dragondawg
07-16-2007, 03:31 AM
Broncos '07 preview
By Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News
Never in franchise history have the Denver Broncos experienced such a tumultuous period.
It started when their three-year run of playoff appearances ended with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on New Year's Eve.
Only a few hours after that loss, popular cornerback Darrent Williams was gunned down in a limousine after exiting a downtown Denver club. Receiver Javon Walker experienced the agony of having his teammate die in his arms.
Two months later, Broncos personnel attended a second funeral, this time for running back Damien Nash, who collapsed after a charity basketball game.
The offseason also was eventful for less tragic reasons. Four assistant coaches were fired, and the staff was overhauled. Linebacker Al Wilson, a team captain, was released, primarily because of a neck problem. A potential trade for Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson was scuttled when he failed to report for a physical.
Through it all, the front office persevered and actually improved the on-field product in keeping with the club's Super Bowl-or-bust mentality.
GAME PLAN
Offense: It all starts on the ground, and newcomer Travis Henry (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) will provide a bowling ball force between the tackles. Quarterback Jay Cutler's big arm, complemented by a couple of receivers who can get downfield, gives coordinator Rick Dennison plenty of options.
No longer does the passing attack have to depend on play action set up by the run. Cutler also will be turned loose at times, something Shanahan was reluctant to do with Jake Plummer.
Defense: New coordinator Jim Bates is one of the most respected defensive minds in the league. He sat out 2006 after an impressive 2005 in Green Bay, and hiring him was a coup for Shanahan.
Bates likes his interior linemen big, his ends aligned wide and his pressure consistent. He is known for running an aggressive 4-3 that relies on quick linebackers – a good fit because the Broncos have a fast unit headed by D.J. Williams and Ian Gold. With Champ Bailey and newcomer Dre' Bly at cornerback, the Broncos won't hesitate to blitz and let their backs match up one-on-one downfield.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
QB Jay Cutler: Suddenly, this is Cutler's team, and based on the five-game trial that ended his rookie season, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Cutler has smarts, a gunslinger mentality, an arm Shanahan loves and a calm demeanor under fire.
That's not to say there won't be growing pains. Cutler at times is so focused on making the big play that he doesn't check down to a safer option. Cutler has been working to find his comfort zone with the coaches – and vice versa – and the offense has been tweaked to suit his skills. Cutler has some escape ability, but don't expect to see the bootlegs that were Plummer trademarks.
RB Travis Henry: The Broncos' system can be reduced to four words: one cut and go. And though Henry is a downhill runner, it might take him time to get used to the stretch plays that are the cornerstone of Denver's attack. Henry's biggest contribution will be the power he provides between the tackles.
Mike Bell did a good job as a goal-line runner last year, but the 49ers game demonstrated all too plainly the short-yardage game wasn't up to snuff. Henry, who rushed for 1,211 yards last season for Tennessee, not only has the ability to shed tacklers; he also has breakaway speed in the open field.
DEs Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil: Look for Moss, Denver's top pick, to make an impact as a third-down pass rusher. He has excellent speed and long arms and only needs to gain weight and lower-body strength to morph into a full-time starter. The Broncos now have two edge rushers with terrific quickness. Dumervil, a second-year right end, led the team with 8½ sacks last season.
CBs Dre' Bly and Champ Bailey: Bly, acquired to replace Darrent Williams, gives the team another ballhawking man-to-man defender to pair with Bailey. Often matched up against the opponent's best receiver in Detroit, Bly will instead be asked to shut down the No. 2 option. And he will get plenty of work.
Quarterbacks try to avoid Bailey, who has 18 interceptions over the last two seasons and long has been one of the NFL's top defenders. Bailey mostly played off receivers under former coordinator Larry Coyer because it allowed him to read the backfield and use his instincts to move on the ball. But Bailey and Bly, because of their lockdown abilities, might be asked to play more press coverage under Bates.
VINNIE IYER'S TAKE
Expect Cutler to go from impressive young passer to confident young leader in his second year, which will help compensate for considerable turnover in defensive personnel.
Prediction: 10-6 (2nd in the AFC West).
FALL FORECAST
In a tumultuous offseason, the front office never took its eyes off the prize – a return to Super Bowl contention. It added Henry, Bly and tight end Daniel Graham to a solid core and came away with a roster built for January. There are obstacles, however. The Chargers are one. And a schedule that includes a late-season stretch of six road games in eight weeks is another – especially considering the team has a history of fading down the stretch.
But if the Broncos can take advantage of a home-loaded early schedule with a quick start and get a jolt from their rookie defensive linemen, look for them to hang with the Chargers in a wire-too-wire race in the AFC West. Eleven wins are a realistic goal, and so is a win or two in the postseason.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AsBj62i6xJY.kN3CvQMerW6E2bYF?slug=ys-07nflpreview_broncos&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
By Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News
Never in franchise history have the Denver Broncos experienced such a tumultuous period.
