Top 5 Reasons why the Broncos select Mendenhall.

[24champ]

1. Shanahan had a boner for Lawrence Maroney but COULD NOT make a deal for Maroney. He so badly wanted a Maroney/Cutler combo. Mendenhall/Cutler combo sounds even better. Not to mention some scouting reports have Mendenhall graded higher than McFadden...

2. At the end of the season press conference. Shanny did not seem pleased with the situation at Running Back. Especially with the issues with Henry and Selvin. Shanahan pretty much said neither are very reliable.

3. Mendenhall would bring back the Portis era, without the clowning. Fits the system beautifully.

4. Doesn't have very much mileage on him, only one full season in college. Is extremely athletic and has a good skills set. Something Shanny falls over for.

5. Finally, Mendenhall would round out a perfect young cuatro of the offense. You'd have Marshall, Cutler, Mendenhall, Scheff. Some pretty young potential impact players.

[rovolution]

i have had this hunch for awhile as well.

Rashard could be the man

[Dukes]

I'm on his bandwagon for #12

[montrose]

Those are great reasons for why the Broncos should draft Mendenhall, and I fully believe he is great value at the #12 pick - simply put, you're going to get your money's worth out of a RB. I also look at Mendenhall as a guy who will help more in the long run than this year. With that, I'd argue that Chris Williams or Jerod Mayo could make just as much of a long term impact.

I'd have no problem with Mendenhall at all, especially since I have a hard time believing Henry will be here past this season, but with that I have hard time believing Shanahan is going to take a RB or OT in the 1st round. With the recent WR signings, I'm beginning to really get the feeling it's going to be a LB - Rivers or Mayo.

[lex]

#6. Thats where the value is unless youre drafting a T or a CB.

#7. Mendenhall is from Chicago (Skokie) and so is Shanahan (Oak Park?).

[broncofan7]

I posted months ago that we would go RB in the draft although I was honestly thinking Stewart from Oregon--but as I have read more and more and having seen the highlight clips of Mendenhall, I really think that we will jump on him at 12--the reason being I believe that if we are forced to draft that high--Shanny wants an impact player at that spot--more than likely a LT or WR will not deliver 'bang for the buck' the way a RB typically does in their 1st years. But if we are able to trade down, I see us going to whatever LT falls.....

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

1. Shanahan had a boner for Lawrence Maroney but COULD NOT make a deal for Maroney. He so badly wanted a Maroney/Cutler combo. Mendenhall/Cutler combo sounds even better. Not to mention some scouting reports have Mendenhall graded higher than McFadden...

2. At the end of the season press conference. Shanny did not seem pleased with the situation at Running Back. Especially with the issues with Henry and Selvin. Shanahan pretty much said neither are very reliable.

3. Mendenhall would bring back the Portis era, without the clowning. Fits the system beautifully.

4. Doesn't have very much mileage on him, only one full season in college. Is extremely athletic and has a good skills set. Something Shanny falls over for.

5. Finally, Mendenhall would round out a perfect young cuatro of the offense. You'd have Marshall, Cutler, Mendenhall, Scheff. Some pretty young potential impact players.

compelling argument you make...

plus i think shanny still wonders what would've happen had he not passed up steven jackson for DJ...

my question to you or anyone else willing to chime in is:

What would we do about our O-line? Would we use our 2nd rounder on one? If so who would be available around that pick?

[lex]

Originally Posted by montrose

Those are great reasons for why the Broncos should draft Mendenhall, and I fully believe he is great value at the #12 pick - simply put, you're going to get your money's worth out of a RB. I also look at Mendenhall as a guy who will help more in the long run than this year. With that, I'd argue that Chris Williams or Jerod Mayo could make just as much of a long term impact.

I'd have no problem with Mendenhall at all, especially since I have a hard time believing Henry will be here past this season, but with that I have hard time believing Shanahan is going to take a RB or OT in the 1st round. With the recent WR signings, I'm beginning to really get the feeling it's going to be a LB - Rivers or Mayo.

