Post Postgame Thoughts: Browns at Broncos Went Just As Expected

With the frost now settled after Denver’s tenth consecutive win, this one at the expense of the Cleveland Browns, here are a few additional thoughts with one game remaining in the regular season.

Bad News First – Let’s just get it out of the way: the Denver Broncos’ punt returners are a problem. It was apparent the Broncos lost enough trust in Trindon Holliday that the team opted to send Jim Leonhard back deep to receive punts at the start of the game.  The personnel move showed the Broncos obviously felt one of the main ways Cleveland could have any chance in this game was by forcing a big error, potentially on special teams.  So the Broncos trotted out the sure-handed-if-not-flashy Leonhard, who then proceeded to muff a fair catch.  Oy.  When the playoffs arrive, could there be situations where the Broncos don’t even attempt to field punts?  If the offense keeps moving as it has been having Leonhard or Holliday back there seems almost like an unneeded risk.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has 1,312 receiving yards this season. (personal photo)

Just Catch It – Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker didn’t create tons of separation once again, especially downfield. The positive is that it didn’t really matter.  Peyton Manning placed perfect throws to each, and despite good coverage, both came up with big catches, and touchdowns.  It’s important both keep a strong mentality of fighting for the ball, and using their strength to make plays.  Earlier this season, both succumbed to the temptation of looking for a flag rather than going all in to make a play.  Kudos to the duo for making big time catches in tight coverage.

Playing the Schedule – A consistent refrain on sports radio last week was whether Denver’s seemingly simple stretch run put the team at a big disadvantage heading into the playoffs.  It’s been interesting to see that while the Broncos continue to say all the right “next game is the most important” things, the team is basically using its final games as pre-playoff tune-ups.  Head coach John Fox stated the offense frequently operated from a two tight-end set, not hugely common to that point, in Baltimore because they wanted to work on that formation.  Manning utilized a glove yesterday not because he needed it, but because he might in January.  The Broncos sent a message to cornerback Tony Carter by deactivating him, starting Tracy Porter in his place, and relying on rookie Omar Bolden as the final line of nickel defense when Porter was injured.

In short, the Denver Broncos are in a playoff push with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs at stake, and feel they are good enough to tinker.  The scary thing is they’re right.  The scarier thing is while other teams have been fighting tooth and nail to hold their position, or gain entrance to the tournament, the Broncos are winning while managing to boost other facets of their game.  So, for the record, no…I don’t think an easier stretch schedule will negatively affect the Broncos.

What’s the Reality? – While the Broncos were systematically blowing out Cleveland in non-splashy fashion, the Baltimore Ravens absolutely dismantled the New York Giants.  Similar to several weeks ago, an AFC North team (back then it was the Cincinnati Bengals) ripped through the Giants a week after getting gouged by Denver.  So, is it that Denver is that good, or the Giants are that bad?  I guess it really depends on the level of quality you associate with the AFC North’s top two teams.  In this instance I’d say it’s more a case of the Giants being bad as Cincinnati and Baltimore have been very unimpressive in recent defeats, and hardly authoritarian in recent victories.  At the same time, the Ravens and Bengals are probably on the dividing line between contenders and everyone else. Those Denver victories aren’t signature wins like victories against the Atlanta Falcons or New England Patriots would have been, but they prove the Broncos are legitimately well above the playoff threshold.

Hate to Say I Told You So – Remember a week ago?  Remember how after the Patriots dropped that Sunday night thriller the talk was about the Broncos getting the two seed?  Remember how Denver Horse Force brushed off that talk, and posited the Broncos still had a legitimate shot for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs?  Well…if you don’t…it happened.  Now here we are.  One week left.  If the Broncos can meet expectations and get the Kansas City Chiefs that number one draft pick, and the Houston Texans stumble at Indianapolis against the Chuck Pagano-led Colts, the prophecy is fulfilled.

