--If the Broncos have a poor 2009 season, they won't reap the rewards of a high draft pick. Denver sent its own 2010 first-round draft pick to Seattle for the 37th overall pick on draft day, to select cornerback Alphonso Smith. Denver coach Josh McDaniels said the Broncos had a first-round grade on Smith, so it was worth the trade.
"I'm sure there will be some questions about the trade from 1 (first round) next year to (second round) this year," McDaniels said. "He was extremely valued in our room, has been all spring."
--The Broncos worked out USC quarterback Mark Sanchez before the draft and Tampa Bay traded up from 19th to 17th in the first round to leapfrog the Broncos at No. 18 to take quarterback Josh Freeman. However, McDaniels said the team had no interest in drafting a quarterback with the 18th pick. They didn't select a quarterback until picking Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater in the sixth round.
"We feel comfortable with the guys we have," McDaniels said about Kyle Orton and Chris Simms. "Nobody in this building is afraid to move forward and play the season with them."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You go into this thing understanding that you're not going to fix everything that you may want to fix." -- Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.
