but it’s particularly good for a player who had reconstructive knee surgery 135 days ago.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Carradine had recorded 11 sacks and was Florida State’s leading tackler when he got hurt late in his senior season. Before his injury he was viewed as a likely first-round draft pick, and after today’s showing, he still might be.

Here's NFL.com scouting report on Carradine.

STRENGTHS: Carradine flashes explosion off the snap to challenge the lateral agility of right tackles, and can swipe them away with strong hands to slingshot into the pocket. He also plays with the leverage of a shorter player, brings a strong initial punch to bull lesser tackles off the ball, and simply shoves tight ends away like ragdolls in the run game. There’s certainly no issue with his motor, as he will hustle to the sideline if the play can be made.

WEAKNESSES: Though Carradine shows most all of the physical attributes teams covet in a defensive end, his lack of experience is a negative. And if he isn’t on the field for any extended period of time in 2012, it might be tough for scouts to give him a starter’s grade because they don’t know what his level of stamina against better competition.

NFL COMPARISON: Justin Tuck

BOTTOM LINE: On most other defenses, Carradine would have started as a first-year junior college transfer, but Bjoern Werner and Brandon Jenkins limited his snaps in 2011. Still, he flashed real athleticism and strength and was able to take the starting right defensive end spot by the horns when Jenkins was sidelined for the season. Carradine appeared to be headed for a first-round selection, but a torn ACL will limit his work prior to April's draft. The talent is certainly there, however.

Carradine has been rising up many scouts big boards. NFL Networks Daniel Jeremiah ranks Carradine as his 2nd overall DE and 31st overall player in this years draft, and NFL Networks Mike Mayock ranks him as his 5th overall DE. Also rotoworlds Josh Norris ranks Carradine as his 10th overall prospect and 2nd overall DE. I expect the Broncos to be very interested in Carradine and very well could be the Broncos pick at 28

Would you be happy if the Broncos selected Carradine in the first round? Tell me what you think.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Would you be happy if the Broncos selected Tank Carradine in the first round?

Yes

408 votes

No

47 votes

455 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Draft Prospects: DE/OLB Corey Lemonier Scouting Profile

Scotty Payne — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:04:35 -0000

With the release of DE Elvis Dumervil the Broncos will start looking at other options. They have explored the veteran Free Agency market, and i expect them to look at some pass rushers early in the draft. One name who may interest the Broncos brass is Auburn DE/OLB Corey Lemonier. According to CBSSports.com Lemonier ranks as the 85th overall prospect in next weeks NFL Draft. Corey Lemonier figures to be a second day selection.

Bio:

Corey Lemonier enjoyed a very productive career at Auburn. In 3 years he totaled 98 tackles, 24 for a loss, 17 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. His best season came in 2011 when he totaled 47 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. In 2012 Lemonier had a down year where he totaled 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 1 forced fumbles.

Class: Senior

Hometown: Hialeah, Fla.

High School: Hialeah

Height / Weight: 6-4 / 246

Position: DE

Major: Public Administration

2011 -- Coaches First Team All-SEC ... AP All-SEC Second Team ... SEC Coaches Pre-Season Third Team ... Phil Steele All-SEC First Team ... Phil Steele Third-Team All-America ... Phil Steele Midseason All-SEC First Team and Honorable Mention All-American ... Sixth on team with 47 tackles, while leading team with 13.5 TFL (-79), 9.5 sacks (-66), and 15 quarterback hurries ... Tied for fourth in the SEC and 16th nationally with 9.5 sacks ... Tied for eighth in SEC with 13.5 TFL ... Totaled three tackles in the opener with Utah State ... Also added a pair of quarterback hurries ... Five tackles and one sack against Mississippi State ... Totaled two tackles for loss ... Forced one fumble and also credited with a QB hurry against the Bulldogs ... Team-high six tackles to go with one sack and two tackles for loss against Florida Atlantic ... Registered a sack and blocked an extra point against South Carolina .... Four tackles, including one sack and two TFL at Arkansas ... Also forced a fumble and credited with a QB hurry against the Razorbacks ... Led Auburn defense with six tackles, including three TFL (-20), two sacks (-16) and four quarterback hurries against Florida ... Named Rivals.com's SEC Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts ... Recorded at least one sack in four straight games, and eight total TFL in that stretch ... First Auburn player to accomplish that feat since Antonio Coleman had at least one sack in six straight games from 10/24/09-1/1/10 ... Totaled five tackles at LSU ... Posted three tackles and half a sack against Ole Miss ... Also picked up a fumble and returned it nine yards ... Totaled six tackles and two sacks in loss at Georgia ... Forced two fumbles in the first half, becoming the first Auburn player to accomplish the feat since Quentin Groves in 2006 at Alabama ... Two QB hurries against Samford ... Totaled four tackles and one sack against Alabama .... Forced a fumble on the lone sack that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown ... Three tackles in Chick-fil-A Bowl win over Virginia.

Draft Profile:

Strengths: Quick off the edge and the type of rusher than can only be contained for so long. Blend of sped and power to penetrate the pocket and pressure the quarterback. Flashes raw power at the point of attack with a sharp punch, appearing stronger than in past years. Has experience dropping in space and has been given coverage responsibilities. Never quits in his pursuit and is tough to stop, can only hope to slow him down. Ferocious hitter and looks for the knockout blow. Will line up as a stand up linebacker and rush from different angles.

Weaknesses: Still developing his run awareness and technique. Needs to improve his discipline in space and better understand his surroundings. Too often overpursues off the snap and can be overaggressive, taking himself out of plays. Inconsistent snap anticipation and needs to cut down on the offsides penalties. Will get hung up on blocks and hand use in the trenches still a work in progress. Needs to consistently finish once he gets his hands on the ballcarrier. Disappointing second half of 2012 and played down to the level of the rest of the team.

- Dane Brugler

Via: CBSSports.com

STRENGTHS: Long-limbed end with a nice motor and a strong overall build with room to grow. Plays on both sides of the formation. Stands up at times. Showcases a good first step. Also flashes agility to drop into a zone and attack ballcarriers coming into his area. Can threaten outside shoulders of average linemen, and works an impressive rip move on the outside. Has strength and long arms to separate the ball from any ballcarrier. Works hard throughout each play, chasing plays to the sideline when needed and crashing inside for a secondary rush if stopped in his initial upfield move. Works well on twists inside, closes hard and gets into passing lanes if unable to reach the quarterback. Strong arm extension to knock back and shed linemen or tight ends in the run game. Good vision through traffic and hustle to reach the ball. Frame makes him susceptible to cut blocks, but he recovers quite well, gets back into the play to make a stop with pure effort.

WEAKNESSES: Does not have a powerful build. Lacks great snap awareness. Looks to be stiff in the hips, and is not always flexible enough to bend the edge. Weak hands, doesn't deliever a blow on contact with the offensive lineman. Better tackles get a push against him on drive-blocks due to that leggy build. Struggles to separate when an offensive lineman engages into his chest.

NFL COMPARISON: Andre Branch

BOTTOM LINE: Lemonier is a long and projectable athlete, who already has a nice outside rip move. Was tremendously productive as a junior, but saw his play decline as a senior. While his body type is a better fit for 3-4 outside linebacker than 4-3 defensive end, his hips appear to be too stiff to make the transition. Lemonier also lacks powerful hands, and sometime struggles to turn the corner. The fact that Lemonier does not quit on plays, and has a good motor, combined with his athletic potential will likely cast him as a second or third rounder, despite some serious questions about the translating of his play to the next level.

Via: NFL.com

Videos:

Ultimate Corey Lemonier Highlights | HD

Corey Lemonier - 2013 NFL Draft Profile

Corey Lemonier vs Clemson (2012)

Corey Lemonier vs Georgia (2012)

Corey Lemonier vs Florida & Arkansas (2011)

Who does Mel Kiper have the Broncos taking in his lastest Mock Draft?

Scotty Payne — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:03:55 -0000

ESPNs Mel Kiper recently released a three round NFL Mock Draft. Who does ESPNs Draft guru have the Broncos taking?

Rd. 1 (28) CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida St.

My Take: I think this would be a solid selection. I thought Rhodes would be a top 15 pick, but if he falls all the way to 28, i would be very excited. Rhodes is a 6'2 210lb Corner and would give the Broncos great depth at the corner back position. Rhodes with give the Broncos a potential replacement for Champ Bailey.

Rd. 2 (58) DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M

My Take: This would a steal at this point. Damontre Moore was considered a top 5-10 pick before the NFL Combine. His stock is free falling after some poor workouts. However the tape doesn't lie. Moore is an electric pass rusher and would reunite with former teammate and stud pass rusher Von Miller. Hopefully Von would take Moore under his wing and give the Broncos a young electric pass rush for many years to come.

Rd. 3 (90) OL Barrett Jones, Alabama

My Take: I'm not a fan of this pick to be honest. At best i believe he would just give the Broncos a versatile linemen who can play anywhere. While that is very valuable, i do not like spending a third round pick on that type of guy. I would have liked to see Kiper mock a Running Back, Wide Receiver, Safety, Linebacker or Defensive Tackle here.

Overall Take:

I would grade this draft a solid B. The Broncos got solid value and talent in the first two rounds. Both Rhodes and Moore would give the Broncos two young studs for the future on defense. The Jones pick is what keeps it from being an A for me. I believe the Broncos have bigger needs elsewhere and could improve them in the third round. What grade would you give Kipers mock draft?

Go Broncos!

Poll

How would you grade Kipers picks?

