SB Nation User Blog: papigrande

Open Season on Trolls!!

papigrande — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:19:40 -0000

This is going to be one of those "how to make MHR better" posts, and it deals with trolls and how to fight them. I'll try to keep it short and sweet. We've been experiencing a substantial amount of trollage in the last couple of days thanks to the Brandon Marshall situation. I know how bad it got during the Jay Cutler saga (bad enough to make me leave for almost a month) and I really don't want to see it get that bad this time. We've got a lot of exciting things coming up like training camp and the preseason, and like Coach McDaniels says, those things will still happen even if Brandon Marshall is not there. So I'd rather talk about those things in the Fanposts, and not have to sift through the clutter of a hundred troll posts.

So how do we get rid of the trolls?

The flag feature is a very important tool in the War on Trolls, and it seems like we always forget about it. HT has written several posts on it like I'm doing here, but I want to make sure that the newer users, and even the older ones who forget about it, are familiar with it and can use it against the Troll Army. I say that the flag feature is probably our most valuable asset in the War on Trolls, so I'll try to put it in perspective. At the bottom of a Fanpost (and front page posts, if you want to flag Guru or something) next to the green rec button, is the yellow flag button. Press this, write a little blurb about why you think this person is being a troll, and it will be sent to the moderators, who will deal with it as they see fit. It's as easy as that, and it seems like we all always forget about it or take it for granted.

^^MHR's Moderators^^

So how do you tell a troll from a not-troll? Simple. If the person states a concern they have or presents something in a negative light without being deliberately offensive, then they are not a troll. They probably have some good points, so you should heed what they say. Just remember that researched and intelligent negative points often spawn some of MHR's best open-forum discussions, so don't flag those. Also, not all fans of other teams are trolls. Sometimes we need an outsider's perspective and sometimes these people have good things to say, so don't automatically flag something by another team's fan.

However, if the person is attacking members of the site or the Broncos in a personal manner, then they are being a troll and should be dealt with accordingly. Troll, by definition, is a person who says something with the intention of eliciting an emotional response for the reader for his own amusement. So if you read something and think that the person is trying to get a response, then flag it!

The mods can't spend all their time searching for trolls and still pump out the insights that they do, so it is up to us, the readers, to keep the trolls off of our property and keep MHR the thriving community it is. Just by using the flag feature, we can seriously throw a monkey wrench in the Troll Army's MHR Invasion Plan.

And one more thing, don't feed the trolls! If you respond, you're doing exactly what they want you to do. Just flag and be silent. Even if a troll isn't banned, simply ignoring him can make him go to another site to live.

The enigma of our defensive line; a look at what we already have

papigrande — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:36:37 -0000

Josh McDaniels and company caused a lot of controversy this weekend by not adressing what many of us armchair experts proclaimed was our biggest need: defensive line. Instead, we loaded up on secondary guys and some offensive players. To me, this signifies that either McD was very low on this year's D-line class, or that he felt that we already have the pieces in place there to be effective on D this year.

At first, I discounted the second notion as ridiculous, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't really know much about a lot of the guys we have in the trenches. And when I did a little research, I realized that we actually do have a lot of guys there who are big, strong, and talented.

I by no means consider myself a defensive expert, so don't take my littl

Here's a quick rundown of our guys:

Matthias Askew, NT, 6'5", 302. Veteran guy, signed last year, I don't know much about him. Didn't play much last year, figures to be depth if he makes the cut this year.

Nic Clemons, DE, 6'6", 300. Young guy, talented, I think his skill set is perfect for 3-4 DE. Big and strong, good size for a 3-4 end. I think he could be a very nice surprise in camp.

Tim Crowder, DE/OLB, 6'4", 275. Projected as a 3-4 OLB out of college. A good pass rusher. Was invisible last year, but could produce this year off the bench. I could see him put on 15-20 lbs. and become a 3-4 DE, but he most likely projects as a rush OLB or out of town.

Elvis Dumervil, DE/OLB, 5'11", 260. Undersized for DE, but could blow up as a rush OLB. Most likely a liability in coverage, but could rain hell on opposing QB's on third and long from a standing-up position.

Ron Fields, NT, 6'2", 315. Our only true NT. Nolan liked him so much when they worked together in SF that he was the first player Nolan targeted in free agency. Very talented and capable of taking on double teams. Could become the next Casey Hampton if he develops.

Ryan McBean, DE, 6'5", 290. Another guy I know absolutely nothing about. He appears to have good size for a 3-4 DE. I believe he is still able to be put on the practice squad, which may be the best place to develop him.

Jarvis Moss, DE/OLB, 6'6", 265. I saw him live and up close in KC, and 265 is a very generous estimate of his weight. Looks more like a basketball player than a football player. That being said, he could surprise everyone and take the rush OLB spot from Dumervil. He will most likely only be used on third and long.

