Skinny
08-28-2007, 11:43 AM
Posted: August 28, 2007
Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: RB Travis Henry appears to be the powerful workhorse back the team has lacked the past few seasons. His vision and quick feet are valuable assets in a zone-blocking scheme that requires numerous cutbacks. He's someone coach Mike Shanahan can lean on in the fourth quarter. With CBs Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly, the Broncos will be able to play more man-to-man coverage and take chances up front, if desired, because they will act as a security blanket. Bailey's ability to play off the ball, read the quarterback and react is unparalleled, and Bly brings an aggressive mentality on the other side. WR Javon Walker is a full year removed from his recovery from knee surgery and figures to be even better with a year in the offense and the strong-armed Jay Cutler to get him the ball on deep routes. Brandon Marshall will line up opposite Walker and draw defenders away from him, and Henry is good enough to set up play-action passes.
REASONS FOR CONCERN: The loss of DE Ebenezer Ekuban (Achilles') for the season weakens a line with equal amounts of talent and question marks. DT Sam Adams is 34. DT Jimmy Kennedy struggled with the Rams. The rookie trio of DE Jarvis Moss, RE Tim Crowder and DT Marcus Thomas is woefully inexperienced. Cutler has worked on his footwork and decision making, but can he be a steady leader for a team with its sights set on the Super Bowl? The coverage and return units have been among the worst in the league for years. New special teams coordinator Scott O'Brien's knowledge of the league and schemes are solid, but getting results could take some time.
RASIZER'S BOTTOM LINE: The Broncos are at the top of the AFC's second tier, behind Indianapolis, New England and San Diego. They have plenty of talent, but with a new defensive system to employ, newcomers to work in and young players to develop in key spots, the team might not hit its stride for at least a few weeks. The frontloaded home schedule will help in that regard, but then it's a matter of avoiding the late-season fade that has been too common in the past few seasons. A 10- or 11-win season is a realistic expectation.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=263739
Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News
REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: RB Travis Henry appears to be the powerful workhorse back the team has lacked the past few seasons. His vision and quick feet are valuable assets in a zone-blocking scheme that requires numerous cutbacks. He's someone coach Mike Shanahan can lean on in the fourth quarter. With CBs Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly, the Broncos will be able to play more man-to-man coverage and take chances up front, if desired, because they will act as a security blanket. Bailey's ability to play off the ball, read the quarterback and react is unparalleled, and Bly brings an aggressive mentality on the other side. WR Javon Walker is a full year removed from his recovery from knee surgery and figures to be even better with a year in the offense and the strong-armed Jay Cutler to get him the ball on deep routes. Brandon Marshall will line up opposite Walker and draw defenders away from him, and Henry is good enough to set up play-action passes.
REASONS FOR CONCERN: The loss of DE Ebenezer Ekuban (Achilles') for the season weakens a line with equal amounts of talent and question marks. DT Sam Adams is 34. DT Jimmy Kennedy struggled with the Rams. The rookie trio of DE Jarvis Moss, RE Tim Crowder and DT Marcus Thomas is woefully inexperienced. Cutler has worked on his footwork and decision making, but can he be a steady leader for a team with its sights set on the Super Bowl? The coverage and return units have been among the worst in the league for years. New special teams coordinator Scott O'Brien's knowledge of the league and schemes are solid, but getting results could take some time.
RASIZER'S BOTTOM LINE: The Broncos are at the top of the AFC's second tier, behind Indianapolis, New England and San Diego. They have plenty of talent, but with a new defensive system to employ, newcomers to work in and young players to develop in key spots, the team might not hit its stride for at least a few weeks. The frontloaded home schedule will help in that regard, but then it's a matter of avoiding the late-season fade that has been too common in the past few seasons. A 10- or 11-win season is a realistic expectation.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=263739