Thread: Have the Broncos improved their roster this off season?

It would be nice to have more than one competent running back.

Originally Posted by aberdien

It would be nice to have more than one competent running back.

Really my only worry about this team.

Originally Posted by aberdien

It would be nice to have more than one competent running back.

CJ sez, "don't sweat it, homie, i got it covered". . .

Originally Posted by VonDoom

I think Bibbs will be on the roster. But I'm confused - you say CJ is unproven, but you want a UDFA to impress? CJ has already proven something by virtue of being with this team last year and learning the system. I doubt Bibbs or anyone else will show any more than CJ did in his first year.

CJ made the roster and shows potential but had what, one good preseason game? Id hardly consider that "proven." So ya, it would be nice if one of the udfas turns out to be a beast. Is CJ better than any of our udfas? Probably....even likely, but maybe we can have the best of both worlds.

Originally Posted by Timmy!

Originally Posted by VonDoom

I think Bibbs will be on the roster. But I'm confused - you say CJ is unproven, but you want a UDFA to impress? CJ has already proven something by virtue of being with this team last year and learning the system. I doubt Bibbs or anyone else will show any more than CJ did in his first year.

CJ made the roster and shows potential but had what, one good preseason game? Id hardly consider that "proven." So ya, it would be nice if one of the udfas turns out to be a beast. Is CJ better than any of our udfas? Probably....even likely, but maybe we can have the best of both worlds.

Right, I think we're basically saying the same thing anyway. A UDFA would have to be amazing to get reps during the season. CJ impressed last TC and still had limited opportunities once the season started. I assume any new back would be behind CJ on the depth chart and therefore have less touches.

Originally Posted by Joel

If you say so; he wasn't the #2 in Pitt, and they didn't have DT (even when Mike Wallace was still around,) so I doubt he's a wash for Decker, let alone an improvement.

How do you figure that he wasn't the #2 WR? I don't know where you're getting your info from but he was second on the team in receptions (67) to Antonio Brown (101). Their only other WR of note is Jericho Cotchery (46). Sanders played and started every game for them. Cotchery played in the slot when they went 3 wide.

How does that not make him the #2?

Yes I think the Broncos improved the roster and I don't think losing Moreno is going to impact the team significantly. That said, we'll see how it all shakes out.

I'm completely drinkin' the kool-aid. With a bit of luck in the health department, this team is off to the Super Bowl.

I think Montee Ball is clearly an upgrade but that's about the extent of it, their actions tell me they're not as serious about beefing up the running game as they let on. I don't watch CSU and I don't see why an UDFA couldn't be as good as Moreno, but it sure doesn't appear to be much of an effort to upgrade the running game.

We'll see about Bibbs but I think they landed the wrong OU RB.

Timmy is a douchecanoe is the only real answer.

I haven't paid attention this offseason, so I'll wait and see when the season starts.
GO BRONCOS!

Originally Posted by chazoe60

Timmy is a douchecanoe is the only real answer.

Yeah there was huge disconnect between the poll and the thread.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

This is a different roster. I think it's hard to compare the two, honestly.

Still the best team in the AFC, if that means anything.

The defense is markedly better.

On paper.

Originally Posted by Traveler

On paper.

Yes. I'm pretty sure that's the only thing we can discuss at this point.

Originally Posted by Traveler

On paper.

Well, you can only look at it on paper.

QB: No change

RB: At best even, possible downgrade, since it's the same case of characters minus Moreno. However, with Ball possibly having the experience to carry the load, it could be more productive.

OL: Even +/- The return of Clady, if healthy, gives the line a big boost. I didn't count this as an offseason improvement, because it wasn't through the draft/FA. However, the fact is that his return should be an immediate upgrade to the line. My best guess is that we see Franklin at LG, the combination of Clady/Franklin will be a big upgrade over Clark/Beadles. Only time will tell, but Clady/Franklin/Ramirez/Vasquez/Clark will almost certainly be an upgrade from last year. If Franklin stays at RT, then LG becomes a big unknown.

WR/TE: Even +/- Basically, Decker has been swapped for Sanders. It's possible that Latimer could have an impact this year, but odds are against it. Assuming Welker doesn't lose several steps or have the concussions become a recurring theme, then the WR corp will likely be about even, but that's less due to Sanders being equivalent to Decker and more about the emergence of JT and Manning's ability to get the most out of receivers and spread the ball around.

On defense is where the Broncos appear to be improved, at least on paper.

DL: Improved. Should be greatly improved. Trading Ayers/phillips for Ware is likely an upgrade, combined Sylvester Williams with a year under his belt, Wolf back, Q. Smith healthy and ready to compete, Malik Jackson shining with playing time. Right now, the defensive line looks stacked. Three or four big bodies that can be rotated in the middle, and a lot of speed guys that can play end or inside on passing downs.

LB: Even +/- Considering how much the Broncos played nickel with two LBs, the loss of Woodyard, as much as I hate it, probably won't hurt. Having Miller from the start of the season (assuming no more immature idiocy on his part) will have the greatest impact, along with Trevathon having another year under his belt. Irving seemed to come into his own last year with all the playing time with the injuries to Woodyard and others, and the Miller suspension. There is likely no drop off here, and they should be an improved squad compared to most of last year.

DBs: Improved, assuming Harris comes back healthy. Just going to lump these into one group. Champ played in only five games last year, and most of those he was a shell of his former self and playing injured. So, his loss when comparing 2013 to 2014 is a non factor. So, then we look at losing DRC and replacing him with Talib. This is probably close to a wash, but I will give Talib an edge on being a tougher/nastier player. DRC was more of a speed finesse guy.

TJ Ward will be an immediate upgrade, and should punish his share of WR's going over the middle, not to mention stuffing the box against the run. Nacho started off great, but then trailed off, and the Broncos had a bit of a revolving door at safety. Now, Nacho, Moore, Carter and Bolden should battle for the other starting S spot. The Broncos should be in good shape at safety. If Harris comes back healthy, the secondary should be greatly improved. Before his injury, Harris was statistically the Broncos best corner. When it comes to nickel, the Broncos will have a number of players (Webster, Roby & Carter plus any TC surprises) competing for the nickel/dime spots, or starting RCB is Harris isn't healthy.

All in all, the offense should be close to even with last year, BUT it's possible the loss of Moreno and Decker could hurt a bit. The fact is that if their offense is even close to last year, then even if there is a slight downgrade, it shouldn't be much of an issue. If Franklin does move to LG, when combined with the return of Clady, the Broncos should be a better running team.

On defense, with the DL and secondary improved, and the LB corp about a wash (not counting "upgrade" from the fact that they will have Miller all year), then the defense on paper has been upgrade quite a bit, especially in terms of "toughness" and making opposing receivers pay the price.