Pre-Season Ups and Downs

The Broncos start their season with a rocky preseason, but there are a lot of things to look at. Injuries are part of the game. That's why NFL teams have a depth chart, you never know who will emerge.

There are a lot of good players that excel after the starter goes down so that's why you have to fill your team with talent and the Broncos have a lot of young talent on their roster that can contribute this year just in case.

In the NFL you have to play the game as if it was your last, you have to give 110% every down, and when you get the chance to play you have to make the most out of it.

With the injuries that teams are having this is the time that players behind the starters get their chance to shine. Moreno and Buckhalter were injured in their first practice and we don't know if it will sideline any of them, but this is the chance for players behind them to make a name for themselves, and for other players to step up.

The offense runs through Orton

The hype has been about Tebow, and I really like what he brings to the team, his excitement, aura, everything. With Tebow it sounds like he will be our next Elway. That's a lot of hype and hopefully one day he can prove critics wrong, but it won't be this year unless Orton gets hurt.

Believe it or not, the Broncos will succeed or fail on Orton's play. With the running game in disarray everything will be on Orton. He has been looking sharp in training camp and the preseason and is definitely the starting QB.

Kyle knows that his window of opportunity is small; he has two quarterbacks breathing down his neck to take his spot. So he uses it to his advantage, he works harder and plays as if it will be his last pass and gives 100%. He posted career best numbers last year with just one year in the system. Can you imagine what another year would do?

We all know that Marshall is gone but McD's system is based on spreading the ball around. Kyle will do just that and not key on one receiver, open up the offense and post crazy numbers. I'll make a bold statement: Orton will pass for 4,000 passing yards this year if he isn't injured. That's right I said it, think about it. New England never really had a good RB and they won their Superbowls without Moss and Welker. Can you remember their star receivers? Is Deion Brach, Terry Glenn, David Patten, Troy Brown your answer, that proves my point.

Injury Woes

Elvis is definitely the biggest injury that will affect the Broncos and I'm kind of curious who will emerge to fill that void. It means that other players need to step up. Ayers is having a good training camp and could emerge to be the sack master the Broncos need.

On the offensive side Clady is a wait to see. Hopefully he comes back healthy but I hope that the Broncos don't rush him back, Batiste has been doing good in practice so Clady does have some time to wait until he is healthy.

Other than Clady, Moreno needs to recover. He was having a good offseason until the first day of training camp. The offense was hoping that he was going to play a big part this year and hopefully he does, but those injuries could prevent him from being the RB he is.

Other than Dumervil I think everyone will be back in September but right now is the time for the other players to step up.

Pre-season Losses

I don't put too much into the preseason, but it definitely gives us a glance on how the Broncos will play this year. The Bengals and the Lions won, but we got to see how the team is improving.

Everything starts up front, the offensive line is young and you can tell. They need to play better in the regular season. Denver's line last year took a big hit when Harris went down, but now we can see how much the Broncos need Clady to be back. Orton doesn't have as much time to throw the ball and the running game is non-existent. Beadles and J.D have been playing good and are showing that the Broncos 2010 draft class is going to be successful, but they still have a lot to learn.

If the offensive line can get into continuity they should be okay, I think their going to make a lot of mistakes early but hopefully the line gets healthy and the rookies have to contribute big for this line to be good.

On the defensive line the newly acquired veterans need to be the foundation of the defense. The defense is not looking as good as I thought they would and just like on the offensive side, everything starts with the big boys up front.

I think when the season starts the savvy vets will play better and Jamal Williams is already showing that he still has a lot left in the tank, but with Dumervil injured the D-line will have to pick up the slack.

Recieving Corps

This is going to be an interesting group to watch, each receiver brings something to the team. With the preseason coming to a end this will be a difficult decision for McD to make on who he keeps.

Jabar is going to be the reception leader for the Broncos. Orton has developed good continuity with him and it looks like he will be his first option. Royal is hoping to bounce back after a horrible season last year. It made me question why the Broncos didn't draft Deshawn Jackson who has become a great fantasy WR.

I really like the two WR draft picks this year. Thomas is definitely the best gifted WR the Broncos have. He has size and speed that you can't teach. Watching him play reminds me of Calvin Johnson in Detroit. Marshall was a bigger Jabar, he definitely could catch and turn up field, but Thomas will be the home run hitter that the Broncos are looking for.

Decker reminds me of Ed, he runs crisp routes and if he is healthy he could one day be the Broncos leader in receptions. Then their is WIllis and Loyd who are having a great off seasons. They went from practice squad to starters in one year. Both receivers will be the deep threat for the Broncos.

Offense Depth Chart

Depending on injuries, this is going to be a tough decision on who the Broncos keep, but here is who I think will make the team and who will be cut.

QB- Orton, Quinn, Tebow (3)

WR- Jabar, Lloyd, Royal, Thomas, Willis, Decker, (6)

TE- Graham, Quinn (2)

FB- Larson (1)

RB- Moreno, Buckhalter, Fargas,(3)

LT- Batiste, Clady, Polumbus (3)

LG- Beadles, Seth, Eric (3)

C- J.D, Hochstein (2)

RG- Kuper(1)

RT- Harris (1)

(25) Offense players

I know Stokely isn't on my list, but I think he's the odd man out with all the youth the Broncos have. I also don't think that White will make the cut either because of injuries and suspension.

Defense and Special Teams

LDE- McBean, Green (2)

DT- Jamal, Fields, Baker (3)

RDE- Justin, Smith (2)

OLB1- Moss, Dumervil(IR) (3)

MLB- DJ, Woodyard, Worrell (3)

MLB- Haggan(1)

OLB2- Ayers, Alexander (2)

LCB- Champ, Cox, Smith (3)

SS- Hill, Bruton (2)

FS- Dawkins, McBath (2)

RCB- Goodman, Jones,(2)

The list is pretty small with only 53 people on the roster. I didn't include practice squad or PUP and IR list. The biggest thing is the players that do make the team need to step up and take the Broncos back to the post season.

Just updated Broncos released Ayodele and said Moss and Ayers will start at outside and Haggan will move back inside.