Grantland on the Bronco's 2009/2010 drafts

[Skyy God]

Since this is pile on Denver day....

McDaniels' first draft, though, is quickly becoming a legendarily bad production. He spent the 18th pick on pass-rusher Robert Ayers, who started only for one season at Tennessee and had just nine sacks in his four-year college career. Ayers has been a washout as a pro, but at least he's still in town! McDaniels dealt a first-round pick to move up and acquire Alphonso Smith with the 37th pick, but after Smith struggled during his rookie season, the Broncos dealt him to Detroit for practice-squad tight end Dan Gronkowski. The team shipped Gronkowski out of town on Saturday and sent safety Darcel McBath, the 48th pick in that year's draft, along with him. That's five first- and second-round picks and one terrible pass-rusher to show for it.

It's not much prettier on the offensive side of the ball. The Broncos used the 12th pick in that year's draft on halfback Knowshon Moreno, who they're convinced isn't a full-time running back after two years of middling production. After spending the offseason staring longingly at DeAngelo Williams, they settled for Willis McGahee. The final second-round pick from that year's draft was blocking tight end Richard Quinn, whom the team also cut this offseason. The jury's still out on their two 2010 first-rounders, but wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has a torn Achilles and will miss the first half of the 2011 season, while Tim Tebow is currently third on the depth chart at quarterback and falling. Utility lineman Zane Beadles, the team's lone second-rounder, might be the best draft pick McDaniels made. That's not high praise, either.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...eview-part-iii

[Bump]

love it

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

But Knowsho said they were epic... and probably still does.

[Quesadilla Joe]

but wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has a torn Achilles and will miss the first half of the 2011 season

uhhhhh DT won't even miss a fifth of the season. He is already practicing at full speed.

That dude is ignorant.

Quinn was horrible. McBath had talent but couldn't stay healthy and McDaniels just gave up on Alphonso Smith too early.

The first rounders McDaniels picked are fine, you aren't going to get impact rookies like Suh, Berry, and Von Miller in the 12-25 range. (blah blah blah Clay Matthews is the exception not the rule)

[WhitiE]

Where's knowmo? I need to confirm this.


Nvm Der he is!

[BigCatDaddy]

I miss that guy.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

A decent run stuffing end with no pass rush skill whatsoever and a league average platooned halfback is fine value out of a 1st round pick??? It's time to wave the white, crap stained flag.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

uhhhhh DT won't even miss a fifth of the season. He is already practicing at full speed.

That dude is ignorant.

Quinn was horrible. McBath had talent but couldn't stay healthy and McDaniels just gave up on Alphonso Smith too early.

The first rounders McDaniels picked are fine, you aren't going to get impact rookies like Suh, Berry, and Von Miller in the 12-25 range. (blah blah blah Clay Matthews is the exception not the rule)

I agree. Had the Broncos kept and developed all of those players they could be looking at a championship right now. It's a pity really.

And yeah, If you're not drafting in the top 10 then you'll never find an impact player. I like your logic. Makes total sense. Kinda explains why teams like the Steelers, Ravens, Pats and Packers struggle so much with acquiring and developing talent.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

5 first and 2nds for Ayers, Smith, and McBath

A gimp WR and a 3rd string QB with other multiple 1sts and high round selections.

Yes, the Broncos went full reerun.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

uhhhhh DT won't even miss a fifth of the season. He is already practicing at full speed.

That dude is ignorant.

Quinn was horrible. McBath had talent but couldn't stay healthy and McDaniels just gave up on Alphonso Smith too early.

The first rounders McDaniels picked are fine, you aren't going to get impact rookies like Suh, Berry, and Von Miller in the 12-25 range. (blah blah blah Clay Matthews is the exception not the rule)

What's a fifth of a season? 3.2 games?

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by ReynardMuldrake

What's a fifth of a season? 3.2 games?

He means a 5th of a season in Thomas terms. He'll play 2 games and call it a day.

[bowener]

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Haha, someone shop Elway's face on the horse and McDaniels on simple jack for much rep.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I agree. Had the Broncos kept and developed all of those players they could be looking at a championship right now. It's a pity really.

And yeah, If you're not drafting in the top 10 then you'll never find an impact player. I like your logic. Makes total sense. Kinda explains why teams like the Steelers, Ravens, Pats and Packers struggle so much with acquiring and developing talent.

Orton and Brandon Lloyd have played better than Cutler and Marshal.

And I said impact rookies, guys drafted between 12-25 aren't going to set the league on fire in their first year.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Orton and Brandon Lloyd have played better than Cutler and Marshal.

And I said impact rookies, guys drafted between 12-25 aren't going to set the league on fire in their first year.

Yeah, I agree. I'd Much rather have the older, slower, less talented Lloyd than Brandon Marshal. Ditto on the Cutler/Orton debate.

I prefer weak armed, can't convert 3rd downs type of QB's over the strong armed, division winning, NFC championship game type.

And yeah, 12 through 25, those guys never have an impact. I think all teams picking in that range might as well trade down. Maybe they'll find an impact player in the 2nd like the Broncos do....