If you are an NFL draft prospect with an invitation to visit the Broncos in the next month, don’t bother trying to sneak in some house-hunting while you’re in town. Odds are you will not be living in Denver any time soon.
Last week at the NFL owners’ meetings, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said the team usually steers clear of players they truly covet before the draft. Last April quarterback Jay Cutler was shocked Denver traded up to take him at No. 11. He never talked to the Broncos before the draft. That’s how Denver operates, Jay.
Shanahan said that in 1996, when the team took linebacker John Mobley at No. 15, it shied away from visiting with him.
“Jimmy Johnson wanted him,” Shanahan said of the former Dallas coach. “If the Cowboys knew we liked John, Jimmy would have traded up.”
Shanahan said the only time it is necessary to zone in on players before the draft is when you have a top-10 pick. Shanahan reasons that every team is looking at everybody in that situation.
In March, it appeared the Broncos might be in that situation when they were talking to the Lions about their No. 2 pick. The Broncos still could make that move, but it is more likely Denver will make a more modest jump up the draft board from No. 21.
Breaking bread with Jake
The Buccaneers are trying to talk Jake Plummer into meeting with coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen. Plummer’s rights belong to the Bucs via a trade from Denver. Gruden said he wants to meet Plummer for dinner.
Tampa Bay desperately wants Plummer to scrap his plans to retire and show up for training camp. Privately, there are many in the league who think Plummer will show up.
“He is clear in his intent,” Gruden said. “But I want him to change his mind.”
If Plummer reports to Tampa Bay before the April 28-29 draft, the Bucs would owe Denver a fourth-round pick this year. If Plummer reports after the draft but before the 2008 draft, Denver would get a fourth-rounder that year. If Plummer doesn’t report by then, Denver will get a seventh-rounder in 2008.
If Plummer sticks to his plan to retire, it is Tampa Bay, not Denver, that can pursue $7 million in bonus money from Plummer. That is a primary reason the Buccaneers are confident Plummer will show up to camp.
Appeasing the masses
The NFL isn’t overly concerned with the overall climate of player conduct, but is concerned the media are focusing on it.
So, the new personal-conduct policy, which commissioner Roger Goodell likely will unveil before the draft, will be centered on ridding the league of the most serious offenders and not going overboard with players arrested for minor offenses. Don’t be surprised if Tennessee’s Adam “Pacman” Jones and Cincinnati’s Chris Henry get long suspensions. That would appease the masses and deflect criticism that the league isn’t doing enough.
Zone blocking mania
Add Oakland and Carolina to a growing list of teams that are adopting the Broncos’ zone blocking scheme. Raiders owner Al Davis was reluctant to use the hated Broncos’ run-game scheme, but has relented because of the Raiders’ personnel. Raiders running backs LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes fit the system.
Several other teams are using the system Denver has used successfully. The trend won’t hurt Denver. It means there will be more offensive linemen and running backs available around the league that know the system, deepening the pool of available players come cut-down time.
Around the league
Davis said LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell reminds him of John Elway. The Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the draft and Russell is the favorite to end up in silver and black. … The Broncos are looking at two Notre Dame players in the draft – tackle Ryan Harris and running back Darius Walker, who could be early- to mid-round options. … Gruden now has competition on who will be turning on the lights at Bucs’ facility every morning. Gruden is renowned for arriving to work in the dark, but so is new assistant head coach Larry Coyer. The former Denver defensive coordinator spends about 18 hours a day at the office. Gruden this week called Coyer a maniac. … There has been speculation Denver will trade for Miami middle linebacker Zach Thomas. While anything is possible, especially with the ultra-aggressive Broncos, don’t expect it. Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson remains likely to be traded or released if a pay cut is not negotiated, but a more likely replacement for Wilson is former Atlanta middle linebacker Ed Hartwell. He is a former standout who is trying to resurrect his career after an injury-plagued season.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
