Kuper a Rising Star in Denver

Pro Football Weekly's bi-weekly 'whispers' article had the following to say about 2006 5th-rounder Chris Kuper:

We hear Chris Kuper is the front-runner to fill the Broncos’ vacancy at left tackle created by the retirement of Matt Lepsis. Kuper can play guard or tackle, started 11 games last season and has quickly worked his way up the ladder since he was drafted in 2006. His rise is impressive, considering head coach Mike Shanahan generally stocks his line with more experienced players.

It looks like Pro Football Weekly is paying a little closer attention to the facts than rival ESPN. Kuper's emergence leaves us in decent shape at the offensive tackle position with Erik Pears a capable option on the strong side and last years 3rd-rounder Ryan Harris providing depth. Finding a replacement for the concussion-prone and soon-to-be-retired Ben Hamilton is arguably a bigger need than offensive tackle on draft day. Despite these easily-discernible facts, the geniuses at ESPN have decided Denver will reach for Jeff Otah rather than Chris Williams in the first round. Go figure.

Revealing Comments from Shanahan

The Rocky Mountain News has a summary of comments made by Shanahan at his latest press conference. Among these are the following notable tidbits:

• Shanahan confirmed the free-agent acquisition Keary Colbert will line up opposite Brandon Marshall at WR. In justifying this decision, Shanahan compared Colbert to Eddie McCaffrey who, like Colbert, was left for dead by the Giants before resurrecting his career in Denver.
  
  
• Shanahan stated Chris Kuper comes into camp as the starter at left tackle rather than 2006 3rd-rounder Ryan Harris. This was unexpected given that Kuper filled in at guard last season for the injured Ben Hamilton while Erik Pears manned the right tackle position. Many (including me) expected Pears and Kuper to compete at right tackle while Harris manned the left side. Pears apparently will keep his job from last year moving Harris to 3rd on the depth chart. Ben Hamilton and Montrae Holland are the starters at guard.
  
  
• According to the Denver Post, Shanahan also defended his decision to fire Ted Sundquist. The article quotes Shanahan as saying the following:
  
  

  "With Ted, I don't make a decision like that very quickly," Shanahan said. "It was a very tough decision. But I thought it was one I needed to make because eventually it gives us the best chance to be a better football team. I don't go into any reasons why."

  
  
  Shanahan also vigorously refuted the accusation that he's fired every defensive coordinator he's ever met. In his defense, Shanahan pointed out the--despite what most seem to think--Ray Rhodes retired in 2002 for health reasons. He also points out that he gave Slowik the reigns on the defense but didn't want Bates to quit.
  
  On offense, Heimerdinger and Kubiak left to pursue different opportunities. Shanahan insightfully points out that any success in the running game is credited to Rick Dennison, in the passing game Shanahan gets the credit. From that perspective, it makes sense that a talented offensive coordinator would want to get out of Shanahan's shadow.

Based on Shanahan's comments, the likelihood of Denver going after a receiver or tackle with the 12th overall pick is seemingly small. For the rest of his comments, check out the article linked above.

It's also nice to see a columnist defend Shanahan. The press has been acrimonious ever since Sundquist was fired. Ultimately, a return to the top of the AFC in 2009 will turn all these carpers into neophytes.

Monday Morning Hodgepodge

There were several items of interest in this article in this morning's Denver Post:

• Echoing earlier sentiments posted by this blogger, Pat Bowlen is adamantly opposed to a proposed rules change which would allow wildcard teams to earn home-field advantage against a division winner.
  
  
• With Ben Hamilton fully recovered from post-concussion symptoms, 2006 3rd-round pick Chris Kuper is expected to compete at right tackle. Kuper filled in capably at guard in Hamilton's absence last season.
  
  Last years 6th pick in the 3rd round Ryan Harris is penciled in as the starter at right tackle. Many have speculated that Denver will draft a tackle with the 12th overall pick in this years draft. The best available fit for the zone-blocking scheme is Boise State's Ryan O'Clady (who's not the sharpest tool in the shed), but many feel he will be off the board with the 12th pick. There is little question that Denver needs to add depth at offensive line via the draft; however, don't expect them to address this need in the first round. If Broncos management feels that Ryan Harris is ready to play at a high level, they may just add a project player on day 2.
  
  
• Elam left town, Mare was overpaid to play in Seattle, and the sky has not fallen. In fact, I think Denver's failure to sign Mare was serendipitous. The post claims that three potential suitors have surfaced in the search for Elam's replacement: John Carney, Paul Edinger, and Justin Medlock. John Carney is old enough to remember this, so I don't think he's the long-term solution we need.
  
  Edinger--known for his "corkscrew" kicking motion in which his back faces the uprights--has been out of the league since 2005. He's got plenty of range and nailed 84% of his kicks for Chicago in 2001. A year later he hit 74% of his kicks for Minnesota, including a 56-yard game winner against Green Bay (still the longest field goal in Vikings franchise history). He was released the next season.
  
  The greatest left-footed, black kicker of all time, Justin Medlock was the top kicker taken in last year's draft. After missing a 30-yard kick against Houston in week 1, he was unceremoniously dumped by Herm Edwards (a couple of weeks after releasing Lawrence Tynes, who hit about 15 clutch kicks for the Super Bowl champions--GOOD JOB HERM!). The Rams picked him up off the wire where he is firmly embedded behind free agent acquisition Josh Brown. Denver has expressed interest in a trade for Medlock, although they are reportedly unwilling to part with a draft pick. If they can make this deal happen, Medlock would be a young, inexpensive prospect with tons of upside to push Prater in camp this season.
  

That's a wrap.