Broncos Training Camp: A Retrospective of Team Changes

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With NFL training camps starting nationwide this week, it’s a good time to reflect on the past while looking forward to the future. 

This week’s series has to do with coaches and systems.  Today’s article focuses on the way the Denver Broncos have implemented change since becoming a successful franchise back in the mid 1970’s.  Articles coming later in the week focus on the nuts and bolts of change.

Training camp at the NFL level brings an old adage every year.

Out with the old, and in with the new.

This year in Denver has been an intriguing one for the new regime, so it’s time for a retrospective prior to moving forward.

Gone is the one figure that survived in Denver football since 1995. Mike Shanahan, and his seemingly can’t miss personality.

The only coach to have brought a pair of Super Bowl Championships to Denver is now a part of Broncos legend and lore as he was let go immediately following the teams last game in San Diego.

The thing that coaches in general are well known for are the systems they implement that become part of their identity and legacy.  Looking back can occasionally help one’s perspective moving forward.

In Denver, going back to the John Ralston era, the evolution of the first successful system was never fully developed before a regime change was in order.  Ralston was better known as a master at the draft than he ever was as a head coach. 

He pulled the trigger on assembling the Orange Crush defense before they had their identity.  Players like Randy Gradishar, Bill Thompson, Louis Wright, Bob Swenson, Joe Rizzo, Tom Jackson, Lyle Alzado, and Rubin Carter among many others were assembled long before the memorable 1977 season began.

Ralston was replaced after a number of players requested a change at the top.  His replacement made his presence known immediately. 

Robert “Red” Miller was hired as the head master in Denver primarily for his system.  Red brought a more methodical approach on offense, though very conservative even for that era of NFL football, and the attitude that the defense would set the offense up for success. 

As it turned out Miller was correct in his approach, as the defense caused a league leading number of turnovers and offense scored just enough points most games to win.  The Broncos finished the regular season 12-2, 14-3 after the Super Bowl.  By far this was the greatest season the Broncos had ever seen in their history.

The years following the first Broncos Super Bowl run were challenging however, as teams started to challenge the Broncos offense and defense in more dynamic ways.  Injuries to the aging defense over the course of a number of seasons led to the end of Millers time at the helm. 

The Broncos had a new young owner in Edgar Kaiser when he decided to clean house and bring in Dan Reeves as the new head coach in 1981.  Reeves was brought on board because of his time as a player and coach with the Dallas Cowboys.  His knowledge of one of the most successful systems in football was paramount to his being hired to get the Broncos back on track. 

The Broncos had become an 8-8 football team at the end of Red Miller’s time in Denver.   While the Broncos had higher expectations, they had an aging quarterback in Craig Morton and an unproven Steve DeBerg and Mark Herman working to become the QB of the future. 

That is until the 1983 season when John Elway was traded to Denver for Mark Herman, Chris Hinton (the Broncos number one draft pick) and a first rounder that later became Colts OG Ron Solt.

Elway and Reeves combined to reach the Super Bowl three times in four seasons; however each Broncos Super Bowl would end as a blowout.  Part of the criticism over the years was that Reeves system never allowed Elway to open up the offense and defenses were keyed on this. 

That made it more challenging and essential for Elway to rack up the comebacks, as he retired as the all-time leader in fourth quarter comebacks and victories.  Brett Favre has since past Elway in all-time wins; however Elway still owns the all-time comeback number at 47.

When Reeves decided to draft Tommy Maddox it was clear he had intentions to replace John Elway sooner than later.  It also became known much later on that Reeves was working on a trade that would send Elway to Washington before it was shot down. 

Reeves had also previously terminated QB Coach/Offensive Coordinator Mike Shanahan for conspiring with Elway on calling plays differently than what Reeves claimed he wanted run.  This was always adamantly denied by Elway and Shanahan.  Nonetheless these maneuvers by Reeves and gaps in communication added to a fizzling relationship between Elway and Reeves.

Reeves was terminated following the 1992 season and owner Pat Bowlen really wanted Mike Shanahan to become the head coach, but Mike, for a number of personal reasons, declined taking the position at that time.  The Broncos promoted defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to head coach, but the team remained mediocre at best. 

After Mike Shanahan and former Broncos backup QB Gary Kubiak won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers against the San Diego Chargers as offensive assistants, Bowlen pleaded with Shanahan to make a return to Denver.

In 1995 Mike Shanahan became the head coach in Denver and immediately worked on changing the culture of the team.  Along with the cultural change, Shanahan brought a few players from San Francisco; most notably Ed McCaffrey and Coach Gary Kubiak to help bring high expectations back to Denver. 

One primary thought was Denver had the best QB in the NFL, but he needed a better system and team around him to reach the Super Bowl in order to win the big one.  The Broncos started the work of raking in free-agent talent and selected Terrell Davis in the sixth round of the 1995 draft. 

Shanahan began to develop a west-coast system that was similar to San Francisco’s attack, only more run-centric with the emergence of Terrell Davis.  Additionally much of the focus was on placing greater protection around John Elway.  Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey, and Shannon Sharpe became the nucleus of a lethal group of receivers for Elway to throw to. 

In 1996, the Broncos selected John Mobley with the first overall selection and acquired Bill Romonowski and former CU Buff Alfred Williams. 

After losing in one of the biggest upsets of all-time to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1996 playoffs, the team saw the greater need to solidify the defense.  Rival pass rusher Neil Smith was attained as a free agent signing from the KC Chiefs, an essential piece of the puzzle to push the Broncos over the top and into a memorable run to the Super Bowl.

The Broncos began their “revenge tour” once they reached the 1997 playoffs.  They labeled the tour since it would require winning against teams that kept them from winning an AFC Title the year previous and the 1997 division title.  

The Broncos reeled off wins against Jacksonville, divisional rival Kansas City, and Pittsburgh.  After beating the Steelers in a tightly contested AFC Championship, the Broncos reached the Super Bowl and would face the highly favored Green Bay Packers.

Ironically enough, Elway had one of his worst Super Bowls on a personal level, as Terrell Davis and the Broncos found a way to win the most important game of John Elway’s career.  An upset in some peoples minds and par for the course in the minds of the Broncos faithful.

In 1998 the Broncos followed up their first championship by defeating the Jets in a come-from-behind victory in the AFC Championship.  The Broncos faced the Atlanta Falcons, a team that clearly upset the Minnesota Vikings.  The Broncos beat an Atlanta Falcons team that paid the price for its success on and off the field.

From that time forward, things changed in Denver.

John Elway retired amid great appeal from the team and fans that he play one more year. 

Mike Shanahan wound up replacing Bubby Brister as the next Broncos starter with Brian Griese prior to the 1999 season.  The Broncos started 0-4 and sparking a media storm after Sports Illustrated ran an article where an anonymous player had stated that the Broncos were finished.

The Broncos did miss the playoffs that season; in fact they only made cameo appearances in the playoffs in all but one season for the remainder of Mike Shanahan’s tenure. 

The Broncos reached the AFC Championship in 2005 but failed to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver, as the Steelers wound up winning their fifth overall Super Bowl.

The 2009 off-season in Denver was a firestorm, first started by Mike Shanahan’s termination, then the hiring of a very young Josh McDaniels to be the new head coach. 

That was followed by a falling out between starting quarterback Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels and a number of transplants that came with McDaniels from New England where he coached Tom Brady and Matt Cassel.

Josh was hired for his offensive knowledge and overall experience as being an understudy to New England head coach Bill Belichick, having won three Super Bowls with the organization.

