Ted Sundquist: On Broncos FA so Far. (Cap stuff highlighted.)

[Requiem]

DID PURSUING HIM CAUSE ANY CHANGES IN SALARY CAP MANAGEMENT IN REGARDS TO PLAYERS YOU WILL PURSUE, OR ARE THINGS RIGHT ON TRACK?

Right on plan. Right on schedule. I’m very pleased with where we’re at right now, with still more to come. Henry’s (contract) was one that you had to prepare for. Again, you asked me earlier, was I surprised that he got let go — not surprised, but when he did get let go, then it was in the plans, but you kind of had to shift some things to make sure that you finished it off. We were able to do that without really upsetting the apple cart on the things that we wanted to do, and we were able to get it done.

View the rest of the interview here.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Yawn, typical spin. What else do you plan to do Ted? Graham's about the only quality guy left on the market. If you don't get him, I guess we'll be treated to pressers about how great Joey Harrington was and how you couldn't believe that the 'Fins cut a quality player like that and how wonderful it is to have a backup for Jay. Henry and a bunch of marginal signings do nothing to shed the image that this is the same offseason as any other, an average team up against the cap that can't go make the serious moves it takes to get to the next level.

[Requiem]

Damn, Herc that's rough. I agree though. I just have a feeling Denver is ticked that they didn't get Kerney and will go balls out for Graham.

Offer him 29 million a year. Yes.

[mattob14]

I don't have a problem with how this turned out. We got Henry, who is as good as any RB on the market, traded for Bly and Wilkinson (which took cap money) and were in on Kerney until the end. That provides pretty significant upgrades at two key positions for a team that just missed the playoffs last year. Considering the moves we made allow us to focus on DL in the draft, I'd say it's been a pretty successful off-season. Graham would be a great pickup, but I'm not judging the off-season by whether we sign him or not.

[BroncoBuff]

We can't sign Harrington ... he doesn't have the arm strength to come in off the bench at a moment's notice and execute a game plan that was authored for Jay Cutler. I'd rather have BVP than Joey Harrington - I'm 100% serious.

[fontaine]

I like what we've done so far in FA. We've addressed the CB, RB, got a backup G, Special Teams ace and a road block at DT.

The real key was always going to be the draft. After the success of last year's draft it's all important to keep the momentum going. If we can string together two solid drafts in a row then it bodes very well for the next three/fours years. Given the amount of depth at DL/S I think we could solidify those positions in the first day with our 4 picks in the top 100.

Do we still get the skin's 4th next year?

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Yawn, typical spin. What else do you plan to do Ted? Graham's about the only quality guy left on the market. If you don't get him, I guess we'll be treated to pressers about how great Joey Harrington was and how you couldn't believe that the 'Fins cut a quality player like that and how wonderful it is to have a backup for Jay. Henry and a bunch of marginal signings do nothing to shed the image that this is the same offseason as any other, an average team up against the cap that can't go make the serious moves it takes to get to the next level.

This is all part of "THE PLAN" to lure you into a sense of sleepy forgetfullness and just when it's time for you to wake up WHAM! NO PLAYOFFS FOR YOU!!



I would love to understand what you think the Broncos can do differently. I can see you are right from a distance. What about details? What they do differently to keep from always being on their knees this time of year?

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

We can't sign Harrington ... he doesn't have the arm strength to come in off the bench at a moment's notice and execute a game plan that was authored for Jay Cutler. I'd rather have BVP than Joey Harrington - I'm 100% serious.

You would pick BVP over Preson Parsons?

[BroncoInferno]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Yawn, typical spin. What else do you plan to do Ted? Graham's about the only quality guy left on the market. If you don't get him, I guess we'll be treated to pressers about how great Joey Harrington was and how you couldn't believe that the 'Fins cut a quality player like that and how wonderful it is to have a backup for Jay. Henry and a bunch of marginal signings do nothing to shed the image that this is the same offseason as any other, an average team up against the cap that can't go make the serious moves it takes to get to the next level.

Actually, we're already a much better team than we were to close the season with Bly and Henry, coupled with the return of Lepsis to the OL. This offseason is not "the same as any other." Plus, FA isn't done. There is still a chance at Graham.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

Actually, we're already a much better team than we were to close the season with Bly and Henry, coupled with the return of Lepsis to the OL. This offseason is not "the same as any other." Plus, FA isn't done. There is still a chance at Graham.

I don't know how anybody can believe that. The weakest part of this team, the pass rush, is in the same exact miserable shape that it has been in for years. Herc is right. This team is up against the FA wall because they can't draft worth shiite. In fact, I would say this FA desperation of 2007 is a direct result of the failure of the draft in 2003. Ten players drafted. Not one player still with the team.

