Denver Broncos running back Selvin Young recently predicted a 2,000 yard rushing season for himself. Days later, wide receiver Brandon Marshall just announced his intent to repeat last year’s 100-catch performance.
Since everyone’s in a prognosticating mood, I figured I’d join in the festivities and offer my June predictions. It’s only June – I completely reserve the right to change these, and fully intend on doing just that as the regular season approaches and I give my “final” predictions. Here we go…
The depth chart was challenged last year as injury after injury sent productive veterans to the bench, and the Broncos didn’t respond well. The depth chart was backed up by late round players who had yet to see extensive game time – players like Chris Myers, Chris Kuper, and Hamza Abdullah. All were inconsistent (not just these players), playing well and playing poorly at different times.
Now, we’ve added veteran players through free agency to back up some of the biggest positions of question. Behind Tom Nalen we have Casey Wiegmann. Behind Ben Hamilton we have Dylan Gandy. Behind John Lynch we have Marlon McCree.
For this reason, I believe the Broncos have improved. Veterans, with game experience, are now backing up our Broncos instead of players who were a little too green. Injuries are a part of football, and while the Broncos have gotten stronger just by seeing injured studs return to the field, the added depth will surely help the team survive the annual training room migration.
The Prediction: The 2008 Denver Broncos will go 10-6, finish 2nd in the AFC West, and enter the playoffs as the fifth seed. They’ll win one playoff game, giving Jay Cutler valuable playoff experience and then prepare for a “real” run in 2009.
That’s where I’m at right now. Dish it out in the comments.
I just found this funny. Not so much for the activity itself, but maybe that it was worthy of reporting on ESPN.
From the ESPN Hashmarks blog:
Posted by Bill Williamson
A bowling the Broncos go. Continuing a recent tradition, Denver coach Mike Shanahan is taking his team bowling today.
The morale-boosting event ends the club’s on-field work before training camp. Denver ended its OTAs Thursday. Shanahan previously planned a two-day camp in early July but it’s been canceled. The next time Denver hits the field will be July 25 for the first day of training camp. The team still has a few weeks remaining of the offseason conditioning program, though.
P Danny Baugher
With team camp coming to an end, the Denver Broncos announced the release of six players from their 80-man roster. Quarterback Cullen Finnerty, punter Danny Baugher, wide receiver Taylor Jacobs, linebacker Brandon Archer, safety Vickiel Vaughn, and defensive end Julian Jenkins were all given their pink slips today.
Information on how each player was acquired, from the team’s official site:
“Finnerty, Baugher, Vaughn and Jenkins all joined the Broncos this year as free agent acquisitions during the offseason. The Broncos claimed Archer off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year.
“Jacobs spent the 2007 season on the Broncos roster and appeared in six games on special teams. He returned three kicks for 35 yards and notched 4 special teams tackles.”
With the release of these players, the Broncos now have the roster space to sign six more draft picks to contracts. Hopefully they’ll get those done soon. With eight draft picks left to sign, it’s safe to assume two more players will be receiving similar notices in the near future as well.
Best of luck, fellas.
 |
| Name: Daniel Graham |
| Height, Weight: 6’3″, 257 |
| Position: Tight End |
| Age, Experience: 7, 29 |
| College: Colorado |
|
Daniel Graham signed a buku contract with the Denver Broncos in the 2007 free agency period, partially with the promise of increased throws going his way. In his first five seasons in the NFL, all with the Patriots, Graham averaged 24 receptions per season. In his first season with the Broncos in 2007, Graham caught 24 passes. Not exactly what everyone had in mind.
The Good: His blocking is severely underrated. He’s one of the best blocking tight ends I’ve ever seen, easily capable of filling in at tackle for a series or two if needed. It’s for this reason, more than any other, that Graham can’t seem to find himself in passing patterns – he’s just too darn valuable as a blocker. With last year’s struggles on the o-line, he was especially needed to stay inside and help with the rush. If the offensive line can perform on its own, perhaps Graham will be able to escape that area of the field and catch a few more balls. He is capable.
The Bad: The Jacksonville game sticks out in a lot of fans’ minds. It seems there’s a defining “bad play” for just about everyone out there – this one definitely applies to Graham. Maybe it’s because the Broncos were 2-0, both off 4th quarter comebacks, and Graham’s drop came at the most crucial time in the game. 4th and long, 8 points down, still hope. He was wide open, there’s the PERFECT pass from Jay Cutler (that would have moved the ball some 40 yards or so)… and it hits the turf. Not exactly a shining moment. Looking at the collective works, though, and I’m satisfied with his ability to catch a ball.
Status: Incumbent starter. Signed through 2011. Graham’s very large contract pretty much ensures he’ll remain a Bronco for several years. Daniel Graham was born on Nov. 16, 1978, in Torrance, CA.
As always, we invite you, the readers, to partake. Does the lack of passing production leave you sour on Graham, or does the blocking overcome that?
