Safeties available in 2008

[Mediator12]

Has anyone paid attention to how weak the 2008 safety class is going to be even if the top Juniors declare? All you draftniks out there, is there any safety that would have been drafted ahead of the top 6 guys last year? The top rated safety I have seen is a Bob Sanders clone named Jonathan Hefney, FS, Tennessee. Dude is 5'9 180 soaking wet.

I went back and watched his tape from last season against Florida, LSU, and Arkansas. Man is he a raw prospect. He was horrible against Florida, incredible versus LSU and picked Jamarcus Russell, and just average against Arkansas. If he is the best this draft will offer, then DEN better trade or find a quality free agent Safety instead of drafting one next year.

[SoCalBronco]

Don't worry, Med. Im about 90 percent sure that Kenny Phillips will declare.

Ofcourse, we wont have a shot at him, but still. :)

[DB-Freak]

Has anyone paid attention to how weak the 2008 safety class is going to be even if the top Juniors declare? All you draftniks out there, is there any safety that would have been drafted ahead of the top 6 guys last year? The top rated safety I have seen is a Bob Sanders clone named Jonathan Hefney, FS, Tennessee. Dude is 5'9 180 soaking wet.

I went back and watched his tape from last season against Florida, LSU, and Arkansas. Man is he a raw prospect. He was horrible against Florida, incredible versus LSU and picked Jamarcus Russell, and just average against Arkansas. If he is the best this draft will offer, then DEN better trade or find a quality free agent Safety instead of drafting one next year.

Sanders was 200+ in college and was pound for pound one of the strongest and most explosive athletes out there.

They do not compare.

[cutthemdown]

Broncos like Abdullah and Brandon more then the fans do which is why the FO doesn't think saftey is a big concern.

[Bob]

Has anyone paid attention to how weak the 2008 safety class is going to be even if the top Juniors declare? All you draftniks out there, is there any safety that would have been drafted ahead of the top 6 guys last year? The top rated safety I have seen is a Bob Sanders clone named Jonathan Hefney, FS, Tennessee. Dude is 5'9 180 soaking wet.

I went back and watched his tape from last season against Florida, LSU, and Arkansas. Man is he a raw prospect. He was horrible against Florida, incredible versus LSU and picked Jamarcus Russell, and just average against Arkansas. If he is the best this draft will offer, then DEN better trade or find a quality free agent Safety instead of drafting one next year.

So the guy will not be picked in the 1st - 5th rounds as he is almost too small to play corner. Others will be ranked above him with decent size come draft time, and we will take someone... or trade ala Bly. No worries mate, Shanny knows all.

[24champ]

Top 5 possible Safeties-


Kenny Phillips (Miami)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/967/kennyphillipssignc2.jpg

Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/darnik44/Tom-Zbikowski-2-1.jpg

Chris Horton (UCLA)

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8034/chrishortonsigbu9.jpg

Jonathan Hefney (Tenn)

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/darnik44/Jonathan-Hefney-Sig.jpg

Japhus Brown (Texas A&M)
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6923/japhusbrownsigtw8.jpg

[Mediator12]

Sanders was 200+ in college and was pound for pound one of the strongest and most explosive athletes out there.

They do not compare.

Good to see you DB-Freak, where you been?

Sanders was 204 coming out, but he has been injured every year carrying that weight and missing games. Also, he is a legit 5'8 bowling ball with incredible quickness.

The point is this guy Hefney plays the same way Sanders did in college, but less explosively. You got anyone who is a better candidate to play safety next year?

[Malcontent]

Zibby would be good. Did he not come out this yr? I frgitt.





Top 5 possible Safeties-





Kenny Phillips (Miami)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/967/kennyphillipssignc2.jpg

Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/darnik44/Tom-Zbikowski-2-1.jpg

Chris Horton (UCLA)

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8034/chrishortonsigbu9.jpg

Jonathan Hefney (Tenn)

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/darnik44/Jonathan-Hefney-Sig.jpg

Japhus Brown (Texas A&M)
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6923/japhusbrownsigtw8.jpg

[24champ]

Zibby would be good. Did he not come out this yr? I frgitt.

