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Published on 03/25/2009 at Wed Mar 25 11:28.
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McDaniels Wants them Big

Posted Wed Mar 25th by

Marcus Thomas

Marcus Thomas

Finally the fans have been addressed publicly about the Nose Tackle position. The Denver Post quotes head coach Josh McDaniels has stated clearly that there is no obvious starter and it will be an ongoing process.

“We’re going to try multiple people there. It will be interesting,” McDaniels said. “We’re kind of excited to see who can or who couldn’t and what we need to do with those guys. I think they all present different problems in their own right.”

The Broncos have picked up a few different players to fill this position but no standout has emerged yet. Former San Francisco 49er Ronald Fields has plenty of experience but only as a backup last season. J’Vonne Parker is huge at 6’4, and 325 pounds but he has bounced around four different teams, not exactly screaming “start me!” The article also states that Marcus Thomas could some reps at the spot as well as practice squader Matthias Askew.

“We want them to be big,” McDaniels said. “One of the things, I’ve said it since I arrived in Denver, is we want to be tough, physical, and I think that’s going to start up front on both sides of the ball. We’re looking to add size and versatility, and we want to be able to stop the run.”

Since the only player that is over 315 pounds is J’Vonne Parker, the draft will most likely access this need more. Keep your fingers crossed for B.J. Raji!

 

Hybrid Outside Linebackers

McDaniels also went on the discuss the versatility Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid will show this upcoming season.

“We really like a lot of the abilities players like Elvis have because they’re not always a clean matchup for someone on the other side of the ball,” McDaniels said. “He’s going to do both. He’s going to have his hand on the ground some, and he’s going to stand up some.”

From what has been said not only in this article but in the past, it seems like the defensive will be versatile. This means that it will be something like a 3-4 hybrid. Neither the head coach or defensive coordinator have said that the defense will be a 3-4 or a 4-3, but McDaniels has said that they will be “aggressive” and they will adapt from week to week. My guess is that it will be mainly a 3-4 that will run a 4-3 package when necessary.

“I think it’s really important that we see where we finish this spring, and head into training camp in terms of our personnel,” McDaniels said. “I don’t think we can really sit there today and say, ‘That looks perfect.’ 

Even despite the Jay Cutler controversy, McDaniels remains focused.

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  • kerry

    look for Ron Brace also. he was Raji’s teammate at Boston College and is even bigger then Raji. im glad McDaniels addressed this. clearly shows where we are going in the draft. already addressed the secondary and LB core. i personally lke Tyson Jackson in the first and Ron Brace in the second. of course the Maualuga cronies are gonna cry about it. lol

  • Socal Den Fan

    Kerry I agree it would be great if Raji is there at 12 but it seems that they are prepared if hs’ not.

  • http://portal.adams.edu ryan mcbroncofan

    brace is highly rated by all the scouts. b.j. had more production at boston college.
    i say we go jenkins at 12 (who we personally gave a workout to) and give us some youth in the secondary. gotta love champ but it wont be long before he loses a step. andre goodman is fast but also old.
    then go brace in the 2nd round to solidify the NT a wee bit

  • kerry

    the whole D-line needs to be addressed. these journeymen that McDaniels brought in are for depth more then anything. Tyson Jackson is 291 pounds and rated as the best 3-4 D-end in this draft. then Brace in the second. that right there gives us a solid foundation on the D-line for the next 8 years. Jenkins is way overrated. he will have to move to safety in the NFL and isnt worth the 12 pick. Vontae davis is a more pure CB then Jenkins. and besides a great D-line will make even an average secondary look better. just ask the Giants. a stout D-line is the best way to improve the WHOLE defense. a new CB cant improve the defense like a better D-line can. McDaniels has to build this team from inside out. not outside in.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Kerry, don’t just ask the Giants ask the Ravens and Steelers as well. Ngata and Pryce make Ed Reed a fantastic player look like a god. Same goes for Polamalu and Byrant McFadden.

  • Richard

    IF we stand pat at #12 Kerry’s suggestion of Jackson and Brace make sense. I would rather trade down to the low 20s pick up another 2nd round and maybe a 4th, take Larry English in the first, Brace and Clint Sintim in the 2nd. Between Powell, Peterson, Thomas, McBean, Fields and other draft choices and camp pickups we should be able to put together a competetent D line.

  • kerry

    yeah true that East.

