Denver Broncos: Are They Facing an Identity Crisis?

Who exactly are the Denver Broncos?  If you were following the last two seasons, they began as a team on the up-and-up and finished as a team plummeting to depths never before seen, even at the Mile High altitude.  

A once proud franchise embodied a bright orange identity of winning, loyalty and passion.  Now this same, once proud, franchise slumps in sorrow—and has no identity to speak of.

It’s no wonder that so many of the identity-less Bronco faithful ran—no, sprinted—toward the No. 15 jersey: Tim Tebow. 

While Tebow is not an elite, polished or seasoned quarterback in the NFL, scores of Bronco fans, who were victims of identity theft, believe that he represents a fresh start and perhaps a new beginning.  Someone they can trust. 

Tebow undoubtedly opens a wide door of debate.  However, to many victims of Josh McDaniels’ brief reign, Tebow embodies all that is desired of a player, both on and off of the football field—throwing mechanics and defense reading aside. 

Tebow wants to bring passion back to those who will accept it and him.  He’s an orange glimmer of identity hope—hard working, loyal and passionate—something good, that came out of something bad.

However, building an identity in the NFL requires more than passion, hard work, loyalty and desire.  It requires winning, unless you want the infamous, paper bag over your head identity.

In comes John Elway. 

A legend. A God. A savior?  We’ll see.  As VP of Operations, Elway is cutting his NFL executive teeth and working on restoring the Denver Bronco franchise.  He has been the lead man in hiring a new head coach.  His transparency and candor should be welcomed and trusted—especially after the Josh McDaniels tragedy. 

As a quarterback, John Elway was accustomed to picking up the Denver Broncos, putting them on his back and marching toward a rich destiny.  

He now dons a different uniform.  One that won’t get dirty, but he will certainly need to roll up his sleeves, and work on carrying the franchise toward the future. 

His task is to help restore a proud identity, one that he once helped shape.  He needs to lead another “Drive.”   

In comes coach John Fox. 

After a 4-12 2010 season, how could it possibly get any worse for the Denver Broncos?  Maybe 3-13 or 2-14?  John Fox finished his last Panthers season with a total of two wins.  Two games worse than the lowly, AFC West basement dwellers. 

But maybe Elway dug a little deeper.  Much is rumored about the Panthers making their own bed by introducing a “youth movement” within the organization.  This movement has been said to be the crux in creating deficiencies on their roster.  They were the youngest team in the NFL this season.

Were injuries also a factor in the Panthers’ dreadful season?  Well, due to injuries this season, the Panthers started, Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen and Brian St. Pierre at quarterback.  They further employed Tony Pike and Keith Null at quarterback, as well. 

Injuries at OL, WR, RB and DB further complicated a season, already dubbed as Fox’s last, well before the season started. 

While the recipe for disaster had been mixed early for the Panthers—they did not score an offensive TD in the preseason—a 2-14 season is a dreadful one.  Even for the youngest team in the NFL.

Panthers owner (Jerry Richardson) noted in a press conference that Fox failed to put together back-to-back winning seasons.  He also stated, "While we haven't accomplished all of the goals we set as an organization when we signed him in 2002, we have certainly had our share of high moments—the Super Bowl, two NFC Championship games and a division title in 2008. We wish John and his family the best going forward.” 

So, a Super Bowl, two NFC Championship games and a division title in eight seasons—sounds good to some Bronco fans right about now.  In reality, it won’t cut the proverbial mustard for the fan base, but it’s enough to start tomorrow with.

Not to be overlooked is a lot of criticism surrounding Fox’s “conservative” play-calling and lack of creativity on the offensive side of the football.  The Broncos will need to help a rebuilding defense, by keeping an offense on the field, absorbing game clock and providing rest. 

Focusing on the offense is a priority, too.  With Mike McCoy retaining the offensive coordinator position, they’re youthful in the box.  McCoy called his first four games, on his own, at the end of last year, after McDaniels was terminated. 

With luck, Fox won’t feel obligated to focus solely on the league's worst defense.  The team is in need of attention on both sides of the team.  Maybe Fox needs help in creating a new identity for his offensive predispositions, one that will translate to the Bronco fan base.

Rebuilding an identity of a storied franchise will require more than two men.  It will require more than passion, more than desire and more than a reputation. It will require success. 

The team is walking a new line, trying to build a new identity.  Bronco fans are waiting to embrace it.  The orange glow of hope is floating in the Mile High air.  Will this new identity emerge?  We’ll have to wait and see.