dragondawg
07-23-2007, 02:42 AM
Broncos’ bolstered defense should aid Cutler
Second-year QB under pressure to succeed as Elway’s latest replacement
BRONCOS SEASON PREVIEW
By Don Pierson
MSNBC contributor
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/dragondawgzz/061203_cutler_vmed_10p.widec.jpg
Rebuilding a defense that faltered down the stretch is the Broncos' priority. In losing four of their last six games and toppling out of the playoff picture, the Broncos gave up 35 and 48 points to archrival San Diego.
Coach Mike Shanahan has spent the offseason collecting more defensive players than any other team. He started with new coordinator Jim Bates and hasn't stopped, adding defensive tackles Sam Adams and Jimmy Kennedy as mini-camps wound down.
The sense of urgency on defense was tragically underscored by the shooting death of cornerback Darrent Williams shortly after the season ended. Later, running back Damien Nash died suddenly of a heart ailment, leaving the Broncos stunned and refocused for an all-out effort to win in 2007.
They traded for Detroit cornerback Dre' Bly to start opposite the team's star, Champ Bailey. After parting ways with long-time middle linebacker Al Wilson, they are experimenting with moving outside linebacker D.J. Williams inside and hoping that holdover Nate Webster or newcomers Warrick Holdman or D.D. Lewis can take up the slack outside.
Adams and Kennedy join Gerard Warren inside as the Broncos try to improve a pass rush that ranked in the league's bottom third. They also signed another former Cleveland lineman, Alvin McKinley, and drafted three defensive lineman, hoping Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas can provide the kind of rookie impact Elvis Dumervil did last season with 8.5 sacks. They all will challenge incumbent ends Kenard Lang and Ebenezer Ekuban in what promises to be lively camp competition including holdover John Engelberger.
Safety Nick Ferguson, who went on injured reserve in November with a knee injury, looked good in mini-camps and should be ready to rejoin John Lynch in the backfield.
Defense wasn't the entire offseason focus. The Broncos officially made it Jay Cutler's team by trading veteran quarterback Jake Plummer. They also signed Tennessee's 1,200-yard running back Travis Henry to replace leading rusher Tatum Bell, traded to Detroit.
The Broncos relish their ability to plug in just about any back in their system and be successful and are excited about Henry, who could be their most effective rusher since Terrell Davis. The offensive line gets Matt Lepsis back from injured reserve. Newcomer Montrae Holland from New Orleans will compete with second-year prospect Chris Kuper to replace departed right guard Cooper Carlisle.
Tight end Daniel Graham was a bigger free agent catch than Henry, as the Broncos snagged the former Patriot to improve on Tony Scheffler and Stephen Alexander combined 36 receptions. Graham will get more action than he did in New England, especially after a foot injury suffered by Scheffler.
Shanahan expects second-year receiver Brandon Marshall, who caught 20 passes as a rookie, to challenge Rod Smith for the starting job opposite new go-to guy Javon Walker. Smith could finally be on his way out. At 6-4, 230, Marshall has the size and hands to become a major factor. David Kircus and Quincy Morgan are holdovers and it would be a bonus if slot receiver Brandon Stokley can recover from Achilles surgery that knocked him out of Indianapolis plans.
Hotseat
Any quarterback who ever plays for Denver will be on a hotseat until he wins a Super Bowl or two, or at least goes to four or five of them. Cutler appears better suited to the task than other John Elway successors, simply because he was a first-round draft choice who understands expectations. As a rookie, he threw multiple touchdown passes in the first four games of his career, a record not even Elway can boast. The key, of course, is continued improvement and there's certainly room for it. Cutler didn't throw enough passes to qualify for official statistics, but if he had he would have finished ninth in the league. As impressive as that it, his efficiency rating wasn't as high as new Dallas starter Tony Romo or new San Diego starter Philip Rivers. Shanahan will stress higher percentage passes and getting rid of the ball quicker.
Overheard
Kircus backed up the late Darrent Williams on punt returns, an area of need entering camp. Domenik Hixon is coming off the non-football injury list and could help. The Broncos were in the bottom third in special teams, so the return of punter Todd Sauerbrun to replace Paul Ernster is a plus if Sauerbrun is up to it.
Outlook
They would be the favorite to win any NFC division and should push the Chargers if their new defense holds up. Back-to-back games at Indianapolis and at home against the Chargers in weeks four and five will set the tone. Since the AFC West plays against the relatively weak NFC North, more than one AFC West team should advance to the playoffs.
