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Spanning Browns Town Season Preview: Week Two Versus the Denver Broncos

Published: June 26, 2009

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Today in Spanning Browns Town we will continue our examination of the Cleveland Browns 2009 regular season schedule. On Monday We previewed the Browns’ opponents for Week One of the season, the Minnesota Vikings, and predicted that the Vikings would win. This week we will look at the Week Two opponent for the Browns.

Denver or the “Mile High City,” as it is also known by, has been a house of horror’s for the Browns and their fans. Fans who can remember all too well the misfortunes of the Browns during the playoffs in Denver spanning the late 80’s. Browns fans are still haunted by those memories that occurred in Mile High Stadium.

In the Browns’ last trip to Denver back in December of 2003 they did not fare much better. The Browns lost to the Broncos in overtime 23-20. That ironically was also the final of the 1987 AFC Championship Game, which both Browns and Broncos fans alike remember as “The Fumble.”

That time has come and gone. The Broncos, much like the Browns, will have begun a brand new era when the Browns come to visit them once agian in Week Two. How will the Browns match up with the Broncos? Let’s find out.

Coaching

Outside of a some outbursts from both Shaun Rogers and Joshua Cribbs, things have been fairly quiet for Eric Mangini as he has taken over the Browns.

Josh McDaniels wishes he had the same type of tranquility. Not long after he arrived on the scene, McDaniels had to deal with a very angry Jay Cutler. Cutler became an angry after he found out about McDaniels plans to deal him and aquire former Patriots QB Matt Cassel. Cutler was eventually dealt, and for a while, things seemed to settle in Denver Players finally seemed to be buying into McDaniels ” No one is bigger then the team” motto.

Then, out of nowhere, came the recent incident with Brandon Marshall. How will this end? And how will the season play out for McDaniels and the Broncos? It should be an interesting season in Denver.

 

Quarterbacks

Kyle Orton, who came along in the deal that sent Cutler to the Chicago Bears, will compete for the starting job with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Chris Simms.

The Broncos like that Kyle Orton brings a winning record to the table; he also has thrown for 18 touchdowns and 2,972 yards in his career and has a 79.6 rating. Pretty promising numbers from a guy who split time with a guy who was either hurt or inconsistent.

However, Orton’ biggest flaw is his decision-making; he threw 12 interceptions in limmited playing time. That type of mistake-prone quarterback will struggle in McDaniels’s system.

Word is that Orton has shown decent arm strength coming out of mini-camp, but he needs to be able to show that he can get rid of the ball quickly.

Many felt that Chris Simms, in his last months with the Titans, threw the ball like he did in 2004 when he had a very good season. It is said that his shoulder problems are no long an issue, but he still remains an underdog to Orton.

Inevitably, the quarterback who makes fewer mistakes during camp and preseason will likely receive the job.

The Broncos also drafted Fresno State QB Tom Brandstater. Brandstater had an excellent career at Fresno State, however he does not figure to be much of a factor in this year’s QB derby unless there is an injury to Orton or Simms. Still, he could be a very viable tool for the Broncos future plans provided that he is with the team that long.

ADVANTAGE: Seems to be even.

Although observers within both teams may have some idea who will emerge as their starter, there does not seem to be clear advantage. At least, if there is, no one is saying anything. We will have to see how things shape out at training camp.

Running Backs

The Broncos seem to have a wide array of choices at their disposal. The backfield is very crowded with first-round pick Knowshon Moreno along with Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, and J.J. Arrington.

Moreno seems to be the front-runner at the position, the Broncos believe that he is the total package, and he has good pass-protection skills.  Since the Broncos’ quarterbacks could use all the protection they can get, those skills might make Moreno an every-down back.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

The Browns don’t have a backfield that will punish you, but they do have one back in Jamal Lewis, who, when healthy, is a home-run threat. Plus, as you will see later on, the Broncos’ defensive line is weak, and that is good news for the Browns.

Although crowded and experienced, the Broncos backfield lacks a home-run hitter. LaMont Jordan, Corell Buckhalter, and J.J. Arrington all have their limitations. Jordan is older and may not be able to carry the work load he once did. Buckhalter and Arrington are both battling knee issues. Moreno is probably going to get the balk of work. It will give him a lot of experience, but he will not have much help.

 

Wide Receivers

For now at least, Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal seem to be the team’s duo at WR with Brandon Stokley at the slot.

Royal had a very impressive rookie season last year and was very reliable. Royal had 91 receptions for 980 yards and averaged 10.8 yards per catch with 5 touchdowns. Marshall was not as reliable, but he was still very productive with 104 receptions, 1,256 yards, 12.2 yards per catch, and 6 touchdowns.

Marshall does bring some off-the-field baggage with him, but he is also tough and competitive. He makes up on-the-field production makes up for his misjudgments off the field.

Moreover, Stokley has always proven to be a productive and reliable guy.

Jabar Gaffney was brought in because he has some familiarity with Josh McDaniels and the offense he wants to run.

The Broncos also have two huge tight ends in Daniel Graham and Richard Quinn that will be great targets for the new QB.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

Why? If Brandon Marshall, who has been complaining and saying wants out of Denver, gets his wish, this unit is going to be in big trouble.

Sure, they will have Eddie Royal, but there will not be much else. Jabar Gaffney may be somewhat handy, but he is not elite receiver. 

If Marshall does come back, there will be more matchup problems, and the Browns secondary will be in for a long day.

That said, I like what the Browns wide receivers brings to the table. They’re younger, and encouraging news has come from the Browns about rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massiqoui. Both look to be capable of playing major roles in this offense.

Steve Heiden has always been a useful at tight end and second-year man Martin Rucker will be given a chance to make a impact at tight end.

