Good to Be Back

"Football is back," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in his statement announcing the end of the four-and-a-half month NFL lockout.

Hallelujah!

Football is back, in full force too. We've already got undrafted free agents signing with teams. Veteran unrestricted free agents can negotiate with teams but cannot sign until Friday at 6pm at the earliest. In addition, training camps will start opening up tomorrow and will be open for all teams by Sunday.

Now, football is back. We're all undefeated and the excitement of free agency and training camp can carry us fans into what should be an exciting season--especially since it's happening.

Now we won't miss out on the Cinderalla stories, fantasy football, Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil suplexing Phillip Rivers, and Jay Cutler getting his just desserts at Mile High (see: Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil). It's all going to be awesome! Glad to have the NFL back in my life.

"Game on" as Tim Tebow tweeted when the lockout was lifted.

Go Broncos!

Wake Me When It's Over

As the weekend begins, the NFL lockout continues, as it has since March 11th. The only difference this weekend is that 31 of 32 NFL ownership groups approved a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that would last through 2020. The only roadblock now, is player approval.

The same players who say the want to play football. Yes, those are the one's who are dragging the League, and every NFL fan into this hellish limbo.

According to reports made by ESPN and NFL Network staffs, if the players approved of the deal Thursday, as they were believed to do (but did not) NFL teams would open their doors Saturday (see: tomorrow). Teams would have been able to sign their own free agents, draft picks, and college free agents as early as Sunday, with training camp and free agency starting Wednesday.

In a perfect world, the players would have already approved the CBA the owners approved Thursday. Doors would open tomorrow, and the free agent frenzy would start with the college kids early, and everybody else midweek.

Nope.

Now we wait. Before the players can approve the new CBA, the major outlets are reporting that the NFL Players Association must re-certify blah blah blah. Plenty, more knowledgeable people have written ad nauseum about the recertification process so if it piques your fancy, go read up.

I hope that the players aren't just waiting around until it's their idea. The time is now. All they have to do is approve the new CBA, and get back to business before both sides lose huge money.

It's been a long process, and I don't mean for my disillusionment to imply that they've been bickering over nothing or that it's not been a serious deal. Ownership and players both have their interests that they want to preserve in their working relationship together. For the past 2 or 3 weeks the story has been: the sides are getting closer, a new deal is only a few days away.

Right now, a few days is too long. Free agency, training camp, everything else can still start in the coming week. However, the players have to get their act together and pass it--soon. Stay tuned.

First Round NFL Draft Thoughts, Round 2 primer

Last night was the craziest first round of the NFL Draft that I can remember. I'll talk about the Broncos pick of Von Miller, what I hope they'll do tonight, and other surprising / good picks from the first round.

With the second overall pick, the Broncos decided to take Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, as was rumored they would Wednesday. Reports have said that Miller topped the Broncos draft board as well as a handful of other teams' boards. In addition to Miller, the Broncos will also have 2009 sack champion Elvis Dumervil back which should significantly improve the pass rush and put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Definitely something needed when it seemed like every quarterback the Broncos faced last year had whole minutes to decide where to throw.

I like the pick and I think as long as the Broncos can add a force at defensive tackle tonight, they should be in good shape. Miller will have immediate impact stepping in at strongside linebacker in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's 4-3 scheme. Popular sentiment seems to be that Dumervil and Miller will be the bookend defensive ends on passing situations. The increased pass rush should also mask the deficiencies of the Broncos' aging secondary.

FIRST ROUND SURPRISES

The Atlanta Falcons pulled off a massive jump into the top 10 (No. 6) to select Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. I like the pick and should make the combination of quarterback Matt Ryan, runningback Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzalez, and receivers Roddy White and Jones a lethal foe to any opposing defenses. Yeah they gave a lot to get Jones, but they had to. They're a good team without many holes. They can still get a quality defender in the third round tonight.

There was a run on quarterbacks in the top 12 picks. As suspected, the Carolina Panthers took Cam Newton with the first overall pick. Next, surprisingly was the Tennessee Titans selecting Washington QB Jake Locker with the eighth pick above Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded with Washington to select Gabbert with the 10th pick. Florida State QB Christian Ponder was the fourth and final QB taken last night. The Minnesota Vikings couldn't move back in the draft but stayed at 12 and decided to take Ponder. I have no idea how these moves will work for each team, but I do think Gabbert is in the best situation. He can redshirt, get acclimated and take over in a year or two. We'll see how the rest pan out.

