Last year, Denver Broncos fans walked away dismayed. I, like many, began the season excited. Jay Cutler had experience under his belt. Travis Henry was to lead another corps of stellar runners. Rod Smith might be able to return, Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall were looking to be quite a tandem in the making. On defense, we had drafted two new ends to compliment a very talented Elvis Dumerville. With the addition of Dre’ Bly, the Denver top 3 corners looked to be the best combo in the NFL (at the time). Visions of Super Bowls danced in my head.
I, of course, lost hope as quickly as Jay was loosing weight. As our storied veteran O-line crashed down, so did the potency of our offense. Henry started strong, but between injuries and the drug testing fiasco, it wouldn’t count for much. Walker hurt his knee. Smith didn’t come back. Ebenezer Ekuban and Jarvis Moss were both lost for the season, leaving the D-line wanting. Dre’ Bly got burned deep with some consistency. Lacking special teams decided it was a good idea to kick to Devin Hester twice in one game. To say the results of the season hurt is a slight understatement.
But as the wise John Madden once stated “Every team comes into the new season undefeated”, which I think means that given the right moves, any team can rise again. Time to see why hope stirs on the horizon for the Broncos… the following are my top 5 off-season moves… and while these moves may have several parts, they add to why the Broncos might become contenders again.
5. O-lineman: Clady and Lichtensteiger are promising as rookies, but the return of Hamilton and Nalen also are part of this recipe. If Denver looses linemen, we lose everything.
4. Safety depth: While the Chargers claim not to miss Marlon McCree, he is one of a handful of safety acquisitions that allow Denver fans piece of mind. For those of us who remember the AFC championship against Pittsburgh, few things hurt us worse than not being able to sub in for #### should he come up hurt. If nothing else, it should boost our special teams strength, and keep Champ Bailey from running kick-off coverage.
3. Diabetes: OK, technically, Jay had it last year too, but finding it and addressing it should help the kid feel healthy again. He’s also handled it like a pro, stepping up his own responsibility, and unlike the Marshall comments he made earlier in the year, he is downplaying the media hoopla in favor of just dealing with it.
2. Linebackers: While the return of Jarvis Moss, Ebenezer Ekuban, and the addition of Dewayne Robertson will likely help improve the Denver defensive front, it is more likely that the real growth will be shown in the LB corps, specifically the addition of Sam LB Boss Bailey and underrated Mike LB Niko Koutouvides. With D.J. Williams able to move over to the correct side of the field, the look of a “smart” defense should come again, plus with guys like Jamie Winborn, Jordan Beck, and Spencer Larson waiting in the wings, they’ll look fast, fresh, and hungry.
1. Wide receivers: I’ve been a fan of Darrell Jackson for years. Add to that players who have much to prove, such as Sammie Parker and Keary Colbert, and rookie receiver/returner Eddie Royal, and you’re not even half way to the 12 guys competing for a top spot on the roster. Assuming a strong recovery for Brandon Marshall, one thing Cutler should not be left wanting for is quality guys to throw to.
So, I see the Broncos improving this year, surprising many pundits who have so far dropped them off the radar. And if there are more moves, I can only assume they will help. But I’ve held these dreams before. Do I have a vision of a Super Bowl visit? Not yet. But remember… Everyone is undefeated until week one.
I think you're grasping at straws. I don't see any improvement in what you wrote. Marlon McCree was a castoff of the Jaguars because he would take a play off about every 5 plays. He's definitely not a guy that likes to get in there and stop the opponent's running game. That being said-he often bites on play action-not sure why. As far as Cutler-I think you have another Bubby Brister here. He will look good every now and then, but the Broncos will go nowhere with him at the helm. Those linebackers, other than D.J. Williams are not exactly a group that puts fear in offensive coordinators. The final piece is wide receivers-Darrell Jackson is now past his prime and those others are a bunch of 15 catch per season guys. Believe me, even though the AFC West is a little weak, Denver will be lucky to get to 7 wins.
I have to disagree there, Jaguarjoe.
Cutler is way above any level Bubby ever hit. I remember Bubby. Even if I were to agree with you that both the LB and WR corps are not stellar, I know they are a VAST improvement over what was seen last year, and improvement is improvement.
Finally, I don't see how you can logically account for 9 loses. The schedule takes us through the 3 worst divisions in football.