The waters in Denver have been turbulent; with the trade of Jay Cutler, the release of half of last season’s roster, the signing of Brian Dawkins and other defensive backs, and an interesting draft class. 

Then there is the disgruntled Brandon Marshal worried how he can possibly fit into the new system long-term.

Currently the Broncos are facing some challenges to take the next step into the playoffs while taking on one of the NFL’s toughest schedules this season.  New QB Kyle Orton will be at the controls of Coach McDaniels new system in Denver. 

That really leads us to this one thought to camp out on until next time.

Maybe training camp should be renamed system camp or roster spot camp since most of the training is already in place. 

All that’s left is the competition in camp, OK maybe competition camp.

Never mind, stick with training camp, and just kick it into high gear because the football season is upon us all, bringing with it a new wind of change.

 

The 2009 Denver Broncos: Mahanahmahnah or Phenomenon?

Absurdly enough, in the late 1970s, the success of PBS program Sesame Street spurred on a prime-time half-hour syndicated show known as The Muppet Show.  Both were creations of the late Jim Henson.  It was designed to be a cross-over family oriented entertainment program. 

The show would feature celebrity guest that would usually serve as the programs musical talent.  It was a true variety program that featured the likes of John Denver, Harry Belafonte, to the hard rock band RUSH, Linda Ronstadt, and Rita Moreno.

The show gave birth to such comical skits as Pigs In Space, The Swedish Chef, At the Dance, and Veterinarian’s Hospital, a clear comedic take-off on daily soaps, most specifically General Hospital.  Moreover the show led to a series of Muppet movies.

Perhaps the most memorable skit of all time was not so much of a skit as it was one of the first music videos to hit the big time.  The skit ironically became a phenomenon among American school kids for its simplicity and Muppet angle on sophistication. 

It’s simply known as Mahnahmahnah! 

It featured one of the shows rock and roll hippie free spirit Muppets singing in a gibberish sort of way “Mahanahmahnah!”   It was done with a soft-rock or jazzy scat singing vibe.  This was done with two pink lady cows singing back-up, while dancing in the forefront of the camera.  The pink lady cows were singing “Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo Do-do-do-do-dooooo!”.

At least that’s what they are supposed to be…cattle…right?

The end of the song-skit featured two elderly Muppet men in the balcony, regulars on the show, commenting after the skit.

One commented to the other.

“The question is:  What is a Mahanahmahnah?”

The other replies with the punch line:  “The question is who cares?”

 

So what is it that the 2009 Denver Broncos have in common with The Muppet Show?

Is it Pigs in Space?

Could it be The Swedish Chef or a slew of celebrity guest appearances?

No, most obviously not. 

Could it be the vertically stripped socks? 

Possibly.

This preseason the Denver Broncos are facing Pandora ’s Box from this past off-season.

Success or failure will be measured in two words.

Should the Broncos bounce back and find themselves in the playoffs it could be deemed nothing short of a phenomenon.

Anything short of that is mahanahmahnah: AKA who knows/who cares?

The more likely scenario Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniels are facing head on is the risk of becoming irrelevant.

Simply stated the 2009 Denver Broncos have become the offseason laughing stock.  The team terminated a long respected headmaster among other front office talent.  They also traded a disgruntled Jay Cutler who was happy until Josh McDaniels showed up on the scene. 

Additionally, the McDaniels Broncos have been guilty of trading a future higher draft pick for an immediate lower one. 

Those moves don’t even account for a now disgruntled Brandon Marshall who has promised to be at Training Camp once it starts.  In the end, however, Coach McDaniels approach to build the team in Denver has met resistance, in large part because of the new angle, his youthful ways, and ego.

Not since The Muppets Take Manhattan has an arrival been viewed so oddly by so many.

Should the Broncos win the division outright and make the playoffs that would be a most unexpected phenomenon! 

In some regards, the soap operatic turns in Dove Valley have been worthy of their own following and recordings for late-night replay.

In some regards it’s like Harry Connick Jr.’s soundtrack for Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s classic When Harry Met Sally.

Phenomenon!  Mahanahmahnah!

Let’s call the whole thing off!

 

Face the facts.  Even if the Broncos have some success this season, there is still going to be a segment of the fan base that would rather see Jay Cutler behind center for years to come.

Moreover, in a game that means everything, would you rather have Coach Shanahan or Coach McDaniels on your sideline? 

Phenomenon!  Mahanahmahnah!

Let’s call the whole thing off!

 

Why you ask?  Well here’s the schedule and the projected results.

 

2009 Preseason

Denver @ San Francisco 49’ers (The starters play a quarter or so)  Mahanahmahnah!

Denver @ Seattle Seahawks (The starters play a quarter to a half) Mahanahmahnah!

Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos (Phenomenon!  @ Mahanahmahnah!)  Not since the Green Bay Packers talked trash after the Broncos beat them in the Super Bowl has a pre-season game had so much meaning as Jay Cutler will return to Denver as a Chicago Bear. 

By the way the Packers lost the preseason game in Denver as a follow-up to the Broncos first Super Bowl Championship.)

Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos (The last chance to make the roster.)  A possible phenomenon or two make the final roster. 

Watch out, here comes the regular season.

 

2009 Regular Season

Denver at Cincinnati Bengals (Carson Palmer is ready to go, is Kyle Orton and the Broncos D?) Mahanahmahnah!

Cleveland Browns @ Denver (Broncos win the home opener.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Oakland Raiders (Raiders are much improved but their QB situation is a mystery as well.) 

Toss-up!

Dallas Cowboys @ Denver (Tony Romo broke up with his girl, but he’s still Tony Romo.)

Phenomenon!

New England Patriots @ Denver (No servant is greater than his master.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Denver @ San Diego Chargers (San Diego has blown Denver out more than any other team in recent years.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Bye Week 

Phenomenon! Or Mahanahmahnah!  That is the question!

Denver @ Baltimore Ravens (The Ravens are for real, but don’t have the best offense.  This may be a possible Broncos upset here, but they don’t usually play well in Baltimore.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos (The Broncos play the Steelers better than most.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Washington (A good franchise seeking identity @ A good franchise seeking identity.)

Toss-Up!

San Diego Chargers @ Denver (Broncos get the ground game going and improve on defense.)

Phenomenon!

New York Giants @ Denver (Broncos D causes headaches for Eli.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Kansas City Chiefs (Broncos don’t play well in KC past October.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Denver @ Indianapolis Colts (Maybe the Broncos should call Marvin Harrison.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Oakland Raiders @ Denver (Broncos defend the home field against the hated Raiders.)

Phenomenon!

Denver @ Philadelphia (B-Dawk will be missing his boys on the other side of the ball.)

Mahanahmahnah!

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver (The Broncos try to beat the surging Chiefs.)

Toss-up!

 

In case you’re keeping score.

 

Phenomenon’s:        6

Mahanahmahnah’s:  7

Toss-Ups:              3

 

At least on the surface, this does not appear to be a franchise heading in the right direction, but we won’t know for certain until the Broncos start playing football.  That’s the beauty of Pandora’s box.

The irony could run strong here.  If the Broncos are unable to show they have taken a step in the right direction, people will be asking all the right questions about them as well. 

The unfortunate Mahanahmahnah is that if they are unable to convince the fan base that they are headed in the right direction, they face losing one of the strongest fan bases in all of professional sports.  This will be coming in the face of a down economy.

