Ted Sundquist Q&A

[SoCalBronco]

Friday, May 4, 2007

Ted Sundquist Answers Your Questions

General Manager Ted Sundquist (right) has been in Broncos draft rooms for 15 years. PHOTO: ED ANDRIESKI / ASSOCIATED PRESS


Since the end of the regular season, General Manager Ted Sundquist and his staff have been hard at work scouting and gathering information on every draft eligable player in the country.

Last weekend's draft was the culmination of their efforts, which produced Tim Crowder, Ryan Harris, Jarvis Moss and Marcus Thomas along with a bevy of undrafted free-agents.

With the draft in the rearview mirror and the season ahead, Sundquist sat down to answer your questions about the draft and free agency:

Before you start the offseason how do you determine which position you want to address in free agency and which ones in the draft?

Bret
Parker, Colo.

A lot of times that has to do with what players are going to be available in free agency. We have a good feel through our pro scouting department in the evaluations that we made throughout the season where the depth is going to be at each position. Certainly there are some positions both offensively and defensively that the coaches may prefer a veteran player, depending on the current status of the roster. At other positions you may be leaning more towards youth, where you need depth at a particular position versus an immediate impact guy as a starter. So really that decision is formulated when the season ends and depending where we are on our current roster and their contractual status and then how the evaluations with regards to unrestricted free agency go.

Where do you see the players we just drafted fitting into the lineup, and do you see any of them starting right from the start of the season?

Mass Bozzo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Well there is going to be competition in every single spot and when you are veteran team it is difficult to project a rookie right off the bat starting for you. But certainly the defensive lineman, we anticipate them being a big part of a rotation that we have used for the last few years on the defensive line. I anticipate us continuing that, even with Jim Bates as the new coordinator and using a different system than what we have in the past.

With all the changes on the coaching staff and the changes in philosophy on defense and special teams, did it change at all the type of players you look at?

Jim
Vail, Colo.

I think interior defensive lineman you are looking for a little bit more of a bigger than what the fans are used seeing as a two-gap defensive tackle, 3-4 type guys but in a 4-3 scheme. It doesn’t mean they still don’t need to be quick and penetrating, but they have to be more stout. We think that Gerard Warren fits the bill there. Certainly a guy like Marcus Thomas has those parameters and that is one of the reasons why we made a stab at Dan Wilkinson a couple of weeks ago.

What do D.D. Lewis and Warrick Holdman bring to the defense?

Mark
Nashville, Tenn.

Experience... starting experience. D.D. was the starting linebacker for the Seahawks two years ago during their Super Bowl run. He is an excellent special teams player, a guy who has contributed on that side of the ball. Warrick, again, started all 16 games for Washington. He has the athletic ability as well the instincts and mental capacity to play all three positions we feel.

How much do you think Todd Sauerbrun will bring to the field position game? Do you think he is one of the bigger off season additions?

Steven Ledbetter
Aurora, Colo.

Well special teams, along with offense and defense are one third of the game. We are hoping Todd will come in and push Paul Ernster and compete for the starting spot. He has the resume to do so. Under Scott O'Brien – our new special teams coach – he has had some of his best seasons. So we anticipate that he will improve us in that area.

As a talent evaluator, who is the best athlete you have ever seen?

Ross
Denver, Colo.

Champ Bailey.

What are your thoughts on the Commissioner’s new conduct policy?

Andrew
Ft. Collins, Colo.

I think it is important that they players understand that they not only represent their individual football teams but the league as a whole. The things that may be happening in another city may be the problem of that particular club, but they are all of our problems and all our responsibilities to clean up. At the owner’s meetings, the Commissioner said that the most important thing was the NFL brand and all 32 teams are part of that brand and we need to keep it first and foremost.

Is there a possibility that Jarvis Moss can be converted to an outside linebacker or will he remain an end?

David Amaro
Chula Vista, Calif.

We see him as a defensive end.

Was the possibility of drafting Michael Bush at running back ever an option, or were his injuries to severe?

