The Not So Scientific Rankings, Week 8

In this week’s Not So Scientific Rankings, I’ll briefly talk about the teams that the Denver Broncos have played or will play this season and we’ll figure out how good the Broncos’ schedule really is. After all, the halfway point is about when you know which teams really rank among the best and which ones are bottom feeders.

As always, these rankings are the average of the following:

* Pro Football Focus Power Rankings

* Pro Football Reference Simple Rankings System

* Football Outsiders DVOA Rankings

* Five-Thirty-Eight ELO Playoff Probability Rankings

* Andrew Mason’s power rankings
Continue reading The Not So Scientific Rankings, Week 8

Derek Wolfe Named AFC Defensive Player Of The Week

This is one of the benefits of having the best defense in the NFL: Players get a lot of recognition. To add to Legwold’s tweet, DeMarcus Ware was the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.

Considering that Derek Wolfe was Pro Football Focus’ highest rated Bronco in the Broncos-Packers game, it’s hard to argue Wolfe didn’t deserve his award.

Why Giving Up Too Much For Joe Thomas Wasn’t Wise

I know it’s tough that the Broncos weren’t able to get a deal done for Joe Thomas, but I’m going to go over the reasons why the Broncos couldn’t do the deal if the price was too high.

I did go over in another thread that the Broncos only had a few picks they could trade from 2016: Their first, second, third and seventh rounders, a fifth-round pick from the Ravens and a seventh-round pick from the Niners. Their own fourth, fifth and sixth rounders have been traded and they can’t trade any compensatory pick they might get (and, at this point, it’s not final where those picks will fall).
Continue reading Why Giving Up Too Much For Joe Thomas Wasn’t Wise

Tony Grossi: Broncos Tried To Trade For Joe Thomas

The calls to and from Elway’s office continue:

According to a source, the Browns had talks with the Denver Broncos early in the season after Denver lost left tackle Ryan Clady to injury in the preseason. The Broncos were willing to part with their first-round pick in 2016, but the Browns also asked for second-year linebacker Shaq Barrett, and that apparently killed the deal.

In my opinion, that rightly killed the deal.  In the wise words of Ernie Accorsi, you “don’t trade young pass-rushers”.  That’s what he said as Giants GM when Chargers GM AJ Smith tried to get him to include Osi Umenyiora in the famous Eli Manning/Philip Rivers deal.

With less than six hours remaining before the trade deadline, it remains to be seen if the Broncos or anyone else can pry Thomas away from Cleveland.  But to offer another opinion, barring some kind of crazy Herschel Walker type offer, I think the Browns are crazy to even put Thomas on the trading block. If you’re going to conduct a fire sale properly, you want to offer players that either have expiring contracts (such as Alex Mack’s option to void after this year) or players that don’t fit in your system (potentially Barkevious Mingo).  But Thomas is one of the best left tackles in the league, and more importantly he’s under contract for 3.5 more seasons.  You’re supposed to construct rosters around players like that.  If the Browns trade Thomas, they’re not rebuilding, they’re demolishing.

And sadly for Browns fans, it’s something that they are all too accustomed to.

Gut Reaction: Vernon Davis Is Now A Bronco

It’s funny how things are at Thin Air. A few weeks ago, several of you were suggesting the idea of trading for somebody like Vernon Davis.

Given today’s revelation, you’d think John Elway was reading this site or something.

Let’s do temper our expectations a bit. Davis isn’t the game breaker he used to be. It’s not likely we’re going to see him rack up 100 yards every game or cause matchup problems for every defense.

But he can fill a key role in giving the Broncos a tight end who can easily rotate in and out with the others on the roster.
Continue reading Gut Reaction: Vernon Davis Is Now A Bronco

Broncos Acquire Vernon Davis From 49ers

Assuming Davis remains on the Broncos’ roster for the remainder of the season, Denver will pay him 9/17ths of his 2015 base salary, or approximately $2.5 million.  With the Broncos having approximately $7.3 million in current 2015 cap space, this is an acquisition they could easily afford.

Giving up two 6ths for a 7th and Davis is a great deal. Remember that the Broncos have one of the most stacked rosters in the NFL, and in 2016 it’s likely that some of those late draft picks might not make the team.  That likelihood increases when you remember that the Broncos should get three compensatory picks to further pad their 2016 pick total.  As it stands right now, the Broncos’ 2016 draft slate consists of the following: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd or 4th (compensatory), 4th (compensatory), 5th (from BAL), 5th, 6th (compensatory), 7th (from SF), 7th (from HOU), and 7th.

Also, Davis is in the last year of his contract. With Virgil Green under contract for a long while and Jeff Heuerman expected to come off IR, it would seem unlikely that the Broncos would retain him.  And if they don’t, he’ll factor into the Broncos’ 2017 compensatory pick formula, giving them an excellent chance to get that 2017 6th back, if not improve on it.

John Elway has confirmed the transaction.

Ty Sambrailo’s Season Is Over

Unfortunate news for the 2015 second-round pick.

ETA: Lindsay Jones explains more.

It remains to be seen if the Broncos trade for another offensive lineman, but the door could be open for that now. The only question to ask is whether such a trade would hurt some of the continuity the Broncos seem to have established on the line.

Not sure who is available in free agency at this point.

Yes, The Broncos Can Win With Subpar Peyton

All season long, the one subject everyone wants to talk about regarding the Denver Broncos, more than any other subject, has been Peyton Manning.

Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, Peyton is declining and has been for some time. Yes, he’s made poor decisions and his throws aren’t consistently where they need to be. And this is likely going to be his last season.

But after last night’s 29-10 Denver Broncos victory over the Green Bay Packers, it’s time to ask ourselves if we are worrying too much about Peyton.
Continue reading Yes, The Broncos Can Win With Subpar Peyton