After the run on quarterbacks, the Detroit Lions must have jumped for joy to have Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley on the board, whom they selected at 13. The combination of Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh will terrorize the NFC--especially the NFC North--for the better part of a decade. May also accumulate a lot of fines.

DENVER'S DAY TWO

The Broncos have picks 36, 46, and 67 in rounds two and three tonight. I expect they may try to move down from one or both of the second round picks (36 and 46) in order to accumulate additional picks, especially in rounds four and five, where they currently have no picks.

For now, I'll assume that they stay where they're at. I think they should stay at 36 and take defensive tackle Marvin Austin from North Carolina. He didn't play last year due to NCAA sanctions but he'd be a great quality pick at that spot. He would be a huge upgrade to a position that is essentially vacant. Austin would take the pressure off of Dumervil and Miller and allow them to obliterate opposing quarterbacks. Also, he would improve Denver's porous run defense. They have to be able to stop the run, especially when they play the Cheifs and Raiders twice a year.

At 46, there are two options I'm hopeful for. I hope that Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph will fall to the Broncos. Besides some offseason injury concerns, he'd be able to step in and contribute right away. The Broncos need a tight end with last offseason's departure of Tony Scheffler, and this offseason's dismissal of Daniel Graham. Perhaps they could get better value later but Rudolph is the top tight end in the class and would have immediate impact.

Scenario two is that UCLA safety Rahim Moore would fall to Denver. The Broncos aging secondary is in need of some youth and Moore is scouted as the best safety in the draft.

Head Coach John Fox said the Broncos would take the best player available going forward and wouldn't reach based on need. Hopefully they don't do anything too cute but also fill some needs, on defense especially.

Tonight's goal: get at least three prospects who can start. At least two on defense, please.

Draft Eve: The Draft McDaniels Built

Only 19 and a half hours until the draft! Aside from all the lockout-injunction-litigation chaos, this is the only football action that's happened since the Super Bowl in February.

Thanks to one Josh McDaniels, the Broncos have the No. 2 pick and four picks in the first 67. (On a semi-related note, Peyton Hillis will adorn the cover of Madden '12). The luxury of the 2nd pick is that only one player is unavailable. Unfortunately, that one player gone could be the one Denver needs most. 

Mock drafts all over the internet have Carolina selecting Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton. I'd love for this to happen because all defensive prospects would be available for the Broncos, who had the worst overall defense last year. Not sure if I buy it. 

Yeah, Newton is electric on the football field. He's big, fast, and can throw the football. The only problem is he had one year of success in a major college conference. Sure, he won the Heisman and a national championship, but threw less than 300 passes at Auburn. Add that to the fact that Carolina drafted Jimmy Clausen with their first pick last year (their first pick was in the second round) and it just seems to me that they would look elsewhere. 

I have hoped and prayed that Carolina will draft Newton but we'll know for sure shortly after 8pm Thursday night. My hope is that the Panthers take anyone who's not Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. The guy is a huge physical specimen who would instantly upgrade the interior of the John Fox/Dennis Allen 4-3 front in Denver. 

The Broncos need Dareus to stop the run. Something they couldn't do very much of last year. When you play the Chiefs and the Raiders twice a year (top 2 running teams in the NFL last season), you need to be able to stop the run. That, and the best way to build a defense is from the inside out. I say if Dareus is there, they've got to take him. 

WHAT IF PANTHERS TAKE DAREUS...

This would be my worst nightmare but I know deep down that this is probably the pick they should make. I just want Dareus in Denver to take the pressure off of Dumervil who's coming off injury and the other scrubs on defense (excluding Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins). Let's suppose the Panthers take Dareus, where do the Broncos go from there?

My gut reaction would be go get LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. The guy is a freak athlete and the Denver Post has reported Fox's praise for Peterson in comparison with Hall-of-Famer Rod Woodson, who Fox coached in Pittsburgh. He's serve as the eventual replacement of Champ Bailey and the combination of the two would be hellish to opposing quarterbacks. 

Today offered a new development. The web was all atwitter (on Twitter mostly) with predictions of the Broncos taking Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller. 

This is a pick that's grown on me over the course of the day but it just doesn't seem like as much of a sure thing as Dareus or Peterson. Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.--both of ESPN--have said that Miller would be best suited for outisde linebacker in a 3-4 defense. The Broncos are switching from the 3-4 to the 4-3. 

