Power Ranking Number 27: Denver Broncos

In the past two off-season the Broncos have traded away their two best players in quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall and are hoping that this year’s two first round draft picks can replace them in quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. Thomas is still recovering from a broken foot that he suffered in pre-draft training and the question will be will he be one hundred percent by the start of the season. Kyle Orton right now is the starting quarterback but many don’t expect Tebow will be the starter sometime this season. Running back Knowshon Moreno had a good but not great rookie season rushing for 937 yards and 7 touchdowns and the Broncos expect him to have a better season this year being his second year in the NFL.

On defense Elvis Dumervil is the Broncos best pass rusher on the team and made the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker smoothly leading the team with 17 sacks and the Broncos will need him to have another outstanding season this year. In the secondary the Broncos have a veteran bunch with Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, and Andre Goodman and they provide the team with the leadership on the defense, they are getting a little older and don’t make as many plays as they did in the past, but they are all very good players still. Linebacker D.J. Williams is one of the better overall linebackers in the NFL, but the defense needs some younger players like linebacker Robert Ayers, linebacker Jarvis Moss and cornerback Alphonso Smith to step up there game.

Head coach Josh McDaniels needs to have a better finish to the 2010 season then he did to the 2009 season where they lost 8 out of their last 10 games, or his job could be on the line.

Notes before the Storm

- Safety Eric Berry from Tennessee could go earlier then people think, could go at number three with Tampa Bay or number four with the Redskins.

- Quarterback Coly McCoy, Texas is moving up to the late first round, with teams like the Browns, Bills, possible trading back into the first round to draft him. Also the Vikings could draft him late.

- Quarterback Tim Tebow, Florida is moving up to the late first round, with teams like the Browns, Bills, Broncos possible trading back into the first round to draft him. Also the Vikings could draft him late.

- Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame could be slipping all the way out of the first round some NFL teams are thinking.

- Offensive Guard Mike Iupati, Idaho could go as high as number eight to the Oakland Raiders

- Offensive Tackle Russell Okung, Oklahoma State might not be the first offensive tackle drafted.

- The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to trade up possible in the top ten to take safety Earl Thomas of Texas.

- Some people feel that cornerback Kyle Wilson, Boise State will be the first cornerback draft not Joe Haden of Florida.

- The Dallas Cowboys are looking to trade up to draft safety Earl Thomas of Texas.

Top 10 QB’s for 2010 NFL Draft

Here are my top ten quarterbacks and some sleepers to watch.

1. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
2. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
3. Colt McCoy, Texas
4. Tim Tebow, Florida
5. Tony Pike, Cincinnati
6. Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
7. Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee
8. John Skelton, Fordham
9. Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
10. Jevan Snead, Mississippi

Sleepers:
Levi Brown, Troy
Tim Hiller, Western Michigan
Mike Kafka, Northwestern

Notes from Florida's Pro Day

Some updates from Florida's Pro Day – Check back for more updates. Update at 2:10pm EST. - Side Note - It was raining at the Pro Day so grass was wet when players where going thru drills.

Florida WR David Nelson at his Pro Day measure in at 6050, and 217 pounds ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.47 seconds, the short shuttle in 4.09 seconds, the 3 cone drill 6.76 seconds and the 60-yard shuttle in 11.28 seconds. He measured a 38-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-4.5 broad jump, and did 16 reps of 225 pounds.

Florida LB Brandon Spikes ran the 40-yard dash in the 5.02 to 5.08 second range.

Florida CB Joe Haden ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 to 4.48 second range.

Florida QB Tim Tebow threw for scouts and did a good job throwing all the routes, but he doesn’t appear to have a lot of arm strength and hasn’t done a great job getting the ball pushed out to the outer thirds of the field.

Florida LB Dustin Doe at his Pro Day measure in at 6006, and 228 pounds ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.65 seconds. He measured a 35-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-1 broad jump, and did 20 reps of 225 pounds.

