Andrew Mason has a great article on DenverBroncos.com in which Ted Sundquist discusses the price of Marcus Thomas. I think anyone that had doubts about their trade up for that pick, should read this carefully.

“When you identify a player that you feel like can come in and contribute to your football team now, I’m not going to sit and wait and say, ‘It’s too steep a price,’ because there’s this fictional ghost player in the (late) third round next year that we could take — and no one knows who that player would be”

— Ted Sundquist 5/12/07

ESPN is reporting that the NFL is working on early plans that might end up expanding the current number of regular season games to seventeen. Behind these early discussions is an international reason. The NFL whats to gain international sales and exposure. The league stands to gain substantial revenue from worldwide cable/TV deals if games were played overseas throughout the year. If they can raise worldwide interest, they can cash in.

The problem is that the NFL is having a hard time ‘selling’ an overseas game to team owners. The leading issues are that right now each team has eight away games and eight home games. Since every game (minus a few of the Saints after Katrina) are at some one’s home stadium — no one is beating down the doors to give up one of their eight home games. Secondly, but related to that, is that season ticket holders lose out of there are only seven games played at home, and that hurts business.

So, the solution they are currently considering is radical. They could simply ADD a game to the regular season. Each team would then get eight home games, eight away games and one international game. This would work very well for the overseas partner as they would likely get a four game season deal with 8 different teams coming over throughout the year. With two countries getting into the action, the NFL stands to seriously increase their worldwide value and branding.

The question of a longer season seems to be something that might impact the preseason as one plan includes reducing the preseason to three games (thus not actually adding a game to the year — just moving a preseason game to the regular season).

My opinion on this: Great! The more people around the country that love this sport, the better!

Home fans aren’t losing anything and fans from around the world will have a better chance of seeing the greatest game on earth!

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Adam “Pacman” Jones appeals his one-year suspension today

Commissioner Roger Goodell has shined up his sheriff’s badge and is taking his no-crime crusade to NFL players everwhere. After suspending Pacman Jones for one year, the oft-troubled cornerback will have his appeal heard by the Commish today in New York. While I believe Jones has a case, I don’t think he will win his appeal, especially considering that charges are still pending in the case that left a man paralyzed in Las Vegas. While NFL fans might have thought they were done with hearing about these issues for a while, it seems that they’re becoming more and more prevalent in the news. Even our quarterbacks are making the news in the worst way now.

That’s right, faces of franchises, the quarterbacks, have come under scrutiny for finding themselves in hot water where it concerns the law. Michael Vick is easily the most recognizable of these cases, where an illegal dog fighting ring has been unearthed at a home he owns in Virginia. While the depth of his connection to said ring is still under investigation, he has also had three other “issues” since the 2006 kicked off last September – he was fined for an obscene Jake-the-Snake-ish gesture towards Atlanta fans late in the season in 2006; he was investigated on drug posession in a Miami airport in January; finally, he was MIA on Capitol Hill, where he was scheduled to help lobby for more after-school funding. It’s certainly tainting the Falcons franchise, and if connections are found between Vick and the dog breeding service, he could find himself being suspended for 4 games or so.

The other news involving quarterbacks broke yesterday as Ravens QB Steve McNair was arrested for a DUI. While only a misdemeanor DUI (McNair wasn’t actually driving, but it’s a crime in Tennessee to allow an intoxicated person to drive your car), it still brings the controversy all the more into light. News also broke yesterday that Commissioner Goodell, as expected, will meet with Terry “Tank” Johnson to determine his suspension. The “other” poster-boy for athlete crime, Johnson has spent the last 2 months in jail and will immediately meet the Commish in New York upon being released on Sunday.

Other recent off-field mishaps involve Seattle DE Patrick Kerney, (former) Jacksonville CB Ahmad Carroll, and our own Brandon Marshall, whose lawyers expect the case to be dropped soon but found himself in jail nonetheless. What does this all mean for Broncos fans?

These issues have completely saturated the news media over the past two months, and the image of the NFL is hurting because of it. That, more than anything, has sparked the changes to the player conduct policy set out by Goodell. We have great leaders on our team – Tom Nalen, Rod Smith, Champ Bailey, and John Lynch, just to name a few – who are both leaders by example and leaders by voice when it comes to off-field incidents. And while our team is growing younger, we still have the solid leadership of these veterans to help us out – we’re lucky not to be like the Bengals, who have a young coach and an extremely young team overall, and lack that leadership in the locker room to help them out.

