ESPN - NFL Power Rankings - National Football League(Broncos 23rd??)

Ok, I know there are question marks, but how can they consider the Broncos to be a WORSE team than the Baltimore Ravens??

22 (25) Ravens 5-11-0 Are the 2008 Ravens more like the 13-3 team in 2006, or the 5-11 unit last season? This is certain: QB play is key. (JW)

23 (21) Broncos 7-9-0 This is the second-best team in the AFC West. That is an indictment of the division, not a pat on the back for this team, which has many holes. (BW)

Thanks to our old friend Bill Williamson for the kind words regarding the Broncos as well!

almost 4 years ago John Bena 10 comments 0 recs |

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Probably preaching to the choir here, but...

I saw this too, and decided not to post it because it seemed so asinine. Apart from the kicking game, I see the Broncos as having few, if any, needs. We’ve discussed it all until we’ve been blue and orange in the face here on MHR, but it smacks of laziness when a national reporter who once covered the Broncos locally cannot acknowledge that Denver has filled the “holes” on the roster: DT (Robertson, Powell), LB (K2, Bailey), OL (Clady, Wiegmann aka The Wieg, Lichtensteiger aka Rod Steiger—he even looks like him a bit), WR (Jackson, Parker, Colbert), SAF (Manuel, McCree, Barrett), ST (Royal, and much of the draft), and competition at HB/FB (Hillis, Torain). Sure, it was very quietly done but the Broncos addressed nearly everything. Williamson might not like how they were filled (how else to explain his comments?), but they were indeed slotted, and we won’t know how successful this reloading season was until the ‘08 Broncos take the field and play some games; to say anything else is getting paid to write opinion, not journalistic commentary. So, BW, you only got 29 words? Let me show you how it’s done:

Broncos 7-9-0: Denver quietly filled roster holes in an off-season strategy change, netting under-the-radar veterans rather than high-priced free agents. With a comparatively weak schedule, they could surprise if it clicks.

Heh. Easy peasy. This might be worth a bump to the front page, Guru. I’d love to read other MHRer’s 29 words on the upcoming season.

by Arturo Bandini on May 13, 2008 9:05 AM MDT reply actions

Let them rate this team at 23....

This is a good way to stay under the radar for a few weeks.

fader nation is a conquered nation

by mdierk on May 13, 2008 10:51 AM MDT reply actions

I hear you, MD.

In fact, I have no problem with them being #23; I’m not certain they deserve much better since they’ve proven nothing on the field, and the fewer the expectations the better, as far as I’m concerned. However, my issue is with the write-up, not the ranking. What 29 words would you use?

by Arturo Bandini on May 13, 2008 11:47 AM MDT up reply actions

well...let me take a stab at it....

Broncos: Denver made sweeping changes from front office to players, making up for the failed drafts of 2001 through 2005. You may want to place your Vegas bet on Denver.

fader nation is a conquered nation

by mdierk on May 13, 2008 12:01 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice!

Well done, sir. Optimistic, sure, but it’s a great time of year for that. Like Guru, I’m still withholding judgment on Jay to see how he fares mentally with the diagnosis, as I’m not worried about him physically; I’m also curious as to what the O-line will look like on Game 1, and how we’re going to consistently stop opponents’ run games, but I’m definitely seeing a positive future in D-Town—even more so when the team is unheralded.

by Arturo Bandini on May 13, 2008 4:17 PM MDT up reply actions

idiot

this guy thinks the cardinals are going to be good. do i need to elaborate on that? nah

by davecheffy on May 13, 2008 4:04 PM MDT reply actions

Actually...

Mike Sando did the write-up on the Cards. Williamson only covered the AFC West, as stated in the key at the top:

• Mike Sando on the AFC East and NFC West
• James Walker on the AFC North and NFC North
• Pat Yasinskas on the AFC South and NFC South
• Bill Williamson on the AFC West
• Matt Mosley on the NFC East

What 29 words would you use for the upcoming season, Dave?

by Arturo Bandini on May 13, 2008 4:13 PM MDT up reply actions

so my guess is he doesnt even have enough cred at the new job to get two divisions!

my 29 words:

Denver has been quiet this offseason reloading at their many need positions while adjusting to new Offensive and Defensive coaches. Will be a competitor for a wild card spot. (JT)

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on May 13, 2008 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Bill Williamson

is seriously a moron.

There is nothing you cannot be, there is nothing you cannot do. There is nothing you cannot have.

by sirsam on May 14, 2008 9:31 AM MDT reply actions

here we go

i would say this: having shored up their depth, and adding some quality starters, i look for them to rebound and compete for a wild-card berth. good health will be the key, though

i would rank them middle of the pack(let’s say #16), as their record the past 2 seasons is 16-16. that would at least be realistic. although, with their schedule and a functional d, they should crack the top 10 by season’s end. of course, we have about a dozen guys with pretty serious injuries last season. their health will determine our success

by davecheffy on May 14, 2008 9:44 PM MDT reply actions