It would appear as though most of ESPN’s NFL analysts have forgotten that football is an 11-on-11 sport.

In what would be the biggest waste of seven minutes of my life, I endured the ESPN.com official Denver Broncos 2009 season preview.

This preview was not only irrational, it was downright pathetic, and not just because I disagree.

Scouts Inc.’s Jeremy Green had one of the more intriguing comments on the Broncos’ 2009 prospects: “This is not a very good team, but in the AFC West that is enough for second place. The Broncos have concerns at quarterback, along the D-line, and in the secondary.”

Concerns in the secondary? Does this guy have the first clue what he is talking about?

Broncos fans do not even need me to go into detail here to explain this comment, but for those who are not in the know, the Broncos have one of the more formidable secondaries in the entire NFL.

In fact, the preview goes on to say that the Broncos’ biggest offseason addition was the signing of Andre’ Goodman to pair with Champ Bailey.

Another comment I found particularly disturbing was one by Paul Kuharsky: “Offseason debacle leaves team in position to struggle. The Broncos undid a high-flying offense while not doing near enough to fix a bad defense.”

Yes. Because the Broncos do not have Jay Cutler, they have “undid” a high-flying offense.

Also, not doing “near enough” to fix their bad defense? Might I offer a little wisdom here:

• Three new starters on the defensive line
• Three new starters at linebacker
• Three new starters in the defensive backfield
• First-round pick used on DE/OLB Robert Ayers
• Three picks in first two rounds used on defense
• Brought in Mike Nolan, a defensive guru
• Switched defensive schemes

Just because the Broncos did not break the bank for every available defensive free agent or draft pick does not mean they did not do enough to fix their defense.

The comment that prompted this article was one that was written by James Walker.

“Any hope of the Broncos having a successful season was shipped to the Windy City.”

It really is sad that this man was compensated to give this kind of an opinion.

It was also sad that second-year tackle Ryan Clady was given a grade of 79 out of 99 by Scouts Inc. I am not sure who justified this ranking, though it means nothing, but you have to give the guy credit where credit is due.

Clady allowed half a sack on 620 pass attempts and only had three penalties all of last season. He was the most dominant offensive lineman in the NFL, by far. There is really no disputing it.

I will give this preview some credit, though. They did state that Denver’s “strengths” were along the offensive line, with their offensive weaponry, and in their defensive backfield.

But is this preview really justifiable? Let us take a look at Denver’s 2009 roster compared to the 2008 team that went 8-8, and you tell me if this year’s squad is better.

 

Offense

Quarterback

Kyle Orton vs. Jay Cutler

Advantage: Cutler

Even the most anti-Cutler Broncos fan will tell you that Cutler is the better player than Orton. 

Despite the fact that many believe Orton is fully capable of being an excellent field general for the team, Jay Cutler is an elite talent. He has not proven it in terms of wins and losses, but his skill set is one of the best in the NFL.

Consensus: The Broncos clearly downgraded at the quarterback position, but not to the point where they will have to hand the ball off every play. Kyle Orton is a very capable, smart NFL quarterback.

ESPN 1, Sayre 0

 

Running Back

Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, Peyton Hillis, LaMont Jordan vs. Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall, etc.

Advantage: Moreno, Buckhalter, Hillis, Jordan

The Broncos’ 2008 group of running backs was makeshift. Not a single back that was on Denver’s active roster at the start of last year (save for Hillis) is currently on an active 53-man roster.

Denver’s new group of backs is versatile, tough, and just downright better than they have had since Clinton Portis roamed around the Mile High City.

Consensus: The Broncos undoubtedly upgraded at the running back position. Plain and simple.

ESPN 1, Sayre 1

 

Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Jabar Gaffney, Kenny McKinley, Brandon Lloyd vs.  Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Clifford Russell

Advantage: Marshall, Royal, Stokley, Gaffney, McKinley, Lloyd

Last year’s group was not much different than the 2009 group, but the additions of McKinley, Lloyd, and Gaffney give the Broncos excellent depth at this position. The Broncos signed a few journeymen last year because of injuries to Stokley and Royal, and their lack of depth showed.

