Daily news clippings Thursday, MAY 8, 2014

Transcription

1 Daily news clippings Thursday, MAY 8, 2014

2 Broncos TE Julius Thomas "hungrier" than ever after Super Bowl loss By Troy E. Renck The Denver Post Thursday, May 8, 2014 Julius Thomas enjoyed a season worthy of Disney animation. Former basketball player at Portland State. Took seven-year hiatus from football. Played briefly in college. Becomes Pro Bowler. Starts in Super Bowl. Then the guy didn't get the girl. The car didn't drive into a sunset. It veered off a cliff. Three months after the Broncos' final game, the pain remains, providing motivation for the star tight end. "What I learned is how much it took to get there. I am hungrier than even I was last year," Thomas said recently. "To be so close, and not reach your goal, it just makes you that much more determined to do whatever it takes." As a project, Thomas can appreciate the attention to detail more than most. A a fourthround choice in 2011, he couldn't rely on athleticism alone, particularly after a nagging ankle injury. Learning the nuances of the position took on a new meaning with the arrival of Peyton Manning. Extra reps. Endless passes. Cerebral calisthenics. It reached its pinnacle in the playoffs last season against the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos faced third-and-6 at their 45-yard line with 2:12 remaining. Taking a knee was not an option. It was an inspiration to go bold. The Broncos lined up in a familiar formation with Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker split left. They all had enviable routes: short, post and long. Julius Thomas was the stealth receiver. He ran a hook, and Manning dropped it in for a first down that secured the victory. "I remember the first time throwing to him, his size jumps out to you. This is a 6-5 tight end with broad shoulders, and he could really run," Manning said. "He has been huge for us."

3 Thomas represented a potential X factor in the Super Bowl. But he never gained footing against Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense as Manning was under relentless pressure. Last week Thomas dismissed the idea that Seattle was too much to handle. "We can't allow a team to keep us from executing," said Thomas, whose father, Greg, played for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll when he was an assistant at Pacific. "I think more so it was what we didn't do, more than them being physical." Thomas' interesting journey passed an impressive milepost last season. Forget his 65 catches for 788 yards. He hauled in 12 touchdowns, a single-season franchise record for tight ends, a position once manned by Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. Like Sharpe, Thomas is an extreme mismatch. Positioning in tight space is an advantage to a former hoops player skilled in the post. "In a football practice, you might catch 10 balls. In a basketball practice, you are receiving the ball 50, 60 times," Thomas said. "So you're training your body to receive the ball, to shield off the defender. I think that it has paid dividends for me on the football field." Thomas is viewed as a franchise building block. And more important, he believes he has only laid the foundation. "They think when you make it, you made it," Thomas tweeted. "Ha-ha. You gotta earn it again every day. Know that."

4 Kiszla: Broncos should trade down in the draft and get more players By Mark Kiszla The Denver Post Thursday, May 8, 2014 With NFL history working against the Broncos and the league's shrewdest teams drafting all around him, John Elway would be wise to move off the No. 31 pick in the first round and do what he does best: scramble. A trade makes good horse sense for Denver. Keep that cellphone buzzing, Mr. Elway. Trading on draft night is done on the run. What made Elway a Hall of Fame quarterback? His ability to improvise and, when he saw an opportunity, his nerve to pull the trigger. "The interest (in trading) doesn't start until really the draft starts," Elway said. "You'll see everything that happens in the top 10 picks, if there's something that's going to happen there, and it just continues to go as the first round goes on." If the Broncos stand pat at No. 31, they will have to get extremely lucky to land a rookie capable of helping them overcome history and become the first Super Bowl loser in more than four decades to not only return to the championship game within a year but also win the league title. From Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley to Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, all the popular choices the Broncos could make are likely to be off the board at No. 31. Think Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier will fall to Denver? How about Texas Christian cornerback Jason Verrett? Well, maybe. But dream on. Unless teams drafting ahead of Denver make big mistakes, they will also be gone before it's time for the Broncos' firstround pick. If Elway truly wants an impact player to help quarterback Peyton Manning win now, the Broncos must consider trading up in this draft. Mosley would be my target. Truth be told, however, moving up would require Elway to mortgage a chunk of the team's future, and that runs counter to his stated goal of not only winning now, but winning from now on. So Elway's secondary option is to trade back and out of the first round. The ideal scenario for the Broncos would be for an attractive quarterback prospect, whether it's Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville or Derek Carr of Fresno State, to slip down the board to

