The common theme I keep hearing is the Broncos need to draft (fill in the blank) in order to replace Marshall’s lost production.  Many here and the MSM continue to point to Marshall’s 100+ catches in each of the last three seasons.  The question I have is if Marshall hadn’t been our #1 receiver the last three years, would those catches just not exist?  The MSM would have us believe, using past numbers, that the Broncos would have had a significantly lower number of catches.  Well that might be true just and easily as it might be false.  We’ll never know how that would have looked by watching the rear view mirror.  I truly believe the number might have been lower, but not necessarily significantly lower.  Chances are the same number of passes get thrown.  There are only two games where Marshall wasn’t present in the offense over the last two years.  In both those games another receiver stepped up and got those passes.

Game 1 at Oakland Royal has 9 receptions for 146 yards and 1 TD

Game 17 w/Kansas City Gaffney has 14 receptions for 213 yards 0 TDs

What that does show is we already have two receivers who when called on can deliver.  Yes I know Royal had a terrible 2nd year and needs to show what he can do this year.  I believe Gaffney has what it takes to be a better than average #1 receiver. 

So what I’m trying to say here is our receiving corp is not as bad as perceived by the MSM or some of you here on MHR.  That does not mean we shouldn’t go after a high caliber receiver in the draft.  I’m just saying things are not near as bleak as is being painted.

So here is my question to everyone here.  Is the NFL's blackout policy good for the game or bad for the game.  I believe the goal was to assist teams in increasing their ticket sells, but, with the price as high as they are for most teams there are a lot of folks who just can't afford them.  Blackouts just aren't an issue for Denver as it is very difficult to get a ticket for a home game, which is a good thing.  Oakland really suffers selling out games and then throw in a economy that makes the common man tighten his wallet and well sales just don't get done. 

IMHO opinion the NFL only hurts itself with the blackout rule.  I'm sorry I'm just not going to spend $100 and drive 100 miles in horrid traffic to go watch the game.  I understand it's business and they are trying to generate revenue, but you don't do that by alienating the general fan.

Most of this was pretty straight forward and probably very much like other 53 Man Rosters.   The problem comes down to a couple of positions and totally making a WAG on what I think will happen.  so here goes.

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If Orton’s finger is as damaged as some reports have it, I really can’t see him playing for some time.   So I started thinking about what we have.   Simms is still there, he is being held out mostly to not aggravate an already sore ankle.   He would be available IMHO for the Cincy game if needed.   I was also very encouraged with Brandstater’s play; I now can see why Xander’s and McDaniels wanted him.  So do we need another QB on staff, probably, but I don’t think we need someone to come in and start for us.  It would be more for insurance than anything else I think.  So while I don’t believe we’ll be great at the QB position, I think we’ll fine.

Found this going through Yahoo Sports at lunch.  Doesn't pan the Broncos like a lot of the MSM has done, but, they still have questions about the defense.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnEkjfA.MIMlPYiE8Zgl9tmE2bYF?slug=tsn-09nflpreview_broncos&prov=tsn&type=lgns

I hope everyone takes peak.  Personnaly I don't agree with the record as while I think 6-10 could happen I don't expect it to.  I'm more likely to believe a 10-6 or 9-7 season just due to all the new schemes being put in place.  Enjoy!

Go Broncos

I found this projected depth chart on FoxSports.com.  I like the offensive line up.  There are a couple of changes I would potentially make.  Like Quinn at the 3rd string TE and McKinney instead of Willis.  The project LB and DB selections make sense to me.   The three on the line.   Well I found I just don't have enough information to know if this is a good guess or not.  I would think Baker would be in the NT mix, but found I can't argue Fields there.  Not enough information on Askew to know if he fits or what his ability will be.

But, what I like most is it gives me a good visual of how the Broncos could look personnel wise this year.  Here's the link.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/denver-broncos/depthchart

Various contributors both here at MHR and the MSM most often refer to players as Pro-Bowlers.  While I’m not trying to diminish the honor of being selected as a “Pro-Bowl” player I do wonder whether we put more weight on the label than it might deserve.  As you’ll read below until 1996 selection to the Pro-Bowl was based on votes from the coaches and the MSM.  That gave the distinction a little more weight in those days, IMO.

Today one third of the total voting comes from the fans.  Cool we have a voice and I like that.  But, since the fans have a voice I wonder is there isn’t somewhat of a diminishing of the honor, due to the popularity aspect of our human nature.  Curious about what the rest of you think.  Has Pro-Bowl honor diminished with the fans voting?  Also, which label would you rather have, Pro-Bowler or All-Pro?  I've included the Wikipedia defintions and selection methods below.

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I see interviews with HC McDaniels, Bailey and Doom.  All are great to hear and sound very positive.  I'm wondering what Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison are thinking as the only hold over coaches from the Shannahan staff.   Have there been any interviews with them on or off record?  It would be interesting to know if they are as excited as some of the players seem to be.  What’s the word out there are they just holding the company line or have the bought into the new methodology?

12. Tyson Jackson DE, quick on the edge

18. Brian Cushing LB, could play inside or outside, more upside than Maualuga

48. Ron Brace DT, nice plug in the middle

79. Chip Vaughn SS, plays with a chip on his shoulder nice feature for a SS

84. Lawrence Sidbury, DE (or maybe OLB), nice quickness on the edge played at smaller school

114. Mike Mickens CB, could be steal in this draft

149. Rhett Bomar QB, good arm strength and accuracy

185. Jarett Dillard, WR, quick with good hands

225. Brett Helms C, can play center or guard

235. George Hypolite, DT okay I like CU and George is a solid player

There have been numerous statements made about the difficulty of the schedule.  The problem I have with saying it is difficult, is one year does not constitute the next years performance.  NE, Giants, Pitt and Indy are the exceptions here as they have several great years strung together.  Here's last years schedule.

Home: Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Away: Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins.

It sure looks daunting that is for certain.  However, as mentioned in another post everyone is undefeated.  Here is how our opponents finished last year.

Kansas City  2-14, Oakland 5-11, SD 8-8, Cleveland 4-12, Pittsburgh 12-4  (SB champs), NE 11-5, Dallas 9-7, NY Giants 12-4, Baltimore 11-5, Cincinnati 4-11, Indy 12-4, Philly 9-6-1, Washington 8-8

Notice there are only seven above .500 records, none of those in our own division.

My point  is simply this we really don't know what the outcome will be.  Past performance is surely a natural place to look.  But, if you look at the last several years, there are a whole lot of teams that appear daunting that just ended up mediocre at best.  So let's not spell doom and gloom until the actual season starts.  I have to tell you all I am just chomping at the bits to get through the draft and on to the season.  I'm excited about the Broncos.