C Coming off a less than stellar 7-9 season, the Broncos have added some new faces, shaken up the coaching staff, and switched some players around. Hoping now that last year's off-field issues are behind them, the team looks to make drastic improvements. Here are seven reason that Broncos will be better this year.
1. A Healthy Jay Cutler—One of the biggest headlines lately has been Jay Cutler’s sudden diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. While it was an initial shock and could prove to be a distraction, Broncos fans should be excited to see what a healthy Cutler can achieve.
He has already been an above average quarterback throwing for nearly 4,500 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first 21 games. This all despite losing 35 pounds and playing through abnormal fatigue in the ’07-’08 season.
Now with a much stronger line in front of him, and an upgraded set of receivers, Cutler’s proper blood sugar levels could make all the difference. Given the additional help, if Cutler can handle the pressure and spotlight that will accompany his playing with diabetes, we might see him take his game to another level.
2. Revamped O-Line—The Broncos badly needed to bolster their offensive line, and they did just that when they selected Ryan Clady with the No. 12 pick in the draft. While some fans might have been less than pleased, Clady will have an immediate impact as a starter, playing in a zone blocking system much like that at Boise State.
The Broncos desperately needed to give Jay Cutler some help, and now with the return of center Tom Nalen and guard Ben Hamilton, the O-Line should be much improved, greatly boosting both Denver’s run and passing attack.
3. Marcus Thomas and Dewayne Robertson Inside—Without a doubt, one of the Broncos’ weakest points last season was its run defense, starting with the middle of the D-line. Toward the end of the season, Thomas came on and began to show why the Broncos took the risk drafting him in the fourth round. The signing of a proven defensive tackle in Dewayne Robertson, combined with Thomas’ maturity, should provide a solid foundation in the middle, one that was clearly lacking last year.
4. Running Backs—For a few games last season, Travis Henry rose to expectations and showed how his one-cut, no-nonsense running style could fit well in the Denver scheme. However, he quickly exhibited how his injuries and off-field problems could prevent him from ever returning to his once imposing self.
This opened the door for Selvin Young, the rookie out of Texas, who excelled at times, and proved he could carry the rock with a respectable 5.2 yards per carry. Denver has always been effective at grabbing talented backs in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft, and this year was no different as they selected Arizona St. running back Ryan Torain in the fifth round. He is surrounded by question marks since he was injured midway through his senior season, but he is the north-south runner that has the ability to shine in Denver’s system.
5. 'Baby T.O.'—The Broncos' receiving corps was severely depleted following the retirement of Rod Smith, and Javon Walker’s whining his way out of town (fittingly to the Raiders). Now all eyes have turned to Brandon Marshall to fill the gap and emerge as Cutler’s number one target. Assuming he can ditch his childish antics and get healthy, ‘Baby T.O’ has the potential to have a monster year.
Brandon Stokley showed last year that he can be a consistent threat in the slot, and with the offseason additions of veterans Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert, and Samie Parker, the Broncos have strengthened the WR position and added much needed depth and experience.
6. DJ Back to the Weak Side—Despite dominating performances in his first few years at weak-side linebacker, DJ Williams turned out to be less effective replacing Al Wilson in the middle spot. Now he’s back to the weak-side where he played so well. This means that the Broncos will be able to get more out of Williams, but at the same time leaves big holes to be filled by two newcomers in Niko Koutouvides in the middle and Boss Bailey outside.
7. Eddie Royal's Returning—During the ’07-’08 season, the Broncos' return game was virtually non-existent. Mike Shanahan obviously recognized this as a pressing need by drafting Eddie Royal, the return man out of Virginia Tech, who displayed an impressive 14.7-yard average per return as a Hokie. Royal will enter Dove Valley with especially high expectations, since not only was he the team’s second pick, but DeSean Jackson was still on the board.
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2 months ago
Interesting article, however, a few things i'm curious about.
First of all, who's kicking the ball? Elam is gone, so, who's kicking the game winners this year?
Secondly, how sure is it, that Cutler's going to simply bounce back from his discovery? Type I isn't exactly a simple deal, anyone who has it, knows it can be a bugger. Add into the fact that Shanahan himself couldn't figure out why he lost 30 pounds in 4 months, it'll be more interesting to see how it all pans out.