    Richard:

    see here is where i differ from what you said. you talk about camp pickups and having a competant D-line. well what about having an Elite D-line? and why pickup LB’s in the draft when we already have DJ Williams, Elvis Dumervil, Jarvis Moss, Spencer Larsen, Andra Davis and Boss Bailey?? there are tons on LB’s on this team already. the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens and Giants have Elite D-lines who make the whole defense better. i mean me personally, im tired of all these camp pickup D-linemen that this team has had since Shanahan took over. build a great D-line and that whole defense improves. having even more LB’s with these smaller D-linemen wont improve anything as evidenced by the past ten years of Shanahan’s rule.

  • Hansen

    As far as LB goes, you just need to plan on who will replace Boss Bailey when he goes down……again. I say CB is a secondary concern, front seven is the need. Go D line with the first 2 picks. We need to be stellar up front asap. Exactly Kerry, look at the teams with monster D lines – that equates to wins.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    “CD is a secondary concern…”

    No pun intended?

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    CB*

  • Richard

    kerry we won’t have an elite D line regardless of what we do this year. I would also like an elite D line, but rookies don’t perform at a pro bowl level. it just doesn’t happen in a year, and we are starting with essentually nothing. In one year, improvement from God Awful to pretty good is about the most we can expext. And I do expect us to improve this year.

  • BroncoNinja

    I agree Richard it doesn’t happen in 1 year but tell that to Ryan Clady and Eddie Royal! I know its a long shot but to pick up Jackson (1) and Brace (2) and with guys like the Anvil (dumbervil) Dj and Adra you have to admit we wouldn’t be far off espicially considering our secondary Champ doesnt have to be the only true threat past the line with Dawkins and adding a guy like Goodman helps he is solid and now champ can be focused on his coverage.

    A great D-line can make a secondary look good… But a Great secondary can also make a good D-line look great!!!

  • Richard

    Yes Ninja it all works together. Clady and Royal did contribute last year, but look at others at the D line, Mario Williams didn’t do much in his rookie year, niether did Glenn Dorcy, even Trevor Pryce sat the bench most of his rookie year. I’m not saying it can’t happen, just that for D linemen it takes longer to play. The other alternative is a Browncos type solution and that was marginally successful for 1 year. And in hindsight, all it really did was make the present draft “players” solution all the more necessary. Two maybe three excellent line draft choices are all we can absorb and develop this year, with two or three next year.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    Walterfootball.com has the Broncos picking #6 in their 2010 Mock Draft, so I guess they are assuming the Broncos will finish 4-12 or 5-11. Boy… they’re gonna have egg on their face when the Broncos win the AFC West next year.

  • Richard

    dee agreed!

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/03/what-they-should-have-said-theatre/

    An interesting article on what Cutler/McDaniels should have said to defuse this issue.

    What Cutler Should Have Said

    “I’m a prideful and emotional player. I think it makes me good. I was hurt when I learned that the Broncos had an interest in another QB. I won’t lie and say otherwise. But this is first and foremost a business, and that’s a lesson I have learned. Mr. Bowlen pays me good money to be a professional and that’s what I must be. Especially now, when so many good people are out of work or looking for a job, complaining about the job I’ve been hired to do seems inappropriate and maybe ungrateful. I want more than anything to be the QB of the Broncos and bring a championship to the most loyal fans in the league. As long as I’m here, that’s what I’m going to as long as I wear the orange and blue.”

    What McDaniels Should Have Said

    “I owe it to Mr. Bowlen, the great fans of Denver and every player in our organization to leave no stone unturned in getting this franchise back to the playoffs and the Super Bowl. That means no player is indispensable or untradeable. So when Matt Cassel, a player I know well, became available, I had to explore it. I am sorry if Jay was hurt, but this is a business, and he is in no uncertain terms our quarterback. I look forward to working with him, and if we got off on the wrong foot, we will get back on the right one. We’re both professionals who want to win.”

    (I think McD said alot of that, other than “Im sorry” )

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    “to leave no stone unturned in getting this franchise back to the playoffs and the Super Bowl. That means no player is indispensable or untradeable. ”

    I believe this is what McD is doing, this is why I support him. (Unless it all blows up in his face in 2 years. But until they he gets the benefit of the doubt. I trust me coach, we gave Shanny 15 years … give this guy at least a year to show you what he can do)

  • jcampb72

    Sad to say but as it looks like right now we wouldn’t get raji or brace.