5 No. 31. That could make the 10 minutes Denver is officially on the clock both frantic and profitable. The key would be to get a team picking early in the second round on the line, then on the hook, because a general manager desperate for a QB is more likely to overpay to close a deal. The likely targets include Houston's first pick in the second round, the No. 35 choice by Cleveland, or any team in the market for a quarterback that filled another need earlier in the draft. Trading down would mean the Broncos could pick twice in Round 2, as well as add at least one more additional future choice in the deal. With two selections in the second round, Elway could address two team needs among cornerback, offensive line and inside linebacker. What's the appeal of this strategy? The Broncos have more holes on their roster than the defending AFC champion should, if you ask me. And there will be good football players available in Round 2. Would the Broncos be wise to copy the trend of big cornerbacks made popular by Seattle? Keith McGill of Utah and Stanley Jean-Baptiste of Nebraska should be available for the taking in the second round. Offensive linemen with second-round grades include Joel Bitonio of Nevada and Weston Richburg of Colorado State to name only two of five promising prospects to man the trenches. Landing a linebacker wouldn't necessarily require the Broncos to trade up if they could be satisfied with BYU's Kyle Van Noy or Chris Borland of Wisconsin with a second-round selection. The nature of Elway is to make something happen, rather than wait for pure dumb luck. So, if the Broncos select at No. 31, here's guessing it won't be for lack of trying to move the pick. "I think the bottom line is: You don't really know until you get there," Elway said. "You have to try to cover all the scenarios you can, especially this week, really being prepared because once the draft starts, the 10 minutes in that first round is not a lot of time, especially when things are going on." Elway is 53 years old. At the NFL draft, he gets the chance to scramble and make a big play. It's the stuff of an old quarterback's dreams.

6 Broncos have multiple options, needs as they enter NFL draft By Mike Klis The Denver Post Thursday, May 8, 2014 In a matter of hours, the Broncos will add their newest star, a highly paid scrub or nobody at all. "We'll concentrate mostly on 31," Broncos general manager John Elway said. "And we'll look around to see if we can trade up or down." Trade up from their No. 31 selection during the NFL draft's first round Thursday night and the Broncos can get that star, or at least a 2014 starter. Trade back and the Broncos won't pick until Friday, when the NFL conducts the second and third rounds of its draft. Stay put at No. 31 and the Broncos might get a player who spends most of his rookie year developing until he is ready to start full time by "(First- and second-round picks) will not make an impact by definition of the fact that they are rookies," former NFL general manager Bill Polian said this week on an ESPN conference call. "They have to learn how to play professional football. Even fans would agree. People assume it takes a long time to learn the trade in Major League Baseball.... In football, we assume rookies will make the difference between winning and losing, and they rarely do." To get an elite player at a position of need, the Broncos probably would to have trade up. Middle linebacker or cornerback would be their targets. First, their cornerback situation. The Broncos believe Aqib Talib is a very good No. 1 corner, and they supported their faith by agreeing to pay him $12 million this year. They also believe Chris Harris, an invaluable defensive player the previous three years, will fully heal from his partially torn anterior cruciate ligament injury and start the season opener Sept. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Medical science, though, tends to be less sure. Harris suffered what has been described as a 30 percent tear in his knee, but it still required surgery to repair, and the injury occurred Jan. 12.

