Manning and Decker smooth out rough patches

by Ryan Ebert

After practice Wednesday Broncos QB Peyton Manning and WR Eric Decker stayed around and went over a few things after experiencing some lapses in communication during practice.

"I think it was evident, particularly offensively, that we were coming off a 4½-day hiatus," Broncos coach John Fox said. "But that's what happens. We gave them a little break, and I think they enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend. We've just got to get back to business."

Teams struggling in OTAs should only be taken lightly since there have only been a number of practices that have gone and much more to go. Receivers are still getting familiar with their quarterbacks more exclusively. Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen is thankful for OTAs and the workouts he gets with Manning.

Ryan Clady in talks of extension

by Ryan Ebert

Good news for Bronco fans!

The Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady is now in talks of an extension. 

He is to earn $3.5 million in 2012 which is the final year of his rookie contract.

Since he was drafted in 2008 with the 12th pick out of Boise St. Clady has started every game for Denver. In 2009 he first-team All-Pro when he made his first Pro Bowl appearance. Though he still has to return to his form before his knee injury he suffered in the 2010 offseason.

The Broncos allowed 42 sacks to opponents last year, and gave up 33 of them when Tebow was QB - which was 10th worst in the league.

In 2010 when Peyton Manning last played, Manning was only sacked 16 times.

Brian Xanders and the Broncos have parted ways

by Ryan Ebert

John Elway has made another yet surprising move for Denver. This time he has fired GM Brian Xanders. Xanders was named the GM back in 2008 by Mike Shanahan. Xanders never did have control over the roster with Shanahan, McDaniels, or Elway. 

Broncos acquire good talent late in draft

by Ryan Ebert

The Broncos looked to have done well in the Draft bringing in players to give depth and versatility to many positions.  Denver may have also gotten a few steals in this year's Draft.

The first player taken on Saturday in the fourth round 101 overall was Arizona State's Omar Bolden.  A cornerback that stands at 5'10" and 202 lbs.  He brings good speed running a 4.5 40 and has great agility.  He also brings value as a kick returner along with his great coverage skills, he brought two kicks for touchdowns in his career at ASU.  He will most likely be replacing Eddie Royal who left in the offseason to the Chargers.  He was rated as high as the second round, but had an injury to his knee that kept him out of 2011 season which hurt his value.  Many are hoping that he can be the successor to Champ Bailey.  He will rejoin quarterback Brock Osweiler in Denver who was also from Arizona State.

At No. 108 in the fourth round in the Draft Denver selected Baylor's center Philip Blake  Blake brings versatility to the offensive line as before he played center he was a guard when his teammate J.D. Walton was playing center.  He also has a little experience at playing right tackle.  Blake was an All-American selection in 2011 and a first-team All-Big 12 choice.  In 2010 he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 choice.  Blake is 6'3" and weighs in at 311 lbs. and benched 22 times at the NFL Combine.

In the fifth round at No. 137 the Broncos picked up defensive end Malik Jackson from Tennessee.  Jackson , a transfer from USC, posted 104 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 pick, 6 deflections, and a fumble recovery in two years with the Volunteers.  He's a player that can play inside and outside on the defensive line, and adds youth to the defensive line.  He stands at 6'5", 270 lbs.  He will join former Volunteers Britton Colquitt and Peyton Manning. In 2010 Jackson earned 2010 AP All-SEC second team honoree, and in 2011 earned All-SEC First-Team by the media and All-SEC Second-Team by the coaches.

The final player drafted by Denver in the sixth round at No. 188 is linebacker Danny Trevathan from Kentucky.  In 2011 Trevathan led the Wildcats in tackles with 143 along with 11.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 interceptions, 9 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles in his senior season.  He is a 6'1", 232 lbs. linebacker that was an AP First-Team All-SEC player in 2011.  He will bring depth to the linebacker corps of Denver that has D.J. Williams facing a six-game suspension, and doesn't have much talent behind their starters.  Trevathan will join his former teammate Wesley Woodyard that plays the same position as Williams.

Overall, this draft class for the Broncos filled many needs.  They get a cornerback who can take the responsibility of returning kicks.  A versatile offensive lineman who plays all three inside positions well.  They get a defensive lineman who can play either defensive tackle or defensive end, and can bring pressure on the quarterback.  Then last but not least Denver has a linebacker that could play early and often with D.J. Williams facing his suspension.  John Elway, John Fox, and Brian Xanders did a nice job in their second draft together.

