Broncos have high confidence, low expectations - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 07-27-2008, 03:09 PM

By FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE

ENGLEWOOD • After a 7-9 season and an offseason that didn't feature any big-name acquisitions, the Denver Broncos know where they stand in the national consciousness.

Most years, Denver is at least in the conversation of AFC contenders. This year, nobody seems to think the Broncos have much of a chance in the AFC West. Read a magazine, look at a Web site, ask an expert and there's a good chance everyone has picked San Diego to win the division.

The Broncos were outscored 64-6 last season by San Diego.

"San Diego has taken it to us the last couple of years, so we had better be improved to challenge a team that has a high number of Pro Bowl players," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

When training camp opened this week, the Broncos' confidence wasn't affected by the low national expectations.

"Every year is a new year, and everyone comes in with a clean slate," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "We feel good about where we are at. Obviously we didn't get done what we wanted to last year, but we have a good group of guys."

The Broncos have tangible reasons for their optimism. Their offseason moves didn't make any major news, but they're confident the personnel has improved. Denver signed free agents such as linebacker Niko Koutouvides, receivers Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson and safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel, and also added first-round draft pick Ryan Clady, the team's projected starting offensive left tackle. Improved team chemistry is also a popular topic among Broncos' players.

"I think we've helped ourselves in the offseason and the draft, (but) talk is cheap," Shanahan said.

The Broncos will also argue that injuries last year didn't help. Center Tom Nalen, guard Ben Hamilton and defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban - all projected starters in 2007 - have returned from injuries that cost them most or all of last season. The team was also counting on since-departed players such as receiver Javon Walker and running back Travis Henry, who were hurt most of last year.

The Broncos aren't impartial arbiters, but they think the roster had better talent than its 2007 record shows.

"Because you have a bad year doesn't mean you are a bad team," Colbert said. "I think that we are in a good position, because I think this team is talented, and loaded. We brought in a good group of guys so it adds to what they already had."

Motivation might help, too. Last year the Broncos were a team to watch in the AFC, only a year removed from an appearance in the AFC Championship Game with a load of new, big-name players. That isn't the case this season.

Tight end Daniel Graham said the team's attitude this offseason has impressed him.

"Our teammates now are working harder, we want it more," Graham said.

To prove their confidence has merit, the Broncos understand they need to start with playing better against the Chargers.

"We get a chance to play them the second game and we'll see how we fare," Shanahan said, referring to the first meeting between the teams this year, on Sept. 14.

http://www.gazette.com/sports/bronco...englewood.html

OrangeDoofus · 07-27-2008, 03:34 PM

I hate to sound jaded, but there's an article pretty much like this every year around this time. They probably really are in a good mood, but I imagine every team that isn't a perennial basement-dweller is probably pretty confident at this point.

wolf754life · 07-27-2008, 05:11 PM

6 wins

cutthemdown · 07-27-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf754life

6 wins

looking at the schedule I think Broncos even if they are as bad as you an I think they might be, will win probably 8 games. Maybe only 6-7 but I think they have a chance to do better. I don't feel they have a shot at 10-11-5 though like people on the board do. I hope so though another crappy yr would sure suck.

Jetmeck · 07-27-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf754life

6 wins

Gotta be a chef fan with that name. Go take care of your pathetic team before calling ours out !

broncofan7 · 07-27-2008, 08:53 PM

@oak-win
SD-loss
NO-loss
@KC--win
Tam-win
Jax-win
@NE -loss (despite our past success)
MIA-win
@cle-win (I think that CLE is setting themsleves up for failure--just a feeling)
@ATL--win
Oak-win
@NYJ-win
KC-win
@CAr-loss
Buf--win
@ SD--loss

11-5 , call Vegas & book it.

Malcontent · 07-27-2008, 08:57 PM

Trust me..we will not lose to NO at home..The rest looks about right.

broncofan7 · 07-27-2008, 08:58 PM

The Saints are my NFC pick this year--I think that they will out score us in a high scoring game, but I hope you are right!

Malcontent · 07-27-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncofan7

The Saints are my NFC pick this year--I think that they will out score us in a high scoring game, but I hope you are right!

No way are they better than the Gints' and Boys' but they are going to be good. We get em early in the season, and at home, so I like our chances.

minibronco · 07-27-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncofan7

@oak-win
SD-loss
NO-loss
@KC--win
Tam-win
Jax-win
@NE -loss (despite our past success)
MIA-win
@cle-win (I think that CLE is setting themsleves up for failure--just a feeling)
@ATL--win
Oak-win
@NYJ-win
KC-win
@CAr-loss
Buf--win
@ SD--loss

11-5 , call Vegas & book it.