 

Offensive Line

When Mike Shanahan was in charge, he liked to use undersized, athletic lineman. Unfortunately for this unit, those days are over. McDaniels wants to run more of a power game. To do that, the unit will have to include more 300-plus linemen.

McDaniels was not left with much to work with. He does have some starting blockers with right tackles Ryan Harris and Ryan Clady. Other then that there is just not much. McDaniels will have to spend the next couple of drafts and free agency periods trying to upgrade his offensive line.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

What the Browns’ running game will not change much. Plus, their left side is solid. and the question marks on the right were addressed, even though there are still problems.

Defensive Line

This position is a mess for the Broncos and could even be worse than the Browns. The defense is transitioning to a 3-4 scheme, but they really do not have someone who can command a double-team in the middle of the field.

The Broncos chose not to address the position during the draft because they did not value the draft’s pool of defensive lineman. That will hurt them this season.

It will be interesting to see how this transition works out because there is not much that this unit did well, either defending the pass or run. They did take Robert Ayers, a DE from Tennessee with their second pick in the draft, and that could eventually work out. They still need a lot more though.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

The Browns have more at the defensive line spot, and they have more experience with the 3-4 scheme. In this particular situation, considering the condition of the Broncos’ offensive line situation, the Browns defensive line has the best chance of success.

 

Linebackers

This unit is going to have to make a slew of plays against the run because they do not have much of an answer at the nose tackle position.

Since Elvis Dumervil has a chance to be very effective in the passing game because he is able to get leverage on bigger players due his ability and reach, he will be playing on the outside with Jarvis Moss opposite him.

However, it is said that during mini-camp, Moss struggled, especially when having to be involved with the passing game. That’s not good news for the Broncos. They will also give special teamer Darrel Reid a look at outside linebacker. Boss Bailey will also be on the outside, but he had micro-fracture surgery and not much can be expected from him.

As far as inside linebacker, a familiar face for Browns fans will be in the mix for the Broncos, Andra Davis. Davis had his times where he was very productive in a Browns uniform, but he really struggled the last few seasons It will be interesting to see what he can do with a change of scenery. His partner inside will be a man named D.J. Williams.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

The Browns replaced what they lost with players that are familiar with what defensive coordinator Rob Ryan wants to do. Whether they are actually upgrades or not remains to be seen.

If Kamerion Wimbley gets going, he will be a nightmare, and they have a proven productive player with D’Qwell Jackson. The Browns don’t have as many question marks as the Broncos do, but they do have their own questions.

 

Defensive Backs

The Broncos have two Pro-Bowlers in this unit. The first is Champ Bailey. Bailey is the kind of player who, in the past, completely took away a team’s ability to throw to one side of the field. Lately, he has had to battle elbow issues. That said, he is still the teams No. 1 corner, and he’s still very dangerous.

Dre’ Bly is gone, but the team did go out and sign Andre’ Goodman to replace him. Goodman could be just as good as Bly.

Brian Dawkins was the second Pro-Bowle add to this unit, and the Broncos think that he is a significant upgrade, which, if he performs like he did in Philadelphia, he will be.

ADVANTAGE: Broncos

Special Teams

Matt Prater has a very powerful leg but needs to work on his accuracy. He struggled to make field goals from 40-49 yards. Many feel that he let the criticism from fans and coaches go to his head. The Broncos could be looking to make a change at some point. His leg strength makes him valuable for kickoffs

The reputation of punter Brett Kern is that he does not have a consistent ball drop, but many feel that he can be in the league for a while.

Look for Eddie Royal to return punts, he has all the tools to be very special and a big factor in that role. Kickoffs could go to J.J. Arrington, but the Broncos say that will not be decided until the preseason.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

Special teams are something that have been the one constant with the Browns. Phil Dawson is as solid as kickers can come. Dave Zastuilds is also solid as they come for a punter.

The Browns have one of the best kick returners in the NFL.

THE LAST WORD

There is no reason why the Browns cannot win this game. Where the Broncos lack ability, the Browns are strong. They will be in a higher altitude, and the weather is likely to be warm, so endurance will be a factor.

If the Mangini regime wants to be known as different than Crennel’s regime, they need to win games that are winnable, and this is one of them. They may have to grind it out and play a close, down-to-the-wire game, but I still like their chances. It will be a good win for them and a confidence booster as well as something that they can hang their hats on.

Browns Predicted Record After Week 2: 1-1

In the next Spanning Browns Town Season Preview, we will continue our look at the Browns 2009 Schedule as we look at their opponent for Weeks 3 and 9, the hated Baltimore Ravens.

Greg Cooksey spans Browns Town every Monday and Friday and whenever there is anything Cleveland Browns to talk about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Should the New York Giants Take a Chance on Brandon Marshall?

Published: June 21, 2009

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As another part of a troubling offseason for new coach Josh McDaniels, reports have come out that another offensive star wants out of Denver.

The first time it was quarterback Jay Cutler, who was angered after McDaniels tried to pick up his former quarterback in New England, Matt Cassel. Cutler was then shipped off to Chicago in return for Bears quarterback Kyle Orton.

Now it is wide receiver Brandon Marshall who’s at odds with the team.

Many things have factored into Marshall wanting out. It has been said that Marshall wants a pay raise and was also mad with the Broncos medical team for misdiagnosing a hip problem.

So when a wide receiver pops up on the trade block, the usual names show up. Giants, Jets, and other teams who have an inexperienced or just poor wideout corps. Then, the question arises: Would I want to see Marshall wearing the Giants uniform this upcoming season?

Last year Marshall piled up 104 receptions, 1,265 yards, and six touchdowns to get himself a Pro Bowl spot.

With those stats, why wouldn’t you want him, right?

Well, Marshall has had off-field issues, something that the Giants don’t want to have to deal with after enduring Plaxico Burress’s troubles last year.