7 If Harris isn't himself until the second half of the season, what are the Broncos supposed to do in the first half against the passing likes of Andrew Luck, Alex Smith, Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer, Colin Kaepernick, Philip Rivers and Tom Brady? Kayvon Webster could eventually become a top corner, but is he ready to take on elite receivers as a second-year player? In today's pass-happy NFL, the Broncos cannot afford to get into a season with so many question marks at cornerback. Problem is, the three corners who are rated the best in this draft Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard and Kyle Fuller are certain to be long gone by the No. 31 pick. Jason Verrett also is considered a first-round corner, but he's small. Bradley Roby is a first-round corner, but he has been flagged by a troubled past. Which of those five corners do the Broncos covet most? "What's interesting about the corners is that most personnel guys like Roby and Gilbert as their highest-rated corners just because they have better movement skills," NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock said. "Most of the coaches like Fuller and Dennard because they're better football players today. You know what you're getting. Fuller is my No. 1 corner. He has it in his DNA." As for middle linebacker, Elway has said he's fine playing Nate Irving on first and second down and having strong safety T.J. Ward perhaps moving to nickel linebacker on third down. This would open up nickel-package playing time for the backup safety likes of Duke Ihenacho, Quinton Carter, Omar Bolden or John Boyett. Such elaborate rearrangement would be deemed unnecessary, though, if the Broncos can somehow wind up with C.J. Mosley or Ryan Shazier at middle linebacker. Mosley is the more refined inside backer, and there's a chance he'll fall into the 20s because his body is beaten up from Alabama practices and the Southeastern Conference schedule. But anyone familiar with Broncos coach John Fox and player personnel director Matt Russell can guess Shazier is high on their draft board. Shazier is uncommonly fast, even if he is light by middle linebacker standards. Besides corner and middle linebacker, the Broncos also could use a big wide receiver, a running back, a receiver with return ability and maybe another defensive end or right offensive tackle. That depends on how they feel last year's O-line draft picks, Quanterus Smith and Vinston Painter, have come along.

8 "There are always little needs that you have going into a draft, and we don't really feel like we have huge holes," Elway said. Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis The Broncos select... NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes five players the Broncos might target in the first round of the NFL draft. Denver has the 31st pick: 1. Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State He played at 220 pounds as a weakside linebacker, but he bulked up to 237 by the combine for a possible conversion to middle linebacker. He then ran the 40-yard dash like a receiver. Speed like this doesn't last until No. 31. BYU's Kyle Van Noy is another possibility. Associated Press file photo 2. C.J. Mosley, MLB, Alabama There's a chance his iffy medical report would make him available late. Mosley is considered the truest first-round middle linebacker in the draft. He can thump while ranging from sideline to sideline. 3. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech The Broncos would have to trade up to get one of the top three cornerback prospects, the others being Justin Gilbert and Darqueze Dennard. All three are tall by corner standards. Jason Verrett might be there at 31, but would Broncos take a tiny corner? 4. Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada The Broncos appear serious about moving Orlando Franklin to left guard. That leaves Chris Clark, Winston Justice and Vinston Painter to compete at right tackle. Besides Bitonio, Alabama's Cyrus Kouandjio would be another possibility. 5. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana Eric Decker is gone, and Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker are in contract years. At 6-3, 215, Latimer would be protection against a possible Thomas departure and allow Emmanuel Sanders to slide inside. Other big-receiver possibilities are Donte Moncrief, Allen Robinson and Kelvin Benjamin.

9 Draft's drama Sports' greatest reality show returns Thursday with the first round of the 79th annual NFL draft. There are unforgettable moments see retina-burning suits and agonizing waits in the green room, where 30 players will be this year. There are numerous mistakes JaMarcus Russell, anyone? And there are mind-bending decisions that change the course of a franchise the Seahawks nabbed Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman. Broncos reporter Troy E. Renck provides the breakdown of 32 teams making 256 picks, including 32 compensatory choices: Thursday: Round 1, 6-9:30 p.m., ESPN, NFLN Friday: Rounds 2-3, 5-9 p.m., ESPN2, NFLN Saturday: Rounds 4-7, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., ESPN, NFLN Time limits: First round, 10 minutes per selection. Second round, seven minutes. Rounds 3-7, five minutes. BRONCOS PICKS First round, 31st Second round, 63 Third round, 95 Fourth round, 131 Fifth round, 171 Sixth round, 207 Seventh round, 246 1/5

