Who is Jamal Carter?

Saturday was the final countdown for the Broncos to trim their roster down to 53 players. In case you didn't know, and as I've mentioned in previous blogs, the Broncos have a knack for finding gems in UFAs (Undrafted Free Agents), and apparently, undrafted rookie Jamal Carter is no exception.

On a side note, despite a report I read stating that only five of the Broncos' drafted rookies made the roster, I checked to see that in fact, all of the guys they drafted did make the roster. Some were just placed on injured reversed (i.e. Carlos Henderson) or a variation of it (i.e. Jake Butt and Chad Kelly).

Moving along, living in Louisiana, I don't get to see the Broncos pre-season games. Rarely are their pre-season games shown on TV out here, so unfortunately, all I have access to is bits and pieces of highlights and hearsay from Broncos players, analysts, and reporters. Last week, I saw online where they were seeking to trade one of their defensive/No Fly Zone stalwarts and components, safety T.J. Ward.

As looked further into it, I read that the reason they were looking to trade him was because they're deep (which they are with Justin Simmons and Will Parks) at the safety position, and apparently with this undrafted rookie in Jamal Carter, whom I've heard they're very excited about, and have been using him as a ILB/S hybrid, the same way that the Arizona Cardinals use Deone Bucannon, which is funny, because one of his teammates compared him to Deone.

This caused my scouting antennas go up. I was able to get some tape on the Miami (University) alumnus. From what I saw, I could definitely see why they're using him the way they are because although he's built like a safety, he plays with the intensity and physicality of a linebacker. He delivers punishing hits at the line of scrimmage, and is good in pass coverage.

One thing about his game that I noticed is that he can be too much of a head-hunter and go for the big hit, instead of making a play on the ball. I await to see what this young man can do in a Broncos uniform. To make an understatement, they thought a lot of him to (eventually, due to not being able to make a trade) release "Boss" T.J. Ward.

Actually, there were other reasons, such as him turning the big 3-0. Typically, in professional sports, once a player turns 30-- a sign that a player's shelf life, so to speak, is deteriorating-- teams start to look at players sideways, and I believe he was in the last year of his contract.

At the end of the day, of course I hate to see T.J. go, but at the same time I like Simmons' credentials and his ability to plays all over the field, and Will Parks, who, to me, is a younger version of T.J. Ward. After checking their depth chart last night, Justin Simmons, as I expected, will be the starting strong safety. Again, I hate to see T.J. go, but I'm also looking forward to seeing what Justin can do in a full-time role.

He's Back! The Return of "Kubes"

It has been over a month since I posted my last Broncos blog. Quite frankly, with the off-season being so quiet-- aside from free agency-- there wasn't much to write about. I knew with the 2017-18 NFL season being right around the corner, something would eventually spark me to write another blog, and I can't think of a better way than to re-introduce this man.

After resigning back in January, due to apparent health issues-- I have my own theory about that, but that's another story-- Gary Kubiak, after leading Denver to its third Super Bowl championship two seasons ago is back in Denver, but this time as Senior Personnel Advisor.

His role entails that he will be scouting and evaluating college players while based in the Houston area (his hometown). This allows him to work more closely with his son Klein, who is also a scout in the southwest area, and I'm sure he'll lend an ear to his older son Klint, who is an offensive assistant.

Although I'm happy, excited, and looking forward to what the future holds for Head Coach Vance Joseph, which I believe is an incredibly bright one, I was a little disappointed when Gary walk away. After the Super Bowl season, the Broncos failed to defend the title, not even making the playoffs, despite finishing with a winning record.

There were issues with the consistency of the offense. I thought they started with the potential of looking better than were the season before, but they ended looking worse. To me, part of that was the play-calling becoming predictable. It was one of the things that put Kubiak in hot water when he coached the Houston Texans.

A chance needed to be made. I, for one, wanted to see a more aggressive, but smart and flexible offense, which is what Vance is installing. Not to put a damper on the mood of the blog, but I call it as I see it, and for what it is. What's ironic is that despite everything I pointed out, I still think Kubiak is a good offensive mind. He's an underrated developer of quarterbacks; he doesn't get the same recognition as does Bruce Arians or Andy Reid.

Matt Schaub had his best career as a QB under Kubiak in Houston; Joe Flacco had his most efficient season as a QB under Kubiak's lone season in Baltimore as their offensive coordinator. I thought he did a nice job with Trevor Siemian, considering the situation at hand, and prior to everything that took place afterwards, I was looking forward to see what they could do with another year.

Splish Splash! Taking a Super Bowl championship Gatorade bath. Hopefully, Vance will get one this year.