It started when their three-year run of playoff appearances ended with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on New Year's Eve.
Only a few hours after that loss, popular cornerback Darrent Williams was gunned down in a limousine after exiting a downtown Denver club. Receiver Javon Walker experienced the agony of having his teammate die in his arms.
Two months later, Broncos personnel attended a second funeral, this time for running back Damien Nash, who collapsed after a charity basketball game.
The offseason also was eventful for less tragic reasons. Four assistant coaches were fired, and the staff was overhauled. Linebacker Al Wilson, a team captain, was released, primarily because of a neck problem. A potential trade for Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson was scuttled when he failed to report for a physical.
Through it all, the front office persevered and actually improved the on-field product in keeping with the club's Super Bowl-or-bust mentality.
GAME PLAN
Offense: It all starts on the ground, and newcomer Travis Henry (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) will provide a bowling ball force between the tackles. Quarterback Jay Cutler's big arm, complemented by a couple of receivers who can get downfield, gives coordinator Rick Dennison plenty of options.
No longer does the passing attack have to depend on play action set up by the run. Cutler also will be turned loose at times, something Shanahan was reluctant to do with Jake Plummer.
Defense: New coordinator Jim Bates is one of the most respected defensive minds in the league. He sat out 2006 after an impressive 2005 in Green Bay, and hiring him was a coup for Shanahan.
Bates likes his interior linemen big, his ends aligned wide and his pressure consistent. He is known for running an aggressive 4-3 that relies on quick linebackers – a good fit because the Broncos have a fast unit headed by D.J. Williams and Ian Gold. With Champ Bailey and newcomer Dre' Bly at cornerback, the Broncos won't hesitate to blitz and let their backs match up one-on-one downfield.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS
QB Jay Cutler: Suddenly, this is Cutler's team, and based on the five-game trial that ended his rookie season, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Cutler has smarts, a gunslinger mentality, an arm Shanahan loves and a calm demeanor under fire.
That's not to say there won't be growing pains. Cutler at times is so focused on making the big play that he doesn't check down to a safer option. Cutler has been working to find his comfort zone with the coaches – and vice versa – and the offense has been tweaked to suit his skills. Cutler has some escape ability, but don't expect to see the bootlegs that were Plummer trademarks.
RB Travis Henry: The Broncos' system can be reduced to four words: one cut and go. And though Henry is a downhill runner, it might take him time to get used to the stretch plays that are the cornerstone of Denver's attack. Henry's biggest contribution will be the power he provides between the tackles.
Mike Bell did a good job as a goal-line runner last year, but the 49ers game demonstrated all too plainly the short-yardage game wasn't up to snuff. Henry, who rushed for 1,211 yards last season for Tennessee, not only has the ability to shed tacklers; he also has breakaway speed in the open field.
DEs Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil: Look for Moss, Denver's top pick, to make an impact as a third-down pass rusher. He has excellent speed and long arms and only needs to gain weight and lower-body strength to morph into a full-time starter. The Broncos now have two edge rushers with terrific quickness. Dumervil, a second-year right end, led the team with 8½ sacks last season.
CBs Dre' Bly and Champ Bailey: Bly, acquired to replace Darrent Williams, gives the team another ballhawking man-to-man defender to pair with Bailey. Often matched up against the opponent's best receiver in Detroit, Bly will instead be asked to shut down the No. 2 option. And he will get plenty of work.
Quarterbacks try to avoid Bailey, who has 18 interceptions over the last two seasons and long has been one of the NFL's top defenders. Bailey mostly played off receivers under former coordinator Larry Coyer because it allowed him to read the backfield and use his instincts to move on the ball. But Bailey and Bly, because of their lockdown abilities, might be asked to play more press coverage under Bates.
VINNIE IYER'S TAKE
Expect Cutler to go from impressive young passer to confident young leader in his second year, which will help compensate for considerable turnover in defensive personnel.
Prediction: 10-6 (2nd in the AFC West).
FALL FORECAST
In a tumultuous offseason, the front office never took its eyes off the prize – a return to Super Bowl contention. It added Henry, Bly and tight end Daniel Graham to a solid core and came away with a roster built for January. There are obstacles, however. The Chargers are one. And a schedule that includes a late-season stretch of six road games in eight weeks is another – especially considering the team has a history of fading down the stretch.
But if the Broncos can take advantage of a home-loaded early schedule with a quick start and get a jolt from their rookie defensive linemen, look for them to hang with the Chargers in a wire-too-wire race in the AFC West. Eleven wins are a realistic goal, and so is a win or two in the postseason.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AsBj62i6xJY.kN3CvQMerW6E2bYF?slug=ys-07nflpreview_broncos&prov=yhoo&type=lgns