The NFL Draft has come and gone and for Denver Broncos fans there is a sense that things are going to change. The Broncos had 9 picks in this year’s draft and made solid decisions for the future of the franchise. John Elway, Brian Xanders, and John Fox put their heads together and came out of the 2011 Draft with a clear understanding of what the team needed.
During the 2010 season the Broncos averaged just under 22 points per game. Scoring 22 points in a game will more than likely win you the game. The problem was that the Broncos gave up 29.5 points per game. The defense in Denver for the past 4 years has been awful. It was the reason that Mike Shanahan lost his job and it was also a large part of why Josh McDaniels lost his. They both learned the hard way that it doesn’t matter how many points you can score if the other team can score more.
That is the approach that the new regime has taken with this Draft. 6 of the 9 Draft picks were defensive players. I have been preaching for years that the Broncos linebacking core was awful. I might have been exaggerating a little but they were pretty bad. I must have been right though because the Broncos went out and got 3 linebackers in this year’s Draft.
I have heard many people talk about how Von Miller doesn’t fit the system that the Broncos will be implementing this year because it is a 4-3 instead of the 3-4 that he was a part of in college. I don’t see it. Hearing Todd McShay and Mel Kiper talk about 0-1 techniques as apposed to 2-3 technique defensive tackles was excruciating. I respect both of them for what they do and how well they do it but I think we have lost our way when it comes to evaluating talent. D-tackles are D-tackles. Linebackers should only be classified by inside or outside not by the schemes they run. Judge the technique of the players to determine if they will fit on your team. I think we do these kids a disservice by labeling them too soon and that is why I am so happy that the Broncos got Miller even though he played in a different defensive scheme.
I heard the local radio personalities talk about how the Broncos were foolish for not going after defensive linemen. Why? Nobody in Denver knows if the current linemen are any good. The 3-4 defense needs exceptional linemen in order to fend off double teams and get off blocks. Obviously the Broncos didn’t have exceptional D-linemen but that doesn’t mean they won’t do well with an added player on the line to keep the linebackers free to make plays. I feel that any needs they may have on the D-line can and will be addressed once free agency begins again.
The picks the Broncos spent on defense were good for the team because the defense has struggled. They got younger in the secondary and in the linebacking core so hopefully the younger players will develop into a great foundation for the future. The picks made on offense however are a little puzzling. I understand that the team needed a solid pass catching tight end, but did they need to draft 2 guys at that position. Now the Broncos will have 5 TE’s on the roster. At most they will carry 3, more likely 2, so why waste a second pick on a TE? I think the Broncos would have been better off taking a chance in one of the later rounds on a big, athletic wide receiver or running back. The Broncos aren’t impressive beyond the 3rd WR spot and the team went through every RB they had last year because of the injuries sustained at that position. 2 TE’s in the draft just didn’t feel right.
Overall the Broncos had a solid draft and improved in all the right areas. 6 new members for a defensive unit that needs to rebuild and an O-lineman that is expected to start at right tackle is a step in the right direction. The Bronco fans have to understand that even though the team got better last week, they are still going to struggle during the first year of Coach Fox’s reign. The offense will be different, more run based. The defense will get better, but in the AFC West it will be tested by every team this year. San Diego will attack from the air while Oakland and Kansas City will attack on the ground. Due to the lockout the Broncos will be limited in their implementation of the new systems so I fear this coming season will be one of trial and error and a lot of personnel evaluation for the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment