Even speaking of him past tense.

Honestly, I thought he had a month or so. I like that John Elway and company gave him plenty of time to find a new gig.

Also in the last post, I advised the next peek was a specific corps for the 2013 Denver Broncos every bit as vital as running backs…in my opinion anyway

So as promised, the approach towards training camp sees us focusing on the tight end position

Last season saw the addition of Peyton Manning’s old Indianapolis teammate Jacob Tamme, alongside the first player ever to score a touchdown  - at any level of competition – within Sports Authority Field at Mile High (then Invesco Field at Mile High), former Colorado state Ram Joel Dreessen.

Both were clearly, along with old friend and fellow former Colt Brandon Stokley, intended to open the middle of the field for a still-recovering Manning while he got his proverbial “groove back.”

Holdovers Julius Thomas and Virgil Green were not factors for most of the season statistically. Thomas played in four games, amassing no statistics of any kind after being injured most of training camp and the season.

Green was suspended for the first four games of 2012 due to an AD/HD ingestion without proper league office notification. Or real need for the medication in all likelihood. He then went on to catch a mere 5 passes for a respectable 63 yards. His line does not tell the story of his value. We’ll get to that.

This offseason’s free agent frenzy impacted this group in a massive way. The addition of Wes Welker – and subsequent departure of Stokley – means Tamme is no longer the top seam target for Manning. Considering his blocking in the run game and on blitz chip would make Shannon Sharpe’s playing day efforts look like Daniel Graham’s? Again…we’ll get to that.

So then, let’s get to all of that.

Once again, by NFL regular season game experience.

Lucas Reed –  New Mexico (2013 - Undrafted rookie)

The younger brother of Houston Texans’ Outside ‘backer Brooks Reed, Lucas has seen what hard work brings from within his own family. The kid has the measurables at 6’6″ and 250. He has some speed for his size, running an impressive 4.77 40 yard dash at his pro day. So why did he go undrafted?  His catches dropped off each year from sophomore (33) to junior (22), then plummeted from junior to senior when he caught a mere 5. For the season. The statistical crater is largely not his fault, with New Mexico switching to the ‘triple threat’ offense, and the receiving aspect of his game becoming all but a distant memory. The proverbial nail in his draft day coffin in terms of his free-fall to rookie free agen was a poor showing at the Shrine Game. There he was seen multiple times being corrected by coaches having to “correct him several times on his route-running” and as lacking greatly as a blocker. Project player, with a great frame for the red zone and some speed. Practice squad bound.

Julius Thomas –  Portland State – (3rd year, 4th Round pick)

Thomas is a product of the “Antonio Gates effect.” Former college basketball player that shows great potential to translate into an exceptional mismatch at tight end on the football field. Great in theory. Tried many times. Sadly, most players cannot grasp the game, or injuries take hold. For Thomas, it is definitely the injury bug. The image above is from his only NFL catch in 2011. Five yards, one injured ankle. Done for the season. Finally healthy, Thomas is looking primed for a major contributorship and could very well force one of last year’s additions (when coupled with Welker’s arrival) out the door by camp’s end. For a player with 9 games on a two year NFL resume, he is getting some heavy buzz. Having watched him in person the last two camps – when healthy – he has the speed, hands and ability to outjump defenders and go get the ball at its highest point. Perhaps most intriguing in terms of his impact early in the season? There is virtually no tape on this kid for opposing teams to study. He might stun a great many this season. If healthy.

Virgil Green – Nevada (3rd year, 7th Round pick)

Virgil Green is an easy player to sum up. He is a road grater, in a receiving tight end’s body. He has excellent blocking skills, but can catch when asked to. He is a player with 8 catches for 87 yards and no scores in two seasons thus far, but that does not relay his importance. The first game he was eligible to return to the active roster in 2012 after his – ahem – AD/HD medication mix-up? He was in on multiple series and in multiple packages. Short yardage especially, but also as the tight end staying on the line to help pass protect. It can be argued that he is, right now, their most valuable tight end due to his blocking skills. His run blocking opens up Peyton’s passing, while his chips and outright double-teams keep Peyton upright. Lock for the team, and one of few who could be labeled “essential” for this squad this season.