Consensus: Upgrade. No real debate there.

ESPN 1, Sayre 2

 

Tight End

Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Richard Quinn vs. Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Nate Jackson

Advantage: Graham, Scheffler, Quinn

The only difference here is the third tight end. Quinn is in some trouble right now, but on the field he is a superior prospect than Jackson, who was a converted wide receiver.

Consensus: Though only slightly, the Broncos upgraded at the tight end position this offseason.

ESPN 1, Sayre 3

 

Offensive Line

Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Casey Wiegmann, Tyler Polumbus, Seth Olsen, Russ Hochstein, Brandon Gorin vs. Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Casey Wiegmann, Kory Lichtensteiger, Tyler Polumbus

Advantage: 2009 Group

The Broncos’ starting offensive line is exactly the same as last year, but the depth has been significantly upgraded. Russ Hochstein, Seth Olsen, and Brandon Gorin were brought in to back up Denver’s offensive line and are far more capable than what the Broncos had in 2008.

Consensus: Along with experience from 2008 and upgrades in 2009, this unit has been upgraded overall.

ESPN 1, Sayre 4

 

Defense

Defensive Line

Kenny Peterson, Ryan McBean, Ronald Fields, Vonnie Holliday, Marcus Thomas, Chris Baker vs. Elvis Dumervil, Marcus Thomas, Ebenezer Ekuban, John Engleberger, Kenny Peterson, Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, DeWayne Robertson

Advantage: Peterson, McBean, Fields, Holliday, Thomas, Baker

While this is a tough position to compare to last year, the change of scheme and increase in overall girth gives the 2009 unit the advantage.

Last season, Denver defensive linemen averaged roughly 6’3″, 275 lbs. This year, they average 6’4″, 300 lbs. That alone will help the linebackers greatly.

Consensus: The Broncos’ defensive front appears much more tough, formidable, and capable of stopping the run in the preseason, but I will be fair and wait to pass judgment until they get it done in the regular season. Wash.

ESPN 1, Sayre 4

 

Linebackers

D.J. Williams, Andra Davis, Elvis Dumervil, Mario Haggan, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Robert Ayers, Jarvis Moss, Darrell Reid vs. D.J. Williams, Boss Bailey, Jamie Winborn, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Mario Haggan

Advantage: Williams, Davis, Dumervil, Haggan, Woodyard, Larsen, Ayers, Moss, Reid

Again, the Broncos simply did what was needed to upgrade these positions. The hybrid linebackers could struggle in coverage at first, but that is a problem that can be fixed through experience. 

Consensus: Improvement.

ESPN 1, Sayre 5

 

Cornerbacks

Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman, Alphonso Smith, Jack Williams vs. Champ Bailey, Dre’ Bly, Karl Paymah, Jack Williams, Josh Bell

Advantage: Bailey, Goodman, Smith, Williams

The Broncos upgraded this position greatly this offseason by adding Goodman and Smith. The only thing they lack is pure depth. On the top end, they are among the best in the league.

Consensus: Upgrade.

ESPN 1, Sayre 6

 

Safeties

Brian Dawkins, Renaldo Hill, Josh Barrett, Darcel McBath, David Bruton vs. Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, Calvin Lowery, Vernon Fox, Josh Barrett

Advantage: Dawkins, Hill, Barrett, McBath, Bruton

The Broncos’ 2008 unit was an absolute joke. 

Consensus: Upgrade, by far.

ESPN 1, Sayre 7

 

Specialists

Matt Prater, Brett Kern, Lonie Paxton vs. Matt Prater, Brett Kern, Mike Leach

Advantage: Neither

This one is a wash. Both Paxton and Leach are great long snappers. 

ESPN 1, Sayre 7

 

So, ESPN, it would appear to me that the Broncos have upgraded significantly from their team in 2008 despite losing Jay Cutler. The schemes and culture of this team have changed drastically, but this is the NFL, and these players are going to have to be able to pick things up quickly.

For a team that featured over a dozen rookie performers in 2008 starting at one point, this seasoned, more veteran team would appear to have a much better chance at eight wins than last year’s squad did.

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