Eric Vincent
Haslett, Mich.

From our stand point his injuries did not take him off the board. But the addition of Travis Henry through unrestricted free agency and still having Mike Bell, who was the second-leading rookie rusher from ’06 on the roster; it just wasn’t a priority for us.

How are our players doing in NFL Europa and do you see Greg Eslinger taking the same route as Ben Hamilton did when he played overseas?

Luke
Elk River, Minn.

To start with, Greg Eslinger is doing an outstanding job for the Cologne Centurions. He is grading out very well and getting playing time experience that he lost last year with his injury. I do feel like this is only going to help him along his career path with the Broncos. Teyo Johnson has done well. He has caught one to two passes a game and seems to be an outlet receiver. But his primary focus has been on blocking at the line of scrimmage and reports from the coaching staff say that he is improving there. Lamont Reid has done a good job in the defensive backfield and is grading out well. Kevin McAlmont is on the practice squad over there and Doug Nienhuis is on injured reserve. So four of the five players are getting good experience and a chance to compete.

When evaluating the talent of a player out of college how much do teams look at who the prospect played with, the talent around him?

Jason
San Marcos, Calif.

When evaluating a college player in regards to talent you look at the talent he is up against on a game-in and game-out basis. Is it 1-A talent? Is it upper-tier 1-A talent? We have a great affinity for SEC players. They play in front of big crowds, in big games against top draft choices year in and year out. You see us frequently lean toward Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, LSU and players like that. But certainly the talent on a particular team can sometimes deter or help a player’s ability to perform on the field. For instance, (Buffalo Bills draft choice) Trent Edwards – who many thought was an excellent player at Stanford at quarterback – did not win a game and was not surrounded with some of the best players, but he was still able to show what he was capable of doing. Jay Cutler would probably be a better example.

Who do you think will take Al Wilson's spot as the defensive leader?

Colin
Fresno, Calif.

We already have a ton of leadership on that side of the ball. John Lynch arguably is one of the best leaders in the National Football League. Champ Bailey is kind of a quiet leader back there. Ebenezer Ekuban, for the last two years is a pretty solid voice on the defensive front. Al’s leadership as the middle linebacker and the guy who called the defensive signals took us a long way for many years, but I don’t worry about not having that leadership. Win or loss usually someone steps forward.

Our direct needs were most definitely met in this year’s draft. Was there any one player who stood out that you wish you could have gotten and regret not getting now?

Derek Schilson
Springfield, Ill.

Certainly out the shute, the Broncos, we as a club had anticipated making a draft day move that would have got us two picks instead of one in the first round. (Defensive tackle) Justin Harrell ended up going to Green Bay, but we felt the addition of a player like Justin Harrell and Jarvis Moss in the first round would have been really exciting for the club.

The Broncos have had a lot of success in the past with undrafted rookie free agents. After the success Mike Bell had last season as an undrafted player, could we see a similar story this year with another rookie free agent, and which of the undrafted free agents has the best shot of making an impact?

Iain O'Callaghan
Cork, Ireland

Selvin Young, a running back from Texas, certainly has all the attributes to his game pf past Bronco running backs. He’s got the tools that we look for in a Bronco style back and I would be surprised if he didn’t make some sort of preseason impact.

With the Broncos drafting two defensive ends in the first two rounds, where does Elvis Dumervil fit in the position?

Sung
Kansas City, Mo.

Same place. He had an outstanding rookie season. He is one-year seasoned so-to-speak. The coaches are extremely excited about his potential. He showed last year that his lack of height didn’t matter. He played with both athleticism and strength and was able to grind out eight and a half sacks. He will be right in the mix.

Is draft day one of the most stressful days of the year and why?

Daniel Houck
Newark, N.J.

