The Impressive 2009 Broncos

6-0 baby!! This year has been really fun to watch, by far the most fun I've ever had following a football team (Not saying much, considering I've really only been following football for a few years).  A lot was said about our new Denver Broncos: during the Shanahan firing, the Cutler fiasco, BMarsh's troubles, etc.  Most of us here were cautiously optimistic, predicting a 7-9 to 9-7 record, while there was the negative ones, predicting us to fail miserably (5-11 or worse).  Also, there was and is the 13-3 crowd, optimistic through the entire thing.  We had some great offseason moves, including a Dawkins signing and several other smaller (but very good and underrated) names, but all of those were overshadowed by the Cutler ordeal.  Then came the draft, and people said that we got some talented players, but we reached for a TE that could only block and we were stupid for trading our 1st rounder next year for a short CB.  It was because of these things that so many people doubted us and expected us to fail.  

Whatever your stance was on the season, before the season, you cannot deny that this team has been impressive.  We have a QB that does NOT make crucial mistakes, and hasn't thrown a legit INT yet this year.  We have 2 really talented RB, one veteran guy who knows what he's doing and a young rookie that has looked impressive and is still learning the NFL game.  We have a (near) perfect offensive line that is lead by 2nd year beast Ryan Clady, the best Tackle in the game.  We have very talented receivers, a big guy named BMarsh, a quick, amazing route runner Royal, the Slot Machine, Jabs, and some good backups including a rookie that I expect to take over Stokleys spot eventually.  We have one of the most underrated TEs in the league in Daniel Graham, we have a great receiving TE Scheffler, and an impressive blocking rookie in Richard Quinn.  Hillis has yet to do much but block this year, and I know we are all hoping for him to have a big game soon.

Over to the D.       

We have an almost completely new 3-4/5-2 defense, with some holdovers (Champ, DJ, Dumervil, Thomas, Peterson, Haggan..) and many new players.  Our D-line was supposed to be a huge weakness and McDaniels and Xanders were ragged on because they "didn't address a major need".  Well they proved the doubters wrong, didn't they?  We have a bunch of guys in rotation:  Fields, Peterson, Le Kevin Smith, Ryan McBean, Vonnie Holliday, Marcus Thomas.  They have been doing a great job up front.  

Then we move back to the LB's.  Wow.  Where do I start?  Well we still have DJ Williams, who is a huge beast, especially in his new position.  beside him we have Andra Davis.  This guy some people (including Guru) doubted because he was too slow and not very impressive.  Well, that was in Cleveland.  he has really shown up in Denver, where he currently has 38 tackles and a sack.  On passing downs, the fan-favorite Wesley Woodyard has done a great job, and he has 18 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.  The outside linebackers (or 5-2 DEs) have been extremely impressive also, with Doom, Haggan, and Ayers.   Doom has 10 sacks, 18 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles.  Ayers hasn't shown up on the stat sheet, but he has on the field.  Haggan is one of the many leaders on defense, with 20 tackles and a forced fumble.  

Our secondary was also a unit that was doubted greatly before the season.  We had two aging future Hall of Famers, and a couple of unknowns.  Ok,  I'll start by saying that Champ is still Champ, and I believe is still in the top 2 CB in the NFL.  He has not lost a step, like some had said he would.  Same thing goes for (best offseason acquisition) Brian Dawkins.  Not only is this guy a leader off the field, the dude can still play, and we all know that now.  The more intriguing part of our secondary are the other CB and Safety.  Opposite of Champ we got Goodman (from MIA).  This guy was really underrated and we got a steal there, he has played well, and helped many times force the QB to make a mistake or force a coverage sack.  Our new safety, Renaldo Hill, also came from MIA, and also has done a great job helping this secondary to be great.  What is even more exciting about this unit, are the backups, the young guys, the guys learning the game and just waiting.  It's hard not to be impressed with these guys.  Josh Barrett, Jack MF Williams, Alphonso Smith, David Bruton, Darcel McBath.  All of them have shown promise, and will probably have great careers.  Being behind an all-time great safety and cornerback will help speed their growing process up significantly.  

This really was my first post of decent length, and I am not a great writer, and I know, I am repeating much of what you have heard already.  But, I wanted to put it all together and I really just wanted something to do during the Broncos bye week.

Go Broncos!