Prediction
Second.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19831591/
Second-year QB under pressure to succeed as Elway’s latest replacement
BRONCOS SEASON PREVIEW
By Don Pierson
MSNBC contributor
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/dragondawgzz/061203_cutler_vmed_10p.widec.jpg
Rebuilding a defense that faltered down the stretch is the Broncos' priority. In losing four of their last six games and toppling out of the playoff picture, the Broncos gave up 35 and 48 points to archrival San Diego.
Coach Mike Shanahan has spent the offseason collecting more defensive players than any other team. He started with new coordinator Jim Bates and hasn't stopped, adding defensive tackles Sam Adams and Jimmy Kennedy as mini-camps wound down.
The sense of urgency on defense was tragically underscored by the shooting death of cornerback Darrent Williams shortly after the season ended. Later, running back Damien Nash died suddenly of a heart ailment, leaving the Broncos stunned and refocused for an all-out effort to win in 2007.
They traded for Detroit cornerback Dre' Bly to start opposite the team's star, Champ Bailey. After parting ways with long-time middle linebacker Al Wilson, they are experimenting with moving outside linebacker D.J. Williams inside and hoping that holdover Nate Webster or newcomers Warrick Holdman or D.D. Lewis can take up the slack outside.
Adams and Kennedy join Gerard Warren inside as the Broncos try to improve a pass rush that ranked in the league's bottom third. They also signed another former Cleveland lineman, Alvin McKinley, and drafted three defensive lineman, hoping Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas can provide the kind of rookie impact Elvis Dumervil did last season with 8.5 sacks. They all will challenge incumbent ends Kenard Lang and Ebenezer Ekuban in what promises to be lively camp competition including holdover John Engelberger.
Safety Nick Ferguson, who went on injured reserve in November with a knee injury, looked good in mini-camps and should be ready to rejoin John Lynch in the backfield.
Defense wasn't the entire offseason focus. The Broncos officially made it Jay Cutler's team by trading veteran quarterback Jake Plummer. They also signed Tennessee's 1,200-yard running back Travis Henry to replace leading rusher Tatum Bell, traded to Detroit.
The Broncos relish their ability to plug in just about any back in their system and be successful and are excited about Henry, who could be their most effective rusher since Terrell Davis. The offensive line gets Matt Lepsis back from injured reserve. Newcomer Montrae Holland from New Orleans will compete with second-year prospect Chris Kuper to replace departed right guard Cooper Carlisle.
Tight end Daniel Graham was a bigger free agent catch than Henry, as the Broncos snagged the former Patriot to improve on Tony Scheffler and Stephen Alexander combined 36 receptions. Graham will get more action than he did in New England, especially after a foot injury suffered by Scheffler.
Shanahan expects second-year receiver Brandon Marshall, who caught 20 passes as a rookie, to challenge Rod Smith for the starting job opposite new go-to guy Javon Walker. Smith could finally be on his way out. At 6-4, 230, Marshall has the size and hands to become a major factor. David Kircus and Quincy Morgan are holdovers and it would be a bonus if slot receiver Brandon Stokley can recover from Achilles surgery that knocked him out of Indianapolis plans.
Hotseat
Any quarterback who ever plays for Denver will be on a hotseat until he wins a Super Bowl or two, or at least goes to four or five of them. Cutler appears better suited to the task than other John Elway successors, simply because he was a first-round draft choice who understands expectations. As a rookie, he threw multiple touchdown passes in the first four games of his career, a record not even Elway can boast. The key, of course, is continued improvement and there's certainly room for it. Cutler didn't throw enough passes to qualify for official statistics, but if he had he would have finished ninth in the league. As impressive as that it, his efficiency rating wasn't as high as new Dallas starter Tony Romo or new San Diego starter Philip Rivers. Shanahan will stress higher percentage passes and getting rid of the ball quicker.
Overheard
Kircus backed up the late Darrent Williams on punt returns, an area of need entering camp. Domenik Hixon is coming off the non-football injury list and could help. The Broncos were in the bottom third in special teams, so the return of punter Todd Sauerbrun to replace Paul Ernster is a plus if Sauerbrun is up to it.
Outlook
They would be the favorite to win any NFC division and should push the Chargers if their new defense holds up. Back-to-back games at Indianapolis and at home against the Chargers in weeks four and five will set the tone. Since the AFC West plays against the relatively weak NFC North, more than one AFC West team should advance to the playoffs.
Prediction
Second.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19831591/