On top of that, he's a winner, plain and simple. He may not have the resumes of Bill Walsh, Vince Lombardi, or "Bill Belichick," but check this out: He's a four-time Super Bowl Champion. As a QBs coach with the 49ers in 94-95, back-to-back titles during his first stint with Denver as their offensive coordinator (97-98, 98-99), and in 2016 as their head coach.

He's been to a total of seven Super Bowls combined as a player and head coach. His SB victory in 2016 made him the fourth head coach in NFL history to win it during his first year with a team, and the third to win a Super Bowl with a team he once played for.

When he first left Denver to coach Houston in 2005, and came back to coach Denver a decade later, I remember thinking: "I'm glad he's back. I never wanted him to leave Denver in the first place." Now, after a brief retirement, he's back in Denver once again. Welcome back, "Kubes."

The NFL Top 100 is a Joke

In 2011, the NFL launched a Top 100 show; the concept of it is the players select among themselves who is supposed to be the best from that particular season. I don't watch the show itself anymore, but after the listing for that night-- probably out of habit now-- I'll go back later and check to see who made the list.

This show reminds of the same thoughts I have towards other ranking shows, award shows, etc. It's nothing but a popularity contest, quite honestly, it's a joke. Over the years, I've seen players who normally are top stars in the league, but only played a few games that year due to a season-ending injury, yet players still vote them in for the Top 100 (e.g. Adrian Peterson and J.J. Watt).

They will hit the mark with some individuals on these shows, but to me, it seems to be about who's who that year or season, not who had the best season or who was the most valuable to their team. This brings me to three Broncos who should've made the list: WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and safety Darian Stewart.

While Demaryius and Emmanuel particularly are very capable of cracking the top 10 or 20, I'm not saying that should've been ranked that high, but they should have been on the list, nonetheless. Again, there were players who barely played and managed to make the list, while these guys still produced 1,000 yards seasons with inexperienced quarterbacks.

Darian Stewart has improved every year with the Broncos, and he's coming off a career season and an alternate Pro Bowl nod. I thought it was disrespectful that he somehow did not make the list. So far, there are two Broncos who made the list. Cornerback Chris Harris was the first Bronco at No. 63, which was way too low, and fellow corner Aqib Talib was ranked at No. 37, which I thought was reasonable.

They're down to the top 10, and I believe Von Miller will be in this bunch, but as disrespectful as they have been to the Broncos with these rankings, it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't make it at all. I'm pretty sure the top two will be America's Sweetheart, the so-called GOAT, Tom Brady, and the so-called "Michael Jordan of football," Aaron Rodgers.

Both suggestions or declarations are ridiculous and laughable, well, actually, the Aaron Rodgers declaration is an insult to MJ. Aaron's great, but he's NOWHERE NEAR Michael Jordan. Anyway, that's my predictions for the final two. If I'm wrong, oh well, it is what it is. Big deal. At the end of the day, whether it be voting for awards (not just football), or top whatever number shows, I see more and more that they're nothing but popularity contests. It's not who's the best, it's who's who.

1,000 Views Edition: There's Four Where That Came From

Last month, I was scrolling down the page of my Facebook timeline and saw a headline from the Denver Broncos page that read ESPN projects them to finish the season 6-10. Really? I already have a bone to pick with ESPN for that Joe Mixon video being played during the draft. I still think that was some b*tch made stuff they did, but I'm not here to talk about that, I've addressed that fiasco in a previous blog.

Now, I realize everyone's entitled to their analysis and opinion, but I wonder if these "experts" realize that the Broncos are not far removed from winning a championship. They dealt with inexperience at the quarterback position, and inconsistency in areas that wasn't there during their championship run, and still managed to finish 9-7. That's no excuse for them falling short and failing to defend their championship, but it is what it is.

Denver Broncos 1st Super Bowl championship, 1998.

The nucleus of the team (the defense) is still in place, and they have revamped in all aspects of this team in approach and players. As Coach (Vance) Joseph said, "This is not a rebuild, but a re-boot." I mean, with this team, as I've said before, he has been given the keys to a Porsche, just don't wreck it.

Coach Joseph, who was hired in January, is known as one of the young, bright minds (particularly on defense) in football. What's more is that he has the ability to connect with the players beyond Xs and Os, and I believe this combination is what not only made him a hot commodity among teams who were searching for head coaches, but it's what landed him in Denver, ironically a job that was considered to be a hot commodity. He added two great offensive minds in former head coach Mike McCoy (as offensive coordinator) and Bill Musgrave (as quarterbacks coach), who both orchestrated top 10 offenses last season. I'm still trying to figure out how he pulled that off. 