2010 NFL Combine: QB Overview

List of Quarterbacks Invited to NFL Combine:
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Levi Brown, Troy
Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
Sean Canfield, Oregon State
Daryll Clark, Penn State
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
Max Hall, BYU
Tim Hiller, Western Michigan
Mike Kafka, Northwestern
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Thaddeus Lewis, Duke
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
John Skelton, Fordham
Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
Jeavan Snead, Mississippi
Tim Tebow, Florida

Juniors:
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Jeavan Snead, Mississippi

Played in Senior Bowl:
Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
Sean Canfield, Oregon State
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
Tim Tebow, Florida

Played in East West:
Daryll Clark, Penn State
Max Hall, BYU
Mike Kafka, Northwestern
John Skelton, Fordham

Played in Texas vs. Nation:
Levi Brown, Troy
Tim Hiller, Western Michigan
Thaddeus Lewis, Duke

Surprising guys left off:
Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee
Matt Nichols, Eastern Washington
Ryan Perrilloux, Jacksonville State
Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic
Bill Stull, Pittsburgh

Story Lines:
Tim Tebow – The national media, NFL Network, ESPN will be all over his every move. He should test well, but in the quarterback drills I expect him to struggle.

Jimmy Clausen – Had toe surgery in the off-season, so won’t be able to compete in drills at the NFL Combine, will have to wait until Notre Dame Pro Day.

Sam Bradford – His camp is keeping it quite on how much he will participate in the NFL Combine, if he is able to show he is 100 percent and does well, it will help him try to get to the number one overall pick.

Tim Hiller – Needs to show better consistency then he did at the Texas vs. the Nation game, last week in El Paso.

Daryll Clark – Needs to bounce back from his East-West game performance or NFL teams might ask him to move to running back.

Jeavan Snead – Snead could take advantage of the NFL Combine will a great week could help his draft status, since he had an up and down junior year.

Sean Canfield – Canfield had a rough Senior Bowl performance and could use the NFL Combine to show his ability to NFL scout, and that his week down in Mobile wasn’t the real Canfield.

Jarrett Brown – Brown needs to show that he can be a complete quarterback and not just a great athlete.

John Skelton – Skelton will need to show better foot work and mechanics in the quarterback drills.

Levi Brown – Brown looked a little stiff in his throwing motion at the Texas vs. the Nation game and hopeful can show some more flexibility at the NFL Combine.

Tony Pike – Will Pike weight in at more then he did at the Senior Bowl?

2010 Senior Bowl - Wednesday Practices

2010 Senior Bowl Mid-Way Risers & Faller

Senior Bowl: Monday Notes

QB Tim Tebow, Florida: Like most people expected was inconsistent throwing the football, had a hard time taking snaps under center. Will need to improve his performance during the week.

QB Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State: He had the best day of all the South quarterbacks throwing the football and show that he was a good overall athlete.

QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan: LeFevour might have been the most impressive of all quarterbacks in practice at the Senior Bowl. He should good accuracy, foot work and was consistent throwing the football.

RB Dexter McCluster, Mississippi: Showed that despite being small that he can make plays and handle the pounding running the football, people where impressed with him.

RB Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State: Dixon showed that he is a big physical back that should excel in short yardage and goal line situations.

RB LeGarrette Blount, Oregon: This is a big week for Blount, he didn’t get to play much this season because of the punch he threw in the first game against Boise State, and showed the ability to run down hill and run with good leverage.

WR Brandon LaFell, LSU: LaFell is not at the Senior Bowl because he has made the decision to not play and just get ready for the NFL Combine.

WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati: Gilyard had a good day in terms of run routes and catching the football, he should good foot work and change of direction.

DE Jerry Hughes, TCU: Hughes is at the Senior Bowl because he has made the decision to not play and just get ready for the NFL Combine. NFL teams wanted to work him out at OLB and DE so this might hurt him because they won’t be able to see him in game situations at both positions at the NFL Combine.

DT Terrence Cody, Alabama: Cody weight in a 370 pounds, he need to work to lose some weight before the NFL Combine.

OLB Eric Norwood, South Carolina: Norwood struggled in pass coverage and because of that might end up being a 3-4 OLB instead of the 4-3 OLB.

CB Patrick Robinson, Florida State: Robinson at times today looked like a 1st round pick and at other times looked like a 4th round pick, teams are going to have to figure out what type of player he really is.

CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest: Ghee showed good coverage skills in practice and looks the part physically of a big time cornerback at the next level.

S Taylor Mays, USC: As many people have talked at the Senior Bowl, he might have to play OLB in the NFL, some what in the mold of Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers who was a safety at Georgia before moving to OLB.

Senior Bowl: Players to watch this week

Here are some of the players to watch is this years Senior Bowl.

QB Tim Tebow, Florida – Tebow has a lot to prove and can do a lot to his draft stock this week.

QB Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan – LeFevour with a good week of practice and the game can get up in the 2nd round.

