Denver Broncos Draft Grade

B-

That's right for the 2008 Denver Broncos Draft I'll give them a B- for the least sexiest draft in years. However they filled some big holes with their first two picks. Only time will tell about their Day 2 picks.

Ryan Clady might be the best Left Tackle from this draft 5 years down the road. He fits the Denver Broncos running scheme very well. Plus he's really large for the Broncos offensive line. The Broncos have been gradually getting larger. 5 years ago they were the lightest offensive line in the league. But as defensive line were getting bigger and bigger the Broncos O-line couldn't handle third and long situations very well. The Broncos O-line was very susceptible to bull rushes. Clady is still very raw. He needs a lot of work on his technique. He'll be beat for sure in his first year, but if all goes well he'll be Jay Cutler's blind side protector for the next decade.

Eddie Royal was big surprise. He'd be a bust if he were drafted merely as a receiver but he spent all four years at Virgina Tech as the punt and kick-off returner. Denver has needed an electric returner for years. After Devon Hester burned the Broncos last year they may have decided they needed a big time returner too. The Broncos have had the worst average for starting field percentage the last few years which needs to change if they are to move up into the Super Bowl contenders.

Mike Shanahan sure was giddy as a school boy to get these two players. I hope he's right with these guys or otherwise Shanahan's coaching job with Denver will be on the clock.

Ryan Torain RB Arizona St may be the steal of the draft. He's got a big upside and the Broncos snagged him in the 5th round. What was he doing there? He's had some injury problems which dropped him in the draft. Don't be surprised if he gets plenty of touches. Shanahan will see how he runs during training camp and preseason.




Her skin is pale like God's only dove
Screams for you like an angel for your love

My NFL Mock Draft 1.0

I really only care about who the Denver Broncos pick but the teams who pick before Denver obviously have a influence on whom the Broncos take with their pick. I thought Denver might try and move up to get Sedrick Ellis. But now it appears that New Orleans will be the team trying to move up. The Broncos traded for Dewayne Robertson, who I now call "The Big Band-Aid" because the Broncos desperately need a DT but Robertson is a talent in the 4-3 defense but his knee is almost gone. I expect him only to last 2 years with the Broncos. Now for my mock draft.

1. Miami Jake Long
Not a hard pick we all knew it several days ago. He's a Parcell's pick. ie Jumbo Elliot.

2. St Louis Rams Chris Long
Doresy is the better player but the Rams drafted Adam Carriker last year who can play the DE position but not a pass rusher. They need a pass rusher so they'll take Chris Long, who is more of a need pick.

3. Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan
Again Doresy is the better player but Atlanta really wants to get a franchise QB. Atlanta does have several 2nd round picks which means they could pick a QB in the early second round or trade up into the late first round to get a QB.

4. Oakland Raiders Darren McFadden
Run DMC will be a Raider. Again Dorcey is the better player and I'm sure all the scouts will tell Al Davis but Davis will come and take the "sexy" pick and pick up McFadden.

5. Kansas City Chiefs Glenn Dorcey
Too good to pass up. If Dorcey isn't there they'll take the top OT on their board. I wouldn't be surprised if they shop this pick to the Saints.

6. New York Jets Vernon Gholston
The Jets wanted Run DMC but they'll take Gholston to help their transition into a 3-4 defense. Gholston has a lot of questions about how hard he plays but he's a great physical specimen.

7. New England Patriots Sedrick Ellis
I expect the Patriots to heavily shop this pick. They covet value and they wouldn't mind moving down to the Saints pick. Otherwise they'll take the best player on the board. Some think the Patriots will take a Offensive Lineman because of what happened at the Super Bowl expect people forget how much time Brady had to throw the ball during the regular season.

8. Baltimore Ravens Ryan Clady
The Ravens really wanted Matt Ryan but they are not going to go for the second QB with this pick because its too high so they'll go for the best OT on their board. They may also select a CB to keep their defense going at a high level.

9. Cincinnati Bengals Keith Rivers
The Bengals really wanted a DT but their defense will have to settle for the first LB off the board. Maybe they'll stretch and pick a DE like Harvey from Florida

10. New Orleans Saints Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
The Saints really wanted Dorcey but they will have to give up too much so their next need will be at the CB spot.

11. Buffalo Bills Devin Thomas
They stretch to get a WR. I think they'll be disappointed in this pick.

12. Denver Broncos Chris Williams
The Broncos won't trade up and I don't think they'll trade down so they'll stay at the 12 spot and get the Offensive Tackle they need to protect Jay Cutler for years to come and help open up holes for the running backs. This pick should solidify the Broncos Offense for years to come. The Broncos will take one or two more Offensive Lineman in the late rounds 5th, 6th or 7th round where they have several picks. The Broncos will also look at kickers too.