For those who may think the odds are long, let me point out I didn’t just say, “Hey, Denver could still get the one-seed.”  I told you how it would happen.  Broncos win out, Texans lose their final two.  How it was a big surprise that the Minnesota Vikings, a team with a sneaky-good defense and downright dangerous running threat, proved to be a matchup nightmare for Houston is beyond me.  The Texans’ loss should be even less surprising as the Vikings are playing for their season. Unlike Houston, Minnesota entered that game with ZERO guarantee of playing after next weekend.

So, what happens now that Houston does have a lot riding on a game, and their opponent is locked into the AFC’s fifth seed regardless of the outcome?  I’m sticking with my story: Houston still loses to Indianapolis.  Statistically they shouldn’t. Motivation-wise, the Texans’ are the team with more to play for: win and get home field advantage throughout, lose and they likely drop into Wild Card weekend and get a single home game as the three-seed.  The Colts’ are playing a road game the following weekend regardless, likely at Baltimore or possibly at New England. In most every situation this game is meaningless for Indianapolis.

Except…and this a HUGE except…enter Chuck Pagano, who returns as head coach just in time for his playoff-bound team’s regular season finale.  In all likelihood,  it will be the final time this season the Colts play at home – in front of a crowd that has embraced the courageous, tremendous, and improbable ‘Chuckstrong’ storyline that’s unfolded this season.  The Colts say they’ve fought and won to allow Pagano to return so he could coach the team in the playoffs.  Does anything about this sound like this is a game Indianapolis will phone in?  Does anything about this sound like a situation that favors the Houston Texans?  There’s no way the Colts are losing that one.  No way.  No how.

The Denver Broncos will gain the AFC’s top seed.

Merry Christmas.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Quarter Calls: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers

Welcome to Quarter Calls, DHF’s quarter-by-quarter breakdown of each Denver Broncos game.  Instead of a live game thread, Quarter Calls is a quick-hit summary of the big story of each quarter.  It can be a general mood or theme, play, penalty, injury, whatever. 

If you prefer real time analysis and commentary, follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter.  As always, I’ll be tweeting throughout the game.

Go Broncos!

 

1st Quarter

(7:19 p.m.)  I’d like a do-over, please.

This quarter was marred by poor special team play, and by poor, I mean about as bad as it gets.  Newly signed (and possibly soon-to-be-waived) return specialist Trindon Holliday muffed a punt, resulting in a San Diego Chargers field goal.  A possession later, Omar Bolden turned the ball over on a kickoff return.  The Chargers, who had started off cool, heated up and scored an easy, quick touchdown.

The Broncos defense, which spent 11:15 on the field in the 1st quarter played relatively well.  The Broncos have looked uninspired offensively, with conservative – and questionable (remember that first third-and-short?) – play-calling.

 

2nd Quarter

(8:05 p.m.) Another quarter of suck.

The 1st quarter meltdown was brought to you by the Denver Broncos special teams.  The 2nd quarter meltdown is courtesy wide receivers Eric Decker (Dear God, son, what did you trip over?) and Matthew Willis (Follow Peyton’s directions next time).

On a somewhat related note, this quarter did inspire me to nickname Denver’s wide receiver tandem of Demaryius Thomas and Decker ‘Fumbles and Stumbles.’  (Though Thomas has been noticeably quiet tonight.)

 

3rd Quarter

(8:57 p.m.)  Call this the mixed bag of quarters…on one hand, the Broncos are finally scoring.  On the other hand, it should have started two quarters ago, and Denver ended the quarter with back-to-back penalties.

Now down 24-14, thanks to touchdowns by Demaryius Thomas and Tony Carter’s fumble return, the Broncos are driving yet again.  Too bad Denver enters the 4th quarter with a 3rd-and-16 when just two plays ago, that was 3rd-and-1.  Stupid penalty monster strikes again.

At least we’ve got ourselves a game here.

 

4th Quarter

(9:47 p.m.)  Well, that worked out.

I just, I mean, I don’t really even know what to think, say, or write.  Holy flippin’ wow.