It’s not one of the most stressful. Probably the days leading up to the draft in preparation for the different plans are a little more stressful. Once the draft actually gets there you are so concentrated on accomplishing what you set out to do that you don’t really think about. It doesn’t really hit you until the end of the first, about how tired you are. Were you able to accomplish what you were trying to get done and where do we go from here into day two? I would say it’s the entire month and month and a half leading up to it.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...4&storyID=6790

[skunk]

neat

[Bronco LB 59]

Big Guy will love hearing this opinion from Ted Sundquist:

We have a great affinity for SEC players. They play in front of big crowds, in big games against top draft choices year in and year out. You see us frequently lean toward Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, LSU and players like that.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

Big Guy will love hearing this opinion from Ted Sundquist:

I am a Big Ten and Big Twelve Alumni so I am not that much of an SEC bigot SEC always has good players, but the best part about that conference is the fans. I have been to college games all over the country and everyone thinks they have the best fans, but in my opinion no one comes close to those in the SEC.

[GonzoLays]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

Big Guy will love hearing this opinion from Ted Sundquist:

As well he should. The SEC, by far, is the best football conference in America. Just ask Ohio State.

The Big-10, Pac-10, all those conferences are a joke. You have one or two good teams and bunch of NAIA talent level squads. Ohio State would have gone 7-5 had they played in the SEC last year. Of this there is no doubt.

[Odysseus]

Good read. Light on the spin and not too much poof. Mmmm. Pre season!

[Jens1893]

His comment about the SEC is really interesting.

[broncolife]

Originally Posted by Jens1893

His comment about the SEC is really interesting.

yeah, gotta remember this for next years mock draft.

[worm]

Thanks SoCal

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by Jens1893

His comment about the SEC is really interesting.

His comments do seem to be backed up by the stats. We have drafted more players from the SEC than any other conference since 2000, although there is not an overwhelming difference between the SEC (12 players) and the three conferences tied for second with 9 apiece. It is notable though that we show very little love for the Pac 10, and the Big East (as currently constructed). Even some of the small conferences outdo them.

PAC 10
Day 1- O'Neal
Day 2- Nick Harris
TOTAL: 2


BIG 10
Day 1- Gold, Middlebrooks, LeSueur, Paymah, Clarett
Day 2- Hamilton, Kasper, Haygood, Eslinger
TOTAL: 9

SEC
Day 1- Kennedy, Davis, Foster, Cutler, Moss
Day 2- Carlisle, Claxton, Mitchell, Galloway, Luke, Mauck, Thomas
TOTAL: 12


BIG 12
Day 1- Cole, Hayward, Pierce, Bell, Darrent Williams, Crowder
Day 2- Griffin, Hunt, Sewell
TOTAL: 9

ACC
Day 1- Portis, D.J. Williams, Foxworth, Myers
Day 2- Johnson, Young, Pope, Eason, McNeal
TOTAL: 9

BIG EAST
Day 1-
Day 2- Miree, Dumervil
TOTAL: 2. (NOTE: To be fair, the way I am classifying the conferences here is a little bit unfair to the Big East, I am classifying them as the conferences currently stand, but if I were to classify them according to which teams were in said conference when the pick was made, the Big East would have 2 more players, DJ Williams and Portis, since at the time they were drafted, Miami was a Big East team.)

OTHER (MID MAJOR, DIV 1-AA/II AND INDEPENDENTS)
Day 1- Lelie
Day 2- Moore, Anderson, Jackson, Fields, Toviessi, Brandon, Putzier, Madise,
Watts, Shoate, Van Pelt, Ernster, Scheffler, Hixon, Marshall, Kuper, Ryan Harris
TOTAL: 18
(Breakdown)
MWC- Anderson, Brandon, Shoate, Van Pelt
CONF USA- Watts, Toviessi, Madise, Marshall
WAC- Lelie, Putzier
ND- Harris
OTHER- Hixon, Kuper, Scheffler, Fields, Ernster

[watermock]

Sounds like Spock. Quite logical actually. Sounded a little dissapointed with round 1 as evidently he was trying to squiggle a second pick somehow.

I'm surprised noone asked him why we didn't trade down to 36 and get the Brownies first next year for Quinn. Basically, Dallas dropped down 4 slots and a second for next years Brownie first in by the time the dust settled.