10 Countdown to on the clock: Richburg By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Thursday, May 8, 2014 It has finally arrived, the first May draft. And in the final hours before everybody is really on the clock, it's time to conclude a one-a-day look at some specific players who could find their way into the Denver Broncos draft class by the time the seven rounds come to a close. Today: Colorado State center Weston Richburg. The Broncos would likely need to move around a bit to have a chance at one of the best interior linemen on the board and one who played plenty of football just up Interstate 25 from their team headquarters. That's because Richburg is either, depending on which scout or personnel executive in the league you ask, the best or second-best center in the draft. He does not carry the grade to be taken with the Broncos' first pick -- No and is not expected to last on the board until they pick in the second round at No. 62. But having played some tackle, guard and center in his 50 career starts with the Rams, Richburg has exactly the kind of versatility and durability the team wants up front. Richburg said this week that teams see him as a center first, but have already talked to him about the prospect of playing guard. "I've had some teams inquire about that, but I'm a football player and I'm completely open to playing wherever they'd like me to," Richburg said. "And I know versatility is something they want, playing guard is something I would have to do and be more than willing to do." Richburg also symbolizes the argument against every over-zealous parent, coach, or even player, who believes what happens before college determines a pro's future. He essentially played just one full season of varsity football in high school. After tearing an ACL during his sophomore year he was advised by several doctors not to have surgery until the growth plate in his leg had closed meaning a growth spurt was over. So, Richburg waited a year to have surgery to repair his knee and did not play as a junior. After a six-month recovery from the surgery, TCU and Colorado State saw enough in Richburg's senior year to recruit him. After choosing to play at CSU Richburg went on to start every game of his career for the Rams consecutive games.

11 "It's definitely a crazy story how it's all worked out," Richburg said. "I missed a lot of high school [football], but I played more in college than most guys. I don't consider myself behind, I'm probably a little bit ahead." Richburg played in a zone blocking scheme when former CSU head coach Steve Fairchild was calling the shots. He then played in a more physical man-on-man scheme over the past two years with former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain now the team's coach. More than one scout had also referred to not only Richburg's football savvy, but his toughness as well. His junior season with CSU, Richburg fractured his right hand with three games remaining in the season. He played the next two games at tackle, but in the season finale simply snapped with his left hand with a cast on his right. "I was kind of nervous about it the week before the game, but once I got in the game I kind let loose and made it happen," Richburg said. "It actually went pretty well." Richburg will spend the draft in Texas, with his family and some of his former Colorado State teammates. He's made several team visits in recent weeks. Between appearances at the Senior Bowl as well the scouting combine, Richburg has met with every team in some fashion. "It's almost here and I almost have new job," Richburg said. "We're two weeks behind everybody else who has gone through this Sometimes it gets a little stressful and you do get a little anxious, but I have tried to sit back and enjoy the process because it has been such a unique situation."

12 Broncos make right move to honor the Past By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Thursday, May 8, 2014 The Denver Broncos honored their history this week and tied up a few loose ends along the way. The team selected three more people for its Ring of Fame, and did it with a needed nod to the past. Too often, whether it s the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a team s list of alltime greats or simply somebody s all-everything team in cyberspace, too much attention is paid to the highlight generation, not enough to when the trail was carved in the first place. So, it was good to see the Broncos add Gene Mingo, Rick Upchurch and Dan Reeves to its list of all-timers. For some, the Broncos history starts with Hall of Famer John Elway or even Mike Shanahan s long tenure with the team that included Super Bowl wins in each of the final two seasons of Elway s playing career. So, many of the omissions" folks want to talk about in the Ring of Fame, or even the Hall of Fame, are often just a discussion of the post-90s Broncos. So, to see Mingo honored, an original Bronco who played in the team's first five seasons, shows some respect for what came before the Broncos were the Broncos for many people. Upchurch spent nine years with the Broncos, his last season was Elway s rookie year in 1983, but was good enough to make the league s all-decade team for the 70s as a kick returner. All-decade players are rare, all-decade players not in their team s Ring of Fame are rarer still. And Reeves selection shows time has perhaps healed some old wounds, at least enough to honor what was done in his tenure. Owner Pat Bowlen fired Reeves in 1992 after 12 seasons with the team and there are plenty of stories still swirling in the city about the level of friction that did or didn't exist between Reeves, Shanahan and Elway in those years. Reeves is the first coach in the team's Ring of Fame. He won five division titles and made three Super Bowl appearances in a four-year span. As a player, assistant or head