In the understatement of the night: We’ll have much to discuss as the Broncos enter the bye. Now let’s watch some postgame on this historic night.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Denver Broncos Add Trindon Holliday, Waive Duke Ihenacho

The Denver Broncos’ inauspicious return game just got a boost…hopefully.

On Thursday, the Broncos acquire wide receiver Trindon Holliday off waivers.  The Houston Texans waived the 26-year-old kickoff and punt return specialist earlier this week.  Holliday has returned 10 kickoffs this season averaging 19.4 yards.  His punt return average is 9.2 yards.  Holliday had a strong preseason, with three TD returns.

According to the Broncos, the 5-foot-5 Holliday is the shortest player ever to make the team’s active roster.

Holliday is not yet included on the team’s depth chart (as of 4:10 p.m.).  Safety Jim Leonhard and cornerback Omar Bolden are still listed as the team’s punt and kickoff returners, respectively.

The Broncos waived rookie safety Duke Ihenacho to make room for Holliday.

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Denver Dailies: Broncos Roundup (Wednesday Edition)

Broncos’ Malik Jackson making good first impression on coaches, league - Q: A lot of Vol fans are so happy the Broncos signed Peyton (Manning), but we’re also wondering how are Robert Ayers and Malik Jackson looking so far? Are they both going to make it?  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos near full strength for final week of preseason - The Broncos enter the final week of the preseason as healthy as they’ve been all month.  Linebackers Keith Brooking and Mike Mohamed both returned to practice Tuesday after missing at least a week each with hamstring injuries. Tuesday’s practice marks the first time the linebacking corps has practiced at full strength since early in training camp.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos linebacker Keith Brooking hopes to be part of team’s plans - What the Broncos see is not what they get. Not right now anyway.  No, when it comes to constructing their 53-man roster by the close of football business Friday, what they have seen from Keith Brooking in his previous 14 years in the league, what they know of him, will likely have to do as they make the call.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

One Last Chance -The urgency of Thursday night’s preseason finale against Arizona is hard to overstate.  Throughout training camp and the first three weeks of the preseason, each of the 75 players in the Broncos’ locker room has fought to make the team’s 53-man roster, which will be decided by Friday evening.  Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio knows from experience that what happens Thursday against the Cardinals will go a long way in deciding who makes the final roster.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>> 

McGahee, Dreessen, Decker Host Fan Forum - On Tuesday, Broncos season ticket holders got a little glimpse inside the team’s Dove Valley headquarters.  Running back Willis McGahee, wide receiver Eric Decker and tight end Joel Dreessen took part in a fan forum via conference call, which allowed fans to ask their questions directly to the players.  There were nearly 6,000 season ticket holders on the call, and they were thrilled to talk one-on-one with the players.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>> 

Notebook: Brooking, Bolden and Brewer – After spending most of the offseason as a free agent, linebacker Keith Brooking was just getting himself back into football shape when he injured his hamstring on August 13.  Two weeks later, Brooking was in shells and shorts on Tuesday, participating fully in practice with the Broncos. The 14-year veteran said it’s encouraging to get back on the field, but the time missed was when he could have been carving his role in the defense.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>> 

Denver Broncos: The Formula for Winning - As the Denver Broncos get ready for their final preseason game of 2012, the starters are all ready preparing for the regular season opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Monday was a day off for the players, which means Peyton Manning probably looked at all 16 Steeler games from 2011. If the Broncos are going to be a winning team in 2012, what’s the formula? It’s actually not that complicated.  It’s called complimentary football, and the Broncos are set up to play it perfectly. The first quarter versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday was a perfect example. Manning and the offense scored 10 quick points to give the Broncos a lead, and that immediately put pressure on the 49ers to try and keep up.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

Denver Broncos Roster 2012: Breaking Down the Broncos First Round of Cuts - As mandated by the NFL, the Broncos, in addition to every other team in the league, were required to trim their rosters down to 75 players by 3 p.m. on Monday, August 27.  This rule leaves teams with 22 additional players that will need to be cut following the fourth and final preseason game in order to get the rosters down to 53 men to start the regular season.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Denver Broncos Training Camp: Photos Aplenty!

