(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
2008 W/L Record (Division): 8-8 (3-3)
Key Additions: S Brian Dawkins, CB Andre’ Goodman, RB LaMont Jordan, QB Kyle Orton, RB Knowshon Moreno, DE/LB Robert Ayers, CB Alphonso Smith, LB Andra Davis
Key Losses: CB Dre’ Bly, QB Jay Cutler
The Denver Broncos have been busy this offseason. Aside from the unexpected trade of Jay Cutler, the Mike Shanahan firing, and the Josh McDainels hiring, Denver has acquired key pieces through trades, free agency, and the draft to improve upon a disappointing eight-win season.
Despite having one of the league’s best cornerbacks in Champ Bailey, Denver’s defense finished 2008 next to last among 32 teams with just six interceptions.
In an effort to improve upon this, the Broncos signed cornerback Andre’ Goodman, who started all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2008, and led the team with five interceptions and a career-high 19 pass deflections. He will replace Dre’ Bly, who was released, as the starting right side cornerback.
Backing up Goodman will be the rookie from Wake Forest, Alphonso Smith., who they selected No. 37 overall after trading their first round pick in 2010 to Seattle in exchange for the rights to draft him.
Also new to the secondary is 35-year-old Brian Dawkins, who the Broncos signed for five years with $7.2 million in guarantees. The aging safety has tallied just two interceptions and 12 defended passes in the last two seasons.
In an effort to improve their No. 27 ranked rushing defense, the Broncos selected defensive end Robert Ayers with the No. 18 pick overall in April’s draft.
This pick, which was one of the picks Denver acquired in the Jay Cutler trade, was considered a reach by many, as Ayers remains a raw talent after failing to start in each of his first three years at Tennessee.
Denver also added linebacker Andra Davis, who spent the first seven years of his career with Cleveland. He is likely to start at one of the outside linebacker positions in Denver’s 3-4 defense.
Perhaps the most overlooked addition to Denver’s defense is coordinator Mike Nolan, who faces the challenge of fixing a unit which ranked No. 29 in total defense in 2008, allowing 374 yards per game.
As Baltimore’s Defensive Coordinator from 2002 to 2004, Nolan’s defenses ranked No. 22, No. 3, and No. 6 in the league. In 2000, Nolan coordinated the New York Jets defense that ranked No. 10 in total defense.
On offense, the Broncos could struggle to repeat their 2008 success. Kyle Orton will quarterback an offense that ranked No. 2 in the league last year, averaging 395 yards per game.
In 33 career games with Chicago, Orton posted a dismal 55.3 completion percentage, a mediocre 30/27 TD/INT ratio, and a lousy 71.1 QB Rating. Maybe the gritty Bears defense could save him, but this 2009 Denver unit can’t.
Denver’s receiving core will become much less valuable should the Broncos grant Brandon Marshall’s wish to be traded. Without the 2008 Pro Bowler, Denver would be left with second-year player Eddie Royal to lead their group of pass-catchers.
Jabar Gaffney, who has never topped 700 receiving yards or five touchdowns in a season, and the 33-year-old Brandon Stokley would round out Orton’s options through the air.
While former mainstays on the offensive line such as Tom Nalen and Matt Lepsis are gone, the Broncos are expected to return all five starters from 2008.
Denver’s No. 12 overall pick in April’s draft, running back Knowshon Moreno, will battle former 1,000-yard rusher LaMont Jordan and the 30-year-old Correll Buckhalter for the starting position. While it’s expected that Moreno will play a large role in Denver’s offense, Jordan and Buckhalter are likely to contribute as well.
Broncos’ GM Brian Xanders has been extremely busy this offseason, fulfilling traded demands and signing aging free-agents. While the offense may not be as explosive as the 2008 version, the defense should be much improved, providing the Broncos with a much more balanced attack.
Denver faces an easy schedule through the first three games, before being forced to endure an incredibly difficult schedule starting in Week Four. Expect the 2009 Broncos to have a much different look than last season’s team, though it may take a few more changes before they find themselves in position to make a playoff run.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Kansas City Chiefs articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
138 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete