There are three ways to build an NFL team: Develop draft picks and college free agents, sign veteran or street free agents, and trade for players.
What’s the best way? Likely a combination.
The best means for stockpiling overall talent is developing players out of college. This gives teams a chance to acquire about 20 percent of their rosters each year.
But a recent study of building talent through the draft and college free agency doesn’t necessarily indicate building that way affords the best chances of winning. After the final 53-man rosters were established Sept. 3, Tennessee led the NFL with 44 players acquired through the draft or college free agency.
The Titans, of course, are expected to struggle this year. Washington, another needy franchise, was last in the league with 22 such players.
The Broncos have 33 players from the draft of college free agency on their roster, including Ian Gold and Keith Burns, who came back to the team after a year away. Denver is tied for 17th in such players in the 32-team league.
But the Broncos lead the NFL with original draft picks or college free agents who have been on the roster since 2000, with eight.
“We look at the draft as a chance to build our team, but we also look at the other avenues,” Denver general manager Ted Sundquist said. “We think 33 is a respectable number. But again, we want to take advantage of all possibilities of building a team.”
A Jones for talent
* Jacksonville: The early word around the Jaguars’ camp is quarterback-turned-rookie receiver Matt Jones is making great strides. Jones was the No. 21 overall player selected based on his potential and a great performance at the NFL combine.
The transition from quarterback at Arkansas to NFL receiver is a tough task. So far, Jones, whom the Broncos coveted, has shown he can make an impact as early as this season. He is taking to the playbook and running professional routes. At 6-feet-6 and with 4.4 speed, Jones could become a terror sooner than expected.
Quick turnaround
* Miami: The Broncos weren’t the only ones surprised by their 34-10 throttling at the hands of the Dolphins. So were many in the Miami organization.
The Dolphins entered the season thinking it would be hard to win because of a lack of talent. They were thin during training camp and were making inquires around the league at nearly every position. On the first day after the 53-man rosters were set, Miami claimed four players.
The general thought inside the organization was that it was going to be a long season, with the only saving grace the coaching staff headed by Nick Saban. The prevailing thought was Saban and his staff could find a way to win six or seven games. After the victory over Denver, Miami even harbors playoff hopes.
Linehan prime candidate
* Minnesota: The rumors the past week about current Miami offensive coordinator Scott Linehan returning to Minnesota make sense.
Sure, a lot has to happen for Minnesota coach Mike Tice to get fired and Linehan to become head coach there. But Tice will be on the hot seat if the Vikings flounder again this year.
The fire is stoked after the Vikings’ promising season started off with a 24-13 home loss to Tampa Bay. If the Vikings – who blew fast starts the past two years – don’t make the playoffs, Tice’s contract likely will not be extended. This is the fourth and final year of the deal.
Linehan would be a perfect fit. He left Minnesota in January after three years as the offensive coordinator and got a raise to work for Saban. The Vikings’ administration loved Linehan, who has a close relationship with quarterback Daunte Culpepper. The classy Linehan likely will be a hot head coaching candidate in the winter anyway.
Brady: bunch of numbers
* New England: Quarterback Tom Brady is about to reach two milestones that might silence anyone who doesn’t give him enough credit for winning three Super Bowls in four years.
The heart and soul of the Patriots could earn his 50th career win and throw his 100th career touchdown Sunday at Carolina.
Saints able to relax
* New Orleans: While the season never will be normal for the Saints, things are starting to settle down.
The team is more relaxed now that it knows it will practice in San Antonio and play its final seven home games in either San Antonio or Baton Rouge, La. Some front office employees’ families are returning to their homes in the outlying areas of New Orleans.
With the shock of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina wearing off and the emotion from the upset victory at Carolina last week, the Saints feel like they have gotten their lives under control and are prepared to make a playoff run.
Pennington’s problems
* New York Jets: Until last Sunday, the biggest question about Jets quarterback Chad Pennington was whether he could unload the ball. Now, the burning question is whether Pennington can hold onto the ball.
Pennington fumbled six times in a loss at Kansas City last week. Pennington had only five fumbles all last season. Nothing stops a drive like a quarterback who handles the football like a hot potato. Now Jets fans are worried about Pennington’s weak arm and his butterfingers.
Owens lacks friends
* San Francisco: Usually when opposing players take verbal shots at a star, his teammates take umbrage. But don’t expect 49ers linebacker Derek Smith to have his head on a swivel at Philadelphia today.
Monday, Smith told a Bay Area paper he would like to get a good hit on Terrell Owens, a former 49ers teammate. Smith also said the 49ers are better off without Owens.
Smith’s words didn’t exactly start a firestorm in the Eagles’ locker room. It seems the Eagles feel the same way.
Smith’s comments show a certain feistiness that has been missing in San Francisco. Coupled with a victory over St. Louis in Mike Nolan’s head coaching debut, Smith’s boasts show this team is starting to feel pretty good about itself.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 393-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