Sifting through some 200 photos took a little longer than I thought it would.

Then again, I was shocked it took me the better part of an entire weekend to organize my 1,600 photos from vacation.

I’ve posted two albums on Denver Horse Force’s Facebook page of Saturday’s action at training camp.  One is entirely dedication to Peyton Manning, because a) I took a lot of photos of Peyton Manning, and b) see explanation a).  You can view that album HERE .  The second album is the other training camp activity, from record-setting turnout to all the many drills.  You can view that album HERE.

I’ve also included a few of the photos below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures are nice, but what about words?  Well, the truth is I’m working on multiple posts, but nothing is ready to post just yet.  I do, however, want to share some quick training camp observations, again, all of which will garner  much more attention in the coming days:

1) The atmosphere at this year’s training camp, and I’m talking from a fan perspective, is different.  Markedly different.  You’ve probably read about that, or even heard it discussed on sports radio, but it truly is.  I didn’t go to training camp Saturday expecting to compare this year’s experience to last year’s, but I left doing just that.  And now I’m about to write about it.  Consider yourselves warned.

2) While the majority of focus is on the Broncos’ offense, because of No 18, I paid particular attention to the defensive lineups being used throughout the various drills.  For instance, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio used rookie linebacker Danny Trevathan in some first-team drills then opted for Wesley Woodyard in others.

3) Speaking of defense, rookie DT Derek Wolfe, who I recall only seeing in second-team drills, lined up both at end and inside – within the same series.

4) Rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler took snaps with the second-team.  Former college teammate CB Omar Bolden was also on second-team.

5) How did Peyton Manning look?  Pretty good.  His throws were crisp, and very, very accurate, just as you’d expect.  I can say this; the man knows exactly where to put the ball.

6) Crowd Favorite Award goes to Champ Bailey.  He’s definitely loved here.  Honorable mention goes to the breeze, much appreciated on a bright, sunny, hot morning.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Broncos First OTA of 2012 Begins Monday

It’s yet another first for Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco.

His first OTA.

On Monday, the Denver Broncos start their first OTA – organized team activities – since signing Manning in March.  The three-day OTA wraps up Wednesday, with the next three-day OTA session May 30 – June 1.

View the OTA schedule for all 32 teams here >>>>

The Broncos are looking to sign Ryan Clady to a new deal. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Ryan Clady contract talks underway

Citing NFL sources, the Denver Post reports the Broncos are in contract talks with left tackle Ryan Clady.

Clady, who is in the final year of his contract, is set to make $3.5 million this season, well below the franchise tag of $9.4 million of his position.  He made his second Pro Bowl in 2011, coming off a lackluster 2010 season due to injury.  Clady was the 12th overall pick in the 2008 draft, and hasn’t missed a start in his career.

Negotiations continue with rookies

The Broncos have signed two of their seven NFL Draft picks.  Cornerback Omar Bolden and DE/DT Malik Jackson have each signed deals, as contract talks continue with Derek Wolfe, Brock Osweiler, Ronnie Hillman, Philip Blake, and Danny Trevathan.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Denver Dailies: Broncos Roundup (Friday Edition)

Photos: Rod Smith of the Denver Broncos elected to Broncos Ring of Fame – Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, who set every major receiving record with the club from 1994-2007, has been elected the 23rd member of the team’s Ring of Fame.  View gallery from the Denver Post >>>>