13 coach Reeves has participated in more Super Bowls -- nine -- than any other player or coach in league history. "It ll probably be a tremendous emotion, I know that," Reeves said of the Week 2 ceremony in the coming season. So many great memories. My family basically grew up, my three children, they only had to move one time from the time they got into school and the time they went to college. That wouldn t happen with many football coaches." When asked about his most memorable games as Broncos head coach, Reeves was quick to invoke the team s top football executive -- Elway. "We talk so much about the Super Bowls and all, but you know we played probably one of the more exciting championship games in Cleveland," Reeves said. Every year you get to see that because that was noted as The Drive and the next year was The Fumble, but those were two great championship games. Probably one of the championship games we lost up in Buffalo was one we very easily could have won, but that was a great year for us, too. It s something where when you win that many games, there were so many phenomenal comebacks that we had. One that sticks out was when John was a rookie and we played Baltimore, the Colts you know, and it was such a big deal about John not going to play for the Colts and they came in there and had a big lead in the fourth quarter and we came from behind and I think that s when we all realized that as long as we had John Elway, we could have a chance in the fourth quarter if we just even kept it close. When you look back at all the many comebacks that we had in the fourth quarter, it gave me a lot of grey hairs, but it was exciting." When the names go up on the stadium façade in September, it will be a deserved honor for all three whose time had come. And those who don't remember their history are often doomed to not enjoying all of the good parts, too.

14 Reeves 'Thrilled' to Enter Ring of Fame By Gray Caldwell DenverBroncos.com Thursday, May 8, 2014 ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Once a week, Dan Reeves heads to the golf course. After two knee replacements and a recent hip replacement surgery, he keeps his time on the links limited. But on Tuesday, that peace and quiet was interrupted. Many times. "The phone was ringing and you can t answer the phone on the golf course, but I had it on vibrate and thought my cart was going to vibrate to death," Reeves laughed. "Then I saw those numbers 303 and I figured somebody had probably passed away or I was getting into the Ring of Fame. Fortunately, it was the latter. Reeves is one of three men that will be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame this season, joining Gene Mingo and Rick Upchurch. It s awesome. I m thrilled to death. I can t tell you how happy I am," the former head coach said. "When you spend 12 years with an organization that was my first time and I have so many great memories, and it s just great to be honored by being in the Ring of Fame. Reeves is the first coach to be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame, and just the second non-player to earn that distinction, joining former Owner Gerald H. Phipps, who was inducted in He coached the Broncos from and compiled a record in his 12 seasons. During that span, he led the team to a franchise-best five division titles and three Super Bowl appearances. All three came in a four-year span from 1986 to "So many great memories," Reeves recalled. "My family basically grew up, my three children, they only had to move one time from the time they got into school and the time they went to college. That wouldn t happen with many football coaches. His 110 regular-season wins and seven playoff victories each rank second in Broncos history behind former Head Coach Mike Shanahan. His teams finished with a losing record just twice, one of which came during the strike-shortened 1982 campaign. Through all those games, it's hard to pick out one that stands above the rest. But the head coach remembered one contest in particular during the 1983 season. "One that sticks out was when John (Elway) was a rookie and we played Baltimore, the Colts you know, and it was such a big deal about John not going to play for the Colts," he said. "They came in there and had a big lead in the fourth quarter and we came from behind, and I think that s when we all realized that as long as we had John Elway, we could have a chance in the fourth quarter if we just even kept it close. When you look back at all the many comebacks that we had in the fourth quarter, it gave me a lot of grey hairs, but it was exciting."