If the Broncos aren’t improving this season, at least they still have the Copper Bowl throwback—reject jerseys to entertain the masses.

Phenomenon!  Mahanahmahnah!

Let’s call the whole thing off!

 

Face it, if the Broncos can’t score enough points or have a markedly better defense, well then the question will be:  “Who cares?”

So maybe the question and answer is plain and simply this:

How will the Broncos do?  (At this point it’s an unknown phenomenon!)

Mahanahmahnah!

Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo  Do-do-dooo Do-do-do-do-dooooo!

10 Questions for Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins (Plus a Little Bonus)

As the new NFL season approaches, teams go through changes every off season. The Denver Broncos have gone through an off season unlike any other.

With so much change in the Mile High City, I decided to choose a set of questions for Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins as they try to retool the Denver defense.

These questions are designed to address some of the past issues that fans still have questions about as well as the future direction of the Broncos from the perspective of two veterans at the top of their game.

Near the end we might have a little fun as well.

Enough pregame lets get on with the interview.

Denver Broncos: 2009 Coaching Staff Profile

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Once change hit the Mile High City in the form of Mike Shanahan being replaced, the winds carried a curiosity of how the franchise would now be run.  Five full months later we now a number of questions answered about the staff and the philosophies that will carry this team into the immediate future.

The following is a short profile overview of the Denver Broncos coaching staff and what each coach brings to the order of making the Broncos a better football team.

 

Head Coach

Josh McDaniels arrived in Denver bright-eyed and eager, and was quickly brought down by the Jay Cutler debacle. Josh was brought to Denver for his specific work and knowledge of working inside the New England Patriots organization.

McDaniels is the 12th coach in franchise history, all at 33 years of age. McDaniels won three World Championships and four AFC Championships with the Patriots. Josh was the coordinator that led the New England Patriots to their undefeated regular season in 2007. That group set a number of scoring records along the way. 

The primary criticisms of McDaniels as the new head coach would be his age, only being a coordinator for three years in New England, never being a head coach, his handling of the Jay Cutler situation, and his handling of the 2009 draft for the Broncos.

While Coach McDaniels has had to face the critics, cynics, and doubters early in his tenure in Denver, he does have a talented team. How well this team competes will very well dictate his future not only with the Denver Broncos but also in the NFL. Fortunately for Coach McDaniels, he does have some solid coaches in some key positions.

 

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

Mike McCoy comes to the Broncos from the Carolina Panthers where he spent nine years focusing on their passing game and coordinating. McCoy is 37-years-old and previously competed as a backup with the Broncos in the 1995 training camp.

His prior experience in Denver under Mike Shanahan and various experiences since could provide a good insight and balance to how Josh handles the offensive side of the ball. In essence, Mike could become just the coach Josh will need to help him and the franchise get over the hump this season.

 

Defensive Coordinator

Mike Nolan is no stranger to Denver either. He comes back to Denver by way of the San Francisco 49ers where he was the head coach between 2005-2008.  Mike was previously with the Broncos from 1987-1992 as a special teams and linebackers coach for Dan Reeves. What Mike brings to the table is experience (28 years in the NFL) on multiple levels of the NFL. He will also be a much needed mentor to Josh McDaniels and the staff.

 

Special Teams Coordinator

Mike Priefer has coached seven seasons in the NFL as an ST Coordinator. He comes to Denver from Kansas City where he spent three years in that position.  Mike previously coach for Jacksonville and the New York Giants. Mike fills one of the most vital roles in Denver this season.

In the past special teams was an afterthought for the Broncos franchise; Mike’s presence is solid and he brings a much needed voice in this phase of the game. Broncos fans should expect to have much better execution in this phase of the game.

 

Tight Ends Coach

Clancy Barone comes to Denver from San Diego where he spent the last four seasons with the Chargers. He has also coached in Atlanta as an assistant offensive line coach and has 17 years of collegiate experience. He has previously coached Pro Bowl Tight Ends Alge Crumpler and Antonio Gates. Clancy inherits one of the deepest talent pools on the Broncos. He should have immediate impact on the tight ends in blocking and receiving. Look for this group to play a vital role in the overall success of the Broncos offense.

 

Special Teams Assistant

Keith Burns starts his third year in the NFL as a coach. If ever there was a special teams player (or coach for that matter) who had the heart of a city behind him, it would be Keith Burns. His spirit as a player was positively infectious, similar to what Brian Dawkins brings to the Broncos now.

It’s hard to imagine Keith ever played anywhere else but Denver; he did, however, have stints in Chicago and Tampa. If his coaching career goes as well as his playing career, Keith is on track to become one of the best special teams coaches with an eye on the future. Burns brings the understanding of spirit and team, something essential to play in the NFL at a high level.

 

Offensive Line Coach

Rick Dennison returns to Denver after being in the running for the head coach position prior to Coach McDaniels hire.  This will be his 15th season as a coach for the Broncos. Coach Dennison was an understudy to Alex Gibbs when the Broncos won back to back Super Bowls behind the offensive line that put Terrell Davis over two thousand yards.

Last season’s offensive line allowed only 11 sacks, in part due to Jay Cutler’s mobility. However, the play of the O-Line was one of the only bright spots during a season that fell short. How well this group helps the Broncos execute a balanced game plan will set the tone for every game this season. Dennison has an incredibly important job on this team.

Despite not being selected as the Broncos head coach (for now) don’t under estimate how vital his role is to the squad this season. The Broncos must run more affectively than they did last year with the O-Line reaching the second and third level consistently. This will complement their already stellar pass protection from last season.

 

Secondary Coach

Ed Donatell has had two stints with the Broncos and the New York Jets and has also coached in Green Bay and Atlanta. Donatell comes back to the Broncos from the University of Washington where he was the defensive coordinator in 2008. On the defensive side of the ball, Donatell will have the vital role of bringing this entirely new unit together. 

Part of his focus will have to be tight coverage and tackling, both areas that became lax the last few seasons.  He is benefitted in having Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey in the same defensive backfield; moreover through free agency and the draft the Broncos have brought skill and speed to this position.

 

Wide Receivers Coach

Adam Gase is going into his fifth year in the NFL as a coach. He is young, which comes with inherent pluses and minuses. He’s not as experienced as Steve Watson who previously held the position and who played for the Broncos organization during the 1980’s. If something is going to buckle for the worse due to coaching, it may come at the wide receiver position. The counter to that is the talent level the Broncos currently carry at the position.

So, it is hard to get a clear read on this position. Adam will presumably gel well with Coach McDaniels and Mike McCoy who form a youthful nucleus of driven intellects on the offensive side of the ball. The thing this position loses is a more seasoned coach and respected member of the community.

 

Linebackers Coach

Don Martindale comes to the Broncos from the Oakland Raiders where he coached their linebackers for five seasons. Martindale inherits a talented pool of linebacker talent.

He is a serviceable coach who can help the Broncos goal of tightening up the defensive side of the ball through speed and technique in the 3-4. With the log jam of talent at this position, the challenge is to find the right guys to be in the right positions. The overall chemistry of this unit will probably have a significant impact on the outcome of Denver’s 2009 season.

 

Offensive Assistant

Ben McDaniels comes to Denver from the high school ranks. He is the younger brother of Josh McDaniels. Coaches in these types of positions generally work hard to learn the ropes while spending hours assisting the needs of other coaches. Positions like these are where Josh McDaniels got his start.

While there shouldn’t be any real expectation out of this coaching position on the field, there is something worthy of note here. Understandably, Josh hired his brother to come on board to help reinforce the team culture. What should be the more important point here is that a high school coach has made the leap into the NFL. Some might see this as a bad thing—they shouldn’t.

High School coaches are by and large more than capable of succeeding in the NFL. Kudos goes out to Josh for giving his brother Ben an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the NFL. There should be more coaches and organizations more supportive of this concept.

 

Defensive Line Coach

Wayne Nunnely is the man with the tallest task next to Josh McDaniels in Dove Valley. What’s impressive is that Nunnely appears to be just the guy to be up to the task. Wayne has one of the more impressive resumes not only on the Broncos staff but in the NFL. He most recently spent 12 seasons in San Diego building up the defensive line to where it is one of the most revered units in pro football.

Nunnely is a master tactician who also was a head coach at UNLV. He could be the right instructor for guys like Tim Crowder, Jarvis Moss, and Marcus Thomas needed to get their careers on track this season. The success of this group gives the Broncos an opportunity to win games. Look for the Broncos to become more technically sound up front and see if that helps them to be more competitive this season.

 

Assistant Linebackers Coach

Roman Phifer won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and comes to Denver as part of Coach McDaniels reinforcement of the new culture. This is Phifer’s first season as a coach in the NFL and should bring a wealth of experience to players that need relationships with former players who can understand life in the NFL.

As a player Phifer also saw time with the Jets and was originally selected by the Los Angeles Rams. He could prove to be a valued asset to the staff over time.

 

Defensive Assistant Coach

Jay Rodgers comes to the NFL from the collegiate ranks where he worked primarily on passing offense and game coordination. Rodgers could be valued for his understanding of the spread offense.

 

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Greg Saporta enters his 15th season at this position for the Denver Broncos. In conjunction with Rich Tuten, they run the year round program for the team.  What should be recognized is that they are some of the very best anywhere at what they do, the very best of the best.

 

Running Backs Coach

Bobby Turner also enters his 15th season in Denver as the running backs coach. His name is synonymous with success in the NFL as he has consistently helped the Broncos to get the most out of each athlete. Everyone knows about the work Bobby put in with the Terrell Davis his most notable subject.

What’s interesting is that Bobby has another talented Georgia running back in his midst in Knowshon Moreno. Look for Bobby to help him adapt to the professional game quickly.

Bobby is truly the best of the best and the Broncos are fortunate to have retained his services. He has a full plate however in trying to make the Broncos run game more physical.

 

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Rich Tuten also enters his 15th season as the Broncos head strength and conditioning coach. He is known for working with players to help them develop and recognize strengths and weaknesses. Rich has worked hard to stay on top of the needs of the athletes he serves. This led him to develop a wooden sled that players like former Bronco Rod Smith swear by because of the workout it gives.

Coach Tuten is also mindful of each individual and their needs to be competitive. Coach Tuten is as good as it gets in this area. His challenge this season is to help the Broncos to build the solid foundation they need this season in to the future with regards to the training regiment.

 

On the whole, this Broncos coaching staff has a good balance of youth and experience. New philosophies balanced with the tradition of the Broncos. This team will be interesting not only in it’s makeup but how it responds to the coaching. There are some highly skilled coaches on this staff and they all probably have something to prove much in the way the franchise does this coming season.

 

Denver Broncos’ Scheme Overview For 2009

It’s been said that schemes in football are cyclic. It’s also a fact that the NFL is a copycat professional sports league of sorts. As soon as one team finds a way to put a leg up on the competition, other teams immediately try to imitate the type of success the winning team has. 

In order to pull off wholesale changes in philosophy, a team has to be loaded with a versatile talent pool. 

In the NFL it can be hard to teach old dogs new tricks, so any team that implements changes in philosophy usually winds up being a younger team.  Such is the case with the 2009 Denver Broncos as they strive to overcome the shortfalls of the last decade.

Under Josh McDaniels the Denver Broncos have already seen wholesale changes across the board. The Broncos are expected to have a new philosophy on offense and defense, in part due to Josh McDaniels and his version of The New England Way.

 

On Offense

The strength of the Broncos passing game was Jay Cutler’s rocket arm the last two seasons. Jay has poor technique in where he positions the ball and how he would go about making his reads from time to time. 

This costs the Broncos dearly and more than likely cost Mike Shanahan his stay in Dove Valley and caused a rift between McDaniels and Cutler.  This of course lead to the eventual trade of Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Kyle Orton and a few high draft picks. 

Jay Cutler wanted more say in what happens on the offensive side of the ball and Josh McDaniels played the power card as he wasn’t having any of it. However, it’s important to understand what the Broncos had, what they lost, and where they are going in 2009.

Jay Cutler could hit any spot on the field on a dime. Translated that means the deep passing game, which was slightly under utilized, has now taken a severe hit. Unless the Broncos new scheme has a counter, defenses will make the adjustments.

Jay Cutler connected on 28 passes over 20 yards at home and 27 over 20 yards on the road for a total of 55 passes completed over 20 yards.  That works out to nearly 3½ deep completions per game. 

Kyle Orton is not quite that strong as a quarterback and neither is Chris Simms.  While in Chicago last season as the starter Orton completed 18 passes over 20 yards at home (in cold and humid Chicago), and 16 passes over 20 yards on the road. 

That totals to 34 passes completed over 20 yards per game.  That works out to just over two a game.  Chris Simms had 21 in 11 games in 2005 in Tampa.  That is just under two completions over 20 yards per game.

So with the New England influence in Denver what should the Broncos fans expect? 

Consider Matt Cassel, a first time starter last year in the New England offense threw for a total of 19 completions over 20 yards at home and 18 on the road for a total of 37 catches over 20 yards. 

Those numbers are just a touch above what Kyle Orton put up in Chicago. Taking a deeper look at the line on Cassel he certainly posted some respectable numbers in New England, and that was part of why McDaniels considered trading Cutler. 

 

Matt Cassel’s stats in New England 2008

G  Comp Att   Comp Pct   Att/G    Yds     Avg   Yds/G     TD   Int    Sck    Rate 2008

6   327    516     63.4      32.2       3,693    7.2     230.8    21    11       47      89.4

 

The one figure that has a positive is that Cassel connected on 63.4 percent of his passes under Josh McDaniels last season.  On the down side, Cassel was sacked 47 times for an average nearing three sacks per game.

Look for a more balanced passing attack coming from the Broncos as each and every receiver will fill a vital role.  This could test Brandon Marshall’s character as he’s presumably going to miss at least one or two games early or possibly more related to the off season incident and the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. 

Once he returns he will be a piece of the puzzle, but won’t have to be the focal point.  Eddie Royal could become the best slot receiver in football this season. The Broncos will move him around to create mismatches. 

Eddie was known last year for how hard he worked during training camp to become the other starting wide out, and made a phenomenal debut in Oakland. Look for the depth of this position to become the best asset and perfect complement to whomever the Broncos put behind center.

In 2008 the Patriots ran for 2,278 yards as a team last season, with their top rusher Sammy Morris gaining 727 yards. The Broncos totaled 1,862 with a backfield that saw seven starting tailbacks go down. 

No doubt the Broncos rushing attack had to get better since they really lacked power in hitting the hole. Six of the top seven rushers from 2008 have already been released or traded. Gone are Michael Pittman, Selvin Young, Jay Cutler, Tatum Bell, Andre Hall, and P.J. Pope.

The Broncos new regime saw the lack of a starting tailback, the lack of power runners, and tried to address the anemic red-zone problems the Broncos have had. 