J'Vonne Parker, NT, 6'4", 325. Yet another unknown quantity, he has the size and ability to play nose tackle. Will most likely end up as depth if he makes the cut. Has never played much, if at all, in the NFL.

Kenny Peterson, DE, 6'4", 300. Played well in the 3-4 Bates experiment last year. Has great size and adequate skill set to play DE in a 3-4. Another player that I think will surprise in training camp, and I think he will see the field a lot in '09.

Carlton Powell, DE/NT, 6'3", 300. I could see him fit in at NT or DE. Excellent run stopper in college, perfect skill set for 3-4 D-lineman. Is basically a rookie this year. I believe he could be a very welcome surprise in camp, and may beat out Marcus Thomas for a starting job.

Darrell Reid, DE/OLB, 6'2", 288. Very good athlete. Special teams demon. High motor. Figures to be more of a special teams player than anything, and there is nothing wrong with that. I think he may be a specialist on D, but I think he is our next Keith Burns.

Marcus Thomas, DE, 6'3", 305. Another guy that played well in our 3-4 experiment last year. I think he will easily adjust outside and probably start at LDE (the offense's strong side.) I love his talent, and I can't wait to see him in camp.

And the rookies:

Robert Ayers, DE/OLB, 6'3", 270. Versatile enough to play OLB or DE in a 3-4 or even DT in a 4-3. Listed weight of 270 at Vols website is likely too low, and I think he willl put on more this year. Compares to Adalius Thomas in his heydey with the Ravens. Probably won't start, but will contribute more than expected.

Everette Pedescleaux, DE, 6'6", 305. Big body and very athletic. Excellent size and skill set to play 3-4 DE. Good initial burst. Tackling machine with 62 his senior year, and had 6.5 sacks as well. Could be a good pass rusher and run stuffer. Potential future starter who will likely see some time this year.

Chris Baker, NT, 6'2", 326. Great size to play NT. Very athletic and productive, most of his issues seem to come from maturity problems and off-the-field issues. That said, I love his talent and I think he has a great shot to make the team and move Carlton Powell outside. I can't wait to evaluate him in camp.

And there you have it. We have 14 guys on our team listed as D-linemen, 4 of which will probably see most of their time at OLB. While many of these guys are unknown quantities (enigmas), I believe that some of them have to pan out. I mean, there are 10 guys competing for this, and if 6 or 7 end up being good, or even just above average, we could have a decent defense next year.

I also think that there are many combinations of players we can use for our starting rotation, which will be good for depth and conditioning.

RE: Thomas, NT, Fields, LE: Powell.

RE: Peterson/Ayers, NT: Fields, LE: Thomas/Powell.

That's 5 combinations right there, and that's not even counting the possibilities of unknown quantites of Clemons, McBean, Parker, and Reid. Or the possibilities of what would happen if we went 4-3.

I will close with this: Most of the 4-3 DT's we were clamoring to draft on day 2 are pretty much clones of what we already have. And Powell is essentialy a rookie this year, so getting him healthy is almost the same as spending a pick on a guy in the 4th-7th rounds. And I'm with McDaniels on one thing: you do not draft a guy at a certain position for the sake of drafting that position. I like his BPA approach, and I think he took good players at positions of need across the board. At least each of his picks makes sense, which is more than could be said for many of Shanny's picks.

In the Spirit of Draftivus- Because What We Need Right Now Is More Mock Drafts!

papigrande — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:07:37 -0000

I made my original mock draft a few weeks ago, and for obvious reasons it has become obsolete. (Damn you Jay Cutler! Damn you!!) Like everyone else, I decided to revamp my mock to include our new picks and needs. I am completely excited for the opportunities that we now have with nine, count 'em, NINE picks in the first three rounds of the next two drafts. I think that we have a golden opportunity to ensure a very bright future for this football team, and I think that if we nail these two drafts we will become a perennial powerhouse for years to come. I'm talking multiple Super Bowls, all of that.

Before I got around to actually mocking, I thought it would be prudent to make a list of the Broncos' needs. Now, I could be lazy and just write DEFENSE under here, but I feel that some positions on D are of much more importance than others, and I think that we are actually more solid on D in some positions than we get credit for. So here's a quick rundown of my opinion of the Broncos' needs, in order:

1) DE34. Right now we have a bunch of guys at DE who have never played in a 3-4, ever. This is bad. With Marcus Thomas and Kenny Peterson slated to start, and with such guys in the wings as Carlton Powell (who I think would be a much better fit as a NT) and Nic Clemons, it is no wonder that we were a sieve when it came to run defense last year. We need guys at DE who have bulk and can stop the run. Guys who have experience in a 3-4.

