The Denver Broncos Two Year Debacle

My first reaction was to applaud the Denver Bronco organization on the firing of Josh McDaniels. 

Then I recalled feeling that it was an odd hire two years ago.

It felt as if owner Pat Bowlen was trying to rent a piece from the New England Patriots (all the way down to the ridiculous cut off sweatshirts). 

After the offseason trades and this year’s draft, I was sure that McDaniels was destroying the franchise and his series of moves seem to be more about ego than prosperity. 

Over a two year period, the he gave up Jay Cutler, Payton Hillis, Brandon Marshall, Tony Scheffler and a high first round draft pick in 2010.

In return, McDaniels essentially obtained Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow, Brady Quinn, Parish Cox, Demaryius Thomas, Knowshon Moreno, Lawrence Maroney and Alphonso Smith (who was later traded for Dan Gronkowski).      

That fact that Pat Bowlen sat and watched this for even two years is stunning.  

Just think if Bowlen used his head two years ago and kept the foundation together, and then surrounded that foundation with some key pieces, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

If Bowlen had hired a qualified coach, they could have kept the foundation of Cutler/Hillis/Marshall/Scheffler and started the process of drafting a strong defense.

Now, let’s play “If you were GM.”

Scenario 1: 2009 draft

First pick (12^th overall), RB Hillis still on the roster; instead of using the 12^th pick on Knowshon Moreno, you can select amongst the next five available players: Brian Orakpo, Malcolm Jenkins, Brian Cushing, Josh Freeman and Larry English—selection is Brian Orakpo.

Second pick (18^th overall): With DE Orakpo just selected, instead of the Ayers pick, you are able to select amongst the next nine available players: Jeremy Maclin, Brandon Pettigrew, Alex Mack, Percy Harvin , Michael Oher, Clay Matthews, Hakeem Nicks and Kenny Britt—my selection is Percy Harvin.

Scenario 2: 2010 draft

Assuming the Broncos stuck with their original picks in the 2010 draft (No. 11, No. 43 and No. 45), the Broncos could have used their No. 11 pick on the following players: Anthony Davis, Ryan Matthews, Brandon Graham, Earl Thomas or Jason Pierre-Paul—my selection is Earl Thomas

At the No. 43 and No. 45 picks, still select Beadles, use the second pick on any of these high talent players among LB Daryl Washington, S Taylor Mays, QB Jimmy Clausen, DT Lamarr Houston or LB Brandon Spikes—my selections are Zane Beadle and Brandon Spikes.

Summary

On the offensive side of the ball, you have a nucleus of Cutler, Scheffler, Marshall and Hillis. Adding a player like Harvin would have been any defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare.

On the defensive side of the ball, a nucleus of Earl Thomas (63 tackles and five picks as a rookie), Pro-Bowler DE Brian Orakpo and LB Brandon Spikes.

OK, so where does all this leave you, Denver?

What ya’ll got: Orton, Brady, Cox, D.Thomas, Gronkowski, Tebow, Moreno, Beadles and Maroney.

What ya’ll could of had: Cutler, Marshall, Hillis, Orakpo, Harvin, (all pro-bowlers) and a few excellent rookies in Earl Thomas, Zane Beadles, and Brandon Spikes—scary stuff Denver.