Denver Native (Carol)
02-09-2009, 07:05 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/4809726/Denver-Broncos-Strategy-and-Personnel?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=5
As new Broncos coach McDaniels put together his staff, it was apparent quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates wasn't going to be an ideal fit. Bates called the plays last season and was lauded for his ability calling the offense, but McDaniels confirmed right after he was hired that he would call the plays for Denver.
So despite being popular with the players, Bates left. He was hired to be Southern California's offensive coordinator, to replace Steve Sarkisian.
"As a unit, our offense became one of the most productive in the league with Jeremy calling plays," Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "He brought a lot of excitement to the meeting room and on the field. He made me want to come to work every day and get better. Jeremy will do great things in his new role, and USC couldn't have picked a better guy."
Although McDaniels will call plays, Mike McCoy will be the team's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. McCoy spent the past nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
The Broncos did retain two assistants that were integral in the team's success in the running game under Mike Shanahan: offensive line coach Rick Dennison and running backs coach Bobby Turner.
Among the other hires McDaniels made were Mike Priefer as special teams coordinator, Ed Donatell as secondary coach, Adam Gase as wide receivers coach and Wayne Nunnely as defensive line coach.
Nunnely comes from San Diego. The Chargers used a 3-4 defense, which Denver might also use under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Jay Cutler. Backup -- Darrell Hackney. Injured reserve -- Patrick Ramsey.
The move to hire Josh McDaniels as head coach might not have been done solely with Cutler's future in mind, but it won't hurt. McDaniels did a great job with New England's offense the past few years and he promises a quarterback-friendly scheme in Denver. Cutler was already developing nicely under Mike Shanahan, but he needs to cut down on mistakes to take the next step. He did pass for 4,000 yards in his third year and make the Pro Bowl. Ramsey, a free agent, could return. The Broncos could also draft and develop a backup for the future.
RUNNING BACK: Starter -- RB Tatum Bell, FB Spencer Larsen. Backups -- Cory Boyd, Alex Haynes, FB Andrew Pinnock. Injured reserve -- RB Michael Pittman, RB Selvin Young, RB Andre Hall, RB Ryan Torain, RB P.J. Pope, RB Anthony Alridge, RB/FB Peyton Hillis.
Bell ended the season as the starter because seven tailbacks were on IR. It's anyone's guess who will begin 2009 as the starter, especially since there is a new coaching staff. While some tailbacks had moments, even for about a quarter and a half like Torain, none emerged as a clear-cut option to be the workhorse next season. The most complete back might be Hillis, who should be recovered from a torn hamstring by offseason camps. He might be pigeonholed as a fullback or even an H-back, however.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Daniel Graham. Backups -- Tony Scheffler, Jeb Putzier, Chad Mustard. Injured reserve -- Nate Jackson.
The Broncos are pretty well set at tight end. Graham is a great blocker and emerged as a solid option in the passing game in 2008. Scheffler has great talent but is inconsistent and needs to stay healthy for a full year. Denver could use some depth behind those two. Putzier and Mustard were signed in midseason. Jackson will be coming off a major hamstring injury.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal. Backups -- Brandon Stokley, Chad Jackson, Darrell Jackson. Injured reserve -- Edell Shepherd, Clifford Russell.
Marshall admittedly had too many drops in 2008, and he had stretches of production that weren't fitting of a Pro Bowl starter, but he is a tremendous playmaker. If he continues to improve, he will remain among the elite in the NFL for a long time. Royal also showed a lot of ability as a rookie, as a returner and a receiver. In McDaniels' offense, Royal could play a Wes Welker-type of a role while Marshall is more of a Randy Moss-type threat. Stokley is reliable but aging, which means Denver has to build some depth. Chad Jackson has the physical ability and the Broncos liked him enough after a midseason pickup to have him active most games down the stretch.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT Ryan Clady, LG Ben Hamilton, C Casey Wiegmann, RG Chris Kuper, RT Ryan Harris. Backups -- C/G Kory Lichtensteiger, T Tyler Polumbus, G Pat Murray. Injured reserve -- C Tom Nalen, T Erik Pears.
The Broncos hit it big with their first-round pick, drafting Clady. Clady had a fantastic season, better than the Broncos could even have imagined. He was second-team All-Pro and should be a stalwart at an important position for many years in Denver. Harris also had a very good season at right tackle. The Broncos could use some more depth at tackle and they will wait to see if Wiegmann wants to come back for another year at center. If not, the team likes the potential of 2008 draft pick Kory Lichtensteiger.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- DE Elvis Dumervil, DT Dewayne Robertson, DT Marcus Thomas, DE Ebenezer Ekuban. Backups -- DE Tim Crowder, DE John Engelberger, DE Jarvis Moss, DT Kenny Peterson, DT Nic Clemons. Injured reserve -- DT Josh Shaw.