4-2 division record? That'll help us out a lot.

theAPAOps5 · 07-27-2008, 09:44 PM

Only way this team wins 6 or less is with a major injury in several positions. That and if an 8 game suspension of Marshall happens then Wolf will be right. However, if the team stays as it is Then 8+ is possible and they will be in the hunt for the playoffs.

lonestar · 07-27-2008, 10:18 PM

@oak-L
SD-L
NO-L
@KC--W
TPA-W
Jax-L
@NE -L
MIA-W
@cle-L
@ATL--W
Oak-W
@NYJ-L
KC-W
@CAr-L
Buf--W
@ SD--L

7-9

Pre Training camp pick will refine it before last Preseason game..

socalorado · 07-27-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestar

@oak-L
SD-L
NO-L
@KC--W
TPA-W
Jax-L
@NE -L
MIA-W
@cle-L
@ATL--W
Oak-W
@NYJ-L
KC-W
@CAr-L
Buf--W
@ SD--L

7-9

Pre Training camp pick will refine it before last Preseason game..

Numbnuts, theres a 100 post rule for making predictions.
And a really crappy prediction at that.

lonestar · 07-27-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalorado

Numbnuts, theres a 100 post rule for making predictions.
And a really crappy prediction at that.

who cares.. I've forgotten more about the broncos over my 47 years of watching them I care to think about.

Do not like my thoughts place me on IGGY

wolf754life · 07-28-2008, 12:03 AM

don't criticize the team lonestar, you won't post on this board very long if you don't buy the company line, this board simply will not tolerate honest assessments of our personnel and our coaching staff.

TheChamp24 · 07-28-2008, 01:13 AM

If we weren't playing such a crappy schedule, I would probably be in the 6-10 to 8-8 boat. But, since we have an "easy" schedule, I'm willing to say 8-8 to 10-6.
Honestly, until I see our defense able to stop opposing offenses, I don't know how we beat Jacksonville, Cleveland, New England, etc.

lonestar · 07-28-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf754life

don't criticize the team lonestar, you won't post on this board very long if you don't buy the company line, this board simply will not tolerate honest assessments of our personnel and our coaching staff.

thanks I can dig it.

But I have been a fan since day one probably have more time standing in the latrine line at Bears/Mile High stadium than most folks on here have been alive..

Have seen the highs and the lows and there have been many more lows than highs..

I do not know it all but this is not the first forum I've been on nor will it be the last. I have been lurking on here for more than 5 years but the registration is NEW. Did not feel the need to comment before tonight..

BroncoMan4ever · 07-28-2008, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf754life

6 wins

what would a topic on the mane be without Debbie Downer coming in to be the turd of every thread.

serious though, what do we have to do to get this douche banned. he is worse than the Chiefs and Chargers trolls hanging around here

BroncoMan4ever · 07-28-2008, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth1331

Honestly, until I see our defense able to stop opposing offenses, I don't know how we beat Jacksonville, Cleveland, New England, etc.

i am sorry but i still am not willing to place Cleveland in the ranks of top teams in the AFC. They aren't even the best team in the AFC North. and on the Jacksonville and New England games i think it is safe to say Denver wins at least one of those games simply because they always year in and year out get a win that everyone knows they should have lost and then lose a game that they should win easily

KCStud · 07-28-2008, 03:25 AM

The Broncos have a very tough first half of the season.

4 out of the 7 were playoff teams, 1 is a playoff caliber team that is much better than last year and the other 2 are divisional games on the road which are never easy to win.

@OAK- W OAK is not ready yet but it will be close
SD- L they own you guys
NO- L they will outscore you and they have a better D
@KC- W KC will most likely still be learning with the young kids. It'll be close
TB- W It'll be close though
JAC- L Offense is good enough and their defense will shut you down
@ NE- L They are that good and at home. Easy pick
BYE
MIA- W easy pick
@CLE- L they are better than people think
@ ATL- W easy
OAK- W It'll be close
@NYJ- W Overrated
KC-W ditto to OAK
@ CAR- L good team and will win at home
BUF- W close one but the home team wins
@ SD- L better hope they rest their starters

9-7

If you lose the opener to OAK then you guys will be in trouble

Cito Pelon · 07-28-2008, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoMan4ever

what would a topic on the mane be without Debbie Downer coming in to be the turd of every thread.

serious though, what do we have to do to get this douche banned. he is worse than the Chiefs and Chargers trolls hanging around here

Put him on ignore if he irritates you.