Denver is not the safest town in the country, unfortunately, magnified by the recent murder of Darrent Williams in January. If someone went out looking for trouble, they could find it just around the corner. And recent draft picks Jarvis Moss and Marcus Thomas have a tainted history when it comes to off-field issues. That being said, I still feel confident in our leaders to guide these players on how to act as role models to the fans.

And if you don’t trust me, trust Mike Shanahan. In a recent interview, Shanahan was asked if Brandon Marshall’s arrest has affected his status with the team. Answer: no. Question: What if it happens again? Answer: “It won’t.”

Thanks, Shanny. That’s all I needed to know.

BroncoTalk’s 1st Annual Offseason Awards are here, given to a team, player, coach, GM, or quarterback’s dog (ooohh… sorry, Brian Griese) who had an exceptionally good (or bad) performance since practice broke in January (or February for the few). Every Thursday I’ll award the best and worst for a specific category, and this week it’s the Best and Worst Coaching Decisions in the Offseason.

And the BOA for Best Offseason Coaching Decision goes to…

The Arizona Cardinals for hiring Ken Whisenhunt. If you were going to examine different football cultures, what two different could you examine but the fans in Arizona and the Terrible Towels in Pennslyvania? The Cardinals have been the gum on the bottom of the League’s shoe for years – and coach after coach after coach has tried and failed to turn this team around. The talent is there – Matt Leinart, Larry Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James, and Anquan Boldin headline a talented group of athletes. It’s just the culture – the drive, if you will, that is stopping them from making the next step.

Enter Ken Whisenhunt, a Steeler coach who knows nothing else but winning. If you’re going to hire a coach, I strongly believe you should hire a winner, and Whisenhunt fits that bill nicely. Bringing along Russ Grimm to join him only makes too much sense. It was an outright coup, and a move that I believe will see the desert birds in the playoffs in the next year and thereafter.

And the BOA for Worst Offseason Coaching Decision goes to…

Getty Images

The San Diego Chargers for firing Motty Schottenheimer. A.J. Smith can believe what he wants, but I will always attribute the attitude change in San Diego from long time loser to AFC West yearly contender to Mary Schottenheimer. Firing a head coach after a 14-2 season is unthinkable. Frankly, I don’t want to hear about “he shouldn’t have thrown the flag” and that was why the Chargers lost the game. Tony Dungy did the EXACT same thing the year before when the Colts lost to the Steelers, and the refs reversed the call (extremely controversally, if you recall). Their reasonings were exactly the same – it was a big play and you just gotta throw the flag. We all know that the results were the difference, and now one of the men is without a job.

And Norv Turner is no better of a move then keeping Schotty, that’s for sure. Don’t get me wrong, Broncos fans – this move was great for us. The Chargers will not be the same power house without Marty on the sidelines.

So that does it for Week 1 of BroncoTalk’s Offseason Awards. Next week, you can look forward to the Best/Worst Trade 2007.<

As we drafted a set of D-linemen this year, I couldn’t help but remember the great set of CB’s we added to our team in 2005. The 2005 set of corners we drafted were an immediate force on the field and one of them would inspire the man they call Champ to say “he was the best I’ve ever played along side.” Of course, I’m talking about Darrent Williams – our short but tenacious CB lost in a drive by shooting Jan 1st.

It’s been a few months now since his murder and the media attention has slowly died away. Maybe that’s why I find myself missing the wide grin of #27. So I did an image and video search for Darrent Williams — I think I just wanted to see him again even if it was only in snapshots.

Among the images and videos I found several fan produced tributes. The number of these goes to show what a powerful impact Darrent had on the fans. Many of these tribute videos are followed with heartfelt comments from viewers regarding Darrent and their feelings of loss.

Grieving has gone global in many ways, as the internet allows strangers to stand side-by-side and express their feelings of loss and sadness without ever knowing each other’s names. Maybe it happens in a virtual world, but for those of us far from Denver this is real way that we can gain a feeling of common loss for a beloved sportsman that we will deeply miss in the year to come.

God speed D.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/v/i_708WBBc_w]

[youtube=http://youtube.com/v/EjEQWwxc0XU]

Domonique Foxworth just posted a note on the blog site maintained by denverbroncos.com. Not a lot of insight, just a little something on the offseason strength and conditioning program and a few nice words about the addition of Dre.

“I think we had one of the best ones before, but at this point we definitely have hands-down the best secondary in the NFL.”

-Domonique Foxworth 5/10/07

Seriously folks, if you’re going to rob a bank please feel free to leave the Denver Broncos gear at home.