  • http://myspace.com/paraleipsis jchase8410

    I love your picks for 1st and 2nd round. If we could get the best 5 tech DE, and the 2nd best NT…that would be fantastic for the future of our defense. Aweful-pretty good by next year would be okay by me

  • http://myspace.com/paraleipsis jchase8410

    Awful*

  • NathanH

    Jcamp, you’re right, right now we probably won’t. Raji absolutely won’t make it past 9 imo, and Brace will be gone within the 1st 5 picks of the 2nd imo.

    Soo…Trade Detroit our 1st and 2nd for their 20th overall and the 1st pick of the 2nd.

    With the 20th we take best available defensive player, and with the 1st pick of the 2nd Brace. I see something like this going down with either Detroit, Philly, or NE.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    NathanH,

    Great scenario, the only problem is Tyson Jackson will be grabbed at 16 my San Diego if he’s still there.

  • Richard

    Returning to the topic of big guys, Dorrell Scott from Clemson had a great workout at their pro day. He’s 6’3+” and by his own admission slimmed down to 314 from 326. Says hes been getting interest from 3-4 teams looking for a NT. He expects to be a 3rd rounder. Any thoughts?

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    since my college football knowledge stretches to owning a michigan hoodie i bought while in detroit, what’s the score with peria jerry? Good player? Reach at 12? I’ve seen him as one of the possible picks.

    There seem to be several defensive ends that fit the bill though, especially if they’re looking for someone like doom who can stand in a 3-4 but crouch in a 4-3 or like ekuban who can play tackle in a nickel package and end in 3-4. I know this probably won’t make sense but i reckon they’ll go for the safest pick. Maybe not the player that has the best skills but someone who can come in and perform consistently. Can’t afford to take chances this year.

    Here’s an open question, when was the last time d-line not a priority in the draft?

    And dee, i think walterfootball randomises the 2010 draft.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    mikebirty,

    Jerry is a great player and yes more of a 4-3 guy, but he has great potential in a 3-4 system. If Denver trades down I would love to see Ziggy Hood on the team he’s a beast.

    Sadly birty, Walterfootball used to randomize the 2010 draft, now it’s his projection of the season.

  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    That’s what she said!

  • http://bungie.net BroncoLover4Life

    Now obviously we need some real help up front and I’m glad to see Coach is looking into this issue. Some big hole jammers would be sbulime.

    I have a question on the subject.

    It seems to me that Moss has never even had a shot to prove himself up front and I had big hopes for the guy. He’s played probably less than 1/60 of the snaps. Is this dude just tanking in practice or what? Why did Shanny never give him a decent shot at proving himself on the field?

    If anyone could shed some light on this issue that would be great.

  • MIAbronco

    I just ate some DQ and now i got a stomach ache

  • Nicole

    Dee,
    That was a great link that you provided on what they should’ve said. There’s been alot of talk about Jay’s stock falling, but if he becomes available, those same teams that said they wouldn’t touch him will show up for the feeding frenzy. People quickly forget about a bad attitude when it will help their team. After all, this is a business and people want to win-heck we did it with Charles Haley, he was literally thrown to the Cowboys by the 49ers. It all just adds to the story- falling stock. But if he’s available I’m in is the anthem. Bad attitude or not, people will come for him because they see his ability- this is football, not church so there are no saints. Everybody will jockey for position. With all this going on, why do you think the Bears still contacted the Broncos today? They don’t care about attitude or what other teams think- they want a qb and they feel that they have the people to control the situation. Big time playing gm’s know how to keep things in check and move to the next conquest. They don’t care about what fans think…that changes when they start winning.

  • Nicole

    Update!
    I was reading an excerpt from a story by Peter King, which will be released on Monday, and it added a somewhat cool twist to this entire saga. In the article, King spoke to some of Cutler’s FRIENDS (he capped it in the article and with good reason) and they said that if Jay is a friend, he will go through a wall for you BUT if he feels that he has been wronged. HE WILL NEVER FORGIVE. OR FORGET. There was a reason why Jay never called Josh on Tuesday and now we may know why. Even though an article stated that he was receptive to talking to McDaniels one on one, we may not be so surprised if it doesn’t happen. Jay said that he would be at all the mandatory camps and indicated that he will be there in Apil-but it’s not mandatory. This is going to be a long ride.