This years’ top draft pick Knowshown Moreno is projected to be the starting tailback and is complemented by three bangers who can carry the rock inside in Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, and Peyton Hillis who will primarily be a fullback. 

Versatility comes in the way of J.J. Arrington who will fit the bill on third down situations.

With the talent of this group at the running back position, it does two things for the Broncos attack. One it makes the Broncos a more physical team to the punch enabling them to hit the holes on the line of scrimmage with force. 

Secondly, it does balance the Broncos out to where they can open up the passing game through their run game. 

There is certainly a gamble in starting a rookie tailback, Moreno however appears to be a strong vertical runner who can dish out punishment and fake would be tacklers.  He should be up to the task.

The Broncos offense will only be as strong as the numbers this group puts up however.  Kyle Orton and the receivers can balance out the short pass game and make the run game better by being efficient, something McDaniels has coached up in New England.

The key to winning for the 2009 Denver Broncos is ball control. Long drives seasoned by opportunistic scores off the back of defensive turnovers.

The fatal flaw of this offense will revolve around not stretching the defense enough in order to open up the running game and the underneath routes.

 

On Defense

Say what you will about the defense under Coach Shanahan, the need to either get bigger or faster or both is really the reason they needed to switch schemes.

The benefit running the 3-4 over the 4-3 is that if your defense is undersized (which the Broncos are upfront) it gives your team an opportunity to be more competitive than they could be otherwise. 

Additionally the 3-4 opens avenues for an attacking defense to be affective because of the presumed team speed it takes to run the scheme. Further benefits include the lack of man on man accountability which can cross up offensive lines during pass protection and quarterbacks in making the proper reads. 

All of this can lead to turnovers, which the Broncos blend of speed and experience seem set up to take advantage of.

The things we know about the Denver Broncos defense right now is that they are undersized. 

They have good athletes up front that give them decent team speed. 

The addition of Brian Dawkins to the defensive backfield has brought an instant attitude to the defense and a welcomed addition in helping Champ Bailey lead the DB’s. 

The Broncos are also somewhat deeper now than they were at the end of the 2008 season at nearly every position. It is a clear benefit to the Broncos chances in making them more competitive. 

The team speed and overall health of the defense will have to payoff for the Broncos defense to keep them competitive.

Realistically the Broncos are still small up front.  The defensive line was porous all of last season and it eventually cost them a trip to the playoffs. This year not much has changed at the position itself. The new defensive scheme however could make them more competitive. 

Additionally, this is the year the Broncos need previous picks like Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss to rise up and start playing up to their full potential.

The keys to winning on defense are bending and not breaking. Finding ways to stop the run, apply pressure, and create timely turnovers.

The fatal flaw of this defense rest in the D-line and linebackers, if they are unable to stop the run or put pressure on opposing quarterbacks it will be a long season in Denver.

Breaking Down the 2009 Denver Broncos (Part 2)

 

Part I of this series looked at the Denver Broncos offense for the 2009 season.  Part II of this series will turn it’s focus to the defensive side of the ball.

The best part about the 2009 season for the Denver Broncos is that they have a chance to improve from their 2008 performance. 

Realists and cynics alike will say that it’s a tall task at hand for the team to improve from their 8-8 record. However the Broncos should be better in some regard on both sides of the ball, save the quarterback position.

Last season the Broncos finished 26th out of 32 teams with a total of 26 sacks. Kansas City finished dead last with 10 and the Cowboys lead the league with 59. Against the rush, a usual strong point for the Denver defense, opponents gashed them for an average of 146 yards a game. 

Additionally the Broncos finished 30th in scoring defense allowing an average of 28 points per game. 

Needless to say there is much in the way of improvement in the way the Broncos apply pressure to the opposition. Ironically enough however Coach McDaniels chose to forego a number of talented defensive linemen and linebackers through much of the draft. 

They chose instead to draft cornerbacks and safeties with the exception of Robert Ayers a DE/LB out of Tennessee with the 18th overall pick.

 

On Defense

Defensive Tackle

Since the Broncos appear to be moving to the 3-4, and it being in the first phase, it’s hard to know for sure who will land where given the number of “tweeners” on the defensive side of the ball.

This group is a mixed bag. In part this is why the Denver Broncos defense has fallen under intense scrutiny. It’s not that the Broncos don’t have some size and some talent at the position; it’s more an issue of not having enough of it. 

Additionally to date, no one at the position has taken the bull by the horns. So that gap in leadership on the D-Line needs to be addressed. Whoever steps into the role has to bring the sense of leadership.   

Ronald Fields has begun to build a decent resume with the San Francisco 49ers over the last four seasons.  He is getting a solid look at becoming the starting nose tackle in the 3-4.

Marcus Thomas has shown signs of greatness from time to time. The problem is the defense against the run and against the pass has lacked greatly. Thomas came to Denver from the Florida Gators in the 2007 draft. 

He has always shown promise, but has fallen short of the high expectations, possibly in part due to the desperate need to fill the needs up front. Marcus Thomas has been a developmental project, but he could be on the verge of competing to become the starter at nose tackle. 

Given the amount of pressure he has played under, he has held up relatively well.  Thomas still has much to prove so look for him to make a move this season.

J’Vonne Parker, Nic Clemons, Carlton Powell, Matthias Askew, are all journeymen with varying levels of experience in the NFL.  None of them have started and all are aiming to make an impression.

Chris Baker played at Penn State and was later dismissed because of legal trouble.  Baker wound up at Hampton to finish his collegiate career.  He is seen as having definite NFL talent; the questions about him are mostly related to his off the field character.

 

Defensive End

The woes along the D-line have been a story with a one word title: Disappointment.  The Broncos defensive ends are undersized to say the least. Consider the following unique deviation for defensive linemen. 

The New York Giants (generally considered one of the bigger D-lines in the league and recent Super Bowl Champion) rate as a team at a +102.  This means their D-Line total weight is +102lbs above the mean of 300lbs. 

The San Diego Chargers are a +37 and the Broncos are a -91.  The group listing of D-linemen follows:

 

New York Giants +102 above 300lbs

San Diego Chargers +37 above 300lbs

Denver Broncos -91 lbs below 300lbs

Oakland Raiders -145lbs below 300lbs

Kansas City Chiefs -217lbs below 300lbs

 

There is a quasi-relationship between the deviation number and the number of points defenses allow. Consider the Giants rated number five in average points allowed, San Diego 25th, Oakland 27th, Denver 29th, and Kansas City 31st. 

There are other factors such as how well your secondary is on coverage etc… What this point emphasizes is that teams that are successful up front generally have size across the board as a team.

So given that it’s generally understood the Broncos are undersized up front and how they fix that is not an easy fix. Consider the fact the Broncos signed Sam Adams to basically plug a hole in the middle in 2007. 

Sam wound up with a total of 5 solo tackles and 4 assist through 11 starts prior to being waived.  So while you have to be big up front you need athletes at the top of their game.  Adams abruptly retired.

Kenny Peterson has cross-over skills that make him more of a “tweener” than a true defensive end or an ideal defensive tackle. Kenny is the eldest statesman on the D-line reaching his seventh year in the NFL. 

He has the smarts to take a lead role at this point in his career; however he does not have a definite inside track to any position considering his physical makeup.  He will however be given an opportunity to be a starter at DE.

Darrell Reid also has crossover skills at DL / LB.  He comes to Denver by way of Indianapolis.  Reid may find himself in the starting role at DE or OLB since early indications are the Broncos like him on the field in tandem with Robert Ayers starting at OLB or DE. 