Speculation says that Miller could still fit and contribute. Kiper, and NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock both have the Broncos selecting Miller in their latest mock drafts published hours ago. Kiper is hit or miss for me but I trust Mayock's judgement. Both cited depth at the defensive tackle position in this draft as the reason the Broncos would go for Miller and would select a DT with at least one of their second round picks. 

Elway said earlier this week that the Broncos first four picks must produce starters, especially on the defensive side of the ball. This time tomorrow, we'll have at least one defensive starter. Check back to see my thoughts on the selection. Go Broncos!

Training Camp Tragedies

Not even a full week into training camp and the Denver Broncos already have 3 players who have been injured in camp and two more who, today, were placed on Injured Reserve. Let's not forget about left tackle Ryan Clady who partially tore his patellar tendon while playing basketball in the offseason.

Here's the deal. On the first full squad practice of training camp, Knowshon Moreno pulled his hamstring on a  screen pass that will keep him out of practice for at least 3 weeks. Shortly after Knowshon was carted off the practice field, backup Correll Buckhalter was assisted to the locker room and diagnosed with an upper back pull that will sideline him for a week. Thankfully neither of their injuries were worse. As insurance, the team signed veteran running back LenDale White.

However, the Broncos' luck quickly wore out. Yesterday, reigning sack king Elvis Dumervil left the Broncos' morning practice with what was later diagnosed as a torn pectoral. Dumervil's injury means he'll miss 4 months, with a small chance of missing the entire season. Dumervil is seeking a second opinion for a better understanding of how much time he could miss. This is important because the team may place him on injured reserve, thus ending his season. This would only be done to salvage a roster spot instead of have that spot taken by someone who will be inactive and unable to play until December.

Personally, i believe the Broncos should refrain from placing Dumervil on IR, the main reason being playoffs. This is a team in its second year under Josh McDaniels and a team that looks to take a step forward. If Dumervil can return in December with the postseason beginning in January, he should be able to contribute right away. I'm sure a torn pectoral is no laughing matter, but its not as damaging to play style as a knee injury can be. Former Broncos defensive end Bertrand Berry also suffered a pectoral tear in 2005 told the Denver Post, "It shouldn't affect his style of play ... it's not a career-changing injury."

All that said, this is a huge loss for the team. The Broncos will now count on former first round picks Jarvis Moss and Robert Ayers to considerably step up their game. McDaniels and teammates have lauded Moss' work ethic and dedication this offseason and Ayers is looking to rebound in his second season. Another player to keep your eye on is undrafted rookie Kevin Alexander out of Clemson. Alexander has already seen practice time with the first-team defense during OTAs and minicamp.

In his press briefing this afternoon, McDaniels said, "We all feel bad, obviously, for Elvis ... (but) We're not going to sit here and feel sorry for ourselves. We're going to get ready to play football. We've got a good team in that locker room." McDaniels also said they may move Mario Haggan to Elvis' spot. Haggan was opposite Elvis for the most part last season but was moving to inside linebacker next to D.J. Williams for the upcoming year.

In addition to all of this, the Broncos placed second-year receiver Kenny McKinley and third-year safety Josh Barrett on Injured Reserve with knee and shoulder injuries respectively. While neither played significant time on offense or defense last season, both were big-time special teamers. This year the Broncos will be nothing if not deep.

NFL Draft: Day 3 Wrap-Up

As of Saturday (4/24) evening, the 2010 NFL Draft was officially done.

The Broncos only had two picks on the final day, one in round 5, one in round 6 but finished with 4 players after trading a 2011 5th round pick for two 7th round picks this year.

With their 5th round selection, McD & Co. decided to take a chance on character by selecting cornerback Perrish Cox from Oklahoma State. His character issues stem from tardiness and curfew breaking before Oklahoma State's bowl game this year, from which Cox was suspended. It is well-documented how averse Josh is to these types of players but in meeting with Cox before the draft, he must have been confident that these were just the mistakes of a young college student hanging with the wrong crowd.

Picking Cox in the 5th round could turn out to be a major steal. Mike Mayock of the NFL Network said Cox has first round talent but gave him a 3rd round grade because of his off-the-field issues. Josh McDaniels spoke highly of Cox's achievements in the return game as he had 6 career return touchdown's at OK State. If he can learn from Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman and stop hanging around punks, he can probably be an elite corner one day.

