The Denver Broncos have had the ultimate offseason of change.

 

Starting at the top, Mike Shanahan was fired as head coach and replaced by 32-year-old Josh McDaniels (former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots).  McDaniels proceeded to fire most of the previous coaching staff.

 

The Broncos owner, Pat Bowlen, then promoted Brian Xanders to the role of general manager after firing Jim and Jeff Goodman. Jim Goodman was originally reported to be next in line to take over the general manager role after Shanahan was fired. Instead he was unceremoniously fired after 11 years with the Broncos.

 

I mention the front office changes because it proves the point of how deeply changed this organization will be in 2009. The Broncos will be different from the GM to the long snapper on punts and kickoffs.

 

McDaniels hired Mike Nolan to be the defensive coordinator. He will install a 3-4 defense, which continues to gain popularity throughout the NFL.

 

As if these changes weren’t enough, McDaniels then traded Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks and Kyle Orton.

 

In the draft, the Broncos made a splash by selecting running back Knowshon Moreno with the 12th pick.

 

Offensively, McDaniels brings a new system to Denver. While this system has roots in the West Coast offense, it is decisively different. There will be more three- and four-receiver sets.  oth the full back and tight end will be asked to line up on the slot to create mismatches.

 

The good news is that, with Peyton Hillis and Tony Scheffler, the Broncos have the personnel to get the job done. Both Hillis and Scheffler have excellent hands.

 

As in any offensive system, there is a lot of pressure put on the quarterback. The addition of Orton and Chris Simms brings new blood to the position. McDaniels is hoping that whoever wins the battle for the starting job—many believe it will be Orton—will have the ability to read defenses and make accurate passes. These are the most valuable assets for a quarterback to posses in this offense.

 

The running game is often used to set up the passing game. This is why McDaniels has spent so much time and money on bringing in free agents and using a first-round pick on the position. Everyone is expecting Moreno to be the starter on opening day, but he will be pushed by LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter.

 

The defense was ranked 30^th in the league last year. Wholesales changes were made as a necessity.

 

The addition of safeties Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill will be a huge upgrade from the horrific safety play last season.

 

The main concern here is the front seven. Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss will be asked to move from defensive end to outside linebacker. The defensive line will be revamped.  Free agent acquisition Roland Fields will likely start at nose tackle, but Marcus Thomas will get a chance to play there, as well. 

 

There is now talk of first-round pick, Robert Ayers, moving to linebacker in the scheme. He could move back and forth between defensive end and linebacker in a hybrid role for this defense. 

 

The linebacking corps should be pretty good, assuming Dumervil and Moss can make the transition. Of course, with the changes to a 3-4, Boss Bailey and D.J. Williams will have to make adjustments, also.

 

There will be a lot of things worked out on this side of the ball in mini-camps and training camp. I am not sure the coaching staff can tell you who will be where when the season starts. There could be as many as eight new starters on this defense, which isn’t a bad thing since they played so badly last season.

 

With so many changes on a team during one offseason, we will have to wait and see what happens when they actually lineup and play a game, or at least scrimmage. The playbook is completely new to everyone on the team, and there are huge changes in personnel. 

 

One thing is for sure, this season will be fresh and interesting for the fans. I just hope it all comes together in the end.

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