Denver Broncos second-round NFL draft pick Miami offensive lineman Orlando Franklin holds a Broncos' jersey with his name on it during a news conference at the football team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Saturday, April 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Denver Broncos offensive linemen Orlando Franklin addressed the media at Dove Valley Saturday a day after being drafted in the second round by the Broncos. See his earlier conference call quotes here.

On how he fits with the Broncos

“I spoke with Coach (John Fox) and he asked me about playing right tackle and I think I am just going to come in and listen to everything they have to say and absorb as much as I can and help out the team as much as possible.”

On his strengths

“I am a physical player and I am going to play hard for 60 minutes.”

On whether he considers himself a mean player

“Yeah, you could say that I guess. Some people accuse me of being a dirty player, but I just like to get after it.”

On the prospects of blocking for QB Tim Tebow

“I’m happy, I am happy to be here. He went to Florida and I went to (University of Miami). I remember playing him a couple of years ago. He is a great player and I’m excited to be blocking for him.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Oklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beals

Oklahoma DE Jeremy Beal addresses the media via conference call following his drafting by the Denver Broncos 247th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.

On his draft day

“Yeah, it was a long day. I just hoped for the opportunity to get drafted and then Denver called me and it was a happy feeling.”

On fitting into a 4-3 defense

“Going into the draft, I knew I could play a variety of positions, defensive end was one of them.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2011 Denver Broncos draft class.

Von Miller Linebacker, Texas A&M Round 1, Pick 2	Rahim Moore Free Safety, UCLA Round 2, Pick 45	Orlando Franklin Tackle, Miami Round 2, Pick 46
Nate Irving Linebacker, N.C. State Round 3, Pick 67	Quinton Carter Safety, Oklahoma Round 4, Pick 108	Julius Thomas Tight End, Portland St. Round 4, Pick 129
Mike Mohamed Linebacker, California Round 6, Pick 189	Virgil Green Tight End, Nevada Round 7, Pick 204	Jeremy Beal Def. End, Oklahoma Round 7, Pick 247

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Virgil Green scores a 48-yard touchdown (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison).

The Denver Broncos picked two tight ends in this years draft, Virgil Green happened to be the first to conduct an interview with the Denver media. Here’s what we came away with:

On transitioning from wide receiver to tight end

“Initially it was a tough transition. I went from being a high school receiver who everyone was afraid to hit to a tight end where you are hit almost every single play. Gaining weight was by far the toughest part. I have a fast metabolism and my body doesn’t like to put on a lot of weight but I ended up putting weight on and I feel fast, and I feel athletic and physical. I am hoping to bring some of my athleticism and physical ability to the Denver Broncos.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Oklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal

The Denver Broncos started off the seventh round with the 204th overall pick and had their second of two seventh round picks way down the line at 247, the Broncos rewarded those die hard fans who stuck around by drafting their first defensive lineman of the draft– defensive end Jeremy Beal of Oklahoma.

Beal (6’2″, 262 lbs.) was the Big 12’s 2010 Defensive Lineman of the Year, he finished his career as a Sooner with 223 tackles and 29 sacks. He almost came out of college early thinking he would be a high draft pick in 2010, he’ll likely have a steep climb for a roster spot as he will have to make a name for himself on special teams.

“Excited to add Jeremy Beal to our team. He’s a playmaker who was one of the most productive defensive ends in the draft,” John Elway Tweeted after the pick.

Keep it here Broncos Country as we’ll have a lot more interviews posted as well as grades, reactions and analysis throughout the week! In the mean time tell us what you think!

Mike Mohamed tackles a Stanford Cardinal (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Shortly after being drafted Mike Mohamed took on the Denver media via conference call, here are the questions and answers:

On whether he will play inside or outside linebacker

“I haven’t been told about my role. I just want to come in, and wherever they need me—wherever I fit in— that’s where I’ll go. As for which one I prefer, I played both during my college career, and to be honest, it doesn’t really matter.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Nevada tight end Virgil Green

With their second draft pick in a 19 pick stretch the Denver Broncos handed in their draft card at the very top of the seventh round. That card had the name Virgil Green tight end of Nevada.

Green (6’3″, 249 lbs.) likely took such a deep slide due to the fact that he had micro fracture surgery just a few years ago. He did have a monster combine, but was taken off of several teams draft boards because of the injury risk.

“Virgil Green had an extremely productive career at Nevada. Great measurables. He’ll also be a solid special teams player for us,” John Elway followed up on Twitter.

A 2010 all-WAC First Team member, he finished third in Nevada in receptions with 35 and 515 yards, averaging 14.7 yards per catch. He also helped block for the nations leading rushing team in 2010.

Another tight end, another safety, another linebacker… Not what anyone expected in Denver’s fan base, what do you think Broncos Country?

Rahim Moore (left) & Nate Irving at Dove Valley (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski).

Yesterday the Denver Broncos two newest rookies addressed the media via conference call (here & here) today, they did it in person.

S RAHIM MOORE & LB NATE IRVING

On the labor situation

Irving: “I can speak for myself and he (Moore) can answer but I am not too worried about what is going on. I know there will be football and all I can handle is how I come into camp as far as shape and conditioning goes so I am going to work at it as hard as I can. When the time comes, I will report to the facilities, look into work, and get together with my teammates and form relationships and bring back the Orange Crush defense.”

Moore: “Yeah, same with me. I haven’t been focusing on much of that. I have just been focusing on making sure I can be a more of an overall NFL player, making sure I have been more conditioned. My eyes and ears are always open so I know the NFL and the NFLPA will come to an agreement to work things out to make things equal and also to give America the great football they deserve.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Cal inside linebacker Mike Mohamed

After a very long stretch due to the Denver Broncos trading their fifth and sixth round picks to jump back into the fourth round to draft power forward tight end Julius Thomas, the Broncos finally picked another inside linebacker, Mike Mohamed out of California.

“Mike Mohamed is a versatile player with experience at all three linebacker positions. Smart, good instincts and will contribute on special teams,” John Elway stated via Twitter.

Mohamed was Cal’s ‘most honored player’ as a senior. One of 16 national finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (the “Academic Heisman”) and a quarter-finalist for The Lott Impact Trophy.

He led Cal with 95 tackles and placed second in the Pac-10 averaging 8.6 tackles per game. He only missed one game his entire career in college.

Two safeties, three linebackers (two inside) for Denver so far this draft weekend. Could Mohamed be yet another special teams ace for the Broncos? You tell us Broncos Country.

Portland State tight end Julius Thomas

The Denver Broncos traded back into the fourth round to select Julius Thomas, tight end out of Portland State with the 129th overall pick.

Thomas is a bit of a project — a 6’5″, 246-lbs. basketball player who began playing football in his senior season. According to various scouting reports, Thomas excelled in man-coverage against linebackers but is still very raw in his run blocking and ability to escape zone coverage.

Clearly the Broncos have the success their AFC West counterparts have enjoyed with Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, both former college basketball players, in mind.

“Julius Thomas is a talented tight end who has great potential,” Broncos VP John Elway said. “He’s a tremendous athlete with good speed and strong hands.”

To acquire Thomas, the Broncos traded their 5th (141) & 6th round picks (186) to the Green Bay Packers. They also received a 7th round pick (204) in the deal.

Check out this New York Times scouting report on Thomas, via Denver’s own Cecil Lammey. Exciting huge-upside pick by the Broncos, who were apparently high on Thomas from the start.