Broncos' Draft

So there isn't much time to get your responses, but I was wondering what you want the Broncos to do in the draft tomorrow? What needs should they fill? Should they trade up? Trade down? If you are reading this after the draft, share your thoughts on how the draft went.

I think the Broncos will have a tough time matching the first few rounds of last year's draft. They traded up to obtain the future of the franchise, QB Jay Cutler, traded a second round pick to obtain Javon Walker, and also drafted potential stars in TE Tony Scheffler, WR Brandon Marshall, and DE Elvis Dumervil. Not too shabby.

The last few years, I expected the Broncos to draft a defensive end in the first round, as the Broncos pass rush has been one of their biggest weaknesses. Those folks who blamed Darrent Williams for the Colts loss last year were completely mistaken. It was our complete inability to put an ounce of pressure on Manning. If you give any NFL quarterback long enough, he will find an open receiver. You can't expect the defensive backs to maintain coverage forever. I think this is one of the most glaring needs for the Broncos.

However, with the loss of Al Wilson, the Broncos now also have a need at linebacker. I expect they will move DJ Williams over to middle linebacker, but I don't know who they will have take his spot. Ian Gold was drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 2000 draft, so maybe they can hit gold twice (sorry) in the second round. Shanahan's biggest draft successes have been linebackers (Mobley, Wilson, Williams, and Gold).

They also have needs on the offensive line and safety positions. Former starters Cooper Carlisle (free agency to Oakland) and George Foster (trade to Detroit) are no longer on the team. The safety position suffered injuries to Nick Ferguson and Sam Brandon last year, which really hurt us down the stretch, and John Lynch isn't getting any younger.

Hopefully, the Broncos can draft a player who can make an immediate impact at one of the positions I mentioned above. I think they have a good team returning and with the anticipated improvement of Cutler, I think they can make a long run in the playoffs.

SAE Helps Protect Fellow Students

I know that several of you who read this are fraternity brothers of mine. I thought you might like to know that all of the SAEs at Virginia Tech are safe. Here is an article and video about the heroic actions of Zach Petkewicz, an SAE and student at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech Tragedy

Plenty has been written and said about the killings at Virginia Tech, and anything that I add would likely feel distant and hollow. Thus, I thought I would share a couple of links to posts by a blogger who is a junior at Virgina Tech. Post 1. Post 2.

A Good Man Has Moved On

A family friend passed away last week and I just wanted to write a post about him and share this with you. Rich's step-brother, Jonathan Daniel, is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Jonathan works as a hospice counselor and was able to spend time with Rich before he passed away. Jonathan sent out this email and I have also included Rich's obituary;

I am writing to let you know that my brother, Rich, died very peacefully yesterday at dawn in his home in Delta, CO. We believe that he held on for that day since it was his twin boys' second birthday. Rich always said that the day they were born was the happiest day of his life.

I want to thank you all for your kind words, patience, and support over the last three years. It has meant a great deal to me, our family, and especially Rich. On Tuesday he said to his wife, Trenda, "Tell everyone that I love them...Their prayers have meant so much."

On Monday I asked Rich how he was feeling spiritually.
He replied, "Each day God is growing stronger in my heart. It is so neat--I never have felt so much love inside. He is helping me through the fear and as it leaves I am becoming filled with so much peace and solitude. It is awesome...God is everywhere."

Richard (“Rich”) H. Nelson III

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

Rich Nelson, 36, of Delta died peacefully on Wednesday, April 4, 2007, at his home.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Rich was one of the owners of Black Canyon Wing and Clay, where his wit and ready laugh enriched the hunting experience.

He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1989 and Fort Lewis College in 1995. He was employed as a firefighter for BLM during his college summer breaks.

He was most at home on rivers, mountains, fields and streams. Rich felt the presence of God in the great outdoors.

Survivors include his wife, Trinda Nelson, and sons, Kade and Keegan Nelson, all of Delta; a father, Rick (Hanneke) Nelson of Delta; a mother, Cheri (Jay Kee) Jacobson of Grand Junction; sisters Janay (Dave) Carlson of Westminster; Tara (Joe) Jarvis of Grand Junction, McKenna Daniel-Nelson of Craig; brothers, Jonathan Daniel of Denver, Luke (Lisa) Daniel of Denver, Trent (Julie) Jacobson of Grand Junction, Jay (Leilani) Jacobson of Palisade; grandmother, Jean Nelson of Denver; four nieces and five nephews; countless friends.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2007, at Black Canyon Wing and Clay Lodge for his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kade and Keegan Nelson Fund, c/o Bank of the West.

Big Day for the Environment

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the environment today. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court ordered EPA to consider regulation of mobile sources for greenhouse gas emissions. Massachussets and several other states and cities filed the case against the EPA. Part of the Supreme Court ruling stated, "Given EPA's failure to dispute the existence of a causal connection between man-made greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, its refusal to regulate such emissions, at a minimum, “contributes to Massachusetts’ injuries." It also stated, "The harms associated with climate change are serious and well recognized. The Government’s own objective assessment of the relevant science and a strong consensus among qualified experts indicate that global warming threatens, inter alia, a precipitate rise in sea levels, severe and irreversible changes to natural ecosystems, a significant reduction in winter snowpack with direct and important economic consequences, and increases in the spread of disease and the ferocity of weather events."

Gator Repeat

Congratulations to the University of Florida basketball team on their historic repeat as National Champions. It is nice to see a situation where young athletes make a commitment to teamwork and have it pay off. Several of the Florida players could have gone pro last year, but their loyalty and commitment to each other was strong enough to get them to turn down the cash and take a run at repeating. I also was extremely impressed with the play of Greg Oden. Yeah, to quote Jay Mohr, he looks like one of Fred Sanfords friends, but he is actually 18. I enjoyed watching him play so much, that he almost made me want to root for OSU.

Trivia for the day - OSU's athletic department annual budget $102 million. Florida's annual budget $70 million. Since these two teams finished 1 and 2 in both football and basketball, I guess it shows that if you spend the money, you get results. Florida must have spent theirs a little more wisely.