direction Denver "might" want to go

[randymon]

heading into this season just might hinge more on D-line and secondary oppossed to worrying about LB status. The more I read/research I see a heavy emphisis on building a strong D-line and secondary oppossed to the LB position. The way the offensive NFL is trending, its very difficult to find Lbs that are good in run support and have the ability to drop back in pass coverage. There`s just too much to ask with the pass oriented offenses these days to find a LB that can do both. Its a diamond in the ruff if you can find one. The trend I`am reading is get a nice group of Lbs that can defend run and this new generation of big, quick hard hitting,coverage skill dbs to compensate for the Lbs lack of coverage skills. Not unlike the Seahawks. I think Denver should stick with the Lbs they have and put as much effort as possible in their D-line and secondary. Good chance they can bolster that side of the ball with minimum casualties on the O end. If we have to lose a Decker or a Moreno, I don`t think Denver will suffer to much with the other expirience they have ( I wouldn`t want to lose Welker). We all know Denver can prob cruize thru the weak-ish AFC again and get to PO but in order to reach the promised land again, the D just has to measure up vs NFC Ds to be competitive IMO. I`am going to jump out now and say Denver will go heavy on secondary/ d-line in FA/draft and except for maybe a wr in 5-7 rds who can be a returner and actually contribute as wr as well. Love to hear your guys thoughts

 

[WalkerBoh]

heading into this season just might hinge more on D-line and secondary oppossed to worrying about LB status. The more I read/research I see a heavy emphisis on building a strong D-line and secondary oppossed to the LB position. The way the offensive NFL is trending, its very difficult to find Lbs that are good in run support and have the ability to drop back in pass coverage. There`s just too much to ask with the pass oriented offenses these days to find a LB that can do both. Its a diamond in the ruff if you can find one. The trend I`am reading is get a nice group of Lbs that can defend run and this new generation of big, quick hard hitting,coverage skill dbs to compensate for the Lbs lack of coverage skills. Not unlike the Seahawks. I think Denver should stick with the Lbs they have and put as much effort as possible in their D-line and secondary. Good chance they can bolster that side of the ball with minimum casualties on the O end. If we have to lose a Decker or a Moreno, I don`t think Denver will suffer to much with the other expirience they have ( I wouldn`t want to lose Welker). We all know Denver can prob cruize thru the weak-ish AFC again and get to PO but in order to reach the promised land again, the D just has to measure up vs NFC Ds to be competitive IMO. I`am going to jump out now and say Denver will go heavy on secondary/ d-line in FA/draft and except for maybe a wr in 5-7 rds who can be a returner and actually contribute as wr as well. Love to hear your guys thoughts

You're probably right on the secondary. With the guys we have on the roster, Denver may not put much emphasis on the DL spots. A lot will depend on what the coaches feel we have here. In theory, we have Miller, Phillips, Jackson, Wolfe, Q. Smith, (maybe even Mincey) that can play the pass rushing DE. (I'm making the assumption all will return healthy, since there's no credible news to say otherwise). Plus, there's depth inside with Vickerson, Knighton, and S. Williams (who looked to be coming around late in the season.) Our secondary will need players though. I've mentioned Browner as a possibility opposite DRC. I think we also will need to bring in another safety or two. I think Ihenacho has the stuff to be the hard hitting safety that makes WR's pause. Get him other safeties that can do the same and look out.

One thing I think they WILL revisit is the running game. Yes, they will be going up against some tough defenses this season, and Elway probably knows that all too well. Not only will Denver need to "measure up" to the NFC West defenses, they will need to defeat them. This is best accomplished by establishing a strong running game. So don't be surprised if that becomes a focal point in the offseason. Although Manning doesn't typically use one, don't be surprised if Elway brings in a pass catching FB. He knows from experience that Davis was helped with having a FB clearing some paths in front of him. He could try to convince Manning to utilize something similar that still can play to Manning's strengths. I'd also like to see what they can get in trade for Clark. I think we can draft an LT that can take his place, while getting some good value in return.

 

[cdumler7]

Here is what I want to see this off season. One name the Broncos have been linked to already for Free Agency is Darryl Smith MLB for Baltimore. The guy just had an outstanding season and is one of those rare linebackers that can help in the run game and pass game. So that would give us our two main linebackers for the nickel with him and trev.


The really big move that I am hoping the Broncos are looking at is bringing in one of the top safeties. This draft is lacking quite a bit in quality safeties in my opinion but Free Agency actually has a ton of them. Bring in a guy like Jarius Byrd or TJ Ward and give us that huge playmaker in the Safety position to team with Rahim Moore. Moore thankfully is a guy that can play both safety positions and do pretty well. Him going down really was a bigger loss than people like to admit. Before his injury we had given up 7 plays for 40 or more yards (10 games), After his injury we gave up 15 in the final 6.


Right now of our own Free Agents the only 2 guys that haven't been linked to the Broncos letting test Free Agency are Zane Beadles and DRC. To me that just shows that they seem to be the priority in signing. Beadles helps keep our line the same for another year plus the return of Clady should help him get back to his pro bowl level of playing. So that would give us 3 players on the OL with either Pro Bowl or All-Pro skills.


Two other guys I am hoping our FO will look at in FA are Michael Johnson of the Bengals and Lamaar Houston of the Raiders. Both guys are expected to hit Free Agency and I think both could be huge for our pass rush opposite Miller. They didn't get a whole lot of sacks but both caused a ton of pressure.


So if say we make these few moves (which we do have the cap space for) then come draft time we can focus on Cornerback, WR, OL Depth, Linebacker depth

 

[Malibu]

MLB's and LB's that can cover. Another safety would be nice as well.

 

[cdumler7]

MLB's and LB's that can cover. Another safety would be nice as well.

We already have one linebacker than can cover in Trevathon. He rated out as one of the top cover linebackers in the NFL. Just need that 3-down MLB to really give us that solid core across the linebacking unit with Miller coming back.

To me the top position is Safety. Ihenacho started out strong but really struggled to finish out the season and his coverage skills are just lacking. He is a great run-stopping Safety but we need safeties that can do both. We have one in Moore who is good in both coverage and run support. This is why I would say TJ Ward should be our top priority this off season. The guy is one of the biggest hitters in the NFL and is great in coverage. We get him I will post a video of me trying to do a backflip (last time I did one ended up with 2 black eyes and a concussion but would be well worth it to show my excitement for signing this guy).