It is a bit of a pickle with DJ Williams in the mix. How the Broncos find the right mix on defense under the new scheme is a definite challenge that coaches like to have on their plate. 

While Reid has appeared in a large number of games over his four years with the Colts he only had two starts.  He has been a staple on special teams and has occasionally filled the role as a fullback in goal line situations as well.

Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss were the Broncos first and second round investments in the 2007 drafts and they have yet to pay dividends. They are talented but undersized at their position. 

Crowder has shown the most promise of the two when healthy. There is also some discussion of moving Moss to linebacker permanently to free him up to better utilize his speed and rangy later strength. 

Ryan McBean has good size but is still a question mark. Elvis Dumerville is severely undersized but has great speed and has made a mark in applying pressure but he needs a supporting cast. 

Elvis will most likely remain a starter since he is the Broncos best pass rusher at this stage. Elvis is being looked at outside linebacker as well. 

The Broncos Drafted Robert Ayers out of Tennessee and he should see a significant amount of time at D-end as the starter or at linebacker.  The Broncos also signed undrafted free agents Rulon Davis out of Cal and Everette Pedescleaux from Northern Iowa, both have good size but are rookies that need to make an impression.

 

Middle Linebacker

Ever since Al Wilson was more or less forced into retirement, the Broncos middle linebacker situation has never been the same. It did improve in 2008 and was a major upgrade to the 2007 DJ Williams experiment gone awry. 

The middle of the Broncos defense has been a key to beating the team over the last few seasons.  With that in mind the Broncos brass went in search of the type of talent that could plug the holes in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Andra Davis and Boss Bailey are likely candidates to control the middle in the 3-4 schemes. Davis comes to Denver from Cleveland where he amassed 83 starts over seven seasons and some pretty impressive numbers at the position. 

He will definitely be a force in the middle of the field. Bailey is bouncing back from an early end to his 2007 campaign and may be a much better fit on the inside with his size.

Backup fullback Spencer Larsen should get some relief time in the middle as well with his skill set being a true asset for the Broncos. Nic Griesen a journeyman from the Ravens, Jags, and Giants should get some time in the middle as well.

Mario Hagan and Louis Green will fight to move up and make a dent in the middle position.

 

Outside Linebacker

With all of the new talent at the outside backer position, this is a group of athletes that can truly define this team going forward. The Pittsburgh Steelers current defense may be the fastest defense of all-time. 

What makes them so affective is the overall team speed that is primarily reinforced by the outside linebackers and safeties. Part of the model is being implemented into the Broncos 3-4 scheme. 

In order for the concept to work you have to have fast athletes that will fly around. The Broncos have focused intently on making certain they are stronger at outside linebacker and the safety position.

There is a mild log jam developing at the outside position and there may be an odd man out from time to time depending on the situation. 

Currently DJ Williams should be a given at the outside backer spot. The only problem to that thinking is this years first rounder Robert Ayers is getting serious consideration at outside linebacker and possibly Darrell Reid. 

At the other outside position, a pair of defensive ends will also be given serious consideration at outside linebacker. Both Elvis Dummerville and Jarvis Moss could both improve the defense and their careers from the outside.

One of last years pleasant surprises Wesley Woodyard will have to work hard to get some time at the position.

 

Cornerback

Champ Bailey is the only remnant of the defensive backfield from the 2005 team that hosted the AFC Championship game.  Fortunately for the Broncos he is still among the best in the league. 

Without a doubt, this group along with the Safety position has been the most upgraded positions on the team as well they should be.  Dre Bly fell short of the hopes Denver fans had of him complementing Champ Bailey as another coverage corner. 

The Broncos may have found a solution in Andre Goodman who comes to Denver from the Miami Dolphins. Last season he had five interceptions and a staggering 19 deflections at the corner position. 

For a cornerback, that is a lot of touches that eventually translates to more team turnovers.

Alphonso Smith was the first third round pick this season and seemingly has all the tools. Most immediately Alphonso is known as the guy Josh McDaniels traded a number one pick to get in the second round this year. 

Given the state of the corner position this may have been a near essential pick-up for the Broncos. They probably could have gotten Smith for less and still retained the first rounder. 

He is seen as a cover corner that is most ideal to a nickel or dime package DB to start.  He could also become the kick and punt returner or split time with Eddie Royal on special teams.

Following Smith are a slew of youthful corners that will take time to evaluate how they match up. Rashod Moulton, Jack Williams, and Joshua Bell are all entering their second season. 

The Broncos also picked up Tony Carter from Florida State and DJ Johnson from Jackson State as undrafted free agents. 

The numbers are there and the talent should be on board at this point, it’s probably a matter of who will take charge to become a force on the field.

 

Safety

Brian Dawkins.

It’s almost all that should be said.  B-Dawk as he’s otherwise known has a way about him that is more infectious than the swine flu. The Broncos biggest free-agent signee works hard to pump up his teammates and get inside the head of the opposing quarterbacks. 

Brian Dawkins is a leader by example and by speech. He’s not quiet when he’s on the field. He wants people to know he’s there to wreak havoc. Better than that, he’s among the smartest football players in the entire NFL. 

With the tone being set at the safety position expect this group to be among the toughest on the field at any given moment.

Renaldo Hill comes to the Denver Broncos from the Miami Dolphins. Heading into his ninth season in the NFL out of Michigan State he has also played for Arizona and Oakland. He is seemingly the perfect complement at free safety to Brian Dawkins strong safety. 

Hill signed a four year deal worth $10 million dollars when he came to Denver.

This tandem is the real deal and provided they stay healthy will become a reliable source for attitude and strength in the defense.

The Broncos also have youth that won’t be viewed immediately as great depth but could become that way by the end of this season or next.

Vernon Fox is also a journeyman who has came to Denver last season by way of Washington having previously played for Detroit and San Diego. 

Fox spent about half of last season on the inactive list he was also out with a concussion late in the season.  His tackling must improve if he is going to hang around.

Josh Barrett was the Broncos seventh round selection in the 2008 draft out of Arizona State. He spent most of the season on the practice squad. 

Barrett later saw action in six games and started three games after the safety position was riddled with injuries late last season.

Herana-Daze Jones saw spot action in two games late last season for the Broncos. He was with the Bengals in 2006-08 before being released during the season.  He has never been a starter but could be a serviceable backup at the position.

Darcel McBath is viewed to be a “tweener” between safety and cornerback, while not the strongest; he is viewed as a very good athlete. He’s a good cover guy who can tackle. He’s not the typical big safety, but will add versatility to the position. 

He is most likely projected to be a free safety in the NFL. 

David Bruton was the Broncos 2009 fourth rounder out of Notre Dame. He is 6’ 2” 219lbs and no doubt packs a wallop. 

This is part of the long range projection to have youth behind the immediate veteran needs. He has an infectious smile, was one of three team captains for the Irish in 2008 and was the teams leading tackler. 

He appears to have all the goods in the make of becoming a top notch talent in the league. 

He’ll benefit from being brought along slowly behind some solid veteran talent.  Bruton also impressed at the combine by running the second fastest time among the safeties at 4.46.

 

Punter

Britton Colquitt from Tennessee has signed on to compete at punter with Brett Kern. 

Kern may have out kicked his coverage under the Broncos poor special teams’ coverage. He averaged 46.7 yards per punt, good for seventh overall. The net average however dropped him to 16th with an average of 37.8 yards once the dust settled. 

