Broncos Found Great Production and Value in Miller, McGahee and Harris

On Monday afternoon, Patrick Smyth, the Denver Broncos Executive Director of Media Relations tweeted that the Broncos were the only team in the NFL sending a 2011 draft pick (outside linebacker Von Miller) and a 2011 free agent signee (running back Willis McGahee) to the 2012 Pro Bowl, highlighting the Broncos excellent personnel transactions last off-season.

From the draft, to signing undrafted rookies, to signing free agents, the Broncos front office - consisting of John Elway (VP), John Fox (HC) and Brian Xanders (GM) - worked hours-on-end to find the right fits for the team, at the right price. The team's first postseason appearance since the 2005 season can be considerably contributed to the remarkable job done by Denver's new front office.

In addition to the acquisitions of Miller and McGahee, the Broncos also brought in several other players that contributed greatly last season, including rookie defensive back Chris Harris, who was named to the 2011 All-Rookie Defensive Team. Overlooked by every other team in the NFL, the Broncos brought Harris to training camp as an undrafted free agent.

After looking at the salaries* of Miller, McGahee and Harris and reviewing their production, it appears that Denver hit the jackpot last off-season. According to RotoWorld.com, Miller is under a four-year contract worth $21 million dollars. Running back Willis McGahee also has a four-year deal, worth $9.5 million. Finally, defensive back Chris Harris has a three-year, $1.398 million dollar agreement with the club.

If you total up the averages, the Broncos are paying each of those players an average of just over two and a half million dollars ($2.697M) per season. To compare the Broncos salary and production numbers, we totaled up and averaged the contracts of the first defensive player selected after Miller last April (Marcel Dareus), a free agent running back similar to McGahee based on his age and production a season ago (Joseph Addi), and another underrated rookie defensive back performing well (Richard Sherman).

The average contract of those three players (Dareus, Addi and Sherman) was nearly three and a half million dollars ($3.44) per season. Below, we'll compare the player's numbers to see what kind of value the Broncos received.

Miller, a second overall draft selection, had a historic season in Denver, tying the franchise record for the most sacks by a rookie in a single season (11.5). Miller was a disruptive force as a pass rusher and against the pass, recording 64 tackles and 19 tackles for a loss. Named to the 2012 Pro Bowl, Miller cost the Broncos approximately $5.25 million last season.

In comparison, Dareus was drafted third overall by the Buffalo Bills in last years draft and had a similarly productive season, although not one as dominating as Miller's. Finishing the season with 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks, Dareus cost the Bills approximately $5.1 million in 2011.

Based on productivity, team-impact and salary, it is clear that the Broncos made the right selection in Von Miller over Marcell Dareus. Many scouts do not expect to see another player of Miller's mold come around for a long time.

Moving on to the running back position, Willis McGahee had a role on Denver's offense much like Miller had on the Broncos defense last season. The leading rusher of the NFL's best rushing attack in 2011, McGahee finished the season with 1,199 yards on the ground and scored five touchdowns. Selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl, McGahee cost the Broncos approximately $2.375 million for his 2011 services.

A fellow 2011 free agent signee, Indianapolis' Joseph Addai did not fair quite as well as McGahee. Affected by the Colts historically horrendous season, Addai finished the season with 433 yards on the ground and scored one touchdown. Costing the Colts approximately $4.667 million, Addai brought less production than McGahee in 2011, at a higher price tag.

Finally, Broncos defensive back Chris Harris made waves in the NFL as an undrafted rookie, performing better than most of the cornerbacks that were drafted a year ago. Coming in with Denver's nickel defensive package, Harris totaled 72 tackles, defended 16 passes and recorded an interception. Highly praised by Denver's coaching staff for his superb tackling skills, Harris cost the Broncos roughly $465,000 in his rookie season.

Comparable to Harris is Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman, who was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth round. Statistically, Sherman had a great rookie season, recording 55 tackles, defending 17 passes and notching four interceptions. Sherman, a player that appears primed to continue to make big plays in his career, cost the Seahawks approximately $375,000.

The Broncos found great value through rookies and veterans last off-season, both through the draft and free agency. In order to return to the playoffs in 2012, Denver will have to find similar success this off-season by finding players that can contribute to the system at a better-than-average price.

* All of the contract details mentioned above are unofficial and do not include signing bonuses or escalators. To approximately find what each player was paid last season, we divided their entire salary by the number of years they are under contract.

Video: Every Rushing Score of Tebow's NFL Career

In approximately 115 games dating back to his high school football days, quarterback Tim Tebow has rushed for 7,020 yards and 131 touchdowns in his career. Those are some impressive numbers.

That's 61 rushing yards per game and 1.14 rushing touchdowns per game — from a quarterback. To put those numbers in perspective, Broncos running back Willis McGahee has played in 120 games in his NFL career and has rushed for 61 yards per game and .5 touchdowns per game.

