The combine, I always thought, was a machine used in harvesting corn, wheat and other grains.
Evidently, I couldn’t pass the Wonderlic Personnel Test.
But neither could Vince Young, and how did that work out for the quarterback? Young reportedly got only six of 50 questions correct on the Wonderlic test, which is given by NFL teams to college players to grade their aptitude. (I had to look up how to spell “aptitude.”)
All Young did was be rookie of the year this past season.
Rating of players in the draft is an imprecise science.
In 1988 the Broncos picked Syracuse’s Ted Gregory No. 1. He was supposed to be 6-feet-1. When the nose tackle showed up the next day in Denver, coach Dan Reeves, also 6-1, shook hands with Gregory and looked down at him. Gregory’s 5-11 frame was traded to New
Orleans for another first-round bust. Gregory lasted one season.
Rod Smith was not drafted by any NFL team in 1994. The receiver will receive Hall of Fame attention.
The NFL combine, which begins in Indianapolis today, will let teams see how fast players are, how much weight they can lift and how well they interview. Maybe the combine would be better served as a tryout camp for potential members of the United States Olympic track and weight-lifting teams and game show participants.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan doesn’t put much emphasis on the combine results. Well, he shouldn’t.
Players play.
The Broncos traded up to get Jay Cutler in the draft last season because of how he played at Vanderbilt and in the Senior Bowl, not because he could throw footballs through a tire at the combine.
We still don’t know why, though, the Broncos selected George Foster in the first round in 2003. George has not been Gorgeous. None of the draft picks from 1995-98 is around anymore, and Foster is the only one from 2003.
On the positive side, 12 of the Broncos’ draft choices in 2005 and 2006 made the roster or the practice squad.
The combine generally is for young fellows who want to move up from early in the fourth round to late in the third round. Lot of wasted time and attention for that.
Despite Brady Quinn’s intention to become the first player to go in the draft, the Notre Dame quarterback will be fortunate if he doesn’t become the updated version of Matt Leinart.
What’s more important to us, who already have a quarterback to watch for many seasons, is what the Broncos get from Houston for Jake Plummer and Tatum Bell and what the Broncos get in the draft and what the Broncos get in the free-agent market.
And what’s more important to them is one wide receiver, one offensive tackle, one guard, one running back, one backup quarterback, one tight end, one punter, one punt returner, one defensive end, one linebacker, one cornerback and one safety. Did I leave out any position?
Cutler and rookie tight end Tony Scheffler, roommates in training camp, developed into a dynamic duo by season’s end, but the Broncos must have a veteran behind Cutler (other than Plummer, who deserves to go, and has to) and another veteran tight end who is not Mustard or Mayo.
With Smith slowing, the Broncos will have to find someone to take the pressure off Javon Walker, and they have to make a move at running back and in the offensive line. The best person they could hire to provide help in both areas is Alex Gibbs (despite being too old to run or block).
Again, they must put additional pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the defensive line; they require insurance at linebacker; and the Broncos will have to replace the late Darrent Williams.
A punter in Denver should average 43 yards minimum. Paul Ernster averaged 41.7.
And a special punt returner must be acquired as a successor to Williams.
The Broncos and Shanahan can’t evaporate again – especially with a rather receptive schedule. Although they play both Super Bowl teams on the road, the Broncos also travel outside the division to Houston (Plummer, Bell and Gary Kubiak?), Detroit and Buffalo. At home, besides the usual suspects (Kansas City, Oakland and Marty-less Ball), the Broncos play Jacksonville, Tennessee, Green Bay, Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
If they take care of all the wants and wishes and Wonderlic winners, the Broncos’ record in 2007 – here’s your first prediction – will be 12-4 (8-0 at home and 4-4 on the road).
Next season will come a harvest. Get the combine ready for some serious threshing.
Staff writer Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com.
