Broncos have high confidence, low expectations

[Lonestar]

-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

[Northman]

I have some expectations. At least 10 wins if at all possible. And hopefully a playoff birth but ill settle for a winning record first and foremost.

[Day1BroncoFan]

Good read Jrwiz, thanks for the post!

[Medford Bronco]

I have moderate expectations. I think 9-7 is attainable but hope for 10-6.

You never know. Stay healthy and see what happens. :salute:

[turftoad]

I have moderate expectations. I think 9-7 is attainable but hope for 10-6.

You never know. Stay healthy and see what happens. :salute:

I agree. I think we start out slow and pick up steam as the season goes on.

[Day1BroncoFan]

I'm hoping for a super bowl win but expect more like 10 wins and maybe a wildcard or AFC West title depending on what others do in the AFC West.

[Lonestar]

the key to a decent season is this

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

Now were they that good or were we that bad..

I know a combination of the two and injuries really hurt us all year.. But that team has a crap load of talent on it and they seem to be playing well for NORV..

I think a split right now with them would be a great start to 2009 when thy start losing folks..

[Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal]

14-2

[Chidoze]

The thing about trying to predict the outcome of football is that anything is possible.

The Broncos could be 14-2 by playoff time, or 2-14.

I have a feeling that, and I hope I'm completely wrong, we will see much of the same inconsistencies from last season.

The Broncos still seem like a very average team to me. There was some improvement in certain areas, but I still feel like the Broncos are one of those middle of the pack teams.

Like I said, hopefully I'm wrong. :salute:

[Northman]

The thing about trying to predict the outcome of football is that anything is possible.

The Broncos could be 14-2 by playoff time, or 2-14.

I have a feeling that, and I hope I'm completely wrong, we will see much of the same inconsistencies from last season.

The Broncos still seem like a very average team to me. There was some improvement in certain areas, but I still feel like the Broncos are one of those middle of the pack teams.

Like I said, hopefully I'm wrong. :salute:

I agree that anything is possible. But i truly believe we will get a pretty good guage in the very first game against the fade this year. They played us tough last year even whooping us in the second meeting. Now, they have a legitimate threat with McFadden and we will see just how far we have come.

[Chidoze]

the key to a decent season is this

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

Now were they that good or were we that bad..

I know a combination of the two and injuries really hurt us all year.. But that team has a crap load of talent on it and they seem to be playing well for NORV..

I think a split right now with them would be a great start to 2009 when thy start losing folks..
It was a perfect recipe of both. The Chargers were that good, and the Broncos were that bad.

Good teams make bad teams look pathetic, and that's what they did to us.

[Chidoze]

I agree that anything is possible. But i truly believe we will get a pretty good guage in the very first game against the fade this year. They played us tough last year even whooping us in the second meeting. Now, they have a legitimate threat with McFadden and we will see just how far we have come.
I agree that we'll be able to see what the Broncos are capable of in week 1, but remember, it's not how you start it's how you finish.

The Chargers were 1-5 last year at one point and finished 11-5. That's how I'd like to see the Broncos finish, strong and winning games when they count.

[omac]

The article is somewhat mis-titled. The Broncos have confidence, but it's the media and everyone else who has low expectations, not the Broncos. It was reflected also in previous articles.

I have a lot of confidence in this team, because they're going back to doing a defense that they know, not one that didn't fit the personell they had. No way will we be in the bottom of the league at stopping the run this season, and that will make a huge difference.

I expect our OL to be much better, specially in running the ball, because Nalen and Hamilton are back. I just wish our featured back was more of a bruiser type.

8 in the box with upgrades at DT and LB should equal a solid enough run defense. Bailey and Bly were taken advantage of last season, because they had to spend extra time protecting against the run. This season, we'll see just how good Bly can be.

[BroncoWave]

I still think we will go 8-8 this season. I just don't see this team making the playoffs unless everyone stays healthy and we get a couple of lucky breaks along the way.

[Lonestar]

I still think we will go 8-8 this season. I just don't see this team making the playoffs unless everyone stays healthy and we get a couple of lucky breaks along the way.


Like LT, DMac and LJ's legs..

[broncobryce]

Don't forget, we have to shatter Javon's knee as well.
Lynch- Coach, I think it's time I hang it up...
Shanahan- Wait John, wouldn't you like shred Javon's knee first?
Lynch- Okay, one more season.....

[WARHORSE]

Im not concerned with last year.

Last year was last year, and what makes a team go from 3-13 to 13-3 in a single year?

Cant be a huge turnover in players. Everyone is kinda limited in what they can do in the offseason.



I truly believe this: Denver will be much better against the run this year on defense. In my book, it has much more to do with the scheme implemented last year, and the way it was taught to the players. I think the coaches (mainly Bates) didnt do a very good job of coaching the players to where they were confident on gameday in what they were doing. And that alone is going to make a huge difference. Too much change between games as well, especially when you know Shanny got involved. Not good when you got a head coach telling you to change what youre doing, and youre being asked to coach something youre not comfortable with.