Jacob Tamme –  Kentucky (6th year, Signed as a FA 2012)

Jacob was the lone former Colt of the ‘big names’ that were free agents to follow Manning to Denver. Addai headed for New England (to a bad end – cut before the season), Jeff Saturday headed to Green Bay (to an embarrassing end – benched in December) and Reggie Wayne stayed and prospered with some kid, last name of ‘Luck.’  His 52 catches led all Denver tight ends, as did his 555 yards. He moved the sticks, but found the goal line only twice. That is not a knock, as he was the seam/slot/inside ‘hot read’  for Manning. He was a safety blanket for short pick-ups and quick releases towards a blitzer’s side. In many ways, it was superior to his 2010 season with Manning where he caught 67 passes for 637 yards and four scores. As mentioned above, I say this as 29 of his catches (well over half the time he caught the ball) were for first downs. Here’s the downer. He has the build of a large wide receiver. Denver has plenty of those. Denver has the best slot/seam/inside ‘hot read’ guy in the business now. Denver has a developing young tight end who is a physical freak…when healthy. I can see him playing second fiddle to another tight end again in 2014. It will likely be in another city sadly.

Joel Dreessen –  Colorado State (8th year, Signed as a FA 2012)

Joel Dreessen was welcomed home in a big way. The Fort Morgan product who made his way to the NFL via Fort Collins and Colorado State turned a 6 touchdown season with the Texans in 2011 into a nice contract back home in Denver in 2012. He was part of a very good tight end tandem for Manning and the offense, amassing 41 catches for 356 yards and 5 scores. On a team with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme? A definite worthwhile investment. He too was a chain mover as 19 first down catches were found in his 41 total…almost half. He is a bit better blocker due to his diligent work there to simply stay in the league. He had to polish his whole game as he entered the league with the Jets in 2005, was out of football in 2006 before catching on with the Texans from 2007-2011. He is noVirgil Green, but he is markedly better than Tamme. He stays as the compliment to Thomas….if Thomas stays healthy.

So, once again, there it is.

I see yet another rough departure in Tamme. It is not really his fault, the Broncos need to run more, and have a different and far superior way to attack the middle of the field with a future Hall of Famer in Welker.

Risking redundancy, I say that if Thomas is healthy, opponents won’t see him coming and he could be a monster in the middle and red zone.

Summarizing all of the above, the chart (which does not indicate percentage of plays or catches expected, simply predicted official depth chart) reads:

TE

1. Joel Dreessen
2. Julius Thomas
3. Virgil Green

Join me next time as we take a look at…well there are a couple of choices. I would hate to ruin the surprise. Or lose the readership if the position happens to be of no consequence to you.

Like what you read? Let me know on Twitter (@fuschumang). Hate it? See the directions for ‘Like it.’

I begin, where fewer and fewer series begin in any given NFL game…the running game.

In a very real way, the Broncos’ ability to provide a running game to allow Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker and whatever three or four players comprise the group of tight ends (more on that another time) to dissect a never fully set and swapped lineup of defenders will depend on how the running backs produce.

I am not one to examine the Baltimore debacle any further. That said, I know I am not the only one who thinks if there were a strong – not adequate – running game that Denver never goes past 60 minutes and the title game is hosted 5280…and so on. Hillman was good. Trophies are hoisted by those who are not just ‘good’. They either are great, or are ‘ascending to greatness’ in the big games.

‘Good’ wasn’t enough.

Enough of the set up, let’s dive in by order of…oh, what the Hell, NFL regular season experience.