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We hope you enjoy these posts as BroncoTalk continues to develop the first fan-powered Denver Broncos roster on the web.
- Well, at least the injury hasn’t slowed his spirit. [NFL.com]
- Marshall talks about getting healthy. [Denver Post]
- Jay Cutler is focused on changing one stat: winning. [Denver Post]
- Keary Colbert loves his fresh start. [Rocky Mountain News]
- Senior Bowl Analysis: Peyton Hillis (at tailback instead of fullback). [Thin Air]
- Q&A with Ring of Famer Billy Thompson. [Predominantly Orange]
- This new blogger thinks Selvin Young will be good on his word. [Bleeping Idiots]
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| Name: Dylan Gandy |
| Height, Weight: 6’3″, 302 |
| Position: Guard |
| Age, Experience: 4, 26 |
| College: Texas Tech |
|
Dylan Gandy joined the Denver Broncos as a free agent in 2008 after playing for three years for the Colts. A 4th round draft choice in 2005 by Indianapolis, Gandy played in 42 career regular season games with 14 starts. He also played in 6 postseason games with one start.
The Good: Gandy was a starter for the Colts for most of the 2006 season, in which the Colts would go on to win the Super Bowl. He started 11 games, playing in all 16, playing an integral role in a Colts offense that allowed an NFL-low 15 sacks and averaged an AFC-best 379.4 yards per game. In college, Gandy received honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors after not allowing a sack as a senior.
The Bad: Not being able to keep his starting job in Indy, and ultimately being waived, is a natural concern. Luckily the Broncos aren’t looking for him to start, but be a reliable backup. That’s exactly what he’ll do at both left and right guard positions.
Status: Valuable backup. Signed an undisclosed contract in 2008. Gandy will compete with P.J. Alexander for a backup role to both guard spots for the Broncos. Ultimately he could develop into a starter down the line. Dylan Gandy was born on March 8, 1982.
As always, we invite you, the readers, to partake. Does Gandy leave you feeling dandy, or is Dylan just a villain?
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We hope you enjoy these posts as BroncoTalk continues to develop the first fan-powered Denver Broncos roster on the web.
The Broncos have been talking about getting a head start on rookie signings throughout the week. It appears they were good on their word, signing 7th round pick Josh Barrett today.
The Broncos will be working in the coming weeks to sign the remaining eight draft choices. Head Coach Mike Shanahan recently said he is confident everyone will be signed and ready by training camp.
Barrett is a safety from Arizona State University whom the Broncos selected with the 220th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Click here to read the rest of this entry »
Things didn’t end well between the Denver Broncos and WR Javon Walker, and the former Pro Bowler has already made it clear that it’s personal between he and the Broncos. Well, he’s not the only one – Broncos players are feeling it as well. Even if they’re new to the team.
Kim from Predominantly Orange conducted a slew of player interviews from Fain Fair over the weekend, and new middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides made it clear that the Broncos have #17 (formerly #84) squared in their sights.
“We’ll have something special for Javon Walker… He’s not too happy with the Broncos right now. You work year round for those kind of games.”
“Something special for Javon,” huh? A little more oomph in each hit? A little smack talk between plays? Sounds good to me.
One thing is certain: this game between the Raiders and Broncos is going to be epic. Simply epic. I can’t remember being this pumped for a season opener in a long, long time. They better bring their ‘A game,’ because Walker’s former teammates are ready to take it to ’em.
Q&A with Niko Koutouvides [Predominantly Orange]
Former Denver Broncos Coach Troy Calhoun instructs Jerry Rice
Former Broncos assistant and now Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun stopped by Broncos minicamp yesterday. He brought his coaching staff with him to watch Wednesday’s practice at Dove Valley. Calhoun was also Gary Kubiaks’ offensive coordinator in Houston for one season. Troy is looking at implementing even more of Denver’s philosophy into his program at Air Force. Last season he brought in the zone blocking scheme we’re all familiar with.
“This is a phenomenal place. It’s a tremendous organization. Everything they do, they do it first class. I think the thing you’re always trying to do is you never stop learning. That’s part of any profession. But I think that’s certainly the case, in this day and age, in college football too.” – Calhoun on the Broncos Organization
Calhoun on how Shanahan changes the makeup of the team:
“You end up finding out you always want to be able to tailor to what you have, personnel wise,†Calhoun said. “That’s where Mike has been the very best. He knows what his strengths are and he’s always played in that direction. That’s what we have to do at the Air Force Academy too, and I think we did that quite well last year.â€
The Broncos often host college staffs and the Air Force coach noticed the practices have changed a lot since 2005. He wants to keep his practices fresh as well, visiting other teams helps. Shanahan sees Calhoun as a long term guy for Air Force, much like his predecessor Fisher DeBerry.
More info:
The Colorado Springs Gazette
KOAA.com
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Published on Sat Jun 14 10:00. 15 Comments |
Tagged: 2007 Season, 2008 Season, Predictions.