A

142 votes

B+

158 votes

B

131 votes

C+

73 votes

D

11 votes

It's garbage

56 votes

571 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos Prospect Meetings

Scotty Payne — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:00:32 -0000

The NFL Draft is almost here. John Elway and John Fox are putting their final touches on their draft board and could be setting up some final meetings/workouts. With that said, lets take a look at the prospects the Broncos have shown interest in during the entire process (Senior Bowl, East West Shrine Game, Combine Meeting, Pro Days and Private Workouts)

(This list is via WalterFootball.com)

Oday Aboushi, OL, Virginia (COM)

Keenan Allen, WR, California (COM)

T.J. Barnes, DL, Georgia Tech (COM)

Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State (VINT) (PRI)

Chad Bumphis, WR, Mississippi State (EW)

Zac Dysert, QB, Miami of Ohio (PRI) (SR)

Kwame Geathers, DL, Georgia (COM)

Jordan Hill, DL, Penn State (SR)

DeAndre Hopskins, WR, Clemson (COM)

Keelan Johnson, DB, Arizona State (EW)

Nick Kasa, TE, Colorado (INT)

T.J. McDonald, DB, USC (SR)

Vance McDonald, TE, Rice (SR)

Leon McFadden, DB, San Diego State (COM)

Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M (PRI)

Sio Moore, LB, Connecticut (COM)

Vinston Painter, OL, Virginia Tech (PRI)

Matt Scott, QB, Arizona (PRI)

John Simon, DL, Ohio State (SR)

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M (SR)

Jamar Taylor, DB, Boise State (PRI)

Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame (COM)

Phillip Thomas, DB, Fresno State (SR)

Desmond Trufant, DB, Washington (COM)

B.W. Webb, DB, William & Mary (COM)

Kayvon Webster, CB, South Florida (EW)

Shawn Williams, DB, Georgia (SR)

Brian Winters, OL, Kent State (SR)

*Note: INT = Interested and VINT = Very Interested

Notes:

The Broncos have met with 28 players including, 3 Offensive Linemen, 4 Defensive Linemen, 2 Quarterbacks, 2 Running Backs, 2 Linebackers, 8 Defensive Backs, 4 Receivers and 2 Tight Ends
The Broncos have met with RB Le'Veon Bell and QB Zac Dysert more than once
According to Walter Football the Broncos are very interested in RB Le'Veon Bell and Interested in TE Nick Kasa

What should we take away from this list? Well that is hard to say. To me it shows what positions the Broncos are looking to improve at. During Free Agency they addressed the WR, OL, DL, DB and LB positions. Those signings go along with the positions they showed the most interest in during the draft process.

Now just because someone isn't on this list, doesn't mean the Broncos aren't interested in them. The Broncos didn't show much interest in Derek Wolfe last year and ended up using their first pick on him. There's probably a decent chance someone from this list will be a Denver Bronco though. Which names stand out to you from that list?

Denver Broncos 2013 Pre-Draft Position Breakdown: Defensive Tackle

Scotty Payne — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:03:31 -0000

I will present information on each player as it relates to their:

1) Contract numbers for the 2013 season

2) 2012 Production

3) Likely place on 2013 Depth Chart/Roles

The Broncos currently have 4 Defensive Tackles on their roster. Kevin Vickerson, Terrance Knighton, Mitch Unrein, and Sealver Siliga.

Contracts:

Player	Position	UFA	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Other Bonus	Dead Money	Cap Number
Kevin Vickerson	DT	2015	1,000,000	500,000	0	1,000,000	1,500,000
Terrance Knighton	DT	2015	1,000,000	250,000	0	500,000	1,250,000
Mitch Unrein	DT	2014	555,000	0	0	0	555,000
Sealver Siliga	DT	2014	480,000	0	0	0	480,000

Notes:

Currently in 2013 the Broncos have invested $3,785,000 dollars on the Defensive Tackle position
The only players that have contracts that extend past 2013 are Kevin Vickerson and Terrance Knighton.
Mitch Unrein and Sealver Siliga can be cut without any consequence(zero dead money)
Kevin Vickerson is the highest paid player of the group.

2012 Production:

Player	Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumbles
Kevin Vickerson	40	2	1
Terrance Knighton	32	2	2
Mitch Unrein	20	0	0
Sealver Siliga	1	0	0

Notes:

Kevin Vickerson lead this group in tackles.
Terrance Knighton and Kevin Vickerson both sacked the QB twice. Knighton Forced two fumbles, while Vickerson forced one fumble.
Mitch Unrein was solid as the top back up and totaled 20 tackles and also caught one touchdown
Sealver Siliga was a gameday in-active for most weeks, but did contribute 1 tackle in limited action

Depth Chart/Roles for 2013

Right now Kevin Vickerson and Terrance Knighton would be your starters heading into the 2013 season. Mitch Unrein would rotate in as well. Siliga will need a strong offseason/Training Camp if he figures to make the roster

Knighton replaces the veteran Justin Bannan as the nose tackle. Knighton reunites with Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio. Knighton played for Del Rio in Jacksonville, and had his best year as a pro under him totaling 34 tackles and 4 sacks. Vickerson figures to start along side of Knighton. As i said earlier Unrein will rotate in during the game and come in for specific packages. Those three figure to make the team.

Siliga is on the roster bubble currently. The Broncos also have defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson who can also play some DT in a pinch. Both of those players played more snaps than Siliga the following year. That doesn't bode well for Siligas future on the team.

2013 Draft Need: Moderate

After signing Knighton and resigning Unrein and Vickerson the Broncos do not have an immediate need at Defensive Tackle. However they can use some more talent there, especially a guy who can collapse the pocket. Both Vickerson and Knighton can be upgraded. Extra competition can be added as well. Unrein and Siliga are average at best right now.

Look for the Broncos to look at some Nose Tackle prospects like Jesse Williams, John Jenkins, Brandon Williams and Johnathan Hankins in the early rounds. In the later rounds some names to keep an eye on are Akeem Spence, T.J. Barnes, and Kwame Geathers.

They also will look hard at some pass rushing Defensive Tackle prospects. Some names to keep an eye on in the early rounds are Sylvester Williams, Kawann Short, and Sheldon Richardson. In the later rounds look for Jordan Hill, Bennie Logan, Everett Dawkins and Josh Boyd.

The Linebackers are up next.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Do you think the Broncos should draft a DT?

Yes, 1st round

30 votes

Yes, 2nd round

52 votes

Yes, 3rd/4th round

101 votes

Yes, 5-7th round

31 votes

No! I'm happy with what we have.

9 votes

223 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Draft: Just Another Mock Draft

Scotty Payne — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:21:02 -0000

The draft is less then two weeks away and me being a draft nut, I'm getting excited. So enough with my talking and on to the picks.

First Round, 28th overall: Jonathan Cyprien SS, Florida International. 6'0 217lbs

STRENGTHS Looks and plays like a strong in-the-box safety with solid thickness throughout his build. Holds his ground against blocks from bigger opponents, and also runs through traffic to wrap up ballcarriers inside (sometimes as a fast edge blitzer). Possesses enough speed and athleticism to cover ground as a zone defender in the back half and line up against slot receivers inside. Closes on stretch runs and quick throws to outside receivers even when playing well back from the line. Beats receiver blocks with quickness or strength. His secure tackling in those situations is also notable, as he brings some attitude into his attempts unlike other defensive backs in this class. Used as a blitzer on run and pass plays, can overpower running back blocks.

WEAKNESSES Doesn’t have elite range or the height/length combination to play as a single-deep safety. Quick enough to make a hit after the catch when deep, but is often a step slow to recognize the pass coming into his area. Aggressive in coverage, he can be sucked up by play action and will jump underneath routes, allowing plays over the top. Lacks elite change of direction and quickness in man coverage, and does not recover like a corner if beaten by a quick move off the line or in space.

NFL.com

Cyprien would give the Broncos something they have been lacking since former Bronco great Steve Atwater. A big hitting safety who's also a ball hawk. The safety position is something i have overlooked. Cyprien is a solid blitzing safety as well. I think he would be a great assest to a defense that likes to get after the passer.

Second Round, 58th Overall: Corey Lemonier DE/OLB, Auburn. 6'3 255lbs

STRENGTHS Long-limbed end with a nice motor and a strong overall build with room to grow. Plays on both sides of the formation. Stands up at times. Showcases a good first step. Also flashes agility to drop into a zone and attack ballcarriers coming into his area. Can threaten outside shoulders of average linemen, and works an impressive rip move on the outside. Has strength and long arms to separate the ball from any ballcarrier. Works hard throughout each play, chasing plays to the sideline when needed and crashing inside for a secondary rush if stopped in his initial upfield move. Works well on twists inside, closes hard and gets into passing lanes if unable to reach the quarterback. Strong arm extension to knock back and shed linemen or tight ends in the run game. Good vision through traffic and hustle to reach the ball. Frame makes him susceptible to cut blocks, but he recovers quite well, gets back into the play to make a stop with pure effort.

WEAKNESSES Does not have a powerful build. Lacks great snap awareness. Looks to be stiff in the hips, and is not always flexible enough to bend the edge. Weak hands, doesn't deliever a blow on contact with the offensive lineman. Better tackles get a push against him on drive-blocks due to that leggy build. Struggles to separate when an offensive lineman engages into his chest.

I've been warming up to the idea of Lemonier. He can line up at DE on either side or as a pass rush OLB on either end. That versatility has to be attractive to John Fox and Jack Del Rio. They have drafted versatile front seven guys and like to mix in many different schemes. His motor is relentless and has a great first step. He also has the long arms you like to see from your pass rusher. I think he would be a solid addition.

