Hamza is another popular option to throw out there, but I am gonna go with Tim Crowder. More than Moss and Elvis, he seems like an every down player who can stuff the run or get to the passer. And of course, it is all tied together. The better each of the D-lineman play, the better the rest of them will look (see NY Giants)

Marcus Thomas. The dude is going to be a stud. Especially if D-Rob stays healthy beside him.

I say the big impact we could have is if D-Rob is everything we hoped for. If he plays at a pro-bowl level. Marcus will have a pro-bowl level season as well. With Solid tackle play Niko will have a good season cleaning the clocks of RB. I don’t worry to much about our ends. I think if we just have a good season from each of them, we will be fine. I like where we are sitting with our other positions at LB, CB, and Saf.

Biggest Difference Maker is D-Rob. As he goes, so does our season.

Niko or Boss. Either one of these guys (LBs) has the potential to excite Denver fans. This is their career “big chance”.

As the previous responses have indicated, a number of players could have a break-out year. I’d say DOOM, because I think he is going to have a monster year, but he has pretty much already broken out. I’m gonna go out on a bit of a limb and say Boss Bailey. He has tons of upside, and has generally not lived up to his potential thus far. There are a number of factors going into the season which could contribute to him breaking out, including playing with his perfect role model big brother. He is also the healthiest he has been in perhaps his whole NFL career. Top that off with a change of scheme that should let him loose to rush the passer more, and he could really break out.

But I really cant say right now. I would like a training camp and a few pre-season games to really have an idea. Plus since they are going back to the Coyer style of defense I will say it could be any of the starting LB’s. But I am gonna go with DJ. On the DL I am not sold on Moss yet. I like Crowder better. Plus I hope D-Rob is this seasons version of the 2005 Warren. Look for Marcus Thomas to show what he is made of. remember b4 his problems at FLA he was projected as a 1st round pick

Hope you don’t mind JJnJ.

My thoughts regarding each choice:

D-Rob: I would strongly consider picking him, since he qualifies as a breakout player, he has the talent, and if he did play well, the WHOLE defense would look pretty darn good. But I worry too much about his limited playing time to think he will be the impact that says he is the breakout player of the year for the Broncos.

Moss: A good choice, just not yet. It would rock if he was though.

Boss: I kind of think that he doesn’t really qualify, since his talent and ability has never really been in doubt, even when in Detroit. Also, if he is doing his job best, he will be part of a LOS scrum that stops the run (not a lot of personal recognition) and a shutdown guy in the seam (not a lot of recognition unless he is getting picks). He could be a sack monster in the “show-blitz” scheme since the pressure could come from anywhere, and he is certainly capable… I don’t think I can vote Boss here.

Crowder: I am going to take the same angle as I did with Moss, Tim needs more time. Very consistent is his calling card, and you saw it in his limited dropoff in terms of recognition and effort from college to the pros. Give him time.

Thomas: Another time prospect. Thomas is as likely as any early DT pick in years past to come on strong early, but I think he needs another year to be dominant. Give him a year working with a quality starting DT and reliable LB support, and a new, penetrating scheme, and I think he is THE breakout player of 09.

DJ: Can this guy really “breakout”? Hell yeah!!! But while I think he will be scary game in and game out for opposing D.Coor. to scheme around, I don’t think he will have the actual sack and int totals that really scream “breakout year.” He will rack up the QB pressures and tackles in the backfield, but guys like Champ and Bly are going to look the best based on what DJ is doing.

DOOM: This guy would have to lead the league in sacks to have a breakout year, frankly. He is a freaking stud. He could do it, and I think this is the year that we start seeing more calls go DOOM’s way, so this is a tough choice, but I have to go with….

Niko: I may get proven completely wrong when he loses his job to Nate Webster in training camp, but I think that a lot of Bronco fans will sit up and take notice of (or more accurately, remember) what an aggressive, smart and downright onery presence can bring to the middle of the Broncos’ D. I think Niko has what it takes, and I think that even with a new team, new scheme, and new role he will bring some fire and attitude to this defense which is going to be fast and furious. It will appear to most that he came out of nowhere, and real football minds will recognize his impact. This defense will start gelling when Niko MAKES them gel.

The first quarter of the season will probably be pretty choppy for all these new Broncos, but with a common uniting presence in the middle (Niko is outspoken as well as aggressive) I think they will all be getting on the same page early. Setting that tone on the field is up to Niko.

‘The Rifleman’ Loved that show as a kid.

The real reason is something Jarvis said a few days after the draft or somewhere in mini-camps.
He said something like this, and this is not an exact quote, “I am really glad Marcus is hear, he was by-far the best player on our team.”

Don’t know if I picked this up at what used to be Mason’s (Denver Broncos) site in a video or story. I just remember either hearing or reading it.

Too many sites had Marcus Thomas as a first round tallent—with a few problems. I think he will prove the first round tallent this year.