Rebuilding the defensive line will be a huge chore for the Broncos. There's not enough talent among the starters and very little quality depth. The team invested heavily in the defensive line in the 2007 draft, picking Moss, Crowder and Thomas among its four picks, and none of them has made a huge impact. Moss and Crowder each spent some time in 2008 as healthy scratches. Dumervil is coming off a disappointing season, but is one of the few potential impact players on the line. The interior line needs plenty of work. There just weren't many big plays from this unit.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Jamie Winborn, MLB Nate Webster, WLB D.J. Williams. Backups -- MLB Niko Koutouvides, OLB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Louis Green, MLB Mario Haggan. Injured reserve -- OLB Boss Bailey.
Denver will have to think long and hard about what to do at linebacker. There is some talent. Williams was having an outstanding year before he suffered a knee injury, Winborn had a productive season and Woodyard was a huge surprise as a rookie. Williams has always seemed more comfortable on the weak side, but he might have to slide inside in a 3-4 if the new coaches use that scheme. If the Broncos continue with a 4-3, moving Williams to the middle might be best. The Broncos need a standout middle linebacker, and Woodyard could be a key piece on the weak side.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- CB Champ Bailey, CB Dre Bly, FS Josh Barrett, SS Marquand Manuel. Backups -- CB Karl Paymah, CB Jack Williams, CB Josh Bell, S Vernon Fox, S Herana-Daze Jones, S Marlon McCree.
The rotating starters at safety was a tragic comedy for the Broncos all season. Their safety play was as poor as any team in the league, which is one reason the team picked off only six passes. The only bright spot was Barrett's play late in the year. He is raw and made some mistakes, but has the physical talent to become a good player. The rest of that position has to be overhauled. Bailey played well before a groin injury and Bly had his best weeks as a Bronco while Bailey was out. Still, Denver needs to assess what it has at cornerback and find some good young depth. Bell played well at times. Williams started hot but faded into obscurity by the end of his rookie year.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Matt Prater, P Brett Kern, LS Mike Leach, KOR/PR Eddie Royal.
Prater started well and finished poorly. The new coaching regime will have to decide to bring him back again or go in a different direction. He does have a strong leg and perhaps could improve with experience. Kern had a steady, solid rookie year and could be a long-term answer. Leach is as good as they come. Royal is explosive but Denver has to decide whether to expose one of their best offensive players on returns.
As new Broncos coach McDaniels put together his staff, it was apparent quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates wasn't going to be an ideal fit. Bates called the plays last season and was lauded for his ability calling the offense, but McDaniels confirmed right after he was hired that he would call the plays for Denver.
So despite being popular with the players, Bates left. He was hired to be Southern California's offensive coordinator, to replace Steve Sarkisian.
"As a unit, our offense became one of the most productive in the league with Jeremy calling plays," Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "He brought a lot of excitement to the meeting room and on the field. He made me want to come to work every day and get better. Jeremy will do great things in his new role, and USC couldn't have picked a better guy."
Although McDaniels will call plays, Mike McCoy will be the team's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. McCoy spent the past nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
The Broncos did retain two assistants that were integral in the team's success in the running game under Mike Shanahan: offensive line coach Rick Dennison and running backs coach Bobby Turner.
Among the other hires McDaniels made were Mike Priefer as special teams coordinator, Ed Donatell as secondary coach, Adam Gase as wide receivers coach and Wayne Nunnely as defensive line coach.
Nunnely comes from San Diego. The Chargers used a 3-4 defense, which Denver might also use under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Jay Cutler. Backup -- Darrell Hackney. Injured reserve -- Patrick Ramsey.
The move to hire Josh McDaniels as head coach might not have been done solely with Cutler's future in mind, but it won't hurt. McDaniels did a great job with New England's offense the past few years and he promises a quarterback-friendly scheme in Denver. Cutler was already developing nicely under Mike Shanahan, but he needs to cut down on mistakes to take the next step. He did pass for 4,000 yards in his third year and make the Pro Bowl. Ramsey, a free agent, could return. The Broncos could also draft and develop a backup for the future.
RUNNING BACK: Starter -- RB Tatum Bell, FB Spencer Larsen. Backups -- Cory Boyd, Alex Haynes, FB Andrew Pinnock. Injured reserve -- RB Michael Pittman, RB Selvin Young, RB Andre Hall, RB Ryan Torain, RB P.J. Pope, RB Anthony Alridge, RB/FB Peyton Hillis.