Thirdly, are they expecting Clady to solve all the ills of an aging line, that's trying to protect the QB? The Tackle is a good improvement, but if the center goes....there's major problems ahead.
Lastly, will there be anymore immature actions from Marshall? Or do they put a clause in his contact banning him from any roughhousing with his friends and family? Would sound like a wise choice....
Oh, and little jibe on the Walker question. If he was such a whiner.....why did denver pick him up from Green Bay in the first place? He whined to get out of there, too.....is denver turning into a repair bay for the damaged too?
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comment, you point out a number of legitimate concerns but I think that it’s easy to take a negative approach and assume the worst. Obviously this team still has questions and potential problems, just like every NFL organization. That being said, I was focusing on areas in which I thought they had made significant improvements going into the ’08-’09 season.
First of all, Jay Cutler’s life on and off the field are going to change as a result of his diabetes, and you’re right it is by no means a ‘simple deal’. However, I’m not sure how it being a ‘bugger’ should affect his play. If anything, he will have more power behind his throws and be less exhausted at the end of games. In addition, he will have a top notch medical staff constantly monitoring his blood sugar levels and making sure that he is always taking the field at 100%. While very serious, it is a disease that is entirely manageable and along with his increased strength and conditioning it is fair to expect better throws and decisions.
As far as the O-line, there might still be question marks but it will definitely be much improved. Ryan Clady is going to give Cutler the help that he desperately needed and with his combination of size and quickness he has the potential to dominate in the Denver blocking scheme. Add on top of that the return of one of the best centers in the game in Tom Nalen and solid guard Ben Hamilton, there is no reason that their line won’t be substantially better in ’08-‘09.
Brandon Marshall’s freak accident was alarming but he should be ready to go come time for mini-camp. He is a beast and a ridiculous athlete whose huge numbers last season (102 receptions and 1325 yards) only solidified himself as Cutler’s number one target. Coming from a Raider’s fan, I would expect more sympathy for a player’s off the field issues. Javon Walker’s antics in the media were just as immature and resulted from his realization that Marshall’s emergence was shifting the spotlight. Only Al Davis would be silly enough to throw so much money at a receiver who has missed 23 of his last 48 games and will inevitably whine his way out of Oakland as well.
2 months ago
Wouldn't worry much Mick. One of my early lessons, as a fan, was to know the enemy, study, and learn. Until you know how it works inside and out, you don't know what the weaknesses are.
Cutler's Diabetes is a small aspect, but I can imagine the Broncos would be more concerned than they were letting on, considering that dropping 30 pounds, in 4 months, is a great diet for anyone, but for a football player, it would be worry-inducing.
As far as Walker goes, I can imagine the shooting messed him up for a season, but at the same time, I doubt Shanahan's idea of "play through it" as a rational solution to it. Injuries didn't help Walker much either, but I can imagine, a year after, he'll probably be in a better mindset.
With the Broncos, one aspect that maks me wonder, offensive line, is you can drop in Clady, to protect the Tackle spot, but it runs the risk, of what happened in Oakland, in 2006. You could have one good player, but if the other 5 or 6 guys on the line aren't doing the job, it won't matter if one guy is good, they'll simply go around.
Marshall's got a few bright spot, it'll be interesting to see how Shanahan addresses the matter one on one, or if he'll simply ignore it, and let the players make the adjustment.....a rough way to control a team, but then, he's the coach.
about 1 month ago
Excited about Eddie Royal returning kicks!?! Wow, Donkey fans have definitely seen better days. The AFC West is cyclical and Denver is a year behind KC on the way down the rungs of the divisional ladder.
about 1 month ago
i could not disagree more with this article. the Denver broncos have taken a step back . they have got weaker in the recieving core, they did not address the defensive line because Robertson and Thomas are not the answers., and there running game might be the worst in the AFC west. Denver bronco fans realistically should expect a third place finish in the AFC west behind San Diego and Oakland.
about 1 month ago
wo thats not a biased comment at all Nick
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