2009 Broncos Season

I have been fairly critical of the Broncos this off season, and that has led some to think that I may be turning my back on the team.  That couldn't be further from the truth, as I want the team to make it to the Superbowl every year.  This year, my head says that they are going to finish 6-10, but my heart says 10-6.  After focusing on many of the negatives over the past few months, I am going to focus on some of the positives.

 

Fresh Blood

The Broncos likely needed a new coaching staff, as players will eventually tune out a coach. You can only hear so many motivational halftime speeches from a coach before it becomes repetitive.   Broncos management and head coach Josh McDaniels have brought in a crop of new talent, and hopefully, that will fix many of the deficiencies from last season.

 

Improved Secondary

Champ bailey will likely be the only remaining starter from last year's secondary.  Although the lack of a pass rush is to blame for last year's problems with the secondary, it still needed to be revamped.   The team brought in Safety Brian Dawkins for his leadership and experience.  Check out this clip of Dawkins pumping up his teammates before a game.  The Broncos also signed Miami teammates S Renaldo Hill and CB Andre' Goodman.  As offensive coordinator for the Patriots, McDaniels had to face Hill and Goodman twice a year.  I am guessing that he saw something in them over the past few years and Broncos received some underrated talent.  The Broncos also drafted CB Alphonso Smith in the second round.  If he is as good as the hype, he will provide additional talent for nickel situations.  The biggest worry about the secondary is their age.  The four starters will be the oldest secondary in the NFL in the last decade.

 

Solid Offensive Line

The Broncos offensive line was sweet last year, giving up only twelve sacks over the course of the season.  After a full year together, hopefully, they will gel even more.   Center Casey Wiegman made the Pro Bowl last year, and LT Ryan Clady had an amazing rookie year, giving up only half a sack.  The Broncos also have one of the best blocking tight ends in Daniel Graham, so no wonder they gave up so few sacks last year.

 

Bounty of Offensive Weapons

The Broncos are stacked at wide receiver, with Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Stokely (assuming Marshall actually plays).  I have also heard good reports from training camp about rookie WR Kenny McKinley, not that he is expected to make an immediate impact.  

 

The running attack should be improved from last year.  Injuries to the running corps were a key reason for the Broncos missing the playoffs.  The Broncos added some veterans running backs, LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter, and took the first running back, Knowshon Moreno, in the draft.  Throw in Peyton Hillis and Ryan Torain from last year's squad, and you have a nice group of rushers.  I just hope they can avoid last year's injury bug.

 

Areas of Concern

I still have no idea what the defensive line will look like, but in all honesty, they were so bad last year, that it won't be hard to improve.  New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is switching the d-line to a 3-4 formation, so it will take awhile to see how the old and new players fit with the new scheme. 

 

That leaves the quarterback as the last major position that I haven't addressed.  Projected starter Kyle Orton is often called a "game manager", which is sometimes a euphemism for a weak arm.  We should expect Orton to do a good job of running the offense, but we shouldn't expect any amazing throws or deep bombs.  There is a story from training camp that highlights this issue.  Brandon Marshall was running a deep post route and was well ahead of Champ Bailey.  Orton and everyone else watching saw this.  Orton unleashed the ball and it floated and floated and floated.  By the time it came down, Bailey had made up the lost ground and broke up the pass.  In other words, if the Broncos have any huge passing plays, it is going to be up to the receivers to make yards after the catch.