  • flbronc

    unless we move up in the second round, i dont see brace being on the board. he’s late first, early second potential.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Great point MIABronco.

  • Richard

    Ok guys(and Nicole) if Raji is gone at 12 and Brace is gone at 48, what do we do? Sammie Lee Hill? Dorrell Scott? Chris Baker? Someone else? Trade for Gabe Watson? Get Ruben Carter to unretire?Whats the plan if the Boston College Behemoths are off the board?

  • NathanH

    Trading for Gabe Watson would be ideal. I’d do our 2nd for him at this point.

    I’m also really high on Hill and though he wouldn’t start the first year, he has a ton of upside and is an extremely hard worker. I heard his stock is greatly rising and he could go as high as mid 3rd now.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    Richard,

    Probably Terrance Taylor. From what I’ve characterized by the workouts Denver will draft primarily from these positions (ordered by priority of the coaches) defensive line, cornerback, linebacker, running back, safety, wide reciever.

    Darius Butler and Louis Delmas have workouts with Denver soon.

  • NathanH

    Louis Delmas gets overaggressive in coverage sometimes, but him behind Dawkins tutelege for a year or two could make him…well, the next Dawkins. Kid has a lot of talent and great leadership, just needs to work out a couple kinks.

  • kerry

    everybody im sure that if we dont get Raji then McDaniels will make it a priority to get Ron Brace. we have 9 pick so im sure we can trade our second and a 4th and maybe a pick next year to move back into the first to get Brace if we dont select Raji. im still saying it will be Tyson Jackson at 12. he is compared to Richard Seymour in every facet of the game. and who does he play for? yes the Pats. McDaniels should take him at 12 IF Raji isnt available.

  • broncobobmeridian

    who’s the starting LB’s going to be next year? Is Boss going to make it?

  • robtink242

    Linebacker is a mystery besides Andra and DJ cant tell who’s going to start. i hope Larsen and Woodyard gets plenty of playing time.

  • Tom9798

    I’m going to throw a curve ball here . . . . stay with me until I’m done . . . I want nothing more than Cutler to stay with the Bronco’s . . . but let’s hypothetically say that it is not going to happen . . . .

    Rationale: . . . Jay asked to be traded . . . it has been a hundred years since Jay has responded . . . . he is not working out with his team-mates in off-season . . . he is not learning the new offensive system . . . he does not answer Pat Bowlen’s phone calls . . .

    Now if you did not answer your boss’s phone calls . . . maybe your boss would call you an “unhappy camper.” . . . . or maybe he’d trade you . . .

    McD has put on the three-ring-circus for the media with the jersey and all but he is not feeling the love . . . no kidding . . .

    You want this settled before the draft. Period. if you’re going to trade Jay . . . there is only one team to trade him to . . . and you don’t need his permission . . . that is Detroit. .

    Rationale: . . . Detroit has the 1st, and 20th in the first round . . . and the 1st (33) in the second round . . .

    The Bronco’s trade Cutler, Scheffler, and Stokley to the Lions for the 1st, 20th and 33rd . . . now the Lion’s offense has just improved 200%. . . Bus Cook is thrilled and he will convince Jay that he is thrilled also . . . they will turn around an 0-16 team to a contender . . . Miami did it last year . . . an abstract plus is that Jay is in the NFC . . .

    That gives the Bronco’s the 1st, 12th, 20th, and 33rd draft picks . . . I’ll bet you’re starting to salivate now . . . but it get’s better . . .

    You offer the Ram’s Ryan Harris at tackle and the 12th and 20th draft pick, two first rounders, for their number 2 draft pick . . . .

    Now the Bronco’s have the 1st, 2nd, and 33rd pick . . .

    To answer the obvious . . . I’d give the ball to Chris Simms . . . I know he’s not Cutler . . . but he’s with his teammates in offseason . . . he’s learning the new offense . . . he wants to be the first father and son to win a superbowl . . . need any more motivation? . . . he could be the plug-and-play QB that McD wants and he is already there . . . with a ton of offensive weapons . . .

    Who would you pick? . . . . Ragi? . . Orakpo? . . . Jackson? . . . Curry? . . . you really could build our defense for the future . . .

    Obviously the Bronco’s could throw the whole draft into another realm of reality . . . .

