Broncos display all the weird moves

[Atlas]

Notebook: Broncos display all the weird moves



May 26, 2005
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!



What in the heck is going on in Denver? The Broncos have spent the offseason loading up on players with questionable character and questionable injury histories and creaky veterans such as Jerry Rice, who would be better off hitting golf balls than trying to hang on to a career that's starting to smell like Johnny Unitas wearing a Chargers uniform.


Mike Shanahan has not won a playoff game since Super Bowl XXXIII. (Getty Images)
Is Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who we call the Teflon Coach since all the criticism simply rolls off his back, in panic mode in an attempt to win a playoff game for the first time since John Elway retired?

Or are all the moves he has made ones that can pan out and potentially get this team back to a Super Bowl?

"You have to wonder about that team," said one NFC personnel director. "Some of those guys he brought in are big bums. They flopped at other spots badly. What's to think they'll make it there?"

Rice became the latest to join the Broncos when he signed a one-year contract Wednesday for a chance to be the team's fourth receiver. To me, Rice is the best football player ever to wear pads. He is so far ahead of everyone else at his position, he has to earn that moniker.

He was a joy to watch. Now he's not. Rice was never a burner, but now he'd have trouble separating from a high school corner. Why he continues to play is mystifying. Let's hope his magical career isn't tarnished by this move.

We never liked seeing Joe Namath in a Rams uniform or O.J. Simpson wearing the San Francisco 49ers colors. How about Tony Dorsett in a Broncos jersey?

In some cities, the coach can't be blamed for personnel moves. In Denver, he certainly can. Shanahan runs the show, and the roster is his to fill.

He takes the heat for all the moves.

Back when Elway was throwing lasers and Terrell Davis was ripping off a 2,000-yard season, Shanahan was billed as a mastermind, a label he never backed away from. Now many in Denver, including some of his players, know the pressure is on more than ever. The tarnish is ruining his shine.

"Guys talk," said one player. "They know that Mike has to start winning. They know we haven't won a playoff game in a long time."

Teams that make the playoffs -- which Denver has the past two years -- and get defeated in the first round sometimes have a tendency to panic. The carrot is hanging so close, so they sell their soul to get it.

Is this what Shanahan is doing?




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In giving him the benefit of the doubt, there isn't a lot of big money being spent to take a chance on the questionable players he's acquired. That lessens the hurt if they do flop.

The real issue, though, is can the players help? Can three defensive linemen Shanahan acquired from a Cleveland team that finished 28th against the run really help improve the Denver defense?

Can doughboy runner Ron Dayne resurrect his career, or is he destined to be known as the biggest tap-dancer in running back history for a man his size? What about the Michelin Man with the attitude, Maurice Clarett? Or troubled punter Todd Sauerbrun, whose flabby body makes one wonder what the heck he did with those supplements he reportedly got from a doctor in Carolina?

Good luck, Mike. You'll need it with your Three Wide Men.

Here's a closer look at the players the Broncos brought in this offseason.

Signing Rice: At 42, what does he have left? Rice works out as hard as anyone in the offseason and has insisted he can play until he's 45. But he did little last year with Seattle, catching 30 passes for 429 yards -- the lowest production of his career for a non-injury season. The Broncos would have been better off letting a young, faster player emerge as their fourth receiver. Rate the move: This one makes no sense. Play a kid as the fourth receiver.

Signing Dayne: He has been a major flop since the Giants used a first-round pick on him in 2001. He has never run like a guy who weighs 250 pounds. Soft is a label he's earn, not only for his midsection, but also for the way he pounds the rock. It's a belief in Denver that any runner can have success in the Broncos system, a belief proven over time. Can Dayne? Not likely. Rate the move: Bad. Dayne isn't very good.

Trading for Sauerbrun: Sauerbrun, despite his off-field issues, is one of the league's best punters. He has a booming leg, finishing tied for third in the league last season for Carolina with a 44.1 average. That will go up kicking in Mile High Stadium. Keeping him in line might be another story. Rate the move: Outstanding -- as long as he stays clear of problems.

Acquiring Cleveland defensive lineman Ebenzer Ekuban, Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown: Brown and Warren are former high first-round picks -- Brown the first overall in 2000 -- while Ekuban was a first-round pick of the Cowboys. So the pedigree is there. All have had problems, though. Brown has battled injury woes for most of his career, and he failed a physical in Cleveland before he was let go because of a foot injury. Brown's a great guy, but injuries have made him a bad trivia question since he's the last non-quarterback to go first overall in the draft. Warren has loads of ability, but he was a major problem for the Browns. He didn't practice hard, and when coach Butch Davis allowed him to get away with it, there was friction in the locker room. If Warren does get committed to the cause, he can be an impact player. That's an "if" that's as wide as his waistline. Ekuban had a good year for the Browns last season, starting 14 games and getting eight sacks. But he had shoulder problems and had knee surgery after the season. Damaged goods. Can any of the three have productive 2005 seasons? The guess is Warren can if the Broncos stay on his ample behind. One out of three would be a good hit for Denver. Rate the move: So-so. If Warren becomes a starter and Ekuban can give them pass-rush help, these moves could work out.