2) NT. Sure, we have Ron Fields, but then again, all we have is Ron Fields. I think that Fields is just coming into his own and could be great, but we need someone there to complement him. I mean, can we really expect a 300+ pound guy to play 70 snaps in a game? He needs a complement, or, preferably, a rotation. Get another guy or two to take some reps and keep our defense the way it should be- a well-oiled machine.

3) S. The combined age of our starting safeties is 134. Brian Dawkins is the best safety ever and will go into the Hall of Fame, but the fact of the matter is that he is going to be 37 and he simply isn't an every-down player anymore. I think Josh Barrett can come in for him and is the future at FS, but at SS we have a similar issue. Renaldo Hill is a stop-gap player and an average starter at best (nothing wrong with thatm though- I'll take average over "2008 Bronco") and we need an understudy for him.

4) ILB. We have DJ Williams and Spencer Larsen. I love these guys, but I wonder if Larsen will ever be able to be anything more than a special teams beast (I know, I know, blasphemy). But he was drafted in the sixth round for a reason (he's slow) and I wonder if we can be a truly dominant defense with him as a starter. At any rate, if I'm totally wrong (and I really hope I am), we need some more depth there. Oh, and I am not a fan of Andra Davis. I hope to Hell that Larsen will be able to beat him out.

5) OG/C. We need an understudy for Casey Weigmann and Ben Hamilton to take the spot that isn't filled by Kory Lichtensteiger after those two guys move on. I want a smart, tough O-lineman to fill in, a Tom Nalen-type player.

6) CB. Champ Bailey and Andre' Goodman have seen better days, but they are still playing at an above-average level for NFL CB's. As such, I think we don't need to be drastic and take a CB very high (cough Malcolm Jenkins cough) as these guys likely have two or three good years in them yet. Josh Bell is a good understudy and will be a good future #2 CB, and Jack MF Williams will be a good future nickel. I want to draft someone that we can groom into a bona fide #1 CB.

7) RB. But only one type of RB: A Franchise RB. No more filler "running back by committee" share-the-carries-and-hope-someone's-hot-every-game. I want a Terrell Davis, Adrian Peterson, LaDanian Tonlinson, Emmit Smiff, Barry Sanders 2,000 yard stuff-it-down-your-throat-in-the-third-quarter-and-put-'em-away superstar. And I think that Peyton Hillis will make a very nice H-back, and can catch 10 touchdowns in a Dallas Clark role. I just don't see him, or anyone else on our roster for that matter, as a starting NFL RB.

8) OLB. We have very good OLB's already in Wesley Woodyard and Boss Bailey, and I think that Elvis Dumerville is looking at future 15-sack seasons in the elephant role. What I think we need is a guy who can play strongside OLB, a tackling machine who can cover tight ends and bring the occasional blitz. We need a future starter here.

9) WR. We need a deep threat, but we don't need one as much as we did considering that we no longer have a QB capable of throwing it from one end zone to the other on a line. I'd like a guy that can consistently get open deep and he would be good to have if we need a quick strike, but I like the possession guys we have just fine, and I don't think there's anything wrong with Chad Jackson either.

10) QB, but only if Spleen and Neckbeard don't pan out. I don't like ANY of the QB's in this class, but I think there are a few that we could develop next year should McDaniels wish to take that route.

So now that I have covered these needs, I will take a look at what is in my opinion the best way for the Broncos to go about filling them, mock-draft style. Included are pictures of their future Broncos jerseys to help you imagine them in future Bronco war regalia. I used the nflshop.com jersey-customizer-thingamajigger to get the pics.

Rd1 P12, 12 overall: Tyson Jackson, DE34, LSU.

I am not 100% sure that Tyson Jackson is deserving of the 12th overall pick. However, I am 100% sure that there is no other defensive player worthy of taking here. Not BJ Raji, not Rey Maualuga, not Brian Cushing. No one. If we want to go NT, I think we can wait until next year when the class will be much deeper and pick up a guy like Terrance Cody.

That being said, DE is undoubtedly our biggest need and Jackson is undoubtedly the best 3-4 DE prospect in this class. He's big and strong, and he shows an excellent ability to stop the run.

The big knock on Jackson has been a lack of motivation and consistency. I think that is mostly people blowing smoke over a lack of statistics. When I look at Jackson on film I see a guy who can take on blockers, make plays in the backfield, and eat up ball carriers. He would instantly help out our defense and would make for a good building block for a solid future defense.

Here are some scouts' opinions on Jackson:

OPINION

I gave Jackson number 93, which he wore in college. I stole it from Nic Clemons, whom I think Jackson will make expendable.

Rd1 P18, 18 overall: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia.

I mentioned earlier that I think we need a "franchise running back." I think that Moreno is one of the only sure-fire franchise prospects at any position in this draft. Honestly, I salivate when I watch Moreno on film. He's quick, powerful, explosive, elusive, an excellent and willing blocker, a good teammate and citizen, and a natural leader. In short, he is the epitome of the "Patriot Way," a versatile player who can do many, many things well and be a good role model as well.