I thought QB Trevor Siemian played well (for the most part) considering the situation he was in, and showed fundamental prowess, and veteran-like unflappability. Paxton Lynch showed some upside; although I've heard he has made strides so far in the OTAs, he particularly is still a work in progress. The way I see it, with the two quarterbacks now having a year under their belt-- I still believe it's Siemian's job to lose-- along with the tutelage and direction of McCoy and Musgrave, the ceiling is mighty high for these young guns in Trevor, Paxton, and rookie Chad Kelly.

Back-to-back championships, 1999

They're implementing an aggressive, but flexible offense (my personal preference), with more of a downhill running game. Although they've had success in the zone blocking scheme, namely C.J. Anderson, I believe this suits the styles of C.J. and Devontae Booker better, not to mention, an explosive piece in All-Pro Jamaal Charles-- who is dangerous in any offense-- who was added two months ago.

The wide receivers are a strong unit with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders alone, but they need help. I like the picks of Carlos Henderson, who I believe can be a third receiver right away, and potentially the next Tyreek Hill in Isaiah McKenzie. Speaking of which, the return game was another area that needed vast improvement.

The offensive line, particularly the tackles, were a major issue. Trevor Siemian detractors, who were looking for every nook and crook to put Lynch-- who clearly wasn't ready-- out there, placed too much blame on him. Granted, there were times when he held the ball too long, but the blocking for the most part, was piss-poor. Ronald Leary, a sought after free agent, and a major part of the Cowboys' offensive line that made life easy for Ezekiel Elliott was added, as well as Menelik Watson. They drafted OT Garrett Bolles, who I definitely like from watching his tape. He has the tools to be the dominant blocker desperately needed in Denver.

The defense was still great, despite struggling mightily against the run last year. However, they finished with the No.1 pass defense for the second consecutive season, an NFL record. That's extremely difficult to do, and they have accomplished this in an era where most teams are pass-happy. It's even harder when the run defense isn't holding up. Speaking of which, they revamped up front on the defensive line as well, bringing in underrated Domata Peko, versatile Zach Kerr, and drafting ACC Defensive Player of the Year DeMarcus Walker.

Denver Broncos 3rd championship, 2016

To piggy-back off Coach's narrative, aside from shoring up the front line offensively and defensively, adding another receiver or two, and getting some explosive play makers in the return game, there aren't any glaring holes or needs on this team, just a few tweaks here and there. You have people who are predicting them to finish 3rd in the AFC West, and I don't know what the hell they're looking at. Of course, these are some of the same people who overlooked them the year they won their third championship.

There's continuity and chemistry within the entire team, and that's something money can't buy, but I believe it's an essential component when making a championship run. A team can have all the talent in the world, but if there's no continuity, or it lacks chemistry, they won't get very far. So my response to them (i.e. the naysayers) is there's four where that came from!

There's four where that came from!

Now that the powers that be have handed Tom Brady another championship to fit with his overcoming-suspension-so-called-f*ck-you-tour, since that bullsh*t is over, the quest for No.4 begins. By the end of this season, everyone will know that it's all about the four. Do you understand? Do you know what I mean? It is all about...the four!

Charles In Charge?

On May 2nd, the Denver Broncos added former Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, one of the most explosive backs in the league when healthy, to an already stacked backfield. Following the draft, I didn't think Elway would make a move for another running back, nevertheless, someone of Jamaal's caliber.

He is the Chiefs all-time leading rusher with 7,260 yards, and is currently the NFL's all-time leader in yards-per-carry with an incredible average of 5.5 yards. He has spent the last two seasons dealing with injuries, playing in only eight games combined in that span. Between his injuries and the emergence of Spencer Ware, he became expendable. He was released by the Chiefs after the season. He will add a spark and be a perfect complement to a loaded backfield with C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker, who are more downhill runners.

I don't think he will be asked to shoulder most of the load, like he did in K.C., which will benefit him -- as well as Anderson and "Book"-- as it will preserve him throughout the course of the season. However, he didn't come here to simply complement Anderson and Booker, he's here to compete for the starting running back position, and rightfully so.

When healthy, he's still one of the most dangerous running backs in the league, and is definitely capable of being the guy come Week One. Either way, imagine defenders trying tackle C.J., Devontae, and Jamaal. It looks like this off-season keeps getting better. After watching him be a thorn in Denver's side all these years, I await to see him blaze down the field in a Broncos uniform!

Why Rod Smith Should Be In The Hall of Fame

I remember watching a sports show years ago, as a matter of fact, it was the year Rod retired. At the end of the segment, they briefly acknowledged his retirement, questioning whether he's a Ring of Famer-- he was inducted in the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2012-- or a Hall of Famer. They chose "Ring of Fame." Initially, I agreed with this answer, thinking that he was a solid receiver, but not a Hall of Famer.

