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Lonestar
07-24-2009, 03:46 AM
by Sports Xchange



Updated: July 24, 2009, 3:40 AM EDT
The Broncos enter their first training camp with Josh McDaniels as a team still in transition. The new coach will figure out his top options when the team starts hitting, especially among the defensive front seven.

Denver also has a lot of work remaining. The team could be active in bringing in new players who fit their scheme and are released during the preseason.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Kyle Orton. Backups - Chris Simms, Tom Brandstater.

The Broncos diffused a training camp controversy by naming Orton the starter, even though Josh McDaniels said many times he was going to take his time to pick between Orton and Simms. Although Simms looked good in minicamps, throwing the ball well and showing he is 100 percent healthy, Orton has a longer track record of success in the NFL. He played well before an ankle injury last year, and there wasn't any reason to delay the decision. Orton doesn't have a huge arm but is a smart quarterback and should fit nicely in McDaniels' offense. He could have a very good season, making the loss of Jay Cutler sting a little less for Broncos fans. If Orton falters, Simms is an intriguing player. He has a ton of physical skill. Brandstater is going to watch and learn from the two veterans ahead of him.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters - TB Correll Buckhalter, FB Peyton Hillis. Backups - TB LaMont Jordan, TB Knowshon Moreno, TB Darius Walker, TB Ryan Torain, FB Spencer Larsen.

It would be a surprise if Moreno doesn't top the depth chart as a rookie, and he could be the starter by opening day. But he isn't there yet. He ran third behind Buckhalter and Jordan, who split first-team reps. Buckhalter and Jordan will probably carve out a role, even if Moreno passes them. Buckhalter was a solid part-time back with Philadelphia and Jordan is a bruiser who knows the offense. Moreno is an all-around threat who the Broncos selected 12th overall despite pressing defensive needs. He can play all three downs and has elite talent. He might not have a monster rookie season because of the presence of Buckhalter and Jordan, but will make an immediate impact. Hillis will be used somehow - he is too talented to keep on the bench or use as a blocker only. Walker and Torain will need solid training camp performances to lock up a spot on the team. Larsen is back to his role playing offense and defense.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Daniel Graham. Backups - Tony Scheffler, Richard Quinn, Jeb Putzier, Marquez Branson.

Graham is the starter and will continue his role as one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL. He even increased his production in the passing game last season, and will catch a few balls this year too. An interesting story in the offseason was the arc of Scheffler, who was involved in trade rumors and didn't know his role with the new coaching staff, but was a big part of the offense in the latter minicamps. The coaching staff has obviously figured out he can be a weapon in the offense because of his receiving ability. Quinn is more Graham than Scheffler, as a bruising blocker who had very few catches in college. Still, Denver thinks he can become an all-around tight end.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal. Backups - Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Stokley, Chad Jackson, Kenny McKinley, Brandon Lloyd, Matthew Willis, Lucas Taylor, Nate Swift, C.J. Jones

All the focus will be on Marshall, after he had a tumultuous offseason that included a trade request and minicamp holdout. He has had 100 catches in back-to-back seasons and should be a good fit in the new offense, which doesn't go vertical very often. Marshall could have another nice season if he gets on board, but his catch numbers could drop. Royal had a good season as a rookie and it's easy to see him in the same role Wes Welker plays for New England. Expect Royal to catch a lot of passes this season. McDaniels likes to spread the field, so backups like Gaffney could have a nice season too. Stokley is reliable and could find a fit in the offense. Jackson has good physical tools and had a good offseason. McKinley had a productive college career and is an interesting prospect if he can stay healthy. There's a lot of receivers after them who are fighting for a job.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Ryan Clady, LG Ben Hamilton, C Casey Wiegmann, RG Chris Kuper, RT Ryan Harris. Backups - T Tyler Polumbus, G/C Kory Lichtensteiger, G Seth Olsen, G Pat Murray, T Brandon Gorin, G Mitch Erickson, C Blake Schlueter, G Matt McChesney, T Clint Oldenburg, T Stanley Bryant.