No he didn't come out this year, your right he would be one to keep an eye on.

[Broncoman13]

Sure wish we would've found a way to draft Gattis!

[footstepsfrom#27]

The top rated safety I have seen is a Bob Sanders clone named Jonathan Hefney, FS, Tennessee.
Phillips is top rated on every list I've seen. Of course things could also change before the next draft.

[DB-Freak]

Good to see you DB-Freak, where you been?

Sanders was 204 coming out, but he has been injured every year carrying that weight and missing games. Also, he is a legit 5'8 bowling ball with incredible quickness.

The point is this guy Hefney plays the same way Sanders did in college, but less explosively. You got anyone who is a better candidate to play safety next year?

I've been great.

Real busy now, but life has been a blast so far.

Naw, I don't know anyone who would be a better prospect other than the real obvious one.

But I'm liking joe fields out of syracuse.

[Broncoman13]

Well here's the bad news:

Pos Player Name FA Status Previous Team Current Team
RB Cedric Cobbs RFA Denver Broncos
FB Kyle Johnson UFA Denver Broncos
WR Brandon Stokley UFA Denver Broncos
WR David Terrell UFA Denver Broncos
TE Stephen Alexander UFA Denver Broncos
TE Nate Jackson UFA Denver Broncos
PK Jason Elam UFA Denver Broncos
P Todd Sauerbrun UFA Denver Broncos
OG Martin Bibla UFA Denver Broncos
OG Montrae Holland UFA Denver Broncos
OG Chris Myers RFA Denver Broncos
DL Ebenezer Ekuban UFA Denver Broncos
CB Domonique Foxworth RFA Denver Broncos
CB Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
SS Brandon Browner RFA Denver Broncos
SS Curome Cox RFA Denver Broncos
SS Nick Ferguson UFA Denver Broncos
FS Hamza Abdullah RFA Denver Broncos

The good news, though it will never matter to us:

Troy Palamalu UFA
Eugene Wilson UFA
and last but not least...
TEDY BRUSCHI UFA

Seriously though... we're going to be in trouble at safety next year. Lynch on his last legs. Ferguson a free agent. Cox and Abdullah both free agents. The priority will probably be Foxworth...

[Mediator12]

Well here's the bad news:

Pos Player Name FA Status Previous Team Current Team
RB Cedric Cobbs RFA Denver Broncos
FB Kyle Johnson UFA Denver Broncos
WR Brandon Stokley UFA Denver Broncos
WR David Terrell UFA Denver Broncos
TE Stephen Alexander UFA Denver Broncos
TE Nate Jackson UFA Denver Broncos
PK Jason Elam UFA Denver Broncos
P Todd Sauerbrun UFA Denver Broncos
OG Martin Bibla UFA Denver Broncos
OG Montrae Holland UFA Denver Broncos
OG Chris Myers RFA Denver Broncos
DL Ebenezer Ekuban UFA Denver Broncos
CB Domonique Foxworth RFA Denver Broncos
CB Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
SS Brandon Browner RFA Denver Broncos
SS Curome Cox RFA Denver Broncos
SS Nick Ferguson UFA Denver Broncos
FS Hamza Abdullah RFA Denver Broncos

The good news, though it will never matter to us:

Troy Palamalu UFA
Eugene Wilson UFA
and last but not least...
TEDY BRUSCHI UFA

Seriously though... we're going to be in trouble at safety next year. Lynch on his last legs. Ferguson a free agent. Cox and Abdullah both free agents. The priority will probably be Foxworth...

Browner was released last summer before TC. I was real sad to see him go as I thought he would have been a natural conversion to FS from CB. As of Now, he is not even on a NFL roster...

[-Slap-]

Sure wish we would've found a way to draft Gattis!

The Philly media is already hailing him as Brian Dawkins' eventual successor. No pressure there, eh?

[telluride]

Could we please get through this season before we start wigging?

