#49 Rashad Johnson Upends an Opposing Player

Word is going around in the NFL scouting circles that Broncos are targeting Alabama Safety Rashad Johnson with one of their 3rd round picks.  Johnson is a favorite of many draft experts, based off of his work ethic and history of over achievement.  Johnson was a walk on at Alabama where he eventually became one of the team’s two captains.  He is a talent at a position of need for the Broncos and would bring some much needed leadership on that side of the ball.  Scout.com reports that Rashad has already worked out with the Broncos and visited with the team but they were not one of the teams that interviewed the safety during the combine.  One of my more favorite columnists, Rick Gosselin has an excellent writeup on Johnson saying he has selected Rashad as his favorite player of the 2009 draft.

As draft day approaches, BroncoTalk will be giving you game tape highlights of some of the bigger (and smaller) names around the draft.  This one is sure to bring quite a few jeers from the Broncotalk faithful but here is USC QB Mark Sanchez. Picked by many experts to be McDaniel’s favorite QB in the draft for his system play and mechanics, Sanchez could end up being the new franchise passer in Denver.

NFL Network’s Inside Look at USC QB Mark Sanchez
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From Peter King’s Monday Morning QB column:

I think the Broncos may trade up in the first round, but not for what you think. Not for a quarterback. Maybe for Tyson Jackson, the LSU defensive end who’s the best-available 3-4 defensive end in the draft, or Texas pass-rusher Brian Orakpo. I’m not saying it’s impossible they’ll draft a quarterback, but believe me when I tell you Josh McDaniels likes Kyle Orton a lot.

Looking back on the career of Al Wilson, along with a where are they now update.  I think we all miss our beast of a MLB.  [jacksonsun.com]

Mike Klis says the starting job is Orton’s to lose.  [Denver Post]

Klis brings up a trade proposal between the Jags and the Broncos that he thinks is all too logical.  He also has the same thoughts on Brandon Marshall as Ian’s recent post.  [Denver Post]

Mike Mayock breaks down his top five defensive tackles in the draft.  [NFL Network]

Reviewing the top 10 Quarterbacks in the draft and saying there isn’t a bonfide superstar in the bunch.  [Boulder Daily Camera]

The USC linebacker with a great NFL bloodline; Clay Mattews was supposed to visit the Broncos on Friday.  Denver and Tennessee were the two teams that conducted an official interview with Clay at the combine.  [Scout.com]

The Bears will have to pay Cutler his 100k bonus if he participates in their offseason workout program as expected.  [Chicago Sun Times]

Jay Cutler’s Alma mater paper published a scathing article on our former QB, saying the Broncos came out on top in the trade.  [insideVANDY]

Will Brandon Marshall face suspension? (AP Photo)

Broncos fans, how about some good news? Okay, well, Mike Klis brought it up in his latest article in the Denver Post and I mentioned it last week in our podcast, but it appears that Brandon Marshall may not actually face the eight week suspension that we’ve all been dreading.

Had the NFL’s Commissioner Roger Goodell planned on suspending the Broncos upstart receiver, he most likely would have done it already. The reason being is that Denver would have enough preemptive knowledge as possible prior to the draft and could target a receiver that may be able to ‘cover’ the absence of Marshall. Goodell did not make an announcement, yet he announced the suspension of the Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for an incident that has happened since Marshall blipped on the radar, so to speak.

So, status check 2009, Denver has a great, young offensive line, one of the best receivers in the NFL and another up and comer who could very well surpass Marshall in numbers this season (Eddie Royal). One of the leagues most underrated tight ends in Tony Scheffler and a year-after-year, plug anyone in, running game. Do we really care who is going to be the quarterback? With Marshall in tact, there’s not a thing that we need to worry about and that’s that…

I forgot to mention the leagues most prolific offensive coach since, well, Mike Shanahan, in Josh McDaniels. Don’t forget Nation, we still have him, whether we are New England West or not, we’re going to kill next season. In fact, today I was watching NFL Replay Real-Time (week 6) and at least four of our new acquisitions scored that week, that is definitely a sign. Corell Buckhalter ran one in, J.J. Arrington ran an opening kick-off back for six, Kyle Orton nearly illustrated a fantastic come from behind win and Jabar Gaffney came up clutch… What more do you want kids?

In the meantime, would love for you to join in and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or you can stream it live, via the Orange Page. This week we’re recording with BroncoTalk’s own Josh Temple and David East regarding the 2009 draft! So subscribe and listen… I’ll even tell you who Denver will draft in the first round…

As draft day approaches, BroncoTalk will be giving you game tape highlights of some of the bigger (and smaller) names around the draft.  This installment brings the defensive tackle that is at the top of everyone’s board.  Boston College’s B.J. Raji.  Projected to be a top five pick, or he might have fallen stock after allegations of a failed drug test at the combine, Raji is what many would consider the future anchor of Denver’s 3-4 defensive line.

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