LenDale needs to return home

[rooster-]

Over the past couple of weeks I've been mulling over numerous scenarios regarding which direction the Broncos should go in the draft and/or free agency. Our biggest needs have been discussed on here ad nauseum, including the priority of those needs( i.e. whats more important, a speedy pass rusher or a playmaking WR). I'm not bothered by the fact that we've decided to stand pat, thus far, while other "pretender" franchise's follow each other's lead, like sheep, and overspend on average, or slightly above average players. I'm just glad that we got our own free agents resigned. The one guy that I would have liked to see us nab was Andre Carter, but not at the price that he suckered the Skins into giving him.

Anyway, looking at everything thats happened up to this point and then considering the Broncos available options, I've finally decided on a move that is in our best interest. We are a running team that's in desperate need of a legitimate franchise back. Ron Dayne is not that guy nor is Tatum Bell. We've done very well in recent years with average, overachiever types(i.e. Mike Andersen, Rueben Droughns etc.). But now the time has come to find us a star running back. And I'm not talking about someone in the mold of a Clinton Portis. No, what we need is another Terrell Davis. I believe that guy is LenDale White and I think he's available for the taking. We all know his attributes and credentials but aside from that I just have a tremendous gut feeling that he will make an immediate impact and eventually be one of, if not the best in the league someday soon. He'll end up as the superstar that everyone believes Bush will become, especially if he lands in Denver.

What do you guys think we'd have to do to put ourselves in a position to grab him? I can't imagine him falling all the way to #22. If I were the Broncos I would explore any option, within reason, that would allow us to snatch him up. Where do you guys expect he might go in the draft? I was thinking somewhere in the 12-18 range. A smart draft will be what gets us over the hump and into the SB next year, not Abraham, Owens or any other ridiculously priced free agent. As far as free agency goes, if we continue to be patient while all the fools blow their cap space then I think we might find some nice players in the bargain bin in a few weeks. Aside from that, I think the Broncos #1 priority should be to find a way to aquire LenDale White. It's all gravy from there.

[baja]

Good post. I think you are right on about the draft remember we ended up getting two starters out of last years draft on a team that went to the AFC championship game and that was without a first round pick

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I'm still trying to figure out where all the love for LenDale comes from. I wouldn't be mad if they took him at #22, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think he's someone that Denver needs to trade up to acquire.

[Lestat]

it's problem the career rushing TD record at USC, or maybe the out rushing Reggie Bush, maybe it's cause he's from Colorado, or it could be that he's a 230 lb bowl ball with speed & able to catch the ball, but i'm guessing it's the ass whoopin he put on that Texas D in the rose ball playing at a very overweight 253

[Needa Pass Rush]

I like the idea of getting a back that can be saddled as a 30 carry guy and ridden hard. I think Lendale can be special as a runner. I'm not sure how he rates as a pass cather and blocker. Both of those would be important in Denver's system. It seems like he has enough talent to be coached up in those areas, if needed, though. I would consider taking him at 22, but I think there will be other viable options that won't require multiple draft picks to acquire.

[Odysseus]

Great post Rooster! Post more often. I think getting Lendale White would be awesome. He is an impact player and by the end of the season could be something special but going up 10 picks to get him? I don't see it.

I agree the number one priority is a running attack but how do we open that up? I think there are several ways besides focusing on a one player solution. I think cost is a key factor if we want to retain players who have produced in the past.

[Elway777]

Right now I would like to see the Broncos do 5 things. 1. Move up the draft to get White. White would be great for our red zone offence 2. Sign To for around 4 million . Owens is the best receiver in football and would elavate our offence to new level 3 Trade for Greg Ellis. Ellis would replace Pryce 4. Draft manny Lawson with second first rounder. Lawson is fastest defensive lineman and would be that speed rusher the Broncos have been looking for. 5, Trade for Daniel Grahm.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Welcome rooster and good post.

My opinion is to keep the current picks. In the middle of the first round I suspect there will be a run at some position that will leave Broncs a gem at RB or DL.

[x123z]

If you stop the bronco's running game you can beat them. We have to have weapons at receiver to keep opponents from stacking the box. Until we do, it doesn't make any difference who is our featured back.

[meangene]

Welcome rooster and good post.

My opinion is to keep the current picks. In the middle of the first round I suspect there will be a run at some position that will leave Broncs a gem at RB or DL.

I agree with you. Not having filled any of our "needs" in FA, I think we need to use all of our early picks. I'm no longer in favor of using anything other than second day picks to move up. I still wouldn't be unhappy if we were able to obtain Moulds and/or Ricky Williams (depending on his appeal) and draft for TE and DL. Next year should be a banner year for WR and, if none of our younger guys step up this year we can address that position next year. Moulds would give us that luxury. I'm still a big believer in Dayne and do not see RB as a priority over the DL, or even TE, at this point. We had a decent running game last year with MA and Tatum and, if we upgrade the receiver and tight end positions we should do at least as well this year.

[Rascal]

I'm still trying to figure out where all the love for LenDale comes from. I wouldn't be mad if they took him at #22, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think he's someone that Denver needs to trade up to acquire.

Agreed.

He is basically a reincarnated Dayne IMO.

You can't say he is a bettis till you see how he performs in the NFL.

[Rascal]

Right now I would like to see the Broncos do 5 things. 1. Move up the draft to get White. White would be great for our red zone offence 2. Sign To for around 4 million . Owens is the best receiver in football and would elavate our offence to new level 3 Trade for Greg Ellis. Ellis would replace Pryce 4. Draft manny Lawson with second first rounder. Lawson is fastest defensive lineman and would be that speed rusher the Broncos have been looking for. 5, Trade for Daniel Grahm.

