Quarterback is NOT the Denver Broncos biggest need. Yes, they need an IMPROVED quarterback, but they need defensive help much more. Anyone who truly thinks the Broncos should spend a high draft pick on someone like Nick Foles or Ryan Tannehill is either clueless or simply can’t admit he or she’s been wrong. Tebow IS the immediate future of the Broncos. Let’s hope he spends his off season the right way so he can be the long term solution as well.
Here’s the second half of the top ten things the Denver Broncos need to get before next season.
5. A stud running back. Yes, Willis McGahee had a great season. But this is now a two-back league, and McGahee isn’t getting any younger…or any healthier. At this point, signing another veteran free agent isn’t the answer. You need a young guy, especially with the iffy status of Knowshon Moreno. Take a long look in the middle rounds at a guy like Bernard Pierce from Temple, Cyrus Gray from Texas A&M or Terrance Ganaway from Baylor, for example.
4. Get that big improvement in Tim Tebow’s quarterbacking skills. I’ve changed my mind on something: I now HOPE Tebow goes to the Pro Bowl. He needs the extra practice time. In fact, I hope he brings his shoes and a football to Pebble Beach this spring when he tees it up with Tiger Woods. Maybe Tiger can run some routes for him while they wait on the foursome in front of them. Tebow needs to throw and throw and throw and work on his footwork endlessly before reporting to mini- camp in mid April. You just have to hope his handlers don’t sidetrack him with a lot of other activities as part of their mission to save the planet. Most of us would prefer that he save the Broncos first, and become the next Billy Graham later.
3. A bad ass middle linebacker. No offense to Joe Mays, who would make a great back-up, but the Broncos need a guy in the middle who can be more than a run stuffer. The middle ‘backer needs to be the identity of the defense. Remember, even when Lawrence Taylor was rushing the passer from the edge, Hall of Famer Harry Carson was manning the middle for the NY Giants. The Broncos could have a shot at a guy like Dont’a Hightower from Alabama. He’s got the size (6’4”, 265 - although not super fast) and if you saw the national title game, you know he can hit. He’d fit the need.
2. Move Champ Bailey to safety. It’s time. More because of the Broncos deficiency at safety as opposed to Champ losing anything as an elite cornerback. The absence of Brian Dawkins in the secondary was a BIG reason for the late season struggles. It’s more than just physical. It’s leadership too. Dawkins has probably played his last game. This is a problem area now. This team was really lousy tackling late in the season. Champ is a great tackler, a great leader, and a ball hawk. He’ll be a terrific safety. Because of this move, there is a need to…
2A…get immediate help at cornerback, too. The guys Denver rolled out there opposite of Champ should be back-ups and nickel backs, not starters. Find two corners somewhere that are better than Andre Goodman and Chris Harris. How great would Atlanta’s Brent Grimes or Carlos Rogers – currently with the 49ers – look in predominantly orange?
1. Draft a monster defensive tackle. When the Broncos get their turn on day one of the draft, it’s likely that a name like Jerel Worthy, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Thompson or Devon Still will be there. Grab one of them. This is the team’s BIGGEST NEED for the second straight season. They need a big, stout run stuffing anchor in the middle of the defense to build around. Still is the best of the lot, but he will probably be gone before Denver picks.
The Broncos passed on Marcel Darius from Alabama last year to select Von Miller. Miller was having a great season when he broke a thumb, and was a non-factor down the stretch. But the fact remains, as an edge pass rusher, he can be taken out of the play. Darius dominated Broncos center J D Walton when they played head to head in December, and looking back on it, I still believe that Denver should have drafted Darius in an effort to build a solid defense from the inside out.
That was last year. This year, they can’t make similar mistakes. A great draft will be vital for this team moving forward.
Comments