Where's the biggest weakness?

[Tempus Fugit]

Ok, the Cutler situation has been resolved, free agency has settled down into the dog days, and the draft has not yet arrived. It seems to me that this is the perfect time to break down the entire team and figure out where the fans think the biggest problems are. I think it will be interesting to re-visit after the draft.

Position by position:

Offense
QB
RB
TE
WR
OL

Defense
DL
LB
CB
S

Special teams
O
D


I won't post my opinions in the O.P. because I want to see how others view it rather than just see the differences between my ratings and opposing views. I'll also combine all special teams together for the poll because of technical limitations.....

So, let's have at it.

[BroncoWave]

Offense- RB (and maybe WR if Marshall gets suspended)

Defense- DL obviously, but we could use another LB or 2 as well.

ST- Kick/Punt return. But that's been a weakness for as long as I can remember watching the Broncos.

[NightTrainLayne]

Well, I can't argue with anyone who says that it's our DL. But we've obviously got other glaring holes at LB and RB. Special teams have been atrocious. I'm interested to see what the new coaching staff does with them.

[Medford Bronco]

Well, I can't argue with anyone who says that it's our DL. But we've obviously got other glaring holes at LB and RB. Special teams have been atrocious. I'm interested to see what the new coaching staff does with them.

Our front 7 is very weak. We need a major upgrade there.

I hope someday we have a front 7 like we did in 77

[Lonestar]

Our front 7 is very weak. We need a major upgrade there.

I hope someday we have a front 7 like we did in 77

well I hope you mean effective like 77 orange crush.. not in size:laugh::laugh:

[underrated29]

what happened to my post?

i didnt put anything bad in it?

[dogfish]

14-2. . . . 87.5% say D-line. . . . truth!



i wouldn't exactly say the LB corps is in the greatest of shape, either. . . with five picks in the top 85, we need-- need, need, NEED-- to address the front seven in this draft-- preferably early and often. . . if they don't spend two or three of our first five picks there, everyone in the FO should have their heads examined. . . .

[nevcraw]

Offense - 1. RB, 2. QB, 3. WR, 4. OL depth

defense - 1. NT, 2. DE, 3. OLB, 4. ILB, 5. FS, 6. CB(depth)

[Buff]

D-line is far and away the biggest hole. There really isn't even a close 2nd.

[CrazyHorse]

Head Coach then Quarterback

[Dortoh]

Front 7 without a doubt. I went Dline because I think our LB'ers would be atleast decent with some help in front of them.

Something that gets over looked is a teams personality. I dont think we have one right now. That can be troublesome

God I miss AL Wilson, Atwater, Easy Ed....etc....

This team especially the D needs to have an identity

[LRtagger]

Wow 13 posts and none of the whiners have said HC is our biggest weakness.

[dogfish]

Wow 13 posts and none of the whiners have said HC is our biggest weakness.

some things go without saying. . . . . :D

[weazel]

some things go without saying. . . . . :D

lol

[bcbronc]

I voted LB, but it's really a vote for front 7. I just figure there's 4 LBs and only 3 DL, so it's a "bigger" weakness.

but really, there's nothing but question marks at every position in the front 7.

if Moss or Doom or Crowder can make a successful transition to OLB, then that would be huge.

If Peterson, or Thomas, or Powell can be decent DEs, that would be great.

Fields, DJ, Davis, Larsen should be at least decent in the middle, but all can be upgraded on (DJ's an above average starter, but we need more big plays out of his position imo).

I can't wait for some mini-camps to kick off so we can start getting some progress reports on these guys.

only 17 days, 4 minutes, 44...43....42...41...seconds until the draft!!

[hotcarl]

same thing its been forever ... D LINE

[slim]

Well, we have 34 votes for DL, 6 for LB and and 4 people that misunderstood the question :D

I guess that pretty much sums it up.

[honz]

Well, we have 34 votes for DL, 6 for LB and and 4 people that misunderstood the question :D

I guess that pretty much sums it up.
Close. It's 2 Culer apologists attempting to throw a tantrum and 2 that misunderstood the question.

[Broncolingus]

DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL, DL...

...and, DL.

[Superchop 7]

Right now....it's nose tackle.

[dogfish]

so lingus. . . what are you trying to tell us?

[FanInAZ]

I believe that this is the 3rd year in a row that I voted for the DL. :confused: Or is it the 4th. In any case, I will keep voting for the d-line untill we finally get someone who can RUSH THE PASSER!!!

[Superchop 7]

It will be close this year.

Between us and KC.

For the worst D-line in football.

Sorry guys,

It's gonna be fugly

[Denver27og]

yes ill say it first.. our glaring weakness is at head coach

[Elevation inc]

its the DL, we have no proven NT, no proven 3-4 rush Lb, No proven 3-4 End

we need talent all over the defense, and we need a franchise runner, fix the run game and defense and orton will be able to win with our o-line and elite offensive weapons......

[Den21vsBal19]

I wouldn't object to a first day RB, although I think we can possibly be relatively succesful RBBC if we can just keep guys healthy..........

But if we spend anything less than 4 of our first day picks on the front 7, then I'll be a little pissed

[Dirk]

I voted DL...as did a few others...lol

The only think I can hope for and assume will occur is that we will get some "meat" on the line. No more of Shanny's idea of a smaller faster front 7 is the better way to go. We saw how well that works.

[Elevation inc]

I wouldn't object to a first day RB, although I think we can possibly be relatively succesful RBBC if we can just keep guys healthy..........

But if we spend anything less than 4 of our first day picks on the front 7, then I'll be a little pissed


1. Rush LB
1b. Franchise runner
2. S
3. DL
3. NT
4. ILB
5. WR
6. DL/LB
7. C/G
7. NT project or QB project

that right there would be 5 of our first 6 picks on defense;),

i could however understand the reasons for drafting QB pat white in the 3rd rd, QB stephen mgee in the 4th rd, QB matt reily in the 5th rd, or QB drew wiley in the seventh rd....

[Tned]

Well, I can't argue with anyone who says that it's our DL. But we've obviously got other glaring holes at LB and RB. Special teams have been atrocious. I'm interested to see what the new coaching staff does with them.

I think we will be ok at RB (not great, but good enough), but I agree at LB, possibly QB, and I am not completely sold on the safety/corner duo that came over from Miami.

Special teams has been a big problem, but we some new coaching, signing of a couple good special team players, who knows.

Having to pick just one, I went with DL, because to date we haven't done enough to address it. Presumably, this will be a major focus in the draft.

[Fan in Exile]

I would rank them like this.

NT-Field is a rotational guy, I think we should draft two of these guys.

SOLB- Boss is really the best/only fit here and he's really injury prone.

SILB- Davis is old and a two down player at this point I wouldn't mind bringing in a mid round pick to compete with Larsen to be his successor.

WOLB- Moss and DOOM are here but it's an important position so I think we should bring in someone to compete.

DE- We've got a lot of guys here. Peterson, Powell, Thomas, Askew, but they're still question marks. So I guess it really depends on what the coaches see at mini-camp. Could move behind NT, could drop off the radar. It's supposed to be the easiest transition to make so I really think that people will be surprised come draft day when we don't go DE early.

SS- Dawkins fits the bill here and we've got a bunch of guys competeing to be the third safety like Barret. However I think we should be looking at a ss backup because of Dawkins age and outside of Barret most of our guys couldn't get it done last year.

WILB- I think with DJ and WW here it's not really a need but I wouldn't mind depth, then again maybe they'll have WW play strong safety then this moves up the board.

FS-I don't see this as a big need either, with Hill and Barret we've got a proven starter and Back-up. With Fox and Jones we've got some depth, I wouldn't mind seeing better players than them, but I think you plug your holes in the line before you fix depth in the secondary.

CB- I see this as probably the best group that we've got, which may not be saying much. But we've got Bailey, Goodman, Bell, and Williams. I think if our D-line and LB picks turn out this year then next year we are going to have to start looking at CB but it's a need we can push off for a year at least.

[broncofaninfla]

NT-we need a stud here
DE- see above
QB- IMO we currently have two back up QB's on our roster, we need a viable starter
S- We need a young guy or two to learn from one of the best in Dawkins
OLB-need more 3/4 type OLB's
WR- Love Marshall but he has proven he can't be depended upon
RB- solid group but we could always use a star
CB- need depth

[BroncoTech]

I'd say front office may be our biggest weakness. It would be a tie with the defense as a whole until you know what happened.

[claymore]

I say Running back. Its just as big of a gaping weakness as the DL. And adding one stud like Moreno will do more good than adding a bunch of rookie D lineman this year. JMO.

[Dirk]

I say Running back. Its just as big of a gaping weakness as the DL. And adding one stud like Moreno will do more good than adding a bunch of rookie D lineman this year. JMO.

Good point. I hope if they are going to go first round with someone other than defense it is Moreno and not Sanchez or Stafford.

[KCL]

I say Running back. Its just as big of a gaping weakness as the DL. And adding one stud like Moreno will do more good than adding a bunch of rookie D lineman this year. JMO.

I hear Larry Johnson may soon be available....:coffee:

[Medford Bronco]

I hear Larry Johnson may soon be available....:coffee:

NO I would rather Dee Brown:lol:;):D

[KCL]

NO I would rather Dee Brown:lol:;):D

Me too Med......:shocked:

:lol:

[Tempus Fugit]

Well, I don't think my response will change the focus at this point, so here goes:

DT - They could plug in a failed cornerback here and not be much worse off. I'd suggest to the front office that they inquire about S. Rogers' availability. To me, this is the team's weakest point.

DE - Another glaring weakness, particularly when the team goes 3-4. You need two 300 pounders who can take on a guard/tackle or tackle/tight end combo, and Denver currently has zero of these on its roster.

LB- I'm lumping these together because I think the four spots are just too jumbled right now to really give a fair assessment. With so many players in transition, this could be an enormous weakness, or the team could be ok with just one or two signings, be it starters or depth players.

CB - It wouldn't hurt to add another but, unless the team gets pressure from the front 7, this group will look a lot worse than it is no matter who's back there.

