FSUPatsFan

Just heard on Cold Pizza that on draft day, the Broncos and the Lions had a deal worked out to send Joey Harrington to the Broncos. However, the Broncos and Harrington couldn't come to terms on a contract. If the deal had gone through, the Broncos would not have moved up to pick Cutler. Instead, they would have snatched Maroney at 15. This makes me feel even better about the Maroney back considering the Broncos were high on him and their history with finding good running backs.

If the Broncos had snatched Maroney, I wonder what the Pats would have done. Would they have gotten Chad Jackson at 21 instead? Of course, everything else would have fallen differently too. Maybe Bobby Carpenter is still available.

Alk

The Broncos really don't have a history of drafting good RBs. Clinton Portis was the exception. The rest of them were a product of that ridiculous Denver O-line.

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Brady-To-Branch

That theory will be put to the test in 2006. Here's my take on the famed Denver System...

• Terrell Davis would have been a star RB on any team. He was a great sleeper pick in the 6th round of the 1995 draft.
• Olandis Gary was a one-year wonder (1999). His career was cut short by knee injuries.
• Mike Anderson had his first 1,000-yard season since 2000. He's now with the Ravens.
• Tatum Bell has durability issues.
• Unlike Gary and Anderson, Ron Dayne didn't begin his career with the Broncos. He was a multi-year bust for the Giants ("No-Gain Dayne") and is the perfect lab specimen for testing the Denver System Theory.
• Rueben Droughns, a refugee from the hapless Lions, rushed for over 1,200 yards for the Broncos in 2004. He also rushed for over 1,200 yards for the lowly Browns in 2005.

That they were considering Maroney speaks volumes. IMO, Shanny fell in love with Cutler and had to have him when he was still on the board at #11. That and Shanny knew he wasn't winning a SBC with Plummer. Personally, I think the Broncos slit their own collective throat for 2006 with this draft. Moreover, they still haven't replaced Trevor Pryce at DE.

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2001 2003 2004

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BelichickFan

I agree - talk about his system, OL, RB, whatever, the fact is that Shanahan knows his *****. Is he perfect ? Of course not. But if he and Belichick really like a guy then there is something serious there to like because those two are the most knowledgeable HC in the NFL IMO.

Alk

Belichick hasn't exactly had a great track record as far as drafting RBs though. That being said, I do think Maroney is going to be a great back but that's only because I think so not because Tranny and Belichick like him.

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BelichickFan

He's never tried. The earliest he's taken one with the Patriots was Cobbs in the 4th round. Sure he took Vardell in the first in Cleveland but he was a FB back at a time when FB actually went in the first round sometimes. This is like saying Belichick did poorly with TE based on the mid to late round TE he drafted. But then he darfted real talents like Watson and Graham and things look better now.

Alk

So again if anything, there should be no real reason to assume that Belichick is capable of drafting a good RB in the first round until Maroney lights it up which I think he will.

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BelichickFan

That's kind of backwards thinking but I can't argue against the negative so I guess we'll both just be happy and not surprised when Maroney kicks butt

Brady-To-Branch

Not to be wise, but JR Redmond, 3rd round, 2000.

To clarify, if Shanny was strongly considering Maroney, it means he's not sold on his current group of backs. Don't be surprised of Shanny tries to pull a trade for a RB this summer.

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2001 2003 2004

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BelichickFan

True, same point though.