Colquitt arrives in Denver with some baggage having been stripped of his scholarship his senior season following a DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. That incident was actually his second alcohol related offense while he was at Tennessee. 

Physically he has all the tools to compete and win the punter position.  For Colquitt it’s more of an issue of character and if he can bounce back from a difficult senior season in 2008.

 

Special Teams

The area of special teams has been a clear weakness of the Broncos the last decade. The new regime must emphasize the importance of this often forgotten phase of the game. 

Eddie Royal will probably start as the return specialist; however he may eventually split time with the likes of Alphonso Smith.

 

Team Philosophy

While the Broncos haven’t shown their hand on how they plan to scheme offensively or defensively this coming season, fans should expect imitation and implementation. 

The imitation fans do expect fits the mold of the New England Patriots concept of “team”. Imitation not entirely expected will most likely resemble the Pittsburgh Steelers bruising offensive attack and swarming defensive schemes.

The defense overall will have to utilize the depth of speed to overcome its lack of size.  The best part of being in a 3-4 with the type of talent the Broncos possess, it will be easier to confuse opponents. 

There will be a wide variety of defensive fronts that will make this defense more flexible in problem solving attacking offense. 

The old Orange Crush was a 3-4 that was known as a “bend but don’t break” defense.  Historically their numbers are still among the best ever. 

These Broncos have a long way to go and much to prove, however by being a more flexible, physical football team that is the positive step they needed to take.

The offense won’t entirely lure the fans to sleep due to the exceptional talent on the outside. However, it will most likely not be as explosive at it has been in the past.

There are still a number of questions still to be answered but the Denver Broncos do have good talent on board on both sides of the ball. How well that talent gels and rises to the occasion will determine the outcome of Coach Josh McDaniels rookie campaign.

Breaking Down the 2009 Denver Broncos (Part 1)

To many fans of the NFL and the Denver Broncos, it seems like there is a grave loss of a dear friend in the Mile High City this season. Coach Mike Shanahan was replaced immediately following yet another late season collapse by the team he led since 1995.

For the last decade, the threat of competing for a title every season seemed to fall apart for one reason or another. Those threats seemingly no longer exist in their original form.

What the Broncos organization and fan base has is deep remorse over the shortfalls of the last decade. Now in a sort of rebuilding stage from top to bottom, no stone has been left unturned. 

Enter Josh McDaniels, a highly touted head coaching prospect coming into the early 2009 hiring campaign. He came into Dove Valley with the look of a guy who won the lottery—with a fresh haircut and a youthful smile, ready to pick up a check and make a lasting impression. 

Somewhere between his first press conference and the present, something either went awry or almost exactly according to plan. It didn’t take long for Josh McDaniels to start firing and hiring a slew of new talent.

It all seemed so surreal after All-Pro Brian Dawkins was added to the fold. It seemed the Broncos were all about kicking butt in the free agent market and taking names.

It took all of a few moments later for the eventual embarrassment from the Jay Cutler debacle to unfold.

A day later, the full details of a failed attempt to acquire Matt Cassel from the New England Patriots became widely known as Jay Cutler informed a local media outlet of what he had learned. A few weeks later after the dust still had not settled, Jay Cutler was traded to Chicago more or less on a whim.

Moving forward, the Broncos focused intently on the draft and how they would manage games and quarterbacks within the new offensive scheme. While it certainly appears the Denver Broncos are going to be less talented at quarterback, they will be a more physical football team.

The overall team outlook on this team’s season will be saved for last; the following are the breakdowns by position for Denver.

On Offense

Center

The battle at the center position is a typical sort of competition seen on most teams at any position. You have a seasoned veteran who is up against a young, skilled talent with a desire to play in the NFL.

In this case, it’s last year’s free-agent acquisition from the Kansas City Chiefs, Casey Wiegmann, who played for an injured and now retired Tom Nalen all of last season going into his 14th season.

Wiegmann was the starting center for a line that tied the Tennessee Titans for the fewest sacks allowed (12).  There was some talk early on that Casey might not report or instead retire unless the Broncos renegotiated his contract.

Things appear to be somewhat better for Wiegmann as the Broncos have agreed to let him miss the offseason conditioning program. The two sides are also believed to be close to a new deal for the 2009 season.

Realistically, Wiegmann is the guy at center. However, should things not workout in some way or fashion, the Broncos have a young insurance policy to back him up.  

Last year’s fourth round pick Kory Lichtensteiger out of Bowling Green is the biggest of the bunch at 6’ 3” and 295 pounds.  Lichtensteiger may also see some time at the guard position—he did however struggle a bit in the game against the Panthers.

Blake Schlueter out of TCU might just be the best athlete of this bunch. He ran a 4.7 40-yard dash and showed a 35 inch vertical at his TCU Pro Day and was the Broncos’ seventh round selection at this year’s draft.

Guard

Ben Hamilton has started every game in six out of his eight seasons in the NFL. He bounced back in 2008 after suffering a series of concussions that kept him sidelined in 2007. This is the final year of Hamilton’s current deal; providing he can stay healthy, the Broncos would like to retain his leadership on the field.

Chris Kuper struggled in 2007 to fill Ben Hamilton’s shoes at left guard after Hamilton’s season ended early. Those trials eventually paid off as he was the Broncos’ starting left guard last season. He broke his hand against the Carolina Panthers and was replaced momentarily by Kory Lichtensteiger.

Former CU Buffalo Matt McChesney is in camp, having signed as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins. He is heading into his fourth year in the league and has only played in four games—none as a starter—so this is more than likely a make or break year for McChesney to make a greater contribution.

Mitch Ericson and Pat Murray also hope to make an impression at the position.

Seth Olsen is a new era hopeful after being obtained in the fourth round as the Broncos’ seventh overall pick. His size is impressive at 6’ 4” and 306 pounds. He’s said to have good technical skills and the ability to go toe-to-toe, but is not a great athlete.

This impedes his lateral and second-level movements. As with many rookie offensive linemen, he may be a developmental project for the future as he develops more athletically.

Offensive Tackle

The Broncos, on the whole, are a youth movement.

This position in particular may have the most youth, boasting five of seven tackles being in their rookie or second year in the league. Add third year pro Ryan Harris to the mix and that makes six out of seven with less than three seasons in the NFL. Don’t let that statistic fool you with this group.

In only his second NFL season, Ryan Clady has already become an elder statesman at his position. The left tackle position has to be solid there because that is where the backdoor blitzes and various forms of pressure generally originate against right handed gun slingers.

Clady proved he could handle his own and then some last year as the Broncos number one pick in the 2008 draft, taking over for Matt Lepsis who retired. He finished last season third in the voting for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award behind Atlanta quarterback sensation Matt Ryan and Titan running back Chris Johnson.

If you check his statistics, it’s not a misprint that he surrendered zero sacks last year. Probably the only reason he wasn’t the rookie of the year is because he’s not a quarterback or running back. Clady will be a force with many years to come.

Ryan Harris comes into this season with one season as the starting right tackle under his belt. He has compiled a total of 27 games at the position over two seasons. He should be the starter going into this season at right tackle.

Brandon Gorin comes to Denver as a journeyman offensive tackle who has played for the likes of San Diego, New England, Arizona, and St. Louis. He has compiled 26 starts over six seasons. At 6’ 6” and 308 pounds he could make an impact at the position. He will contend to make the roster while adding valuable experience to the team.