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Didn’t Maurice Clarett have to turn in all his Denver Broncos merchandise before we cut him?

I thought about making this Tuesday’s Top 10 “Top 10 Reasons I Hate Computer Science.” Sorry for the delay and general lack of posts lately, folks – it’s Finals Week at school and I’ve been a very busy bee. But I have yet to miss a Tuesday and I never plan on it, so here is this week’s entry.

The Super Bowl Champion of each year reaches that point with the combined efforts of 53 (and often more) individuals. It will take a combined effort among all Broncos players to help us reach our goal – BUT – certain players have a heavier weight on their shoulders. Who do Broncos fans need to depend on most to step up to the plate and carry the team? Who MUST we count on to succeed in 2007 and reach our goal of Super Bowl Champions? I list the top 10 here. On an interesting note, only one player on this list has been a Bronco for more than 3 years. The top 3 have a total of 5 starts as a Bronco among them. It just goes to show you that this is a fluid, dynamic game we play in the NFL. New players are sometimes relied on to make the most impact.

10) Gerard Warren

Sometimes you need to compare your successful years to your failures. Getting a game away from the Super Bowl, while not reaching the ultimate goal, can still be considered a successful year (at least over a year later). So 2005 was pretty good. 2006 was not. So I look at the performances of players between the years and a few stand out… Gerard Warren is one of those standouts. In my mind, he is by far the best “Brownco” we have ever had, and he played above expectations in 2005. In 2006, he fell below those. With Ladainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson facing our defense twice a year each, it is vital to have a big run-stuffer in the middle. The pressure’s on you, Gerard, to lead newcomers Alvin McKinley and Marcus Thomas to complement your abilities to stop the run before it gets going.

9) Daniel Graham

Our $30 million man wasn’t originally on my list, but Graham will be relied on heavily in our offense this year. He is our jack of all trades, master of none – he will be the tight end who will likely be in the game, down in, down out, in all of our two tight end sets. Tony Scheffler will be the focus of passing plays, while wily vet and journeyman Stephen Alexander will participate more in running downs. I’m sure Shanahan won’t show his hand too much, but it will Graham’s performance in both the running and passing game that will greatly indicate how effective (and deadly) our offense would, could and should be.

8) Elvis Dumervil

Get that quarterback, Doomee! The coolest-named player on our roster (I mean, when you pronounce it you have both “Elvis” and “Doom”. Sweet) will likely come in more this year, helping to post sacks on downs-other-that-third. Can he help in run support? Can he step up. If he can, it will put the pressure off our other rookies to have to make an immediate impact on our team.

7) Brandon Marshall

No can fill Rod Smith‘s shoes in my mind. But with injury problems (and possibly contract disputes) lingering, it’s up to this newcomer to step up and play a position that seems to be cursed in Denver since Ed McCaffrey left years ago – our #2 WR. Off-field issues aside, Brandon Marshall showed enough signs to give Shanny his vote of confidence, which is (almost) enough for me. Marshall will be asked to be everything Lelie was and wasn’t – an explosive, big-play maker (was), as well as a solid, reliable chain-mover on third downs (wasn’t). Marshall certainly has the size to do it, it’s just whether or not he is talented and/or dedicated enough to make it happen.

6) Tim Crowder

I’ve said multiple times since the Draft a few weekends ago that Tim Crowder will have a bigger impact on our season than first-rounder Jarvis Moss. While certainly not containing the same upside as Moss, Crowder is more poised to break the starting lineup in Week 1. It will be important that he help in run support as well as registering sacks opposite Dumervil in passing downs.

5) Matt Lepsis

I attribute our lackluster 2006 campaign to Matt Lepsis‘ injury more than anything else. Jake Plummer sucked, sure. We couldn’t run the ball, fine. But we were 7-2 before Lepsis went down, and 2-5 after. Do the math. Stay healthy, Matt, and we’re talented enough to make a run.

4) D.J. Williams

D.J. Williams will have all the opportunities to make big plays

Making a move at linebacker is a big deal in Denver – we’ve always prided ourselves in having one of (if not the) best tandem in the league. Cutting the heart and soul of this defense was the most detrimental thing we’ve done all year – Al Wilson not being there sets the stage for problems down the road. Unless D.J. Williams can step up and make plays in the middle. He will remain in nickel packages with Ian Gold, giving him more opportunities to make those plays. If he can’t play like Wilson then the Broncos defense will suffer. Bottom line.