Then, after paying closer attention to his numbers and accomplishments recently, I believe Rod Smith is indeed a Hall of Famer. An undrafted free agent in 1994-- I watched Rod for years; I had no idea he was an undrafted free agent-- he played his entire career in Denver, which is not a factor in my claim, but that's difficult to do in the free agency era.

He's the Broncos all-time leader in receptions (849), yards (11,389), and touchdowns (68). He currently holds 11 franchise records, along with the aforementioned, including the most receptions in a season (113 in '01), most yards from scrimmage (11,737), all-purpose yards (12,488), and total touchdowns (71). He produced 1,000+ yard seasons in eight of his thirteen years in the league.

He is the first undrafted player to reach 10,000 yards; his franchise records for receiving yards and touchdown receptions are currently the most by an undrafted player in NFL history. His career receptions are the second most by an undrafted player. Only Wes Welker, who played for Denver for a few seasons, has more receptions by an undrafted FA.

He's only the sixth player in NFL history to have 100 career receptions against at least three teams. They were the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and the Oakland Raiders-- all AFC West opponents! The opponents aren't a factor either, just taking a jab at the Broncos' division rivals and their fans. He's a two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection.

He's currently in the top 40 for all-time career receptions and receiving yards, ranking 27th and 31st respectively. The Broncos seem to have a penchant for finding undrafted gems, and Rod Smith was no different. He is one of the most underrated receivers I've ever watched. In closing, I've stated my case for why Rod Smith should be in the Hall of Fame. The numbers speak for themselves.

Mile High Salute: Terrell Davis

A blog about Denver Broncos legendary running back Terrell Davis is in order. I was so caught up in the draft and its prospects, this one briefly got lost in the shuffle. There's NO WAY I can launch a  Denver Broncos blog without acknowledging one of the best RBs in NFL history. Yes, Elway carried the team on his shoulders for years, but Terrell Davis was the one who finally got them over the (Super Bowl) hump.

Drafted in the sixth round out of Georgia in 1995, Terrell started off on special teams. During the pre-season that year, his play as a running back impressed Coach (Mike) Shanahan so much, that he became the Broncos starter at the position and never looked back. It turned out to be perhaps the best decision Shanahan made; Terrell rushed for 1,117 yards as a rookie that season.

By his second year, he rushed for 1,538 yards and won Offensive Player of the Year. The following year, he topped his career high once again, rushing for 1,750 yards, and was a major component to the Broncos winning their first Super Bowl title (their fourth appearance at the time), which he won the Super Bowl MVP in a victory against the Packers.

 What's scary is that as astounding as those numbers are, he truly arrived in 1998. He rushed for 2,008 yards-- a feat that has been accomplished by only six other running backs in NFL history-- winning the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. The Broncos coasted to their second straight Super Bowl championship through Terrell's two feet in a victory over the Falcons.

From here, his career was unfortunately cut short by multiple injuries. The following season, he played in only four games after tearing his ACL and MCL in his right knee. The next season, he played in only five games (started four), due to a stress reaction injury in his lower leg. In 2001, he played half the season (eight games) the most since his monster league MVP season, but was sidelined the remaining half due to arthroscopic surgery on both knees. He retired the following year.

Terrell (aka "T.D.") finished his phenomenal, yet short career as the Broncos all-time leading rusher with 7,607 yards. He was a league MVP, as well as a Super Bowl MVP, two time (back-to-back) Super Bowl champ, a member of the 2,000 rushing yards club,  a two time Offensive Player of the Year, and currently holds 46 franchise records.

His legacy was acknowledged, becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year-- after eleven years of eligibility. FINALLY! One theory I have on what took the HOF committee of voters so long to induct him is because of his short career. For one, his career was short because of nagging injuries to his knees. It's difficult to walk, nevertheless, run with bad knees.

Another pitch I've always made is that there are players who had short careers in the NFL who are in the Hall of Fame. Yes, they may have been great, but they, nor some players with longer careers in the HOF, have accomplished what T.D. was able to accomplish in seven seasons.

He great as he was, I can only imagine the kind of career he would've had, if it weren't for the injuries that plagued him later in his career. Who knows? He might have eventually become the NFL's all-time leading rusher. I show my appreciation to the man who became the missing piece to the Broncos puzzle for winning a championship; the man who made Elway's life a whole lot easier. His Hall of Fame nod is well deserved and long overdue. Terrell "T.D." Davis, I Mile High Salute you!

