Check out this interview with OT Ryan Clady, the Broncos #1 pick in this year’s draft. Clady doesn’t think he’s going to the Broncos (the interview was conducted before the draft), and he claims that he is a choir boy. Let’s hope he speaks the truth, so that he doesn’t get swallowed up by Denver’s nightlife scene which has been harmful to several Broncos players in the past.  

Jay Cutler’s recent diabetes diagnosis has made headlines across Broncos country this week. Cutler reported to training camp last year weighing 238 lbs, but finished the season at 203 lbs. Cutler says that he doesn’t like doctors or trainers and tries to stay away from them as much as possible, which made his condition difficult to diagnose. He even admits that some of his throws didn’t have as much pop as they should have. Now, that he is being treated with insulin injections, his performance should improve dramatically next season.  This could be a good thing for Cutler and the Broncos.

It is almost like being born into royalty. You didn’t have a choice in it, but luck found you anyway. That’s the way the Broncos 5th round pick, Torain Train, must feel. You can’t help but succeed in the Broncos running scheme if your a descent back. The only thing Train must do is stay healthy. The former Arizona State tailback averaged 6.8 yards per carry during his first season in Tempe, but was hampered by injuries his entire collegiate career. He fell in the draft for that reason, but people seem to think that he has first round talent. Mike Shanahan has decided to take a chance on the guy, which is a smart move. Shanahan has taken a chance on many backs including Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson (6th round picks), and Olandis Gary (4th round).

Ryan Clady claims that he is now somewhere between 318 and 320 lbs, and he will still dunk on you. However, thankfully, basketball is not his sport. Clady turned to football at the age of 13 when his mother suffered a massive heart attack and died. He quit playing football at the age of 10 because he was tired of being forced to cut weight, but with the passing of his mother he took it up again in high school. It’s a good thing he did because he was the 2nd OT picked in this year’s draft, and the first ever player from Boise State to be drafted in the first round.

Eddie Royal is a bright guy. He has been studying tape of the Bears’ Devin Hester ever since Hester played in college at Miami. Hopefully, that time in front of the tube pays dividends for our new punt/kick returner (DenverPost.com). Last year at Virginia Tech, he racked up 33 catches for 496 yards and 4 TDs. His numbers at receiver are not all that impressive, but his speed is. Like Shanahan said, “anytime you take a kickoff and punt returner, you really don’t have to teach that.”

For a look at the other seven players that the Broncos took in the draft, click here.

The Good

- Roger Goodell’s decision to speed up the draft. It was nice getting the first round over with in 3.5 hours instead of the 6 hour marathon that we had to endure last year.

- Mike Shanahan’s proclamation that Ryan Clady “will start at left tackle the day he comes in” (Denver Post). That’s confidence in a rookie that Shanahan doesn’t usually show.

- No one had to suffer from Brady Quinn/Aaron Rodgers syndrome. All six players that were invited to New York were the top six picks in the draft.

The Bad

- The Chiefs just got a whole lot better. With the additions of Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, and Brandon Flowers, they could give the Broncos some problems this season.

- Teams were moving all over the board with eight trades in the first round. Go to the bathroom and to the fridge for a beer and you could miss your team’s pick.

The Ugly

- Jets’ fans reacting to drafting TE Dustin Keller in the first round:

The Weird

- Jonathan Stewart’s quote on his running ability: “I’m explosive, a power runner, North and South - more North” (Yahoo Sports). The Panthers are screwed.

Broncos Breakdown

The Broncos have only made two selections thus far, and I’ve already covered Ryan Clady, so let’s talk about their 2nd round (42nd overall) pick. They went with WR Eddie Royal from Virginia Tech. At 5′9”, 184 lbs, Royal is not the typical big receiver that most teams are after these days, but don’t underestimate his guy. He put up 24 reps on the bench press at the combine which was most out of any receiver invited. He also clocked a 4.39 in the 40 yard dash and leaped 36 inches while at the vertical jump station. The Broncos brought him in as a punt returner and a backup WR anyway, so don’t get too down on this pick. He should put on a good show in 2008.

OT Ryan Clady will stay a Bronco. He comes from Boise State and at 6′6”, 310 lbs he will use his size to protect Jay Cutler’s blindside.  This pick will result in a happy QB and some big numbers from our receivers. A quick look at Clady:

The day has arrived, and it will be interesting to see what happens in today’s draft.  Who knows what the Broncos will do. They could trade down if OTs Ryan Clady and Branden Albert are still available in order to avoid paying them a ridiculous salary. What ever happened to the idea of a rookie salary cap anyway? The NFL could take a page out of the NBA’s book. Anyway, it would be nice to have a big athletic lineman, but if we could get a similar kind of talent in the 3rd or 4th round, it makes sense to trade down.

The Broncos lifted a lot of weight off their shoulders by locking in a deal with the Jets for Dewayne Robertson. However, Robertson’s knee didn’t pass the Broncos physical. Over the last two years, he played about 77% of the time for the Jets, so the Broncos were willing to take a chance on the defensive tackle. Plus, if he plays in less than 65% of the plays this year, then the Broncos will not have to give the Jets a 2009 draft pick.

Finally, Rivals.com named John Elway the best overall #1 pick. He even beat out Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman.

Enjoy the draft and check back here for more draft coverage.

According to NFL two sources, the Broncos may trade down in the draft .  With the 12th pick, they are considering running backs Jonathan Stewart from Oregon and Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois; Offensive tackles Ryan Clady from Boise State, Chris Williams from Vanderbilt, Gosder Cherilus from Boston College, and Branden Albert from Virginia; They are also considering safety Kenny Phillips from Miami.

They could make a trade with Houston who has the 18th spot, or with Dallas for one of their two (22nd and 28th) first round picks.

The Broncos are still pursuing Jets’ defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, so look for more news about that deal on draft day as well.

H/T: The Denver Post

Blogging Dirty is the newest addition to the Fan-Sided network. Tripp, the draft expert, will be covering everything that happens with the Atlanta Falcons including this weekend’s draft and other off-season news. Go scope out the site.