1. RB Knowshon Moreno 5’11” 207 4.60/40. Moreno is a perfect fit for McDaniels offensive system. Moreno is very athletic with great quickness, agility and balance to change direction quickly, good body control and good coordination to bounce off tacklers. He is fierce competitor who is consistent, giving 100% on every play while being coach able and a good team player. Moreno has great football instincts, recognizing defenses and making needed adjustments in running the ball, pass routes and pass protection (will block anyone). He seldom makes mental errors, has a good feel for finding the hole and knows when to bounce it outside. Moreno is similar to Chris Johnson without the burner speed. He ability to pass protect will allow him to contribute immediately. McDaniels penchant for using a running back committee will keep Moreno fresh, healthy and lengthen his career. His ability to make plays will make him an NFL star.

1. DE/OLB Robert Ayers 6’3” 270 4.90/40. Ayers has great size, a strong lower body, toughness and versatility. His body control and balance, explosion and lateral range make him versatile enough to play in Mike Nolan’s hybrid defense. Ayers needs to improve his technique, add some moves and play more consistently with leverage. He uses his hands well and has great leg drive. He will contribute right away whether plays with his hand on the ground or standing up.

2. CB Alphonso Smith 5’9” 193 4.51/40. Smith is a ball hawk who lacks height, strength, and consistency that the Broncos wanted badly enough to trade a 2010 first round pick to acquire. He is physical, nasty and smart and offers versatility as a return specialist. Smith makes quick reads, jumps routes and has good hands to make interceptions. He has a tendency to gamble too much but he delivers blows to receivers and in run support.

2. FS Darcel McBath 6’ 198 4.53/40 McBath was a slight reach for the Broncos, but he gives them the all important versatility (CB & S & ST), instincts, good hands and size. He leads by example and is a sure tackler but not a big hitter. McBath can jump routes and is quick to support against the run.

2. TE Richard Quinn 6’4” 264 4.77/40. Quinn is big, strong, and excels as a blocker. He has decent hands as a receiver and makes good yards after the catch. Quinn plays with good leverage and can make blocks at the second level of the defense.

4. FS David Bruton 6’2” 217 4.46/40. Burton is a raw athlete that has a good size/speed ratio with good hands, range and ball skills. He is versatile (gunner) with a high motor, work ethic and leadership skills. Burton is an immediate upgrade for the kicking game.

4. G Seth Olsen 6’5” 305 5.23/40. Olsen excels in a zone-blocking scheme with quick feet, is athletic with good hands and technique and an aggressive mean streak. He needs to add bulk and strength but is a Bronco type offensive linemen capable of handling linebackers at the second level.

5. WR Kenney McKinley 6’1” 189 4.44/40. McKinley replaced Sterling Sharpe as the all-time leading receiver for the Gamecocks. He catches the ball away from his body even though he has small hands (8 ¾). McKinley is tough, quick, elusive, versatile, a determined blocker and runs crisp routes. He needs to add strength and bulk for the NFL but isn’t afraid to make the tough catch over the middle.

6. QB Tom Brandstater 6’5” 220 4.95/40. Brandstater has the potential to be a solid NFL backup quarterback with his size, strong-arm, intelligence and short/intermediate accuracy. He is a project player who must increase his consistency, decision-making, and release, which might enable him to be a starter later in his career.

7. C Blake Schlueter 6’2” 290 4.80/40. Schlueter is an undersized center that could excel in a zone-blocking scheme with his intelligence, quickness, toughness and technique. He has a sever lack of bulk and needs to improve his strength and push.