OOJack · 07-28-2008, 11:00 AM

There's no way we lose to NO.

Tombstone RJ · 07-28-2008, 11:13 AM

@oak-win
SD-loss
NO-win
@KC--win
Tam-win
Jax-loss
@NE -loss
MIA-win
@cle-loss
@ATL--win
Oak-win
@NYJ-loss? Tuff to call.
KC-win
@CAr-loss
Buf--win
@ SD--loss

9-7, maybe 10-6 but I doubt they make the playoffs. If the team stays healthy and the defense becomes respectable again, perhaps the playoffs are possible. But, with the AFC being so strong, I think the Broncos are gonna have a hard time making the playoffs this year.

However, at this point and time, it's tuff to predict wins and losses without at least seeing one or two preseason games.

dbfan4life · 07-28-2008, 11:36 AM

For the love of everything holy, please stop quoting that dumbass wolfman! You guys guys are totaling defeating the purpose of placing that idiot on ignore.

NFLBRONCO · 07-28-2008, 11:43 AM

The way we have played since playoff game with Pitt I don't think you can say no way we will lose to NO Mia Atl etc type teams because we have lost to those type teams lately. Do I hope we do better at that in 08 of course but, lets see us play constistant and string 4+ wins together then I will say no way we will lose to ........

07-27-2008, 03:09 PM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Broncos have high confidence, low expectations By FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE ENGLEWOOD • After a 7-9 season and an offseason that didn't feature any big-name acquisitions, the Denver Broncos know where they stand in the national consciousness. Most years, Denver is at least in the conversation of AFC contenders. This year, nobody seems to think the Broncos have much of a chance in the AFC West. Read a magazine, look at a Web site, ask an expert and there's a good chance everyone has picked San Diego to win the division. The Broncos were outscored 64-6 last season by San Diego. "San Diego has taken it to us the last couple of years, so we had better be improved to challenge a team that has a high number of Pro Bowl players," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. When training camp opened this week, the Broncos' confidence wasn't affected by the low national expectations. "Every year is a new year, and everyone comes in with a clean slate," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "We feel good about where we are at. Obviously we didn't get done what we wanted to last year, but we have a good group of guys." The Broncos have tangible reasons for their optimism. Their offseason moves didn't make any major news, but they're confident the personnel has improved. Denver signed free agents such as linebacker Niko Koutouvides, receivers Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson and safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel, and also added first-round draft pick Ryan Clady, the team's projected starting offensive left tackle. Improved team chemistry is also a popular topic among Broncos' players. "I think we've helped ourselves in the offseason and the draft, (but) talk is cheap," Shanahan said. The Broncos will also argue that injuries last year didn't help. Center Tom Nalen, guard Ben Hamilton and defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban - all projected starters in 2007 - have returned from injuries that cost them most or all of last season. The team was also counting on since-departed players such as receiver Javon Walker and running back Travis Henry, who were hurt most of last year. The Broncos aren't impartial arbiters, but they think the roster had better talent than its 2007 record shows. "Because you have a bad year doesn't mean you are a bad team," Colbert said. "I think that we are in a good position, because I think this team is talented, and loaded. We brought in a good group of guys so it adds to what they already had." Motivation might help, too. Last year the Broncos were a team to watch in the AFC, only a year removed from an appearance in the AFC Championship Game with a load of new, big-name players. That isn't the case this season. Tight end Daniel Graham said the team's attitude this offseason has impressed him. "Our teammates now are working harder, we want it more," Graham said. To prove their confidence has merit, the Broncos understand they need to start with playing better against the Chargers. "We get a chance to play them the second game and we'll see how we fare," Shanahan said, referring to the first meeting between the teams this year, on Sept. 14. http://www.gazette.com/sports/bronco...englewood.html

07-27-2008, 08:53 PM	#6
broncofan7 AKA "THE STANDARD" BQ looks ALMOST as good as I do Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BIG D Posts: 6,022	@oak-win SD-loss NO-loss @KC--win Tam-win Jax-win @NE -loss (despite our past success) MIA-win @cle-win (I think that CLE is setting themsleves up for failure--just a feeling) @ATL--win Oak-win @NYJ-win KC-win @CAr-loss Buf--win @ SD--loss 11-5 , call Vegas & book it. Last edited by broncofan7; 07-27-2008 at 08:56 PM..

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07-27-2008, 03:34 PM	#2
OrangeDoofus Ring of Famer (nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,318	I hate to sound jaded, but there's an article pretty much like this every year around this time. They probably really are in a good mood, but I imagine every team that isn't a perennial basement-dweller is probably pretty confident at this point.

