Do you consider the current Broncos an elite team?

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by Taco John

You have to win something to be elite. Maybe even a couple of times.

By that definition of "elite," we're not obviously. But there are teams who win something, then come back weak the next season, so they'd never be rated elite, even though they'd won a Super Bowl.

My definition of "elite" are the teams recognized as the 3 or 4 best at the time. We are elite by that definition.

[bowtown]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

You clearly have a different definition. I don't think he means "Elite in the anals of NFL history." He means elite out of the teams playing right now. The Steelers have won SB's a few times. But they aren't even in the playoffs this post season. Are they elite?

And if there is one thing Kaylor knows, it's being Elite in the anals.

[Quoydogs]

How do we stack up stat wise to our 96-98 broncos team ? I know we don't have the rushing yards but I bet our passing yardage is way up. Can one of you stat dudes work that up ?

[Requiem]

We haven't won anything of substance yet. We are an extremely talented team.

[ludo21]

Yes, we are the best team in the NFL right now and playing the best.

Denver is elite in terms of being the best regular season team. Time to show it in the playoffs and 'ship!

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by Quoydogs

How do we stack up stat wise to our 96-98 broncos team ? I know we don't have the rushing yards but I bet our passing yardage is way up. Can one of you stat dudes work that up ?

Denver had 3429 yards passing in 1996, 5791 yards and 46 offensive TDs. Right now we have 5878 yards and 44 offensive TDs.

[rbackfactory80]

Originally Posted by DBroncos4life

Denver had 3429 yards passing in 1996, 5791 yards and 46 offensive TDs. Right now we have 5878 yards and 44 offensive TDs.

This comparison is ridonkulous. It's a ton easier to pick up yards today.

[baja]

Originally Posted by broncocalijohn

That is the thing. Two other teams in the playoffs and division winners beat us this season. Only way to get over that is to beat them or everyone else in the playoffs.

Drunken is correct. Giants showed themselves this season. Elite can't be a flash in the pan. In needs to show consistency.

For how long at some point you start talking about a dynasty.

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by rbackfactory80

This comparison is ridonkulous. It's a ton easier to pick up yards today.

So I shouldn't have answered him then?

[rbackfactory80]

Originally Posted by DBroncos4life

So I shouldn't have answered him then?

Nah man, you did the right thing. Just too hard to compare.

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by rbackfactory80

Nah man, you did the right thing. Just too hard to compare.

Well right now the 2011 defense has allowed just 76 more yards and 11 more points then the 1996 team. I think that is far more impressive.

[baja]

According to poll voting so far 88% think the current Broncos are either elite or near elite.

Will we still be elite if we are one and done in the playoffs?

[rbackfactory80]

Originally Posted by DBroncos4life

Well right now the 2011 defense has allowed just 76 more yards and 11 more points then the 1996 team. I think that is far more impressive.

Totally agree.

Side note--We keep NE under 30 we win.

[bombay]

Yes. Excellent offense and defense, and special teams have been pretty good as well. Good veteran leadership on both sides of the ball, in addition to plenty of youthfull athleticism. Love this team.

[Quoydogs]

Originally Posted by bombay

Yes. Excellent offense and defense, and special teams have been pretty good as well. Good veteran leadership on both sides of the ball, in addition to plenty of youthfull athleticism. Love this team.

This is the best part about it. With the exception of Champ and Manning they are babies. This team could be unstoppable in a few years.

[B-Large]

Originally Posted by baja

The phrase "elite team" is tossed around a lot this time of the year.


What makes a team "elite"

1.A group of people considered to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth.

A team with Manning throwing the rock, and with Miller and Doom able to tee-off with a lead, I would say this team is Elite or on the cusp. I think we can beat New England, the team I think in the class of the league right now. Until Manning retires this unit is going to be Elite....

[B-Large]

Originally Posted by bombay

Yes. Excellent offense and defense, and special teams have been pretty good as well. Good veteran leadership on both sides of the ball, in addition to plenty of youthfull athleticism. Love this team.

Not too mention this team upgrades in the FA market and draft for the next few years as Manning refines his boys on Offense...

Not only do we take the AFCW to the house of sodom for the foreseeable future, watch out NFL as a whole....

You can't not be excited about this team...

[huh??]

It seems that there are a few definitions of the word. When someone says, "Elite", do others think, "Legen- wait for it... DARY"?

[Bacchus]

I guess you'd have to consider them elite. If they aren't then who is in today's NFL?

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I love how we are speaking like elite has some specific definition to football.

[Fedaykin]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

I love how we are speaking like elite has some specific definition to football.

I would define it as statistically likely (based on on the field results) to end up in the first 3-5 places in the final pecking order.

The problem (and IMHO, fun) with football is the small # of games and the huge element of chance that brings to the table.

[Atwater His Ass]

Good team, not elite. It wasn't that long ago early in the season when this team was truely struggling. Hell at halftime of the 24-0 SD game, I remember having the feeling that this season was a wash. I love the strides this team has made and there is no doubt they are very good. But elite teams win championships. Regular season hero's are about as important as pre-season hero's if it doesn't translate into post-season success.

The post season is where elite teams and elite players are made.

I mean look at some posters on this board for example. All the posturing about when and if and where we would eventually play NE in the playoffs...elite teams don't worry about that kind of stuff. They just go out and take care of business. With the '98 team, did you really ever feel in danger against any opponent? I didn't. That's elite. Even with the '97 team, confidence was very high, but I remember being as nervous as ever on that harrowing trip on the road through PIT and KC, and then the SB against GB, I wasn't as confident as I was against ATL the next year. There was a real possiblity to lose against GB, not so much ATL.

My point is that for everyone worrying about NE, those people shouldn't be calling this team elite.

[baja]

I'd say we have all the ingredients to be elite;

1. We have a HOF QB at least for a few years.

2. We have a good to great defense that is mostly young

3. We have great kicking / kick coverage / kick returning ST's is filled with young and upcoming studs.

4. We have young studs at every skill position

5. Most importantly the Broncos have what appears to be a 'elite' GM in the making. If that is true than we can be looking not only elite but dynasty. Hey why not.

[cmhargrove]

We still have a few things to prove in the playoffs. The key things in my mind are:

• Can we keep a ground game going against strong playoff contenders? Can Moreno keep rolling, and even break a few big plays (game changers)?

• Can we find a way to shut down exceptional tight ends? This has been a problem for many, many years.

• Can we beat the Patriots (especially with everything on the line)?


Check off that list, and I will call us elite.

[baja]

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

We still have a few things to prove in the playoffs. The key things in my mind are:

• Can we keep a ground game going against strong playoff contenders? Can Moreno keep rolling, and even break a few big plays (game changers)?

• Can we find a way to shut down exceptional tight ends? This has been a problem for many, many years.

• Can we beat the Patriots (especially with everything on the line)?


Check off that list, and I will call us elite.

I would add just a few things. A viable back up to Manning (The Broncos needed to have hit on OSweiler). We need to find a good young smart MLB.

Obviously we have other needs but these are the deal breakers to elite.