Possibly the best acquisition on the defensive side of the ball was that of ex-Philadelphia head coach Ray Rhodes. Rhodes will serve as defensive coordinator for a unit that was inconsistent at best last year, and ended the season ranked 24th in the league. If Denver has plans to participate in this year's Super Bowl, they must make significant improvements over last season's performance.

The trend in the NFL during the off-season was to beef up the defensive tackle position, and the Broncos were one of the teams that jumped on that bandwagon. Denver added free agent linemen Leon Lett and Chester McGlockten to hopefully plug up the middle of the line and slow down the opponents running game. They also re-signed defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, who was a big contributor with 12 sacks in 2000.

Another huge addition to the defense is the presence of cornerback Denard Walker. Walker, considered one of the top corners in the game, was lured away from the Tennessee Titans via free agency and should step into a starting role immediately. The Broncos also added depth at linebacker by signing Lee Woodall and Henri Crockett.

Denver boasts one of the best offenses in the league, and their running back trio of Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson, and Olandis Gary, combined with a very good offensive line, give them the best running game in the league. The Broncos brought in veteran quarterback Steve Beuerlein to back up the often-injured Brian Griese, giving them, by far, the best quarterbacking corps in the NFL.

The Broncos also signed speedy wide receiver Eddie Kennison, who was released earlier by the Chicago Bears.

Overview

Ray Rhodes will have his work cut out for him this season, but if he can work the key defensive acquisitions into productive roles on this team, the Broncos could go a long way. They appear to be set on offense and they are deeper than most teams at the skill positions, with capable veterans ready to step into a starting role if needed. Barring some sort of disaster, the Denver Broncos will be in the chase for the division crown until the end and should make a strong run at the Super Bowl!