MircoScout: Part 2: Broncos' Draft Picks 2-7

With the 2017 NFL Draft wrapped up, I present another edition of the MircoScout featuring the remaining picks of the Denver Broncos. In part one, I gave an exclusive analysis on their first round pick, Garett Bolles. In part two, I will give my analysis and grade on the individual players and the Broncos draft overall.

Round 2: DE, DeMarcus Walker

DeMarcus was selected out Florida State. I saw some comments about him being soft, and I'm not sure what the hell they were looking at. This guy is strong and explosive, especially on inside rushes. He has a quick first step, he hustles, and doesn't give up on plays. He's versatile; he can line up at both end positions, and can line up inside-- which is definitely useful, with his dominant push on inside rushes-- in passing situations.

On top of that, he had 16 sacks! The only problem I see is that it's easy to get inside and engulf him sometimes, due to his short reach. Overall, I love the pick. He seems to have the heart, physicality, and strong character that suits what the Broncos are looking for. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. At first glance, he reminds me of Malik Jackson, which is funny because Elway has mentioned that he believes Walker will provide a similar productivity. Perhaps that's why he drafted him? If he turns out to be better, splendid. I encourage that. Grade: A

Round 3: WR, Carlos Henderson

Elway addressed another need, drafting Carlos out of Louisiana Tech. I've said in a previous blog that I wanted someone to complement Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. I'm not confident in their corps outside of those two. Enlisted at 5-11, 199 pounds, this guy plays bigger than his size. He led the FBS in all-purpose yards last season. Another physical individual, he's tough as heck to tackle. If he's not ripping away from a player, he's juking, or spinning out of their grasp. He's a willing and physical blocker on run plays.

He has sure hands; does an excellent job of locating the ball, and can out muscle defensive backs on back shoulder throws. He's more quick than fast. He's much better moving laterally compared to his straight-line speed, which is why some "experts" believe he's going to have a hard time running past defenders on the next level. There's also questions on whether or not he's capable of running the entire route tree. We'll see.

He's a good, but not a great kick returner. He may not always take it to the house, but he will consistently put your offense in good field position, which is desperately needed on special teams. All in all, I believe this is another sneaky good pick by Elway. He reminds me a lot of recently retired Steve Smith. It's expected that he will help out in the return game, but I like him as the third receiver on the depth chart. I believe he can contribute right away. Grade: A

Round 3: CB, Brendan Langley

Brendan was drafted out of Lamar University. Coming from a small college, it was difficult finding tape on him, but from what I was able to see, enlisted at 6-0 201 pounds, he has decent size for a corner back. He shadows his man and can locate him when going downfield. He's solid in man and zone coverage. Rangy, he can leave his man to break up a pass that's going to another receiver.

He's an inconsistent tackler; his tackling was nearly text book on one video, he was diving at opponent's legs on another video. His recovery speed can improve. When running with his man, the receiver can get the drop on him, if he stops on a dime. Practically labeled as raw, but talented, he's expected to contribute on special teams initially, but I believe there's a future for him in the No Fly Zone. All of the physical tools are there, and with the current crop helping him smooth out the rough spots, he may be contributing regularly on the field faster than some think. Grade: B

Round 5: TE, Jake Butt

Judging from his last name, it's safe to assume that he endured a lot of teasing growing up, perhaps till this day, but that's besides the point. I just hope he doesn't play like one. Drafted out of Michigan, he was one of the top tight ends, and perhaps could've been drafted higher if it wasn't for his injury. (He's rehabilitating from a torn ACL). He has good hands, and he seems to have a way of sneakily finding seams underneath the defense. 

He can line up in multiple positions along the line, even flanking out in the slot position, which gives him several ways to make plays. I didn't see him create a lot of separation in his routes, it was just enough for him to secure the catch. He has adequate speed, and he's an adequate blocker. He gives a good effort in blocking, but he doesn't get enough depth in his blocks. He has a willingness to improve in this area, which I like.

I like the pick. Although personally, I don't see anything wrong with the guys they currently have (Virgil Green, A.J. Derby, and Jeff Heuerman), they don't get that many targets. However, Jake is a good addition, and it has been said that Elway got (yet) another steal. Grade: B+

Round 5: WR/KR, Isaiah McKenzie

I love, love, love this pick. The Broncos return game has absolutely SUCKED the past two seasons, and I believe Isaiah (aka "The Human Joystick") will definitely change that. He's an electrifying returner with blazing speed. I mean, this guy can fly. I don't know how much time he will see as a receiver, but he has good hands (led the Georgia Bulldogs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last season) and with his speed, versatility, and electric explosion, it's going to be hard to keep him off the field, particularly on trick plays. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is going to have fun using him.

