There are a number of tangible qualities which ultimately determine the success or failure of a football team: talent, coaching, injuries. There are also some intangibles: drive (want to), experience, chemistry. I'm going to be talking about the last one, chemistry, also known as team spirit.

Everybody knows the saying "the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts." In any situation where people have to work together to accomplish something, like a football team, this saying applies. However, the opposite can also be true. The whole can be less than the sum of it's parts.

What determines the team spirit, the chemistry, whether the whole is greater or less than the sum of it's parts? I say leadership is essential. A team needs a representative, somebody to carry the banner, look after their interests, and be their voice to themselves and the outside world. Another component of good chemistry is a willingness to sacrifice the individual for the good of the team. This is what is meant when you hear talk of "playing for the guy next to you," or even "leave it all out on the field." These kinds of attitudes must be motivated by a genuine respect or even love for one's teammates and the team as a whole. Why would you sacrifice your body, your comfort, yourself for somebody who doesn't want to be part of the team and doesn't want to sacrifice themselves?

A team spirit develops over time because respect is earned. A rookie who has done nothing under the excruciating circumstances that NFL pros face during the season can hardly expect to earn that respect just for collecting a paycheck and showing up. However, after players of played beside each other for a few years and gone through good times and bad times, there is a better chance of genuine respect and even love between the players.

Now that I've laid out what I mean by team spirit, let us examine whether the 2008 Denver Broncos have it. First, it starts with leadership. In 2007, the three primary leaders for each phase (offense, defense, and special teams) didn't make it onto the field. I am referring to Rod Smith, Al Wilson, and Keith Burns. I believe this was the primary reason the team broke down in certain games, there wasn't a strong enough team spirit to sustain players and push them past their limit, so some players gave up while others fought on.

How does the leadership picture look in 2008? It seems that Champ Bailey has become much more outspoken, representing the players and the defense. He has always been the physical leader of the team, coming through when it was needed the most and generally dominating his half of the field. He has the respect of his team and the whole league, and identifying the lack of leadership on defense, he seems to be stepping into the role. There is also the potential for Niko Koutouvides to step into the MLB leadership role, but it will take time for him to gain the trust of his teammates.

On offense, Jay Cutler seems to be taking command of the Broncos. He has been the consummate professional ever since he was drafted. He has played at a high level and continually improved. He has faced personal adversity in the form of untreated diabetes, played hard in spite of it, and hasn't faltered in coming back to full strength. And now, he seems to have the full endorsement of the leader of the veterans, Champ Bailey -

When I heard about it, I wanted to see if he was the guy I expected him to be. And he's been exactly what I expected and gone through this like it's no problem. Who knows what he deals with behind closed doors, but in the public eye, he's been perfect.

I expect the offense to have great chemistry this season. Javon Walker was admittedly fearful for his life in Denver, and wanted out before the season. He clearly was having trouble coping with the death of Darrent Williams, and who can blame him? Nonetheless, he is off the team, removing one player who didn't want to be part of the team. The only offensive players who have been with the team longer than Jay Cutler are Nate Jackson, Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen, Erik Pears, and Cecil Sapp. It's time for him to take full control of his team.

The defensive chemistry should be improved as well. Gone is a defensive coordinator who never gained the trust of the veterans in Jim Bates. Replacing him is Bob Slowik, who has been with the team since 2005 and already has a great rapport with the secondary, where the majority of the defensive leadership lies. There is a nucleus of veteran defensive players who have been with the team for at least 3 years who can set the tone and standard for the newcomers. Among the newcomers is Boss Bailey, who's acclimation period should be reduced by the presence of his older brother. It may take some time for the defense to learn how to play together, given the large number of new starters, but I have high hopes that at some point partway through the season, they will gel together.

Last, but maybe most important, is character. When two people meet and talk and both are of similar character, this fact tends to become clear to them quickly. By focusing on high character players for the reloading season acquisitions, Mike Shanahan has hopefully complemented the personality already present in the locker room. This should increase the speed with which all the new players can gel with the established Broncos. The result, greater team spirit faster.

Here is hoping that the 2008 Denver Broncos are greater than the sum of their parts, because those parts are looking pretty good.