McGahee is Pro Bowl running back that led the Broncos with 1,199 yards on the ground this season. Tebow is a quarterback that plays like a fullback.

If Tebow can hone his throwing game to match the effectiveness of his rushing abilities—it looks like he is making progress—he could become one of the most dominating players in the history of the NFL.

Dolphin Fan's Reaction to Tebow Mania

By: Kevin English

Let me start by saying I was a huge Tim Tebow fan when he was at the University of Florida. The guy was a winner. He was (and is) tough as nails. He gave you no reason to dislike him.

When he transitioned to the NFL, I thought his chances of developing into a respectable NFL signal caller were slim. The offense he was coming from, his accuracy – I know you guys have heard it a thousand times by now. Ultimately, I thought he was an elite college player. But I (like millions of others) felt his time in the spotlight was coming to an end.

While he’s certainly struggled at times during his two years in the league, I’m convinced he can have success long term. Sunday’s game – albeit just 1 game – impressed me beyond belief. If he can conquer that defense in the pressure packed playoffs – one still rock solid despite the absence of guys like Ryan Clark and Casey Hampton -- he can do it against anyone.

The thing that’s most intriguing to me is how Tebow doesn’t have to be particularly accurate to win games. He completed an ugly 46.4% of his passes in the regular season, and completed just 10 of 21 attempts Sunday. But for the most part, the guy doesn’t turn the ball over. And that’s huge. He also has a knack for the big play, which leads me to my next point.

Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy should be aggressive, and Tebow should be completing bombs down the field. I won’t pretend that I’ve watched every game Tebow’s started, but I have watched several (including Sunday, and unfortunately, one of Tebow’s comeback victories… over my Dolphins).

Over and over again, I see how easily defenses bite on his play-fakes. Really, they have every right to. After all, Tebow’s best strength remains his legs. Throw in Willis McGahee’s resurgent season and a cohesive run blocking line, and you have even more reason as a defense to focus on the run.

Oh, and there’s that part about defenses not respecting his left arm… What results are some pretty sweet matchups for Tebow. Man coverage across the board, sometimes with a single high safety. Usually no complex reads to be made, no need for Peyton Manning-like audible at the line of scrimmage. Just take the snap, drop back, and find the open man.

Of course, he’s got to make the throw. But it’s hard to understate just how much the threat of Denver’s ground game opens up a world of possibility for the aerial attack. If Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal and company can step up going forward, I don’t think there’s any reason he can’t go for another 300+ yards with a couple scores against an underwhelming New England defense.

So congrats Broncos fans on your team pulling off one upset. I might have to order my own #15 jersey if they pull off another one against a Patriot team all of Dolphin nation despises…

Kevin English is a blog contributor for Gold Star Games, a one-stop-shop for tailgating games and much more.

Clutch: Broncos' Kicker Matt Prater

Clutch (adj.): Tending to be successful in tense or critical situations.

That is the one word that can precisely describe the season—and career—that Broncos fifth-year kicker Matt Prater has had. In critical situations with the game on the line, Denver's placekicker has come through time and time again.

When the NFL announced last year that kickoffs would be moved up from the 30 yard line to the 35 yard line for safety reasons, it made kickoffs easier for Prater, but he was not thrilled about the ruling.

“I don’t like it because kickoffs have always been an area where I can separate myself from other guys in the league,” Prater told Naples News in October. “Now a lot of guys are kicking touchbacks because it’s so much easier. I almost wish it was still from the 30.”

Despite the rule change, Prater still owned the best touchback percentage during the regular season, booting 47-of-his-69 kickoffs for touchbacks (68.1%), proving he has one of the strongest legs in the league. With opponents rarely able to return kicks, the Broncos didn't allow a single return for a touchdown in 2011, which tied for first in the AFC.

As important as they are, kickoffs were not what defined Prater's 2011 season. Clutch field goal attempts were. Prater's right leg— especially at home, in the Denver's mile high altitude—has been a weapon that has served the Broncos offense well.

"There's no doubt his leg strength is a weapon, in particular here at home with the altitude," Broncos Head Coach John Fox said back in December. "He's been great, he's been clutch."

Prater converted 6-of-7 field goals in five games during the final month of the season, two of them longer than fifty yards. The NFL noticed, and Prater was named the AFC's Special Teams Player of the Month for the second time in his career.

After converting all four of his attempts in the fourth quarter or overtime during the regular season, Prater brought his career conversion rate to 28-of-29 in those circumstances. Near perfect in crunch time, Prater made 19-of-his-25 (.760) field goals during the regular season with a long of 59 yards.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers come to Sports Authority Field on Sunday, the Broncos can secure their first playoff victory since 2006. If the situation is right (Denver has the ball in the closing minutes of a close game), Prater may get the chance to win a game for the fifth time this season.

“He could line up from 65-yards out and there’s no doubt,” Broncos receiver Eric Decker said in December. “When you get to 70, maybe he’d be close [to not nailing it through].”