The reason for my uncertainty of how much he will see the field outside of returns is because of his extremely small frame at 5-7, 173 pounds, but again, with everything I mentioned above, it's going to be hard to keep him off the field. Elway wanted more explosive playmakers, and this is a slam dunk pick, in my opinion. Grade: A

Round 6: RB, De'Angelo Henderson

I sense another sneaky good draft pick from Elway. Drafted from a small school (Coastal Carolina), this guy is a C.J. Anderson clone, except he's a little smaller, but more explosive. At 5-8, 208 pounds, he uses his low center of gravity to his advantage, making it easy for him to slip through the gaps almost unnoticed, and his deceptive strength makes him more difficult to tackle.

The only issue I see is his size. He seems to be more of a chip blocker on passing downs, but this could be due to his small frame. I would like to see him hold up a little better in those situations. I believe drafting him made former Bronco RB Kapri Bibbs expendable-- he was traded during Day 3 of the draft-- which is fine because, while he made a few good plays, overall, I wasn't that impressed with him. Along with C.J. and Devontae Booker, Elway has potentially put together a three-headed monster to be reckoned with. Grade: B+

Round 7: QB, Chad Kelly

Being the very last pick of the draft, Chad received the label of "Mr. Irrelevant,"(it's considered an honor as the last pick of the draft) but I deem this one, "Mr, Interesting." Known for his cocky demeanor, he was drafted out of Mississippi (aka Ole Miss). He was highly spoken of in terms of his talent. He has a rocket arm; can make all the throws. He's mobile; he can create and extend plays with his feet. Has an NFL pedigree, being the nephew of Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly, who was drafted the same year (1983) and round (1st round, of course) as Elway.

So, what was the problem? Well, apparently, he had character issues, (e.g. being kicked off the team when he attended Clemson). He also dealt with injuries, suffering a torn ACL  and lateral meniscus last season, and tore his ACL  during a spring game in 2013. What I noticed is that he's not the most fundamentally sound in his mechanics, and his throws can sail at times.

He has an improvisational, unorthodox style of play, similar to Tony Romo. It has been said that he's  just as good as the QBs who were drafted before him. Some had him ranked as a first rounder, most between the second and fifth-- because of the baggage. Due to his medical and character issues, his stock was expected to drop, but I had no idea he would drop this low.

While I like the pick, his character concerns makes me downgrade him a little overall, until I see otherwise. He'll probably sit out his rookie season to recover, learn, develop, and get adjusted to the next level. He's a high-risk, high-reward guy; I can understand with his upside, that he was too good to pass up. I expect him to make the team as the third string QB this season, and although I like Trevor Siemian's upside (Paxton Lynch's as well), but with Kelly's talent, potential, and aforementioned NFL pedigree, I wouldn't be surprised if he's leading this team long-term in the future. Grade: B-

Conclusion

At the end of the day, I really like this draft class. I believe John Elway managed to draft some who can immediately contribute, and some diamonds in the rough, who will provide quality depth at their positions and become starters in the long run. No, the guy I wanted them to draft (Christian McCaffrey) wasn't available at No. 20, but I believe the players they picked between Days 2 and 3 (C. Henderson, particularly McKenzie, and D. Henderson), will more than bring to the table what I believe McCaffrey will bring to the Panthers. 

I was hoping they would've drafted another offensive lineman, such as a guard, or a guard/center hybrid, but that need was addressed, nevertheless. I await to see what they do this season. I expect them all to make the team, just like last year's rookie class. The Broncos wanted physically and mentally tough and talented players, and they definitely drafted what they were looking for. I love this class. Overall Grade: A-

MicroScout: Part 1: Garett Bolles, the Gentle Monster

"Damn! Damn! Damn!"

- Florida Evans, at the end of a Good Times episode

Before I get started on my analysis of the Denver Broncos' 2017 first round pick, I want to say that the Carolina Panthers are a bunch of haters. They drafted the versatile Christian McCaffrey; anyone who has spoken with me, kept up with my blogs, or even in the comment section of the Broncos Facebook page knows how much I wanted McCaffrey to come home to Denver at No. 20. Hence, #DraftChristianMcCaffrey.

Last night, that did not come to fruition, for the Panthers selected him with the 8th overall pick. Now, I read something on the RotoWorld website a few days prior that said it was unlikely that he would be available to Denver at No. 20-- it turns out that they were right-- but hey, the draft is crap shoot, so anything is bound to happen. Also, I've decided to do a blog covering Denver's first round pick exclusively; the blog covering their picks from rounds 2-7 will come later this weekend or early next week.

With that out of the way, I would like to welcome the Denver Broncos 2017 first round draft pick, offensive tackle Garett Bolles to the Orange and Blue. He was selected by Denver with the 20th overall pick last night. The adjective in the blog's title seems offensive, but I assure you, it's all good. I'll elaborate more later. When his name was announced as the Broncos' draft pick, my initial reaction was: "Who?"

