T.K.O.
06-29-2009, 04:14 PM
just bored today and stumbled on this jewell....dont shoot the messenger ;)
Football BettingDenver Broncos Odds – Broncos search for identity without Shanahan and Cutler
Posted on 6/9/2009 1:30:39 PM
By Stan Simmons
For fourteen years, the Denver Broncos odds to win the Super Bowl - or even to win the AFC - were always reasonable thanks to head coach Mike Shanahan, but now the franchise is heading in a new direction. From top to bottom, the Broncos are doing a makeover with Josh McDaniels now leading the way. After a horrendous offseason, though, the question is: where is this young head coach leading them?
Broncos odds: Broncos +5000 to win Super Bowl XLIV
Broncos will miss Shanahan, Cutler
Weapons aplenty on offense but the quarterbacking situation will hold them back
Porous defense, which is switching to 3-4, could get even worse
Online betting fans aren’t sure what to make of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos odds clearly aren’t very good, and really, how could they be? Former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has taken over the team and, considering one of his first orders of business was to trade franchise quarterback Jay Cutler, not many fans are sure what he’s doing with the Broncos. In contrast, former head coach Mike Shanahan brought the franchise two Super Bowls a 61% winning percentage and seven playoff appearances. Furthermore, the Broncos never won less than six games in any season under Shanahan. But given the current state of the team, the Broncos betting community is expecting less than six wins this year.
While the Broncos traded a Pro Bowl quarterback, they don’t exactly have an option ready to replace him. Kyle Orton and Chris Simms are the options, and neither player’s talents inspire any sort of confidence. One thing that especially hurts the Broncos odds with the Cutler trade is the fact that this team traded away their leader. Combined with the loss of Shanahan, whose system paved the way for a good running game every single year, the Broncos have lost their identity on offense.
The good news is that they still have an excellent offensive line and some good weapons around - such as Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler and Knowshon Moreno - but the issue is that without a trigger man, all of these players will be held back. Even in a weak AFC West, the Broncos odds will probably list them as an underdog on the NFL betting lines everywhere they travel on the road, and potentially times at home too.
Their offense has taken a big hit, and their offense was all they had last year. Part of McDaniels new plan is to retool the defense which, in 2008, allowed 28 points per game, five yards per carry, and totaled only six interceptions. The Broncos betting fans can expect to see a new 3-4 scheme, and as the sportsbook odds makers know, a defense switching to the 3-4 from the 4-3 using regresses in its first season. That’s a scary thought for the Broncos, who are already in the basement of virtually every defensive category.
The Mile High pillars of consistency are gone, which is why the Broncos odds are so poor this season. Under Shanahan, the Broncos could rely on stellar quarterbacking, an outstanding running game and sharp placekicking. Usually the defense would be reliable, too. But now the Broncos are clearly in transition, and all signs point to that as resulting in a worse team. Sometimes you don’t learn the value of what you have until it’s gone, and the Broncos betting community will feel that bitter taste this year as they will sorely miss both Shanahan and Cutler. Don’t be surprised if this is the worst team in the NFL.
For more analysis on NFL lines and previews of all 32 NFL teams, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge daily.
Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
Football BettingDenver Broncos Odds – Broncos search for identity without Shanahan and Cutler
Posted on 6/9/2009 1:30:39 PM
By Stan Simmons
For fourteen years, the Denver Broncos odds to win the Super Bowl - or even to win the AFC - were always reasonable thanks to head coach Mike Shanahan, but now the franchise is heading in a new direction. From top to bottom, the Broncos are doing a makeover with Josh McDaniels now leading the way. After a horrendous offseason, though, the question is: where is this young head coach leading them?
Broncos odds: Broncos +5000 to win Super Bowl XLIV
Broncos will miss Shanahan, Cutler
Weapons aplenty on offense but the quarterbacking situation will hold them back
Porous defense, which is switching to 3-4, could get even worse
Online betting fans aren’t sure what to make of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos odds clearly aren’t very good, and really, how could they be? Former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has taken over the team and, considering one of his first orders of business was to trade franchise quarterback Jay Cutler, not many fans are sure what he’s doing with the Broncos. In contrast, former head coach Mike Shanahan brought the franchise two Super Bowls a 61% winning percentage and seven playoff appearances. Furthermore, the Broncos never won less than six games in any season under Shanahan. But given the current state of the team, the Broncos betting community is expecting less than six wins this year.
While the Broncos traded a Pro Bowl quarterback, they don’t exactly have an option ready to replace him. Kyle Orton and Chris Simms are the options, and neither player’s talents inspire any sort of confidence. One thing that especially hurts the Broncos odds with the Cutler trade is the fact that this team traded away their leader. Combined with the loss of Shanahan, whose system paved the way for a good running game every single year, the Broncos have lost their identity on offense.
The good news is that they still have an excellent offensive line and some good weapons around - such as Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler and Knowshon Moreno - but the issue is that without a trigger man, all of these players will be held back. Even in a weak AFC West, the Broncos odds will probably list them as an underdog on the NFL betting lines everywhere they travel on the road, and potentially times at home too.
Their offense has taken a big hit, and their offense was all they had last year. Part of McDaniels new plan is to retool the defense which, in 2008, allowed 28 points per game, five yards per carry, and totaled only six interceptions. The Broncos betting fans can expect to see a new 3-4 scheme, and as the sportsbook odds makers know, a defense switching to the 3-4 from the 4-3 using regresses in its first season. That’s a scary thought for the Broncos, who are already in the basement of virtually every defensive category.
The Mile High pillars of consistency are gone, which is why the Broncos odds are so poor this season. Under Shanahan, the Broncos could rely on stellar quarterbacking, an outstanding running game and sharp placekicking. Usually the defense would be reliable, too. But now the Broncos are clearly in transition, and all signs point to that as resulting in a worse team. Sometimes you don’t learn the value of what you have until it’s gone, and the Broncos betting community will feel that bitter taste this year as they will sorely miss both Shanahan and Cutler. Don’t be surprised if this is the worst team in the NFL.
For more analysis on NFL lines and previews of all 32 NFL teams, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge daily.
Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.