With their 6th round pick, the Broncos offensive guard/center Eric Olsen from Notre Dame. McDaniels' mission to beef up the offensive line and give it some depth continued with this pick of another versatile lineman. All three of the Broncos offensive line picks can play various positions across the line which, obviously, gives them more value.

Of the new lineman, McDaniels said, "(Eric) Olsen is more of a guard to center, (J.D.) Walton is more of a center to guard and (Zane) Beadles is more of a tackle to guard."

With their first 7th round pick, Denver chose another cornerback in Syd'Quan Thompson from California. From what I've read, Thompson is another one of 'McDaniels' guys' meaning he's got the drive and determination that is evident on the football field. His only problem being he ran the 40 at the combine in the mid/upper 4.7s. Corners in the NFL have to be much quicker than that.

With their last pick, the Broncos selected Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew. Kirlew will be another hybrid player that will be mostly used at outside linebacker. These last two guys would definitely add some depth if they made the team, but that's a pretty big if. Thompson will try to fit in somewhere among Champ Bailey, Andre Goodman, Nate Jones, Alphonso Smith, Tony Carter, and now Perrish Cox. As for Kirlew, he's up against Elvis Dumervil, Robert Ayers, Darrell Reid, Baraka Atkins, and Jarvis Moss.

Overall, I feel like this was a good draft for the Broncos that should have at least a few rookies contributing right away. I'm very excited for how electric our passing game could be once Decker and Thomas are healthy and in the rotation. McD now has his bulldozers on the offensive line which should also open things up for Knowshon. Of course, being this close to the draft makes it easier to be optimistic. However, I do believe Josh knows what he's doing.

I do intend to post my take on Tim Tebow but with finals and final projects that must be prepared for, it will have to wait.

Go Broncos!

NFL Draft: Day 2 Recap

After moving all over the place in Round 1 of the draft, the Broncos sat tight with their three picks across the second and third rounds.

These two rounds were all about Josh McDaniels offense again.

The Broncos only second round pick (selection 45 overall), Denver selected offensive tackle/guard Zane Beadles from Utah. I like the move because we needed to beef up our offensive line for McD's power running scheme and could add some youth to the interior offensive line.

In the third round, the Broncos had the 80th and 87th overall selections. With the 80th, the team (finally) addressed the need at Center by selecting J.D. Walton from Baylor. Props to Woody Paige for pointing this guy out a couple weeks ago. As I said, we needed a center in the worst way and while we didn't get Maurkice Pouncey from Florida, we got the next best thing. Josh McDaniels said Walton was the second-rated center on their board behind Pouncey. Again, good patience by the club letting their guys come to them.

The NFL Network guys made a good point saying Walton played the second and third players drafted this year in his college career at Baylor. Those players being Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy respectively.

The last, and most surprising pick (in my opinion), the team took WR Eric Decker from Minnesota with the 87th pick. I was only surprised because they took Thomas in round one as a big play, big receiver and Decker is at least another big receiver at 6'2" 215 lbs according to ESPN.com. Drafting Decker gives the Broncos 8 receivers (but only 7 if you omit Matthew Willis who was on the practice squad).

I am curious about what they'll do with some of the other receivers now that they've added two this draft. Guys like Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Stokely, and Jabar Gaffney could be in danger but they'll all get their chance to solidify their spot. Josh McDaniels said that the team had Decker rated pretty high, had good hands and is smart. He gets the Josh McDaniels stamp of approval wich adds some height and depth to a good but thin receiving corps.

I think Thomas will take over at the No. 1 spot, Decker could eventually be at No. 2 as long as he heals well with Eddie Royal (currently No. 2) moving to the slot receiver position which could suit him nicely. We'll have to wait and see where this goes. OR, Eric Decker could become Tony Scheffler's replacement. I read that his coach at Minnesota was once Mike Shanahan's tight ends coach. Either scenario will be great for the offense and whichever quarterback is behind center.

I do expect the Broncos to address the need at inside linebacker in the final rounds Saturday. I'm ok with McD getting guys for his offense because that was a need more so than defense was. Our offense last year was very pedestrian where our defense was ranked No. 7 overall. The defensive line was completely revamped through free agency with last years starters adding depth, and the secondary was taken care of in the draft and free agency last offseason.

The Broncos only have 2 picks on the final day of the prime time draft. They might move around, they might not but so far I think they've addressed a lot of needs and vastly improved the team.

Go Broncos!