Broncos fans still reeling from the loss of Jay Cutler are now living in fear that the organization will trade Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall.
That Jabar Gaffney has been the man replacing Marshall throughout offseason practices probably won't make them feel any better.
Gaffney, not Mike Shanahan holdover Brandon Stokley, looks poised to be the third man in Denver's wideout rotation if Marshall does return to the team. (Eddie Royal will also start.)
After spending three years in New England with Josh McDaniels, Gaffney knows the offensive system. After watching Gaffney for his seven year career, NFL observers know he's hardly a gamebreaker. (He's topped 500 receiving yards once.)
Gaffney was one of McDaniels' first signings in Denver and can be a useful role player. He appears well ahead of other castoff options like Chad Jackson and Brandon Lloyd on the Denver roster.
Still, asking him to replace Marshall would be asking for a mediocre passing game. And a lot of angry Broncos fans.
Gaffney lining up as starter in Denver
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on July 11, 2009 10:56 AM ET
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Latest stories in: Denver Broncos, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Here's a question...how many receivers who follow a coach from team to team simply because they "know the system" actually put up decent numbers?
In 2006, Gaffney stabilized and was a solid contributer to a Patriots receiving corps that only had Troy Brown, at the end of his career. The late season addition of Gaffney enabled the Patriots to have just enough of a passing game to make a deep run into the playoffs and almost made it to the Super Bowl.
It would be interesting to see what Gaffney could do with a whole season as a starter, don't underestimate him. Then again, better to do that experiment with the Broncos and not my team...
Once again, PFT taking things out of context.
Josh McDaniels' base Offense includes 3 WR's. Brandon Stokley (as I am sure even you know Greg) is still one of the leagues most efficient slot receivers, and has rarely operated from the outside in any Offense during his career. Jabar Gaffney has experience in every single receiving role in Josh's Offense, and knows the role of every single receiving role in Josh's Offense, so he has been lining up on the outside with Stokley lining up in the slot.
Not to mention how many concussions Brandon Stokley has had, to go along with other nagging injuries and his age.
Gaffney may know the system but I can still remember him dropping some pretty easy catches here and there. It should also be noted that Gaffney only became "Ok" when Tom Brady was throwing him the football.. I dont think itll be the same catching passes from Orton, haha.
The horror, the horror!!!!
asking gaffney to replace marshall is like going to a party with a boner in sweatpants
I have a Jabar Gaffney jersey. The guy always comes up with dickhead first downs outta no where. Anytime he pulled off a play, it was a bonus because no one on the defense expected him to, so now anytime someone get's owned by something unexpected, we say they got 'Gaffney'd'.
Watch out, he's gonna do it again!
On a side note, part of my fanboi status is because I sold the guy 2 plasma TVs when he first signed with the Patriots lol.
Bronco fans are very angry.
This is like watching a train wreck.
Broncos and AZ need to swap troubled wideouts.
Gaffney needs to replace Stokely, no way is STOKELYworth 6.8 million, that kind of money should be used to lock up a number 1 wr.
Of course, this would require some common sense thinking, I don't think McDaniels has any.
Gaffney is solid as a role player. He's not a #1 guy.
Then again, Eddie Royal might be.
Good point by lomaxgr. Stokley is a slot WR. It doesn't matter how many flankers or split ends skip practice or get hurt; the guy isn't playing out wide.
This offense isn't going to be as fantasy friendly as they used to be but Orton doesn't suck as badly as a lot of people think, either.
Good luck Orton.... you have a tough job this season.
To Jay Cutler: Thanks for becoming a Chicago Bear!
dogg, we should call gaffney "plasma" then
cause nobody knows what it is or how it works.
Gaffney was a starter last year as a number 2/3 depending on where you rank Welker. He was much better as a situational, 4th receiver like in 2007.
Does the Denver coaching staff realize that Freddie Mitchell is available? Sounds like the Broncos could use him.
It does not matter who the Broncos have at WR since they have the great Kyle Orton taking the snaps.
Hahahahaaaa....
Damn you are in for a surprise.