MVN - Most Valuable Network

Marcus Thomas charges dropped

On the newswire earlier today, it was revealed that no charges will be filed against Marcus Thomas stemming from a March police stop. This is obviously good news for Thomas, as well as the Broncos, who are relieved of the specter of two avenues of concern—not only the legal status of Thomas, but the public opinion connected with taking a chance on Thomas after his past legal problems.

Nevertheless, I hope that Thomas has learned a few lessons from this ordeal.  First and foremost, the people that you hang out with can mean a lot in how your life goes down, and considering that his former high school teammate was charged with a crime in this case, he may need to reconsider who and what he is around.  Second, I hope he realizes that he is in a privileged position as a professional football player, and it can be easier to squander that position than one might think.

That notion is heightened when you look at the current depth chart at defensive tackle.  Thomas and Alvin McKinley are the only two players at that position that had a full season of service with the team in 2007.  It’s safe to say that the Broncos need a positive path from Thomas as much as he needs it.  I’ll end the lecture here by saying that I’m glad we can put this episode in the rearview mirror, and that it allows Thomas and the team to concentrate on football.

Jay Cutler public battle an inspiration to diabetics

I’m sure you have heard the news of Jay Cutler’s diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes being disclosed.  I wish him the best in living a happy and normal life both on and off the field despite this condition. My direct knowledge of diabetes is not strong–however a somewhat unlikely source has come to the rescue.  Patrick Patterson from MVN’s Thoughts From the Dark Side has provided an insightful view into what Cutler may face, as well as what you can do to be aware of this condition.  Much thanks for Patrick for providing this message in spite of our teams’ intense rivalry.

–Nick

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OK, we both know that this is odd, an Oakland Raiders writer doing a positive story on a Denver Broncos quarterback. Jay Cutler’s recent admission of his diagnosis of type one diabetes caught my attention as someone has several diabetics in my family.

When most people hear diabetes they think of it is an old person’s disease, but the prevailiance is growing in younger people. Most of the discussion of diabetes in the young by the talking heads with simple minds that populate the cable news channels talk about it in terms of obesity or the bad eating habits of the youth. But with Culter receiving this diagnosis, he shows that a physically fit 25 year old can come down with this disease.

With Cutler going public, then taking the field next season, he will be showing that the diagnosis of diabetes is not a death sentence. He will still be out there throwing interceptions to Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, sorry sidetracked for just a moment, he will be out on the field among some of the elite athletes in the United States playing at a high level. He will be a testament to the fact that diabetics can do anything as long as they treat it and follow their doctor’s orders.

The most important aspect of Cutler’s being willing to be open about his diabetes is that having an NFL star quarterback who is a diabetic removes some of the stigma that exits about it being somehow caused in younger people by obesity. People in the younger generation who don’t have it in their family see guys like Wilfred Brimley, everyone’s grandpa, and blues legend BB King as spokesmen for diabetes products. They are OLD. It’s just a fact, BB can still rock on the guitar like few others, but he is old. Just about every kid in America wants to grow up and play QB in the NFL at some point in their lives, so with that he can be a powerful voice.

Especially if you have a family history of diabetes, if you have the following symptoms see a doctor:

• increased thirst
• increased hunger
• frequent trips to the restroom
• blurred vision
• feeling tired most of the time
• frequent and/or slow healing infections

It’s better to get checked out by a doctor and get the treatment started early, rather than what happened to my brother who no one knew was a diabetic until he was in a diabetic coma at 15. Fortunately, he is fine now and will continue to be fine as long as he takes care of himself.

For more information on diabetes, please go to dlife.com.

Patrick Patterson covers the Oakland Raiders for MVN’s Thoughts from the Dark Side.

Undrafted But Not Unforgotten

As is usual soon after the draft, the Broncos picked up a quick slate of undrafted free agents.  As anyone who’s followed the team knows, these players cannot be taken for granted.  Rod Smith and Matt Lepsis are two prominent examples of that fact.  The number of rookies signed is smaller than most teams this year—however, there are a couple of them that stand out as possible diamonds in the rough.

The first is linebacker Wesley Woodyard out of Kentucky.  Woodyard was a group of three linebackers that (unjustly, in my opinion) went undrafted due to concerns about size and durability.  The other two were linebackers that I had my eye on as possible Broncos draftees—Ali Highsmith of LSU (who signed with the Cardinals) and Erin Henderson of Maryland (who joined his brother EJ in Minnesota).

Keep in mind, however, that the Broncos value athleticism over size not only on the offensive line, but with linebackers as well.  Ian Gold is a prominent example.  Thus it was a good sign that Denver was able to convince Woodyard to come to town, as other strong teams like skills that linebackers like Woodyard bring. (The Indianapolis Colts is an excellent example.)  Look for Woodyard to compete for a weakside linebacker spot on the depth chart.