Third Round, 90th Overall. Christine Michael RB, Texas A&M. 5'11 220lbs

STRENGTHS Low center of gravity back with good thickness throughout his frame to take and give out punishment. North-south runner who uses his strong legs to burst out of the hole to eat up six or seven yards in a hurry. More speed in the open field than you’d expect given his size, sets up defenders in the open field for a dangerous cut on the run. Capable of strong cuts on stretch plays, runs with lean and balance to blast or step through arm tackles near the line. Also willing to spin off tackles to free himself in space or stretch for an extra yard inside. Takes out blitzers with cut blocks in pass protection, also defenders at the second level as a lead blocker.

WEAKNESSES Missed the end of both his sophomore and junior seasons due to injury. Not elite in his change of direction ability, will round some cuts and gets tripped up trying to change field. Will spin away from situations instead of taking what he can get. Ball security can be an issue, will run with the ball away from his frame (three fumbles in 2011). Not often targeted in the passing game, must prove he can be a reliable receiver. Whiffs too often when trying to land a punch in pass protection, and gets pushed back too easily when man-up.

NFL.com

My only repeat from my last mock. Many of you didn't like it, but the Broncos are very interested in this kid. I do not blame them. Yes he has some maturity problems, but we do not know the whole story so i'm not judging him on that. He had no problems with prior coach Mike Sherman, so this whole attitude issue may be over blown. Also he's young, maturity questions are always a concern. The Broncos have a solid locker room and environment where this guy can mature. If he can play(which he can) teams over look these issues anyways.

Now to the on the field stuff. He's a very explosive player. Something the Broncos are lacking in a big way at the Running back position. He's dangerous in the open field. I think he would be the perfect back for this offense. Has decent pass blocking skills, but that can be learned. Michael is the most athletically gifted runner in this years draft.

The Broncos are interested in him too. They were connected with him at the Senior Bowl, met with him at the Combine and now had him in to visit the facility. So we'll see if that amounts to anything. I wouldn't be surprised if Michael ends up going higher, but with a soft running back market, he may fall a little bit.

Forth Round, 125th overall: Bennie Logan DT/NT, LSU. 6'2 309lbs

STRENGTHS Athletic tackle with a wide frame and solid thickness and strength throughout. Nice lateral quickness to step into a gap after the snap, can penetrate through to get a hand on the ballcarrier or hold his ground with a shoulder against single blocks to stuff the hole. Plays with leverage when man-up and against double-teams, doesn’t get moved off the line often. Flashes the violent hands and pop to shed and eat up backs coming into his area. Works hard as a pass rusher, can use his hands and strength to bull through the shoulder of his man to reach the quarterback if the ball stays in the pocket too long. Strong tackler who swallows ballcarriers when in position and also slows them with an arm even if engaged.

WEAKNESSES Not elite in his initial quickness, will be stoned more consistently by NFL linemen unless it improves and might be taken out in obvious passing situations. Might be best as an athletic nose, rather than a three-technique. Inconsistent getting off blocks inside to two-gap, lunges towards ballcarriers after they’re already by him. Gets overaggressive on his punch on occasion and doesn’t have elite upper-body strength, so better linemen and double teams can get his shoulders turned out of the hole. Stamina is an issue, losing his chase ability and short-area quickness when facing strong competition, and forces him to be heavily rotated. Has difficulty seeing and handling cut blocks. Doesn't offer much as a pass rushing threat.

I believe Logan could be a solid addition to our D-Line rotation. He's a solid nose tackle prospect who's strong as a bull and has the potential to be a solid NFL starter with the right defensive coordinator. He has great short area quickness, and can collapse the pocket. He needs to improve as a pass rusher though. Coach Fox and Del Rio have gotten the best out of our Defensive line players, so i'd love to see what they could do with Logan.

Fifth Round, 161st overall: Josh Boyce WR, TCU. 5'11 206lbs

STRENGTHS Solid overall build with a muscular upper body and strong legs. Lines up outside and in the slot. Displays very good hands. Excellent first three steps off the line to challenge corners, shakes them off the line and has enough speed to get a step down the field. Stems every route in the tree with foot quickness that college corners can't handle, does not have to slow down significantly to make a cut. Tracks the ball well over either shoulder, and shows a good job of high pointing the football in contested situations. Creates space downfield with an arm extension. Tough to bring down after the catch because of his low center of gravity and strength. Aggressive run blocker with the strength to negate his man and stick with the block. Willing to attack safeties stepping up inside if uncovered.

WEAKNESSES Might be limited to purely playing the slot. Does not bring some difficult catches extended away from his frame that top prospects are expected to snare with their hands. Some college corners could close on him in the open field. Will fall off run blocks instead of sustaining, allowing his man to come off and make a play at times.

Boyce would be a nice value pick at this point in the draft. The Broncos lack receiver depth. After the big 3, there's nothing at all. Boyce is a explosive slot WR who's dangerous with the ball in his hand. He's a solid run blocker and would make for a solid 4th receiver this upcoming season.

Seventh Round: Not mocking a player here, too much of a crap shoot. But i think they will grab a offensive linemen or possibly a QB here.

Denver Broncos 2013 Pre-Draft Position Breakdown: Defensive End

Scotty Payne — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:42:44 -0000

I will present information on each player as it relates to their:

1) Contract numbers for the 2013 season

2) 2012 Production

3) Likely place on 2013 Depth Chart/Roles

The Broncos currently have 5 Defensive Ends on their roster. Robert Ayers, Derek Wolfe, Jeremy Beal, Malik Jackson, and Ben Garland.

Contracts:

Player	Position	Base Salary	Signing Bonus	Other Bonus	Dead Money	Cap Figure
Robert Ayers	DE	1,060,000	0	1,181,250	1,181,250	2,241,250
Derek Wolfe	DE	480,000	556,691	146,672	2,150,073	1,183,363
Malik Jackson	DE	480,000	53,400	0	160,209	533,400
Jeremy Beal	DE	405,000	0	0	0	405,000
Ben Garland	DE	405,000	0	0	0	405,000

Notes:

Only players that have contracts that extend past 2013 are Derek Wolfe and Malick Jackson
Both Jeremy Beal and Ben Garland can be cut without any consequence(zero dead money)
Robert Ayers counts most against the cap while Derek Wolfe has the highest Dead Money number

2012 Production:

Player	Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumbles
Robert Ayers	16	2	0
Derek Wolfe	40	6	0
Malik Jackson	5	0	0
Jeremy Beal	0	0	0
Ben Garland	0	0	0

Notes:

Wolfe leads the group in tackles(40) and sacks (6)
Ayers and Jackson both saw time as backups
Both Beal and Garland didn't make the roster in 2012

Depth Chart/Roles for 2013

Ayers and Wolfe as of now will be your starters. Jackson figures to carve out a role somewhere. Both Beal and Garland are long shots to make the roster.

Your base starters will be Wolfe and Ayers. Ayers replaces Elvis Dumervil in the starting rotation. Wolfe will look to improve on his solid rookie campaign and Ayers looks to finally step up and prove he isn't a bust. Both Ayers and Wolfe will be strong against the run game, but the question is will they get after the passer?

After those two it's a open competition for the backup positions. Of the guys on the current roster, Malik Jackson has the best chance to make the team. He's versatile and still fairly young. Beal looked good in camp/preseason but has yet to crack a roster spot during the regular season. Ben Garland is a great story, but is the talent there? Right now the answer is no. We'll see if that changes.

The Broncos did show interest in veteran DE's John Abraham and Dwight Freeney. Freeney has the best chance to sign with the Broncos, but it doesn't sound like anything is imminent. If Freeney or Abraham sign, i expect them to be backups to Wolfe and Ayers. Neither player is their former self, but can still get after the passer.

2013 Draft Need: HIGH

The Broncos will have too add a pass rusher in the early rounds of the draft. In todays NFL you have to get after the passer. Von Miller cannot do it all, and Ayers and Wolfe have yet to show they can be consistent pass rushers. Some names to keep an eye on: Damontre Moore, Tank Carradine, Datone Jones, Margus Hunt, and Alex Okafor.

Poll

Do you think the Broncos should draft a DE in the 1st round of the draft?

Yes

277 votes

No

92 votes

369 votes | Poll has closed

Report: The Broncos showing interest in two prospects?

Scotty Payne — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:41:09 -0000

Matt Scott/QB/Arizona will be taking an official visit to the Denver Broncos next week.
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 4, 2013

Texas A&M linebacker Sean Porter: private workouts Chiefs, Falcons, Cowboys, Patriots; Interest from Broncos, Bears, Texans and Rams
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) April 4, 2013

The Broncos are meeting with Arizona QB Matt Scott and are reportedly interested in Texas A&M Linebacker Sean Porter.

Matt Scott is a 6'2 213lb QB From Arizona. Scott is coming off a solid 2012 season for the Wildcats. Scott passed for 3,620 yards passing(60.3 completion %), 27 touchdowns and 14 Ints.

Scott is a raw QB prospect. He does have a strong arm and is very athletic. One has to wonder if Elway is just doing his homework, or if he has serious interest in Scott. It would be a curious selection after selecting QB Brock Osweiler in the 2nd round last year. Scott figures to go anywhere from the third round to the early fifth round.

Here's NFL.coms Scouting Report on Scott...

STRENGTHS:

Good height and arm strength for the position. Stands tall in the pocket, is decisive on his first read, willing to stick passes in tight windows over the middle. Able to stretch offenses vertically with his arm, also throw out routes across the field with velocity and accuracy. Will step up in pocket when needed, escapes quickly when feeling pressure. Accurate throwing on the run to the left and right, keeps shoulders square and the ball comes out of his hand well. Quick release on hot throws. Elusive as a ballcarrier on keepers, agile enough to sidestep oncoming defenders and has the straight-line speed to burst into the open for big gains.

