2010 Denver Broncos Preview: Why the Team Will Surprise Some People

OK, it’s still only the preseason. It’s easy to glorify certain performances on the field.

But the Broncos, who are fresh off soundly defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-17, performed well in a game that was definitely a test.

With Denver still without its top two running backs, quarterback Kyle Orton showed he is the leader of the offense. Orton, who’s entering his second year as the Broncos starter at quarterback, played with quiet confidence and made throws last night he didn’t make all 2009 season.

Specifically, Orton hit Eddie Royal on an 18-yard pass that was right on the money—a good omen for both players.

Royal, who was deadly in 2008 as a rookie (91 rec.), regressed in 2009 (36 rec.) with Orton at QB. Sure, Brandon Marshall was on the receiving end of 101 passes last season, but Royal seemed like the forgotten man in Denver last year. And while the loss of Marshall was the biggest story in the Mile High City pre-draft, the Broncos are showing that receiving by committee will be Denver’s game plan in 2010.

Brandon Lloyd, who was drafted in 2003, bouncing around four different teams including the Broncos, has shown much promise through training camp and the preseason. Lloyd has good speed, and is now an NFL veteran who has a rapport with Orton. Both Orton and Lloyd were teammates in Chicago in 2008, and they were reunited last season in Denver. And while Lloyd didn’t get much of a chance in 2009, he’s shown he can be a reliable receiver and may end up as the Broncos’ No. 2 receiver with Royal as the No. 3 in the slot.

The leader at the No. 1 receiver position looks to be Jabar Gaffney, who’s followed a strong 2009 campaign (54 rec. 732 yds. 2 TDs) with a great preseason. The ninth-year pro played in Josh McDaniels’ offense in New England and most likely has the best understanding of the Broncos’ O currently.

Together, the trio of wide receivers may seem like a bunch of relative no-names, just another reason that opponents will be surprised when they play the Broncos.

And while Denver has done nearly nothing but pass this preseason, the offense could turn out to be quite dynamic when Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter return.

Moreno and Buckhalter are running backs Nos. 1 and 1a, and neither has played yet in the preseason. Yes, LenDale White and Lance Ball have both performed OK, but neither have the explosive ability of Moreno or the size, strength and veteran leadership that Buckhalter possesses.

Of course, McDaniels has shown that his offense will always be pass-first, but making it pass-only would give defenses too much an advantage.

Speaking of defense, Denver’s was shockingly dominant in 2009.

Led by Mike Nolan, the Broncos possessed the No. 3 passing defense in the NFL last year.

Gone is Nolan, who has been replaced by Don “Wink” Martindale, a relative unknown in the professional football world. And the secondary is another year older.

Certainly Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins are some of the biggest superstars on the defensive side of the ball in today’s game, but at 32 and 36 years old, both are at the end of their prime and closing in on the end of their careers. Though, Bailey showed he still has what it takes in the first preseason game, as he single-handedly stopped Bengals’ drives by knocking down a pass intended for Chad Ochocinco, and tackling Terrell Owens short of the line on another.

But the Broncos aren’t going to rely on the older statesmen forever, and some young DBs have played quite well so far this year.

Syd’Quan Thompson, who was taken in the seventh round of this year’s draft, had an electrifying interception for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. In the same game, fifth round pick Perrish Cox picked off a pass and both players returned kicks with an electrifying ability.

The Broncos’ linebacking corps will obviously miss Elvis Dumervil, but the others will have to step up.

Robert Ayers and Jarvis Moss are both ex-first round picks and neither have done much in the NFL since arriving in Denver. Ayers, McDaniels’ second first-round pick in 2009, struggled after changing positions from DE to OLB. Ayers showed a spark and intent to earn some regular season playing time with his two monster sacks Sunday. Also, Ayers got one of his sacks lined up as a DE, and both Ayers and Moss will be asked to play hybrid positions especially when the Broncos bring a nickel package.

But, Jason Hunter, also a converted defensive end, has impressed many and looks to be the starting outside linebacker opposite of Ayers since Moss broke his hand in practice two weeks ago.

Of course, the backbone of the backers will be D.J. Williams, and he looks to have another strong season as one of the middle LBs.

