Not Lovin’ it

Well it sure looks like that didn’t quite work out how you planned now did it Josh?

Just months ago, the Broncos’ bright up-and-coming new head coach seemed to have the world at his feet. He had just become one of the league’s newest and youngest NFL head coaches, he had inherited the leagues No. 2 offense, and he already had his franchise quarterback in place. From day one it seemed the plan was simple, but that was several months ago and now all has dramatically changed.

Caught with his hand in the cookie jar, the Bronco’s new mastermind was backed into a corner and had his hand forced when the team saw no other resolve than to trade their gifted and franchise quarterback Jay Cutler. Many had thought McDaniels’ arrival would lift Cutler to the next level, not send him packing on the next flight.

With Cutler out, McDaniels was dealt a new hand that included the Bears’ former starting quarterback Kyle Orton. While many felt that Broncos’ new brain-trust would have the savvy to turn Orton into the next Cassel and keep the Broncos offense rolling, Sunday night before a nationally audience may have been a small glimpse of things to come.

With Cutler on the other side of the field, Broncos’ fans witnessed what they used to have. Which is Cutler making mince meat of his former teammates. They also watched what they are stuck with basically limp off the field with an index finger injury on his (Orton’s) throwing hand.

The new field commander has at times looked efficient, but it is clear through three preseason games the team lacks the big play Cutler’s arm gave them a year ago.

Sure it’s easy to point out that the team is missing one of its best weapons in Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, but without a big arm he would likely be as ineffective as the rest of the wideouts.

The offense has no scare in it and defenses are going to jump on them early this season. Aside from the loss of Cutler, the Marshall saga has become another stigma that could very well define McDaniels’ tenure unless he can find a way to get this unit rolling.

On Sunday night the offense lost Orton with the finger injury and with Simms still ailing, Broncos fans have to wonder what the heck is going on. Clearly the situation in Denver can not be considered ideal, although it is not all lost.

The offense is clearly loaded with talent and playmakers such as; WR Eddie Royal, TE Tony Scheffler, and RB Peyton Hillis. The team will also be looking forward to the soon return of its top rookie selection, running back Knowshon Moreno. The rookie’s addition should also add another explosive dynamic to the offense, but with all that has surround his arrival this offseason, fans have to ask the Broncos’ head coach Josh McDaniels, “what’s next?”

At the moment it would seem that the team was far better off before McDaniels’ arrival, but since we are unable to go back in time, here we are. With Cutler gone and now Orton injured, the situation is quickly moving from bad to worse. What is not helping either is the suspension of Marshall. This is another obvious situation that would appear to be most critical to turning the ship around; getting Marshall back on the field.

It’s safe to say no one in Denver or around the NFL could have expected all that has surpassed in the Mile High city, but for the fans of Denver is pretty obvious what needs to happen now; McDaniels has disrupted the continuity of this franchise and repair is in order. That could be easier said than done, but the surest way of achieving complete resolve is winning.

To move forward from the devastation that was the Cutler-Trade and Marshall-Suspension, the Broncos must win. A task at the moment that looks monumental, but certainly many within the Broncos’ organization believe is possible.

This has always been the challenging task at hand (to win), but McDaniels chose to try this without Cutler and now must find a way to bring back his pro bowl receiver or make this undertaking even more colossal.

So what’s next for McDaniels? Get Marshall back on the field, and soon.

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