If they really wanted a Mike, Lofton could very well be there at 42 and Rivers doesnt make sense since we already have Williams and Bailey.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by montrose

Those are great reasons for why the Broncos should draft Mendenhall, and I fully believe he is great value at the #12 pick - simply put, you're going to get your money's worth out of a RB. I also look at Mendenhall as a guy who will help more in the long run than this year. With that, I'd argue that Chris Williams or Jerod Mayo could make just as much of a long term impact.

I'd have no problem with Mendenhall at all, especially since I have a hard time believing Henry will be here past this season, but with that I have hard time believing Shanahan is going to take a RB or OT in the 1st round. With the recent WR signings, I'm beginning to really get the feeling it's going to be a LB - Rivers or Mayo.

I hear the same things too with the LBers situation. However Jay Cutler was on CBS sports show in an interview and Lombardi asked him who would he like to see drafted, and Cutler replied that he wants an offensive player. Of course a QB wants more weapons to work with, but I get the feeling Shanny wants to work with more weapons too.

Something else to think about, the Broncos haven't really had stability at the Running Back position for quite a while and it's always a different RB every year. Seems like ever since Portis left, it's been one RB after another. Have to believe Shanny and Turner are getting sick of working with different Running backs every year.

[ward63]

Williams or Mendenhall PLEASE!!!!

[lex]

Originally Posted by gcver2ver3

compelling argument you make...

plus i think shanny still wonders what would've happen had he not passed up steven jackson for DJ...

my question to you or anyone else willing to chime in is:

What would we do about our O-line? Would we use our 2nd rounder on one? If so who would be available around that pick?

It depends on what they really want to do with Kuper. They have Cherilus coming in as well.

[rovolution]

Originally Posted by lex

It depends on what they really want to do with Kuper. They have Cherilus coming in as well.

Cherilus probably wont last past the Chargers in the 1st Round.

More of the reason i hate AJ Smith.

Hes going to snatch up the 2nd best RT prospect in this draft from right under our noses.

[montrose]

Originally Posted by lex

If they really wanted a Mike, Lofton could very well be there at 42 and Rivers doesnt make sense since we already have Williams and Bailey.

Rivers certainly doesn't make sense because we have DJ and Bailey - a perfect reason for him to be a Broncos draft pick. Shanny's history shows a tendency to overload at that spot and move players around at that position. The Broncos could take MLB in round 2, but my gut tells me Shanny's heart on for LB's is going to lead him to taking one with that high pick.

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

I hear the same things too with the LBers situation. However Jay Cutler was on CBS sports show in an interview and Lombardi asked him who would he like to see drafted, and Cutler replied that he wants an offensive player. Of course a QB wants more weapons to work with, but I get the feeling Shanny wants to work with more weapons too.

Something else to think about, the Broncos haven't really had stability at the Running Back position for quite a while and it's always a different RB every year. Seems like ever since Portis left, it's been one RB after another. Have to believe Shanny and Turner are getting sick of working with different Running backs every year.

I think Shanny wants more weapons too and I agree we haven't had stability at the RB spot in years. A Mendenhall/Young tandem could be great for years to come. With that Mendenhall's really the only offensive "weapon" worth taking at #12. If he's gone or the Broncos pass on him, you're looking at either an OT or LB. I'd say, looking at Shanny's history, he's going to take the LB and focus on OL projects later in the draft. It's a real shame too.

[HEAV]

Oy Vey

[24champ]

Originally Posted by montrose

I think Shanny wants more weapons too and I agree we haven't had stability at the RB spot in years. A Mendenhall/Young tandem could be great for years to come. With that Mendenhall's really the only offensive "weapon" worth taking at #12. If he's gone or the Broncos pass on him, you're looking at either an OT or LB. I'd say, looking at Shanny's history, he's going to take the LB and focus on OL projects later in the draft. It's a real shame too.