I think that Moreno would be much more worthy of the #12 pick than Jackson. However, I think Moreno will last to 18, but Jackson won't. I have a feeling that New Orleans would snap up Jackson if we passed on him. With our selection of Jackson, I could see them taking Malcolm Jenkins or, if he is not available, Vontae Davis. I also think that San Diego will be in the market for Moreno, but my gut tells me that they have Beanie Wells higher, and I think that ultimately they will pass on a running back for Rey Maualuga/Brian Cushing. If I thought Moreno would be gone here, I would absolutely take him at 12 and get the best available USC defender or Jarron Gilbert at 18.

I had a very hard time finding scouts who didn't like Moreno. Here's a few opinions I did find:

OPINION

I gave Moreno number 25. He's not touching Champ Bailey's 24, which he wore in college, and I don't really have any other preference for a RB number. I think 25 was last worn by Nick Ferguson, but I'm too lazy to look that up.

Rd2 P16, 48 overall: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College.

I'm taking another chance here in assuming that Brace will last to 48, but I think that if he does then we should be all over him. I like him much better than BJ Raji. I think that Brace is very good at fighting double teams, and I think he will be a great future compliment to Ron Fields. Imagine the fourth quarter, when the opposing O-line is tired, and our rotation of Fields and Brace is still fresh and going strong.

Here are some "expert" opinions on Brace:

Strengths: Brace is dominant against the run. He cannot be moved off of the line. Is extremely strong. Gets great push off the line and collapses the pocket. Is a powerful tackler. Gets a good jump off the snap. Has great size. Is strong at the point of attack. Is good at holding the double team. Has good awareness of the game and has experience. Smart player who rarely makes mistakes. Has improved as each year passes. He dominates smaller interior linemen and punishes backs. Forces backs to go outside. Cannot be driven off the line in the run game.

Weaknesses: Brace isn’t very quick and struggles in getting after the quarterback. Will take plays off. Sometimes struggles with his hand placement and technique. Durability and stamina appear to be issues. Needs to give more effort. May have a weight problem.

Overall:: Good player who dominates in the run game, but struggles pass rushing. Could be a dominant 3-4 nose tackle. Questions remain about how much he benefited from playing next to fellow defensive tackle, B.J. Raji.

Injury Concerns: Missed part of a game in 2008 with a toe injury and had a lingering back injury throughout the season.

Could be as good as: Casey Hampton – Pittsburgh Steelers

Strengths: Brace possesses the size of a two-gap plugger, but the quickness to of a one-gap tackle. He uses that size and quickness to stuff the run nicely. He has a powerful base and is hard to move around. Because of that, running backs have to adjust where they're going or run right into Brace. Strong against the double team. During the 2008 season, Brace would regularly take up two blockers so teammate B.J. Raji could burst into the backfield. Uses his power to collapse the interior of the pocket. Good agility, which allows him to slide down the line really well.

Weaknesses: Not especially productive. Had only 27 tackles as a senior, which is just over two a game. Really not a factor rushing the pass unless he can push a blocker back or gets an open lane. Some questions about his durability due to recurring back ailment in 2008. Pursuit and effort are lacking at times. Doesn't always fight hard to get through double teams. Inconsistent with his technique. Will get too upright at times negating his his strength.

Final word: Brace is a top run-stopping tackle who was often overshadowed by Raji. He may not be much of a pass rusher, but his ability against the run warrants such a high grade. A second-team All ACC member in 2008 and honorable mention in 2007. Has some versatility because he's a multi-technique tackle.

I gave Brace number 60 because that's what number I felt like giving him.

Rd3 P15, 79 overall: Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest.

If we get Vaughn here, he could be the Eddie Royal of this draft. Vaughn is a tough, physical safety who brings a little attitude to the game. In the little film I have seen on him, he reminds me of Ed Reed with his punishing tackles and playmaking ability. He's not as physically gifted as, say, Taylor Mays, but he is fast and physical enough to play strong safety in the NFL.

Here are what the guys who get paid think about Vaughn:

Strengths:
Terrific size and bulk...Superb tackler...Real tough and physical...Will deliver the big hit...Very active and aggressive...Good range...Does a fantastic job against the run...Smart and instinctive...Very productive.

Weaknesses:
Just average speed...Doesn't have great hands or ball skills...Gets too high in his backpedal...Hips aren't real fluid...Will struggle to match up with wideouts in man coverage...Isn't very quick...A little inconsistent.

Notes:
First name is "Clarence"...Actually arrived at Wake Forest as a wide receiver...Saw extensive action as a backup early in his career before taking over a starting job in 2007...Led the Demon Deacons in tackles as a junior...A blue-collar prospect who certainly isn't flashy but has adequate physical tools and even better intangibles...An in-the-box run supporter whose best fit at the next level will be as a strong safety.

