2012 NFL Season Preview: Denver Broncos
By Editorial Staff
Denver Broncos
Front Office:
Owner: Pat Bowlen
GM: John Elway/ Brian Xanders
C+: I want to give a better grade but Elway needs to actually have a body of work for that to happen. I know Elway isn’t the GM but he will act as their GM…or at least nothing will get done without his stamp of approval. How many times does Elway need to save the Denver Broncos???
Coaching Staff
HC: John Fox
OC: MikeMcCoy
DC: Dennis Allen
B+: John Fox is like Chicken Noodle Soup for the team who has been ravaged by Josh McDaniels. That’s a long title but it is applicable. John Fox knows how to build a stable franchise. He will get their defense back on track and will help the Broncos to draft better than the last regime. MikeMcCoy will keep some continuity on the offense. Allen was a wise choice, the Saints former DB coach, and will help mentor the newly drafted safety duo.
QB: C+
Kyle Orton is a steady starter who can win games. He is nothing special but he will keep the train on its wheels. Tim Tebow showed in short bursts he can be special. It is unknown if he can do it long term but he has the dedication and leadership skills to make us want to believe in him.
RB: Inc
I was never a huge Knowshon Moreno fan, but to say he is only a third down back is a little harsh. This team is going to acquire a RB in FA and it is rumored to be the frontrunners for DeAngelo Williams. If the Broncos do acquire Williams, paired withMorenowill make a good RB tandem.
WR/TE B
Brandon Lloyd finally has understood that hard work is needed to separate the potential talent from the productive talent. He is a very good number one target. After him Gaffney, Royal, Decker are steady targets. Virgil Green and Julius Thomas are athletic, raw TE taken in this past draft. It is weird since Fox never has used TE in the passing game. I think Elway told him this will have to change.
OL: C+
With injuries and a change in OL philosophy, it is unknown if Clady can regain his dominate LT status. JD Walton and Chris Kuper are both solid interior OL and the team believes Orlando Franklin will either win the RT or LG position. That leaves Zane Beadles the task of winning the other spot. This unit is not what it was but will be the emphasis of the next few drafts.
DL: F
Wow….lots of question marks. Elvis Dumervil is coming off injury and he is known to be more of a 3-4 LB than 4-3 DE. Robert Ayers has done nothing but the Coaching Staff believes Ayers will be more productive as a 4-3 LDE. The Broncos have nothing at DT and must be very aggressive in FA….why did they pass on Marcell Dareus?????
LB: C
DJ Williams, when not being a head ache, is a Pro Bowl talent at WLB. Von Miller, while over drafted, will be a Karlos Dansby like SLB. I do not believe the Broncos have their answer at MLB. They took Nate Irving in the third round but that was a waste of pick in my opinion due to his injury history and his lack of burst.
DB: C-
Champ Bailey is still a shut down CB. It is unknown for how much longer. Andre Goodman is just a guy and not much CB depth is below him. Team took Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter in the past draft to be their future duo…both are talented but will need time to develop. Team hopes Brian Dawkins can be okay for one more year and teach the new kids on the block.
2011 NFL Draft:
Von Miller is a player I love…but on a 3-4 team. Broncos messed up big time by not selecting Marcell Dareus. Rahim Moore and Orlando Franklin are both talented players but are both risky. I believe Fox can bring out the best in them. Nate Irving was a waste in my opinion due to his lack of athletic ability and his injury past. I like Quinton Carter and the duo of Julius Thomas and Virgil Green…lets hope McCoy and Fox know how to use them. B
Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers
Julius Thomas and Virgil Green are both about the same talent. I believe the team plans on using them as a combo so they will be talked as a combo by me. Both are extremely raw and athletic. I think they can post some numbers this year as a preview of what is to come. Both will combine for 55 receptions, 600 yards, and 3 Touchdowns.
I do believe Robert Ayers will be more productive in this scheme and with Fox’s ability to develop young DL talent. I think he will be very productive vs. the run and still able to obtain 5-6 sacks.
2012 Season Prediction: 4-12
Though the Broncos record will be the same as last year’s….hope will be flowing. With a better coaching staff and some young talent their will be a belief that in year 3 of Fox this team can be a playoff caliber team. DL problems and youth in the back seven will make it difficult to compete this year. It would be huge if Tim Tebow was able to be productive this year.