Dramatic Changes Rile Rebuilding Broncos

Last season, the Denver Broncos seemed in complete control with a three- game lead over the Chargers and only three games left. Then, all of a sudden, the Broncos lose the next three games including a 52-21 beat down by the Chargers propelling them into the playoffs and leaving the Broncos behind. This resulted in the firing of two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Mike Shanahan.

The Good

The Broncos hired Josh McDaniels to replace Shanahan. McDaniels was the one responsible for the fantastic year Matt Cassel achieved last season.

The Broncos made a lot of good off season moves including the release of 20 players that were on the 52-man roster last season.

Offensively, the Broncos signed Correll Buckhalter and drafted Knowshon Moreno in the first round to sure up a position that went through seven different backs last year. Buckhalter brings power to the McDaniels offense while Moreno brings versatility with his receiving skills and ability to stay healthy all season.

These additions along with Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal at wide receiver, and Tony Scheffler at tight end, will prove to be a high-scoring offense that is all run behind what many consider the No. 1 offensive line in the AFC.

Defensively, the Broncos made very nice additions in Brian Dawkins and Andra Davis. These two bring leadership and can still command the field. Also, the Broncos added some young talent in Robert Ayers in the first-round pick corner Alphonso Smith and safety Darcel McBath in the second round. Each of them will tailored to be the base of the future Broncos' defense.

The Bad

The Broncos face the NFC East and the AFC North, which hold tough opponents, but won’t be as much of a challenge like for the Chiefs and Raiders.

Then there’s Jarvis Moss, who has not performed at the level he was drafted at, but there is still time for him to show he was worth a first-round pick.

Kyle Orton needs to show he can run a team.

The Ugly

The defensive line could not stop a quarterback from earning 100 yards rushing if one tried. That and the fact it allowed Phillip Rivers whole days to throw the ball to Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates in the season finale show it will take years, plural, to get the line in shape.

Finally, though it was a good idea at the time to hire McDaniels, the Broncos might be starting to question it now. McDaniels has already traded away Jay Cutler, the ex- franchise quarterback, because Cutler was unhappy about how McDaniels treated him during the rumors of trading for Matt Cassel.

Now, Brandon Marshall is on the block, but as training camp nears the likelihood of a trade gets slimmer and slimmer.

Fantasy

Brandon Marshall will most likely be hanging around so he is worth an early pick, but he might be available in the third or fourth round.

Eddie Royal was a delightful surprise for fantasy owners last year, believe me I know, and can be expected to put up similar numbers this year. Good for a third wide receiver spot.

Tony Scheffler will be a bigger target until Orton gets comfortable, and he can fit in as a No. 1 tight end, but I’d wait to see if you could get someone better.

Moreno is a good No. 3, maybe No. 2 back on your team. He can run, pass, and will most likely make it through the entire season.

Last, but not least, Orton. People may not realize this but, he took the Bears to the playoffs a few years ago with just Muhsin Muhammad for a wide receiver. Now that he has many weapons in the passing game, watch out. He is still a No. 2 quarterback, but he has huge upside.

7-9

Second place