Strengths: As far as safeties in this class go, few look as natural as Vaughn. He has good size and plays with a lot of strength. He can be an intimidating force deep and will really lay a hit on an opponent. As a senior, he supported against the run really well, making several key plays in the backfield. Uses his power in the pass game to break up passes and had 20 over his final two seasons at Wake Forest.

Weaknesses: Watching Vaughn, it's readily apparent that he needs to learn how to react quicker to plays. Struggles in man coverage mostly because he doesn't have the lateral agility to move around with ease. Doesn't play up to his timed speed (4.42 at the Combine). Had some issues with inconsistency during his senior year. For a former wide receiver, Vaughn has pretty bad hands and doesn't make a lot of interceptions.

Final word: Vaughn is a player with a lot of upside after arriving at Wake Forest as a wide receiver. He has transitioned himself into a solid in-the-box strong safety who is a factor against the run. He might need to be coached up a little better in pass coverage, but he has the tools of a starter at the next level.

I gave Vaughn 29, because I think it looks good with our number font.

Rd3 P20, 84 overall: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati

With Champ and Goodman entering the twilight of their careers, I feel that the Broncos need to take a CB fairly early in the draft, and I think that Mike Mickens would be an excellent option for us. His size (6'0" 190 lbs) and problems with knee injuries- but nothing major- are causing him to slip into the third round. I love this, because I think he is a first round talent at CB.

Agressive and physical, he displays the perfect nature to play CB in a man-to-man scheme. A four year starter at Cincinnati, Mickens displayed toughness and confidence in his play, and possesses great ball skills with a penchant for making interceptions. His size should not be a big deal at cornerback, but some teams could look elsewhere in favor of a bigger player. But Mickens' cover abilities are among the best in the nation and he plays a lot stronger than he looks and that should be enough to make up for his size.

Here are some second and third opinions on Mickens:

Mike Mickens is only 6-0 and 190 pounds, but he is still a physical corner back who is not afraid to play tough against any wide receiver. It did not take long for Mickens to earn a starting job at Cincinnati. By the time his freshman campaign began, the Huber Heights, Ohio product was starting. Throughout his first three seasons with the Bearcats, Mickens was named to a multitude of all-conference teams and tallied ten interceptions.

His size should not be a big deal at cornerback, but some teams could look elsewhere in favor of a bigger player. But Mickens' cover abilities are among the best in the nation and he plays a lot strong than he looks and that should be enough to make up for his size.

Source: http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=1601

Strengths: Good height with long arms...really aggressive...willing in run support and can deliver the big hit...exhibits good awareness...tracks the ball well in the area...great hands and ball skills...uses his hands well...productive college player with ton of experience...physical...fluid through the hips...

Weaknesses: Needs to add some bulk...too often goes for the big hit instead of the sure tackle...may be too aggressive at times and risks drawing flags...timed speed is just average...too confident in his skills at times and it causes him to get beat...durability questions after a series of 2008 knee injuries...struggles to shed tackles...

Source: http://warroomreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=410&Itemid=1

I gave Mickens 27, which probably won't happen anytime soon seeing as it was last worn by Darrent Williams, and before him Steve Atwater, but I like the number and I think Mickens could do it justice.

Rd4 P14, 114 overall: A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State.

Shipley could last until later, but I think he is worthy of being taken in the fourth round. He's a tough, smart workaholic of a center, and he is absolutely brilliant at keeping his linemates on the same page. Physically, he has a nice center of gravity and delivers a devastating first punch. He is adept at both run and pass blocking, and his technique, while it can be improved, is certainly adequate for a future rookie.

So if he's so good, why is he supposed to go so late? He has short arms. Well, this guy's a football player, pure and simple. I don't care how short his arms are, I just want him to keep the line together and move some people. What do linemen need long arms for anyway? Holding? Anyway, I think this is a serious case of over-scouting a player, and I think Shipley will end up being a very good starter for us in the future.

Hey, I typed "AQ Shipley Scouting Report" into Google and it took me back to MHR. So here you go, Styg's analysis of AQ Shipley:

Pros: Stout, tough and physical at the point, plays like the former nose guard he is. Strong anchor in pass protection, and does not get bull-rushed as he uses his wide base to maintain leverage.

Cons: Lacks height, bulk and arm length. Projects to center only, probably in a zone-blocking system.

Styg's Broncos Fit: a former nose guard, Shipley is tough, physical, aggressive, and likes to get dirty. Understands his duties on the line, makes good calls and consistently gets off the line with adequate pop; he lacks a bit in the work-ethic category, and isn't a guaranteed "play to the whistle" type of player. Doesn't have ideal measurements to play at a consistently high level at guard, so may project best as a backup center.

