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'War room' surprisingly peaceful

Planning, a little luck take drama out of equation

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 27, 2008 at 9:17 p.m.

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Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, center, and director of player personnel Jim Goodman brainstorm over potential draft picks last April.

Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, center, and director of player personnel Jim Goodman brainstorm over potential draft picks last April.

Eddie Royal, a receiver from Virginia Tech, was taken by the Broncos in the second round with an eye on returning the ball. "We think he's going to be a real weapon," Goodman said.

Photo by Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Eddie Royal, a receiver from Virginia Tech, was taken by the Broncos in the second round with an eye on returning the ball. "We think he's going to be a real weapon," Goodman said.

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There was no wheeling and dealing, only the usual phone calls.

There was talk but not heated debate.

And the cards were filled out rather quickly on the team's various draft picks.

All things considered, the Broncos' weekend was almost, well, pedestrian.

"We feel like everybody we got, we wanted," Jim Goodman, the team's director of player personnel, said Sunday night.

Nine players in all were added to the roster, with no duplication of position. Five came on offense; four on defense.

And it was the way the weekend unfolded that was perhaps the biggest surprise.

No muss. No fuss.

"It's a lot of work, and our scouting staff and our coaching staff did a great job of putting a plan together and it worked just about to perfection," Goodman said.

Denver was operating in its "war room" for the first time under its new power structure, following the offseason exit of general manager Ted Sundquist. At the time, Goodman and his son, Jeff, the new assistant GM, were given more responsibilities on the football side.

But the essential process stayed the same.

The scouts - nine in all, including the younger Goodman, Eugene Armstrong, Anthony Kelly, Scott DiStefano, Greg Miller, Bobby Beers, Cal McCombs, Cornell Green and Dave Bratten - filed their reports. The coaches gave their input in concert with the scouts, and a blueprint was formed during the past several months.

The senior Goodman, who cut his teeth in college scouting and coaching, served as a direct conduit the past two days to coach Mike Shanahan.

"I try to organize it and keep names in front of Mike to consider at that pick. But the thing about it that made it good was all of it was preplanned. 'This guy goes here, we like this guy - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, at this pick," Goodman said.

And after Denver targeted its first two picks in the opening couple of rounds and got them, there was nearly a repeat performance Sunday.

"Most of them were there the whole day," Shanahan admitted.

On Friday, Shanahan credited the elder Goodman for directing the war-room staff to the point where such a scenario could play out.

He also downplayed the revised role Goodman would play during the weekend, saying Goodman has played a key role in setting up the draft board for several years.

"Jim watched every player and can talk about every guy just like that," Shanahan said. "He's on the road all year round, evaluating the college players. Jim's been doing that for a long time. Jim has a chance now to organize it the way he wants and do things the way he'd like to do. He's done a heck of a job doing it."

Denver's first selection, Boise State's Ryan Clady, has already been designated the starter from Day 1. An adjustment period is expected.

But Goodman sees a potential star in the making.

"He's a very athletic guy. He's got great foot quickness, great length," Goodman said. "He's just what you look for in a left tackle - 36-inch-plus arms, 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7. The guy has the potential to be an All-Pro player."

Second-round receiver Eddie Royal from Virginia Tech filled a need on returns. The Broncos' consensus was that "he was an A-plus returner and a good receiver."

"We think he's going to be a real weapon," Goodman said.

The second-day draft picks almost all had college medical issues but none were deemed a risk by the training staff of being unavailable this season.

Fourth-round center Kory Lichtensteiger (shoulder), fourth- round cornerback Jack Williams (shoulder), fifth-round running back Ryan Torain (foot), sixth-round linebacker Spencer Larsen (knee), seventh-round safety Josh Barrett (shoulder) and fullback Peyton Hillis (transverse process) all were affected.

Asked if he envisioned a surprise performer among that group, Goodman said, "I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are because, the values we had on them, we were surprised we could get them the second day."

Apparently, it was one of the weekend's rare surprises, in the final analysis.

Five to seven college free agents will be signed today. The group will include a kicker, punter and another running back.

"We're looking for good football players we had on our draft board," Goodman said. "It's, 'Golly, he's still there? Let's go get him.' "

Comments

  • April 27, 2008

    11:28 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spidey writes:

    I won't be surprised if Broncos grab Danny Woodhead from Chadron State. We'll see...

  • April 28, 2008

    8:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Denver81 writes:

    "Golly"? i like this guy already :O)

  • April 28, 2008

    12:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoRick69 writes:

    I'd say the Broncos played the draft as well as anyone, with the needs that they had. I look forward to seeing how everyone turns out. I also would not be surprised to see some trades take place before the start of the season. Shanahan may as bold as to include Dre Bly and Mike Bell in a trade, say for a defensive end, or who knows? I know there are some decent players on the roster that are expendable, especially after the draft.

  • April 28, 2008

    2:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aragornzxl writes:

    BroncoRick69:
    Dre Bly and Mike Bell for a defensive end?
    Are you crazy?
    If bly's gone, whos gonna be our Corner? Foxworth? Payma? You've got to be kidding me. And besides, we've already got young DEs in Dumervil and Moss, we dont need another simeon rice again.