C.J. Anderson –  California (2013 - Undrafted rookie)

The young man certainly brings the attitude that  Elway and Co. are looking for at the position. At a listed 5’8″ and 224 pounds, he physically evokes ‘MJD’ or Ray Rice comparisons. By visage alone mind you. He had only three 100 yard performances at Cal (all during his senior season) after playing at Laney college as a freshman and sophomore, where he averaged a whopping 7.4 yards per carry. During his time at Cal, that dropped to a still very impressive 5.73 yards per carry, while averaging just under 600 yards per season over his junior and senior campaigns. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, with a career-long 74 yard TD catch and run to his credit. That he also played some special teams will likely be his most vital stat, because that is where his chance is – if any – to make the roster. Look for him to fill a spot on an NFL practice squad if healthy.

Montee Ball-  Wisconsin (2013 – Rookie, 2nd Round pick)

A decorated player in terms of all-time college greats at the running back position in Division I ball, Montee Ball arrives in Denver with aspirations as high (ha!) as the city he now plays for. And then some. Idolizing Bronco great Terrell Davis, Ball fashioned his game after the 1998 league M.V. P. and did well by doing so. In 2011, Ball tied the NCAA single season record for most touchdowns in a season with 39, and set the marks for most consecutive games with two or more touchdowns with 13 and most points scored (by a non-kicker) with 236. Career marks in the NCAA record books? Total touchdowns (83), with 77 of them coming on the ground. He is not a blazer, recording a 4.66 time in the 40-yard dash, but backs need not have amazing straight-line speed to be effective in the modern NFL. In fact, his time was very similar to Davis’ own 4.7 time coming out of Georgia in 1995, and we all remember him doing ok as a “slow back.” The very valid questions come from overuse. With 924 career carries (a hefty 231 carries per season average), early wear and tear are likely inevitable. That kind of use might bring on a somewhat really solid “rookie wall” for Mr. Ball. That said, he is already receiving high praise, so there is hope. His love for the franchise (donning Mike Anderson’s ’38′) makes him easy to root for. He is the early favorite for the “1a” position in this (largely) by committee Broncos running attack.

Jeremiah Johnson- Oregon (5th year, Signed as FA 2010)

Johnson finds his place on this list as he has been largely a practice squad player (4 years of experience but only one of them seeing regular season active status) for the Texans, Redskins, Panthers and Broncos. His one season with valid statistics came in 2011 when he had 14 carries for 77 yards. An impressive average, but too little a sample. He has no practice squad eligibility left and is too small, lacks vision to hit lanes that are open for micro-seconds and is tackled with a nudge. Barring injury? He is a training camp body. That said, how many players who have done less can say they once sat above Arian Foster on the Houston Texans’ depth chart? Not a bad memory for this fine young man.

Lance Ball-  Maryland (6th year, Signed as a FA 2009)

Lance Ball is the type of player every team needs. Not the most talented. Not the biggest, nor the fastest. That said, few players wanted a position on this team more since arriving as a practice squad player in the fall of 2009. Largely counted out each training camp since since, his drive and intense studying of his craft has found him on the active roster each year since 2010. At points last season, he was the designated pass protector for Peyton Manning with both Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee hurt, and Hillman not yet trusted. For a fringe back aging rapidly despite little use with a salary of $1.3 million for the 2013 season? I say keep him for his surprising pass protection, attention to detail (think Manning loves a playbook worm?) and knowledge of Manning’s reads. If Knowshon bounces back, and can stay healthy? Irrespective of how it turns out, as someone who consistently doubted him, I’d like to say it has been a pleasure to watch such a warrior earn his keep here in Denver.

Ronnie Hillman-  San Diego State (2nd year, 3rd Round pick)

Even with one additional year of seniority over both Montee Ball and C.J. Anderson, he is still the youngest back in the stable as 21 years of age. He is 15 pounds more solid than his lowest playing weight of 175 during the 2012 season, and has garnered praise from the coaching staff for his efforts to better his physicality (translation: ability to protect Manning) in the Broncos’ system. Yes his workmanlike 22 carries for 83 yards against the eventual Super Bowl champs was impressive, especially at 180 pounds or so, but he was selected to be a game breaker. 3.8 per carry is not that. I chalk that up to age, and lack of understanding of NFL requirements for body care. He seems to have corrected the latter. Still, it is hard to see him as much more than a change of pace and outlet receiver in this 21st century version of the “Run’n'shoot/Greatest Show on Turf” hybridization that is rumored to be hustling up and down the fields this winter. He makes the roster, easy, as the second back.