07-27-2008, 05:11 PM	#3
wolf754life Bleed Orange and Blue more scoring + more tackling = $$$ Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,776	6 wins

07-27-2008, 08:57 PM	#7
Malcontent Life....on tap. Got Mustard? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,931 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chad Mustard	Trust me..we will not lose to NO at home..The rest looks about right.

07-27-2008, 08:58 PM	#8
broncofan7 AKA "THE STANDARD" BQ looks ALMOST as good as I do Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BIG D Posts: 6,022	The Saints are my NFC pick this year--I think that they will out score us in a high scoring game, but I hope you are right!

07-27-2008, 09:44 PM	#11
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,058 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	Only way this team wins 6 or less is with a major injury in several positions. That and if an 8 game suspension of Marshall happens then Wolf will be right. However, if the team stays as it is Then 8+ is possible and they will be in the hunt for the playoffs.

07-27-2008, 10:18 PM	#12
lonestar Day One Fan Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West Texas Posts: 6,213 Adopt-a-Bronco: Decker	@oak-L SD-L NO-L @KC--W TPA-W Jax-L @NE -L MIA-W @cle-L @ATL--W Oak-W @NYJ-L KC-W @CAr-L Buf--W @ SD--L 7-9 Pre Training camp pick will refine it before last Preseason game..

07-28-2008, 12:03 AM	#15
wolf754life Bleed Orange and Blue more scoring + more tackling = $$$ Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,776	don't criticize the team lonestar, you won't post on this board very long if you don't buy the company line, this board simply will not tolerate honest assessments of our personnel and our coaching staff.

07-28-2008, 01:13 AM	#16
TheChamp24 DERP DERP DERP The Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Broncos Country Posts: 4,875	If we weren't playing such a crappy schedule, I would probably be in the 6-10 to 8-8 boat. But, since we have an "easy" schedule, I'm willing to say 8-8 to 10-6. Honestly, until I see our defense able to stop opposing offenses, I don't know how we beat Jacksonville, Cleveland, New England, etc.

07-28-2008, 03:25 AM	#20
KCStud Ring of Famer AmeriStanzi! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,017 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	The Broncos have a very tough first half of the season. 4 out of the 7 were playoff teams, 1 is a playoff caliber team that is much better than last year and the other 2 are divisional games on the road which are never easy to win. @OAK- W OAK is not ready yet but it will be close SD- L they own you guys NO- L they will outscore you and they have a better D @KC- W KC will most likely still be learning with the young kids. It'll be close TB- W It'll be close though JAC- L Offense is good enough and their defense will shut you down @ NE- L They are that good and at home. Easy pick BYE MIA- W easy pick @CLE- L they are better than people think @ ATL- W easy OAK- W It'll be close @NYJ- W Overrated KC-W ditto to OAK @ CAR- L good team and will win at home BUF- W close one but the home team wins @ SD- L better hope they rest their starters 9-7 If you lose the opener to OAK then you guys will be in trouble

07-28-2008, 11:00 AM	#22
OOJack Orange Crush You! Go Broncos Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 439 Adopt-a-Bronco: Plummer	There's no way we lose to NO.

07-28-2008, 11:13 AM	#23
Tombstone RJ Ring of Famer Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In the Tetons! Posts: 19,305 Adopt-a-Bronco: WorrellWilliams	@oak-win SD-loss NO-win @KC--win Tam-win Jax-loss @NE -loss MIA-win @cle-loss @ATL--win Oak-win @NYJ-loss? Tuff to call. KC-win @CAr-loss Buf--win @ SD--loss 9-7, maybe 10-6 but I doubt they make the playoffs. If the team stays healthy and the defense becomes respectable again, perhaps the playoffs are possible. But, with the AFC being so strong, I think the Broncos are gonna have a hard time making the playoffs this year. However, at this point and time, it's tuff to predict wins and losses without at least seeing one or two preseason games.

07-28-2008, 11:36 AM	#24
dbfan4life Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 2,499	For the love of everything holy, please stop quoting that dumbass wolfman! You guys guys are totaling defeating the purpose of placing that idiot on ignore.

07-28-2008, 11:43 AM	#25
NFLBRONCO Ring of Famer Go Nuggets Go Lakers Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lafayette Colorado Posts: 7,391	The way we have played since playoff game with Pitt I don't think you can say no way we will lose to NO Mia Atl etc type teams because we have lost to those type teams lately. Do I hope we do better at that in 08 of course but, lets see us play constistant and string 4+ wins together then I will say no way we will lose to ........