UPDATE: Be sure to take the poll!

In spirit of the NBA playoffs I offer a quick question for all of those Denver sports fans… who is the real number fifteen? Will we rely on Brandon Marshall or Carmelo Anthony? The debate is up to you all. Is it the kid for central Florida or the kid from Brooklyn? Both of these players have made Denver their home, but who deserves fifteen the most? This is a short post, but it’ll be interesting to hear what you faithful Denver fans believe.

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If you read J. Kenneth K.’s first article you’ll know that there’s a lot of sports stars reaching out to the fans. This offseason there’s been a numerous changes in the staff at Mile High, we’ve all heard Josh McDaniels stammer around and talk about “the player”, and numerous players tell the media that “McJayGate” is none of their business. All of the draft picks have spoken to the media, but what about the men coaching them? Specifically defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and perhaps even offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. The players have talked about both coordinators in their pressers, but these coaches haven’t even held a presser themselves. I personally would really like to hear what coach Nolan has to say about the defense thus far, or coach McCoy talk about the quarterback competition between Chris Simms and Kyle Orton, the potential rookie Tom Brandstater has, and especially the role Eddie Royal will have in the new offense. I’d love to hear legendary running back coach Bobby Turner’s take on rookie Knowshon Moreno. If I had the chance I’d ask strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten what exactly is the workout routine the players follow. However, my real question is, if you could interview one coach/front official/player on the Denver Broncos who would it be and why?

Simple as that, air it out!

Editor’s Note: This is J.’s first tryout piece for joining the BroncoTalk staff, and he decided to tackle a topic that’s becoming all-the-more prevalent in sports blogs: social networking. BroncoTalk has only barely dipped its toes into the world of Twitter and Facebook; meanwhile, Broncos players like Eddie Royal (Twitter/Facebook) and Champ Bailey (Twitter) are creating a large virtual following. Props to some of our favorite players, and let J. Kenneth K. know what you think of his piece in the comments! -Kyle

Note: I feel there is a risk in writing this, mostly because maybe, possibly, everyone already knows this information. However, if I didn’t know, which I didn’t, I would hope someone would let me know. So, here we go.

A brief introduction to the relationship (or lack there of) of Twitter and I:

One theory I own: there is a certain age where we find ourselves at a standstill, in a white void, hovering in a nondescript space. We are fully aware of our circumstance. We are there to observe visual representations of life fly by us. Some of these visuals have a substantial amount of speed, while others, like clouds; gently float by, allowing us to understand and accept the place we are in.

Here I hover.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a blur off in the distance. It has velocity. It is technology. It is catapulting towards me, just narrowly missing my face. Before I can blink it is gone, above me. At the same time, like a cartoon feather falling from a freshly shot bird, I see another representation. This is the amount that I care to learn and absorb technology. Down it goes.

Example: My father is in his seventies. When the internet arrived fresh on the scene in the mid 90’s it wasn’t long before our family was surfing the World Wide Web. He knows how to Google, and send emails, the basics. Fine. Two years ago I convince my parents to purchase DVR, letting them know how easy and accessible it will be. They do, and within two weeks call back the cable company and decide to keep VHS alive. It was something simple, but they just couldn’t get past it.

This is me vs. twitter. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Editor’s Note: East’s article was originally published Monday just before news broke that Shannon Sharpe had been elected to the Broncos Ring of Fame. I wanted to make sure his piece got some time at the top. Great job East!

Like I said before, Draft grades are useless. I don’t believe in grades until a few seasons have passed. However reflecting on who was picked and why is a legitimate idea. Now that finals are over and I can’t sleep in past 9:30 a.m. anymore I’m ready to bang out some posts.

37. Alphonso Smith

Pros: The guy is a playmaker, you can’t question that. His press conference was very impressive. At his size he is a perfect nickel corner and with the talent around him he could be dangerous. If he was two inches taller he would have been a top 5 pick. As a sophomore at Wake Forest, Smith only started 3 games but tallied four sacks and three interceptions. The next year he lead the NCAA in interceptions with eight, and registered seven the next. Smith has shown great instincts to be a great corner at the next level. Denver needs a player who can turn over the ball outside of Champ Bailey, who gets thrown away from quite often. Karl Paymah wasn’t cutting it at all as a backup corner so it can’t really hurt to try Alphonso Smith. Take a look at his highlights, the guy plays like he’s a linebacker at times. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Shannon Sharpe (SI.com)

Denver Broncos great tight end Shannon Sharpe will become the 22nd inductee into the team’s Ring of Fame on September 20, 2009, the club announced today. Sharpe, who played 12 seasons for Denver, was elected to seven Pro Bowls while helping the Broncos bring home two Super Bowl trophies. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a tight end.