15 Reeves credited Owner and CEO Pat Bowlen for much of the success he saw as Denver's head coach for 12 seasons. "Pat was just a tremendous owner. No way we could have had all the success [without him]," he said. "Pat gave me everything that I ever asked for, trying to make us a better football team and he was great to work for. I m just sorry that out of the three times we ended up going to the Super Bowl, we didn t end up winning one of them. I feel badly about that and I know Pat does too, but he was a great owner. I have a tremendous amount of respect. He continued to show after I left there, you can t be successful without an organization that starts at the top, and you know Pat has been a great leader ever since he bought that football team. Bowlen started the Ring of Fame in 1984 to honor former players and administrators who played significant roles in the franchise s history. Last season, Ring of Fame Plaza opened for fans to visit outside the stadium. Including this year s inductions, a total of 27 individuals have been honored as Ring of Famers. The induction ceremony for the 2014 honorees will take place at halftime of the Broncos' Week 2 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff on Sunday, September 14 is scheduled for 2:25 p.m. MDT. Reeves can only imagine what it will feel like to stand in the middle of Sports Authority Field at Mile High and see his name adorn the Level 5 façade. Oh wow. I probably will have the same butterflies I had the first game we played against the Oakland Raiders," he said. "They were the defending world champions, came in there the opening game of the season. I don t think I ever I know I wasn t ever as nervous as I was that particular day as a head coach and never had that many butterflies when I was playing. "So it ll probably be a tremendous emotion, I know that."

16 Mason's Mock: Final Edition By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com Thursday, May 8, 2014 ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The ninth version of the Mock Draft, in which perfection undoubtedly proves elusive. It's way past time for the real thing, and 6 p.m. MDT on Thursday cannot arrive fast enough. 1. HOUSTON (2-14): DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina If the Texans do not trade this pick, this is the call. Houston will roll the dice on getting a quarterback early in Round 2 -- or via trade to a pick at the end of the first round. 2. ST. LOUIS (7-9, from Washington): OT Greg Robinson, Auburn Previous versions had Jake Matthews, and that would be my pick, if I were in their shoes. Robinson's upside is a higher, although there is greater bust potential, but the indications are that if the Rams keep the pick, Robinson, not Matthews, will be the call. A trade is a distinct possibility here, considering the Rams can get Matthews later. 3. JACKSONVILLE (4-12); LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo Clemson's Sammy Watkins would be in play here, as the Jaguars have given up any reliance on the talented, but troubled, Justin Blackmon getting his act together. But the Jaguars' quickest path to relevance is through Gus Bradley's defense, and in a deep receiver draft, they can find help later. 4. CLEVELAND (4-12): QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M This is a whole-organization pick, as in the impact of the player will be felt in every corner of Browns headquarters, and will define them for the foreseeable future. The presence of left tackle Joe Thomas will help keep him upright, and he can buy time for Josh Gordon to get open downfield. 5. OAKLAND (4-12): WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson The Raiders have the luxury -- if you can call it that -- of being able to wait at No. 5 and still find a premium player at a spot of need. So if the Browns pass on Manziel and he lands here, or trades prevent an offensive tackle from going in the top four picks, or Mack drops, the Raiders have someone who can immediately help. 6. ATLANTA (4-12): OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M If the Falcons come away from this draft without fortifying the offensive line in front of Matt Ryan, they've failed. 7. TAMPA BAY (4-12): WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M There's a buzz of interest in Manziel, so watch for a trade-up. But the Bucs don't appear sold on any of the other quarterbacks -- at least at this point. A trade up late in the first round is a possibility. 8. MINNESOTA (5-10-1): QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida Matt Cassel offers a bridge to Bortles, and ensures that the Vikings don't have to force him into the lineup; they can work on the mechanical tweaks he needs.