None of the picks really matter after the Broncos so I'll leave it there. But just for you Cowboy fans look for them to draft Felix Jones and the top CB remaining on the board.

Broncos get Robertson

The Broncos now have big Dewayne Robertson. Tommy, be afraid, be very afraid!

Get Ya Popcorn Ready!

That's right Lost is restarting up at its new time of 9 O'Clock. Its the best weekly event after football. There are 5 more episodes this season. In the next episode, "The Shape Of Things To Come", we'll find out if someone or something is controlling Smoky the Monster and in the next episode we'll find out if Rousseau is really dead. Her flashback promises to be one of the best. It might have to wait for next season though. So buckle your safety belts up and enjoy the ride!

It's Official

It's signed and done. Jake Long the offensive tackle from Michigan will be the number one pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He's come to an agreement with the Dolphins. The big advantage to drafting him is that if he doesn't work out at left tackle they can move him to right tackle or even guard and still get some value from their money.


Who will be number two? Glenn Dorsey is the highest rated player on the Rams draft board. We'll see on Saturday.

Draft Free Fallers Continued

The number of draft free fallers continues. This time capped off by the most volatile position, wide receiver.

Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma, 6-4 224
Everyone was so high on him. He's got great size but so do half of the receivers coming out of USC but they can't separate in the NFL. Kelly complained that the OU staff ruined his pro day because he trained on Astro-turf and they held the pro day on field turf. Ah, hello Malcolm the NFL stopped playing on Astro-turf years ago, you're just slow. A time of 4.6 in the 40 is going to drop him into the second round.

Mario Maningham, Michigan
Mario is a double idiot. First off he took drugs. Second off he lied about taking drugs to NFL teams. NFL teams practically use FBI background checks. No way is he a first rounder.

DeSean Jackson, California 5-10 169 in a wet t-shirt
Just one sentence sums it up: He looks like a high school player. Sure he has speed but that won't do him any good in rehab. He's only a punt returner and 3rd down stretch the field guy. Any more than that and he'll be in street clothes on game day. Plus he's loud mouth me first player.

Now a draft faller story: Let's go back to the 1998 draft. Everyone thought Randy Moss was great. He became great but he was carrying some luggage. He would have been a perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys. He would have extended the carrier of Troy Aikman. But the Cowboys were getting ripped apart by the media for the character of the players on the team, like say Michael Irvin snorting coke and wearing fur coats to court. Jerry Jones wanted him but didn't want to take the PR hit. He sent Deion Sanders to go chat with Randy. Deion told Jerr'a Randy was cool and he'd be no trouble. Guess Jerr'a didn't believe him they Cowboys let Moss drop all the way to the Vikings. Can't say I don't blame Jones for not believing Deion. After all Deion has stood up for such people as Michael Vick, Pacman Jones, and Chad Johnson. All 3 have caused chaos in their organization. Jerry's been kicking himself ever since then for not drafting Randy Moss.

2008 Denver Broncos Schedule

The biggest problem is deciding which game to go to?

What jump off the Broncos' schedule are all those road trips to Eastern Time Zone cities (New England, Cleveland, Atlanta, New York Jets, Carolina) and the number of visiting teams playing at Invesco Field at Mile High who Bronco fans don't often see in person (New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Miami, Buffalo).

1. Monday, Sept. 8, at Oakland 8:15 p.m.

For openers, Broncos will take on their old friends Javon Walker, Gerard Warren, Cornell Green and Cooper Carlisle. That's a lot of former Broncos starters. Could it be Al Davis is trying to emulate Mike Shanahan?

2. Sunday, Sept. 14, San Diego, 2:15 p.m.

The Chargers are clearly the team to beat in the AFC West. Denver should have no trouble getting up for this opponent after several Chargers players, most notably QB Philip Rivers, taunted the Broncos before, during a Christmas Eve meeting won by San Diego, 23-3.

3. Sunday, Sept. 21, New Orleans, 2:15 p.m.

The Saints have their share of marquee players, including Reggie Bush, Drew Brees and Marques Colston. Like Shanahan, Saints coach Sean Payton is a Chicago-area product who played quarterback at Eastern Illinois.

4. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

The Chiefs will enter the 2008 season on a nine-game losing streak, two of which came against the Broncos. There is a chance the GM-head coach pairing of Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards are on the hot seat, although there is admission the team is rebuilding for 2008. If running back Larry Johnson returns completely from his foot injury, the Chiefs could be better than expected.

5. Sunday, Oct. 5, Tampa Bay, 2:05 p.m.

A return home for Broncos safety John Lynch. Although coach Jon Gruden has been quarterback-challenged in his first six seasons in Tamp Bay, the Bucs have reached the playoffs two of the past three years and won the Super Bowl following the 2002 season.

6. Sunday, Oct. 12, Jacksonville, 2:05 p.m.

For a non-division foe, it seems like the Broncos see a lot of the Jaguars. Quarterback David Garrard has a new contract and the Jaguars would be considered Super Bowl-caliber if they weren't playing in the same conference as Indianapolis and New England. The Jaguars physically beat up the Broncos in week 3 last season. The strongest element to their team is their tailback duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.

7. Monday, Oct. 20, at New England, 6:30 p.m.

Dating back to 2001, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has won five of his last six meetings, including playoffs, against Pats coach Bill Belichick. The Broncos won 17-7 in their previous visit to Gillette Stadium in 2006 as Jake Plummer threw two touchdown passes to Javon Walker. The Pats have won their last 14 home games, including a 10-0 mark last season.

8. Bye

This is the Broncos' latest bye week since 2005, when they had the bye a week later.

9. Sunday, Nov. 2, Miami, 2:05 p.m.

The team The Big Tuna reconstructed will visit Invesco Field for the first time since 2004. The Dolphins finished an NFL-worst 1-15 last season, an abysmal performance that led to wholesale changes from ownership on down. The most notable move was bringing in Bill Parcells to run the football operations. Parcells had successfully turned around four teams as head coach - the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys. This is the first time he will run a franchise exclusively from a front-office chair.

10. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Cleveland, 6:15 p.m.

No longer are the Browns considered pushovers. Their defense is fortified by Shaun Rogers, who ran roughshod over the Broncos' offensive line while playing for the Detroit Lions last year. If quarterback Derek Anderson gets dinged, the Browns will be able to bring in Brady Quinn, arguably the league's most intriguing backup.

11. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Atlanta, 11 a.m.

For the first time in 15 years, the Broncos will have someone other than Jason Elam kicking field goals for them. Seconds after this scary proposition became official, the game at Atlanta became worthy of red letters to Elam and his staunch supporters. The feared scenario among Broncos is Elam running onto the field - Toro! Toro! - and booting the game-winning field goal as time expires. But who not Matt Prater, who kicked for the Falcons last year, returning to Atlanta to burn his former teammates?

12. Sunday, Nov. 23, Oakland, 2:05 p.m.

Bronco fans will be waiting for Javon Walker. Question is, by week 12, will his knee hold up so he's ready for Denver? Bronco fans can plan on getting first personal look at Raiders' QB JaMarcus Russell.

13. Sunday, Nov. 30, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.

The last time the Broncos played at the Meadowlands in 2005, they dominated the New York Giants the first three quarters and 5 minutes into the fourth. But in a foreshadowing of Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning led the Giants to two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a game-winning toss to Amani Toomer with 5 seconds remaining. The Jets and Giants will move to a new stadium at the Meadowlands in 2010.

14. Sunday, Dec. 7, Kansas City Chiefs, 2:05 p.m.

One of the primary reasons why the Broncos signed strongside linebacker Boss Bailey: Stop Tony Gonzalez.

15. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Carolina

A return home for Broncos' new receiver Keary Colbert, this is a rare meeting between these teams as they've only played once since 1997. To rebound from its 7-9 season, Carolina is counting on a return to health by quarterback Jake Delhomme and defensive end Julius Peppers. Broncos' cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Dre' Bailey will be tested in this game as the Panthers have a dynamic receiver duo in Steve Smith and D.J. Hackett.

16. Sunday, Dec. 21, Buffalo, 2:05 p.m.

The Broncos and Bills met in the season opener last year, a game dually remembered for the violent collision between Broncos kick returner Domenik Hixon and tackler Kevin Everett, and Elam's game-winning kick as time expired. None of those players will participate in this game. Everett would have been left paralyzed by the hit if not for pioneering medical treatment. Hixon was claimed off waivers by the eventual Super Bowl-champion New York Giants and Elam left for free agency and the Atlanta Falcons.

17. Sunday, Dec. 28, at San Diego, 2:15 p.m.

Another primary reason why the Broncos' brought in Boss: Stop Antonio Gates.