Broncos get some needed talent

by Ryan Ebert

After not having a pick in the first round, the Denver Broncos make three solid picks in the second day of the 2012 NFL Draft.  The team filled a needed position on defense, added security, and depth in the second and third rounds.  The players drafted in the second round were announced by Bronco great Terrell Davis.

The Broncos first pick at thirty-six overall was used to get Derek Wolfe, a 6'5" 300 lbs. defensive tackle from Cincinnati, with the thirty-sixth overall pick.  Wolfe in four seasons with the Bearcats accumulated 162 tackles (89 solo), a forced fumble, and 19.5 sacks with 9.5 of them coming in his senior season in which he was named the Co-Big East Defensive player of the Year.  Fans at first may have been shocked at the selection, but Denver drafted Wolfe because he is reliable and consistent unlike Jerel Worthy who is talented, but inconsistent.

The second player Denver drafted in the second round with the fifty-seventh overall pick was Arizona St. quarterback Brock Osweiler.  The 6'7" quarterback threw for 4,036 yards, 33 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and had a 63.2 completion percentage in his senior season.  He is expected to be the backup to Manning.  Even though Denver has Caleb Hanie and Adam Weber it is believed that Osweiler will be the number two quarterback.  Though there is a history of quarterbacks with such a height of 6'6" and taller that do not have success in the NFL.  The only real successes in the NFL of quarterbacks who stand 6'6" or taller are Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and the Panthers Cam Newton.

The final pick for Denver of the day was San Diego St. running back Ronnie Hillman drafted at sixty-seventh in the Draft.  Hillman, who stands at 5'9" 200 lbs., put up 1,711 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns and a 5.5 average along with 24 receptions for 270 yards, a touchdown and a 11.3 average in his senior season.  He had a 99 yard run against Wyoming last year, and even topped a few of Marshall Faulk's old school records at San Diego St.  NFL Network's Mike Mayock said, "He's a guy that I think provides instant offense for the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning's going to love him."

The Broncos still have a few more needs to get in the secondary and could get some depth at the linebacker and wide receiver position, but these picks look to be solid.  Derek Wolfe brings youth to the defensive line and will be playing under Ty Warren, Justin Bannan, and Kevin Vickerson who are all 29 years of age and older.  Brock Osweiler has a tremendous opportunity to learn from one of the best to ever play the game, and is very intelligent of the game himself.  Ronnie Hillman who could bring that "instant offense" may replace Knowshon Moreno if Moreno doesn't step up his game here soon.  Hillman will also be learning from veteran running back Willis McGahee ,who is in his ninth season and will turn 31 in October.

On the last day the Broncos own the 101st, 108th, 137th, and 188th draft picks in rounds four through seven.  Hoping Denver find a few gems and a future star!

Broncos don't get first-round pick

by Ryan Ebert

As the first day of the 2012 NFL Draft finished, Bronco fans may be disappointed in not having selected a player in the first round.  Yet there is a positive side to this.  Denver now owns eight picks instead of seven which can be used to add more pieces to help Manning, or of course strengthen the defensive side of the ball at the many positions Denver needs to gain depth in.

First this evening Denver traded their twenty-fifth pick to New England for the Patriot's thirty-first pick and a fourth-round pick.  Later on, that thirty-first pick along with a fourth-round pick was traded away to Tampa Bay for the thirty-sixth overall pick and a fourth-round selection.  The selections the Broncos now own in the Draft are: 36, 57, 87, 101, 108, 120, 137, and 188.  Six of those selections are between the second and fourth rounds of the Draft.

The players still on Denver's board are: Jerel Worthy, Courtney Upshaw, Stephen Hill, Kendall Reyes, and Janoris Jenkins.  Former Bronco great Terrell Davis will announce the Bronco's selection on Friday.

A few things said by Bronco's Vice President of Football Operations John Elway after the Draft ended:


"Well, we didn't get any better yet, but we will tomorrow,"

"Our board looked the same, and we have the same players at No. 36 than we would have had at No. 31," Denver Broncos Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said following the first round of the draft. "We don't have a new player yet, but we like where we sit. We're excited."

Other players in the second round Denver may pick are Lamar Miller, and Robert Turbin. 

Fear not Bronco fans. John Elway, John Fox, and Brian Xanders know what they are doing.

Brian Dawkins rides off into the sunset

by Ryan Ebert

After sixteen outstanding years in the NFL, longtime Eagles and Broncos safety for three years has decided to step away from the game and retire.  He announced this on Twitter on Monday morning:

The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL. #BBTB

He prayed, meditated, and spoke to people close to him to help him make his decision and be at peace with it.