Happy Draft Day, friends! Today, I unveil my annual Rational Actor Mock Draft. I’ve been doing it in various forms since 2009, and it’s the only bit of Mockery that we do here at IAOFM.
This year, you get the day-late, buck-short version, because I’ve been moving homes this last week, and because I’m heading to Vegas today (for Mother’s Day, not specifically for the draft).
As in the past, the intent of this exercise is not to predict what WILL happen. It’s to give my opinion of what SHOULD happen.
Continue reading "You Got RAMD: The 2014 IAOFM Rational Actor Mock Draft"
Happy Friday, friends. As promised, here’s my look at the defensive position groupings for the 2014 Draft. This class is strong at cornerback and interior defensive line, and it’s weak at linebacker, edge rusher, and safety.
Don’t be surprised if guys are over-drafted at those positions, because of the shortage there.
After the jump, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of things. Ready… BEGIN!!
Continue reading "You Got Served: Draft thoughts on defensive players"
Happy Thursday, friends. Somehow, some way, I’ve found a few minutes to think (and write) about the upcoming NFL Draft, which starts a week from today. I thought I’d share some thoughts on a few players in each position group, and that I’d split that into two articles. Today, you get a serving of offense, and schedule willing, tomorrow, I should have some defense for you.
I find the Broncos to be in excellent shape, in terms of the overall roster construction, and that there’s minimal need to worry about “needs” right now. A case could be made about drafting for need for seasons following 2014, but I think a best player available approach is the way to go right now. Particularly, I hope the Broncos are focused on maximizing value.
Anyway, let’s get started, on the other side of the jump. Ready…BEGIN!!
Continue reading "You Got Served: Draft thoughts on offensive players"
Happy Thursday, friends. I haven’t had any time to write in a few weeks, and I was thinking it was a good time to check back in on free agency, and on some early draft thoughts.
After really moving the needle with their early signings, the Broncos have focused on some smaller moves of late, which may prove to be consequential.
I also want to take a look at some other happenings around the NFL, because it’s good to take stock of the competition periodically. That, and some things have been said and written lately that I don’t agree with. We’ll see what we’ll see on the other side of the jump. Ready… BEGIN!!
Continue reading "You Got Served: Free agency slowdown edition"
Happy Wednesday, friends. Today I have a serving for you about the beginning of the annual free agency shopping spree. Coming off a Super Bowl loss, the Broncos are reloading in a resounding manner, and it obviously deserves some analysis.
Beyond the big early names, I also have ideas on some second-wave bargain shopping that I think the Broncos can do.
I think that the market is about to get much more conservative when it comes to paying veterans, and quality guys are going to be available on the cheap, like Shaun Phillips was last year.
Happy Tuesday, friends. I had some time over the weekend to look at some combine footage, and I’ve generally been thinking about the go-forward state of affairs for the Broncos.
I thought we’d do a little bit of rosterbation, and that I’d also share some thoughts about the draft class.
Can we take ‘em to the bridge? Yeah, let’s kick it old school one time. Ready…BEGIN!!
Continue reading "You Got Served: Rosterbation and the NFL Draft"
Happy Tuesday, friends. We've predictably seen some early commentary about distractions, vis-a-vis Michael Sam joining an NFL football team. We've also seen it compared to the Tim Tebow effect, but having lived through that era, I'm going to say that there's no comparison.
Sam will surely draw some extra media attention, but it won't be a lasting story.
As I heard Rich Gannon say on the radio the other day, once the media has asked Sam's 52 teammates how they feel about having a gay teammate, there's no more story to be had. Everybody can just forget about it, at that point, and get on with the business of playing football. Then, the guy will either be a good player, or not, but he'll have a chance to prove himself based on his play.
Inactives: Broncos - Quentin Jammer, Ronnie Hillman, Vinston Painter, Chris Kuper, Joel Dreessen, Zac Dysert, Sione Fua
Seahawks - WR Bryan Walters, RB Christine Michael, T Michael Bowie, T Caylin Hauptmann, TE Kellen Davis, DE Benson Mayowa, DT Jordan Hill
Happy Super Bowl Sunday, friends. I was going to kick it old-school, and do a Digesting the Seahawks article, but others have pretty much covered that ground by now.
Instead, I’m going to just get a little scattershot with it, and fire off some quick Super Bowl thoughts.
Follow me across the jump, and we’ll get it going.
Happy Thursday, friends. As you read this, I'll be in San Diego attending a sales and use tax seminar. As I write this Wednesday night, I'm also in San Diego, in a (somewhat disappointing) hotel room, overlooking the bay, and we just got back from a nice dinner in Little Italy.
Guess how many people I saw rocking Chargers gear, in a high foot traffic area, a mere two weeks after their feel-good playoff run ended? I saw exactly one of them, which is par for the course for this town.
I'm not here to talk about weak-ass Chargers fans, though. It's Super Bowl week, and I promised y'all some material. If you'll follow me across the jump, I'm fixing to drop some knowledge on you, as Stuart Scott would say.