Bleacher Report - Articles by mick smith

Seven Reasons Broncos Fans Should Be Excited for the '08-'09 Season

mick smith — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:55:11 -0400

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.

Denver Nuggets Left Wondering: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Smith?

mick smith — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:32:48 -0400

The most important player in the Nuggets playoff run—Melo? Nope. AI? Wrong again.

One need look no further than high-flying 22-year-old JR Smith. He's the ridiculous athlete and amazing dunker who sometimes, when he’s really feeling it, can make seven of 10 three-pointers in a single quarter.

Fresh out of George Karl’s doghouse, no player has been a bigger spark this season for the Nuggets. Don’t get me wrong, Iverson has been his spectacular self. But nobody has brought me to my feet in enthusiasm quite like JR.

When he’s in the zone, JR is a ball of energy driving to the basket and knocking down threes. He’s moving the ball, making (mostly) good decisions, and more importantly giving the Nuggets that much needed shot in the arm.

He’s virtually unstoppable…

Virtually.

Ultimately, it seems that the one person capable of stopping JR—is JR. It feels like each time I’m convinced, ready to go out, and buy that No. 1 jersey, I’m also reminded why JR has already been scorned and benched by multiple NBA coaches in his young career.

I’m not sure which is more frustrating, Carmelo’s constant trouble or JR’s fluctuating play.

One moment Smith is pulling up from any and every spot on the floor, draining threes as if he’s shooting into a hoola hoop. The next, he’s making careless turnovers and desperately launching shots trying to get back into that oh-so elusive groove.

JR has even stymied George Karl’s old school methods. It seems that an exasperated Karl has reluctantly come to the conclusion that JR’s brilliant offensive spurts outweigh the bonehead plays.

The organization needs to face the fact, whether they like it or not, that JR Smith is crucial to any hope they have for a playoff run past the first round.

The Nuggets are relying on JR to continue his great play. If he can maintain his focus and play smart, the Nuggets have the potential to make a serious run in the brutal Western Conference.

But if JR finds himself committing blatant turnovers and missing shots, he might just as easily find himself back at the end of Karl’s bench on the way to an early first round exit.

I’m confident that AI’s going to show up in the playoffs this year with an even bigger chip on his shoulder and determined to make up for last year’s poor performance.

Melo will continue his solid play into the postseason. If anything, I think his most recent DUI arrest will just motivate him to be more aggressive and hit the boards harder.

I fully expect these two stars to show up to these playoffs on a mission and ready to do whatever it takes.

I have no idea what to expect from JR Smith. This is why he is the team’s most important player entering the playoffs.

For the Nuggets to have any chance against the Lakers, they will need more than just Anthony and Iverson scoring points. As often as the Nuggets are criticized for their defense, their inconsistent offensive support from the rest of the team has been a major factor in their losses.

For now it seems that JR has found his place in the dysfunctional family of the Denver Nuggets.

His play of late has been mostly dazzling, putting up big points and making smart decisions. He’s playing with confidence and has a swagger that’s unlike any I’ve seen since he’s been sporting a Nuggets uniform.

But who knows how long it’ll last? Is this the beginning of greatness? Or will JR slip back into mediocrity on the big stage?

When it comes down to it, the Nuggets’ playoff hopes might very well rest on that intangible factor that allows JR to go on his unbelievable shooting streaks.

Face it Nuggets fans, JR is going to make stupid turnovers and take shots that leave you scratching your head. But he will also bring a barrage of highlight 360 alley-oops, soaring slams, and 38-foot three-pointers.

Few players in this league are as wonderfully gut-wrenching as JR. While I might curse each three-point heave as it leaves his hands, as long as it finds the bottom of the net, I’m very forgiving.

JR is a potential SportsCenter Top 10 every time he touches the ball. And as exciting as it is for me to watch, the acrobatic dunks and three-finger hand signs won’t matter once the playoffs start.

The Nuggets are headed to Los Angeles on Sunday.

And headband or not, JR better be ready.