S - Great job in the offseason means this is not a primary need area. At this point, drafting for the future is a good move, and watching cut lists during camps will allow for depth signing(s).

QB - With so many other areas of need, I don't rate this as a high priority. Look for the team to either take a relatively high draft pick gamble or to make a move for a top veteran either in 2010 or 2011.

RB - I like what the team's done here in the offseason. Denver now has Arrington (a/k/a the Kevin Faulk of the offense) and multiple players who can take on the main running job. It wouldn't shock me to see the team draft a running back in the first 3 rounds, but I don't think there's an overwhelming need here, and I don't expect a first round pick to be used here.

TE - Denver seems to be all set here right now. If the trade is made, look for the team to bring in someone to compete on the back end of the roster.

WR - The team looks all set here.

OL - Expect picks to be used on the O-line every year, usually in the lower rounds.

ST - Everyone's always looking for an upgrade here, but the new coaching staff can make a big difference, so I won't focus here.

To me, it's

DT (NT)
DE
LB

in that order.

[Dortoh]

I say Running back. Its just as big of a gaping weakness as the DL. And adding one stud like Moreno will do more good than adding a bunch of rookie D lineman this year. JMO.

While what you are saying is true first year RB's are "usually" more productive then rookie Dlineman. It is also true IMO that a stud RB would go further to help our defense THIS year.

The reason I disagree is we are not going to be making a SB run this year. So we need to get the front 7 fixed by drafting and developing Dline/LBers this year so the defense is fixed for a run 2-3 years from now.

[Fan in Exile]

DE - Another glaring weakness, particularly when the team goes 3-4. You need two 300 pounders who can take on a guard/tackle or tackle/tight end combo, and Denver currently has zero of these on its roster.

I don't know how you can say that we don't have any on our roster. They resigned Peterson for a reason, Thomas was starting last year, Powell looks like a great run stopper. I would say there's a lot of questions here, but we're a far cry from the zero you're talking about. I would say at the very least we have our back-ups, and if we're lucky a starter.

Apparently the staff has also been saying good things about Askew, FWIW.

[Dortoh]

I think people, myself included sometimes fall into the "mock draft" pitfall that we tend to look at any given draft thinking only "this year". I think for a teams long term sucess every draft should be looked at with a longer term approach/mentality

[Dortoh]

I don't know how you can say that we don't have any on our roster. They resigned Peterson for a reason, Thomas was starting last year, Powell looks like a great run stopper. I would say there's a lot of questions here, but we're a far cry from the zero you're talking about. I would say at the very least we have our back-ups, and if we're lucky a starter.

Apparently the staff has also been saying good things about Askew, FWIW.

Powell is a huge wildcard for me.

[Northman]

I cant believe after the last 6 years that certain individuals still say QB is the weakest spot. LMAO

[Tempus Fugit]

I don't know how you can say that we don't have any on our roster. They resigned Peterson for a reason, Thomas was starting last year, Powell looks like a great run stopper. I would say there's a lot of questions here, but we're a far cry from the zero you're talking about. I would say at the very least we have our back-ups, and if we're lucky a starter.

Apparently the staff has also been saying good things about Askew, FWIW.

I guess I should have been more clear, but I thought using the number "2" would make it obvious that I was referring to starters at the end positions. My mistake, and thanks for the criticism. I'll try to be more precise in the future.

[Fan in Exile]

Powell is a huge wildcard for me.

I think so too, it's why I believe that we can't nail down the need for this spot until after the mini-camp in April. But since we won't be there it's going to remain a mystery until the draft. If they go Jackson in the first then Thomas Powell, Peterson etc. didn't make the grade. If we don't get a DE at all then they were more successful than we have a right to expect.

[atwater27]

Biggest roster weakness.... DL no doubt. Biggest team weakness.... trading the franchise QB no doubt.

[Lonestar]

at QB now in Chicago:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

[atwater27]

at QB now in Chicago:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

:coffee:

[NameUsedBefore]

Defensive line.

Most important weakness at QB.

Easiest to fix weakness appears to be LB.

[Lonestar]

Defensive line.

Most important weakness at QB.

Easiest to fix weakness appears to be LB.


always seem to have been in the past going to a 3-4 might complicate matters a bit..

[dogfish]

always seem to have been in the past going to a 3-4 might complicate matters a bit..


maybe, but there are a lot of solid 3-4 LB prospects in this year's draft, which should play in our favor. . . we'll have to grab one pretty quick, though-- probably with one of our top two picks, although there should be at least a few choices left at #48. . . .

[getlynched47]

always seem to have been in the past going to a 3-4 might complicate matters a bit..

I think a lot of us are overlooking Andra Davis and Spencer Larsen. Davis will be our SILB, but I could see a scenario where Boss Bailey and Spencer Larsen battle at WILB and maybe DJ Williams gets to stay at WOLB. I think Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss will get a chance to compete for SOLB.

[silkamilkamonico]

Our front 7 is very weak. We need a major upgrade there.


Yep. Most important part of a defense easily, also.

[Simple Jaded]

Wow 13 posts and none of the whiners have said HC is our biggest weakness.

Head Coach, then the General Manager, then the defensive line.......