Bolden First Draft Pick to Sign - The first of the Broncos’ 2012 NFL Draft picks has signed with the team.  Cornerback Omar Bolden, drafted in the fourth round, put pen to paper on Thursday.  Selected at pick No. 101 overall, Bolden amassed 138 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 21 pass breakups and seven interceptions in his career at Arizona State.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Miller, Thomas, Franklin Pick Up National Recognition - Von Miller received another honor on Wednesday, adding to the recognition he’s received following his 11.5 sack-season in 2011.  Former NFL scout and current NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah published his list of the top 10 players under the age of 25 today and included Miller, who is 23 years old.  “Miller didn’t waste any time making his presence felt on the Broncos defense,” Jeremiah wrote. “He posted 10.5 sacks in their first 11 games before suffering a broken right thumb. He finished his rookie season with 11.5 sacks and was honored as the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is a very versatile defender. He excels as a pass rusher because of his suddenness off the ball and his ability to bend around the edge. He is also athletic enough to drop in zones or run with tight ends down the seam.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Peyton Manning: Why Star Quarterback Won’t Find Success with Denver Broncos – In easily the biggest move of the NFL offseason, sure-fire Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning left the Indianapolis Colts, where he had spent his entire NFL career, to go to the Denver Broncos and avoid a rebuilding phase.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos’ Omar Bolden Impresses in Camp: Could He Be Champ’s Replacement? - Omar Bolden fell to the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft at the 101st pick overall. Lucky, for the Broncos, only a year ago, he projected to possess first-round skills.  Broncos head coach John Fox raved about the rookie on Denver’s local 850 KOA AM radio station: “He definitely looked like a first-round type of talent in our mini-camp.”  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: How Does Knowshon Moreno Fit into the Team’s Plans? - The 2011 season was a tumultuous one for Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno.  He played in only seven games and lost his starting job to Willis McGahee before tearing his ACL in a game against Kansas City in November, ending his season.  Then in February, he was charged with DUI, careless driving and having no proof of insurance.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Broncos’ Knowshon Moreno facing trial in alcohol-related driving incident - Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno will be fighting for a job this summer. Come October he will have another battle — in court over an alcohol-related driving arrest.  Moreno, an erstwhile backup to Broncos feature back Willis McGahee, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges resulting from a Feb. 1 incident in Denver. His case is scheduled for trial on Oct. 3.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Two Broncos Attending the 2012 NFLPA Rookie Premiere - The 16th-annual NFL Rookie Premiere officially begins today in Los Angeles, CA. and runs through the weekend. Thirty-six of the top 2012 NFL Draft picks, including Denver Broncos rookies QB Brock Osweiler and RB Ronnie Hillman will make their professional debut at the event sponsored by Nike.  Read more from Mile High Report >>>>

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Denver Dailies: Broncos Roundup (Tuesday Edition)

Broncos rookie Omar Bolden prepared to gain from pain - Out of one of the worst experiences a college football player can experience, Omar Bolden emerged with a new, and entirely positive, perspective.  Bolden could have left Arizona State with a fifth year of eligibility remaining to enter the NFL draft in 2011. Instead, the popular and talented cornerback called a news conference to announce he wanted one more year with the Sun Devils.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos sign Steven Johnson, undrafted LB from Kansas, with $12,000 bonus - If money is any indication, the most coveted of the Broncos’ undrafted rookies is linebacker Steven Johnson.  The former Kansas Jayhawk received a $12,000 signing bonus, highest among the 13 undrafted rookies the Broncos acquired after the April 26-28 draft.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Nunnely Retires - After 36 years of coaching football — including 17 in the NFL — Wayne Nunnely is retiring from the game.  “It has been an absolute dream come true for me to coach for 36 years,” Nunnely said in a statement. “I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given to have a positive impact on others through the game of football. More than anything, I am proud of the accomplishments of the teams and players I have been so privileged to work with over the years.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Predicting the Final Denver Broncos’ 2012 53-Man Roster - Determining the final 53-man roster for an NFL team is as much an art as it is a science for executives. It is nearly impossible to predict who will flash in camp and who will falter, anymore than it is possible to predict that a player like Elvis Dumervil could tear a pectoral and be out for the season.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: 6 Reasons Peyton Manning Won’t Dominate the AFC West - The Denver Broncos will not walk over their opponents in the AFC West this season because the team that Peyton Manning is playing for in 2012 is very similar to the Colts team that was the worst in the league last year.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Little Known Broncos Facts: The Canadian Connection - Last fall, MHR’s Colby Mueller convinced several of us to watch some games from the Canadian Football League. Colby currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but he grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hence his enthusiastic fandom for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It was entertaining to watch CFL football, given some of the interesting differences between CFL and NFL games — such as, the referees using bright orange flags instead of yellow ones and some of the looser rules regarding men in motion. But I’ll let you discover those differences for yourself, should you be so inclined.  Read more from Mile High Report >>>>