Jacob Hester –  LSU (6th year, Signed as a FA 2012 )

Hester’s situation is a simple one. His versatility (the quickness and size to allow him to play both tailback and fullback) was what brought him to town, yes. Still, he has shown that he possesses the ability to run with authority, as seen against K.C. in 2012 in the game that sealed Denver’s number 1 seeding heading into the playoffs. He averaged almost 8 yards per carry that day. Yes, it was K. C. , but the old saying need not be spewed about who gets paid to play in any NFL game . The biggest factor that will keep him on this roster? Protecting Manning. He is the best among the options to do so in predictable blitz situations. He stays with ‘FB’ next to his name.

Knowshon Moreno-  Georgia (5th year, 1st Round pick)

The story with Knowshon Moreno is very simple to me. Even if we include the last segment of 2012. He is glass-like (injury prone), entitled (only worked when deactivated and humiliated and saw his career vanishing) and is frequently (seemingly) tackled by the passing air of a defender whispering his name. The frustration with this young man? See the picture above. He has the ability to do some amazing things. After his return to the active lineup last season, he saved the running game. He was a workhorse with multiple 100 yard performances. That said, he still averaged below 4 yards per carry, and this offseason is missing OTA’s due to yet another surgery. 2012 was admirable, and will serve him well in finishing his career. Wherever that ends up being.

Willis McGahee-  Miami (11th year,  Signed as a FA 2011)

For a player who came into the league in 2003 after suffering tears of the ACL, PCL and MCL in the Fiesta Bowl that same January, he has stuck around longer than a great many expected. A career rejuvenation in Baltimore from 2007-2010 landed him in Denver in 2011 for, well, another career rejuvenation. Sadly, like Moreno, he too seemingly has an ever-present cloud over him labeled “injury” that strikes him as he starts to get rolling. With just over 700 yards and four touchdowns 10 games into the 2012 season, he suffered what would be a season ending MCL tear to go with a compression fracture of his right knee. With him averaging less than 182 carries a season over the last six years (four as a starter) he is a back that needs a complimentary back to ensure success. Throw in a growing tendency to put the ball on the ground and his window to continue his career is teetering on slamming closed. At soon to be 32 years of age and a generous $1 million salary for 2013? His best hope is to stay in shape, and be ready if Denver needs a back that already knows the system due to injury during the season. I personally believe he sees the same thing with his recent decision to skip OTA’s. Yes, I know University of Miami players do this all the time. This Broncos organization moves on to what they can see, not what they have seen before injury. They are laser focused on a championship, and McGahee would have been here if he thought he had a real shot at being a part of that from day one.

So there it is.

A couple of rough cuts with some potential returns if injuries show the need to call upon them. Frankly, McGahee is completely done in my opinion. He is Terry Allen at this point, but with too much overriding ego. Too old and too fragile, but too lost in himself to understand the situation.

Even if an injury besets one of the above, I think the Broncos look elsewhere. In terms of regular season snaps? Knowshon has a far better chance of ever donning the Orange & Blue again.

The fact that that is a longshot should tell you something.

For my money the chart reads:

RB

1. Montee Ball
2. Ronnie Hillman
3. Lance Ball

FB

1. Jacob Hester

Next time kiddies? The foreshadowed tight ends will be in focus. Thanks for the read.

Like it? Let me know on Twitter (@fuschumang). Hate it? See the directions for ‘Like it.’

John Elway, the Broncos’ senior vice president of football operations confirmed to the Denver Post on Friday that the Broncos will tag Clady.

Ryan Clady - Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

“We’re going to tag him,” said John Elway.

Elwat then added he would like to get a long term deal worked out.