WEAKNESSES:

Possesses a somewhat lean build and propensity to take off out of the pocket brings durability into question. Sails throws on occasion, needs to throttle that down and show more touch on fades, throws over the top and close to the line of scrimmage. Shows too much confidence in his arm, throws into coverage. Footwork is inconsistent, fails to step into throws or open hips when throwing to his left, resulting in passes coming up short. Double-hitches, uses a tap on the ball as a timing mechanism. Bit of a leggy runner in the open field, might not elude pro linebackers as easily as he can in college. Regularly locks into first option. Operates almost exclusively out of the shotgun, though he’s been under center in previous years.

NFL COMPARISON: Josh Johnson

Matt Scott NFL Combine results

40 yard Dash: 4.69 seconds

Vertical Jump: 31 inches

Broad Jump: 118 inches

3 Cone Drill: 6.69 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 3.99

* Scott was a top performer at his position for each drill

Via: NFL.com

The Broncos also have interest in Sean Porter, a former Texas A&M Linebacker. Porter is a 6'1 229 linebacker who had a down senior season. Heading into his senior season, Porter was considered a potential first round pick. In 2011 Porter totaled 79 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks. However in 2012 he only totaled 66 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a lass and 3.5 sacks

Porter is a interesting prospect. He's an athletic linebacker with short area burst who's also a solid pass rusher. He's a bit undersized though.He's also solid in coverage. Unless he adds some weight, he's probably a weaksid linebacker in the NFL.

Here's NFL.coms Scouting Report on Porter...

STRENGTHS

Athletic linebacker with the short-area quickness and football IQ to switch from playing the run to checking a slot receiver to attacking a scrambling quarterback on the same play. Good speed in the open field, and can burst to close in pursuit. Effective pass rusher with a good first step and flexibility to get under a tackle’s upfield shoulder, a shimmy inside to get the direct lane, and also a quick spin move helps him get off leaning tackles. Has a nice inside counter for when tackles start overplaying his speed rush outside. Occasionally gets under the pads of taller tackles to bull them into the quarterback. Slippery blitzer who knows how to get skinny through inside lanes. Breaks down in a hurry to wrap up ball carriers, brings a bit of pop despite his average size. Fluid hips changing directions. Really progressed as a senior in coverage of tight ends and slot receivers, gets his hands on them at the line of scrimmage and crossing over the middle, and the click-and-close ability to break on the ball quickly on underneath throws. Takes on fullbacks, goes lows to win leverage and make plays on inside runs.

WEAKNESSES

Undersized with long legs and short arms, lacking in explosive speed and great length. As a pass rusher, he’s more of a blitzer than a true outside edge rusher. Can set the edge against weaker tight ends, but can get engulfed at the point of attack by most tackles and pro-caliber tight ends. Can get lost in no-man’s land in coverage. Does not use his hands effectively to beat cut blocks. Very little pop in his hands or his tackles, and he has a tendency to lunge. Good burst filling inside and in pursuit, but can get out of control and doesn’t always display a good understanding timing and angles. Will need to be protected by a solid defensive line in the NFL.

NFL COMPARISON: Michael Boley

Sean Porters NFL Combine results:

40 Yard Dash: 4.75 seconds

Bench Press: 22 reps

Vertical Jump: 35 inches

Broad Jump: 119.0 inches

Via: NFL.com

Would you be okay if the Broncos selected one or both of these guys? Let us know!

Go Broncos!

Denver Broncos 2013 Schedule: Broncos Preseason Schedule Announced

Scotty Payne — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:20:35 -0000

The Denver Broncos' 2013 preseason schedule was announced by the NFL today, with four games taking place in the month of August leading up to regular season kickoff.

All times Mountain
Wk	Day	Date	Opponent		Time	TV
1	Thu	Aug 8		at San Francisco 49ers	7:00 pm	KUSA-TV
2	Sat	Aug 17		at Seattle Seahawks	8:00 pm	KUSA-TV
3	Sat	Aug 24		St. Louis Rams	6:00 p.m.	CBS
4	Thu	Aug 29		Arizona Cardinals	7:00 pm	KUSA-TV

A Note from Each Game:

At. San Francisco: A potential Super Bowl matchup? Look for Brock Osweiler to have extensive playing time.

At. Seahawks: Another NFCW matchup that could be a potential Super Bowl matchup.

Vs. Rams: A nationally televised game on CBS. Could be our first look at our team on the national stage.

Vs Arizona: The Broncos always seem to play at Arizona in Week 4 of the preseason (just ask out desert-based Broncos blogger Monty), but this year they'll host the Cardinals instead.

The Broncos play all 4 NFC West teams. San Fran is Denver’s most common preseason opponent, with this year’s matchup representing the 35th between the two clubs. Arizona is Denver’s second most common preseason opponent and the Broncos have played seattle in the preseason in 2011 and 2012. Denver owns a 127-114 (.527) all-time record in the preseason.

Regular season schedule:

The Broncos' regular season schedule is expected to be released April 16th, according to a report. Here are the Home and Away teams:

Home: Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Redskins, Ravens

Away: Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders, Texans, Colts, Cowboys, Giants, Patriots

Which preseason game are you most excited about?

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Scotty's Denver Broncos Mock Draft

Scotty Payne — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:50:52 -0000

The Broncos have been enjoying a pretty successful offseason. Outside of a Fax Machine mishap, the Broncos added plenty of talent via Free Agency. They added guard Louis Vasquez, receiver Wes Welker, defensive Tackle Terrance Knighton, cornerback Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Inside linebacker Stewart Bradley.

The Broncos also brought back some of their own. They Franchised Left Tackle Ryan Clady and, resigned defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. Punter Britton Colquitt, running back Lance Ball, tackle Chris Clark, defensive Tackle Mitch Unrein and corner Tony Carter were also tendered and will be back with the team as well.

The one negative in the offseason for the Broncos was the loss of defensive end pass rusher Elvis Dumervil. A Fax Machine error by his Agent lead the Broncos to releasing Dumervil. A few weeks later, Dumervil signed with the defending Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.

Now lets take a look at what positions/players the Broncos may target in the draft. They have been showing interest in running backs this offseason. They were connected to free agents Steven Jackson and Shonn Greene, and had a visit scheduled with Rashard Mendenhall before he decided to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive end is also a need after the loss of Dumervil. They have interest in veteran Free Agent Dwight Freeney, but nothing with that appears to be happening soon. So a pass rusher is probably up there among their top needs. I would also expect them to target a defensive tackle and possibly a cornerback in the draft as well.

Enough of me talking, lets take a look at the picks.

First round, 28th overall: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine DE, Florida State. 6'4 276lbs.

I'm sticking with this pick. With the loss of Elvis Dumervil, the Broncos lost a key pass rusher. Robert Ayers hasn't shown that he can be a consistent sack guy, and Derek Wolfe is still an unknown right now. Carradine is recovering for a ACL injury, but his recovery is going well and ahead of schedule, and is expected to workout for teams April 20th and do everything. So questions about his health will be answered then

Yes he is a one year wonder, but i think that's an overrated concept. Carradine has load of potential. He's very athletic, and has the typical size/frame you want from your DE. He shows great technique setting the edge, and is a factor in the run game. He's athletic enough to drop into coverage and versatile enough to line up all over the line, and fits in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Second round, 58th Overall: Darius Slay CB, Mississippi St. 6'0 192lbs

Slay is one of my favorite corners in this draft. It is debatable that he will be available here. Personally i find it hard to mock the cornerback positions in this draft, it's a very deep one and the Broncos(if they pass on one in the first round) should have a talented guy fall to them here.

Slay had a great combine/workout. Ran a blazing 4.31 and looked great in field drills. Some believe he will go higher than teammate Jonathan Banks. With Champ Bailey getting older and coming off a poor playoff performance, the Broncos need to add some youth and depth at the corner back position.

Read NFL.coms Scouting Report on Slay Here

Third round, 90th Overall: Christine Michael RB, Texas A&M. 5'10 220lbs

Michael has a nice combo of size and speed which the Broncos have been lacking for awhile. Neither Willis McGahee or Knowshon Moreno have that extra gear to be a factor in the open field, and Ronnie Hillman doesn't have the size/frame currently to be counted on as a every down back. Michael has the potential to be a every down back.

He does come with some mild character concerns, but nothing that cannot be fixed or adjusted. Michael ran a solid 4.43 at the combine/workout. Michael is a solid North to south runner who has a solid cutting ability and can basically do it all. He does need to improve at pass protection, but that can be learned. Michael would be a solid addition to the Broncos backfield. The Broncos scouts did show interest in Michael at the Senior Bowl.

Read my Scouting Profile on Michael Here

Forth Round, 125th Overall: Cornelius Washington DE, Georgia. 6'4 265lbs

The Broncos select another DE named Cornelius? I think so. Washington would give the Broncos depth at a very important position on this team. After Ayers, Wolfe and Tank the Broncos would be lacking some depth at DE. Also Robert Ayers will be a Free Agent in 2014.

Washington ran a 4.55 at the combine and put up 36 reps, so the speed, athleticism, and strength is there. He needs to work on technique though. Right now i wouldnt project him as a starter, but he could take Robert Ayers role in the future, and be a solid third down rusher when called on.

