McGahee out against Lions, Moreno to fill void

After fracturing his hand against Miami, Broncos RB Willis McGahee will be out this Sunday when they face the Detroit Lions.  The Denver Post also reports that McGahee will be questionable for the following week against the Raiders, though McGahee insists that he will play.  McGahee, a free agent acquisition, has impressed this season and leads the Broncos with 460 yards on 103 carries and one score.

Third year running back Knowshon Moreno is expected to replace McGahee as starter and will be in for a test against a stout Lions defensive line.  If Moreno fails to perform up to par, the Broncos must heavily consider adding talent to the backfield in the upcoming draft.  Texas A&M RB Cyrus Gray would be a sound option for Denver to consider this April.

Lloyd tossed to Rams

The Denver Broncos have finally been able to dish wide receiver Brandon Lloyd after weeks of anticipation to the St. Louis Rams for a 2012 sixth-round selection.   According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, that selection can escalate to a fifth-rounder if Lloyd accrues 30 receptions through the course of the season. Undoubtedly, Lloyd will make that impact on a Rams squad that has no competent starting NFL caliber receiver.

One can assume that compensation would have been higher for the 30 year old Pro-Bowl wide receiver had he reached a contract extension with the Rams, but reports early today indicate that he wishes to test the market after this season.  Lloyd’s trade to the Rams re-unites him with Offensive Coordinator (and former Broncos Head Coach) Josh McDaniels and should give an immediate boost to Sam Bradford’s passing game.

Lloyd will be re-united with former coach Josh McDaniels.

As a Broncos fan, I would have liked more compensation, but understand why there was not more.  Lloyd was never going to re-sign in Denver and the additional selection will be welcomed come draft time in April.

Broncos fans, do you support this decision?

Lloyd and Royal Request Trades

Update (10:54 AM):  NFL Today’s Charlie Casserly states that Lloyd’s request was due to confrontations with the coaching staff, and furthermore, reports have shown that both players requests were made prior to the switch at quarterback.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Denver Broncos receivers Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal have requested trades.  Both Lloyd and Royal are free agent receivers after this season.  The Broncos conservative style offense under head coach John Fox and recent switch to Tim Tebow as starting quarterback may be an underlying reason for such requests.  If Lloyd and Royal believe that their numbers will suffer because of the switch, it is understandable that they would like to be traded and attempt to secure a deal before free agency begins.

Broncos fans shouldn’t fret though — these two players were never part of the long-term solution here in Denver and are better fits elsewhere, primarily in a West Coast scheme.  Keep in mind this is an incredibly deep year in free agency and the draft for wideouts.  Furthermore, this will give more opportunities to second-year receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas.   Expect a heavy dose of tight end involvement as the season goes on as a safety valve for Tim Tebow.