Beards and Football

Beards are manly and football is manly. Heck only guys grow beards and play football so it is manly. When it comes to football I think of two real men of football. Two men in the trenches. Two defensive tackles. These guys are men.

Other football players wear beards today but none of them stand out to me like these two men. Mean Joe Greene and Merlin Olsen. Now granted they didn't always have a beard while they were playing but they just stick out. Its hard to say anyone sticks out today. Sure there are a couple of quarterbacks like the former Bronco
Jake "the snake" Plummer or even Big Ben Roethlisberger likes to grow one but they're just the golden boys of the team not the ones going through the gauntlet every play.

So here I am with the longest beard I've ever grown. (no picture is going on the blog) Its a favor to someone special in my life. I've got to say though that beards aren't all they're cracked up to be. They itch, get in the way, collect all sorts of things in them like food or germs. Then when you cut them off you get tons of zits. Not the sexiest thing. But hey some guys make it work for them.

Raging Yetis' First Game

The Raging Yetis had their first game of the year against their hated rival, Pan World. Long story short a pass from 32 to 12 lead to the only goal of the game and the Yetis are undefeated.

After Nine O'Clock....

After 9 O'Clock
I become the hawk
Here I am babe
Rocked you like a hurricane
There's no blame
No shame I'm on an aeroplane
Kicking up the dust
Frequencies are a must
In the midnight hour she cries more more Lost city
Could've seen the egg on face but there'll be no pity
Countin' up the cards
Don't take it so hard
Names aren't a joke
Crack the shell with the yolk
I'm cryin'
Egg's fryin'
I am the Eggman
I am the Bronco
All the drama and all the world's a stage
The words come page after page
Man you should have seen them kicking Edgar Allen Poe

Take a look around. There goes Hanzel and Gretel walking in the forest hand in hand. Throwing bread crumbs as they go. Smelling the roses as they go. Hazels Lederhosen are riding. Merrily they go through the forest 'til the candy shack comes in view. Out pops witch of course. She wants her money back but they deny and look back. The witch says, This ain't Russian Roulette. Get back before I let you have it." Hanzel says, "My brain is fried from this sack. You don't get your money back. Don't be trippin' I ain't kiddin'". Gretel breaks out and says, "You don't want to be that kid when we're done. And where's that dragon and his friend Pete?" Pumpkin P. Witch says "I know why you want to hate me. Because Koo-koo beans is all you've been eatin' lately." Gretel would have none of that that and made short order of that squashed witch. Took out her knife and fork and started the feast. Hanzel took a sled ride down that pumpkin pie haired cutted freak's marshmallow covered roof. Things became sticky in them hosen. When out of the jungle came a white rabbit with pink eyes. Oh those pink eyes pierced there souls like a thorn. Into the jungle they went til the day light left the sky. Creeps were crawlin' over him and over her. The rabbit jumped down an abyss to the depth that he came from. Still sticky Hanzel pulled out his red knife and preceeded to make a whirly bird. Took them right out of the jungle. To where we'll never know!

NFL Draft Free Fallers

Every year there are certain players who appear to a high pick but end up falling in the draft, sometimes embarrassingly. That's right you know all about that Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn. Both players were invited to the NFL draft in Radio City Music Hall. The NFL picks out about 6 players that are expected to top ten picks. These players can then come up on the stage and get there picture taken with the hat and jersey of their new team. In Leinart and Quinn's case they were caught sitting in the green room squirming while other players were picked ahead of them. In Quinn's case it was so long that the NFL Commissioner had to bail him out and let him sit in the commissioner's room where no camera's were present.

This year's draft is no different than any years. There will be some players that will fall a few spots in the draft. A few spots in the first round is worth millions of guaranteed money. Here are a few players who will drop from their projected spot.

Matt Ryan: some think the Dolphins will take him at the first spot. He's not going there. Parcells is already working out numbers with OT Jake Long. At the USC pro day 10 NFL scouts believed the Dolphins would pick Jake Long at the number 1 spot. Of course the Dolphins don't want to pay number 1 money so look for them to trade down. Matt Ryan is not franchise QB, like Jay Cutler turned out to be. He'll end up being better than Joey Harrington and will probably be his teammate in Atlanta unless the Falcons are wise and get defensive line help.