(I don't know how Styg got that he's not a workaholic. I got that he's a blue-collar, hard-workin' guy. I thought it always looked like he gave 110% on every play.)

I gave Shipley number 65, because it was not taken.

Rd5 P13, 149 overall: Jasper Brinkley, MLB, South Carloina

Rd6 P12, 185 overall: Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU.

Rd7 P16, 225 overall: McKenna "Bear" Pascoe, TE, Fresno State

You gotta remember Bear's article on Pascoe, so I won't go into detail here. I think he's an intimidating blue-collar player who could be a nice complement to Peyton Hillis in sheer redneckocity. He will be a special teams demon, and people will fear him.

Also, his freaking name is Bear.

Rd7 P26, 235 overall: Stryker Sulak, DE, Missouri.

I like Sulak as a situational pass rusher prospect. We may end up passing on him as we have a comparable player in Darrell Reid, but I like Sulak's size and ability to knife through offensive linemen. I think he will be a good rusher from a five technique in our 3-4.

Also, his freaking name is Stryker.

And, since I'm on a roll with the NFLShop Jersey Maker-Thing, I figured I'd make a statement to the wide receivers. Come on, guys:

Poll

So, how do you like my mock?

I love it! You hit the nail on the head and I wouldn't change anything! Rawr.

5 votes

I like the direction, but there are some things I would change. I would be satisfied with this draft.

10 votes

I like some of the picks, but I don't think this would be a good general direction for our draft to take.

2 votes

Lay off the glue and get out of the van for a while, Papi!! This is the worst mock I have ever seen! HEH!

0 votes

17 votes | Poll has closed

It's the dawn of a new era. The Fourth Age of the Denver Broncos: The Era of Neckbeard.

papigrande — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:18:42 -0000

It's the dawn of a new era. The Fourth Age of the Denver Broncos: The Era of Neckbeard.

Got Spleen? 2009 Broncos starting QB Chris Simms.

papigrande — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:04:07 -0000

Got Spleen? 2009 Broncos starting QB Chris Simms.

Jumping on the Bandwagon: Another Mock Draft to Pass the Time

papigrande — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:23:51 -0000

This was originally going to be a comment on HT's Depth Craft post, but after a few minutes of draft research I got a little carried away and realized that I would have made the longest comment ever. So, I decided to just put it all here, in a nice FanPost. You've gotta love Draftivus. The speculation, the joy, the arguing... It's the best part of the offseason except for training camp if you get to go to that. (Yay Bronco-Con yay!)

Also, I went in order of overall team need need versus actual draft order, so it is a little discombobulated. Hope you don't mind.

After looking at [HT's post], I think it's safe to say that DE and DT are our biggest needs. I think Boydy was the one who came up with the scenario where we trade our 1st and 2nd for Detroit's 1st (20 overall) and 2nd. This would allow us to get Tyson Jackson and Ron Brace and fill both of those needs. I'm not a huge Jackson fan, but I'm not really a fan of anyone else in the first round either and he would fill our biggest need.

The second scenario, which I would like better, is to draft Raji if he falls to us and get Ziggy Hood in the second round. Problam solved. The only issue with this is that it is VERY unlikely that Raji falls to us at 12. With that, I think our DL crop would be significantly improved, and we could form a competent DE rotation with T. Jackson/Z. Hood, M.Thomas, T. Crowder, K. Peterson, and D. Reid. At DT, I think Fields is the obvious choice to start, and B. Raji/R. Brace would rotate in with C. Powell backing them up.

After seeing [HT's post], I have also come to the conclusion that LB is not as big a need as I initially perceived it to be, and I think it would be adequate for us to pursue a project player like Jasper Brinkley instead of breaking the bank on a first or second rounder. Brinkley can be had in the fifth, and I suggest we take him with our first fifth round choice.

Safety is another hole, with both of our starters in the twilight of their careers. I think Chip Vaughn would fit in nicely as a SS, and we could pick him up in the third round. I was initially turned on to Vaughn by the raiders fans, and I have loved what I've seen of him so far. He would fit into the rotation and spell Hill, and would relegate Fox to the emergency backup position that he deserves. With Vaughn at SS and Barrett at FS, I think we would have an excellent safety-of-the-future tandem. For a good analysis of Vaughn's talent, go here.

The last important holes I want to fill are wide receiver and interior o-line. I don't perceive WR to be as big of a need for us as most people do, and the reason is Chad Jackson. He has the size and speed to be our deep threat and our number two, and I think he's going to be better than anyone we can get in the fourth or fifth rounds. Still, if we want to bring in some competition for him we can look at speedy WR's like Mike Wallace or Ramses Barden in the fourth. The WR I suggest we take, however, is Deon Butler of Penn State. He was their most productive receiver last year, not Derrick Williams, and is pretty polished for a fifth rounder. Oh, and also he ran an unofficial 4.26 40 at the combine.