Special teams looks to be a bit improved, as both kick and punt return teams and their coverage units have been fast and attacking. The coverage guys have been getting to returners more quickly and both Cox and Thompson showed the possibility of having some deadly Denver return men this season.

Of course Prater will be solid with his huge leg, as long as he keeps the ball going straight and doesn’t have another case of the hooks. And Britton Colquitt has an incredible leg of his own as the Broncos punter, booming multiple 60-plus yarders in the preseason.

Biggest Question marks

Many argue that what makes a great NFL team is strong play by both lines. The Broncos should be much improved on the defensive line, and both lines could experience some growing pains.

Justin Bannan, Jamal Williams and Jarvis Green were all brought in to revamp the Broncos defensive line and it will be on them to make impacts in whatever way possible. If they can jell, Denver may have a stronger D-line than anyone thought they would. But if not, the Broncos will struggle up front as no pressure will allow opposing QBs to pick apart coverages much like last season.

On the offensive side of the ball, the line has been featuring a rag-tag team due to injuries.

Zane Beadles has started most of the preseason at left guard, with fellow rookie J.D. Walton starting at center. Ryan Clady, who tore his ACL in April playing a game of pickup basketball, will be the starting left tackle once his health allows it. Ryan Harris has returned during this preseason and his presence at the other important right tackle position has been welcomed.

Still, McDaniels must figure out who at least one other starter will be, and whether or not he wants to start two rookies on his offensive line in only his second season as head coach.

And really, it’s the same for McDaniels as any other NFL head coach—it takes learning and self-confidence to become accomplished.

McDaniels has already shown some willingness to come out with more complicated plays than he did last year, and he gave Orton some props after the QB checked out of a run to quickly throw to Lloyd for an easy touchdown versus Cincinnati. McD said the play was indicative of the growth and comfort level of Orton in the offense and it’s a telling sign that Orton is in fact improving even though he had a career season in 2009.

The Broncos were sixth in the NFL at 26 points per game, and even with the departure of Marshall, Denver looks to be much stronger with the ball in their hands.

On defense, the Broncos will amaze some if they play well because there has been a good deal of turnover for yet another year. It also depends on the aggressiveness and innovation of Martindale’s defensive scheme.

In all, this is a Denver Broncos team that has been stripped and rebuilt in an extremely fast fashion, but if it doesn’t produce winning and fun football, then the year is a failure. The Broncos surprised everyone when they finished 8-8 last season, except me (I picked them to finish at .500. Was wrong in saying they would win the division though.) In 2010, Denver could do it shock some again, especially if they go 10-6.

But the Broncos could go anywhere from 4-12—8-8 and no one in the national media would blink.

Realistically, 8-8 should be a mark Denver can get to once again, and if a multitude of things go correctly, the Broncos could even go 10-6 and make the playoffs for the first time in five years. Yes, the Broncos have missed the postseason for four straight seasons, the longest streak since the 1960s.

If Denver regresses in the final standings, McDaniels should be given one-two more years to get the Broncos to the playoffs. Broncos Country won’t stand for such a lengthy drought and owner Pat Bowlen shouldn’t either.

For now though, McDaniels should be given credit and he may grow the amount of respect Broncos’ fans have for him with another .500 (or just slightly better) season.

And who knows, if the Broncos go 10-6, it may even be enough to win the AFC West with the Chargers possibly trade Vincent Jackson and retreat in the standings.

Likely Returns Thursday

Ryan Clady, Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter could all play Thursday in the preseason finale versus the Vikings in Minnesota.

Their returns would be both mentally and physically relieving for the Broncos and their fans as everyone will finally get a look at what the complete Denver offense looks like for 2010. McDaniels said that the starters will play for a portion of the game Thursday, which kicks off at 6:00 p.m. MT.

Tim Tebow also has a chance to steal the No. 2 QB spot (if he hasn’t already) from Brady Quinn who has been downright terrible this preseason.

Rich Kurtzman is a Colorado State University Alumnus and a freelance journalist. Along with being the Denver Nuggets Featured Columnist here for B/R, Kurtzman is the CSU Rams and Fort Collins Beer Bars Examiner for examiner.com, the Colorado/Utah Regional Correspondent for stadiumjourney.com and the prospective Denver Broncos FC for B/R as well.

Follow Rich on twitter and/or facebook!