Denver Broncos 2011: 6 Broncos Facing a Make or Break Season in 2011

NFL players are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the 2011 league year, eager to begin the preparations for what they hope will be stellar seasons.

Some are more anxious than others in the Broncos organization.

The NFL has truly become a “what have you done for me lately” league, and while some of these players have delivered as of late, the heat is still on for them to continue to do so.

Others on the list have failed to live up to expectations, and one is just hoping to return to the elite level he debuted at.

Eddie Royal

Hard to believe he could be here considering the explosive rookie season that Royal produced. Since then, his total combined receptions from the last two seasons barely eclipses the 91 that he had as a rookie.

Royal is entering the final year of his contract and with younger players behind him and another draft ahead, it could be make or break this season. Another lackluster effort could cause Royal to be searching for rejuvenation in another city.

Robert Ayers

There are a lot of things that could bail out Robert Ayers this season. First off, he has three years remaining on his deal. Second, he is essentially playing in his third system in three years.

This all may buy Robert Ayers another chance, but what happens this season might tell coaches and fans all they want to know.

He will have the benefit of being opposite Elvis Dumervil who, despite coming off injury, should garner the majority of the attention from opposing defenses initially. Ayers will need to use that opportunity to at least quadruple his career sack output.

Just to be clear, that is only asking for right sacks this season.

If Ayers can not show signs of promise in the coming season, the Broncos will likely keep him on a very short leash and be quick to part ways with the McDaniels holdover should the opportunity present itself.

Brandon Lloyd

There may be some room for question on this, but look at it this way, great receivers generate numbers like Lloyd did last season on a regular basis.

Granted, an exact replica of last season would be huge but he at least needs to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in order to claim his spot as an elite receiver. If he delivers a season similar to what he did in Washington or Chicago, the term “one hit wonder” may apply.

Basically, the task is to make himself a star by having another good season or break the momentum he has going and risk fading into obscurity again.

Kyle Orton

There are some people who believe that Kyle Orton is as good as gone when league business resumes. Still, others believe he is the starter until Tebow wrestles the spot away from him.

It really doesn’t matter. Whether it is this offseason or next offseason, Orton will no longer be a Bronco. So, this season he faces two possible scenarios.

If he remains a Bronco, then he will have a tremendous amount of pressure on him to continue to be a productive quarterback and eliminate the questions about his lack of productivity on third downs. That is the only way that he can remain a hot commodity on the free-agent scene when his contract is up in Denver.

If he is moved from Denver, then he will be asked to deliver no less than the playoffs depending on where he is moved. Minnesota, Arizona and even Cincinnati might feel that he is the missing link to their playoff dreams. A subpar season in which expectations will be sky high could be a huge black mark on the rest of his career.

Lendale White

There is already talk of the Broncos wanting to bring in somebody to handle the majority of the work in the Broncos backfield. White is being given a chance to rectify his career in his hometown, and if he fails here, the list of potential destinations will be short.

He needs to be productive when called upon to play as well as a model citizen off the field in order to convince the Broncos that he should remain on this roster for future seasons.

Failing to convert on third and shorts, not punching it in from the goal line, allowing his fitness to waver or getting in trouble off the field make up the long list of pitfalls that White must avoid this season.

Ryan Clady

Think it couldn’t happen? Think Clady is untouchable?

Lack of solidarity at the tackle position is not something that is tolerated for very long. See Ryan Harris for proof.

The Broncos were quick to use a high draft pick on Orlando Franklin to replace Harris. If Clady does not return to Pro Bowl form, he may suffer the same fate at the end of his contract.

Assuming Tebow does become the starting quarterback, the harsh spotlight of protecting the quarterback's blindside will not shine on Clady. Not having every little mistake magnified could help Clady find his stride again, but at the end of the day, he needs to be dominant again for the Broncos to find success.