Expect Mile Low for Denver Broncos in 2009

Joey Beck

Roster Knowledge/ Team History No. 1

After a disappointing 2008 campaign when the Broncos struggled to an 8-8 record and failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year, the organization was shaken this off season by some drastic moves.

The Broncos controlled their playoff destiny coming down the stretch last season, but lost their final three games by a an average of just over 19 points, denying them a playoff bid since Jake Plummer was behind center.

Following the tumultuous finish to the 2008 season, the Broncos front office didn’t hesitate to jolt the Bronco faithful when they made changes at the two most visible positions in the organization: quarterback and head coach.

After 14 years, two Super Bowl rings and a 146-91 record, longtime Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan was fired this off season after surrendering a three-game division lead to the San Diego Chargers. Shanahan compiled a .500 record in the past three seasons, going 24-24.

Shanahan was known for winning back-to-back Super Bowls with offensive standouts John Elway and Terrell Davis leading the way. Shanahan boasted a .734 winning percentage with Elway at quarterback, but after the hall of famers departure, Shanahan saw his winning percentage drop significantly to .569. Shanahan ended his tenure as the Broncos head coach with a total of three division titles and 8-5 playoff record.

Next in line to go was emerging star and pro-bowler Jay Cutler who was dealt in return for the Chicago Bears’ Kyle Orton, a head scratcher by most accounts.

The strong-armed Cutler amassed 4,526 yards with a 62.3 completion percentage and a 25-18 touchdown to interception ratio. The Broncos will welcome the less-impressive Orton, who managed just 2,972 yards with 58.5 completion percentage and a 18-12 touchdown to interception ratio.

With new personnel littering the roster and coaching staff, the mile high city won’t be feeling too high this fall. The Broncos are destined for some growing pains with the addition of Orton and first-time head coach, Josh McDaniels, former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

The combination of first-time head coach and a struggling Orton could spell disaster for the Bronco offense early on.

The Broncos faithful can expect the team to encounter some stumbling blocks in McDaniel’s first season in command, but the team’s record should fall around the .500 mark again and likely just below at 7-9 or 6-8, meaning another early vacation for the Broncos.