Official Denver Broncos Thread

[TRC]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

A move to pick up Stephen Jackson makes sense. Denver needs a solid veteran RB that can make an immediate impact behind Manning. Jackson fits the bill, and I see Denver addressing the RB position in free agency and not the draft. The only true first round graded RB in this year's draft is Eddie Lacy. Even if Lacy was available at #28 I don't see Denver taking him as their pressing needs are at other positions and can find greater value by trading back.
Jackson is 29 and still has a little gas left in the tank. Also, he has never been in the playoffs and he may take a pay cut for an honest chance at a SB. I think Jackson will be a Bronco on March 12.

[wwharton]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I wouldn't mind seeing Osi or Freeney, but both are up there in age - but veterans in the twilight of their career can help a team get over the hump. I can't help but wonder what Del Rio could do with an under-achieving Dorsey from KC.

I would also like to see the get Stephen Jackson.

At this point why would they go after Jackson instead of continuing to just roll with McGahee?

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

They may, but I don't trust McGahee anymore hanging onto the ball. Stephen Jackson is much more attractive to me than McGahee. My hope is McGahee is no longer with the team next year.

I heard a rumor yesterday that Denver was going to release Moreno.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I think Jackson will be a Bronco on March 12.

I hope you are right.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

When Jackson was coming into the league, I wanted us to draft him. It'd be a nice pick up, but I don't know if he'd like it here. That being said, we need a feature back who is under 30 and not injury prone.

I did too. Then they called out DJ's name. Even Jackson said he thought he was going to be drafted by Denver and he was shocked when they passed him over.

Why do you think he wouldn't like it in Denver? Weather? I would think that where he is at in his career, the fit makes sense....to me, anyway.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Jackson would be an awesome pick up and really complete the offense, but honestly I feel they need upgrades on defense more than Jackson. I hope it isn't an either/or thing.

[wwharton]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

They may, but I don't trust McGahee anymore hanging onto the ball. Stephen Jackson is much more attractive to me than McGahee. My hope is McGahee is no longer with the team next year.

I heard a rumor yesterday that Denver was going to release Moreno.

But why? Is the hanging onto the ball thing (I don't think it's that big of an issue but we can disagree on that) all? Even here you say much more attractive and I'm scratching my head. Stephan Jackson isn't the same player you thought they'd draft you know. Considering the year McGahee had when healthy, I'm just wondering what I'm missing that you hardcore fans know.

[Broncos86]

For me, McGahee has several knocks on him going into this next season:

1) his age and recent injury. He's going to lose several steps. Coming back from the injury he had will be tough, I doubt he'll maintain a level of explosiveness.

2) the fumbles and dropped passes. He was one of the top players on the Broncos in terms of dropped passes before he got hurt.

With Moreno, it all comes down to staying healthy. Once again, he went down with an injury when he started carrying the load. And in a crucial game that left us with no real alternative in the running game. He simply cannot handle the workload. I feel bad for the kid, because he was looking good.

[wwharton]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I see. Didn't realize his injury was so serious.

I don't know how closely you've been following Jackson though. He split time with two rookies this year... and not necessarily injury related. He's still got "something" left in the tank, but I have a feeling it's not as much as some of you may think.

Personally, with Manning behind center, I think you just need someone who can move the pile and pick up a blitz. No way would I spend money on a RB... especially an aging one. A young guy may get consideration only bc they can carry more of a load when Manning is gone. But the passing game (and threat of it) will create holes, and the offense itself won't need home run threats on the ground.

[Broncos86]

Valid points. I'm curious what kind of market Jackson will have for himself. Being 29 years old, he may find himself lacking in suitors. There's the whole 30 year old wall that running backs hit.

All I want in a running back is someone who can pass block, get me 3.5 yards per carry, protect the ball, and stay healthy.

Then again, Elway didn't see real success until he had a running back who could be a threat. T.D. made the play-action fearsome, and it took pressure off Elway. But again, Davis didn't last long.

[TRC]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I see. Didn't realize his injury was so serious.

I don't know how closely you've been following Jackson though. He split time with two rookies this year... and not necessarily injury related. He's still got "something" left in the tank, but I have a feeling it's not as much as some of you may think.

Personally, with Manning behind center, I think you just need someone who can move the pile and pick up a blitz. No way would I spend money on a RB... especially an aging one. A young guy may get consideration only bc they can carry more of a load when Manning is gone. But the passing game (and threat of it) will create holes, and the offense itself won't need home run threats on the ground.

No question that Jackson is nearing the end of his career, but Jackson would give Denver exactly what you stated that they need in a RB. Currently, McGahee is a decent blocker but he is abysmal in short yardage situations. Denver's Achilles heel was 3rd and short all year. McGahee's dropped passes and fumbles seem to come at critical moments in games as well. He and Moreno are both liabilities and injury prone.

The reason why I disagree with finding a rookie or "younger" RB now is the fact that Denver is built to win NOW. They need someone with veteran experience who can learn the playback quickly. This crop of RBs in this year's draft is weak and reminds me of the year Denver selected Moreno with their #1. I doubt that they will make the same mistake.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Honestly, I have no problem with a young running back taking the starting role. Running backs just don't last that long in the league, so one can't sit and wait for a running back to develop. He has to come in and contribute immediately. He can learn blocking schemes and all that, but the running prowess needs to be there.

That's why Ronnie Hillman will never be anything more than the "change of pace" style of running back. But like TRC said, the running back class this year is weak. And from what I understand, Lacy recently injured himself, and has a history of injuries. The Broncos don't need to deal with that junk again. We need a stable back who can give us solid yards and play all three downs. That means we're going to be looking at free agency for such a back.