But, then again, there is the inexperience of this year’s Giants receivers. 

Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Sinorice Moss, Domenik Hixon, and Ramses Barden is the outlook of this year’s receiving corps. Nicks and Barden are rookies, while Hixon and Moss have three years of experience and Smith two.

While Brandon Marshall was drafted the same year as Moss and Hixon, his talent is no question among the best in the league. But would the Giants be willing to put up with his off-field issues, which could be magnified in New York?

I don’t think so.

Like I said earlier, after having to put up with Burress last year, the Giants will not likely want more problems. They want to be in the spotlight more for good things on the field than bad things off of it. 

That and the fact that Tom Coughlin is a coach that especially doesn’t like players with off-field issues. 

So while the receiving game may seem better with Marshall, I think the Giants will let him go to the Jets or Ravens and instead rely on the arm of Eli Manning, the running game, and their young receivers.


Robert Ayers Working Hard, Ready for Denver Broncos Training Camp

Published: June 19, 2009

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This offseason, the main-area concern for critics of the Denver Broncos has been the uncertainty of their front seven.

First-round pick Robert Ayers not only hopes to restore certainty to Denver fans, but he hopes to make a smooth transition to Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defensive scheme.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty hard defense, but you know if you’ve put in the work and the time and have studied, you’ll catch on,” Ayers said. “I think all of the [defensive] guys are setting a good example for me.  I see what they’re doing in the classroom and learning, and stuff like that…It makes all the rookies want to do the same.”

Ayers comes to the Broncos as a first-round pick in April’s draft, and in college he never really put up any big numbers.  Much of that can be attributed to the fact that he was largely a run-stuffing defensive end, but such a high pick will be expected to get to the quarterback double digit times early in his career.

And Ayers understands the pressure.

“There may be [pressure],” Ayers said. “I set my standards high for myself.  For other people to put pressure on me—it doesn’t amount to how much pressure I put on myself.  I’m my hardest critic.”

Even with the scheme and position change, Ayers feels the Broncos were the only team for him.

“I feel like this is the perfect defense for me,” Ayers said. “Out of all 32 teams—I’m not with the other teams but I don’t think there could be a better match for me.  The way I play, the things I do good, it fits perfectly with this defense, and I’m happy to be here.”

With all of his hard work, Ayers does not plan on facing any setbacks with his rookie contract.  Unlike many first-round picks, the former Tennessee defensive end plans on reporting to training camp in late July with a deal in place.

“Mr. (Pat) Bowlen and my agent (Tony Agnone), they’ll work together and I’m pretty sure they’ll have a good deal (in place),” Ayers said. “I feel confident about the fact that I’ll be here on time.”

When talking to the press, Ayers continued to impress with his maturity.  The youngster knows that this league is a business, but he also knows why he will make the money he does.

“I don’t want to lose any time,” he said. “Another thing I don’t want to do, I don’t want the team thinking I’m a money-first guy. I’m here to play football and to win. Money is secondary. It’s going to be there. It’s just the fact of getting it done.”

The rookie also stated that he is excited to get on the field with pads on, and like fellow former defensive linemen Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid, Ayers is going to have to adjust to rushing the passer whilst standing up.

“In college, I played mostly with my hand down,” he said. “The fact that I’m a little more comfortable with my hand down, I’m trying to learn how to rush standing up.”

Ayers went on to say how the Broncos’ coaching staff is allowing some of the “hybrid” linebackers to put their hand in the ground in some situations, but that he is forcing himself to stand up in those situations so he can become more acclimated to the position.

The turnaround of a horrific defense in Denver will depend largely on the production of their front seven, and Ayers figures to be a huge part of that transition.  The rookie out of Tennessee is hoping to give the Broncos something they have lacked this whole decade: a legitimate pass rush.


Brandon Marshall’s Top 10 Potential Suitors

Published: June 17, 2009

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(Above: Marshall is praying for a way out.)

I broke the news about Brandon Marshall’s trade demands shortly after rotoworld.com did, and before ESPN was able to.

But now we’re dealing with an entirely different type of monster. While owner Pat Bowlen led the rest of us to believe that Denver would try to resolve this matter, it appears the front office has already given up and will attempt to trade their star receiver.

Marshall wants a fat paycheck after turning in two seasons with 100-plus catches, and Denver wants him to show the world he can do it again.

Seems a bit unfair, no?

Marshall brings a strong argument to the table outside of his production as well.

After Josh McDaniels arguably drove Jay Cutler out of town, Marshall lost the guy who helped him put up his gaudy numbers. Now the receiver is in a new offense, with a new coach, and a new quarterback that isn’t horrible, but clearly is no Cutler.

So, really, we’re right back where we started.

Marshall has every reason to want a new contract, as a down year resulting from these changes may affect his contract positioning with Denver, as well as the rest of the league.

It’s because of this fact that Denver wants this over and done with. They know they have an explosive weapon in Eddie Royal, they just signed Brandon Lloyd, and they also have the wily veteran Brandon Stokley.

Regardless of your opinion on Marshall, Bowlen, McDaniels, or any other Denver Broncos employee, the fact that Marshall is already saying his goodbyes still exists, and it’s time to think about where he might be playing in September.

First, with this AFC talk…

 

Baltimore Ravens

Everyone keeps talking about Baltimore, but I just don’t see it happening. First, what can/would Baltimore part with that wouldn’t cripple them and Denver could use?

It would have to be on the defensive side of the ball, but if a trade went down, I wouldn’t be shocked if McDaniels tried grabbing former Ohio State product Troy Smith as a project player.

I still don’t see the Broncos dealing to anyone in the AFC. The Jets and Browns were both willing to pay a hefty price for Cutler, and the Broncos decided to send their former quarterback where he wanted to play.