[cutthemdown]

Broncos can pretty much keep any player they want. For the most part they want to be here it's a nice place to play. I'm not worried about next yrs free agents none of them will be highly sought after. Saurbrun if he plays well and stays clean will get resigned. Elam if he can still go will get resigned also.

[Dean]

With Jake and Al being released, there should be alot of cap room available next year.

[epicSocialism4tw]

The good news, though it will never matter to us:

Troy Palamalu UFA


This guy would be an awesome Bronco.

With him roaming the secondary, this defense would be the best in the league.

[ZONA]

I don't know the name of that young safety at USC, he might have even been a freshmen last year but 100% complete stud. It might be 2009 before he comes out but he will be a top pick IMHO.

[SoCalBronco]

I don't know the name of that young safety at USC, he might have even been a freshmen last year but 100% complete stud. It might be 2009 before he comes out but he will be a top pick IMHO.

Yes...Taylor Mays looks like quite a nice young prospect. I think Myron Rolle, another true freshman stud last year from Florida State, also has a very bright future.

[listopencil]

CB Domonique Foxworth RFA Denver Broncos
CB Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
SS Brandon Browner RFA Denver Broncos
SS Curome Cox RFA Denver Broncos
SS Nick Ferguson UFA Denver Broncos
FS Hamza Abdullah RFA Denver Broncos

We'll know more after this season which guys the Broncos need to keep.

[kmartin575]

With Jake and Al being released, there should be alot of cap room available next year.

Not with the huge salaries you guys handed out this year.

[listopencil]

Not with the huge salaries you guys handed out this year.

They cleared something like $22 MIL off of next year's cap.

[listopencil]

BTW-

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpost.php?p=1587966&postcount=53

[socalorado]

I don't know the name of that young safety at USC, he might have even been a freshmen last year but 100% complete stud. It might be 2009 before he comes out but he will be a top pick IMHO.

I think you are referring to this guy.
Kevin Ellison
Kevin Ellison entered USC during the spring semester in 2005 without much hype or fanfare, but spent the entire spring practice session proving that was a mistake. Ellison was a supremely quick learner, grasping head coach Pete Carroll’s defense faster than any freshman should and entering last year as a key reserve at the safety spot. Ellison saw action in the first four games and made one of the most important plays of the season with an acrobatic interception to save the game against Arizona State. He injured his knee on that play, however, and was forced to miss the rest of the season. His presence was sorely missed as the defensive backfield was stretched very thin through the remainder of the season. Heading into 2006, Ellison is the starter at strong safety and should prove himself as one of the best in the conference. He isn’t overly flashy or showy, but he has an incredible knowledge of the game and is constantly in the right position. He won’t call attention to himself, but you’ll notice him as he makes play after play.
He is waay better than all the guys on that list except Phillips. Only problem is hes has a injury history so who knows.
BTW Zibikowski is overrated. :thumbsup:

[Beantown Bronco]

With Jake and Al being released, there should be alot of cap room available next year.

Not quite....the majority of Al's cap hit (around $5 mil) will come due next year. It was either that, or they could've decided to take the whole $8 mil or so hit this year. They decided against that.

[Drek]

I think the FO is happy with the younger guys we have on the roster right now. They'll prove or disprove it this season, then they'll make the moves they feel are necessary.

I expect them to be happy with letting Ferguson walk and having Brandon, Cox, and Abdullah battle it out to replace him. Cox and Abdullah are RFAs, no one is going to lose a pick for them, we throw in a qualifying offer and they stay.

I'd personally love to add Zbikowski to the crew, I think he'd be an ideal replacement for Lynch. He's a very savvy player with underrated athleticism for the position and excellent ball skills.

[Steve Prefontaine]

Zbikowski could really surprise some people this year. Check out these notes from spring practice.

Slimmer, faster Zbikowski: Safety Tom Zbikowski endured a shoulder injury and was admittedly overweight last season. He gave up his amateur boxing career to focus on football and the commitment was evident during spring practice. Zbikowski was slimmer and faster and just as explosive on punt returns.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I seriously doubt Pitt will let Polamalu walk.