“We’d like to work something out, like we did last year,” Elway said, referring to contract negotiations with Clady that broke off before training camp. “Things have changed a little bit because he’s coming off a shoulder surgery. But we like Ryan. We like him a lot as a player and we’d like to get something done.”

Clady injured his right shoulder late in 2012 and needed surgery after the Broncos’ divisional round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro, he hasn’t missed an NFL game in five seasons.

He allowed only one sack of quarterback Peyton Manning in the regular season.

Clady’s projected salary under the franchise tag for next season would be $9.66 million, a jump up from the $3.5 million he made in 2012.

Broncos Country can breath a sigh of relief, the biggest priority of the offseason will be taken care of.

Reid Brignac

The Colorado Rockies acquired infielder Reid Brignac today from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations and a player to be named later. Making room, the Rockies placed left-handed pitcher Edwar Cabrera on the 60-day disabled list with a left shoulder impingement.

Brignac was originally drafted in the second round of the 2004 draft. He is a career .227 hitter with a .586 OPS in 256 games at the major league level. The Rays designated him for assignment on Feb. 5.

The former top 50 prospect is excited for a fresh start with the Rockies.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and play for the Rockies,” Brignac said.

With Troy Tulowitzki firmly at shortstop in Colorado, it seems Brignac will compete as a utility infielder with the Rockies.

Derius Swinton

Swinton is entering his fifth NFL season, he spent the 2012 campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs as their special teams quality control coach. Before that he was with the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11 as quality control/special teams coach.

While with the Chiefs, Swinton worked with punter Dustin Colquitt, who made his first Pro Bowl appearance after leading the NFL with more than 54 percent of his punts being downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

He’ll have his Dustin’s brother Britton Colquitt to work with in Denver.

During his tenure with the Rams, Swinton’s special teams unit ranked third in the NFL with a 39.3-yard net punting average and fourth in the league with an 11.0-yard punt returns average during that time.

Swinton played free safety at Hampton University from 2003-06, then began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee from 2007-08.

Derius has the look of a good up and coming coach, and this looks to be a good hiring for the Broncos.

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Larry Eustachy (Credits: AP)

The Colorado State men’s basketball team is nationally ranked for the first time since 1954, breaking in at No. 24 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll.

CSU (19-4, 5-2 Mountain West) received 125 votes in the poll, 38 ahead of No. 25 Kentucky (17-6), the defending national champions. The Rams are also ranked No. 24 in this week’s USA Today Coaches poll.

The national attention is good for the Rams, but coach Larry Eustachy doesn’t want to let his team lose focus.

“That’s great for our guys. Obviously, coaches downplay it. It does not mean a lot because as hard as it is to get there, it can easily slip away. But it’s neat for our players and neat for our program,” Eustachy said. “It’s exciting news, but we still have to play a difficult game Wednesday (San Diego State) and on Saturday (at Air Force).”

The Rams are second in the Mountain West Conference and will play first place San Diego State (18-5, 6-3) at home on Wednesday. The team will look to extend a program-record 26-game home win streak.

The Associated Press Poll

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 10

1. Indiana (26) 21-3 1,559

2. Duke (20) 21-2 1,515

3. Miami (17) 19-3 1,499

4. Michigan 21-3 1,428

5. Gonzaga (2) 23-2 1,371

6. Syracuse 20-3 1,293

7. Florida 19-3 1,286

8. Michigan St. 20-4 1,178

9. Arizona 20-3 1,062

10. Kansas St. 19-4 1,012

11. Butler 20-4 943

12. Louisville 19-5 842

13. Ohio St. 17-6 828

14. Kansas 19-4 823

15. Georgetown 17-4 679

16. Pittsburgh 20-5 591

17. Oklahoma St. 17-5 587

18. Marquette 17-5 493

19. New Mexico 20-4 433

20. Wisconsin 17-7 305

21. Notre Dame 19-5 264

22. Memphis 20-3 193

23. Oregon 19-5 137

24. Colorado St. 19-4 125

25. Kentucky 17-6 87

Others receiving votes: Minnesota 80, Missouri 69, Cincinnati 68, Saint Mary’s (Cal) 62, Creighton 56, San Diego St. 53, Louisiana Tech 43, VCU 35, Saint Louis 34, Illinois 26, NC State 24, Akron 12, UCLA 8, UNLV 6, Indiana St. 5, Virginia 4, Wichita St. 3, Belmont 2, Mississippi 1, Oklahoma 1.