If Clady and Harris can come close to replicating their fantastic 2008 seasons and Wiegmann's play stays at a high level, this could be one of the best offensive lines in football. This is an athletic line that can also clear holes for the running game. The unit also played very well together last year, and all five starters are back. Clady, in particular, looks like a potential All-Pro. He's a massive player with incredible feet. The guard play is also solid with veteran Hamilton and athletic youngster Kuper. The tackle depth isn't great, but Denver has some good prospects on the interior. The unit remained healthy last year, and the Broncos will be hoping for another lucky year with injuries.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DE Kenny Peterson, NT Ronald Fields, DE Ryan McBean. Backups - NT Marcus Thomas, DE Nic Clemons, DE Matthias Askew, DE J'Vonne Parker, NT Carlton Powell, DE Rulon Davis, NT Chris Baker, NT Everette Pedescleaux.

The Broncos are gambling this group, full of unknowns and castoffs, takes to the scheme and improves. There is not one standout among them. Among the top four ends, there is only one combined NFL start. Fields didn't start a NFL game either of the last two seasons. Thomas might be the most accomplished of Denver's linemen with 21 starts the last two seasons, but he isn't a natural nose tackle. The good news is the Broncos have big linemen for their 3-4 scheme, and they could keep linemen busy and allow the linebackers to make plays. The Broncos wouldn't reach on defensive linemen in the draft, so this is a unit that the team will have to address next offseason. For now, they hope a few players emerge to be solid contributors.

LINEBACKERS: Starters - OLB Robert Ayers, ILB D.J. Williams, ILB Andra Davis, OLB Darrell Reid. Backups - OLB Elvis Dumervil, OLB Tim Crowder, ILB Mario Haggan, ILB Nick Greisen, ILB Wesley Woodyard, OLB Jarvis Moss, ILB Lee Robinson.

Ayers can play end, and will in passing situations, but the team seems to want to use him mostly at outside linebacker in base situations. Most of Denver's other outside linebackers are converted 4-3 ends. Reid is moving from tackle to outside linebacker, but was with the first team most of the offseason. Dumervil is a natural pass rusher and should find a role that accentuates his strengths. Crowder is also a possibility for playing time. Moss, a former first-round pick, needs to make a move up the depth chart. The inside is solid. Williams will play the weak side and could have a huge season. He has a chance to make his first Pro Bowl. Davis is a productive veteran. There is good depth behind them, and Larsen can always move back to inside linebacker from fullback if needed.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - CB Champ Bailey, S Brian Dawkins, S Renaldo Hill, CB Andre Goodman. Backups - CB Alphonso Smith, CB Jack Williams, CB Joshua Bell, S Darcel McBath, S Josh Barrett, S David Bruton, S Vernon Fox, CB Tony Carter, CB D.J. Johnson.

The Broncos secondary isn't young - every starter is 30 or older - but they will be better. The safety position had to be overhauled after a miserable 2008. Dawkins and Hill were signed to start and McBath and Bruton were drafted to provide depth. Dawkins is older but he is coming off a solid season and should have a couple more good years in him. Hill is solid as well. The Broncos are in much better hands at safety this season, which will help the run and pass defense. Cornerback will be better too, if Bailey stays healthy. Bailey is tough but missed a large chunk of the season with a bad groin injury. If he's back to 100 percent he will again be one of the best corners in the NFL. Goodman got a big contract and the Broncos are hoping he stands up to the pressure of being opposite Bailey better than Dre Bly. Smith should win the nickel spot, considering the Broncos gave up their 2010 first-round pick to take him in the second round, but Williams and Bell were competing for the spot in the offseason.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Matt Prater, P Brett Kern, P Britton Colquitt, LS Lonie Paxton, KR Eddie Royal, PR Alphonso Smith.

Prater had his ups and downs last season, but the team didn't sign anyone to compete with him. The job is his, for better or worse. He said that he was fatigued by the end of last season, so he switched his practice habits to make sure he is fresh for the second half of the season. Kern had a solid rookie season, but Colquitt is talented too and could push Kern for the job. The Paxton signing was odd because the Broncos already had a top long-snapper in Mike Leach, but that shouldn't take anything away from Paxton, who is also among the best in the NFL. The returner spots will be decided in camp and the preseason, although Royal and Smith are two of the top candidates for either job.



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