[SoDak Bronco]

Who is to say we aren't going to get an impact DE in the 1st/2nd round. Carriker, Crowder, Weddle/Wendling, those are going to be impact players. Everyone needs to relax, Denver cannot do more than it has done. Hopefully we sign Graham, but if not, we still have Schefler, and Mustard is a pretty solid blocker..

[BroncoInferno]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I don't know how anybody can believe that. The weakest part of this team, the pass rush, is in the same exact miserable shape that it has been in for years. Herc is right. This team is up against the FA wall because they can't draft worth shiite. In fact, I would say this FA desperation of 2007 is a direct result of the failure of the draft in 2003. Ten players drafted. Not one player still with the team.

There are other need areas besides pass rush that by upgrading has improved the team. Rest in peace, DWill, but he struggled mightily in '06, and we've really upgraded there with Bly. He gives us a ton of big play potential opposite Champ. Henry adds desperately needed toughness to the running game, and should be good for 1500+ yards. How can anyone say we aren't improved? I agree the pass rush needs upgrading, but your vision of this team is myopic if you don't think these other moves have been a boost.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

There are other need areas besides pass rush that by upgrading has improved the team. Rest in peace, DWill, but he struggled mightily in '06, and we've really upgraded there with Bly. He gives us a ton of big play potential opposite Champ. Henry adds desperately needed toughness to the running game, and should be good for 1500+ yards. How can anyone say we aren't improved? I agree the pass rush needs upgrading, but your vision of this team is myopic if you don't think these other moves have been a boost.

Bly is already talking like he doesn't want to be here. Travis is one roach away from a year off. Let's just say I don't feel as confident about these guys as many do. Besides which, IMO good coverage in the secondary begins with the pass rush. What lost us the majority of our games last year was the defense fading in the fourth quarter. It's why Coyer is gone (no fault of his - where's the players?) SoDak is right, though. If ever there was a draft to go out and get Dlinemen, this is it. I'm really hoping the Broncos use their first four picks on defense, and three of them on the line.

[baja]

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Yawn, typical spin. What else do you plan to do Ted? Graham's about the only quality guy left on the market. If you don't get him, I guess we'll be treated to pressers about how great Joey Harrington was and how you couldn't believe that the 'Fins cut a quality player like that and how wonderful it is to have a backup for Jay. Henry and a bunch of marginal signings do nothing to shed the image that this is the same offseason as any other, an average team up against the cap that can't go make the serious moves it takes to get to the next level.

Geez you do this every year dude. You don't think we have had a good FA period? Look around the league. How'd you like to be a Chiefs fan? Or maybe a Raiders fan?

There is just no pleasing some people I guess.

[baja]

Those that mentioned that bad drafting is the reason the Broncos are up against the cap are right but the last two years drafts have been very good early indications are and lets hope this will continue. I think we will do for the DL this year what we did for the CB position two years ago. We will draft 2 or likely 3 D linemen.

[Paladin]

Ingrates.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by baja fan

Those that mentioned that bad drafting is the reason the Broncos are up against the cap are right but the last two years drafts have been very good early indications are and lets hope this will continue. I think we will do for the DL this year what we did for the CB position two years ago. We will draft 2 or likely 3 D linemen.

You can call me out. Don't be bashful.

I'll go further. If the Broncos don't come out of this draft (as full as it is with D Linemen) with at least three, they need to have their heads examined.

[BroncoFiend]

Originally Posted by baja fan

Those that mentioned that bad drafting is the reason the Broncos are up against the cap are right but the last two years drafts have been very good early indications are and lets hope this will continue. I think we will do for the DL this year what we did for the CB position two years ago. We will draft 2 or likely 3 D linemen.

The only thing that scares me is that the Broncos never seem to go in the direction that everyone expects on draft day. I just can't see another direction to go, but with EVERYONE thinking D-line, he'll probably go LB, WR, OL, S (hehe)

[NFLBRONCO]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

The only thing that scares me is that the Broncos never seem to go in the direction that everyone expects on draft day. I just can't see another direction to go, but with EVERYONE thinking D-line, he'll probably go LB, WR, OL, S (hehe)

Its in the back of my mind as well. I expecting DL going in but, realize S might also be the choice at 21. I still think we will make another trade soon.