Despite not coughing up the cash, it seem this Denver front office is actually fairly decent about where they trade their disgruntled stars.

 

New York Jets

Again, I don’t believe they’ll trade him to a team that could do damage to them in the future in the playoffs, and they definitely won’t even think about moving him within the division.

However, the Jets definitely need another receiver (probably two more, actually), and unless they’re sold on Plaxico Burress (they aren’t), Marshall could be worth the risk.

The Jets probably have some defensive players McDaniels would be interested in, while they could also package their slew of average slot receivers.

I still don’t see him landing in the AFC.

 

New York Giants

That’s right—we could have a duel in the Big Apple for a receiver with a busted hip, contract demands, and a domestic abuse past.

The Giants were rumored for some time to be interested in Braylon Edwards, so why not take the next superstar receiver available? Marshall is easily better than Edwards, and while his hands can also be suspect, they are nowhere close to as unreliable as Edwards’ are.

The Giants did just draft two impressive rookie receivers, however, and already have some solid youth and talent at the position.

But are we seriously saying they’d rather go into the season with rookies and unproven players than Marshall?

I don’t think so.

 

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones and co. may have learned their lesson, but lightning always strikes twice, at least in the NFL.

Jones hasn’t bitten on Matt Jones or Burress yet, and I’m impressed with his patience, but he can’t be as confident in Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton as he seems.

Heck, he can’t even be that confident in Roy Williams.

Marshall would give them a new type of receiver who is big, fast, and physical, while lacking the abrasive attitude of Terrell Owens. Well, not quite as abrasive.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

This is fairly unlikely, but by doing this, Philadelphia would finally be bringing in that true No. 1 receiver the Eagles have been lacking since T.O.

Donovan McNabb would be happy, and the offense would definitely be better because of it.

The Broncos could steal Kevin Curtis and a little-used Reggie Brown from Philly, both of whom McDaniels could turn into superstars in his offense.

McDaniels clearly likes former Eagles players, as he’s already added Brian Dawkins and Correll Buckhalter to his team.

Never say never.

 

Chicago Bears

Denver did Cutler a solid favor by shipping him to Chicago, which is exactly where he wanted to go. But will they do that for an upset player twice in one offseason?

The way McDaniels is running this team, it can’t be out of the question.

Chicago knows the chemistry Cutler and Marshall have is not something that can be replaced with the options they currently have. If they can talk Denver into it, it’s going to happen.

Chicago has some good defensive pieces they could send over to Denver, and they could even part with one of the rookie receivers they just drafted.

 

Minnesota Vikings

If Brett Favre is coming to town (and he is), then Minnesota better get serious and add a stud receiver.

After all, we don’t want a repeat performance of average receiver play, now do we?

While the Vikings may simply be waiting to pull the trigger on a Burress, Jones, or even Marvin Harrison, landing Marshall would make the most sense.

He’s only 25, and he solves two problems. First, this would impress Favre and give him a reliable option, and it would also rescue their receiver corps for the present and the future.

 

Atlanta Falcons

It’d be crazy—absolutely insane—to see a lineup with Marshall, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez.

But for the sake of Matt Ryan’s already booming future, it just might happen.

Atlanta could throw the solid Michael Jenkins in a trade with some picks, and possibly a defensive player or two.

This is, like Philadelphia, one of the more unlikely trade scenarios, but it’d be interesting to see what happens in Atlanta if Ryan has three Pro Bowl options.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OK, so Tampa Bay isn’t ga-ga about their quarterback situation.

I have a way to make them feel better. Add a second star receiver to the lineup, and see if your starter can fail.

Whether it’s Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown, it’d be awfully hard for him to falter with options like Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow, and Marshall.

Tampa Bay is rumored to be interested in Burress as well, but considering their dramatic youth movement, Marshall would be a better fit.

 

Arizona Cardinals

While it sounds crazy, this could be the best possible outcome for all sides.

Anquan Boldin and Marshall both want new contracts and wouldn’t mind new jerseys. At the same time, both Denver and Arizona don’t want to lose their star receivers without proper compensation.

It could be a one-for-one swap, but since Boldin doesn’t have anything that could possibly prevent him from seeing the field in 2009, the Broncos actually may have to give something up to make it happen.

That’s the thing that may stop McDaniels from pulling the trigger.

The goal is not to help other teams, but to make them think they are winning in the trade, while in turn, you are.

Clearly McDaniels knows all about winning, as he’s on his way to helping two Pro Bowl players leave his team.

Regardless, Marshall’s days are numbered, and these 10 teams look to be the most likely landing spots.


The NY Giants Wide Receiver Carousel

Published: June 15, 2009

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    Ever since the second coming of the “Shot Heard Around the World” on the night of November 29th, 2008 the Giants have faced the same question. Will they be able to overcome the loss of Plaxico Burress? Everyone with a football IQ was able to see that the Giants were not the same down the stretch of the season. Teams no longer used a corner back and a safety to shadow Burress and this slowed down the Giants run game. On top of that, Eli Manning lost his safety blanket.

    Going into the off season, everyone knew this was the Giants glaring weakness and all wondered how Jerry Reese would address it. Would they trade for a high profile receiver? Would they trade up in the draft for a better prospect? Just stay put and settle with who was available?

    As trade winds swirled, the Giants were constantly linked to Braylon Edwards, Chad Ochocinco, and Anquan Boldin. Now with late breaking news that Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver, lets add him to the list too.

    The Giants stayed put and drafted Hakeem Nicks with the 29th overall pick, and then moved up six spots in the third round to draft Ramses Barden with the 85th overall pick.

    Lets take a look at what each player brings to the table.