    What do you think? . . . I’ll paste this onto the other blogs to get some reaction . . . no hippy lettuce or left-handed smokes here . . . just Fat Tire and Hornitos . . . T

  • robtink242

    See Tom I understand where you are going with this. I also understand where going with the trade. But this benefits the lions more than the broncos. to give Jay 3 big targets in Johnson, Scheffler and Stokley along with a running back would be to much .
    I don’t like Graham as receiving tight end as well. when he was in New England he blocked. Ben Watson caught as will Tony Scheffler.

    Or unless you try turning Hillis to a tight End.

  • Broncoholic

    Tom: We would be giving way too much $ to rookies in your scenario. The #1 pick gets $30M in guaranteed $. The #2 gets close to that as well. We would be giving up Cutler, Scheff, Stokely, and R Harris just so we can pony up $60M in guaranteed money to 2 rookies who have never played a snap? We lose our star QB, starting RT, #1 TE, and #3 WR for 3 overpaid rookies (#1, #2, & #33)? No way does this make any sense.

    How about we keep all of these players and use our 9 draft picks to help solidify our D, maybe a couple of later round Offensive pickups. Detroit would love someone to step in and take that #1 pick b/c no one in this years draft class is worth $30M. The top picks get way too much money. Haynesworth signed the biggest FA contract this off season and he got $40M in guaranteed $. The #1 pick gets $30M and hasn’t proven himself a bit. There’s a reason no team wants that #1 pick.

  • robtink242

    I’m in full agreement with Broncoholic

  • NathanH

    The first scenario makes perhaps a bit of sense if you take off stoakly and put in one of the RBs. If we did that though there is no point in trading with the rams, whom would also rather have Monroe or Smith then Harris imo(whom is great and we don’t really have any one near as good as him to take the spot this season).
    Not to even get started that financially it makes no sense.

    But, we’d have to take Stafford imo, if we got the 1 20 and 33. Let him battle it out with Simms next season and if Simms wins out, good, then Stafford wouldn’t have to be rushed.

    At 12 you take hopefully Raji, if not Jackson.

    At 20 you take a OLB, whats left of Orakpo, Maybin, Brown, and English, if they’re all gone, then Cushing or Mathews would still be there.

    At 33 you nab Brace if Raji wasn’t there at 12, and if not then Sean Smith, Connor Barwin, Ziggy Hood, Louis Delmas or Jarron Gilbert(stock maybe 1st im now hearing). Basically whomever the organization feels is best available at a needed position.

    Say we got Stafford, Maybin(really impressed at proday), and Brace. I’d be really happy with that considering we could still add one more guy in the mid 2nd.

  • kerry

    i got a great idea! how about we stop with all this magical trade talk and focus on keeping the picks we have and building a better team! doesnt that sound like a great idea? yes i thought so. we have a Pro Bowl QB ALREADY in place and 9 picks. forget Stafford! he sucks anyway! he sure as hell isnt better then Cutler. Cutler isnt going anywhere. Cutler HAS responded and said he would like to meet with Mcdaniels one on one. thats been reported by every media outlet around. we can upgrade the Defense WITHOUT getting rid of our Pro Bowl QB! HEELLOOO!!! have some patience people. this Cutler situation will iron itself out. oh and in case some of you forgot, Mcdaniels has already he wont trade Cutler for more draft picks. so this whole Stafford scenario really isnt gonna happen.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    Kerry

    How about this trade

    Scheffler and Selvin Young to Buffalo for their 2nd and 5th. Buffalo needs a running back as a backup if Marshawn gets into anymore trouble or is suspended for a lengthy period. Also they need a TE. I think by adding a RB we could get them to give a second round pick and maybe a fifth…what do you think? Magical or Realistic?

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    Also Kerry,

    I havent been on as much as I would like recently… When did Cutler respond and say he wanted to meet McD?

  • robtink242

    I really dont see Scheffler traded at all the guys going to have Bew Watson stats or better.

    I dont mind seeing any of our backs traded for draft picks (with the exception of Hillis). trade them then pick up Shonn Greene.

  • broncobobmeridian

    theres no way Buffalo would trade thier 2nd and 5th for selvin and scheffler. We might geta 3rd for scheffler but Selvin has no value.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    broncobobmeridian

    wouldn’t you want a guy that aims for 2000 yards a year? lol

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