Local sensation and CU Buff standout Tyler Polumbus is the largest tackle in the bunch at 6’ 5” and 310 pounds. He did see action in all of the Broncos’ games last season and has shown promise, primarily on special teams.

Clint Oldenburg is a second year tackle out of Colorado State. He saw action in two games for the Jets during his rookie campaign last season. He’s probably an outside shot to make the team,  but he does have good size at 6’ 5” and 300 pounds.

The Broncos also signed Stanley Bryant who could add depth at the left tackle position.  He is the lightest lineman coming into camp weighing 282 pounds for his 6’ 5” frame and is said to be a good character to have around.

Marcus Gordon was also signed as a free agent out of Kentucky State where he transferred to from Penn State.

Tight End

This position will carry out the Broncos’ current ideology to be a more physical version of a balanced attack. With the advent of the Pittsburgh Steelers physical attack, double tight end sets are becoming vogue once again.

Tight end Tony Scheffler was rumored to be on the trading block early in the offseason.  As the Jay Cutler situation prevailed, Scheffler was said to be considering a holdout. To date, none of those reports have transpired even though he might remain silently on the trading block.

Scheffler is one of five fighting for a roster spot in this position. He probably has the best hands of the bunch and the best transitional skills as well. It’s hard to say the Broncos would retain all five tight ends; however four is not entirely out of the question with a physical run game in the mix.

Daniel Graham is already in his eighth season out of Colorado. He has already played a majority of his career with the New England Patriots and is a near can’t miss in coach McDaniels’ new system.

Graham was primarily used as a blocker in coach Shanahan’s system to help compensate for a less aggressive approach up front. With some of that mindset changing a bit, some of that pressure could be taken off of Graham which could open him up for more receptions.

Former Bronco, Texan, and Seahawk Jeb Putzier found his way back on the Broncos roster after being released by Seattle. He appeared in six games for Seattle and two for Denver but did not have a single reception. His best years in the league came in Denver in 2004-05 when he had 36 and 37 receptions, respectively, that totaled over 1,000 yards during that period.

One of the Broncos’ most controversial picks came in selecting North Carolina’s Richard Quinn in this year’s draft. He was projected to go between the fifth and seventh rounds, which caused a stir.

This is one pick not to be overlooked, however. Quinn is the biggest tight end at 6’ 5” and 260 pounds—a great blocker who has the potential to do something special at the position.

An additional bookend was picked up in Marquez Branson out of Central Arkansas. He is probably more of a true H-back adding a developmental guy at the position.

Wide Out

The wide receiver position boasts of having the most roster spots going into camp with a whopping eleven receivers getting a look at the position.

Brandon Marshall has been “the guy” in Denver at wideout, but it is also obvious his on- and off-the-field antics have fallen under review. Marshall may have to miss as many as eight games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy again.

With that in mind, Jay Cutler’s favorite target no longer has his quarterback. Brandon also noted that there was no fallout between the two even though there was obvious discord at the end of the last game blowout in San Diego.

How Marshall is used may well depend on how devoted to the team concept he is, as well as his off-the-field conduct.  If he doesn’t buy into the new system, another blockbuster trade may be in the works.

Last year’s sensation Eddie Royal has already shown he could be the greatest slot receiver in the league this season. What’s just as valuable is Royal’s locker room presence—a true character guy who worked hard from day one and found himself as the starter on the outside.

Realistically, Eddie’s best position on the field is on the inside where he can create automatic mismatches with much slower safeties and linebackers.

Jabar Gaffney was signed away from New England and may have been the final straw or parting shot that lead coach Belichick to foil Matt Cassel’s trade to Denver.

Gaffney is a serviceable receiver who has an astounding 12.0 yards per reception. This is not an overwhelming number, for a journeyman-type of receiver, that is. By comparison, Terrell Owens has averaged 14.8 yards per catch and Brandon Marshall has averaged 12.8 yards per catch.

The Broncos also have depth in the slot with Brandon Stokley who is entering his third year with the team and eleventh in the league. He’s a staple receiver with great hands and a knack for getting open but may be in a dog fight to keep his job.

As Denver continues to search for solid size and speed at the outside receiver position, the team drafted Kenny McKinley out of South Carolina and later signed Travis Shelton (Temple), David Grimes (Notre Dame), Lucas Taylor (Tennessee), and Nate Swift (Nebraska) to complement last year’s acquisitions of Chad Jackson (Florida) and Matt Willis (UCLA) to battle for the remaining roster spots.

 

Running back

Coach McDaniels took the draft by surprise (along with much of the Broncos’ following) when he selected Knowshon Moreno (Georgia) with the twelfth pick in this year’s draft. 

Moreno actually made one of YouTube’s greatest highlight video’s last season as he hurdled a Central Michigan defender 25 yards down field on his way to a big gain. While not officially the starter, he is projected to become the starter sometime soon. 

Unlike many of the other positions, the running back position is fairly well mapped out.    With Moreno the projected starter, Correll Buckhalter would be the second string tailback. J.J. Arrington would be the solid third down back while LaMont Jordan is the short yardage specialist, with the addition of last year’s surprise sensations Peyton Hillis and Spencer Larsen at fullback.

That said, the Broncos are also taking a look at Kestahn Moore (Florida), Ryan Torain, who was injured early in his return to the team last year, and Darius Walker a recent free agent signing from the Houston Texans.

 

Quarterback

This position will no doubt look very different with the absence of Jay Cutler. With coach McDaniels running his new system with marginal quarterback talent, the template is set to be a ball control, physical, running offense with the ability to choose their spots on the field to throw the ball. 

While both Kyle Orton and Chris Simms appear destined to be the upbeat number one and two, forgive the fans if they seem less than excited. The quarterback position, much like coach McDaniels, will have to produce points and victories in order to win the fan base after this tumultuous and overly dramatic offseason.

Kyle Orton may not be the next coming Broncos fans have hoped for, but he may just become the game manager they desperately need with a nod to the offensive scheme. 

In fact, Orton may remind Broncos fans more of Craig Morton or Charlie Johnson than any other quarterback in recent memory.  He’s not the best athlete, but his numbers were very respectable last season and fell only a shade behind Jay Cutler’s statistics.

The mere fact that Chris Simms is still alive and able to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL speaks volumes about his drive to live and to compete. Simms never panned out as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers future starter but could become a serious threat to Orton if things start to go his way.

Denver also picked up a gunslinger in Tom Brandstater out of Fresno State in the sixth round of this years draft.  He’s tall, rangy, and fairly solid as he could be a contender as the future starter at the position. 

He threw for over 2,600 yards each of his last two years in college. He also finished with quarterback ratings over 140 and 129 points respectively for each of those last two seasons.

 

Kicker

Currently Matt Prater is the only kicker listed on the roster. Don’t expect that to hold if Matt shows any further signs of being inconsistent during the mini-camps and pre-season as he struggled late in 2008. 

On the up side, Matt Prater impressed early last season with some of his long field goals, his furthest coming from 56 yards out.

To be continued tomorrow when we review the defense.

Best Denver Sports Media Old School Personalities

The Prelude

A few weeks back I was asked along with other writers in the area to tackle the subject of the best and worst Denver media personalities. I couldn’t help but think about the days of old when I couldn’t wait to see the next sports cast, read the sports page, or listen to the radio. I’d revel in the video clips from the Broncos training camp in the heat of a late Colorado summer. I always cherished the numerous game reports and highlights. It’s that spark, that vital flame of fire and passion that made the local reports something special in those days.

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