I'd rather get Javon Walker then TO but the rest sounds okay (although I'd prefer to sit and let DW2 fall to me instead of moving up to draft White).

[watermock]

Wow...every blue moon we get a new poster that actually knows a little. At least this would make more sense than Vince Young, which was possibly the most absurd thread I have seen in awhile.

I'm scared of that weight, not an offseason weight, Bowl weight. This guy might blow up in offseasons like Bettis. Of course, Bettis redux that can catch a ball wouldn't be to shabby. He might just need a nutritionist to keep him around 230. If he drops, nab him with some fancy footwork. Looked him up and he's a shade of 6ft and 4.50. Said he can catch.

Mock drafts have him and Vernon Davis the Freak going about the same place. I think Dayne and Bell can be thunder and lightning. I would prefer Vernon.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

This is probably posted but gives some good info. This should probably be in the draft forum but if a mod wants to move it, I never have complained once ever about moving a thread but the draft and FA basically IS the NFL now that the CBA fiasco is over.

[ludo21]

I'm still trying to figure out where all the love for LenDale comes from. I wouldn't be mad if they took him at #22, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think he's someone that Denver needs to trade up to acquire.


i agree.

id rather take the best back at 29 thats left. (Maroney!!)

Or if we just had to, then take DW2 at 22. Dont move up for a RB.

[watermock]

Imagine if we could get Walker and the Freak. That would make Jake a happy camper.

That mock draft has him at 30 so he would certainly be there at 22 or probably 29.

[Odysseus]

I'm on the Javon Walker band wagon.

Broncos should continue to play the pat hand. Let teams show their hands and go after the best stuff at the best price.

Ron Dayne is going to better than Anderson was last year. That said we should not stand pat.

[ludo21]

I'm on the Javon Walker band wagon.

Broncos should continue to play the pat hand. Let teams show their hands and go after the best stuff at the best price.

Ron Dayne is going to better than Anderson was last year. That said we should not stand pat.

Another Playmaker is what we need. And we still have a huge opportunity to do that. Whether it be a TE or WR., thats what we need.

Javon may be the guy that we go for...

[maven]

Another Playmaker is what we need. And we still have a huge opportunity to do that. Whether it be a TE or WR., thats what we need.

Javon may be the guy that we go for...

Go for the guy coming off a busted knee? Nah, I hope Denver will pass.

[watermock]

We need a playmaker DE too. A RB would be nice but I think our stable can get it done. Maybe the invisble Claw and David Terrel will emerge out of their comas.

[watermock]

Go for the guy coming off a busted knee? Nah, I hope Denver will pass.

Each year they seem to be able to fix ACLs better and refine rehab so that if it isn't a Cullpepper/Edwards shredding, players are coming back sooner. Used to be 2 years, now it's 8-12 months. Plus, he was injured in the opener, so it will be a full year when we open duh. Finally, he was going to be super expensive, beyond our reach for sure. Who knows what he will bring. We will need him for the playoffs, and that would be like 16 months after the injury.

[freak6]

We don't need to use a 1st round pick on a Ron Dayne clone, Ron Dayne is currently on the roster.

[Needa Pass Rush]

Gerald Riggs Jr or Mike Bell may be better options deeper in the draft. Address our trenches and safety early.

[Dudeskey]

I'd really like to see Denver go for the best definsive player on the board @ 22, and go for a TE on their other #1. Then see what RB's are available later in day 1.

[Crushaholic]

We don't need to reach for a running back. The Broncos always find a good RB. We need a playmaker at safety and it's slim pickings after the first few candidates. Darnell Bing would be a good one.

[watermock]

I don't know if there is more than a couple elite S out there. I think there are bigger needs and lets see what Browner and Cox can do first and go there next year. We have tons of picks.

[ignitionnight]

We need a playmaker at safety and it's slim pickings after the first few candidates. Darnell Bing would be a good one. As much as I would love to have Bing I just don't think we would be able to get him. He would be too big of a reach to grab even at #29, but he will not fall to us in the second round.

I just don't see why everybody is so confident in Ron Dayne. The guy was our #3 back last year, where does that tell you he would be a solid every down back? I guess after reading some posts in this thread I am starting to think I may be a little over confident in my assesment as Lendale White being the best running back in this class, but that doesn't mean I am any more comfortable with Ron Dayne.

[bloodsunday]

Welcome rooster and good post.

My opinion is to keep the current picks. In the middle of the first round I suspect there will be a run at some position that will leave Broncs a gem at RB or DL.
like last year, and well most years, the difference between 22 and 42 is not that great. Trade back if you can. Its a deep draft.

[Lestat]

there's a big difference if the team knows what their doing, sure guys will fall & be impact players but you don't trade out unless you know your guy is gonna fall & to save money

[want2bAbronco2]

I still say we are a DE, RB, and WR/ or TE from being a SB team. When we won the SB we had SS at TE, good WR, but most important IMO was TD. Give me a great back (4th and 1 in KC last year, TD would have picked it up...) and our O turns into so much more. Trade our 3rd and 22nd pick move up to 15 or so and grab White (or Williams) and get a pass rush DE with 29th and grab Lewis UCLA or Bird USC TE in the 2nd. I really think Smith, Lelie, Devoe can step it up if we had a really threat at TE/RB.