I pull alot of that off of what Bly said about the defensive coaching and scheme this year vs last. He said Slow is very good not only at telling the guys what he wants, but telling the guys what he wants in a way that they understand. Very detailed in making sure each guy knows what hes supposed to do.


Also, we got Hamilton coming in after a year off. We got Kuper with a broken hand playing a position hes not comfortable in yet. And we got Harris at the RT being schooled. So the Oline is getting cremed by the Dline..........Jarvis has made visible improvements from last year, we got Crowder and Thomas at year two as well and now Robertson. Perhaps its because the Dline is better. But obviously the oline has not played together in the positions they are at now. Clady is a godsend.

Gary Miller and Reggie Rivers from cbs4 have attended the first couple of days, and they cant stop talking about Eddie Royal and how impressed they are. They think he will make a big contribution to the team.

All the role players and ST guys will have a big impact as well. We need our STs to be dominant.

All in all, its a new year. Its not last year. And I could care less where we are ranked in the minds of the pundits.

Lets just peel bark off the forheads of the Faders to begin it all.:coffee:

[NorthernLights]

I agree that we'll be able to see what the Broncos are capable of in week 1, but remember, it's not how you start it's how you finish.

The Chargers were 1-5 last year at one point and finished 11-5. That's how I'd like to see the Broncos finish, strong and winning games when they count.

Actually, the Bolts were 1-3 when they came into Denver. They went to 3-3 then to 5-5 before going to 11-5. Schedule had a lot to do with the overall outcome as they only beat one team with a winning record (Titans) during the 6 game streak. I honestly think that winning streak helped them win two playoff games and get to the AFCCG.

Their schedule this year is second easiest (Patriots first) based on opponents winning percentage, playing only 4 teams with winning seasons last year (NE, Indy, Pitt, TB), so we'll see what happens.

[Lonestar]

Actually, the Bolts were 1-3 when they came into Denver. They went to 3-3 then to 5-5 before going to 11-5. Schedule had a lot to do with the overall outcome as they only beat one team with a winning record (Titans) during the 6 game streak. I honestly think that winning streak helped them win two playoff games and get to the AFCCG.

Their schedule this year is second easiest (Patriots first) based on opponents winning percentage, playing only 4 teams with winning seasons last year (NE, Indy, Pitt, TB), so we'll see what happens.

Barring heavy duty injuries, it should be a cakewalk for them (SAN) IMO. As none of the AFC west teams are completed with their rebuilding programs OAK going on 8 years, KC into their real first year doing it and we are on year three.

Some of the games may be closer or you might biff one do to lack of prep and over confidence but IMO you should be 6-0 in division this year..

Next year or the year after when Y'all start to lose some of the players to CAP issues and FA then your on the downside and DEN and KC will rise again..

..

[Chidoze]

Actually, the Bolts were 1-3 when they came into Denver. They went to 3-3 then to 5-5 before going to 11-5. Schedule had a lot to do with the overall outcome as they only beat one team with a winning record (Titans) during the 6 game streak. I honestly think that winning streak helped them win two playoff games and get to the AFCCG.

Their schedule this year is second easiest (Patriots first) based on opponents winning percentage, playing only 4 teams with winning seasons last year (NE, Indy, Pitt, TB), so we'll see what happens.
Well, regardless, the point is they started out slow and finished strong.

[Lonestar]

Well, regardless, the point is they started out slow and finished strong.


considering the coach changes along with schemes I can understand how that happened..

[Chidoze]

considering the coach changes along with schemes I can understand how that happened..
True, but Norv Turner installed that offense back when he was the offensive coordinator so the only scheme that may or may not have changed would have been on the defensive side. I dont know if it did or not.

All in all, I would like to see the broncos perform better in the latter part of the season, like the upper tier teams do. I use San Diego last year because they were a good example of a team that started out average and then went on a big streak and built up momentum toward the end of the season and in the playoffs.

The problem with the last couple of years have been the Broncos inconsistent play, so short winning streaks prevented any momentum come the final 1/4 of the season. I expect that to change this year.

[Lonestar]

True, but Norv Turner installed that offense back when he was the offensive coordinator so the only scheme that may or may not have changed would have been on the defensive side. I dont know if it did or not.

All in all, I would like to see the broncos perform better in the latter part of the season, like the upper tier teams do. I use San Diego last year because they were a good example of a team that started out average and then went on a big streak and built up momentum toward the end of the season and in the playoffs.

The problem with the last couple of years have been the Broncos inconsistent play, so short winning streaks prevented any momentum come the final 1/4 of the season. I expect that to change this year.

If I remember correctly hearing that they were no longer playing marty ball and it took them awhile to get used to the new plays.. Hence new playbook/schemes conversation..

I will defer that to the fans of the bolts.. I could be wrong on it and they would know for sure..