Braylon Edwards – Leading up to the NFL draft, there were constant rumors that Edwards was going to be a Giant and it was practically a done deal. His former teammate, Kellen Winslow now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spoke out and said how Braylon would be a great fit for the Giants and in New York.

    GoodEdwards is a big play receiver with the size the Giants crave, standing 6’3” and weighing 215 pounds. In 2007, Edwards was a Pro-Bowl player with 80 receptions for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. He can spread the defense and draw the double teams that Burress often commanded.

    Bad – Edwards can be seen as a diva, and at times struggles catching the ball, leading the league in drops in 2008. Last season there was a huge drop in production with only 55 catches for 873 yards and 3 touchdowns. Some people may point to the Browns’ quarterback situation for the lack of production. There were many various reports about what the Browns were asking for in return for Edwards, but “close sources” believe it was a 1st round draft choice.

Anquan Boldin – After the Cardinals improbable run in the 2008 playoffs, some Cardinals players (Boldin and Darnell Dockett to be exact) felt they should be getting paid more money. Boldin wanted his contract restructured or to be traded. Well neither has happened yet, but with his recent firing of his agent, things could change.

    Good – Boldin is tough as nails after the vicious hit he received last season versus the Jets that practically broke his face. Boldin has been productive his entire career, and is not afraid to go across the middle. He proved he could be a No. 1 receiver in an offense before Larry Fitzgerald ever came to town.

    Bad – Boldin wants to be paid Larry Fitzgerald type money, which is about 10 million a year. For the Giants to have acquired him, it is rumored that it would have cost them at least their 1st and a 3rd round draft pick.

Chad Ochocinco – Lately in Cincinatti, it seems every off season there is talk about Chad “Formerly known as Johnson” Ochocinco to be on the trading block and that he wants out. Nobody questions his talent, but teams are scared away of the presumed Terrell Owens syndrome he has, and that he has the ability to tear a locker room apart.

    Good – Chad was one of the best wide receivers in the league stretching from 2002 – 2007 and had the respect of all opposing defensive coordinators. Ochocinco has the ability to stretch the defense and has the speed to burn the best corners in the league.

    Bad – All the attention he brings to himself, and knowing the locker room can be torn by him. Coming off of a sub par season in 2008, where he was injured, people question if he still has the desire to be one of the best receivers in the league.

Brandon Marshall – The Denver Broncos have had quite the off season, with a new coach coming in, and the departure of Jay Cutler. Marshall could be next. Last Friday, Marshall met with the owner of the Broncos, Pat Bowlen. He was seen leaving with boxes and has no intentions of returning. Marshall is now demanding to be traded because he doesn’t like his contract (what’s new?) and doesn’t like where the organization is heading.

    Good – Marshall is the youngest player (not named Hakeem or Ramses) on this list, only 25 years old. He is 6’4” and weighs 230 pounds, goes across the middle, has terrific hands and great speed. His rookie season was what you would expect from a rookie, but his last two seasons have been phenomenal. In the last two seasons combined he has 206 catches for 2,590 yard and 13 touchdown catches.

    Bad – Legal troubles. Definitely not what you want to hear after the recent Plaxico Burress. He is almost at Adam “Pacman” Jones territory, having seven different incidents with the law since being drafted. At some point, teams have to decide is the potential worth the risk? On top of that, he had minor hip surgery in April.

Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden – The Giants hope these two rookies are the answer to their biggest question mark on the roster. Two is better than one. Instead of losing draft picks, the Giants decided to work through the draft.

    Good – Hakeem Nicks was seen as one of the most “NFL ready” prospects in this year’s draft, and possess’ monstrous sized hands, toting 4 XL gloves. Nicks is not afraid to go across the middle and has the ability to catch every ball thrown his way. Ramses Barden is 6’6” and 230 pounds, with basketball in his background. Don’t be surprised to see Barden used in the “green-zone” for the fade route and the jump balls.

    Bad – To state the obvious, they are both rookies. The Giants are ready to contend for the Lombardi Trophy now, and rookies rarely have impacts in their inaugural season. Both players are unproven in the NFL, and so far to this point, nobody knows what type of production they can expect.

    All Giants fans abide to the unwritten law of “In Jerry We Trust.” Jerry Reese has had great success to this point as the general manager and has made all the right moves to this point. This off season was filled with rumors and big play receivers that many people feel the Giants need if they want to stand on top of the mountain again.

    As it may seem the Giants are content with their receivers going into the 2009 season, keep in mind last off season right before training camp they dealt Jeremy Shockey after many people thought he would stay a Giant after the NFL Draft ended. If the Giants aren’t happy with what they see through training camp, don’t be surprised to see one of these big play receivers in Giants’ blue in the fall.


Denver Broncos: State of the Franchise—2009

Published: June 14, 2009

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With that lanyard swinging and the hoodie dangling from his shoulders, new Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels looks like the spitting image of his mentor Bill Belichick. Perhaps he should have paid more attention to the team management talk, rather than the fashion statement conversations.

McDaniels was known for his offensive genius in engineering the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, as well as nurturing the young and inexperienced Matt Cassel into a viable starter.

Apparently, his genius applies to the playbooks and not to the management of a team.

Only weeks after his arrival in Denver, he began trying to court the Patriots for Matt Cassel. The shockwaves of Jay Cutler’s fury were felt in the media for a month and then some, until he was finally traded to Chicago.

Now, McDaniels will once again get to prove his ability as a coordinator in an offense that lacks a franchise quarterback, a stable offensive line, and a consistent/proven running back.

 

The Offense

According to Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton is the No. 1 quarterback as of right now, but that job is still up for grabs to lifetime pine-rider Chris Simms.

“I promise you this: the best quarterback we have on our roster will be starting on September 13th in Cincinatti. I don’t know who that’s going to be, but as of right now that’s Kyle,” said McDaniels recently.