The other rookie signee of intrigue is Houston’s Anthony Alridge.  While his more heralded teammates have had more prominent arrivals to the NFL (Kevin Kolb was the Eagles’ first draft choice last year, and Donnie Avery was (shockingly) the first wide receiver taken in this year’s draft), Alridge made a name of his own due to outstanding speed and quickness.  Those attributes immediately make you think that he could play into the returner mix that’s so badly needed in Denver.  Second round selection Eddie Royal has to have the inside track both the kick and punt jobs, but Alridge may be able to snag one of the two jobs if he works hard.

The slate of undrafted free agents also include a kicker and a punter.  Oklahoma’s Garrett Hartley will compete with Matt Hartley to succeed Jason Elam.  His positive is a strong leg (stronger when entering Denver), his negative is accuracy.  He was also injured in his last season, so there may be room to pull the aberration card.  At the very least, he may be able to help out on kickoffs if the Broncos want to donate a roster spot to that role.  Toledo’s Brett Kern will compete with Sam Paulescu for the punter’s job, and like Hartley, he has a strong leg.  It will be intriguing to see if either of the youngsters can claim a spot in training camp.

Two other rookies signed include offensive linemen Mitch Erickson from South Dakota State (tapping the Dakotas once again after netting Chris Kuper) and Tyler Polumbus of Colorado (trying to become the next Lepsis?)  The group is rounded out with wide receiver Lorne Sam from UTEP.

To make room for the rookies, the Broncos cut several veterans.  The two of most notice are Steve Cargile and Paul Smith.  Both of the two players made a decent contribution to special teams in their tenure in Denver, so hopefully their releases speak numbers about the special teams potential of the rookies in hand.

A “Special” Second Day

One thing that I have repeatedly harped on in pre-draft analysis was that the Broncos needed to invest several of their later round picks in players that can impact on special teams right away.  As pick by pick came and went on Sunday, the first reaction was one of slight confusion because none of the names were particularly familiar.  Some cursory research caused me to infer a double edged sword.  The bad news is that most of the second day picks did not strike me as players that could immediately be starters.  The good news, however, is that most of them look to be ready to contribute to special teams—quickly.

One interesting fact that needs to be said: amongst all nine picks that the Broncos made, not one of them shares a unique position with another.  That’s even eerier when you consider that neither a kicker nor a punter were drafted by the team.

Here is a recap of the picks made, with very brief thoughts on how they will fit the puzzle:

Kory Lichtensteiger, C, Bowling Green – This pick proves that the Broncos were indeed concerned with the future of the center position after the departures of Chris Myers and Greg Eslinger.  If he is not ready to take Tom Nalen’s place when that time comes, it will be interesting to see if he can play guard in the meantime.  He may need to bulk up from his weight of 298, however.

Jack Williams, CB, Kent State – This kid’s talent reminds me of a lot of the late Darrent Williams from profiles, and if he could come anywhere close to impacting the way Williams did as a rookie, it would be huge.  More realistically, this looks like a good hedge pick to protect the possible departures of Domonique Foxworth or Karl Paymah next season.

Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State – The classic late round Broncos running back pick that everyone will keep their eyes on.  The major concern is he is recovering from a Lisfranc sprain, and while not as serious as, say, the fracture that the Lions’ Kevin Jones suffered, it still has me worried that his rookie season may be a recovery one.  Then again, surprises are abundant in Denver with players like this.

Carlton Powell, DT, Virginia Tech – At least the Broncos got one extra DT in this draft—it was painful to see the Saints trade ahead of the Broncos to get DeMario Pressley, even if the war room didn’t want him.  By pure lack of competition, he may have a good chance to start if Dewayne Robertson doesn’t work out or Marcus Thomas still needs to mature.  At the very least, he should be involved in some D-line rotation.

Spencer Larsen, LB, Arizona - Looks to be a prototypical MLB backup to Niko Koutouvides.  He’s the kind of guy that I’d love to see make some jarring hits on special teams plays and could make a name for himself there.

Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State – Apparently Barrett was a high riser before a disappointing senior season, and you hope it’s an aberration.  His good size at 223 leads me to believe he will be on the depth chart as a strong safety, and again he’s another player that looks to make his name on special teams.

Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas – Out of all of the second day picks Hillis, the last pick, may have the best chance to make it into the starting lineup.  If he doesn’t this year, it could be next season as Cecil Sapp only signed a one year contract.  Apparently the one thing that scouts rave about Hillis is his hands, and it just struck me that Sapp has not been known for catching out of the backfield, a usual trademark of Broncos fullbacks.  Finally, you have to love the fact that he was the lead blocker for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones—maybe the coaches can pick his brains on McFadden now that he’s with the Raiders…

On tap in the upcoming days will be reviews of the incoming undrafted free agents, followed by an overview of how well the Broncos managed the draft.  As we enter the doldrums of the NFL in May through mid July, I’ll also focus on reviewing the tape of the Senior Bowl game, which is the closest postseason event that mimics what college players may do in the pros.  If I can track down any other games (Virginia Tech would obviously be nice), I’ll add to the knowledge base.

The following rookies of the Broncos appeared at the Senior Bowl:

Eddie Royal
Kory Lichtensteiger
Peyton Hillis
Wesley Woodyard (undrafted)