Then it quickly came back to mind that I heard his name vaguely as one of the top tackles in his position. I didn't get a chance to look at film on him until afterwards. At the time, I studied the top two ranked prospects, Cam Robinson and Ryan Ramczyk, the latter was projected to be drafted by Denver on some mock draft boards. They both were solid blockers to me, I didn't see them as dominant blockers.

Then, I took a look at Bolles-- draft highlights and film-- last night and I was blown away. He's the dominant blocker that I'm looking for when evaluating offensive lineman. Apparently, Coach Joseph and Elway share the same sentiments. I looked away from the TV screen for a split second after Tampa Bay picked, and Denver's pick was already in.

Coach Joseph has mentioned that he wants his lineman to be physical and nasty on both sides of the trenches (offensively and defensively), and they drafted a personification of that last night. He's not a blocker, he's a bulldozer. At 6-5, 297 pounds, he's very mobile and nimble for a guy his size. I was amazed at how quickly he was able to get out and lay a hat (block) on his assigned man on pull plays. I haven't seen anyone move that quickly on a pull play since Mike Iupati.

My only critiques is that his strength is also his weakness. He can be aggressive to a fault. This is evident with him being one of, if not, the most penalized offensive lineman in college last season. He also needs to refine his balance; he would sometimes fall during his blocks. It was mentioned last night that he was expelled multiple times from schools, but this was during his teenage years, and it seems that he has put his dark past behind him.

Overall, I love this pick. Yes, I wanted McCaffrey, but you can't always get what you want, but you can get what you need, and Elway definitely addressed a need. He strikes me as a gentle monster; a gentle giant who, as the saying goes, will give you the shirt off his back, one with a bleeding heart who gets along with nearly everyone.

On the field, it's a different story. He becomes a monster that devours and slays anything in his way. He mentioned his loyalty, already making it clear that if one messes with any of his teammates, it's equivalent to messing with his wife. I already had that impression of him before he made that statement. 

If he can fix the problems I pointed out, and I'm confident that he will, John Elway will have once again stolen another valuable prospect. He's expected to compete for a starting OT position, and personally, I'm expecting him to be protecting Siemian's (or Lynch, but I believe it's Siemian's job to lose), blindside by Week One. The more I watch him, and the more he talks, the more I love this pick. Grade: A

Draft Night Special: MircoScout: A Review of the Broncos 2016 Draft Picks

I said that I wasn't going to post another Broncos blog until after the draft. That's what I told myself-- constantly throughout the week. However, the anticipation of tonight's draft moved me to take a look back at the Broncos draft picks from last year. On a side note, all eight of their picks made the team last year, a testament to John Elway's GM prowess. Without further ado, I present who the Broncos picked, my analysis on their season, my rookie grades on them, and where I see them going forward:

Round 1: QB, Paxton Lynch

Paxton was selected with the 26th overall pick out of Memphis. He was expected by most analysts and draft "experts" to be selected by Denver, due to their glaring need for a QB at that time. In the two and a half games he started in the place of an injured Trevor Siemian, he finished with 497 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, an interception, and a 1-1 record.

For whatever reason, there were some Broncos fans that were-- and still are-- determined to see Paxton start over Siemian, and I'm not sure what they're looking at. Paxton definitely showed some upside; one can clearly see he has the physical tools. In the game against Atlanta, he struggled, but he displayed determination and mental toughness, almost guiding the team to a comeback victory.

What could also clearly be seen was that Paxton wasn't ready. His footwork needs refining; he needs to work on following through with his throws, which goes back to the footwork. He needs to get more acquainted with the speed of the game, he looked overwhelmed at times. Apparently, one of his teammates is proving this assessment to be right.

Overall, I like his intangibles; he has a desire to learn, improve, and take advantage of whatever edge he can get to (possibly) win the starting QB position this year. Again, the physical tools are definitely there, I believe he just needs more seasoning. Grade: C

Round 2: DL, Adam Gotsis

Adam Gotsis was selected in the second round out of Georgia Tech. Honestly, I didn't get to see him play that much. I don't believe he saw much playing time until towards the end of the season, From what I saw, he plays with a high effort and generated some pressure at times. Obviously, defensive line coach Bill Kollar saw something in him that he went to Elway about drafting him.

Keep in mind, that Kollar was a part of the crew that drafted J.J. Watt when he was in Houston. People criticized the pick, because truthfully, he didn't have the name value as his peers in the draft, just like Gotsis. He turned out to be a three time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Not saying that Gotsis is the next Watt, just something to consider. As I said before, I didn't see a lot of Gotsis; I definitely didn't see enough of him to give him a fair grade, so I'll pass on this one. Grade: N/A

Round 3: S, Justin Simmons

Justin was selected in the third round out of Boston College. Right now, he's more infamous (if you're a Saints fan) for the blocked extra point that led to the Broncos winning the game (see Will Parks). He wasn't expected to crack the lineup right away with T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart currently in front of him, but he has provided a lot of depth to the secondary.

I like his range and versatility. I'm sure some are going to give him some flak about Travis Kelce. I know it's still the NFL at the end of the day, and not to make excuses for him, but seriously, if I'm a QB, and I see a rookie trying to cover an All-Pro, Pro Bowl tight end, I know 9 times out of 10, Kelce's going to win that match-up, therefore, I would attack him all day. 

I'm confident Justin's past that nightmare; if anything, I believe he's using that night as a tool to get better. I said prior to the season that he might be their best pick in this class. A safety with his range, versatility, and coverage skills are a dime a dozen. The future looks bright for Justin Simmons. Grade: B+

Round 4: RB, Devontae Booker

Projected to be the next Arian Foster, Devontae was selected in the 4th round out of Utah. I was surprised he dropped that low; the only RB I had ranked ahead of him was Ezekiel Elliott. There's a ton of upside with him: can run north, south, can bounce it to the outside, good receiver, and decent in pass protection.

He got off to a good start, but became hot and cold as the season went on, particularly after C.J. Anderson went down. I saw too many plays where he would tip-toe through the line. He fumbled a few times as well, but that wasn't a glaring problem, although that will put you in the coach's dog house much faster.

Despite an up and down season, Devontae showed flashes of the Arian Foster comparison. Aside from Simmons, he was another pick that I deemed as one of Elway's best in the class. The NFL learning curve takes time; everyone isn't going to produce right away like Ezekiel Elliott, or an Adrian Peterson back in the day. I'm willing to be patient with him. 

He's no turtle, but he's not the fastest I've seen either, and I believe the newly implemented downhill running attack suits him (and Anderson) better. There's no doubt in my mind that he has the skills to be a dangerous back, it's just a matter of him putting it all together. Grade: B-

Round 5: OL, Connor McGovern

Connor was selected in the 5th round out of Missouri. He's the easiest one to grade; he basically was a red shirt during his rookie year, so I'm not going to give a him grade for last season. I'll wait and see what he does this season. Grade: N/A

Round 6: FB, Andy Janovich

In a league where the full back position is nearly obsolete, Andy is a part of a scarce bunch that still makes the position relevant. Former head coach Gary Kubiak still believed the FB had value, and wanted one in the draft. Another good find by Elway. He's everything one looks for from the position, and possibly more. He was the ideal blue collar, lead blocker that every running back loves, and he wasn't a bad runner and receiver when he was given some touches.

Even as a rookie, he made an immediate impact; the running game suffered after he went down with a season ending injury. I'm looking forward to seeing the havoc the Broncos backfield is going to cause with a healthy C.J., a more experienced Devontae, and a healthy Janovich helping to pave the way for them. Grade: A+

Round 6: S, Will Parks

Like his safety classmate Justin Simmons, Will is probably more infamous for their tag team play that won them the game against the Saints. After tying the game late in the 4th quarter, the Saints attempted an extra point to give them the lead, only for Simmons to take a leap of faith, if you will, and block the attempt. Will Parks scooped up the ball and returned it for a two point conversion, sealing the game for Denver.

The controversy is that Parks stepped out of bounds during the return. Of course, all of that is up for debate. As far as his play, to me, he resembled T.J, Ward. Decent in coverage, but his forte is head hunting, it's like having a smaller linebacker. He didn't crack the lineup either due to the aforementioned and Darian Stewart.

I like the dynamics Parks and Simmons brings; Simmons is more of the stealthy, rangy athlete, while Parks is more of a thumper. In the future, I believe this duo will continue to make the "No Fly Zone" great, and d*mn near impossible to throw against. Grade: B-

Round 7: P, Riley Dixon

Riley was selected in the final round of the draft out of Syracuse. He won a competition between himself and Britton Colquitt to become the Broncos punter, managing to win the job from the solid vet.  He turned out to be another steal by Elway. He posted a net punting average of 41.3 yards, an NFL rookie record, his 28 punts that landed inside the opponent's 20 yard line was tied for 11th best, and he was named to the All-Rookie team. Grade: A+

All in all, I love the upside of this rookie class that has the talent to get even better. I await tonight's draft, but most of all, I await to see this year's rookie class kick a** with last year's rookie class. Overall Grade: B