Read NFL.coms Scouting Report on Washington Here

Fifth Round, 161st Overall: Kwame Geathers DT, Georgia 6'6 342lbs

The Broncos double up on Georgia Bulldogs here in the mid rounds. Geathers is huge. He has a giant frame, but carries it very well. He's also surprisingly athletic for a man of his size. He is pretty raw though, and will need to work on his technique, but John Fox and Jack Del Rio would love to mold him into the player they expect from him

Del Rio wants some size in the middle and Geathers has that and has the size to deflect passes and get in the way of QB's throwing lanes. Even with the signings of Knighton and Vickerson the Broncos will be looking for some interior help in the draft

Read the Kaptains post on Geathers Here

Seventh Round: Braden Brown OT, Brigham Young 6'6 310lbs

Predicting the Seventh round is a crapshoot, so don't pay attention to the name as much as the position. The Broncos should target a late round offensive linemen to add competition and potentially something more. Chris Clark can be improved and competition is needed. Also we do not know if Ryan Clady will hold out, so adding depth could be an option. It also wouldn't surprise me if they went after a center to challenge with J.D Walton and Phillip Blake

Report: Broncos meeting with RB Le'Veon Bell

Scotty Payne — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:05:38 -0000

Michigan State RB Le'veon Bell has private workouts with Buccaneers Cowboys Jets Steelers and Broncos and visits with Jets and Cowboys
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 28, 2013

It's that time of the year when teams focus shifts from Free Agency to the NFL Draft. The Broncos have started to talk and set up visits with some of the prospect in this years draft. One prospect who has caught the Broncos eye is Michigan States running back Le'Veon Bell. Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reported that the Broncos are among 5 teams that are privately working out Bell.

Bell who is 21 years old is a 6'2, 230lb running back that rushed 382 times for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Michigan State Spartans. According to CBSSports.com, Bell is ranked as the 9th best running back in the draft, 125th overall prospect in the entire draft and considered to be a 4th round pick. There's some differing opinion on Bell though. Bucky Brooks has said Bell is the best running back in the upcoming draft.

Another prospect who the Broncos are showing interest in is Louisiana Tech receiver Quinton Patton. Patton is a 6'0, 204lb receiver that caught 104 passes for 1,392 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. According too CBSSports.com, Patton ranks as the 6th best receiver prospect in the draft, and the 41st overall prospect. Patton is considered to be selected anywhere from the late first round to the mid second round.

It's becoming obvious that the Broncos want to add another running back to their stable. They showed interest in Rashard Mendenhall during free agency, and were connected to Shonn Greene and Stephen Jackson at times this offseason. They didn't come away with a running back in free agency, so it looks like they're setting their sites on some in the draft.

I do find it interesting that the Broncos are still looking at high round receivers after adding Wes Welker in Free Agency. This makes me believe that the Broncos are looking ahead to the next few years. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have contracts coming up in the next two years, and Welker is only a 2 year deal. I have my doubts that the Broncos will be able to sign Decker next offseason, and could be looking to draft his replacement in this years draft. The Broncos do lack depth at receiver, so they could just be looking to strengthen their depth at a key position.

2013 NFL Draft Prospects: DE Damontre Moore Scouting Profile

Scotty Payne — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:20:05 -0000

With the release of DE Elvis Dumervil the Broncos will start looking at other options. They have explored the veteran Free Agency market, and i expect them to look at some pass rushers early in the draft. One name who may interest the Broncos brass is Texas A&M DE Damontre Moore. According to CBSSports.com Moore is listed as the 5th overall defensive end in Aprils Draft and the 25th overall prospect. Moore a few weeks ago was considered a top 5 pick, but after a poor combine and interviews his stock is dropping. Now he is considered a mid first round to a early second round selection.

Bio:

Damontre Moore enjoyed a very productive career with the Texas A&M football team. During his career he totaled 197 total tackles, 45 for a loss, 26.5 sacks and 8 forced fumbles. His best season came in 2012 when he totaled 85 tackles, 21 for a loss, 12.5 for a loss and 1 forced fumble.

#94 Damontre Moore

Position: Defensive Line

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 250

Year: Junior

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

High School: Rowlett

Experience: 2 Letters

2011 (SOPHOMORE)

Was fourth on the team in tackles with 72 stops, including 41 solo hits … saw action in 12 games with 10 starts at "joker" … was the top tackler down the stretch with at least six tackles in the final six games of the regular season, including 12-tackle games against Kansas State and Texas … was second on the team behind Sean Porter in sacks (8.5/50) ... Led the team in tackles for losses (17.5/70) … had five sacks in the final three games of the regular season, including a pair against Kansas State and Kansas … had a team-best four forced fumbles and also recovered a fumble.

2010 (FRESHMAN)

Earned Freshman All-Big 12 honors from ESPN.com after serving as Butkus Award winner Von Miller's backup at the Aggies' "joker" … turned in an impressive stat line of 40 tackles, including 5.5 QB sacks, and also contributed an interception and a team-high three forced fumbles … was named National Defensive Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards after coming off the bench to make a season-high seven tackles, including two QB sacks and another tackle for loss of yardage in the Aggies 48-16 win over Louisiana Tech … Moore also forced three fumbles and recovered one against the Bulldogs.

Via: AggieAthletics.com

Draft Profile for Damontre Moore:

NFL.coms Scouting Report on Moore:

STRENGTHS: Tall rush end/linebacker hybrid with nice length and a frame still not maxed out. Has played in a stand-up and hand-down role and threatens quarterbacks from either side of the line. Good snap anticipation and initial quickness to threaten the edge. Flashes the punch and arm extension to bull tackles backwards. Possesses the ability to flatten down the line as a pass rusher. Shows the flexibility to bend the edge as a pass rusher and get skinny and reduce his surface area through creases on the inside. Good second effort even when beaten with initial hand play, can close on quarterbacks and running backs coming to his side and he chases from the back side. Presents good bend for his size in a three-point stance. Length and increased upper-body strength helps him reach ball carriers and pop/drag them down with authority. Excellent at inside stunts and slant. Quickness helps him win the B-gap even when lined up outside the tackle, also helps him get to the sideline to chase down ball carriers. Tight ends have little chance of handling his rip move on the outside. Moves well when standing up, has the change of direction ability to contain on his side, handle himself against tight ends off the line and in short zone coverage as a 3-4 ‘backer. Breaks down and drops his drops to stone backs in the hole or catch them if they try to elude him. Anchors against linemen in the run game, holds the edge adeptly. Excellent upside.

WEAKNESSES: Hand usage should improve with time, will allow better tackles to get their punch inside at times to knock him back a bit. Can play high, failing to anchor and getting knocked aside or to the ground by stronger linemen, especially when moving laterally. Still learning to use his flexibility to turn the corner consistently, and needs to use his spin move (and keep his balance during it) to prevent getting taken outside the pocket too often. More of a coordinated and fluid athlete than a downright explosive one. Doesn’t like to hold his ground and set the edge on runs at him, preferring to run himself upfield or dance around the block. A lot of his production and success came from slanting inside, is he a consistent edge threat?

NFL COMPARISON: Aldon Smith

NFL Combine Results:

40 Yard Dash: 4.95
Bench Press: 12 reps
Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches
Broad Jump: 122.0 inches

Via: NFL.com

CBSSports.com Scouting Report on Damontre Moore:

STRENGTHS: Possesses a lean, lanky build with plenty of room for additional muscle mass. Flashes a quick first step off the snap. Has long, strong arms and uses his hands well to defeat blocks. Generates impressive speed off the edge, including a late burst to close. Good flexibility to dip under the tackle's reach and has the long arms to keep his opponent from grabbing a hold of him.

Lines up in a variety of spots and is capable of beating defenders with his quickness, as well as bull rush and a complimentary spin move that he'll use to slip inside or outside. Improving strength as a run defender. Generally does a nice job of sealing off the edge to keep his containment responsibilities.

Locates the ball well and pursues with passion. Closes on the ballcarrier quickly and shows good strength for the drag-down tackle. Rips away at the ball when he can, showing the ability to force fumbles (8 over three seasons). Developing use of hands to get into passing windows and when rushing kickers, blocking two kicks in 2012.

Showed surprising awareness, lateral agility and straight-line speed when asked to drop back into coverage.

WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent get-off at the snap and does not appear to have elite explosiveness, overall. Remains a work in progress in terms of getting his hands up as a pass defender, posting only two pass breakups in 2012.

Has a tendency to allow his pad level to get too high when in run support and can be knocked back off the ball because of it. Makes a disproportionate number of his tackles five yards downfield due to his hustle and isn't the consistently dominant defender his statistics might indicate.

COMPARES TO: John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons -- Like the Falcons' perennial Pro Bowler, Moore has the potential to rank among the league's top pass rushers whether as a classic 4-3 defensive end or as a stand-up pass rusher out of the 3-4.

--Rob Rang

Via: NFL.com

Videos:

Ultimate Damontre Moore Highlights | HD

Damontre Moore 2012 Highlights ᴴᴰ

Damontre Moore vs LSU 2012

Damontre Moore vs Florida 2012

Damontre Moore vs Alabama 2012

Damontre Moore vs Arkansas (2012)

My Take:

I'm warming up to the idea of Damontre Moore to the Broncos in the first round. His tape doesn't lie. He was considered a top 5 pick for a reason. It's just his off the field attitude and personality that seems to concern people. He does have a history with Von Miller, so hopefully if Moore ends up a Denver Bronco, Miller can reign Moore in. Moore would be a solid replacement for Dumervil i think. Moore played the Joker role, the same position Miller played for the Aggies. The Broncos used a hybrid 3-4 front at times in 2012, so having Miller and Moore off the edges could be a fun combo for many years for the Denver Broncos.