You seem pretty sure that we will pick Rivers. If that is the case, I am sure there will be a few Garcia incidents(tossing the computer out the window) during the selection.

Seriously though, why would Shanny select Rivers based on the fact we already got two LBers through FA. The only LBer I can remotely see being selected is Mayo.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Shanahan wanted Maroney so bad that he traded down from the 22nd pick instead of moving up 2 spots to get him

[rovolution]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Shanahan wanted Maroney so bad that he traded down from the 22nd pick instead of moving up 2 spots to get him

Jay was the player he coveted the most in that draft, but had he not been able to get Jay, he was going to get Maroney.

They were actually trying to trade back into the first round to get Maroney.

[orange crusher]

Originally Posted by rovolution

Cherilus probably wont last past the Chargers in the 1st Round.

More of the reason i hate AJ Smith.

Hes going to snatch up the 2nd best RT prospect in this draft from right under our noses.

I don't think he even makes it that far. My guess is that Pittsburgh grabs him if he's there when they're on the clock.

[HEAV]

Why would Shanny use a 1st round #12 pick on running back when:

A) It's a loaded position on the team Henry,Young,Hall,Bell

B) This draft is running back heavy and one can be found later or free agent pick up.

C) A runing backs shelve life is about four years and the money for the #12 would be wasted.

D) The O-line need attention.

Jay-C doesn't need another running back. He needs blind side protection!

[24champ]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Shanahan wanted Maroney so bad that he traded down from the 22nd pick instead of moving up 2 spots to get him

Shanny planned to get both Maroney and Cutler, and tried to work back into the first round to get him. Ultimately he didn't have what it took to get Maroney.

Obviously he wants a 1-2 combo punch. Which I don't think Selvin Young or Travis Henry adequately provide.

[Ratboy]

I rather draft Branden Albert and get someone in the 2nd, maybe Kevin Smith.

[BroncoBuff]

We'll see. 10 days and counting ....

[Gcver2ver3]

i still say OT is the way to go...

but if we did get mendenhall, i must admit he's quite a back...the best in the draft actually...

he's so well built, explosive, agile, and strong...




i believe he avg 6.4 ypc last season...McFadden avg 5.6...

whoever gets this guy is getting one heck of a football player...

[24champ]

Originally Posted by HEAV

Why would Shanny use a 1st round #12 pick on running back when:

A) It's a loaded position on the team Henry,Young,Hall,Bell

B) This draft is running back heavy and one can be found later or free agent pick up.

I have to address this part of your post Heav. Starting with the first one.

1. It may be a full position for RB, but by no means are any of them reliable. Henry has a lot of off the field issues, not to mention injury concerns. He isn't reliable. Then there is Selvin Young, he doesn't have what it takes to be a #1. Shanny alluded to that in the offseason press conference.

2. Doesn't matter what the draft looks like, Shanny has been wanting to fill that RB spot with a playmaker. Somebody that can ease burden of the offense off Jay Cutler. We don't have that on the roster NOW and we won't get that with a late rounds pick or FA. It hasn't worked out since TD. Let's face it, there is only ONE Terrell Davis. That was an extremely rare case.

[lex]

Originally Posted by HEAV

Why would Shanny use a 1st round #12 pick on running back when:

A) It's a loaded position on the team Henry,Young,Hall,Bell

Youve got to be kidding.

B) This draft is running back heavy and one can be found later or free agent pick up.

Everyone says this about RB but its also supposed to be a deep draft for OT.

C) A runing backs shelve life is about four years and the money for the #12 would be wasted.

That encompasses backups who get replaced fairly routinely. If a backup RB loses speed, its easy for teams to get another backup. Everyone assumes this is all injury. Its not. RB is a position that is more sensitive than most to speed loss. If a QB or an OT loses speed, he still has value.

D) The O-line need attention.

I wasnt aware we only had one pick in this draft.

Jay-C doesn't need another running back. He needs blind side protection!

For all we know, Kuper can play LT.