QB Jarrett Brown, West Virginia – NFL Scouts want to know if he is a one year wonder, and can he be an NFL quarterback.

QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati – Pike with a good week of practice and good game could solidify himself as the number four quarterback in this years draft.

RB Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State – Dixon is a battle to see who will be the next senior running back drafted after CJ Spiller.

RB Dexter McCluster, Mississippi – McCluster is a do it all type of player, but his size is a big question mark and how his small frame can handle the pounding against much bigger players will go a long way to see where he will get drafted.

RB Montario Hardesty, Tennessee – Hardesty had a very good senior season, but teams want to find out did he just turn it on this season because he knew the NFL was his next stop. He can answer a lot of questions this week.

WR Brandon LaFell, LSU – With a good week of practice and a good game, LaFell can show NFL teams that he belongs in the 1st round of the draft and he is the best senior wide receiver.

WR Mardy Gillyard, Cincinnati – NFL scouts want to see Gillyard route running improve and he can do a lot to cement his draft grade this week.

OL Vladimir DuCasse, UMass – I have heard one NFL team has him rated as a late first round pick, DuCasse will have to answer a lot of questions this week going against the higher level of competition.

DE Jerry Hughes, TCU – Scouts will work out Hughes as a linebacker and defensive end this week to see what his true NFL position is.

DE Antonio Coleman, Auburn – Coleman with a good week of practice and game can move his draft stock up since it has slipped this entire season.

DE Brandon Graham, Michigan – Graham doesn’t have great height but is a good overall football player, some team have him graded as a late 1st round pick while other have him more in the late 2nd round, this is a big week for him.

DT Terrence Cody, Alabama – If he has a good week of practices he can lock in a 1st round grade from NFL teams.

LB Eric Norwood, South Carolina – Norwood is a good overall football player, the question is, what defensive does he fit best in a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense. NFL scouts hope to have that question answered after this week.

CB Javier Arenas, Alabama – Arenas can separate himself from the other second group of cornerbacks with a good week.

S Taylor Mays, USC – Mays came into the season with a high first round grade but inconsistencies with his ability in coverage and reading the plays this season has drop his stock will need a big week to raise that back up.

VanFulpen’s Heisman Watch

Here are my top five for the Heisman and why they will win the award and why they won’t win the award.

1. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama, So.
Stats: Rushing - 1,004 yards 6.6 average 8 touchdowns. Receiving - 19 receptions 186 yards 9.8 average 3 touchdowns

Why He Will Win It: He is the best player on possible the best team in the country and has put up some good stats. He needs to improve those stats and have some big games down the stretch but right now he is the front runner.

Why He Won’t Win It: He is a true sophomore, and voters still like to vote for upperclassmen, even with the resent history of sophomore winning it like Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford.

2. QB Tim Tebow, Florida Sr.
Stats: Passing - 1,159 passing yards, 8 touchdowns 4 interceptions. Rushing: 673 yards 3.8 average 12 touchdowns

Why He Will Win It: He won it as a sophomore and was in the race to win it last year. He is one of the best players in college football history and his team has a chance to win back to back national championships and three out of his four years.

Why He Won’t Win It: He hasn’t put up the huge stats like he did when he won it as a sophomore and that is what the voters want to see.

3. QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame Jr.
Stats: Rushing - Stats: Passing – 2,050 passing yards, 16 touchdowns 2 interceptions.

Why He Will Win It: He from Notre Dame and he is having an outstanding season and the team still has a chance to go to a BCS Bowl game.

Why He Won’t Win It: He is from Notre Dame and has already lost two games this season against two of Notre Dames biggest rivals.

4. QB Colt McCoy, Texas Sr.
Stats: Passing - 1,806 passing yards, 14 touchdowns 8 interceptions. Rushing: 104 yards 1.8 average 1 touchdowns

Why He Will Win It: He is the quarterback for Texas who should win out the rest of their games and go to BCS National Championship game.

Why He Won’t Win It: He isn’t having the season he had last year and he didn’t win the Hesiman when he put up great stats.

5. QB Case Keenum, Houston Jr.
Stats: Rushing - Stats: Passing – 2,734 passing yards, 20 touchdowns 4 interceptions.

Why He Will Win It: He has put up some huge passing stats and his team has only lost one game this season.

Why He Won’t Win It: He plays at Houston and that will hurt him in the long run at his chances of winning the Hesiman.