Freeney not a lock to sign with the Broncos?

Scotty Payne — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:09:47 -0000

It seemed like when Elvis Dumervil signed with the Ravens, that the Broncos would sign his replacement rather soon. Not so fast, according to NFL Networks Michelle Beisner the Broncos have made a hard push for Dwight Freeney, but Freeney wants things to go on his terms.

Freeney is asking for an annually salary of 6 million dollars and isn't in much of a rush to get things done. According to Beisner...

Freeney is looking for an annual salary of $6 million. He's also in no rush to get a deal done. Beisner was told it wouldn't be surprising if a deal wasn't completed until training camp or after.

Lets be honest, I doubt Dwight Freeney will be making 6 million annually. He's 33 and coming off a poor season with the colts. Also Cliff Avril who is younger and a better DE at this point and time signed a 2 year deal that averages 6.5 million annually.

The deal is not dead, but at this time it seems like things have slowed. Also, John Abraham appears to be out as an option for the Broncos. Beisner on NFL Networks Total Access said that the Broncos are down on Abraham because of "Age, injury concerns among other things". So we can cross him off the list for the Broncos.

The Broncos are facing some competition for Dwight Freeneys services it appears. According to Adam Schefter on NFL Live, the Dolphins have some interest in signing the former Colts pass rusher. So we'll see how this all plays out.

Defensive End Prospects that may interest the Broncos

Scotty Payne — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:54:14 -0000

With Elvis Dumervil signing with the Ravens, the Broncos are down one pass rusher. Dwight Freeney or John Abraham is expected to sign with the Broncos soon, but John Elway and company might decide they need to draft a guy as well. Lets take a look at some of the Defensive end prospects in the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft

Bjoern Werner, Florida State: Height: 6-3. Weight: 266. Arm: 33.28. 40 Time: 4.83.

STRENGTHS: Werner has good get-off quickness and bend to beat blockers off the snap. Natural instincts and upside makes him an attractive pass-rushing prospect for teams selecting in the top five. Still developing, with a high ceiling, but already shows outstanding football awareness, reading the ballcarrier and batting down passes at the line of scrimmage. Strong hands to win the edge and get around blockers, using his body strength and feet to flatten to the pocket.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks elite length for the position and doesn't have the natural start/stop explosion of some pass rushers. Will lose leverage at times, especially off the snap when he gets too high out of his stance. Has improved his awareness against the run, but still has room to improve his ability to sift through the trash and defeat off-balance blocks.

Motor tends to run hot/cold at times, especially late in games or if the play isn't to his side of the field. Needs to consistently finish when he gets his hands on the ballcarrier. Has a history of minor injuries, including a left hand issue that bothered him this past season.

COMPARES TO: Chris Long, DE, St. Louis Rams - Both have a combination of quickness and strength combined with a nonstop motor to consistently pressure the pocket off the edge.

--Dane Brugler

Via: CBSSports.com

My Take:

Werner is a guy i really like. Has a non-stop motor and has great strength and quickness. He's more than just a pass rusher too. He's a solid run stopper and has the ability and awareness to swat passes down. Werner has developed a top football IQ, great awareness and instincts to go along with his athleticism. Werner has been mocked all over the board in the first round. I believe he'll be a top 20 pick with a good chance to be selected much earlier. I doubt he will be there for the Broncos at 28 unfortunately

Damontre Moore, Texas A&M: Height: 6-4. Weight: 250. Arm Length 34 3/4. 40 Time: 4.95.

STRENGTHS: Possesses a lean, lanky build with plenty of room for additional muscle mass. Flashes a quick first step off the snap. Has long, strong arms and uses his hands well to defeat blocks. Generates impressive speed off the edge, including a late burst to close. Good flexibility to dip under the tackle's reach and has the long arms to keep his opponent from grabbing a hold of him. Lines up in a variety of spots and is capable of beating defenders with his quickness, as well as bull rush and a complimentary spin move that he'll use to slip inside or outside. Improving strength as a run defender. Generally does a nice job of sealing off the edge to keep his containment responsibilities. Locates the ball well and pursues with passion. Closes on the ballcarrier quickly and shows good strength for the drag-down tackle. Rips away at the ball when he can, showing the ability to force fumbles (8 over three seasons). Developing use of hands to get into passing windows and when rushing kickers, blocking two kicks in 2012. Showed surprising awareness, lateral agility and straight-line speed when asked to drop back into coverage.

WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent get-off at the snap and does not appear to have elite explosiveness, overall. Remains a work in progress in terms of getting his hands up as a pass defender, posting only two pass breakups in 2012. Has a tendency to allow his pad level to get too high when in run support and can be knocked back off the ball because of it. Makes a disproportionate number of his tackles five yards downfield due to his hustle and isn't the consistently dominant defender his statistics might indicate.

COMPARES TO: John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons -- Like the Falcons' perennial Pro Bowler, Moore has the potential to rank among the league's top pass rushers whether as a classic 4-3 defensive end or as a stand-up pass rusher out of the 3-4.

Via: CBSSports.com

My Take:

Damontre Moore has been free falling it looks. Moore was considered a top 5-10 pick a month ago, but poor workouts and interviews have hurt his stock. However the tape doesn't lie. Moore was a stud for the Texas A&M defense. He could be a bargin for the Broncos in the first round. Pairing him with former teammate Von Miller could be good for Moore.

Alex Okafor, Texas : Height: 6-4. Weight: 261. Arm: 33 1/8. Hand: 9. 40 Time: 4.78.

STRENGTHS: Displays strong hand play, chopping away at his opponents' attempts to get their hands on his chest or using an effective arm-over swim move to slip by them. High-revving motor. Arrived at the Senior Bowl leaner. Good overall athlete. Most impressive attribute is his power. Okafor can knock opponents onto their heels on his way to the quarterback and also sets the edge nicely as a run defender. Okafor's ability to make plays against the run and pass makes him arguably the most well-rounded senior defensive end in the country.

WEAKNESSES: Has the body of a classic RDE speed rusher but the game better suited to playing the left side as a run-defender. Lacks quick-twitch burst and isn't a speed rusher, as indicated by the fact that Texas initially lined him up at defensive tackle. Slightly stiff upper body demonstrated by his struggles in changing directions, making him a better candidate to remain as a defensive end rather than dropping back into coverage, as he was occasionally also asked to do at Texas. Came in lighter than expected at the Senior Bowl at 261 pounds. Was arrested in May 2012 for "failure to obey," though the charges were later dropped.

COMPARES TO: Ray Edwards, DE, ex-Atlanta Falcons -- A team expecting Okafor to become a lightning-quick speed edge rusher will be disappointed. However, his strength, length and high effort could make him a fine addition as a left defensive end capable of holding up against the run and proving a solid supplemental pass rusher.

--Rob Rang

Via: CBSSports.com

My Take:

I like Okafor, but i do not believe he will give the Broncos the pass rusher they need to replace Dumervil. I see Okafor more of a Robert Ayers than a pass rusher. He's a solid run defender and is more a right defensive end than a left. The Johns could disagree with me and i would be okay with that. Okafor is a solid prospect.

Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, Florida State : Height: 6'4" Weight: 276lbs. Arm Length: 34 3/4. Hands: 10 1/4.

STRENGTHS Carradine flashes explosion off the snap to challenge the lateral agility of right tackles, and can swipe them away with strong hands to slingshot into the pocket. He also plays with the leverage of a shorter player, brings a strong initial punch to bull lesser tackles off the ball, and simply shoves tight ends away like ragdolls in the run game. There’s certainly no issue with his motor, as he will hustle to the sideline if the play can be made.

WEAKNESSES: Though Carradine shows most all of the physical attributes teams covet in a defensive end, his lack of experience is a negative. And if he isn’t on the field for any extended period of time in 2012, it might be tough for scouts to give him a starter’s grade because they don’t know what his level of stamina against better competition.

NFL COMPARISON: Justin Tuck

My Take:

My favorite prospect in this years draft. He did tear his ACL in late November, but was having a very good year up to that point. Reports are that Carradine is almost 100% and expects to work out for teams April 20th, 5 days before the draft. So his stock is very hard to gauge right now. If healthy Carradine would figure to be a top 5-10 pick. He is a one year wonder however, and some people are scared off because of that. He has the strength, athleticism, motor, size/frame coaches covet in their defensive ends. He can play either defensive end spot and can shift inside on nickel downs. I would love for the Broncos to be able to get this guy.

Poll

Which defensive end would you like the Broncos to select in the first round of the NFL Draft?

Bjoern Werner

88 votes

Damontre Moore

160 votes

Alex Okafor

25 votes

Tank Carradine

211 votes

Someone Else (Specify who in the comments)

51 votes

535 votes | Poll has closed

Happy Birthday Peyton Manning

Scotty Payne — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:37:40 -0000

RT to wish Peyton Manning, Danny Trevathan, Mike Adams and J.D. Walton a happy birthday today!
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) March 24, 2013

Today is a busy day in Denver Broncos Birthdays. QB Peyton Manning turns 37, Center J.D Walton turns 26, Safety Mike Adams turns 32 and Linebacker Danny Trevathan turns 23!

At 37 years old, one former Hall Of Fame Denver Broncos Quarterback lead his team to the Super Bowl win over the Green Bay Packers. That man was John Elway. Could history repeat itself? Could Peyton Manning lead the Denver Broncos to New York and hoist the Lombardi Trophy? I sure hope so.