I have to say I'm sorry to see Jay go. I like gunsling QBs. I like both Orton and Simms and think the competion will be fierce. I have mixed emotions about packaging draft picks to move up for a QB. If McDaniels really wants Sanchez then he probably should go get his guy, but there are so many other needs that would help us more over the long haul. There are also a couple of good QBs coming out next year and we have 2 experienced "gamer type" Qbs that are experienced  NFL starters. If Weiss's offensive system is as good as we think and McDaniels is a QB guru, we are OK. We need a defense and this looks like a good year to get started on building it. I would like an upgrade at RB, but it doesn't have to be a 30 carry back. Its RBBC time in the NFL, but we need an upgrade to our committee. I liked hearing Marshall come out backing Bowlen/McDaniels. He isn't dumb, just acts that way some times. I hope it wors for hm, but I don't think he will play out his contract in Denver. He isn't a McDaniels type guy-Eddie Royal is! I believe talent wins games not systems, but their are guys like Dan Reeves who go to Super Bowls with little all aroud talent. McDaniels deserves the chance to bring in his guys and prove he deserves to be THE DENVER BRONCOS HEAD COACH. The coaching tradition is rich and he has to prove himself just like the players. I like the fact that he has his system for all three phases of the game. I don't think Shanahan did and it cost him in the end. As Guru says, Pittsburg has been running their organization this way long before the Patriotas and it has worked. I just wish McD would action more like a Pittsburg coach than a NE coach.

Bring on the draft!

There is a report that Daniel Snyder and Mike Shanahan have had a meeting. There is speculation that Shanahan will be Washington's new Head Coach next year-maybe even this year. I think it would be interesting if Shanahan got to coach a team with both Cutler and Portis! Snyder is a wheeler and dealer, loves the attention, and wants to win. I don't think Mike would like the situation, but the Redskins would be pretty solid with Cutler, Portis, Moss, Cooley and Haynesworth.

That said, if McDaniels is in love with USC QB Mark Sanchez, I think he should trade Cutler to Detroit for the #1 pick and get his man. Cutler to Calvin Johnson would be fun to watch while McDaniels turns Sanchez into the next Tom Brady. 

It looks to me like it would be a better  business decision to have McD getting paid to do nothing than for Shanahan. He isn't making $7 million a year. That said, I was OK with Mike leaving but I was a little concerned about how quickly Pat Bowlen hired McD. I like the thought of being more flexible on both sides of the ball. What I had hoped before he was fired was that Shanahan would hire Mike Nolan as our defensive cordinator. I like Reggie Rivers and I have to beleive that it isn't only Cutler who has a problem with McD and his wheeling and dealing. I couldn't believe it when he released Mike Leach who was one of our best special teamers.

I think it is interesting that the two new head coaches who are having issues with players are both from NE. Romeo and Charlie before them also have a reputation for knowing it all and not taking advice. One is gone and the other is on the hot seat.

I don't like the way Jay is handling this situation, but when your agent is giving you bad advice and you have no experience with this type of situation, I think it is easy to be manipulated by a self serving lawyer--eh--agent. It is obvious to everyone that neither the QB nor the head coach and GM have acted as adults. It is perhaps expected of a prima donna QB, but not from a head coach and GM who are responsible for making the whole thing work smoothly.

When changes are made, all the people in the organization are anxious. It is the responsibility of the leader to successfully lead them through the change. The most important part of that leadership is establishing relationships with people. Obviously, relationships haven't been made and it is embarressing that a great organization is now the laughing stock of the NFL. Someone needs to take charge and lead the Broncos through this mess, but no one seems to be willing to do that. 

Suddenly, the firing of Mike Shanahan is becoming a big blunder not a bold move!

Hey Guru, Styg & Hooserier teacher. With the growing impass I'd be interested on ypur take as to what we might expect with Simms under center. Bradford and McCoy and Jevan Sith of OLE Miss come out next year . Could one of them be our Fanchise QB of the future? I don't think Stafford is a good fit but Shanchez might work from this year's QB crop but other needs seem more important. Look forward to your take!

The young Denver team was not able to beat a team they should have beaten at home. Now they must do it on the road in San Diego. We know San Diego wants this one badly. The offense needs to get its act together and get the job done-with or without running backs! That means Cutler will need to elevate his game and hit his receivers. He is still way too inconsistent in his game.