Congratulations, Shannon! Well deserved! Now to get you into Canton…

Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Darius Walker (AP Photo).

A week after releasing Selvin Young, the Denver Broncos added another running back to their considerable collection. Darius Walker, formerly of the Houston Texans, was signed today, the Denver Post reports.

The 2007 undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame carried the ball 58 times for 264 yards (4.6 avg.) and one touchdown in 2007. He sat the bench for both the Texans and St. Louis Rams in 2008.

Walker is the Broncos’ eighth running back, joining with Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan, Peyton Hillis, Ryan Torain, and undrafted rookie Kestahn Moore.

McDaniels feels the need to add RB’s as camp bodies. This long list of backs will have to be trimmed at some point.

There was speculation as to what number Knowshon Moreno would wear for the Broncos being that his number 24 at Georgia is held by fellow Bulldog Champ Bailey.  That has been all put to rest as Moreno will be the first Bronco to don Darrent William’s #27 since his tragic death back on the first day of 2007.  The number had been held from use out of repect to Williams and the events of his tragic death.

Moreno has already shown a great amount of character in going about the request.  Rather than lobby the Broncos, Knowshon placed a call to the Williams family to see if they would allow him to bring the number out of hiatus.  Darrent’s mother Rosalind, after speaking with Moreno and coming to an agreement that the new Bronco halfback would spend time at the Darrent Williams teen center said she was more than happy to allow the rookie to take her fallen son’s number. Moreno has already started wearing the 27 during the Broncos latest mini camp.

A classy way for the guy to start his career here in Denver, it’s already helped endear himself to many of the fans.  I like the gesture and hopefully this brings the right kind of attitude to the locker room and team moving forward.

A few days after drafting Knowshown Moreno, the Denver Broncos made their first move to thin their crowded RB backfield. Selvin Young, the team’s starting running back heading into last season, was waived by the team today, it was announced.

Young joined the Broncos in 2007 as a college free agent from the University of Texas. He played 23 games (13 starts) in two seasons with Denver, totaling 201 rushes for 1,032 yards (5.1 avg.) with two touchdowns and 38 receptions for 247 yards (6.5 avg.).

This comes as little surprise. Expect the Broncos to make more moves at running back in the coming months. Young may get a few feelers from around the league, helped mainly by his 5+ ypc. Best of luck Selvin!

Draft grades are useless. I don’t believe in grades until a few seasons have passed. However reflecting on who was picked and why is a legitimate idea.

12. Knowshon Moreno

Summary: Some fans out there are calling for Josh McDaniels’ head because this wasn’t Brian Orakpo. I think I’ll stand by McDaniels choice of taking the best running back in the draft who will take pressure off of the quarterback instead of drafting a 4-3 end who is a potential bust (see Vernon Gholston).

Pros: Knowshon Moreno was amazing at Georgia in SEC, end of story. Take a look at some of his film. His forty time may be slow for his position but you can’t knock production. This pick indirectly patches up the quarterback problem. Whoever wins the starting job will have a lot of pressure taken off their shoulders if they have a back who can get the job done. If Moreno lives up to his expectations Brandon Marshall will be seeing a lot less balls thrown his way. Here is a great highlight reel and a him kickin’ it with Herschel Walker. As you can see from the highlight reel that Moreno is capable of doing some amazing things physically. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Nick Greisen

According to Aaron Wilson of PFT, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Nick Greisen signed a one year deal with Denver. This Wisconsin graduate measures in at 6’1 and 250 pounds. Greisen had previously had a 3 year, $4 million, with $1 million and as a signing bonus. The Ravens decided to cut Greisen to clear up $716,000 in the salary cap (most likely to free up space to re-sign Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis). The article states:

A former New York Giants fifth round draft pick from Wisconsin, Greisen is known as a tough reserve linebacker who’s adept at special teams.

With some of the draft picks and now this, it seems that head coach Josh McDaniels is very dedicated to improving the special teams which helped contribute to Denver placing 32nd in the league for field placement. Greisen, an inside linebacker, backed up Lewis last and and should provide good competition during training camp as well as dominante on special teams.

I like this signing, Darrel Reid, Greisen, rookies David Bruton, Darcel McBath, Alphonso Smith, and second year linebacker Spencer Larsen should provide great depth for special teams. Hopefully now the fans won’t have to see Denver fighting out of their own 10-yard line as much anymore.