2007 Record: 7-9
2007 Rankings
Rushing: 9th (122.3)
Passing: 13th (224.0)
Total Offense: 11th (346.3)
Run Defense: 30th (142.6)
Pass Defense: 7th (193.4)
Total Defense: 19th (336.0)
What was the Broncos’ best move during the offseason?
The Broncos appear to have an up-and-coming quarterback in Jay Cutler, but they have to provide him with better protection on the field, so they used their first-round draft pick on offensive tackle Ryan Clady out of Boise State. Clady is an athletic lineman with great feet, who should fit in well with Denver’s zone blocking scheme.
What needs to go right for the Broncos to succeed this season?
Both Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall must bounce back from health issues and continue being highly productive. It was learned back in March that Cutler suffers from Type 1 Diabetes, which led to a significant loss of weight and strength toward the end of last season. He has been taking daily insulin injections as a result, and keeping his health under control this year will be critical.
Marshall was injured during the offseason when he opened a gash in his forearm while horsing around with family. He suffered nerve damage in the arm and has yet to fully regain complete use of his right hand and arm. After catching 102 passes in 2007, the Broncos are counting on him as their No. 1 wideout. If his injury forces him to miss action, Darrell Jackson would probably become the team’s No. 1 option in the passing game.
The team must also adjust to some new faces this season. For the second year in a row, they will be breaking in a new defensive coordinator. They will also have a handful of new starters on both sides of the ball, and at this point both their kicking and punting games are unsettled.
Where will the Broncos finish the 2008 NFL season?
The Broncos are a team in transition, and while they generally bounce back following a losing season under Mike Shanahan, they don’t look like a team that will be able to compete with the big boys in the AFC come playoff time. Look for them to hover around the .500 mark all season and finish second in the AFC West with a 9-7 record.
