I have two questions:
1. Is football outsiders respected?
2. Did we trade Miller, Wolfe, Ray, Marshall, Ward, Talib, and Harris?
Denver's 2017 schedule is a beast, the AFC West is a tough division. The Broncos point differential of +472 (net points 2017 opponents scored in 2016) is 2d behind the +478 of the Raiders. The Opp Win % of 57.8% is the toughest in the league.
Compared to 2016's schedule, it's about the same or perhaps easier. The Broncos had the toughest SoS in 2016 and played vs the AFC South (-109 net 2016 points for division) and NFC South (+101). They played the Pats and Panthers (1st place schedule, +158). In 2017, it's AFC East (+61) and NFC East (+190) plus Bengals and Colts (+29, 3d place schedule oppt's).
Is Denver a worse team in 2017?
Losses:
Russell Okung
Sylvester Williams
DeMarcus Ware
Kayvon Webster
Dekoda Watson
Additions:
Ronald Leary
Menelik Watson
Domata Peko
Zach Kerr
Kasim Edebali
2017 draft class (with a compensatory 3d and some later comp picks)
Developing, possibly contributing (or contributing at a higher level) in 2017:
Shane Ray
Kalif Raymond
Paxton Lynch
Trevor Siemian
A.J. Derby
Jordan Taylor
Devontae Booker
Adam Gotsis
Will Parks
Justin Simmons
Possibly declining in production:
Talib (turns 32 next SB)
Ward (turns 31 in Dec.)
Emmanuel (turned 30 last month)
DT (turns 30 this Xmas)
Coaching staff is new, which generally results in worse performance, ceteris parabis, but it wasn't a 'red-button' firing, more of a shake-up in culture. Woods remains as legacy defense coach, although losing Wade is a major loss. Adding McCoy and Musgrave to the offense should be a major improvement over Kubiak and Dennison, but it's still difficult to learn a new system. It takes time and to add to it you have a QB controversy which means whoever starts will not have maximum reps in the new system.
On the whole, the 2017 Broncos are actually a solid team--no major losses outside of left tackle, a dominant secondary that is aging but is still in their prime (if nearing the end of it), and a shot of adrenaline from young players who should develop into more significant contributors (I'm looking at you, Shane Ray, Trevor Lynch, and Adam Gotsis). The coaching change is a net negative, but by all media reports the Broncos should have an NFL elite staff. In theory this was the top destination for coaching talent because the culture is a championship culture. The only absolute, glaring weakness on the team is left tackle.
My takeaway is that this is a playoff-contending team *if* the left tackle situation is addressed either by scheme, group cohesion, or personnel (including massive improvement from one of the 4-5 potential tacos already on the roster). Otherwise it's a worse version of the 2016 offense, and we know how that works out.
tl;dr--If the left tackle situation isn't A-gaping hole, I really like this team's odds in 2017.
Originally Posted by Sting
There's absolutely noway the Broncos are the 2nd worst team in the AFC, I've got a feeling that Leary's attitude and mean/tough mindset will rub off on alot of the guys in the O line group and the unit will be much more improved. Denver will find there starting LT in round 3 or 4 of the draft.
I wouldn't mind that. He seems to be a 2d round guy. Kinda soft, not a nasty dude like the Broncs want. Still, he's a stud athlete with good technique. I'd never expect him to walk into a starting job tho. None of these guys are ready day 1 type of guys. Stranger things have happened, but I'd never count on it.
Originally Posted by Sting
Thank the Lord!
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