Honestly, if Steven Jackson asks too much, we'll be running with McGahee, Hillman, and another back. I'd think it would Moreno, but I'd like to see Mario Fannin given more opportunities. I don't see the Broncos spending a lot of money at that position when we need to spend it elsewhere.

We're tagging Ryan Clady, so a healthy chunk of money will be going to him. I'd expect us to get a deal done there. We need to spend money on the defensive line, whether it's resigning some guys or signing some FAs. Tracy Porter is likely gone, so we'll need a depth guy there.

I'm interested in what they do with the offensive line. J.D. Walton is now kind of a question mark, I'd say, and so his Chris Kuper. I think Beadles did a pretty good job this year. The center position will be a big question mark.

The only thing that bothers me about our running backs is what happened when we lost both McGahee and Moreno in the Baltimore game. Once Moreno went out, our running game tanked. I don't want to be relying on an aging running back who is coming back from an MCL tear, nor a running back who cannot seem to stay healthy. If we're left with Ball, Hillman, and Hester, that really hinders what we can do. It was a big factor in the playoffs.

[wwharton]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Valid points. I'm curious what kind of market Jackson will have for himself. Being 29 years old, he may find himself lacking in suitors. There's the whole 30 year old wall that running backs hit.

All I want in a running back is someone who can pass block, get me 3.5 yards per carry, protect the ball, and stay healthy.

Then again, Elway didn't see real success until he had a running back who could be a threat. T.D. made the play-action fearsome, and it took pressure off Elway. But again, Davis didn't last long.

I wouldn't say that. Elway didn't win it all before TD but he still had a ton of success. More importantly, that was a different era and Manning is a different style QB. But I think the Broncos need pretty much what you described. My hesitation with Jackson is about how much he'll want with the questions around how much he has left... considering I just don't see the position as a huge need to take that kind of risk.

No question that Jackson is nearing the end of his career, but Jackson would give Denver exactly what you stated that they need in a RB. Currently, McGahee is a decent blocker but he is abysmal in short yardage situations. Denver's Achilles heel was 3rd and short all year. McGahee's dropped passes and fumbles seem to come at critical moments in games as well. He and Moreno are both liabilities and injury prone.

The reason why I disagree with finding a rookie or "younger" RB now is the fact that Denver is built to win NOW. They need someone with veteran experience who can learn the playback quickly. This crop of RBs in this year's draft is weak and reminds me of the year Denver selected Moreno with their #1. I doubt that they will make the same mistake.

Okay, good points. I don't think "younger" is an issue at RB like it is at maybe every other position. The Ravens first SB, the D gets all the credit but rookie Jamal Lewis had as much to do with that playoff run as anyone. Honestly, the biggest issue is blocking. If they can get anybody in and have them pick up the blitz, it doesn't matter if they're a rookie, a young vet, an old vet with some tread left, or a guy they pick up off the street.

My guess is most of the money will be spent on D. If a promising back falls in the draft they may jump on him, but they'll pick up a back in FA for a moderate price. If SJax isn't asking for the moon it could be him.

[TRC]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I wouldn't say that. Elway didn't win it all before TD but he still had a ton of success. More importantly, that was a different era and Manning is a different style QB. But I think the Broncos need pretty much what you described. My hesitation with Jackson is about how much he'll want with the questions around how much he has left... considering I just don't see the position as a huge need to take that kind of risk.



Okay, good points. I don't think "younger" is an issue at RB like it is at maybe every other position. The Ravens first SB, the D gets all the credit but rookie Jamal Lewis had as much to do with that playoff run as anyone. Honestly, the biggest issue is blocking. If they can get anybody in and have them pick up the blitz, it doesn't matter if they're a rookie, a young vet, an old vet with some tread left, or a guy they pick up off the street.

My guess is most of the money will be spent on D. If a promising back falls in the draft they may jump on him, but they'll pick up a back in FA for a moderate price. If SJax isn't asking for the moon it could be him.

Unfortunately, the RB position is a huge need for Denver if they want to solidify their chances of winning a SB within the next 2-3 years. Moreno, Ball, McGahee, and Hillman as a whole are not the answers. As a Raven fan you must've noticed the huge dropoff in production by Denver's offense when Moreno went down with an injury late in the AFC Divisional PO game. Rookie Hillman was ineffective, and he left Manning exposed with his poor blocking; therefore, Denver couldn't seal the game.

Denver has to address their RB situation this year as Moreno may be cut and Ball will not be re-signed as a free agent. If there was a Jamal Lewis is this year's draft then Denver may pull the trigger on him... but, there isn't.

My question is, who do you think would be a younger and/or better fit than Stephen Jackson in the free agent market? Reggie Bush? Cris Ivory? Bradshaw? Somebody in this year's draft class?

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

In no way do I see Denver breaking the bank to get SJ. If he can be had at a palatable price, I hope they get him. I know he was use in spot duty with the Rams, but he wouldn't be an every down back in Denver either.

I am hoping Hillman can put on about 10-15 pounds.

Denver's biggest weakness on offense was their inability to run the ball out of power formations. If they showed run, they couldn't. They actually ran the ball more consistently when Manning was in the gun because defenses had to respect both the run and pass. It also helped spreading the defense out. It's not just the backs either...the OL has to do a better job. They lose the battle up front way too much in short yardage situations.

I've wanted to see Fannin for the last couple of years, but talk about injuries...he can't even get out of camp.