[Requiem]

I had a huge post regarding this situation last night, then my computer went crazy, but all I can say is we better hope that Ellison out of USC, Phillips out of Miami, and Hamlin out of Clemson all declare or this draft is going to be absolute **** at the safety position.

Phillips is a first-round talent, and I've even heard some arguments that he's actually the best NCAA player in America. Unless we make a huge move up the boards, or completely tank - we're not going to get this kid.

Hamlin is a guy who I think will go in that second-round area because he has had problems staying healthy, and with a deep class at a lot of positions, he'll get pushed down. I think he'd be a nice upgrade at SS though, and would add some talent to the defensive backfield.

Ellison, like Hamlin is another SS type that has some injury history (recently had knee surgery before Spring practices and has had other issues throughout his career) but he has a lot of potential. He probably won't come out, because if he plays the rest of his two years he'll be a first-rounder in 2009.

I'm not a huge Zbikowski fan, but I'd say he's one of the better rated seniors. Guys like Kelin Johnson and Quentin Demps are also on my list as potential first-day selections, but as most draft gurus know, a lot of talent could be had on Day 2 at safety, especially this past year, but we messed it up, IMO.

I'm not sure. I could see Denver adding a guy like Wilson (if he has a healthy strong year) or Troy to our defensive backfield. I have a hard time thinking Troy would leave Pittsburgh though. I thought that Roy Williams was a FA, but I guess I was wrong.

This safety class is pretty pathetic though, and I think the overall quality we have at the position now sucks, and with the UFA/RFA and possible retirement in Lynch next year, we're in even worse shape.

I think there's a reason Foxworth was put to safety last year instead of having a guy like Cox or Abdullah play and one logical reason is to get your best players on the field, but secondly - sort of a no-confidence vote in who we had to back those guys up.

I have a feeling this will be a position addressed through free agency more than the draft, just because of how weak the class is. With that said, if we could get one of the guys I mentioned in the second, that'd be nice - but we have two fourths and teams in the past have had some success getting mid-round safeties and turning them into starters. (EX: Baltimore.)

I think Roderick Rogers could really surprise some people. I think he's a practice squad guy this year, but he is that ball-hawking type safety who is excellent in coverage and can make plays as a classic centerfield type. Maybe after a year of development, but I really like the kid. Get a guy like Zbikowski, or a SS type who can be good against the run and we'll be set.

Zbikowski is also a pretty good S/T, might be even more appealing to a team like us.

Even with the suckage in the 2008 Class at S, the draft seems epic to me at a lot of areas. Makes me sad we don't have a third, but with having two fourths (which probably won't be true by the time the draft rolls around) we'll have a shot at getting some nice talent that drops off from Day 1.

Looking at our roster now, before this season or anything - I think S, LB and OL are the biggest question marks on the team - I'd throw wide receiver in there as well.

Strong classes at all three of the aforementioned besides safety, so we're in luck there.

Pending on how Marshall develops this year, and if Hixon sees any action at WR, I'm pegging a guy like DJ Hall as a possible selection or player of interest for the Broncos early on. There are a lot of possibilites at linebacker, but I really like Goff. Offensive tackle, as some have mentioned on the board, have possibly 5-6 legit first-round prospects.

I think Ryan Harris will be a starter for us, and we have one spot shored up - but I'm less enthusiastic about Pears and with Lepsis knee and age, along with Meadows being a pile of ****, I think we could use another person there. Have to protect your franchise quarterback. I think the selection of Harris is a step in the right direction, and a step in the direction where the Broncos might be saying we can no longer rely on UDFA and low-draft choices on the OL. If they want to get bigger, (even with Harris, they did that and he's small compared to most tackles) they'll have to start drafting these guys earlier. They've been able to get the players they've got like Eslinger, etc. late because they're too small for most teams. Kuper may be an exception if he starts this year at RG, because he's a pretty big guy.

Oh well, I'm ranting. Those are my thoughts though. 2008 Draft isn't too far away guys!

[Requiem]

SoCal, you need to respond like we talked about buddy. ;)

[SpringStein]

Great post as usual Req. Thanks for the rundown.