Denver Broncos Difference-Makers: Five Players To Watch In 2010
Last season, Elvis Dumervil was a quarterback punishing force of nature. He was an incredible difference maker on the Denver defense.
On the offensive side of things, wide receiver Brandon Marshall was top dog.
Both players were central pieces in the Denver game plan and both were Pro Bowlers. They excelled greatly at their positions and widely regarded as two of the best in the NFL at what they did.
So who is going to step up in 2010 and be the difference makers for the Broncos?
Let's take a look at five candidates for the recognition.
Eddie Royal, WR
1 of 5
This is Royal's third year as an NFL wide receiver. It is the breakout year.
And hopefully that means a return to his rookie numbers.
After a full season under the new system, all the players seem to be gaining a greater grasp of the complexities.
Reports are strong coming out of camp that Royal is definitely one of those players.
This means that McDaniels can make the most of the Virginia Tech receiver who nearly tallied 1,000 yards in his rookie year.
Expect Royal's impact to go far beyond the return team. His stature and speed are reminiscent of Wes Welker, who has certainly had great success with McDaniels calling the plays in New England.
Royal running the slot routes is a tasty delight for Denver fans. However, he may even be more useful stretching the field.
He has the speed to outgun most defensive backs and he will whoop most safeties in a footrace. Royal stands to be a big-play receiver who can shift from the wideout to the slot, keeping defensive coordinators guessing.
Robert Ayers, LB
2 of 5
Last season, Ayers suffered under the weight of expectations.
This year, he can't hide behind Elvis Dumervil. The spotlight is shining on the second year linebacker out of Tennessee.
And that's okay, because he can earn his draft status.
Ayers is a whip-smart player who knows how to get into the opponent's backfield. The trial by fire method will spook most fans at first while the young man comes into his own and picks up the game speed.
However, once he has it down, his natural intellect and athleticism will do the rest of the work.
No, we're not looking at Ayers as a league leading sack artist. But double-digit sacks wouldn't be a shocker now the defensive line has beefed up.
Ayers will look like a bigger, less experienced version of Dumervil, which is exactly what he is now.
Zane Beadles, LG
3 of 5
Beadles is no surprise as a starter. He's a mammoth mover with an ever-churning motor.
His presence on the offensive line is a major part of the McDaniels makeover. He moved from his normal tackle position to the inside position of left guard.
He was also heralded as a locker room leader, which will be useful with Ryan Clady watching from the sidelines for a little while longer.
Beadles was recognized for excellent drive and exceptional intelligence in the draft. However, he did not play as much from the three-point stance as other offensive linemen.
Being picked in the second round shows the faith that McDaniels has in a player that embodies the intangibles that were present throughout the 2010 Denver draft selections.
Beadles and Clady on the left side of Orton allows the quarterback to relax a little more in the pocket and will buy him more time.
This is a huge addition to the Broncos offense and will pay off for years to come.
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Jabar Gaffney, WR
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With Marshall out of the picture, someone will have to step up and take over the No. 1 receiver role.
Many thought it would be first round selection Demaryius Thomas taking over the point.
That vision of the future is so far out of place with reality. At this point, it looks like placing a veteran in that position may be the best way to execute the Josh McDaniels offense.
This could be Gaffney's year to truly shine and stand out.
He has the physical tools needed. He has just never gotten an opportunity like this.
If he can provide consistency to go with Kyle Orton's emerging skill, then the Broncos may be able to get past the constant use of bubble screens and short slant routes.
The complexity of the McDaniels offense will benefit from Gaffney's time in New England as well, where the building blocks for the current version were put together.
Gaffney hitting the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the first time in nine professional seasons will be a barometer of his success.
Perrish Cox, CB
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He's not a starter, but Cox is backing up Champ Bailey and will see some time on the field.
He has the size and natural skills to be the heir apparent to Bailey. Fortunately, he'll be learning from the best for a couple of years.
This season, Cox will need to prove his value and could outshine last year's selection of Alphonso Smith.
His biggest concern in the draft was a slow 40-yard dash, causing him to fall to the fifth round, where the Broncos scooped him up despite concerns about character.
Cox was a definite value pick in a draft that many felt was full of reaches for Denver.
The payoff will be excellent as Cox learns to pick up on the nuances of covering elite-level receivers. Every time he steps on the field, he brings with him his natural pass deflection instincts and a knack to find the end zone in the return game.
He will have the chance to make a difference both on special teams and on defense. The first time he swats down a pass on a third down pass, the Broncos staff will be smiling, knowing they've found a top-flight corner at basement prices.
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