McDaniels Has to Show that Bold Moves were Right Moves: Denver Broncos 2010 Preview
It’s hard to figure out Josh McDaniels. Since the Denver Broncos hired him to be their head coach heading into the 2009 season, the identity of the Broncos has completely changed.
Shortly after McDaniels’ arrival, management were considering trading for McDaniels’ protégé Matt Cassel from New England to be the team’s starting quarterback. Well, just the very idea of that ticked off Jay Cutler so much that he demanded a trade and was traded to the Chicago Bears.
McDaniels also had his confrontations with star receiver Brandon Marshall. He benched Marshall in the season finale last year even though it was a game the Broncos needed to win in order to salvage their playoff hopes. This past offseason, Marshall was traded to Miami.
Big risks
More storylines quickly surrounded the team as Denver opted to take a risk on Tim Tebow, the two-time Heisman Trophy winner out of Florida. Tebow is being questioned as to whether he can be a bona fide NFL quarterback.
Last season, things seemed to start well for the controversial McDaniels and his Broncos as the team started 6-0, even defeating McDaniels’ former mentor Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
However the Broncos collapsed and wound up finishing 8-8 and missed the playoffs, leaving many to once again question McDaniels.
This season is about new beginnings as the quarterback job may be up for grabs. It appears that Kyle Orton will once again be the starter, but the job could be turned over to Brady Quinn, or maybe even Tim Tebow, if Orton struggles.
It is unlikely though that Tebow will start a game this year as he will be honing his skills and learning mechanics.
The offense will have to operate minus a Brandon Marshall. First round rookie Demaryius Thomas will be needed to make an immediate impact. Orton will also look to veterans Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley.
Daniel Graham, who is the best blocking tight end in football, may finally get his chance at playing a bigger role in the passing game this season. The Broncos will have to find more ways of being a threat through the air, especially with an average quarterback like Orton.
The running game will be instrumental if the offense will be a force this season. Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter will likely share the load as Buckhalter is more of a ground-and-pounder whereas Moreno is the outside threat.
The Broncos went to a youth movement on the o-line as they drafted Zane Beadles and J.D. Walton in the second and third rounds. They also have Chris Kuper, Ryan Harris and Ryan Clady. Combined the front five could form one of the better o-lines in the NFL.
The defence last season caused both the highs and the lows for Denver last season. In the first six games, the defence allowed 10.1 points/game but in the last 10 games, they allowed 25.8 points per game. The offence was exposed as well as the Broncos collapsed.
The defence has received huge upgrades by bringing in nose-tackle Jamal Williams from the Chargers as well as DE Justin Bannan and Jarvis Green. Williams had his injury problems last year, but prior to that he was the best nose-tackle in the game.
The defence also has Elvis Dummervil who is an elite pass rusher.
They have perhaps the best man-to-man tandem at cornerback in the league with Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman. Both over 30, they rely on their technique and their wits but are still tremendous athletes.
Of course the anchor of it all is free safety Brian Dawkins who at 37 hasn’t lost any pop, quickness or motor. He is also one of the best leaders in the league and has proven to be a huge loss for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The special-teams is relatively good, featuring a young kicker/punter tandem in Matt Prater and Britton Colquitt. Eddie Royal is a lethal return specialist as well and can make the break on any play, right San Diego?
The Broncos have a pretty good team, but it will be very hard to go far with Orton as their starter. Denver benefits from playing in a weak division, excluding the Chargers, and if their defence can stay consistent, they can contend for a wild card spot in the end. For McDaniels, and his bold moves, it may be what he needs to keep his job.
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