What's New?
For the first time in his young career, Jay Cutler enters training camp as a starting NFL quarterback, having replaced Jake Plummer midway through the 2006 season as the Denver Broncos starter. Plummer was subsequently traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the offseason, but chose to retire instead.
The Broncos will try to take as much pressure off Cutler as possible, and that begins by solidifying the running game. So, as has become tradition over the past several years, the team has a new running back to start the season. This time, however, it’s in the form of a proven veteran in Travis Henry. The passing game also picked up a little firepower with the signings of tight end Daniel Graham and wide receiver Brandon Stokely.
The defensive side of the ball is going through a bit of an overhaul, starting at coordinator. Out is Larry Coyer, and in is Jim Bates, a tremendous defensive mind. His last stint was in Green Bay in ‘05, where he did a fantastic job transforming a bad Packers defense into a respectable unit almost overnight.
Along with Bates, the Broncos picked up cornerback Dre Bly in a trade with the Detroit Lions, a deal necessitated by the tragic Williams passing. They also continued the tradition of bringing in other team’s retreads on the defensive line. This year’s reclamation projects include aging defensive tackle Sam Adams, whose best years are most certainly behind him, and Jimmy Kennedy, who was a first-round bust for the Rams.
Punter Todd Sauerbrun was brought back for a second stint with the club, and could also be a big asset to the defense if he can consistently pin opponents inside their 20-yard line.
NFL Draft Picks
1st Round - Jarvis Moss, DE Florida
2nd Round - Tim Crowder, DE Texas
3rd Round - Ryan Harris, OT Notre Dame
4th Round Marcus Thomas, DT Florida
Who's Gone?
No team in the NFL suffered such emotionally devastating losses as the Broncos did during the offseason. Just hours after Denver’s final 2006 game, talented cornerback Darrent Williams was gunned down in a drive-by shooting and died in the arms of teammate Javon Walker. Tragedy struck again just a couple months later when running back Damien Nash collapsed and died following a charity basketball game.
Other losses of the less-tragic variety include team captain Al Wilson, who was released because of injury and salary-cap concerns. Defensive end Courtney Brown was also let go along with defensive tackle Michael Myers.
The offensive unit lost running back Tatum Bell, but Henry is a big upgrade anyway. And with quarterback Jake Plummer no longer in the team’s future plans, he was shipped to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but decided to retire instead of play for the Bucs. Offensive linemen Cooper Carlisle and George Foster are no longer with the team either.
What Needs to Change?
The lack of a pass rush has hurt the Broncos over the past couple seasons, but I have little doubt that Bates will find a way for his squad to turn up the pressure. The team showed its dedication to improving the pass rush by using their first two draft picks this year on defensive ends, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder. Moss has the potential to make an impact immediately as a pass-rush specialist, and combined with second-year player Elvis Dumervil, he gives the unit a lot of speed on the edges.
Under Pressure to Perform
Jay Cutler - With Plummer no longer in the picture, the Broncos are set to sink or swim with Cutler. This is a team that has the talent to make a run in the AFC this year, but if Cutler stumbles along the way, they could miss the playoffs again this year. So much falls upon his shoulders, but he has to be careful to not try to do to much.
2006 Rankings
Overall Offense - 15th (324.9)
Rushing Offense - 15th (119.9)
Passing Offense - 14th (205.1)
Overall Defense - 5th (294.1)
Rushing Defense - 6th (99.4)
Passing Defense - 11th (194.8)
Prediction - The Broncos face a very favorable schedule over the first half of the season and have an opportunity to build a lot of momentum going into the second half of the season. Unfortunately, they play six of their last eight games on the road, so they have to be careful not to fall apart down the stretch again this year.
Record:9-7 and third in the AFC West
