(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Look for a more balanced passing attack coming from the Broncos as each and every receiver will fill a vital role. This could test Brandon Marshall’s character as he’s presumably going to miss at least one or two games early or possibly more related to the off season incident and the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Once he returns he will be a piece of the puzzle, but won’t have to be the focal point. Eddie Royal could become the best slot receiver in football this season. The Broncos will move him around to create mismatches.
Eddie was known last year for how hard he worked during training camp to become the other starting wide out, and made a phenomenal debut in Oakland. Look for the depth of this position to become the best asset and perfect complement to whomever the Broncos put behind center.
In 2008 the Patriots ran for 2,278 yards as a team last season, with their top rusher Sammy Morris gaining 727 yards. The Broncos totaled 1,862 with a backfield that saw seven starting tailbacks go down.
No doubt the Broncos rushing attack had to get better since they really lacked power in hitting the hole. Six of the top seven rushers from 2008 have already been released or traded. Gone are Michael Pittman, Selvin Young, Jay Cutler, Tatum Bell, Andre Hall, and P.J. Pope.
The Broncos new regime saw the lack of a starting tailback, the lack of power runners, and tried to address the anemic red-zone problems the Broncos have had.
This years’ top draft pick Knowshown Moreno is projected to be the starting tailback and is complemented by three bangers who can carry the rock inside in Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, and Peyton Hillis who will primarily be a fullback.
Versatility comes in the way of J.J. Arrington who will fit the bill on third down situations.
With the talent of this group at the running back position, it does two things for the Broncos attack. One it makes the Broncos a more physical team to the punch enabling them to hit the holes on the line of scrimmage with force.
Secondly, it does balance the Broncos out to where they can open up the passing game through their run game.
There is certainly a gamble in starting a rookie tailback, Moreno however appears to be a strong vertical runner who can dish out punishment and fake would be tacklers. He should be up to the task.
The Broncos offense will only be as strong as the numbers this group puts up however. Kyle Orton and the receivers can balance out the short pass game and make the run game better by being efficient, something McDaniels has coached up in New England.
The key to winning for the 2009 Denver Broncos is ball control. Long drives seasoned by opportunistic scores off the back of defensive turnovers.
The fatal flaw of this offense will revolve around not stretching the defense enough in order to open up the running game and the underneath routes.
On Defense
Say what you will about the defense under Coach Shanahan, the need to either get bigger or faster or both is really the reason they needed to switch schemes.
The benefit running the 3-4 over the 4-3 is that if your defense is undersized (which the Broncos are upfront) it gives your team an opportunity to be more competitive than they could be otherwise.
Additionally the 3-4 opens avenues for an attacking defense to be affective because of the presumed team speed it takes to run the scheme. Further benefits include the lack of man on man accountability which can cross up offensive lines during pass protection and quarterbacks in making the proper reads.
All of this can lead to turnovers, which the Broncos blend of speed and experience seem set up to take advantage of.
The things we know about the Denver Broncos defense right now is that they are undersized.
They have good athletes up front that give them decent team speed.
The addition of Brian Dawkins to the defensive backfield has brought an instant attitude to the defense and a welcomed addition in helping Champ Bailey lead the DB’s.
The Broncos are also somewhat deeper now than they were at the end of the 2008 season at nearly every position. It is a clear benefit to the Broncos chances in making them more competitive.
The team speed and overall health of the defense will have to payoff for the Broncos defense to keep them competitive.
Realistically the Broncos are still small up front. The defensive line was porous all of last season and it eventually cost them a trip to the playoffs. This year not much has changed at the position itself. The new defensive scheme however could make them more competitive.
Additionally, this is the year the Broncos need previous picks like Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss to rise up and start playing up to their full potential.
The keys to winning on defense are bending and not breaking. Finding ways to stop the run, apply pressure, and create timely turnovers.
The fatal flaw of this defense rest in the D-line and linebackers, if they are unable to stop the run or put pressure on opposing quarterbacks it will be a long season in Denver.
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