resurrectionsong

February 23, 2004

Denver Broncos: Working Hard to Suck

I love my Broncos and I'll watch every game this year. Even though I am now convinced that my team is going to have a .500 season.

Don't imagine that I'm happy about it, though.

This off season has done almost as much to strip away Mike Shanahan's "super genius" tag in my mind as any of the questionable play calling throughout all of last season. Through unlucky injuries and lack of depth at skill positions, the Broncos proved that they had found a quarterback who could get them back to the playoffs. Jake proved to be far better than I thought he would be, and the team really seemed to get behind both him and Clinton Portis.

In my mind's eye, I found myself having images of Elway-Davis Lite.

It's looking more and more likely that Clinton Portis could be traded for Washington's Champ Bailey (and possibly a second round draft pick). While I like the idea of seeing Bailey in Denver to shore up a pass defense that managed to overachieve last year, but could certainly use a player of Bailey's caliber (then again, who couldn't?). What I don't like is the idea of giving up a Pro Bowl level offensive talent who is a genuine threat to have a 2,000 yard season.

Coupled with what is looking like the loss of Mike Anderson who is asking for a release, the Broncos may find themselves lacking in talent in the one area in which they have consistently had depth during the Mike Shanahan era. Maybe Shanahan believes the hype. Maybe he believes that the Broncos can plug in any running back and have a 1500 yard rusher. Or maybe he believes that he can pull out another 6th round wonder. Or maybe he believes that Quentin Griffin can be a franchise player.

None of those things is a given. Clinton Portis, Terrel Davis, and Mike Anderson weren't simply decent running backs in a great scheme. They were all talented, fast, with good eyes and quick decision making. Quentin Griffin is a role player. He's too small to carry the ball 27 times every game, he's quick but he's no Barry Sanders, and he isn't nearly strong enough to play in the ball control offense that Shanahan likes to play. There is talent to be had in the draft, it's true, but drafting players is never a sure thing. Even for Shanahan.

Couple the potential losses of Portis and Anderson with the loss of offense line genius Alex Gibbs, who took a position in Atlanta, the Broncos are facing big changes on offense. That doesn't even address the possible retirement of Shannon Sharpe and the need to shore up the talent at wide receiver.

The Broncos defense will probably be the strongest part of the team next year. Hopefully, special teams will improve from what was a sub-par season to help keep the Broncos competitive. The offense, though, could be the weak link as Jake Plummer is asked to carry a much heavier load. Without a premier running back to help balance the offense, opposing defenses will be able to focus on the quarterback. Plummer's response to the increased pressure will be telling.

There is no doubt in my mind that Bailey would help the Broncos. I just wonder if he will help enough to justify the cost.

Posted by zombyboy at February 23, 2004 10:07 AM | TrackBack

Comments

Good Lord, man, it's only February! The 2003 season hasn't even been over for a whole month!

Posted by: McGehee at February 23, 2004 10:37 AM

It's never too early to be thinking about the Broncos. Although, I have to admit, my attention has drifted somewhat to the Colorado Avalanche who have quietly put together a pretty darned good season.

Posted by: zombyboy at February 23, 2004 10:43 AM

If your idea of "pretty darned good" means "President's Tropy" then I would agree with you (while questioning your semantics). I'm thinking that "pretty freakin' good" and "very darned good" are closer to the mark.

By the way, guess who will be driving to Columbus on Saturday to watch the Avs slap the Bluejackets around?

Posted by: StumpJumper at February 23, 2004 11:27 AM

Heh. Bastard. I'm so jealous. I probably won't be getting around to seeing a game this season.

Actually, my "pretty darned good" is based on a recent slump of sorts (although they got back on the winner's side of things last night after dropping three straight) and their injury problems. Blake and Forsberg are still out, for example. I'm hoping that the Avs get healthy for the playoffs.

So, yeah, I probably understated my case just a bit...

Posted by: zombyboy at February 23, 2004 11:31 AM

Actually, considering how much the Avs are paying and how many aging superstars who want a ring they have managed to put on their lines, anything less than a president's trophy and a cup *should* be considered a failure.

Posted by: bryan at February 23, 2004 12:22 PM

Here's one Chiefs fan hoping your prognostications are right on the money!

...but one reason to deal Portis away: he's one solid hit (or a few more non-solid ones) away from a career-ending injury. The guy goes down when the wind blows, for pete's sake!

But to tell the truth, having Mike Anderson want out is truly disturbing to me. He always seemed like a class act (drug suspension notwithstanding...anyone can make a mistake), so if he can't wait to leave, what does that tell you?

I'm really hoping Kubiak takes a head coaching job somewhere else very soon....I think you'd see the Mastermind label take even bigger hits soon after that. Heck, if Vermeil had left KC, I was praying they'd hire Kubiak away...

Posted by: nathan at February 23, 2004 12:26 PM

I really thought that the loss of Roy was going to be the defining aspect of the season. The team has played well in all phases, though. Yeah, they've bought a lot of talent, and they're performing well.

It's pretty good to be an Avs fan right now.

Posted by: zombyboy at February 23, 2004 12:26 PM

Nathan, I'm still hoping for good things for Kubiak, too. As long as they don't happen with KC, the Raiders, or any other team that would just irritate the heck out of me...

Posted by: zombyboy at February 23, 2004 01:36 PM

it's pretty good to be an Avs fan right now

Of course, that will fade when they lose in the first round of the playoffs to some schmoe second-string goalie who's on a hot streak. ;-)

I've become more and more ambivalent about the regular season in hockey, anyway. I mean, look at the race for the western division playoffs. There are a lot of sucky teams still within biting distance of a playoff berth. What did it for me was when the sub-.500 teams started making the playoffs consistently. That said, the west looks really good, but New Jersey hasn't lost any spring in their step this season.

Posted by: bryan at February 23, 2004 05:50 PM

Man, if they lose in the first round, that will be a waste of a ton of free agent signings and blockbuster trades, won't it?

I enjoy the regular season, but the real obsession starts during the playoffs. I have a feeling that this year is going to be a great post season (and I don't mean for the Avs, I mean for fans of the game).

Posted by: zombyboy at February 23, 2004 05:53 PM

It must have been a while since anyone has written in here because all this talk about the Avs and the President's Cup are out the window. They will be lucky to get past the Stars, and i only say that because it's true. Goaltending wins cups.

As far as the Broncos, the draft will tell the story. Four solid RB's two good WR's, and we will see what Sharpe does. Go out and bolster the offense and we will have a hell of a season with any luck.

Colorado native, and fan till I die!

Posted by: MR FLASH at April 7, 2004 01:31 AM

AHAHAHA BRONCOS SUCK!

Posted by: BRONCOS SUCK at September 20, 2004 08:44 AM

broncos dont suck you guys suck ahaha yeah thats right

Posted by: john johnson at September 30, 2004 08:28 AM

your a retard

Posted by: BRONCOS SUCK at September 30, 2004 08:29 AM

Dude, stop playing with yourself.

Posted by: zombyboy at September 30, 2004 08:30 AM