(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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2-37. Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest2-48. Darcel McBath, FS, Texas Tech
3-64. Richard Quinn, TE, North Carolina
4-114. David Bruton, FS, Notre Dame
4-132. Seth Olsen, G, Iowa
5-141. Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina
6-174. Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State
7-225. Blake Schlueter, C, TCU
2009 Outlook
The Broncos fired Mike Shanahan after the late season collapse, ending his 13-year career with the franchise.
However, maybe Pat Bowlen wishes he could have that one back.
That's because the man he hired, Josh McDaniels, would immediately make the biggest mistake possible by entertaining the idea of acquiring his former pet project in New England, quarterback Matt Cassel.
To say Jay Cutler was not happy was an understatement. Cutler was so ticked off by the reports he was nearly traded, he went AWOL and basically forced the Broncos to move him weeks after Cassel was sent packing to division rival Kansas City.
In return for Cutler, a man that threw for 4526 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2008, McDaniels received Kyle Orton and draft picks from the Chicago Bears.
So now after alienating the teams franchise player, McDaniels is seemingly stuck with a far lesser talent in Orton. And as if that weren't bad enough, his best tight end Tony Scheffler and best wide receiver Brandon Marshall also want to be traded before the start of the season.
But to discuss the players already on the roster, we can talk about the offensive and defensive players that most certainly will still be Denver Broncos for the time being.
However, maybe Pat Bowlen wishes he could have that one back.
That's because the man he hired, Josh McDaniels, would immediately make the biggest mistake possible by entertaining the idea of acquiring his former pet project in New England, quarterback Matt Cassel.
To say Jay Cutler was not happy was an understatement. Cutler was so ticked off by the reports he was nearly traded, he went AWOL and basically forced the Broncos to move him weeks after Cassel was sent packing to division rival Kansas City.
In return for Cutler, a man that threw for 4526 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2008, McDaniels received Kyle Orton and draft picks from the Chicago Bears.
So now after alienating the teams franchise player, McDaniels is seemingly stuck with a far lesser talent in Orton. And as if that weren't bad enough, his best tight end Tony Scheffler and best wide receiver Brandon Marshall also want to be traded before the start of the season.
But to discuss the players already on the roster, we can talk about the offensive and defensive players that most certainly will still be Denver Broncos for the time being.
McDaniels selected the running back of the future with the 12th overall selection in Knowshon Moreno, and also signed running backs Lamont Jordan, Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington. However Arrington was released after failing a physical during offseason workouts.
McDaniels also brought over free agent wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd to pair with Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall - should Marshall have a change of heart and elect to play this season in Denver. Assuming Tony Scheffler also suits up in Denver, he will once again be paired with Daniel Graham and draft pick Richard Quinn.
On the offensive line, probably the strongest unit on the Broncos roster, last years first round pick Ryan Clady had a great rookie season and will once again be the starting left tackle for the Broncos. Ben Hamilton and Casey Wiegmann also put forth good seasons a year ago.
Defensively, there weren't many positive things to say about this group a year ago, and their offseason may not change this anytime soon. Former 49ers head coach and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will oversee the defense in 2009, and will have a secondary filled with aging veterans.
McDaniels also brought over free agent wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd to pair with Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall - should Marshall have a change of heart and elect to play this season in Denver. Assuming Tony Scheffler also suits up in Denver, he will once again be paired with Daniel Graham and draft pick Richard Quinn.
On the offensive line, probably the strongest unit on the Broncos roster, last years first round pick Ryan Clady had a great rookie season and will once again be the starting left tackle for the Broncos. Ben Hamilton and Casey Wiegmann also put forth good seasons a year ago.
Defensively, there weren't many positive things to say about this group a year ago, and their offseason may not change this anytime soon. Former 49ers head coach and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will oversee the defense in 2009, and will have a secondary filled with aging veterans.
Brian Dawkins comes to Denver after a long career in Philadelphia, and will play in the secondary with veteran corner Champ Bailey and free-agent acquisitions Andre Goodman and Renaldo Hill. Rookie Alphonso Smith will likely see extensive playing time as well, playing as the 3rd corner in Nolan's defense.
Nolan may have a hard time finding consistency on his defensive line, as rookie Robert Ayers, free agent signee Ronald Fields and Ryan McBean will make up the starters on the defensive line, while Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil will have to transition from a 4-3 scheme to Nolan's 3-4 system with inside linebackers D.J. Williams and former Cleveland Brown Andra Davis manning the middle.
2009 Schedule:
Nolan may have a hard time finding consistency on his defensive line, as rookie Robert Ayers, free agent signee Ronald Fields and Ryan McBean will make up the starters on the defensive line, while Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil will have to transition from a 4-3 scheme to Nolan's 3-4 system with inside linebackers D.J. Williams and former Cleveland Brown Andra Davis manning the middle.
2009 Schedule:
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