Author: Nick

2017 Compensatory Picks Announced

The Broncos will get picks in the 3rd (#101), 5th (#177), and two in the 7th (#252 and #253).

Press release is here.

In sum, two adverse changes were made to my Broncos’ projection that I both anticipated might happen.  Danny Trevathan was valued as a 5th rounder, of which I thought was a very close call, and isn’t a huge deal.  But the real blow against the Broncos was that the compensatory formula decided to count the entirety of Russell Okung’s contract (as well as Kelvin Beachum’s, structured the same way).  That caused Okung to be easily valued as a 3rd rounder, and thus canceled out their highest 3rd round CFA lost, and that was Brock Osweiler.  In turn, it freed up a 7th round pick for Vernon Davis.  The Broncos’ other 7th rounder, for Ryan Harris, will be the Mr. Irrelevant pick once again for Denver.  This year, I personally hope they won’t trade it.

Broncos Decline Russell Okung’s Option: A Postmortem

One of the top pending questions surrounding the Broncos before the 2017 league year begins was whether a 4-year option on Russell Okung’s contract would be exercised.  Today, the reports are that the answer is no.  Reactions were swift now that the answer is reasonably known, but I think it’s prudent to take a breath and look at the facts surrounding why the Broncos made this decision.  Then, we can take a look at what the future may hold at the left tackle position. Continue reading Broncos Decline Russell Okung’s Option: A Postmortem

Observing 2017’s Left Tackle Market

There was a fair amount of news yesterday regarding the status of multiple left tackles as the 2016 league year wraps down.  Cameron Wolfe added to the conversation by expressing proper skepticism on Russell Okung’s four year option being picked up. With the possibility that the Broncos will be looking for a new left tackle for 2017, I thought it would be instructive to take a look at where all 32 teams stand at the position so that it’s easier to reference what possibilities the Broncos have in changing up the position. Continue reading Observing 2017’s Left Tackle Market

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017

Who Would Be Your Ideal NFL Broadcast Team?

Here’s the quest: you are in charge of a network that airs NFL Sunday afternoon coverage.  You have full power to choose whoever you want to be in front of the microphone and camera to commentate on the sport.  Here are the jobs that you need to fill:

  • Six game broadcast teams, each consisting of a play-by-play commentator, a color commentator, and a sideline reporter.
  • A studio crew that consists of one host, and as many analysts as you feel is practical (though explain why you’re adding them and how much they’re going to be on the air).

You don’t have to be limited to current NFL talent, but try to stay practical in noting that those who have NFL broadcast experience may perform better.

Tale Of The Tape: John Elway vs. Ryan Grigson

As most Broncos fans know well, a grave injustice was done when Ryan Grigson edged out John Elway for Executive of the Year in 2012.  While this subject will always contain a little bit of soreness, history has vindicated this injustice, as can be illustrated in these respective links for Grigson and Elway.

Now that the Grigson era has ended in Indianapolis, I feel that we should close the chapter on this by taking a detailed look at the transactions that Elway and Grigson each executed during their overlapping reins as GMs.  This means that I’m not giving Elway credit for 2011, and his stellar acquisitions such as Von Miller, Julius Thomas, and Chris Harris.  But as you’ll see, he doesn’t even need that year.

This list represents the opinion that I’m expressing in this article.  The grades that I’ve given each transaction are subjective, but I feel they are also fair. Continue reading Tale Of The Tape: John Elway vs. Ryan Grigson

More Like “Coach (That Exceeded Low Expectations) Of The Year”

I have always found the Coach Of The Year awards in the NFL to be among the most useless.  You probably have a good idea why: it’s rarely awarded to the head coach that’s actually the most outstanding of that season. Instead, all too often it’s given to the head coach that turns a bad team into a good team.  This year, it’s almost certain that Coach Of The Year votes will largely go to Jason Garrett (taking the Cowboys from 4-12 to 13-3), with the runner up being Jack Del Rio (taking the Raiders from 7-9 to 12-4).  What’s something that those two teams have in common?  Yep, they were both one and done in the playoffs.  Furthermore, does anyone really think that either Garrett or Del Rio belongs in the top five among head coaches when considering the entire body of their work?

This article will further expose the problem with how this award is handed out–and also attempt to find a more reliable metric to include in future consideration. Continue reading More Like “Coach (That Exceeded Low Expectations) Of The Year”