Lets not leave out third year player J.D Walton who expects to be the Denver Broncos starting center, Safety Mike Adams who expects to battle to be one of the Broncos starting safeties and young Danny Trevathan who expects to build off his solid rookie year. Happy Birthday guys

Lets relive some of Peyton Mannings finest moments from the prior season to celebrate his birthday!

Report: Dumervil nearing decision?

Scotty Payne — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:01:17 -0000

Ravens have made offer to Elvis Dumervil. #Broncos offer still has more dollars in early part of deal. Details coming denverpost.com/broncos
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 21, 2013

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Free Agent defensive end Elvis Dumervil is mulling offers from the Ravens and the Broncos. According to Klis, Denver is offering Dumervil more money in the early part of the contract than Baltimore. No other specifics of the contracts have been released.

The Ravens have delivered a contract offer to Dumervil, according to two NFL sources. However, the sources say the Broncos have offered slightly more money in the early portion of the deal.

The Broncos' money has tightened because of a $4.89 million dead-money, salary-cap hit they absorbed while releasing Dumervil last week, so re-signing Dumervil likely would mean releasing a player or two off their roster.

Klis also goes on to say that Miami and Tennessee have also expressed interest in Dumervil, but have yet to submit a formal offer to Dumervil. ProFootballTalks Mike Florio is also reporting that the Pittsburgh Steelers are also in the mix for the Broncos

Per a league source with knowledge of the situation, the Steelers, Ravens, and Broncos remain in play for both players. Currently, Dumervil’s decision is expected to come down to Baltimore and Denver. Whichever of that duo doesn’t get Dumervil becomes likely to land Freeney, with the Steelers as the possible alternative destination.

it's interesting that they do not mention John Abraham who visited Dove Valley yesterday and today. It seems like this story is nearing its end. I believe we'll have an answer tomorrow. Hopefully Dumervil decides to stay in Denver, but i wouldn't blame him if he decided to move on because of recent events. If he decides to join the Baltimore Ravens, look for Freeney or Abraham to sign and DE move atop the Broncos draft plans.

We will keep you updated

Go Broncos!

Report: Dwight Freeney and John Abraham visiting the Broncos.

Scotty Payne — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:20:05 -0000

Colts free-agent DE Dwight Freeney scheduled to visit Denver tonight, per @edwerderespn. Broncos also plan to host visit with John Abraham.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2013

John Abraham is scheduled to visit the Broncos on Thursday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2013

Both Dwight Freeney and John Abraham are considered the Broncos fall out options if they cannot re-sign Elvis Dumervil. Freeney (33) is coming off a 5 sack year for the Indianapolis Colts. John Abraham(34) was the Atlanta Falcons pass rush, and totaled 10 sacks for the Falcons defense.

Yesterday it was reported that John Elway and the Broncos offered Free Agent DE Elvis Dumervil a new contract.

"We've offered Elvis a contract," Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway said Tuesday. "We'd like to have Elvis back."

No specifics of the deal were revealed, but it's widely speculated that the submitted contract was well less than the restructured contract that both agreed on last week. Now today, Denver Post writer Mike Klis tweeted this...

Elvis Dumervil underwhelmed by Broncos' latest three-year offer, according to two sources. He's planning to visit teams in next 48 hours.
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 20, 2013

I don't find this too surprising. The Broncos cannot offer him the same contract because of the 4+ million dead money cap hit they suffered when they released him. It seems like the Ravens are the front runners for Dumervils services, and could potentially offer Doom more money if they cannot re-sign Ed Reed. This all could be a leverage move by the Broncos to try to make Dumervil make a decision sooner rather than later. Though it looks like Dumervil has played his final downs in a Denver Broncos uniform.

Poll

Which DE would you like the Broncos to sign?

John Abraham

514 votes

Dwight Freeney

286 votes

800 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Free Agency: What's next for the Broncos?

Scotty Payne — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:21:08 -0000

What a mess. I went from excitement to confusion and anger in minutes. The "He said, She said" game has already played out, and is getting tiresome. It's time for both sides to move on. Now with Dumervil being released, it leaves a big hole at the DE spot. Here's the Free Agents left on the market who could replace Dumervil.

Dwight Freeney

Freeney has been widely viewed as the backup plan if they released Dumervil. Freeney spent the day visiting the New England Patriots. So the Broncos do have competition for Freeney. The Patriots did sign John Abraham, so they might be out of the DE market, but they have already showed interest in Dumervil. Freeney who is entering his 12th year in the NFL has totaled 107.5 sacks, and 258 tackles. He would be a drop off in talent and is 33 years old, but would give the Broncos a pass rusher.

Osi Umenyiora

The guy I'd like to see replace Elvis Dumervil is Osi Umenyiora. Osi is 31 years old and is comg off a 6 sack campaign for the New York Giants. Osi is entering his 11th year in the NFL and has totaled 75 sacks in his career. Osi has yet to generate any interest from any teams, so the Broncos shouldn't have too much of a competition to acquire his services. Osi would give the Broncos a veteran pass rusher who still has a good year or two of solid play left.

Shaun Phillips

Adam Schefter tweeted earlier this week that the Broncos would also look into former Chargers OLB/DE Shaun Phillips as a potential backup plan for Dumervil. Phillips who is entering his 11th year in the league has racked up 69.5 sacks. Phillips just turned 31 and figures to have a couple productive years left in him, but is he a 4-3 end? or strictly a 3-4 OLB? I think he could be a decent addition.

The Draft

If the Broncos do not re-sign Dumervil look for a DE selected early, even if they sign a veteran from above. I personally consider DE a need with Dumervil on the team, but if he leaves, it jump atop of the Broncos needs. Some names that could be available for the Broncos in the first round are Tank Carradine, Datone Jones, Damontre Moore, Alex Okafor, and Sam Montgomery.

Elvis Dumervil

Lets hope this whole Fax Machine Snafu is old news by the end of the weekend, and we have Elvis Dumervil in orange and blue. They have already worked out a contract, why can they not do it again? I'm not a cap guy, but I do know Dumervil's cap hit hurt the Broncos some, so the Broncos might have to get creative to create enough space to get Dumervil what he wants. The Broncos could also make a few cuts/restructuring to create space too (Joe Mays, Chris Kuper). Also, Mike Klis is reporting tonight that...

In the meantime, Dumervil is a free agent, and Magid said his cell phone "has been blowing up" by calls from interested teams. However, two sources close to the situation said Dumervil wants to get his paperwork fiasco fixed and return to the Broncos.

The Broncos were collectively angered by the turn of events Friday afternoon, but after a cooling off period, the team could re-sign Dumervil as soon as Saturday.

So there's that bit of good news. So lets hope this is all forgotten and we do get Doom back..

Go Broncos!

Poll

Which player would you prefer the Broncos to sign to replace Dumervil if they have too?

Dwight Freeney

339 votes

Osi Umenyiora

563 votes

Shaun Phillips

44 votes

946 votes | Poll has closed

Free Agent Eve: Movers, Shakers and Rumors

Scotty Payne — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:21:10 -0000

Well on the day before Free Agency kicking off, things have started to kickoff early, and the rumors are flying. Lets take a look at a few things that have already happened today...

Anquan Boldin traded to 49ers for a sixth-round pick
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 11, 2013

This was a shocker to many to say the least. Baltimore is going to look much different next year. No Ray Lewis and Anquan Boldin, and potentially losing Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe and Ed Reed.

The Niners are stacked on offense. Boldin, Crabtree, Manningham, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Kap and that offensive line, and i haven't even mentioned that defense. Have to be early Super Bowl favorites.

Just been informed that I'll be released today. Would like to thank the Cardinals organization for give me a chance to live out my Dreams
— Beanie Wells (@BeanieWells26) March 11, 2013

Not a big surprise. The former first round pick is entering "Bust" territory. Maybe a change of scenery will be good for the often injured running back. Beanie could be a potential Denver Bronco target.

The Seahawks and Vikings have agreed to a trade that send Harvin to Seattle for draft picks, pending Harvin passing a physical
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 11, 2013

Seattle sends this years first round pick and a 7th rounder as well as a mid-round pick next year for Harvin. Win-win for both teams
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 11, 2013

Seattle gets a big playmaker. Seattle has been connected to Harvin all offseason, and i think they will be greatly improved. Russell Wilson, Harvin, Beast Mode and that defense? The NFC West is going to be fun to watch next season.

Minnesota before the Harvin trade needed to add playmakers. Now with two first round picks could take two first round receivers and even could be in the market for one of the big named free agent receivers. Adrian Peterson cannot do it all...well maybe.

As for Denver Broncos rumors, there's been rumors about RB Reggie Bush, Guard Andy Levitre, Rashard Mendenhall, Stephen Jackson and there's still the Elvis Dumervil situation that has to be settled.

It's been an exciting day so far, and things only expect to pickup in the next 24-48 hours. MHR will keep you posted on all of the Free Agency movement and Denver Broncos news/rumors.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Would you like the Broncos to sign Beanie Wells?

Yes

43 votes

No

278 votes

321 votes | Poll has closed

Sunday Open Thread: Broncos Interested in RB Rashard Mendenhall

Scotty Payne — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:22:53 -0000

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Denver Broncos have expressed interest in free agent running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall a former first round pick, is listed at 5'10 225lbs which fits the "big back" John Fox said he was looking for.

During his 5 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mendenhall totaled 3,549 yards rushing, and 29 touchdowns. During his career Mendenhall has a Yard Per Carry Average of 4.1 and has averaged 62.3 yards per game. Mendenhalls best seasons came in 2010 and 2009. During those years he totaled 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns, and 1,108 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2012 Mendenhall totaled 182 yards on 51 attempts(3.6 YPC) and averaged 30.3 yards per game.