Orton was a statistical surprise in Chicago for the first seven weeks of the 2008 season (prior to his knee injury), completing an average of 62.2% of his passes and throwing for 1,669 yards. On that pace, he would have gone over 3,500 yards with no viable No .1 receiving option.

Now, with McDaniels’ offensive wizardry and a more distinguished group of targets, Orton hopes to have even more success.

He will need to get good, or even great, protection from the offensive line to survive. Though Jay Cutler was only sacked 11 times last year, he is a much more mobile quarterback than Orton, whose mobility may even be decreased following the knee injury.

In terms of the running game, they still managed to produce respectable numbers despite being near the bottom of the league in total rushing attempts, a product of their pass-happy offense last year.

At an average of 4.8 yards per carry and with 15 total rushing touchdowns, the Broncos produced a legitimate running game even through inconsistency at the position. They started five different running backs over the course of last season, and by the end of the season they had placed six on injured reserve.

After taking Knowshon Moreno in the first round of the 2009 draft and picking up former Patriots running back Lamont Jordan, McDaniels has addressed the strength and durability issue at running back.

But did they do too much with their running game and not enough anywhere else?

Though many of their running backs were injured last season, they failed to address more pressing issues on defense.

One of the Broncos many offensive strengths last season was their line. Their list of starters last season possesses unheralded (and unknown) names like Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Ryan Harris, and Ryan Clady. Their center, Casey Wiegmann, was one of three Pro Bowlers from last season’s offensive squad. The other two were Brandon Marshall, and of course, Jay Cutler.

How did McDaniels choose to address this? They took a few late-round fliers on Iowa guard Seth Olsen, who has potential no doubt, but is hardly the type of guy who can be stuck in the starting line-up on day one.

Perhaps he’s hoping that he can develop the talent much like New England did with their offensive line, only one of whom was a first-round draft pick (Logan Mankins).

I would anticipate a spread-based attack from the Denver Broncos, and I would expect McDaniels to employ a lot of the offensive strategies he used in New England; a lot of short dump passes and slants to Eddie Royal, a speedy Kevin Faulk-like running back in Moreno, who has experience in a pro-style offense and can catch passes out of the backfield.

 

The Defense

The production of the defense was downright abominable last season. They ranked 30th overall in yards allowed and 29th overall in points allowed.

A lot of this has been attributed to a lack of pressure up front. They only generated 26 sacks, the eighth lowest total in the league. They drafted Tennessee’s Robert Ayers in the first round, an outside linebacker who came on strong over his last two seasons with seven sacks and nearly 100 tackles.

Other than that, they did nothing to bolster their pass rush. They had draft picks in every round, and failed to use a single one of them on a defensive lineman.

Their secondary, which featured the highly regarded names of Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, generated only generated six interceptions. It was second lowest in the league only to the 0-and-16 Detroit Lions. They addressed this issue by picking up two defensive backs in the second round, Alphonso Smith and Darcel McBath.

Alphonso Smith is more of a cover corner, but he’s only 5’9”, and at that stature may never become a true shutdown corner; although he could be a good option as a nickel corner. McBath, on the other hand, isn’t as great in coverage, but he converted from corner and has great range, making him a good developmental prospect at safety.

But how can they expect to generate any interceptions with the front seven failing to create any pressure?

The Broncos woeful miseries in the running game are well-documented; they allowed 2,337 yards and 26 touchdowns, good for third worst in the league. With so many weaknesses on defense, the failure to address most of those spots could come back to haunt them.

Josh McDaniels must really be hoping that his defense can drastically turn their dismal performance from last season around. How they hope to do that without any drastic improvements in personnel remains to be seen.

 

Chances of Winning This Year

It’s hard to say exactly how good of a chance the Denver Broncos have in the 2009 season. In such a historically weak division of the AFC West, and in this day and age of free agency, it’s anyone’s ball game (though it’s hard to imagine the Raiders winning, isn’t it?)

Offensively, they have a handful of weapons; Eddie Royal came on strong in his rookie year, Brandon Marshall has continued to develop despite off-field issues, Tony Scheffler continues to create mismatches for opposing linebackers, and the presence of rookie Knowshon Moreno could add a whole new dimension to the offense.

But who will be starting at quarterback? And more importantly, how will they perform?

With two inconsistent quarterbacks in Kyle Orton and Chris Simms, the Broncos have taken a drastic turn from a certain future with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler to a former Rex Grossman back-up, and a guy who hasn’t started a meaningful game in almost three years.

As far as the quarterbacking is concerned, it seems McDaniels is going to rely on his ability to mold a quarterback to fit his system, as he did with Matt Cassel last year in New England.

Even if their offense produces spectacularly like they did last season, it will all mean nothing if Denver’s porous defense continues to perform as poorly as they did in 2008. With such dismal play all season long, and no real improvements in terms of personnel, they’ll be hard-pressed to turn things around.

But let’s not count them out; they are professional athletes, and they get paid to play the sport for a reason: they’re pretty good at it. It may just take a bit more overachieving on their part to create an impact, but the Broncos could do it in 2009.

 

Chances of Winning In The Future

We know the short-term success of Josh McDaniels’ ability as a tutor; he took lifetime bench-boy Matt Cassel, and made him into a surefire starter. 

The team has become a backlog of youth over the past few years. They helped their depth issues at a few key roster spots in the draft, especially in the secondary, where they selected three prospective rookies.

I’ve used a lot of adjectives for Denver’s defense, from dismal to abominable, but regardless of how their defense is described, it was downright disappointing for Denver fans from beginning to bitter end last season.

Quite frankly, it’s not a problem that could have been fixed all at once anyway; that many holes on one side of the ball can’t be upgraded or improved upon in one off-season. So they did what any organization would do: draft the best players they think are available and hope for the best.