17 9. BUFFALO (6-10): OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan This is similar to the Falcons' situation at No. 6: they have to find a way to protect their quarterback. The Bills' faith in E.J. Manuel is secure at this point; their draft class will likely revolve around giving him the best chance to succeed. 10. DETROIT (7-9): CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron is a possibility at this pick, but the Lions can't continue to ignore their issues at cornerback, right? 11. TENNESSEE (7-9): QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville Someone is going to look past the Pro Day workout and focus on the tape. As draft cliche' goes, "All it takes is one team to love you." The Titans passed on giving Jake Locker the fifth-year option, and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't appear tied to the 2011 first-rounder at all. In a division where the Colts appear set for a long, dominant run with Andrew Luck at the controls, can the Titans afford to pass on a quarterback who at one point was the consensus favorite to be the top selection? 12. N.Y. GIANTS (7-9): DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh Ebron is still on the board, and there is a wide gap from him to the other tight ends. But the Giants' success under Tom Coughlin has come when their front four was fortified from one flank to the other, and their defensive tackle corps badly needs someone as quick as Donald. 13. ST. LOUIS (7-9): S "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix, Alabama This has been a consensus pick at this spot for some time, which means it won't actually happen, in the unpredictable nature of mock drafts. It makes sense, allows the Rams to balance their first-round haul on both sides of the line of scrimmage, and provides an immediate upgrade. 14. CHICAGO (8-8): C.J. Mosley, Alabama I had Timmy Jernigan here, but the reports of a diluted urine sample at the Combine will hurt his stock, since he would start his NFL career with one strike against him in the NFL's drug program. The Bears have so many holes on defense that they can take the most explosive, impactful player available that is a fit for their defense. 15. PITTSBURGH (8-8): CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State Dennard is the type of cornerback who fits the Steelers perfectly: aggressive against the run, physical, and with ample confidence. 16. DALLAS (8-8): LB Anthony Barr, UCLA This would be a coup, if Barr drops this far. The Titans' pick may determine what happens here; if they select Barr, the Cowboys are wide open, and could even consider an offensive lineman like Notre Dame's Zack Martin. 17. BALTIMORE (8-8): TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina Mosley would have been ideal here with him off the board, but Ebron would also fill a need, and potentially be great value if he drops this far. Joe Flacco has not had a tight end with this blend of size, speed and receiving acumen. 18. N.Y. JETS (8-8): WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU

18 If Dennard or Gilbert drops, the Jets could think cornerback, but they're not on the board here, so the Jets have to take the top wide receiver available. 19. MIAMI (8-8): OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame The question Thursday is whether the Dolphins move up to secure Martin, or are willing to wait and settle for Morgan Moses or Cyrus Kouandijo? 20. ARIZONA (10-6): DE Kony Ealy, Missouri This is among the most difficult slots to project in the first round. Arizona needs a pass rusher, and even a safety or linebacker could help. But quarterback is a possibility as Carson Palmer heads into his 12th season. The key question is: how close do the Cardinals believe they are? In 2013, this was a 10-6 team that played on equal terms with the world champions in their season series. The Cardinals might be one player away in a season where the Super Bowl is in their home stadium -- and a rookie quarterback probably isn't that one player. And might the value be better on, say, Georgia's Aaron Murray in the second round than any of the quarterbacks on the board at this point? 21. GREEN BAY (8-7-1): S Calvin Pryor, Louisville Ryan Shazier is a legitimate possibility here, if he's available, but the chain reaction of this mock makes Pryor the best mix of player, immediate benefit and need. 22. PHILADELPHIA (10-6): WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State It seems likely the Eagles take a receiver, but which one? Cooks has the best chance to offer a direct, one-for-one replacement for DeSean Jackson. 23. KANSAS CITY (11-5): WR Marqise Lee, USC The shortcomings of recent Chiefs drafts at this position won't keep their current administration from going back here. Quarterback is also a possibility, though, even though it offers no short-term benefit. 24. CINCINNATI (11-5): CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State A run on cornerbacks could loom among the later picks, and Roby appears to be the best fit for the Bengals, although Kyle Fuller is a possibility. 25. SAN DIEGO (9-7): NT Louis Nix, Notre Dame Cornerback will be discussed -- potentially Fuller -- but Nix is too perfect a fit at a need position to pass up here. 26. CLEVELAND (4-12, from Indianapolis): CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech An ideal complement to Joe Haden, Fuller's size and intelligence gives the Browns enough strength in coverage to turn Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger loose. 27. NEW ORLEANS (11-5): DE/LB Dee Ford, Auburn If Ford and Ealy are still on the board, Ealy gets the nod based on having more allaround potential. Ford is a premier pass rusher, but is undersized. 28. CAROLINA (12-4): OT Cyrus Kouandijo, Alabama We hit trade-up territory with these last few picks, as Derek Carr remains on the board. Carolina could opt for a deal and add extra selections later, to try and boost their shaky offensive line and receiver corps. But if they stand pat, and Kouandijo is on the board, this is the pick.