So with our first, second, third, and fifth rounds covered, I suggest we take a look at some OL depth in the fourth. A. Q. Shipley is another Penn Stater I like, and he has been a beast for his entire collegiate career. He started 39 games in a row, was first team All Big Ten, and has great size and bulk. He was team captain and has a reputation for being an intellectual which was proven true by the 40 he scored on his Wonderlic. So why is he rated so low? He has short arms. You know what? I don't care if he has little midget Tyrannosaurus Rex arms, the man is a pure football player and I would welcome him on my team. He and Lichtensteiger would be an excellent tandem to replace Weigmann and Hamilton when they move on.

This would cover all our biggest needs except for running back, and I think we could get a pretty capable one in the sixth round in Ian Johnson. He had a great career at Boise State (then again, he spent three years running behind Ryan Clady; I think I could be successful doing that) and shocked everyone with a 4.46 at the combine. He has excellent patience and great field vision, and is a capable pass catcher out of the backfield. The only problem is that he's another filler-type running back, and we already have 17 of those on roster. In the end, I could see him making the team, along with Hillis, Buckhalter, Torain, and Arrington or Selvin.

So now I have covered al the rounds 1-6, and I still have two more picks to use. While I think speculating this far into the draft is futile and quite a waste of time, I will press on because I work for you, Broncos fans, and I will not leave you with an incomplete mock. Also, I don't really have anything better to do. So here is my seventh round speculation.

I have been known to say that you can never have enough depth on the D-line. So I want to take a flyer on a Colorado guy, George Hypolite. He was a DT in college, but I see him moving to a DE in a pro 3-4. Not only does his name sound like some kind of Greek goddess, he has a surprisingly well-rounded skillset and is capable of defending the run and the pass. He would be good depth and a decent filler if one of our guys got hurt.

With our last pick, I went with a CB, since that is our only perceived need that I have not addressed yet. The CB I chose was Wopamo Osaisai of Stanford. He's a rough product, but he was second-team All Big Ten and is a track star with a 4.3 40. Also, like Hypolite, I like his name a lot.

So here's a recap of the Papi Mock:

1 (#20 overall, via trade from Detroit): Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU or #12 overall: B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College.

2 (#33 overall, via trade from Detroit): Ron Brace, NT, Boston Colege or #48 overall: Evander "Ziggy" Hood, DE, Missouri

3 (#79 overall): Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest

4 (#114 overall): A. Q. Shipley, C, Penn State

5 (#140 overall, via trade from Seattle): Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina

5 (#149 overall): Deon Butler, WR, Penn State

6 (#185 overall): Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State

7 (#225 overall): George Hypolite, DE, Colorado

7 (#235 overall, via trade from Atlanta): Wopamo Osaisai, CB, Stanford

So there you have it. I am Papigrande, and I officially endore this mock.

This is Darren McFadden's car. This is what he drives around in. In public. Actually, now that I...

papigrande — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:39:59 -0000

This is Darren McFadden's car.
This is what he drives around in.
In public.
Actually, now that I think about it, this wouldn't seem out of place at all in Oakland.

Mile High Report Dot Com.

papigrande — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:31:23 -0000

I'm putting this post up for a number of reasons. One is to vent; I use this site to let off steam. Another is because I feel like I need to get something off my chest, something that I think has been lost in the frenzy that is this McCutlergate fallout. And the third is that I want to know what the F*CK is happening to milehighreport.com.

Our venerable host, John Bena, AKA TheSportsGuru, started this site in 2006 for the same reasons I am writing this post. There was something big going on then. It was a QB controversy, the biggest one in the history of the Denver Broncos, and it was DOMINATING the Denver media at the time. Of course, this was Plummanahacutlergate, the saga of Jay Cutler and when he would replace Jake Plummer as the Broncos' starting QB. Guru felt the same emotion that I did as the media storm whirled around him: exasperation.

From what I have read in the archives, back in the days of SBN 1.0, of LetPlummerPlay and ohnokoolaid, of Jake and Jay, Guru started this site because he wanted to create a place where intelligent Broncos fans could convene and talk about something other than the Shanaplumcutlergate situation. Of course, he wanted to give his opinion on it, and he did. In one post, and that was it. The beneficiaries of MHR, of which there were only about 15 at the time, also gave their opinion, and then they moved on. It was a beautiful thing.

I joined this site not because of the community, but because of the way the staff handled their business. I came to love it for the community. The first post I read on MHR was Styg's piece comparing Ryan Clady and Chris Williams (incidentally, Styg had a poll in that post, in which 73% of MHR-ers, including me as a lurker, said they would prefer Williams), and I was sold on the site. Only problem was, I forgot the domain name, and couldn't find it again.