The success of the Denver Broncos franchise relies largely on the teams ability to develop their young talent.

With so much potential talent on their team, good coaching will breed success in the franchise for years to come.


Bears Cutler vs. Broncos Marshall/Royal: Who Will Have a Better Season?

Published: June 14, 2009

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The question continues in Chicago, did Jay Cutler make Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal that much better of receivers, or did Marshall and Royal’s abilities make Cutler look more like a Pro Bowler than he really was?

The answer to the question is that they both  benefited from each other’s skills, but taking the middle ground is not really a football fan’s way of doing things. It is considered the easy way out.

So thankfully, the question should be answered once the seasons hits the midway point. How, you might ask?

Well, you can argue that both Cutler and the Broncos receivers are now dealing with less effective counterparts so everyone will be checking both Kyle Orton’s numbers as well as the Bears receiving corps stats and using that as a basis.

Orton, while a capable QB, does not have the rocket arm that Cutler possesses and none of the Bears receivers are even close to the level that Brandon Marshall is at, and arguably Eddie Royal for that matter.

With Orton, who the Broncos named starter a few days ago, you have a quarterback who can manage games and make smart throws, but also benefited from having a great running game to take the pressure off. He had problems connecting on deep passes but his short tosses and out-routes have been on target. His numbers should be bolstered by having a receiver like Marshall who is big, physical, and can out jump most cornerbacks.

What might hurt Orton is the fact that the Broncos have nothing even resembling a legitimate rushing attack. After being able to turn around and hand the ball off to the likes of Matt Forte, and Thomas Jones at one point, expect Orton to be surprised when he turns and hands the ball off to five different backs on five straight plays.

In Chicago, Jay Cutler will be working with a very raw group of receivers. Devin Hester and Rashied Davis are the only two who have any real NFL game experience. Earl Bennett is coming off a rookie season where he did not record a single reception. Add in there practice squad extraordinaire Brandon Rideau and rookies Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox, and there are more than a few question marks to say the least.

Hester will no doubt be an improved weapon considering Cutler’s cannon of an arm. And Bennett and Cutler were teammates back when both attend Vanderbilt, so they already have developed a rapport. Davis, coming off a miserable season last year, is looking to bounce back and prove that he is a reliable option in the slot. Both Iglesias and Knox have drawn the praises of draft guru’s everywhere.

But none of them, not even Hester really, have shown the ability to be that star receiver that Cutler needs.

Where Cutler will be surprised is with Forte and the running game, he will not only be throwing less passes, he had 600+ attempts last year, but the play-action pass could become deadly. Add to that a solid, reliable tight end in Desmond Clark and an up-and-comer in Greg Olsen, and Cutler’s passing percentage could be on the rise, of course his overall yards and TD’s might take a dip.

So all in all, it will be an interesting season to watch for both Bears and Bronco fans and expect the comparisons to be endless. I personally hope that it turns out Cutler made Marshall and Royal better, as opposed to the other way around, but hey, I am a Bears fan; what do you expect?


New Broncos Safety Brian Dawkins Hopes to Finish Career With Hardware

Published: June 11, 2009

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Future Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins did not leave the Philadelphia Eagles for the five-year contract he received from the Denver Broncos.

“I would love to have a ring,” Dawkins said. “I would love to finish it all with a ring.”

At the ripe age of 35, many feel Dawkins is on his last gasp. There has been talk of him “slowing down” or “not being what he used to be,” but there is little doubt he is still capable of running around with the best on the field.

During his 13-year tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dawkins was part of 10 playoff teams, five NFC Championship games, and one Super Bowl participant.

In that time, he has developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league and has earned the nickname “Weapon X” among others.

Since Dawkins is one of just a few Broncos players with significant playoff experience, he knows the importance of proper preparation for the grueling NFL season.

“From this time of year, it’s really honestly about dedication. Dedicating yourself to the potential of us doing what we need to do and to getting to the playoffs,” Dawkins said.

“What I mean by that dedication is your workouts need to be intense. You can’t not work out for a period of time and think, ‘I’m going to be all right.’ You can’t think, ‘I’ve got all the plays down’ and not study them. And you have to take care of your body, and what that means is getting the proper sleep and eating the right things.”

Along with Dawkins, the Broncos brought in three new safeties to help a group that was arguably the worst in the NFL in 2008. Those players include rookies Darcel McBath and David Bruton, and veteran Renaldo Hill. Dawkins says it is a big part of their development to have veteran leadership.

“It helps the team, but I feel like I’m supposed to do that,” Dawkins said, “I have been blessed to play a lot of years, and I have received wisdom from experience and from others that it wouldn’t be right for me to just keep it to myself.”

Dawkins also knows the importance of sharing wisdom off the field, because no one plays in the NFL forever.

“In the long haul, you know, this game of football won’t be here for everybody all the time—we’re all going to hang ’em up at some point—and if I can tell them something that’s going to help them off the field, to be a better individual, then I’ll definitely do that also.”

If there is anything more important than his on-field production, it is the savvy and leadership Dawkins brings to the table. But he is not just being embraced by his coaches and teammates—Dawkins has brought excitement to the city of Denver as a whole. 

In fact, not only is Dawkins’ jersey the top-selling item on the Broncos’ section of NFLShop.com, but even he noticed there was a buzz around him at the team’s recent Fan Fair.

“They were very excited to have me here,” Dawkins said. “It’s a humbling experience for me. They were very, very jacked up at the fact of what (the defense) can potentially do as a unit, and what I have been able to do for 13 years. They are expecting that this year so I’m going to do what I can for them.”

While many NFL observers are saying he is too old to compete at a high level anymore, Dawkins is a man of faith and believes that when his time has passed, he will know.