Kenneth Faried

The Western Conference will be represented by the 2012 Sprite Slam Dunk champion Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz along with the Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe and Denver Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried. The Eastern Conference lineup will include the Indiana Pacers’ Gerald Green, Toronto Raptors’ Terrence Ross and New York Knicks’ James White.

The 2013 Sprite Slam Dunk contest will consist of the three Eastern Conference players competing against the three from the Western Conference in a two-round competition. The highest scoring East competitor and the highest scoring West competitor from the Team Round will compete head-to-head to determine the champion. Fan voting will open at the beginning of the Championship Round and the player with the highest percentage of combined votes from all platforms will be champion.

Evans won the 2012 Sprite Slam Dunk contest, defeating Houston’s Chase Budinger and Indiana’s Paul George in a tight race that included over 4 million fan votes to decide the champion.

Faried has also been named to the roster for the Rising Stars Challenge, which features nine rookies against nine second-year players.

The Buffaloes and Huskers will reunite for a four-game series from 2018 through 2024, with the first meeting in Lincoln on Sept. 8, 2018; CU will host the following year (Sept. 7, 2019). Then after a three-year break, Colorado will play host to the Huskers on Sept. 9, 2023, with Nebraska the home team the next year (Sept. 7, 2024).

CU and Nebraska have played each other 69 times, with the Huskers holding a 49-18-2 edge in that series.

Hopefully Mike MacIntyre will have things changed around for the Buffaloes by the time this series rolls around. The Buffs have some catching up to do if they want to make this a rivalry with the Huskers.

Nick Stevens
6-3, 190, Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta)

Nick Stevens

RUNNING BACK

Kapri Bibbs
5-11, 203, Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield North/Snow College)

Bryce Peters
5-11, 205, Houston (Cypress Falls)

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Martavius Foster
6-3, 260, Starkville, Miss. (Starkville/East Mississippi CC)

Rashard Higgins
6-2, 180, Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite)

Brett Jordan
6-5, 265, Houston (Bellaire)

Sammie Long
6-3, 180, Lakewood, Wash. (Lakes)

Elroy Masters
6-2, 208, Peoria, Ariz. (Sunrise Mountain)

Trae Moxley
6-5, 270, Carbondale (Roaring Fork)

Xavier Williams
6-4, 205, San Diego (Cathedral Catholic)

OFFENSIVE LINE

Jake Bennett
6-3, 265, Lakewood (Bear Creek)

Zack Golditch
6-6, 260, Aurora (Gateway)

Blake Nowland
6-6, 309, Castle Rock (Douglas County)

DEFENSIVE LINE

Austin Berk
6-5, 225, Grand Junction (Grand Junction)

Terry Jackson
6-1, 260, Owasso, Okla. (Owasso/Coffeyville CC)

LaRyan King
6-1, 280, Vacaville, Calif. (Vacaville/City College of San Francisco)

Josh Lovingood
6-4, 250, Fresno, Calif. (Clovis North)

Adrian Robinson
6-5, 232, Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian)

LINEBACKERS

Deonte Clyburn
6-1, 217, Louisville, Ky. (Saint Xavier)

Evan Colorito
6-4, 230, Beaverton, Ore. (Beaverton)

Kiel Robinson
6-2, 205, San Marcos, Calif. (Mission Hills)

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Jake Schlager
6-0, 195, McCook, Neb. (McCook)

Tyree Simmons
5-11, 170, Gardena, Calif. (Gardena)

Justin Sweet
5-10, 181, Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman)