The Broncos offensive line was shaky for the most part last season, but that was because they didn't know what to expect. I love Tim Tebow, but there were times when he held onto the ball too long and it led to sacks. Look for the stats to be much better this season since Manning gets the ball off in a timely manner.
Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin will be starting at the tackle positions. Clady is one of the best tackles in the league and he should get a contract extension sometime during the season. Clady should nor let up more than 1 sack this season. Franklin needs to work on his pass protection this offseason because at some points he was absolutely terrible, but he showed some flashes. He has the potential to be one of the best RT's in the league. Manning will help since he gets the ball out quickly. Ryan Harris and Tony Hills will compete for the back up job.
Cris Kuper is one of the best guards in the league, but it remains to be seen if he can come back from his leg injury that he suffered against the Steelers in the playoffs. Kuper will be starting RG while Zane Beadles will be starting at the other guard position. Beadles is decent, but this may be his last year to prove himself to the coaches.
Center JD Walton could be in trouble because he really is not that good and the Broncos drafted fellow center Phillip Blake from Baylor. Blake could even take his starting job before the season starts. It would not bother me at all if Walton lost his job.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Denver Broncos Position Breakdown: WRs
The Broncos WR's are going to have a big adjustment to make from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. The Broncos didn't pass much last season, but they- they being Tebow and receivers- had a couple of great games last season including against the #1 defense in the NFL. The Broncos know for sure who their top 2 will be, but it is unknown from there on.
Thomas will become of the best receivers in the league next season, he has all of the skills and he showed how electrifying he could be during the end of the season and the playoffs. Look for him to have around 80 catches 1300 yards and 10+ TD's. He will tear up defenses next season with Peyton Manning giving him pin point passes all season.
Decker is the other receiver who has his starting job locked up. Decker is a possession receiver who runs crisp routes and gets open. He will give Manning a reliable receiver on 3rd downs and in other short yardage situations. He may be Manning's favorite receiver to begin with because of his route running and his ability to catch the ball. Expect 100 catches 1100 yards and 6 TD's.
Behind Decker and Thomas is where anybody can take over. The Broncos signed Stokley in the offseason to give Manning a familiar target and Stokley will help the other receivers get used to Manning. Stokley should make the team just for that reason, but he may not be a starter because Caldwell is behind him and he was the starter slot receiver on the Bengals. Look out for undrafted free agent Eric Page. Page may make the team for his returning skills, but he will also make an impact on WR later on in the season.
Jason Hill was signed in the offseason for low money and he will probably be the #1 back up coming into the season. He has never really shined, but he could get his chance if Thomas or Decker get hurt. Mark Dell was supposed to tear it up in preseason last year, but he was injured in the first game and never saw the field since. He has size so look for him to do well in the preseason and make the team. There are other receivers, but most of them will be camp bodies and should be cut early on.
Thomas will become of the best receivers in the league next season, he has all of the skills and he showed how electrifying he could be during the end of the season and the playoffs. Look for him to have around 80 catches 1300 yards and 10+ TD's. He will tear up defenses next season with Peyton Manning giving him pin point passes all season.
Decker is the other receiver who has his starting job locked up. Decker is a possession receiver who runs crisp routes and gets open. He will give Manning a reliable receiver on 3rd downs and in other short yardage situations. He may be Manning's favorite receiver to begin with because of his route running and his ability to catch the ball. Expect 100 catches 1100 yards and 6 TD's.
Behind Decker and Thomas is where anybody can take over. The Broncos signed Stokley in the offseason to give Manning a familiar target and Stokley will help the other receivers get used to Manning. Stokley should make the team just for that reason, but he may not be a starter because Caldwell is behind him and he was the starter slot receiver on the Bengals. Look out for undrafted free agent Eric Page. Page may make the team for his returning skills, but he will also make an impact on WR later on in the season.
Jason Hill was signed in the offseason for low money and he will probably be the #1 back up coming into the season. He has never really shined, but he could get his chance if Thomas or Decker get hurt. Mark Dell was supposed to tear it up in preseason last year, but he was injured in the first game and never saw the field since. He has size so look for him to do well in the preseason and make the team. There are other receivers, but most of them will be camp bodies and should be cut early on.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Denver Broncos Postion Breakdown: RBs
The Broncos are really an unknown commodity at RB this season. McGahee was great last season, but he got a lot of carries and he is going to turn 31 during the season. Moreno has been decent, not what you want in the 12th pick in the draft, but he needs to be better and his DUI in the offseason is not helping matters. Mario Fannin was one of the fastest players last offseason, but he tore his ACL in training camp. Hillman is unknown because he is a rookie. The Broncos need to decide if they will be using 3 or 4 RB's.
McGahee is old and he will not duplicate what he did last season and that is for shore. He won't be burdened with the carries, but he will not be the same and the sad thing is he could be the starting running back this season. He had a problem with fumbling last season and nearly cost the Broncos a playoff win against the Steelers.
Ronnie Hillman has been compared to Darren Sproles, but I don't see it in him, he just doesn't have it. Thats not to say he can't be a good running back because I think he can be. He might not be able to carry the load all by himself though. Look for him to take the starting running back job mid way through the season.
Mario Fannin was one of the most electrifying players in camp last season, but he suffered a knee injury which landed him on the reserved list last season. Look for him to take over the third down duties if Moreno does not make the team. Moreno is a good third down back, but thats all he is at this point and he was busted for DUI this spring which could put him at odds with the coaching staff. Lance Ball and Jeramiah Johnson are both not likely to make the team after being on the active roster last season. Johnson has the best chance if they go for 4 running backs because of his down hill running style.
Denver Broncos Position Breakdown: QBs
The Broncos will come into training camp with 4 QBs, but unlike last season they know who their starting QB will be. Their will be a real big competition between Adam Weber and Caleb Hanie to stay on the Roster because Osweiler's spot is basically guaranteed spot since he was a 3rd round pick last season. He may not be the immediate backup early this season, but he still will make the team.
Peyton Manning is one of the best QB's to play in the history in the NFL. However, he is coming off of four neck surgeries last season and they could possibly limit his mobility, but it will be hard to notice until they get into real action. Manning comes into the season as the definite starter and all he has to worry about is getting to know the Broncos receivers. Thomas and Decker should have career years with Manning behind center.
Osweiler was one overrated QB coming into the draft. He was 7-8 in college and his accuracy is not up to par with most NFL QB's. Don't expect him to make an impact and he should be the 3rd QB on the depth chart, He really needs to sit back and learn from Peyton Manning before he does anything else.
Adam Weber was on the practice squad for the bulk of last season. He should look to make is final push onto the active roster this offseason. Caleb Hanie would not even be on an NFL roster right now if it wasn't for his turn out in the NFC Championship Game. He was downright awful last season in relief for Jay Cutler and I doubt he beats out Adam Weber for the final roster QB roster spot.
Peyton Manning is one of the best QB's to play in the history in the NFL. However, he is coming off of four neck surgeries last season and they could possibly limit his mobility, but it will be hard to notice until they get into real action. Manning comes into the season as the definite starter and all he has to worry about is getting to know the Broncos receivers. Thomas and Decker should have career years with Manning behind center.
Osweiler was one overrated QB coming into the draft. He was 7-8 in college and his accuracy is not up to par with most NFL QB's. Don't expect him to make an impact and he should be the 3rd QB on the depth chart, He really needs to sit back and learn from Peyton Manning before he does anything else.
Adam Weber was on the practice squad for the bulk of last season. He should look to make is final push onto the active roster this offseason. Caleb Hanie would not even be on an NFL roster right now if it wasn't for his turn out in the NFC Championship Game. He was downright awful last season in relief for Jay Cutler and I doubt he beats out Adam Weber for the final roster QB roster spot.
Knicks Acquire Marcus Camby
The Knicks got Marcus Camby in a sign and trade with the Houston Rockets. This was a great short term solution to a long term problem for the Knicks. Right now Camby is nothing more than a rebounder and a shot blocker and he will be their best big man off the bench. Camby will make a big impact for a couple of year, but the Knicks better hope they win a championship in the next couple of years because he is 38.
Grade: B
The Rockets are in rebuilding mode, Camby was not part of the plan so they let him go while getting something for him. Harrelson and Douglas are the key components they aren't all stars, but they will help out this season.
Grade: B+
Grade: B
The Rockets are in rebuilding mode, Camby was not part of the plan so they let him go while getting something for him. Harrelson and Douglas are the key components they aren't all stars, but they will help out this season.
Grade: B+
Does McGee deserve a Big Money Contract?
Should the Nuggets re-sign Javale McGee to big money next season or should they stay put? I prefer that the Nuggets don't overvalue McGee, anything over 9 million a year would be outrageous. I love McGee he could be one of the best defensive centers in the league. The Nuggets started winning when he was on Andrew Bynum in the playoffs. He is simply not there on the offensive front and it looks like that could hurt him the rest of his career.
Everyone I hear that talks about him says that he has unlimited potential, I don't see it. He simply does not have the offensive skills or touch around the rim to become a top flight center in the NBA. His ceiling is a little above DeAndre Jordan because McGee can score better, but they are close to the same player. McGee cannot hold his own on the post and all he is good for are sue alley-oops and flashy dunks. He will never develop a consistent offensive game and that will keep him form becoming a good center.
On Defense McGee is no joke, he blocks shots and pesters other players. He is 7' so that helps him out and he has one of the longest wingspans in the league. His potential lies on the defensive side, but he needs to put on some weight to truly compete down low with some of the bigger centers in the league.
Lets review, McGee has a very limited offensive game, but he is pretty stout on defense, much like DeAndre Jordan. Jordan received 10 million last season. If McGee so happened to receive a contract like Jordans the Nuggets should not match it. McGee is only worth 9 million or less a year and they should pay no more considering they have to extend Ty Lawson at some point this season.
Everyone I hear that talks about him says that he has unlimited potential, I don't see it. He simply does not have the offensive skills or touch around the rim to become a top flight center in the NBA. His ceiling is a little above DeAndre Jordan because McGee can score better, but they are close to the same player. McGee cannot hold his own on the post and all he is good for are sue alley-oops and flashy dunks. He will never develop a consistent offensive game and that will keep him form becoming a good center.
On Defense McGee is no joke, he blocks shots and pesters other players. He is 7' so that helps him out and he has one of the longest wingspans in the league. His potential lies on the defensive side, but he needs to put on some weight to truly compete down low with some of the bigger centers in the league.
Lets review, McGee has a very limited offensive game, but he is pretty stout on defense, much like DeAndre Jordan. Jordan received 10 million last season. If McGee so happened to receive a contract like Jordans the Nuggets should not match it. McGee is only worth 9 million or less a year and they should pay no more considering they have to extend Ty Lawson at some point this season.
Free Agent Happenings 7/9/12
Knicks re-sign Novak: The deal was for 15 million over 4 years which is a good deal for the best 3 point shooter in the league. However, that is all he is, a 3 point shooter, we have seen how quickly a 3 point shooter can lose playing time and be a contract burden.
Grade: C
Pacers Match Blazers offer for Hibbert: Hibbert has not reached his full potential yet and he could be one of the best big men in a couple of year, he might even already be there. The Pacers had to match the offer for them to be in contention next year.
Grade: A-
Grade: C
Pacers Match Blazers offer for Hibbert: Hibbert has not reached his full potential yet and he could be one of the best big men in a couple of year, he might even already be there. The Pacers had to match the offer for them to be in contention next year.
Grade: A-
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