• As if Matt Lepsis‘ retirement and Javon Walker‘s trade pseudo-demands weren’t enough, it looks like our lone Pro Bowler Champ Bailey is thinking about asking for a little more dough this offseason. He sounds pretty mellow in the quote, but it makes you wonder why he would address it to the media in the first place. [Denver Post]
• Bates may be on the hot seat, but don’t forget who employed him, this writer proclaims. [Rocky Mountain News]
• One of our readers asked for a Matt Lepsis tribute in a recent comment. It looks like Andrew Mason has you covered for now. [Mason’s Morsels]

With the long offseason ahead, BroncoTalk begins its look forward to the 2008 season by looking at the current state of the Broncos roster, position by position. We’ll take a look at the players signed through 2008, and give you our opinion on the need this position represents for the Broncos this offseason. Enjoy.

Jay Cutler
Contract Status: Signed through 2011
The Broncos drafted Jay Cutler with their top pick in 2006 with the mindset that he would be the Broncos franchise QB for years to come. Early signs show that he’s capable of being just that. Praise for Cutler by the coaches, players, and fans has been well-deserved – Jay is developing into the best quarterback the Broncos have seen since John Elway.

In 2007: Coming into the 2007 season, Cutler’s favorite targets were Javon Walker and Tony Scheffler. Both would miss time due to injury, but Cutler still put up good numbers. He finished the year with just shy of 3,500 yards, scoring 20 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions, for an 88.1 passer rating (best in the AFC West).

In 2008: Barring injury, Cutler is the unquestioned starter for the Broncos. Look for him to improve on his numbers as he grows in the Denver system. 4,000 yards and a passer rating in the 90’s isn’t far fetched, especially if the offensive line does a better job protecting the young passer.

Patrick Ramsey
Contract Status: Signed through 2008
The Broncos signed Patrick Ramsey to a two-year deal in 2007, making 2008 his contract year. Ramsey is a young quarterback that has already seen himself in several different team colors since being drafted in the first round by the Washington Redskins in 2002.

In 2007: Ramsey played one game for the Broncos against Detroit when Jay Cutler went down with a leg injury in the first half. Coach Mike Shanahan had high praise for Ramsey’s efforts, but I was honestly left thinking that this team is in trouble without Cutler behind center. But how many situations are there where a backup could perform to the level of the starter? His passer rating in the 70’s for that game is consistent with his career, and it’s hard to expect much higher from someone coming from a backup position.

In 2008: Only if needed due to injury to Cutler.

Darrell Hackney
Contract Status: UFA 2008 (unconfirmed)
The Broncos promoted Hackney from their practice squad in November, and Hackney never saw the field. He’s short and plump with a rocket arm. His off field issues are a concern (a DUI last month, along with other dropped chargers earlier in the year), and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him waived by the Broncos because of these issues.

In 2007: Did not play; promoted from practice squad in November after signing as Denver’s first free agent signing in March.

In 2008: Could see himself on another team due to off-field issues. The Broncos have managed with two quarterbacks on the roster for years; he may not need to be replaced.

The Bottom Line

Signed through 2008: 2
Offseason Priority: Low

All that was left for the Denver Broncos’ schedule was locking in the 2nd place finishers in the AFC South and North. These went to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns respectively, and now we have the opponents below:

The Denver Broncos will be drafting 12th in April’s draft, fourth of seven 7-9 teams. Draft order for all of the teams not affected by the playoffs below:

W L Pct Strength Record

1. Miami 1 15 .063 .539 138-118-0

2. St. Louis 3 13 .188 .512 131-125-0

3. Atlanta-x 4 12 .250 .516 132-124-0

4. Oakland-x 4 12 .250 .516 132-124-0

5. Kansas City-x 4 12 .250 .516 132-124-0

6. New York Jets 4 12 .250 .523 134-122-0

7. New England (from S.F.) 5 11 .313 .465 119-137-0

8. Baltimore 5 11 .313 .516 132-124-0

9. Cincinnati 7 9 .438 .461 118-138-0

10. New Orleans 7 9 .438 .480 123-133-0

11. Buffalo 7 9 .438 .516 132-124-0

12. Denver 7 9 .438 .516 132-124-0

13. Carolina 7 9 .438 .523 134-122-0

14. Chicago 7 9 .438 .543 139-117-0

15. Detroit 7 9 .438 .543 139-117-0

16. Arizona 8 8 .500 .434 111-145-0

17. Minnesota 8 8 .500 .504 129-127-0

18. Houston 8 8 .500 .516 132-124-0

19. Philadelphia 8 8 .500 .563 144-112-0

At 11-5, the San Diego Chargers would currently be drafting 27th, again subject to playoff results.