“I would love to continue to play at a high level,” Dawkins said. “I think from the onset of my career, one of the things that I have always said is that I want to be very consistent for the duration of my career. I’m talking about from the beginning to the end.

“I want to play a consistent brand of ball throughout that time, and when the Lord tells me it’s time to set it down, I’ll set it down, but that ring is the most important push for me right now.”

So how far away are the Broncos from getting that ring?

“We’ll see,” Dawkins said. “It’s a day-to-day operation with any team, but for us I know we’re young in a lot of respects as far as learning and knowing the offense and defense. It’s going to be important for every guy to learn his playbook and know that thing.”

While many Eagles fans were devastated at the loss of Dawkins, he realizes this league is a business, and says it has already sunk in that he is no longer an Eagle.

“I knew I was a Bronco when I first set foot on that practice field,” Dawkins said. “In the workout room, working out with guys, it’s still new… Once I finally truly got on the practice field, I got in the huddle and donned the helmet—I’m a Bronco.”

The Broncos defense will feature many new starters, and while many still have their doubts, Dawkins’ leadership could be a huge key to the resurrection of the Orange Crush in Denver.


Aligning the Denver Broncos’ Stars

Published: June 9, 2009

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It is coming—that time of year when you have the highest of hopes for your team. Not a real team but your fantasy team.  Fantasy draft day is probably the best day of the season.  Nothing has gone wrong yet. No injuries, bye week dilemmas or tough matchups. My sleeper picks haven’t hit the snooze button. It is a beautiful day.

 

The question is, what can we expect from the Bronco’s stars this year? It is only June, so this is a first stab at it.  I reserve the right to change my mind as the offseason progresses. 

 

 

Quarterback

 

Since we don’t know for sure who the starter is, I’ll assume it is Kyle Orton. Putting a value on Orton may be tricky. New team, better line, new scheme, upgraded receivers there are a lot of questions. Every question is on the upside, but his value last year is still holding him back. 

 

I would put Orton in the really good backup category. He isn’t a top-tier guy up there with Brady and Manning, but could be a starting caliber QB in larger leagues or leagues that allow more than one QB to play (I hate those leagues, but they are out there).  Orton has a lot of sleeper potential and can most likely be had at a bargain price.

 

 

Running Back

 

History has shown that RB is the one position where rookies can consistently make an impact. Every year, there are rookie running backs that light up the league.

 

This year’s star is Denver’s own, Knowshon Moreno. If you are a Bronco’s fan, especially in a keeper league, you owe it to yourself to get this guy.  Don’t spend the next five years cringing every time he scores a TD. Your Sundays will be ruined. He will be a starter on your team. Not worth your first pick but consider grabbing him on the way back down.

 

Denver’s other running backs hold little value except as backups. If someone besides Moreno gets the starting nod, it will be a committee situation that has frustrated many Bronco’s RB owners over the past several years. They will have value but it will be limited.

 

 

Wide Receivers

 

This is the Bronco’s strongest suit, and with the wide-open offensive style that we are expecting them to run, there could be a lot of value here.

 

Brandon Marshall is the crown jewel of the Bronco’s WR corps.  The problem is we still have questions about his full-season availability.  I am of the opinion that he will be suspended for some time this year.  Delaying his trial until August just adds to the uncertainty. 

 

I would say even with the risk of losing him for some period of time, Marshall still has top 10 WR value (top five without those concerns). Any player can be lost to injury, so value him as a more injury-prone WR with great upside.  Steve Smith and Marshall both posted good numbers last year despite their suspensions.

 

Eddie Royal also has value in fantasy leagues. He could be a starter in a 12-team league but most likely only a backup in eight-team leagues. Still, there is a lot of upside, and it only increases with the spread offense and the risk of losing Marshall to suspension. There will be very few leagues in which Royal remains a free agent.

 

The other Bronco receivers most likely have little fantasy value.  Brandon Stokley will have a reduced rol,l and Jabar Gaffney will get his opportunity, but will not be a fantasy star. Keep an eye on them, and be prepared to pounce if Marshall is suspended.

 

 

Tight End

 

This is an area I am not real sure about.  Both Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham are good receivers, but we don’t know how much Josh McDaniels will use them as receivers.  No position is more dependent on the coach’s discretion in fantasy football than the TE.

 

The fact that Scheffler spent most of the offseason as trade bait makes me concerned about his value. If not for this, I would value him as a potential starter in a 12-team league, though he was a marginal starter at best last year. He has also not completed a 16-game season, so with that I would consider him a quality backup.

 

Graham has always excelled as a blocker. He seems to have some great pass catching ability and has made some clutch catches for the Broncos, but he does not have a lot of fantasy value. No points awarded for great blocks.

 

 

Defense/Special Teams

 

You have to be a Bronco’s fan to draft Denver as your primary defense.  Their lackluster return ability, field goal percentage, inability to create turnovers and propensity to give up huge points over the past few years makes them a homer pick at best. Not that I haven’t made home picks in the past. 

 

The secondary should be improved, but creating turnovers is also dependent on pass rush. I don’t have the confidence in them until we see them on the field.

 

I have never played in a league with IDP’s ,so I will defer to someone else on that.

 

Good luck this year to everyone who plays and may your euphoria last past draft day.

 


Bronco Draft Picks Look to Make an Impact

Published: June 5, 2009

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The Denver Broncos had several needs to fill before the preseason began. Those holes were filled by a very good draft in which Denver had several good picks, including two in the first round. These rookies are reporting to camp looking come in and make a big difference for the team. Coach McD thinks that these are the best players for the changes to be made. These players have very high expectations. Among the new guys are RB Knowshon Moreno, CB Alphonso Smith, and QB Tom Brandstater. All are thought to become leaders, maybe not the first year, but definitely in the long run.


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