The Scouting Combine - DMason084's Dynasty

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The Scouting Combine

Posted on December 16, 2011 at 01:04 AM.

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Scouting Combine

O-Line � Finally, a chance to see not only the best offensive lineman in this year�s draft in Jake Long, but to see a personal favorite of mine Ryan Clady. In the real-life 2008 combine at his position drill, he looked very sharp and actually looked like the Browns� Joe Thomas. Even though Keith Rivers is who I want in the draft, many scenarios have yet to play themselves out that may yet allow me to land Clady and still achieve my goal of fielding a pair of quality OLBs. With that, I decided to scout Clady, Chris Williams, Branden Albert, and Chilo Rachal. Reason: �Now I know Williams can perform at the left tackle position, but what I want to know is how good is his footwork? Can he truly keep Jay Cutler�s jersey clean? One young man I think that can is Ryan Clady. My GM has been singing praises of this kid since Boise State�s win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, as have other scouts I hear. Branden Albert and Chilo Rachal would both do wonders to bolster the interior of the line. Problem is Albert may not be available at #12 come draft day, and with rumors floating about who we�re looking to sign free agent wise, it just might be a better idea to let these two slip past us.�

K/P � Now I know I really didn�t go into detail about these positions, but here�s a chance for me to do so. OK granted I already have a proven kicker in Jason Elam, but it�s time for us to think about the future in many of our positions. That includes the kickers and punters; sorry but I really don�t see punter Sam Paulescu sticking around too much longer. Thusly, I�m going to give K Alexis Serna and P Durant Brooks a look. Reason: �I think Serna could do big things for us here in Denver, where our own Jason Elam managed to kick an NFL-tying 63 yard field goal. Yes, I did talk about the possibility of trading Elam, but there is still a chance we could keep him to help teach Serna until he retires. Durant Brooks seems like a kid that can come in here and compete with Sam Paulescu for the starting job, and Brooks might actually be available after the draft.�

QB � After the Senior Bowl and Dennis Dixon�s showing, there really wasn�t anyone else I was looking forward to try and drafting, until that is Josh Johnson became an option. Then maybe, I got to thinking, things could get very interesting if I had both Dixon and Johnson behind Cutler. After maybe 5 minutes of tossing this idea about, I decided to go with Flacco, Chad Henne, and Brian Brohm. Reason: Not really necessary here since I had already made it clear that Jay Cutler is my Franchise Quarterback, and anyone else is pretty much riding the bench.

HB/FB � No real reason to repeat myself about the Broncos� need for a star HB this season. Anyone of the following guys can come in here and be a star: Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, and Ray Rice. Reason: �McFadden and Jones have made quite the names for themselves out of Arkansas, and either one would tear it up in Denver. A more likely candidate at the tailback position would be Rashard Mendenhall out of Illinois. His combination of size, speed, and power would make him the featured back for years to come. I really liked watching Johnson and Forte back in the Senior Bowl, and they seem to be an easier tandem to acquire in the draft. Last but not least is Ray Rice. Granted the kid is pretty small, but he plays bigger than he really is.�

WR/TE � In keeping in line with the whole �Height + Speed = � bit, I decided to look at Avery and Royal again, but one of the best tall WR�s Limas Sweed was available to scout, so I took a shot with him. Jerome Simpson was another WR I wanted to look at. TE�s are another concern of mine, thus I continued to scout Fred Davis, but I also added Jermichael Finley. Reason: �Avery and Royal are deviously fast, but perhaps speed isn�t all we need. Limas Sweed is one of the tallest receivers at the combine. He has impressed scouts all year, and may continue his success for the Broncos on 2008. Jerome Simpson is one player I�m not too familiar with, but he�s drawn many comparisons to the Colts� star wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Let�s hope he lives up to those expectations. Fred Davis impressed me at the Senior Bowl and looks to be a favorite of mine coming into the combine, but my GM has turned my eyes to Jermichael Finley. The University of Texas looks to be one of the places to find quality players in the key positions we need.�

In the middle of Combine Scouting, 7 days before Free Agency opens up, comes the one time some coaches get excited about (but not me mind you): Restricted Free Agency. First up, CB Karl Paymah. In his 3 years, he really hasn�t done a whole lot to warrant a tender from me, so he�s the first to go.

LB � Since Keith Rivers didn�t attend the combine, I decided skip scouting here. Vernon Gholston and Jerod Mayo aren�t that impressive to me when compared to Rivers.

D-Line � Now since my GM sucks in his ability to actually scout, giving me only 2 choices to scout the D-Line, this is really hard. Glenn Dorsey, Chris Long, and Derrick Harvey would generate some real pressure, but then what�re the odds of me being able to draft any 2 of those 3? So I decided to look further down the lists to Calais Campbell and Dre Moore. Now I have actually been able to draft Campbell in the past, but I used him in a 3-4. Needless to say it was a darn good draft that day. I never once scouted Moore, instead going with Ahtyba Rubin and Frank Okam, but we�ll see how it all pans out. Reason: Like I said before� WE NEED HELP!!!!!

RFA decision #2 pops up, and this time it�s CB Domonique Foxworth�s turn. He is a better CB than Paymah and has more potential than current #2 on the depth chart Dre� Bly. I think he�s worth a level 1 tender. If he proves it to me next season as the nickel back.

DB�s � Again, no real pressing need here with the FA pool looking so good, but if you must know I went ahead and scouted Leodis McKelvin, Mike Jenkins, Brandon Flowers, and Kenny Phillips.

RFA decision #3 is Hamza Abdullah, a Strong Safety that wasn�t really impressive in his 3 years with the team. I don�t even bother to tender him.

With Free Agency so close I take one last look at who�s available, this time at each position and set myself up to make a splash this time around.