19 29. NEW ENGLAND (12-4): DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State One reported strike in the drug-testing program isn't the type of issue that will faze Bill Belichick. 30. SAN FRANCISCO (12-4): WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State If Ford or Ealy drop here, this could change the 49ers' plan, but if not, wide receiver has to be the call. 31. DENVER (13-3): LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State There are plenty of scenarios in which he is not on the board, and if the Broncos want him, a trade up might be necessary. But at 31, he has above-average value. Even if Derek Carr is still available and trade offers arrive, Shazier might be to difficult to pass up. 32. SEATTLE (13-3): G Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA I still can't see him escaping the first round. But he's a more certain bet than Kouandijo, so the Panthers might think about him at No. 28.

20 Vasquez Preaches the Right Path By Gray Caldwell DenverBroncos.com Thursday, May 8, 2014 DENVER -- Louis Vasquez knows what got him to where he is today. A strong family background -- and the year-long requirements of playing football in Texas -- made sure he stayed on the right path. On Wednesday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, he stood in front of 230 atrisk students to make sure their paths lead to success as well. "I just did what I was told and did things right. That's what's gotten me here," Vasquez said. "Here, this is who I am. This is how I got to be where I am. This is how I grew up. There's a path, my path that I went down. Yours might be a little bit different, but if you want to be successful, they all lead to the same place." Vasquez served as the keynote speaker for the YESS Institute's 2014 mentoring celebration at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, which highlighted the contributions and accomplishments of 230 students as they work toward high school graduation. "We are very grateful for Mr. Vasquez' commitment to YESS and youth engagement, said Carlo Kriekels, co-founder and executive director of the YESS Institute. He is a strong positive role model for our students as well as a leader within the Latino community." The YESS Institute aims to provide secondary school students at the highest risk level with the skills to shift the negative cycle of poverty, dropout and violence into a positive cycle of leadership development, civic engagement and economic contribution. It does so primarily through peer mentoring. This year marks the 10th year the program has provided peer mentoring programs in Denver, achieving an 85 percent graduation rate for its students. Vasquez said the cause struck a chord with him, and he jumped at the opportunity to contribute. "For me, especially the Hispanic youth, a lot of them, they think they don't have the resources or the same opportunities that others do," he said. "They do, they just may have to work a little harder. But then again, that's what the Hispanic race is known for - - we're hard-working people. So that's one thing I want to do, to reach out and just tell my life story, where I started, how I started, where it all began and how I came to be the person I am today." The YESS Institute aims to build racial and ethnic equity, and its peer mentors have earned prestigious scholarships like the Daniels, Boetcher and Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarships. Using the Road to Success curriculum, YESS serving Lincoln, West and North High Schools creates an alternative to disciplinary referrals. For many youth, it's often offered as a last resort program to students at risk for dropping out or being expelled.

21 "This day and age, it seems like just even with the media like MTV and all that, just the shows they have, it's like encouraging kids, 'Hey, I don't have to go to school and I can still become famous.' That's not the way it rolls," Vasquez said. "That's what I wanted to do tonight, just explain that hey, everybody's path is a little different, you've got to overcome different obstacles. But if you want to be successful, all paths lead that way. Then if you don't, there are different paths down that way, too."