Lets think back to when Mike Shanahan was head coach: The Broncos were considered contenders. They had one of the top quarterbacks in the league in Jay Cutler. Brandon Marshall was happy to be a Bronco.

But then Shanahan was fired, and hell broke loose.

The Broncos hired Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. But can you blame them? Who wouldn’t want the man you helped put the Patriots number one offense together? I know I wouldn’t mind it.

But that’s when the problem started.

McDaniels tried to bring the Patriots offense with him to the Broncos. A trade almost went down that would have sent Jay Cutler to the Buccaners and brought Matt Cassell, the quarterback he coached last year, to Denver.

The trade didn’t fall through, but their was a problem with it anyway—Jay Cutler.

Cutler found out about the trade and took it very personally. He then asked to be released or traded. After a long month, he was finally traded to the Bears for their first round pick and Kyle Orton.

But, the mile high drama didn’t stop there. Now Brandon Marshall wants a new contract, or to get out. Can McDaniels keep this team together? Thats the question we’d all like to know the answer to.

Denver made many moves during this offseason; some good, some bad.

Offseason Acquisitions:

Added:

Correll Buckhalter, RB.

Andra Davis, LB.

Brian Dawkins, S.

Ronald Fields, DT.

Jabar Gaffney, WR.

Andre Goodman, CB.

Brandon Gorin, OT.

Nick Griesen, LB.

Renaldo Hill, S.

Dirk Johnson, P.

Lamont Jordan, RB.

Kyle Orton, QB.

Darrell Reid, DT.

Chris Simms, QB.

Darius Walker, RB.

Lost:

Tatum Bell, RB.

Dre Bly, CB.

Ebenezer Ekuban, DE.

John Engelberger, DE.

Darrell Jackson, WR.

Niko Koutouvides, LB.

Marquand Manuel, S.

Marlon McCree, S.

Tom Nalen, C.

Karl Paymah, CB.

PJ Pope, RB.

Patrick Ramsey, QB.

Dewayne Robertson, DT.

Michael Pittman, RB.

Nate Webster, LB.

Jamie Winborn, OLB.

Selvin Young, RB.

Draft Picks:

1(12). Knowshon Moreno, RB. Draft Grade: B+

1(18). Robert Ayers, DE. Draft grade: B

2(37). Alphonso Smith, CB. Draft Grade: A

2(48). Darcel McBath, S. Draft Grade: B-

2(64). Richard Quinn, TE. Draft Grade: D

4(114). David Bruton, S. Draft Grade: C

4(132). Seth Olsen, G. Draft Grade: B

5(141). Kelvin McKinley, WR. Draft Grade: C-

6(174). Tom Brandstater, QB. Draft Grade: B

7(225). Blake Schileter, C. Draft Grade: D+

• Right when you thought the Broncos added enough running backs, they drafted Moreno to be their number one.
• Robert Ayers was a one year wonder, but shot up draft boards with an amazing senior year. All-American tackle Andre Smith said he was the hardest player to cover. Boom-or-Bust pick of the draft.
• Alphonso Smith was a steal in the second round, fell on the draft boards because of his height(5-9). Could be the top corner in this draft.
• Darcel McBath could start along side Brian Dawkins at Safety.
• Denver traded up in the draft to select tight end Richard Quinn. He’s a good blocker, but lacks recieving skills. Bit of a reach here.
• Saftey David Bruton, guard Seth Olsen and center Blake Sclueter with all provide depth at their positions.
• Kelvin Mikinley comes from a school where receivers that struggle in the NFL.
• Tom Brandstater has a great name for a quarterback, but can he produce at the same level as other quaterbacks in the NFL? He could surprise.

Draft Grade: B-

Breakout Player: Kyle Orton, QB.

 

• Kyle Orton is now the starting quarterback after being brought to Denver during the Jay Cutler trade. He put up solid numbers for a team with weak receivers, and could put up even better numbers with better receivers.

Is change really for the best? That’s what fans are wondering after the many moves Denver made this offseason. New head coach Josh McDaniels came in and lost Denvers star quarterback, and now have their best player wanting out also.

Can McDaniels fix everything as well as he messed it up? He has a lot to prove, and I think McDaniels could be sitting on the couch this time next year if he doesn’t come up with a winning record right away.

Projected Record: 5-11

 

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