[fdf]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

The only thing that scares me is that the Broncos never seem to go in the direction that everyone expects on draft day. I just can't see another direction to go, but with EVERYONE thinking D-line, he'll probably go LB, WR, OL, S (hehe)

Well, middle linebacker is, or will soon, be a BIG need. Wilson is a ten year veteran who has taken a lot of damage over the years. He has played the second half of many of the past several seasons injured. We're going to see a big dropoff in his play in the next year or two. I love the guy. But we need to start thinking about his replacement.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

The only thing that scares me is that the Broncos never seem to go in the direction that everyone expects on draft day. I just can't see another direction to go, but with EVERYONE thinking D-line, he'll probably go LB, WR, OL, S (hehe)

I'd better hide my laptop from myself on draft day then, because I'll sure as hell pull a Garcia if they do that

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I don't know how anybody can believe that. The weakest part of this team, the pass rush, is in the same exact miserable shape that it has been in for years. Herc is right. This team is up against the FA wall because they can't draft worth shiite. In fact, I would say this FA desperation of 2007 is a direct result of the failure of the draft in 2003. Ten players drafted. Not one player still with the team.

I have to agree the personnel management was poor up until say 2005, way too many mistakes. And the team should franchise a player once in a while. Hell, that would have been perfect for dealing with Pryce, or Warren when the time came. It isn't a criminal act, for God's sake. You don't have to reward a player that has a good year with a 5-7 year top-end contract.

As for this year, I like having Bly on the roster, and Henry. The rest of the positions I want addressed like S, OG, OT, LB, KR, DT, DE can be addressed for depth in FA some, and maybe some of the guys on the roster from last year can fill some slots in an excellent manner - Kuper, Pears, Roc.

The team better have a good draft. They do need some impact players still if they want to make a lot of noise this year in the playoffs.

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by baja fan

Those that mentioned that bad drafting is the reason the Broncos are up against the cap are right but the last two years drafts have been very good early indications are and lets hope this will continue. I think we will do for the DL this year what we did for the CB position two years ago. We will draft 2 or likely 3 D linemen.

That's fine with me as long as they don't reach. If there's a BAP at a range of positions like S, OT, OG, LB especially, KR, I say do the right thing. Get the BAP. In the first round the BAP/need for a disruptive DL player coincides, but in the later rounds this team I think needs players at a range of positions, so I'd like to see a BAP type of mindset.

[listopencil]

"WHAT’S INTERESTING TO ME IS HOW THE RUNNING GAME WAS IN THE TOP QUARTER OF THE LEAGUE LAST YEAR, YET THE PERCEPTION IN THIS BUILDING SEEMS TO BE THAT IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT.

Again, I’ve used the adjective “authoritative” in talking to our scouts and to Coach Shanahan and to prospective candidates for that position. Getting more authoritative in the way we attack a defense. You can churn up a lot of yardage, but if you’re not making third-and-1 or first-and-goal — sometimes a 1-yard run is as important as a 60-yard run. Certainly, we think that Travis, with the way he’s built and his power — I mean, fans are going to love this guy. I don’t know if they’ve had a chance to see any clips of him with Tennessee, but this guy runs with power."


Yep. I wish I could remember the game. I think it was Plummer's last as a starter, but I could be wrong. Anyway-we had the ball on first and goal and just looked like crap on first and second down. Then Plummer fumbled it on third and we had to kick a FG. Then again I could be just remembering several goal line situations from many games and smushing them into one set of downs because it seems to me that it happened a lot last year. We used to deadly in the Red Zone and automatic for at least three from the thirty five yard line on in. Last year the offense just gave me this sick feeling if the didn't score from a distance because I didn't think we had the ability to punch it in regularly. I hope Travis Henry can fix this.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by listopencil

"WHAT’S INTERESTING TO ME IS HOW THE RUNNING GAME WAS IN THE TOP QUARTER OF THE LEAGUE LAST YEAR, YET THE PERCEPTION IN THIS BUILDING SEEMS TO BE THAT IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT.

Again, I’ve used the adjective “authoritative” in talking to our scouts and to Coach Shanahan and to prospective candidates for that position. Getting more authoritative in the way we attack a defense. You can churn up a lot of yardage, but if you’re not making third-and-1 or first-and-goal — sometimes a 1-yard run is as important as a 60-yard run. Certainly, we think that Travis, with the way he’s built and his power — I mean, fans are going to love this guy. I don’t know if they’ve had a chance to see any clips of him with Tennessee, but this guy runs with power."


Yep. I wish I could remember the game. I think it was Plummer's last as a starter, but I could be wrong. Anyway-we had the ball on first and goal and just looked like crap on first and second down. Then Plummer fumbled it on third and we had to kick a FG. Then again I could be just remembering several goal line situations from many games and smushing them into one set of downs because it seems to me that it happened a lot last year. We used to deadly in the Red Zone and automatic for at least three from the thirty five yard line on in. Last year the offense just gave me this sick feeling if the didn't score from a distance because I didn't think we had the ability to punch it in regularly. I hope Travis Henry can fix this.

I think it was the failure to score in that last Niners game that really pushed Shanahan over the edge. He's pretty much said that was the last straw.