Mendenhall does comes with some injury and character concerns. Mendenhall had a terrible 2012 season. He did not rebound well after he tore is ACL at the end of the 2011 season. He also had a fumbling problem, and was suspended for the way he handled his benching.

Now Mendenhall does make sense for the Broncos though. He fits the big back role that Willis McGahee currently holds. At 225 pounds, he can carry the load and run between the tackles. He also shouldn't cost that much considering he had a terrible 2012 season. Could be a low risk, high reward signing for the Broncos. Now back to McGahee. I believe the writing is on the wall that Willis McGahee will be cut. He will be 32 years old, coming of a knee injury, and developed a fumbling problem during the 2012 season.

My take:

I'm personally not a big fan of this move. Mendenhall really wouldn't be much of an upgrade from what we already have in Moreno/McGahee. All 3 running backs have injury concerns and at this point in their career are plodders. Mendenhall should come cheap though, but I would much rather draft a guy or go after Stephen Jackson or Reggie Bush. We will see Tuesday how much interest the Broncos have in Mendenhall.

What do you guys think?

Go Broncos!

Poll

Would you like the Broncos to sign RB Rashard Mendenhall?

Yes

97 votes

No

257 votes

Depends the price

196 votes

550 votes | Poll has closed

2013 NFL Draft Prospects: DE/OLB John Simon Scouting Profile

Scotty Payne — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:38:27 -0000

A player who the Broncos spoke to at the Senior Bowl is Ohio States DE John Simon. The big question with him is where will he play in the NFL? In college he's played DE, NT, OLB and ILB. His versatility could help and hurt him. Teams love versatility, but also not fitting into one specific postion may hurt him as well. What makes me really like this guy is that he has a non-stop motor. He's relentless and highly motivated. I love to have those type of guys on my football team personally. According too CBSSports.com Simon is ranked as the 10th overall DE in Aprils NFL Draft and the 86th overall prospect. Simon expects to go anywhere from the late second to the 4th or even 5th rounds

Bio:

John Simon had a very productive four year career at Ohio State. Simon totaled 154 total tackles, 42 tackles for a loss, 20.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. His best season came his junior and season seasons. In 2011 he totaled 53 total tackles, 16 for a loss and 7 sacks and in 2012 Simon totaled 44 tackles, 14.5 for a loss and 9 sacks.

54 John Simon

Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio

High School: Cardinal Mooney

Height / Weight: 6-2 / 263

Position: DL

Graduated: 2012

Ohio State Overview: John Simon was a leader on and off the field whose efforts were always exemplary ... Simon was repeatedly referred to as the heart and soul of the 2012 team by Meyer, and he has the distinction of being only the eighth two-time captain in school history and the first since James Laurinaitis in 2008 and 2009 ... he was twice named a semifinalist for the prestigious Lott IMPACT Award and in 2012 he was a finalist for the Fellowship of Christian Athlete's Bobby Bowden Award ... he capped his career by being named the Big Ten Conference's 2012 Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year Award ... he was also named the Big Ten's 2012 Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year after leading the Big Ten in quarterback sacks (9.0 for minus-73 yards) and ranking second with 14.5 tackles-for-loss, totaling minus-87 yards ... his sacks and TFLs each ranked among the Top 25 nationally ... those numbers also boosted Simon to No. 7 all-time at Ohio State in both categories, with 20.5 sacks and 43.0 TFLs ... he was named all-Big Ten by both the media and the coaches and a third-team Associated Press All-American as both a junior and a senior ... in 2012 he was a second-team Walter Camp All-American and was voted as the Ohio State team MVP ... a four-year Varsity O letterwinner, Simon played in 50 games and started 37 consecutive games before a knee injury sidelined him for the final game of his senior season, a 26-21 win over Michigan that completed a 12-0 regular season for the No. 4-ranked Buckeyes ... during his senior season, Simon tied the school record with 5.0 tackles-for-loss (for minus-24 yards with two sacks and a forced fumble) against Nebraska and was named Big Ten player of the week and national defensive player of the week by the Bednarik, Lott IMPACT and National Performance organizations ... he had four quarterback sacks (for minus-36 yards; fourth-most yards lost for a game at Ohio State) vs. Wisconsin ... as a junior he had four TFLs against Illinois and he is now the only Buckeye to ever have a five-TFL game and a four-TFL game ... Simon's 87 TFL yards in 2012 rank ninth all-time at Ohio State and his career TFL yardage total of 195 yards ranks sixth all-time in school history ... Simon was honored with Ohio State's Bill Willis Award as the team's outstanding defensive player as a junior after leading the Buckeyes with seven quarterback sacks and 16 tackles for loss (for minus-59 yards), figures that ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten Conference ... he also accumulated 53 tackles and broke up three passes ... he had a career-best 10 tackles in 2011 vs. Indiana ... as a true sophomore in 2010 he played in and started all 13 games and was named honorable mention all-Big Ten ... he returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown vs. Minnesota ... Simon played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2009, recording 16 tackles on the season ... coaches honored him with the 1st Year Defensive Player Award.

Via: OhioStateBuckeyes.com

Draft Profile for John Simon:

NFL.coms Scouting Report on John Simon:

STRENGTHS:

Strong, high-motor defender. Can break down to tackle ballcarriers in the backfield. Combines agility with excellent upper-body strength to be a secure and explosive tackler. Works down the line with a blocker on his shoulder without giving up ground. Will pressure the upfield shoulder of slower tackles when selling out as a rusher, possesses enough flexibility to capture quarterbacks stepping up in the pocket. Patient when containing, stays engaged until ballcarriers goes inside or outside, then rips off to chase. Uses his hands very well, often batting down the arms of linemen attempting to block him. Displays good pad level. Two-time captain leads his teammates vocally and by example.

WEAKNESSES:

Shorter than many teams prefer in a defensive lineman, and his length is only adequate. Late to react to the snap, less than stellar first step. Slow in spin move attempts. Can struggle to get off blocks from better tackles and will lose sight of the ball at times. Might need to drop some weight to gain agility and quickness whether playing end or linebacker. Not very experienced getting deep drops in coverage or playing man-up for longer periods of time.

NFL COMPARISON: Rob Ninkovich

BOTTOM LINE:

This two-time All-Big Ten pick and two-time Buckeyes captain lacks the height and length most NFL teams want in a defensive end, but teams with less stringent size requirements will covet his exceptional weight-room work ethic. He's late off the ball, and not an explosive athlete, but he understands pad level and hand usage. He's going to have to prove to teams that he can handle himself effectively enough in coverage.

Via: NFL.com

CBSSports.com Scouting Report on John Simon:

Strengths:

Simon has a motor that never quits, playing extremely relentless as one of the best attacking defenders in college football the past few years. He has a strong upper body to swat and use his limbs to beat blocks with the natural power and forceful playing style to keep blockers off balance and shed.

Simon does a nice job setting the edge against the run and takes on blocks destructively, staying disciplined with excellent recognition skills. He takes aggressive angles in the run game and doesn't play hesitant, trusting his eyes and reacting in a flash. Simon tackles through the ballcarrier and has strong wrists and hands to secure stops, rarely missing tackles. He has good short-area quickness with good snap anticipation and dip off the edge to bend around the tackle and gain a step on blockers.

Simon plays every snap as if it's his last and doesn't know how to go half speed, playing motivated and focused. He is a smart, heady player to make impact plays against the run and pass, getting his hands up at the line of scrimmage. Simon is a two-year captain and there isn't a lot he hasn't seen, leading Ohio State as the heart of the team. He closes quickly and plays with excellent pursuit on defense and special teams coverage. Simon has versatile experience at both LE and RE, standing up and with his hand in the dirt, also moving inside to DT at times.

WEAKNESSES:

Simon is almost too bulked up, which limits his fluidity, and he lacks ideal arm length, making it tough for him to disengage at times. He is more of a one-speed rusher and doesn't flash consistent explosion, lacking creativity as an edge rusher. Struggled to cover running backs or tight ends in one-on-one coverage at the Senior Bowl, lacking the natural hip movement or footwork to quickly adjust and blanket his man.

Simon plays too energetic at times and will wear himself out due to his relentless attitude. He takes overaggressive angles at times and needs to control his intensity (roughing the passer penalty vs. California, 2012).

Simon suffered a minor right knee injury (bursa sac) against Wisconsin in 2012, missing the Michigan game (his final collegiate game).

COMPARES TO:

Allen Bailey, DE, Kansas City Chiefs - It's tough to find an exact comparison for Simon, but Bailey comes close with their muscular frames, quick feet and relentless attitude. Simon isn't as big as Bailey (285 pounds), but he's just as strong.

-- Dane Brugler

Via: CBSSports.com

Videos:

2011 - Ohio State Sugar Bowl Highlight Video

John Simon vs Wisconsin 2011

John Simon vs Illinois (2011)

John Simon vs. Nebraska (2012)

John Simon vs Penn State (2012)

My Take:

I like Simon. He's a high effort guy who will give his all to the team, but he doesn't really have a position. His effort and relentlessness reminds me a lot of Wolfe. Now I'm not sure if Elway looks for that in his players or not, but it's not a bad trait to have. My issue is that I don't see a spot for him on the Broncos. He doesn't have the prototypical size for a DE and is a little big to be a 4-3 LB. Honestly he seems like a perfect fit for the Patriots or Ravens or any team that plays a 3-4 Defense. I would love for him to be a Bronco though, I'm just not sure he fits in Denver.

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