rationalfan
01-16-2012, 11:44 AM
This is the first time in years a Broncos' season has ended with a (very) disappointing loss and I'm hopeful for the future; because this team finally seems to have a credible plan with some competitive balance (translation: both the offense AND defense seem to be promising).
A lot of you are posting your position breakdowns and offseason wishlists. And that's cool. This is more of an oblique reflection/forecast of the team.
- For the first time since Reeves was coaching, I'm not worried when the Broncos play a physical opponent.
Through the Shanny years, and definitely with McD, the Broncos always struggled against the Pittsburghs and Baltimores; teams that hit hard, aim to kill the QB, swarm to the ball and run with the mentality that they want to demolish the defense. These were always bad matchups for Denver. Not anymore. I knew Fox would improve the toughness of this team, I didn't think it would happen in one, short offseason.
- For the first time since the Super Bowl teams, I'm not going into the offseason craving a new DT.
Don't get me wrong, the DLine could improve it's interior. But, finally, this doesn't feel like the most deficient part of the roster.
- For the first time since Al Wilson left, the team feels like it has genuine chemistry.
So much is made of the roster's talent level. That's important. But, I feel, just as important is the mood in a locker room. Through Shanny's final few years and McD's time here, there was never this obvious sense of team unity. The players didn't look like they liked they each other - much less enjoyed playing with each other. But this team came together like nothing I've seen since Elway's final days. They were laughing with each other. They were hugging each other - a lot. They were jumping into each other's arms. Granted, winning can do that to teammates, but there was more to it than victories. They felt like a team with a very strong bond. That should only grow in the next 8 months.
- For the first time since 2005, I don't feel like the roster needs a drastic overhaul.
the team needs to improve everywhere, but it doesn't need to implode the foundation and build from scratch. The offense is VERY young with some obvious upside (and, unlike some others, I don't think the Oline needs to be rebuilt; much of the poor pass protection came from QBs holding the ball way too long, perhaps as they were instructed to do). And the defense finally feels like an NFL defense; not just a collection of cast-offs and practice squad pickups. But the D does need some upgrades; particularly some linebackers and safeties who can cover the underneath routes - that's the weakness of this defense, and why the Patriots matchup killed us twice.
- For the first time in many, many years I feel like the team has a legit chance at the Super Bowl - in 2-3 years.
The young Broncos will grow, the older Broncos will be replaced by (hopefully) smart draft choices. And the current crop of elite of AFC QBs will be aging (Brady, Manning, Big Ben). The future finally looks promising, not just a mirage.
A lot of you are posting your position breakdowns and offseason wishlists. And that's cool. This is more of an oblique reflection/forecast of the team.
- For the first time since Reeves was coaching, I'm not worried when the Broncos play a physical opponent.
Through the Shanny years, and definitely with McD, the Broncos always struggled against the Pittsburghs and Baltimores; teams that hit hard, aim to kill the QB, swarm to the ball and run with the mentality that they want to demolish the defense. These were always bad matchups for Denver. Not anymore. I knew Fox would improve the toughness of this team, I didn't think it would happen in one, short offseason.
- For the first time since the Super Bowl teams, I'm not going into the offseason craving a new DT.
Don't get me wrong, the DLine could improve it's interior. But, finally, this doesn't feel like the most deficient part of the roster.
- For the first time since Al Wilson left, the team feels like it has genuine chemistry.
So much is made of the roster's talent level. That's important. But, I feel, just as important is the mood in a locker room. Through Shanny's final few years and McD's time here, there was never this obvious sense of team unity. The players didn't look like they liked they each other - much less enjoyed playing with each other. But this team came together like nothing I've seen since Elway's final days. They were laughing with each other. They were hugging each other - a lot. They were jumping into each other's arms. Granted, winning can do that to teammates, but there was more to it than victories. They felt like a team with a very strong bond. That should only grow in the next 8 months.
- For the first time since 2005, I don't feel like the roster needs a drastic overhaul.
the team needs to improve everywhere, but it doesn't need to implode the foundation and build from scratch. The offense is VERY young with some obvious upside (and, unlike some others, I don't think the Oline needs to be rebuilt; much of the poor pass protection came from QBs holding the ball way too long, perhaps as they were instructed to do). And the defense finally feels like an NFL defense; not just a collection of cast-offs and practice squad pickups. But the D does need some upgrades; particularly some linebackers and safeties who can cover the underneath routes - that's the weakness of this defense, and why the Patriots matchup killed us twice.
- For the first time in many, many years I feel like the team has a legit chance at the Super Bowl - in 2-3 years.
The young Broncos will grow, the older Broncos will be replaced by (hopefully) smart draft choices. And the current crop of elite of AFC QBs will be aging (Brady, Manning, Big Ben). The future finally looks promising, not just a mirage.