Drafting Clarett: Using a third-round pick on Clarett opened a lot of eyes around the league. Clarett last played football as a freshman at Ohio State in 2002. He was then declared ineligible the next season for taking illegal benefits and hasn't played since. He tried to force his way into the draft last year through the courts but was denied. He then showed up out of running shape to the combine this year and didn't wow many at his Pro Day Workout. But this could be a move that pays off big for Denver. Clarett can run the football. "You look at him get into the hole so quickly and you know he's going to be successful," said one NFC scout. "He may not be a burner, but he knows how to run." Rate the move: Good. Clarett will help this team in a year or two. Once he makes over his body into an NFL physique, he will be a 1,000-yard rusher.

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Atlas

Back when Elway was throwing lasers and Terrell Davis was ripping off a 2,000-yard season, Shanahan was billed as a mastermind, a label he never backed away from.

The article was bearable until Prisco started rambling like a drunken bum. Show me one coach who is going to slow the media down from calling them a mastermind. It's like a non-point.

[Taco John]

For what it's worth though, I believe all the Maurice Clarett hate in this league is going to make Shanahan look like a genius again. I love how Prisco gets the order wrong on the Clarrett time line. In truth, Clarrett first challenged the system, THEN he was raked over the coals and exposed for taking illegal benefits. He'd have never been exposed for that if he hadn't challenged the system. He'd have gone his entire career insulated from that if he'd had just played ball.

[2KBack]

didn't someone already post this article?

[Jason in LA]

Originally Posted by 2KBack

didn't someone already post this article?

I think this is the 3rd time it's been posted.

[Jason in LA]

Originally Posted by Taco John

The article was bearable until Prisco started rambling like a drunken bum. Show me one coach who is going to slow the media down from calling them a mastermind. It's like a non-point.

Kind of like Al Davis never correcting anybody when they give him credit for the NFL/AFL merger. He never claims it, but he has been taking the credit for it for years.

[watermock]

Can three defensive linemen Shanahan acquired from a Cleveland team that finished 28th against the run really help improve the Denver defense?

It was four.

Signing Dayne: He has been a major flop since the Giants used a first-round pick on him in 2001. He has never run like a guy who weighs 250 pounds. Soft is a label he's earn, not only for his midsection, but also for the way he pounds the rock. It's a belief in Denver that any runner can have success in the Broncos system, a belief proven over time. Can Dayne? Not likely. Rate the move: Bad. Dayne isn't very good.

Dayne's prospects don't look as good since we drafted Clarett, but again, there wasn't crap to lose now was there Prisco. We didn't even give him a signing bonus dummy.

He was a joy to watch. Now he's not. Rice was never a burner, but now he'd have trouble separating from a high school corner. Why he continues to play is mystifying. Let's hope his magical career isn't tarnished by this move.

Rice had 1200 yards for Oakland in 2002 at age 40. Also, again, he wasn't given any bonus. He can't cut it, which I doubt Shanahan will do (I suspect if he's marginal, they will put him on inactive on game day incase of injury), we can cut him. Period. again, what's the big deal?

Acquiring Cleveland defensive lineman Ebenzer Ekuban, Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown: Brown and Warren are former high first-round picks -- Brown the first overall in 2000 -- while Ekuban was a first-round pick of the Cowboys. So the pedigree is there. All have had problems, though. Brown has battled injury woes for most of his career, and he failed a physical in Cleveland before he was let go because of a foot injury. Brown's a great guy, but injuries have made him a bad trivia question since he's the last non-quarterback to go first overall in the draft. Warren has loads of ability, but he was a major problem for the Browns.

Of course he failed his physical you dimwit. He's still not ready, but IT'S STILL MAY, NOT SEPTEMBER! Do you think Ty Law can pass a physical right now? Brown is a FREE AGENT anyway that had a 9 million dollar cap hit. Having him flunk a physical was a PR stunt. Denver DIDN'T PICK UP HIS CONTRACT PRISCO. HE WAS RELEASED!, and signed to a new contract you dimwit.

Several clauses have been worked into Saurkrauts contract regarding his behavior.

Good luck, Mike. You'll need it with your Three Wide Men.

WTF is that supposed to mean...he blurted it out and I have no clue if he's talking about what he percieves as the Brownco, (which is actually 4), or our WR's.

If Rice can play in the west coast and get 1200 yards at 40, I think Rod Smith, who is another highly conditioned athlete injury free, can put up another 1000 yard season.

If Denver can go 6-2 at home they will win the division.

[Atlas]

Prisco said Rice can't seperate from a high school player?? Well, he did average over 14 yards a catch last year and I believe he wasn't matched up against any high schoolers.

Sorry if this article was already posted.