3) Travis Henry

We need to run the ball better than we did last year, and Travis Henry looks like just the ticket. Just STAW AWAY FROM THE WEED, Travis, and we’ll be fine!

2) Dre Bly

Darrent Williams, rest in peace, was picked on A LOT last year. After teams realized that Champ Bailey was having an MVP-caliber season, they threw in every direction that wasn’t within 20 feet of Champ. Welcome to Denver, Dre Bly. Yes, you are a former Pro Bowler, but you are the #2 now. Learn from Champ and learn how to be even greater than you have been in the past. Help us form the greatest CB tandem in recent history. Help us beat the Colts for crying out loud!

1) Jay Cutler

The Denver Post likes to call Jay Cutler the Golden Boy with the Golden Arm or Magic Arm or some kind of fabled expression regarding Cutler’s right appendage. Well, the weight is on his shoulders (or rather, said arm) to deliver us to glory in 2007. Our window is closing. Rod Smith, Tom Nalen and John Lynch are all in the twilight of their careers. The place to win is Glendale and the time to win it all is now. Can Cutler challenge Ben Roethlisberger‘s recently-set record of youngest Super Bowl Champion QB? Mile High is counting on it. We’ll only go as far as he can take us.

As you can tell by the list, we’re counting on our young players to carry the team. And it’s a pretty even mix of offense and defense (whoa – upon further inspection, I noticed that my list actually alternated offense-defense. Not intended but pretty indicative of our even needs throughout). I’m starting to warm up to the idea of a Super Bowl again – something I’ve cooled off against since we cut #56. There’s not a doubt in my mind that each of these players can step up to the plate. It’s just a matter of “will” they.

Well, Denver signed two more undrafted rookies yesterday, but they also cut Tim Duckworth — which is a strange move… We haven’t heard the reasons for that yet (maybe medical?).

Mark Fenton — College Info Page NFL Scouting Report
Colorado University
Center
6′ 4″ 295 lbs.
Inglewood, CA

He is a warrior in the middle. While at CU he started 30 consecutive games (a streak that was only broken when he fractured his fibula). Those lost games, probably cost him a position on draft day, but now this technically savvy blocker will find a place on the roster where he can learn from the best in the business.

Brandon Pace — College Info Page
Virginia Tech
Place-kicker
5′ 10″ 194 lbs. (and why does this matter for a kicker?)
Virginia Beach, VA

Pace earned athletic and academic honors last season at Virginia Tech thanks, in part, to a streak of 22 consecutive field goals over the last two seasons. That streak stands as the second-longest in ACC history. Pace also holds the league’s all-time record for field goal accuracy (85.3 percent).

Selvin Young hopes to be this year’s Mike Bell. Photo Courtesy

The Official Denver Broncos Web Site has confirmed 5 rookie undrafted free agent signings by the Broncos, and since the confirmation it has been reported that we have signed 2 more. The first, and possibly most significant, of these signings is Texas running back Selvin Young, who will likely compete for the third string spot early in the season. He’s a smaller back with great athleticism and hands, but concerns over his durability and work ethic dropped him out of the draft entirely. Again, another risky move by the Bronocs, taking talent over intangibles.

Ht: 5-11 Wt: 207 Pos: RB Class: Senior 40-Time: 4.60 Yds: 723 TDs: 8

On Selvin Young:

Young looked poised to be the starter more than once during his career at Texas, but either he never took advantage or wasn’t healthy enough when those opportunities arose. Athletically, he fits the bill in all areas. He has nice bulk and speed for his size, just shy of 6 feet tall, and he was known to have a nice burst once he found a hole.

When running the ball, Young seemed to shy away from the big hits and wasn’t know for his physicality. His durability is probably his biggest concern. However, when he found daylight he could run to it and not be touched, something that could make him a star in the Denver running game. His instincts and vision are top notch. His average yards per run fell off a bit last year, from 4.8 ypc in 2005 to 4.3 last year. Most teams want to see improvement as the athlete moves along in the system, so this is likely one of the reasons Young wasn’t drafted last weekend.

Young is effective in the passing game, having solid hands and catching 23 balls out of the backfield last season. He is also known to be a good pass blocker, something the Broncos are always looking for at running back.

Ultimately, Young will likely make his biggest impact on the team (and his best shot to make the team) in special teams. He is a solid punt returner and kick returner, being the only player in Texas history to return one of each in a single game. I expect him to compete with Quincy Morgan and Domenik Hixon for return duties in training camp. Also look for Young to prove his mettle in the preseason, when we’ll get our first real glance to see if he could be our Mike Bell, version 2007.