Peyton Manning: A history of success with wide receivers - It’s every NFL coach’s dream to get a quarterback that helps turn good wide receivers into great wide receivers, as that one key player can be the difference between a coach spending a long tenure on the sidelines or watching the games on Direct TV each Sunday. Take New England quarterback Tom Brady, for example, who has made Wes Welker and Deon Branch, two wide receivers who had little to no hype surrounding them, successful in the NFL. Peyton Manning is another example of a quarterback who is capable of transforming his wide receivers; his history with the Indianapolis Colts speaks for itself in that regard.  Read more from Bronco Talk >>>>

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


Numbers Game: Newest Denver Broncos Jersey Assignments

Derek, Brock, and company can finally start feeling a little more “official.”

The newest members of the Denver Broncos – along with a few others – now have number assignments.  Below is the breakdown:

Drafted players

  • 95: DE Derek Wolfe
  • 6: QB Brock Osweiler
  • 34: RB Ronnie Hillman
  • 47: CB Omar Bolden
  • 64: OL Philip Blake
  • 70: DL Malik Jackson
  • 59: LB Danny Trevathan

Undrafted free agents

  • 8: WR Gerell Robinson
  • 19: WR Eric Page
  • 38: S Duke Ihenacho
  • 45: CB Coryell Judie
  • 46: LS Aaron Brewer
  • 48: LB Elliot Coffey
  • 49: LB Jerry Franklin
  • 57: LB Steven Johnson
  • 60: OL Mike Remmers
  • 62: OL Austin Wuebbels
  • 69: OL Wayne Tribue
  • 77: DL Jamie Blatnick
  • 86: TE Anthony Miller

As for the other number assignments, cornerback Tracy Porter will now wear No. 21. Tight end Jacob Tamme will wear 84, with fellow TE Cornelius Ingram moving to 82.

Defensive lineman Jeremy Beal will now wear 79, a number previously worn by Marcus Thomas, who is still with the team…for now.  (Writing, meet wall.)

Defensive lineman Sealver Siliga will wear No. 98.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.


NFL Draft Day Three: Denver Broncos Focus on Defense

DHF will have more analysis later, because it’s impossible to have too much analysis, but here’s a look at the Broncos’ draft picks in Day Three in the NFL Draft.  Of the four players drafted, three are on defense:

Round 4: #101, Omar Bolden (CB) – Arizona State

The Skinny: College teammate of QB Brock Osweiler, who was drafted by Denver in Round 2.  Bolden missed all of the 2011 season with a torn ACL.  Had he not been injured, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock suspected Bolden was 2nd round-caliber.

Round 4: #108, Philip Blake (C) – Baylor

The Skinny: The 26-year-old Canadian was Robert Griffin III’s center in 2011, but Blake has – and will for the Broncos – play guard.

Round 5: #137, Malik Jackson (DT) – Tennessee 

The Skinny: A USC transfer, Jackson played defensive tackle last season at Tennessee, but has also played defensive end – dating back to his days at USC.  Jackson expects to play DE for Denver.

Round 6: #188, Danny Trevathan (LB) – Kentucky

The Skinny: Let the comparisons to Wesley Woodyard (also a Kentucky Wildcat) begin.  Trevathan is a bit undersized at linebacker, but is relentless and physical.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.