So along came the draft, and ESPN's coverage had me feeling very drunk by midway through the second round, which is astounding as I've never been drunk before in my life. I needed a place to talk BRONCOS, so I looked in the first place to find anything, the Internet. I googled "Broncos blog," and, lo and behold, the number one result was milehighreport.com. I looked on the front page, and there was this Styg guy again, detailing the Broncos draft picks as they came. In that moment, I was completely sold on Eddie Royal, and somewhat pacified on Ryan Clady (That's right, Zappa, I hated the Clady selection too.) From that moment on, I came to MHR for my every Broncos need, just a-lurking away. Somehow it took me until the end of June to actually join the site, and there could not have been a better thing for me to do. In the past seven months and fifteen days, I have laughed and cried with the MHR community. I have celebrated with you and I have watched the latest raider game with you. I have dominated all of you in fantasy football. I have left a part of myself in this site, and I feel like it is a part of me. I count some of the members on here as my best friends, and I am as close to you as I am to the people I am physicall with every day.

Now, you're probably asking why I included half of my life story in this post. It is because I feel that everything that I love about MHR is dying. It saddens me to see the FanPosts and comments are dominated by knee-jerk reactions, lack of research and strength of argument, bickering amongst our own kinsmen, and worst of all, trolls. Right now, and for the last week and a half, MHR has been a place that I don't want to be. For the first time in months, I would rather spend my Internet time watching random YouTube videos over and over again than reading a nice FanPost on MHR, leaving some comments, and poking a little fun at Zappa. And I HATE this.

I say we treat this situation as Guru and the early boys (I like to call them MHRboriginals) treated the Plumjaycutlanahajakeletplummerplaygate situation of 2006. Hold our water and wait for credible information to break. Stop making knee-jerk reactions. Look to see if something has already been posted before you post it yourself. And most of all, don't say something that you're going to regret tomorrow. I know we are ALL guilty of this. I certainly am, and you know you are too.

I love you guys, and I really don't want to have to grimace every time I'm about to open up the homepage. Please, let's be gantlemanly about this, and take the information as it goes. And remember this: We are ALL Broncos fans (hopefully) and we ALL want them to succeed. Regardless of whether you are in the Cutler camp or the McDaniels camp, respect the other side of the argument, and do not, EVER, wish ill on either party. The strongest possibility right now, it seems, is that both Cutler and McDaniels will be members of the Denver Broncos organization at the start of the 2009 season. Since they are both Broncos, we as fans are obligated to cheer them on.

So I say stick up for both Josh and Jay, and hope for the whole situation to blow over. After all, imagine the possibilities with both of these guys on O. Mike Clark, can I get a 13-3 baby??

IMO, a pretty accurate description of what's going on right now. I wish this idiocy would just end,...

papigrande — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:30:58 -0000

IMO, a pretty accurate description of what's going on right now. I wish this idiocy would just end, along with the media clusterf**k that came along with it.

Oh, and I think the fans are supposed to caption this, or something. So if you think you know what Jay and McD are saying to each other and it's really, really funny, go to iwantmyrocky.com and submit it.

NFL Draft: Second Primaries

papigrande — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:39:01 -0000

The Combine is done and the final stretch of Draftivus is about to take place. The anticipation for the Final Ceremony is palpable. Just remember not to drink the punch. :)

If you recall, a few weeks ago, I did a poll regarding who Broncos Nation wants in the first round. While the quantity of responses wasn't as high as I'd hoped it would be, 141 of you did respond, and I think we got the general feel for who Broncos Nation is pulling for. The results:

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC was the overwhelming favorite, garnering 43% of the votes. After him, 18% of people wished to trade down, but no one specified in the comments who they wanted us to get. Knowshon Moreno and BJ Raji competed hotly for third, earning 15% and 14% of the voted, respectively. Tyson Jackson, Malcolm Jenkins, and Brian Cushing finished well off the pace. One person wished to trade up, but did not specify who he wanted to trade up for...

The top three guys in the last poll, as well as the trade options, are who I'm going to roll with in this second poll. If you want a guy I haven't put on here, post a comment stating that you want him and get it approved by one other person.

Here's all the information you could possibly want on these three prospects. Walter Football has all things Combine covered, and you can view all the results and analysis there. MHR has player profiles on the top three- you can view them here: Moreno, Maualuga, Raji. Go read all this and the VOTE! It's the patriotic thing to do, after all.

I've got two more polls, one of which will be next week after the first round of free agency is over and our needs are clearer. The last poll will take place right before the draft.

Poll

Who do you want the Broncos to draft in the first round?

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

41 votes

B.J. Raji, DT, BC

37 votes

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

12 votes

Trade down for.... (Specify in the comments)

28 votes

Trade up for.... (Specify in the comments)

1 votes

119 votes | Poll has closed