Bell ended the season as the starter because seven tailbacks were on IR. It's anyone's guess who will begin 2009 as the starter, especially since there is a new coaching staff. While some tailbacks had moments, even for about a quarter and a half like Torain, none emerged as a clear-cut option to be the workhorse next season. The most complete back might be Hillis, who should be recovered from a torn hamstring by offseason camps. He might be pigeonholed as a fullback or even an H-back, however.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Daniel Graham. Backups -- Tony Scheffler, Jeb Putzier, Chad Mustard. Injured reserve -- Nate Jackson.
The Broncos are pretty well set at tight end. Graham is a great blocker and emerged as a solid option in the passing game in 2008. Scheffler has great talent but is inconsistent and needs to stay healthy for a full year. Denver could use some depth behind those two. Putzier and Mustard were signed in midseason. Jackson will be coming off a major hamstring injury.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal. Backups -- Brandon Stokley, Chad Jackson, Darrell Jackson. Injured reserve -- Edell Shepherd, Clifford Russell.
Marshall admittedly had too many drops in 2008, and he had stretches of production that weren't fitting of a Pro Bowl starter, but he is a tremendous playmaker. If he continues to improve, he will remain among the elite in the NFL for a long time. Royal also showed a lot of ability as a rookie, as a returner and a receiver. In McDaniels' offense, Royal could play a Wes Welker-type of a role while Marshall is more of a Randy Moss-type threat. Stokley is reliable but aging, which means Denver has to build some depth. Chad Jackson has the physical ability and the Broncos liked him enough after a midseason pickup to have him active most games down the stretch.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT Ryan Clady, LG Ben Hamilton, C Casey Wiegmann, RG Chris Kuper, RT Ryan Harris. Backups -- C/G Kory Lichtensteiger, T Tyler Polumbus, G Pat Murray. Injured reserve -- C Tom Nalen, T Erik Pears.
The Broncos hit it big with their first-round pick, drafting Clady. Clady had a fantastic season, better than the Broncos could even have imagined. He was second-team All-Pro and should be a stalwart at an important position for many years in Denver. Harris also had a very good season at right tackle. The Broncos could use some more depth at tackle and they will wait to see if Wiegmann wants to come back for another year at center. If not, the team likes the potential of 2008 draft pick Kory Lichtensteiger.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- DE Elvis Dumervil, DT Dewayne Robertson, DT Marcus Thomas, DE Ebenezer Ekuban. Backups -- DE Tim Crowder, DE John Engelberger, DE Jarvis Moss, DT Kenny Peterson, DT Nic Clemons. Injured reserve -- DT Josh Shaw.
Rebuilding the defensive line will be a huge chore for the Broncos. There's not enough talent among the starters and very little quality depth. The team invested heavily in the defensive line in the 2007 draft, picking Moss, Crowder and Thomas among its four picks, and none of them has made a huge impact. Moss and Crowder each spent some time in 2008 as healthy scratches. Dumervil is coming off a disappointing season, but is one of the few potential impact players on the line. The interior line needs plenty of work. There just weren't many big plays from this unit.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Jamie Winborn, MLB Nate Webster, WLB D.J. Williams. Backups -- MLB Niko Koutouvides, OLB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Louis Green, MLB Mario Haggan. Injured reserve -- OLB Boss Bailey.
Denver will have to think long and hard about what to do at linebacker. There is some talent. Williams was having an outstanding year before he suffered a knee injury, Winborn had a productive season and Woodyard was a huge surprise as a rookie. Williams has always seemed more comfortable on the weak side, but he might have to slide inside in a 3-4 if the new coaches use that scheme. If the Broncos continue with a 4-3, moving Williams to the middle might be best. The Broncos need a standout middle linebacker, and Woodyard could be a key piece on the weak side.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- CB Champ Bailey, CB Dre Bly, FS Josh Barrett, SS Marquand Manuel. Backups -- CB Karl Paymah, CB Jack Williams, CB Josh Bell, S Vernon Fox, S Herana-Daze Jones, S Marlon McCree.
The rotating starters at safety was a tragic comedy for the Broncos all season. Their safety play was as poor as any team in the league, which is one reason the team picked off only six passes. The only bright spot was Barrett's play late in the year. He is raw and made some mistakes, but has the physical talent to become a good player. The rest of that position has to be overhauled. Bailey played well before a groin injury and Bly had his best weeks as a Bronco while Bailey was out. Still, Denver needs to assess what it has at cornerback and find some good young depth. Bell played well at times. Williams started hot but faded into obscurity by the end of his rookie year.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Matt Prater, P Brett Kern, LS Mike Leach, KOR/PR Eddie Royal.
Prater started well and finished poorly. The new coaching regime will have to decide to bring him back again or go in a different direction. He does have a strong leg and perhaps could improve with experience. Kern had a steady, solid rookie year and could be a long-term answer. Leach is as good as they come. Royal is explosive but Denver has to decide whether to expose one of their best offensive players on returns.