Bill Williamson's Evaluation of the 2008 Broncos

No doubt it's time to start looking forward.  However, I figured I'd point this out to anyone who hasn't seen it yet: end of the year team evaluations.  Here's to spending only a few more seconds looking back on the frustrating season that was 2008 and then preparing to move on to greener pastures.  (I know some of us just love Williamson so I figured I'd post)

If you were wondering or haven't seen the list yet, here's a link to team evaluations for every franchise in the NFL, courtesy of the ESPN NFL blogging network (including Williamson's take on the rest of the AFC West).  Agree?  Disagree?

This season will not be remembered for the progress made in Denver during never-ending adversity.It cannot be remembered for the positives. It has to be remembered for the collapse. The 2008 Denver Broncos will forever be remembered as the team that fall apart. Denver had a three-game lead in the AFC West with three games to go -- and it blew the division title, losing to San Diego. Denver's dive ties the biggest collapse in NFL history. Denver will not be remembered for the youngsters it developed or having survived despite putting 16 players on injured reserve. It will be remembered for blowing the division and for nothing else. Grade: C-

Biggest surprise: No team got as much production from their rookies as Denver did in 2008. Nine rookies played key roles for Denver this season. First-round pick, left tackleRyan Clady, and second-round pick, receiver/returner Eddie Royal, were both among the best rookies in the entire NFL this season. With the play of the youngsters in 2008, the future looks very bright in Denver in the near future.

Biggest disappointment: The Broncos were ravaged by injuries. Denver put 16 players on the injured reserve list this season. By contrast, San Diego put four players on the shelf during the season. Denver lost seven tailbacks to injured reserve. It also played a long stretch without all three starting linebackers and it had to play seven games without its best defensive player, left cornerbackChamp Bailey.

Biggest need: The Broncos are going to concentrate on defense as they try to upgrade in 2009. The team will try to get better at defensive end, defensive tackle, middle linebacker and safety. Yet, their biggest need is a defensive tackle. Denver has long been looking for big men in the middle to set the tone for the entire defense, especially in run support. Don't be surprised if the Broncos end up being major players in the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes during free agency. If Haynesworth ends up in Denver, the defense will instantly be upgraded.

The Shanahan Factor: This collapse has worn on Denver coach Mike Shanahan. Prior to the San Diego game, Shanahan said the organization was "disgusted" that it put itself in this position. Shanahan was confident going into the season. He strayed from his typically conservative word usage and said on a Denver radio station during training camp that Denver would make the playoffs. For Shanahan to say something like that, he must have truly believed it. Yet, for the third straight season, Denver did not advance to the postseason. Shanahan, who has coached Denver for 14 seasons, but only to a 24-24 record in the past three seasons, surely has been shaken by this collapse.

As for the poll below, I tried to use the blogging network's range of grades, so I guess everyone's interpretation of the differences between a C-, C, and C+ is going to be different.