isiddiqi
08-29-2007, 05:09 PM
An interesting and kind of positive article on our beloved Broncos. We have been getting too much -ve energy from fans and preseason gameday, and did not see this posted anywhere...
http://www2.gazette.com/broncos/display.php?id=1331533
For those who hate to click :D
The Denver Broncos boast everything needed for a Super Bowl journey.
They have Travis Henry, the team’s first elite running back since the departure of Clinton Portis. They have Champ Bailey, the best defender in the game. They have Jay Cutler who, unlike Jake Plummer, is blessed with the arm strength to terrorize a defense.
But there’s one problem, and it’s a big one.
The Broncos compete in the AFC, home of the ridiculously talented New England Patriots.
The Patriots will serve as an impenetrable roadblock to the Broncos’ Super Bowl dreams.
I see the Broncos finishing 12-4, pushing aside the San Diego Chargers as leaders in the AFC West, winning a playoff game at Invesco Field at Mile High and then crashing into the Patriots in the AFC title game in Foxboro, Mass.
That’s where the ride ends. The Broncos are loaded with defensive balance and a multitude of offensive weapons.
They should soar above 30 NFL’s teams.
And, alas, below one team.
The Patriots are jammed with talent — with a genius coach, Bill Belichick, one of the NFL’s all-time winners, Tom Brady, a no-name yet wickedly powerful defense and the reformed Randy Moss at receiver.
Still, the Broncos could put a scare into the Patriots. It will only be a scare, but that will have to be enough.
Henry ranks as the best reason for optimism. He’s 28, in his prime, and destined to gain at least 1,600 yards this season.
In his early years at Buffalo, Henry was a circus act, full of excitement for everyone. He gained 1,438 yards in his second season, which thrilled his coaches. He also lost eight fumbles, which infuriated his coaches.
He’s solved his problem with slippery fingers, losing only two fumbles in the past two seasons. Henry is fast, powerful, tough and, in his words, “in the best shape of my career.”
He runs behind an experienced, athletic line. The Broncos have no use for the blubbery blockers favored by many NFL teams. Tom Nalen and Co. will open gaping holes for Henry.
Safety John Lynch is weary of trying to tackle Henry.
“He wears you out,” Lynch said. “He’s powerful. He’s got the speed.”
Cutler has the tools to become the second-best quarterback in Broncos history. (We all know who’s No. 1.) But Cutler must embrace discipline. He loves his arm, with good reason, but must bring a sense of balance to this romance.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see he has a strong arm,” coach Mike Shanahan said.
Cutler must avoid stupid throws. Plummer’s best season, when he pushed the Broncos to the 2005 AFC title game, came after he quit trying to dazzle and kept away from interceptions.
Expect Javon Walker to emerge as a dominating receiver. With Rod Smith hobbled because of a hip injury, Walker is clearly Cutler’s best target.
On defense, Bailey itches for more action. Last season, smart quarterbacks seldom bothered to challenge him.
With Dre Bly at the other corner this season, opposing quarterbacks will be forced to throw in Bailey’s direction. This will result in multiple interceptions, a couple of touchdown returns and several sad offensive coordinators.
But the defense has more than Bailey’s glitter. Last season ended with the San Francisco 49ers marching into Denver and shattering the Broncos’ playoff hopes. Running back Frank Gore resembled the second coming of Jim Brown.
That’s the main reason Shanahan signed Sam Adams, who’s listed at 350 pounds but looks closer to 400. He’s not the most graceful athlete, but never question his ability to smother, almost literally, running backs.
Adams recently explained his plans to linebacker D.J. Williams.
“My job,” Adams said, “is to be dirty.”
Translation: His job is to perform the dirty work in the middle. If he’s healthy, Adams will bring snarling toughness.
So it’s all there. The running game. The passing game. A defense that can stifle the run and the pass.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Patriots are jammed with more.
http://www2.gazette.com/broncos/display.php?id=1331533
For those who hate to click :D
The Denver Broncos boast everything needed for a Super Bowl journey.
They have Travis Henry, the team’s first elite running back since the departure of Clinton Portis. They have Champ Bailey, the best defender in the game. They have Jay Cutler who, unlike Jake Plummer, is blessed with the arm strength to terrorize a defense.
But there’s one problem, and it’s a big one.
The Broncos compete in the AFC, home of the ridiculously talented New England Patriots.
The Patriots will serve as an impenetrable roadblock to the Broncos’ Super Bowl dreams.
I see the Broncos finishing 12-4, pushing aside the San Diego Chargers as leaders in the AFC West, winning a playoff game at Invesco Field at Mile High and then crashing into the Patriots in the AFC title game in Foxboro, Mass.
That’s where the ride ends. The Broncos are loaded with defensive balance and a multitude of offensive weapons.
They should soar above 30 NFL’s teams.
And, alas, below one team.
The Patriots are jammed with talent — with a genius coach, Bill Belichick, one of the NFL’s all-time winners, Tom Brady, a no-name yet wickedly powerful defense and the reformed Randy Moss at receiver.
Still, the Broncos could put a scare into the Patriots. It will only be a scare, but that will have to be enough.
Henry ranks as the best reason for optimism. He’s 28, in his prime, and destined to gain at least 1,600 yards this season.
In his early years at Buffalo, Henry was a circus act, full of excitement for everyone. He gained 1,438 yards in his second season, which thrilled his coaches. He also lost eight fumbles, which infuriated his coaches.
He’s solved his problem with slippery fingers, losing only two fumbles in the past two seasons. Henry is fast, powerful, tough and, in his words, “in the best shape of my career.”
He runs behind an experienced, athletic line. The Broncos have no use for the blubbery blockers favored by many NFL teams. Tom Nalen and Co. will open gaping holes for Henry.
Safety John Lynch is weary of trying to tackle Henry.
“He wears you out,” Lynch said. “He’s powerful. He’s got the speed.”
Cutler has the tools to become the second-best quarterback in Broncos history. (We all know who’s No. 1.) But Cutler must embrace discipline. He loves his arm, with good reason, but must bring a sense of balance to this romance.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see he has a strong arm,” coach Mike Shanahan said.
Cutler must avoid stupid throws. Plummer’s best season, when he pushed the Broncos to the 2005 AFC title game, came after he quit trying to dazzle and kept away from interceptions.
Expect Javon Walker to emerge as a dominating receiver. With Rod Smith hobbled because of a hip injury, Walker is clearly Cutler’s best target.
On defense, Bailey itches for more action. Last season, smart quarterbacks seldom bothered to challenge him.
With Dre Bly at the other corner this season, opposing quarterbacks will be forced to throw in Bailey’s direction. This will result in multiple interceptions, a couple of touchdown returns and several sad offensive coordinators.
But the defense has more than Bailey’s glitter. Last season ended with the San Francisco 49ers marching into Denver and shattering the Broncos’ playoff hopes. Running back Frank Gore resembled the second coming of Jim Brown.
That’s the main reason Shanahan signed Sam Adams, who’s listed at 350 pounds but looks closer to 400. He’s not the most graceful athlete, but never question his ability to smother, almost literally, running backs.
Adams recently explained his plans to linebacker D.J. Williams.
“My job,” Adams said, “is to be dirty.”
Translation: His job is to perform the dirty work in the middle. If he’s healthy, Adams will bring snarling toughness.
So it’s all there. The running game. The passing game. A defense that can stifle the run and the pass.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Patriots are jammed with more.