1. Injuries – voted for it, seems like we can’t keep the whole squad healthy the last few years

2. Defense – Huge question mark, The did pretty well last year after we jettisoned Bates’ scheme, might just need a little time to gel. I’m happy with the move of DJ back to WLB, Foxworth is having a great camp, and seems like our S are doing well. Areas of concern remain MLB, Boss’ health and DT

3. Red Zone – I’m in a bit of “show me” mode right now, until they are putting up 7’s consistently and not 3’s I’m just not buying it. I think the character moves of the reloading season will pay off most here.

but I think your comment on the identity of this team is very important. I think Coach Shanahan carefully selected men of character who play hard-nosed football so that as the identity of this team emerges it will be steeped in character and characterized by hard-hitting physical football. I will be pleased.

Great post Zappa. thanks.

are my top three, although Torain’s recent injury has me concerned about RB as well. We have Sapp at FB and Pittman at HB, but Young will have to carry a heavy rushing load as our primary run option until (if?) Torain gets back. Defense is self-explanatory, Powell is gone and our DT depth chart has the depth of a puddle. Hopefully the new D system gels well under Slowik and we can finally get a damned run stopper… I think that the second Bailey will be a boon, as long as he doesn’t break in training camp.

And yes, the Chargers own us, we didn’t score a TD against them all year, and they are clearly the ones we are going to need to beat if we plan on going anywhere in the West. Phyllis needs to be schooled, and quickly, by Doom.

As for Marshall…. it’s really tough watching a guy with that much talent keep making that many stupid mistakes. Hopefully he starts listening to Cutler more and keeps his nose out of trouble, as Goodell’s draconian new “policies” are going to knock B-Marsh out on his butt (not entirely undeserved) if he keeps this up. He is clearly our top receiving weapon and should only be better this year, but it’s his personal choice if he wants to fritter away a NFL career for the sake of a few dumb kicks. I hope not.

I have no idea if we’re going 13-3 (very doubtful) or even 9-7, but one thing I want to see is just more consistent play than last year. With Cutler healthy, the defense (theoretically) improved, but red zone play still a big ? (at least we have Prater looking good if we fail at the 7’s, but 3’s are only a poor consolation) I see us being better than last year, but I have to be realistic about our chances and say that while we have several internal problems that we can fix on our own, we have to get the Bolts out of the way if we plan on going anywhere. And doing so will be sweet. (I hate the Chargers. Maybe even more than the Raiders).

I have no concerns. By the way…

Great Post Zappa!   I thought for a while you might join me in la-la-land but you obviously have way too much common-sense.

The way I see it we still have Selvin and we in this land all know he is going for 2000 yrds.
We have Cutler and he is throwing for somewhere close to 4000 yards and many touchdowns.
Brandon’s suspension gives us a great look at Royal and only reduce his receptions from 130 to 110—so why worry?
We have the best corner tandem anywhere and the best back-up in Foxworth.
We have a really great looking group of safeties and a sound group of line-backers.
Our defensive line (and this just comes from me) may be our biggest improvement from last year….go ahead and laugh….but I am right on this.
We have an offensive line that has a great new rookie, some great vets coming back from last years injury-plague, and a great back-up from KC in case Nalen’s knee gives him problems.
I can’t remember who said our group of receivers looks ‘scary-good’ but I like the sound. We have a ‘scary-good’ group of receivers.

See? No worries at all! 13-3 Baby! Zappa, thankyou…you said it first.

We absolutely CANNOT give up the 4 points every time down the field. We have to get those 7 points and forget about who that Matt Prater even is (unless he screws up a PAT)!

Everything else is of concern, but unless we put the points on the board, it’s all for naught!

Idk if the category of injuries includes this but how bout lack of depth. I don’t trust Patrick Ramsey with tying his own shoes let alone taking snaps. And our offensive line is still pretty thin along with our DT and CB position beyond Champ and Bly.

Great post and recommended!

Injuries don’t bother me yet. Powell wasn’t projected to be a starter. Torain might very well have had a shot, but Young was probably still the guy. Without Torain, we still have Pittman for short yardage. Aldridge and Hall are still on the roster, and I think we’ll be fine.

On defense, I question our depth at OLB, and DRob has to perform for us to show any hope at DT. Teams will likely run the ball down our throat until we prove we can stop the run.

The red zone needs to get better, but I think that will happen if they hang on to the ball. Denver had 27 fumbles last year compared to 17 for the Chargers. You look at yards given up and there isn’t much difference between the Bolts and the Broncos Defense. You look at points given up, the Broncos were at 400+, the Chargers were at 284. I think the difference will be field position; winning the turnover battle is huge. Denver is only breaking even. The linebackers, apart from DJ Williams, look pretty suspect to me; I can see the Defensive line coming alive if things go right.

Is the DT position. I am opomistic overall. If Drob abd Thomas are healthy and as good as advertised then I think the defense will be great. Last season was a bad year all around but remember after 10 games they were tied with the Chargers in first place. The season turned, in the Chicago game.
I am not part of the Sd is sooo much better than denver. True, they owned the Broncos LAST SEASON. But its a different year and Denver has a different team,as do SD. I think the MSM is getting too caught up in the hype of last year for a number of teams. Lets take a look at Jville for example. In 2005 they were 12-4 (5-1 with Garrard) then in 2006 they dropped to 8-8 (3-3 with Garrard) and last year they were 11-5. See how a team can change from year to year. So to annoint SD as the end all be all is premature and probably not accurate. Sure they could walk away with the West. But in 2005 they were suppose to do that, and guess what happend this team that gets zero respect from the Mountain time zone won 13 games and beat the “powerful” Pats in the playoffs. There are a lot of things going on with denver that is so positive it isnt funny. I look for a few of the Rookies to have great year, Sweet Feet, Royal , Barrett just to name a few. Plus I do like our LB’s this no matter who is the MLB. The secondary is as good and deep as it has ever been. Even with #15 out fot a few games dont forget Denver still has the Slot Machine and Jackson, plus Sheff. As always a very strong running game. The biggest key to this season, like all good teams it TURNOVERS, and Points allowed.