I've gotta withhold judgement on Cutler. I understand he says he feels normal now and it's been awhile. That speaks volumes. This year will tell the tale on him now that he has knowledge. The O-line needs to hang together.
With just mediocre defensive play the Broncos will hold down second in the AFC West. If the D steps up, they might challenge the Chargers given a healthy O-line and QB...
Dwindy, I'm with you. While a Denver fan, you know that I try to remain unbiased best I can. The O-line coming together is my main point of worry at the moment, the second being that same line staying healthy. I still believe Jay is very good, but he has had his downside. While there are excuses such as not being well last year and having an often ailing o-line last season, it'll simply be on his performance this year to see if he really is the real deal.
Thanks, as always!
jaguarjoe: I do not see us winning only 7 games and to say that Jay Cutler is like Bubby Brister is an idiotic comment he is clearly better than him. and our recieving corp is pretty good. we dont have alot of stars but we do have depth at reciever. I see us getting about 10 to 11 wins.
#5) O-Lineman ---I love Clady & think this BEAST of a man w/ light feet will make a difference on his own. A QB w/o fear can focus on receivers instead of DE's on his backside. And the health of the others only improves our ability to run again.
#4) Safety Depth -- I see #### as being more of a liability than an asset. He is just getting too old to be playing still. I hope he proves me wrong, but not so sure about that.
#3) Diabetes -- This is much like sundquist to shanahan... now there is no room for excuses anywhere behind cutler, much like shanahan is the only one left to blame in the coaching staff. And I do have to say that Cutler will be a pro-bowler within the next couple years, if not this year. A lot depends on the production of those around him.
#2) Linbackers --- I do not know Boss well enough to say that he's going to do any better than the ose who played before. I can however say that anything that moves DJ back to his natural position will make the defense better.
#1) WR's -- I do not see anyone in this group that WOW's me.. BUT we have to remember that we only need a #2 & #4 receiver, w/ marshall & Stokley there @ #1 . So even if thses guys are only good enough to be #2's, then we have what we need. We just need more threats to keep Marshall from being double covered. (As far as Royal... even if he just improves our special teams, that's pleanty for him THIS YEAR... hearing how versatile this man is makes me very happy.)
jmacsmac
If there's to be an improvement overall with the Broncos. Then it has to be in every facet of their play on both sides of the ball.
Does he really have what it takes ? Or will he just end up being a poor excuse for a quarterback and a mistake that'll no doubt be blamed on Shanahan.
Shanahan sought to get rid of Henry for whatever reasons he saw fit. But at the end of the day it won't be just about Shanahan but the complete mindset of this team and whether or not Cutler has what it takes to lead 'em.
Skippy J
I see where you're coming from in response to much of it.
Clady looks great. I think the current starters (Clady, Hamilton, Nalen, Holland, and Pears) might give Jay a whole new look, and maybe loosen up the running game.
I don't think #### is too old to not be effective, but I do think his status in the game needs to be more closely monitored. If he slumps, so does our secondary. This is why I love the move for depth, which we've lacked before.
You're right. He has to produce. I still think Jay can.
Boss has been playing in the wrong position in the wrong scheme for Detroit the last few years. He still held it down last year, despite his injuries. Niko has pushed Lofa Tatapu in Seattle for the starter's position the last few years... and Tatapu is one of the NFL's best, so.. Niko is no slouch. And DJ back on the Will should be huge.
Darrell Jackson is the most likely #2, with his injury history as a concern. He's an all out guy who was having Alex Smith lob him balls last year. A battle between Royal, Parker, Colbert, and Martinez should be interesting to watch, and it certainly doesn't leave us wanting.
Thanks for chiming in.
Tophat! How ya been?
I would almost agree that Cutler has a lot to show, and that being diagnosed with diabeties might remove the last of excuses... but at the same time... he's been better than most young QBs the last couple of years as far as pure QB talent goes. I'd much rather take a chance with him over someone like T.Jackson in Minnesota, a breakable Matt Leinart, weak Alex Smith, or big talker Philip Rivers. In fact, the only one of the younger QBs I think might be better is Rothlesberger and Young, with a big question mark over Eli Manning, and all the same, I still think Jay can prove to be the best yet.
I do think you're right with Shanahan. He's put himself out there alone when Sundquist was removed. I think the Denver fans will give him a couple more years, but there has been an increase in rumblings. We shall see.
Thanks man!