Don’t go anywhere this offseason, folks.  We’ll have so much on the draft and free agency as the months go by.

Chart courtesy Rocky Mountain News

• Position-by-position breakdown of the Broncos heading into this offseason. [Denver Post]
• Jim Bates‘ fate will be decided this week as he meets with Coach Mike Shanahan. But if he’s asked to change his scheme again next year, does he even want to return? [Denver Post]
• Ben Hamilton and Tom Nalen both plan on returning next year, and the left tackle spot is rookie Ryan Harris’ to lose. [Rocky Mountain News]
• Breaking down the offensive and defensive lines by running statistics and position. [Mile High Report]
• Draft pick compensation is unlikely for the Broncos this year. [Denver Post]

It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since the news broke that Darrent Williams was shot and killed.  A year later, it’s still difficult to wrap my head around that fact.  And it’s still hard to come to terms with the tragedy.

I’m still overwhelmingly sad whenever I think of Williams’ smile or frohawk.  I’m filled with anger knowing that justice still has not been served.  The latest articles indicate that the testimonies are potentially there to put his killers behind bars, but the fear of gang backlash is preventing those with knowledge to come forward.  What a tragic circumstance.

It’s a tough, emotional day for all of the players and staff involved with the Broncos last year.  God knows what Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall, and Nick Ferguson are going through today.

There’s been a lot of goings-on with the Broncos these past few days.  Some 16 players have been signed to future contracts.  Yet I find myself somewhat disinterested, in a sort of sedated state, still mourning and remembering the sad fate of D-Will one year later.

Williams was a rising star, and by all accounts, a good friend, and a loving father.  Today we remember the man who was taken from us, and honor him with our thoughts and prayers for those who were left behind.  More than ever, we leave these thoughts with his family – his mother, his girlfriend, and his children.

I’ll probably be thinking straight in a day or two, but today I’m such a mix of anger and sadness I don’t know if I’d be making any sense.  So I’m signing off until at least tomorrow, and keeping #27 in my thoughts.  While the healing has begun, I know I won’t be nearly better about the entire situation until his killers are brought to justice. 

Hopefully 2008 brings more joy to Broncos fans than 2007 has.  To a happy, and safe, holiday for everyone.

“It is time for me to move on. I am completely sure this is the right thing to do.”
— Matt Lepsis 1/1/08

More surprises this morning as Matt Lepsis announces his retirement [DENVER POST]. I’m sure you’ll see some posts on this by Earl, Kyle and myself as we get past the holiday’s (and recover from our hang-overs). But I did want to put up at least something on this news.

Also… I noticed in the article that Matt Lepsis made this comment: “I’ve just turned into a huge Broncos fan.”

Hey, Matt, there’s a great fan blog called BroncoTalk.net that would welcome another fanatic Bronco fan to our writing staff (hint, hint)

Photo Courtesy

Just wanted to drop a line this New Year’s Eve (really New Year’s Day now for me over in EST), to let you know that a crazy offseason for Denver has already started.

Javon Walker ended a rambling press interview by saying that he didn’t want to be in Denver in 2008. Actually, he said “It’s not for Javon.” [DENVER POST]

More disturbing than considering the possibility of not having Walker, Marshall AND Stokley to work with next year, is Javon’s strange reference to himself in third person. Seriously, it just freaks me out when people do this. I think it points to major psychological issues. And in Walkers case, those may include the death of his good friend last New Year’s Eve. Maybe his injuries, the explosion of Marshall’s playing time and Darrent’s death have all played a part, but no amount of mental anguish justifies referring to yourself in third person.

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year.

Go Broncos!

vs.

Here’s to ending the season on a positive note. I’ll be away from a computer, but feel free to talk about the game here guys. Let’s go Broncos!

“Honestly, it feels worse than it did before I had surgery, so pretty much it’s not healed. It’s not healing at all.” — Rod Smith 12/28/07

Well, folks, the news we’ve be dreading all year has finally broke… Rod Smith’s hip is NOT healing and his announcement today that offseason surgery may include hip replacement all but seals the deal — Captain Rod has caught his last pro football.

One of the advantages of blogging is that the words we type here go out onto the web and can be viewed by nearly everyone in the world… So, I want to take advantage of that tonight and say a few things directly to Rod Smith (you all can read them too).

Rod,

Jonathan Douglas 12/29/07