Darren McFadden: Way too many people are suggesting that he's this years Adrian Peterson, Mr. All-Day. If any thing McFadden should give Peterson a cut of his money because Peterson looked like a steal at the number 7 spot last year. But Peterson didn't come with the off field baggage that McFadden does. Darren already has an arrest record and is doing his Travis Henry thing by getting women pregnant. Just ask Matt Leinart how expensive that became. Peterson was the real deal, a real horse. McFadden is more of the show pony. Running through college defenses isn't the same as in the league, right Reggie. McFadden is really a wide receiver running the ball. He has a receivers body not a running backs. He has really skinny legs that become "dead legs" upon contact. Look at the film. At first contact he doesn't break out tackles. Then look at Peterson's tape from last year against the Chargers. That game was a classic. The Raiders are rumored to be picking him at the 4 spot. He's an Al Davis player but the Raiders are trying to keep secret their running back, Michael Bush, whom they selected last year who was coming of an leg injury. Word is that he's going to be good. The Raiders have plenty of backs. Look for them to get a defensive playmaker.

Ode to Green

This is my call out to my best friend Green. Yup that's him there, Tex J.

Thanks for all your time and advice.

Thanks for being my Friend, Green.

I have a brother

A brother like no other

Trouble in the Heartland

When a team goes two consecutive years without reaching the post season some changes are in store. Long gone are the days of Champ Bailey picking off Tom Brady in the endzone and running it back 100 yards to put the victory in Denver's grasps.

The cracks in the Broncos armor has been showing for a while now. The hints have come from insider in the organization. Lets run down a list of who said what.


The fur coat wearin' owner Pat Bowlen decided to remove the "dysfunctional" part of the front office and authorize the firing of of the General Manager Ted Sundquist.



Jay Cutler is taking more of a leader's role by calling out his teammates. Most recently mentioning Brandon Marshall for slipping on a McDonald's wrapper or was that wrestling with his brother. Long mysterious story later Marshall cut a vein, artery, nerve, tendons and muscles in his right forearm near his elbow. Shanahan backed up Cutler when he said he wasn't too pleased with Marshall's extracurricular activities. Culter also mentioned that other players have been removed who he didn't know if he could count on them, Jay-Walk.

There have been other mentions of rifts coming from the defensive side of the ball. Champ and John Lynch have expressed that the defense has not been on the same page. Does that extend solely to on the field? or to off the field as well? DT Alvin McKinley expressed his concern that there was too many cliques in the locker room. Too many indivdual groups instead of a unified team.

Hopefully the negatives can be cleared up in time for the season to start on Monday night (September 8th at 8:30 pm on ESPN. Let's all tune in to watch them) in Oakland. The last thing Broncos Country needs is the evil Raiders spoiling the beginning of their season. Let's leave the turmoil with the Black Hole.
Zooropa

Vorsprung durch Technik

Music mix the bourgeoisie and the rebels

Hey mister D.J., put a record on I wanna dance with my baby

With that line I'll be rocking out with Madonna in July. My Joanie has decided to leave me if only for 38 days and 37 nights as she likes to put it. Obviously with my wife on another continent I'll have a large vacuum to fill. I'll share 5 things I plan to do fill my Joanie vacuum.

1. I'm going to rock out to the "Whore". What can I say? Joanie hates her! Thinks she's not very respectful. I mean besides the immodesty what else has she done? Oh yeah remember the time she totally went off with the F-Bombs on David Letterman while smoking a big cigar. But really she's an example to all 49-year old mothers about staying in shape. (women can take HGH too.) But enough about Madonna what else will I do for 38 days and 37 nights?


2. I will be playing plenty of basketball with Eric at the Spa. It should be a real basketball training camp, what with Eric and I playing day after day after day. I just hope those punk kids won't be there to mess with our epic 1 on 1 battles.


3. I will buy the large art figure of Dr. Suesses the Cat in the Hat and charge people $15 to come see it. It will be the talk of the town if not the Internet. I will place this monstrous statue in my living room and I can only imagine the thongs of rabid fans that will line up to come see this piece of artwork.


4. I will paint our bedroom in the colors of my beloved Denver Broncos. Nothing says romantic like the blend of blue, orange and white. My Joan will return to my arms and erupt in pure euphoria at the sight of our new bedroom. I'm sure after many hours in a plane the sight will invigorate Joan.


5. I will visit a country or two that neither Joan or I have previously visited. I'm thinking along the lines of Jamaica or even the Catalina islands. Someplace invigorating for the soul if not for the extra stamp in my passport. So I'll save up my sun screen and I'll leave plenty of room for those funny umbrella drinks.

I hope with this blog that I too have inspired many to reach out and do something new and exciting.