I think you have some good points.

I continue to find it amusing that the MSM continues to place such emphasis on how much stronger Cutler’s arm is than Orton’s. If you look at our first two games in 2008, Cutler threw 79 passes (according to sportsline.com’s play-by-play charts). 84% (66 passes) of those were considered to be in the "short"category, while only 16% (13 passes) were considered to be deep balls. I would tend to believe that accuracy would be the more valuable trait. But then, maybe that’s why I’m not a coach. :-D

pretty evident that McJedi has pulled a league wide mind trick.

I was once told and I don’t know how true it is that it took a QB 3 yrs. to learn and be comfortable with Shanahans offense.So how much more so a McD offense. Either way I’m sure there is a learning curve which is 1 reason McD listened to offers when it came to Cassel. I think its another reason why Cutler wanted out. Also the D will be a work in progress learning who is good and at what and how to play off one another

What this amounts to as regards your post is that the team will be better at the end of the year than it is at the beginning. In considering this I think the schedule is favorable, since Denver will be playing what seems to be lesser teams the first 3 weeks and much of their devisonal games comes in the second half of the season.

That all being sad I think both the offense and defense are better now than they were a year ago. So I’d say the O at about 6 and D at about 18. and a 9-7 record to win the division.

The MSM completely ignored the complete housecleaning and free agents brought in during the offseason when the draft came around. They acted like the team had not done a thing to improve the defense. Ignoramuses!

The team is vastly improved in every area: coaching, offense, defense, ST’s. Shanahan is a great coach, but he began having too much to do other than coaching (GM, a new house, a steak house, public appearances, etc.). He delegated actual play-calling to Bates (offense) and Slowik (defense). It really is no wonder we were in such a mess. All of the new coaches, and of course Dennison and Turner, and will be a much needed improvement. My only coaching worry is Adam Gase, wide receivers coach since he spent the last three years with the Lions and last year with the 49’ers. That says a lot since I worried about more than half of the coaching staff last year.

I’m not quite at 13-3 but I predict 12-4. Our battles with SD will be great, but I believe our coaches will out-coach Norv and we’ll win the division.

BEHIND THE CHIEFS!!! What? A team that won 2 game last year and didn’t do much in FA or the draft is suddenly going to win more games than us. And Oakland, who won 7 games last year? That’s so ridiculous. All I can do is shake my head and visualize the collective stunned look on the MSM’s faces when we finish second again. Maybe first. Then there will be all these articles about how nobody saw this coming. Why didn’t anyone see this coming? All I will do at that point is say to myself, “Not everyone thought the Broncos would be bottom feeders. MHR ROCKS!”

I don’t know, man. The defense can only go up, really. Can’t it? And the offense, while maybe not as explosive, will likely score as much as last year, which adds up to .500 or better season to me. I guess now it depends on how McD handles a game. How does he handle the clock. Will he make good adjustments at the half, regardless of the score (winning/losing)? In my mind Shanny kind of stopped making half time adjustments, so anything there will be an improvement. And how many times did we waste a time out in the first drive of the half last year? The year before. I don’t have stats, but it seemed like a lot. I hope that McD has the team prepared enough to stop that nonsense.

And really how explosive was the offense? If you go by points, they were actually kind of shrug. 16th in scoring. That’s exactly league average. If they can do the same, maybe better with a healthy Hillis and Moreno and a game manager in the form of Orton, which I don’t think is stretch, and the defence performs better, like even 20th, I think we’ll stun some people.

Go Broncos!!!

I think that is absolutely true and something that is blown out of proportion. NFLN replayed the 1996 QB competition a few days ago and Steve Young could only throw it 60 yards…and he was surprised he even did that. Accuracy, a good system and a strong supporting cast are much more important that a rocket arm (and for the record I’m pretty sure Orton can easily throw it farther than 60 yards). The dude is an NFL QB, he can put zip on the ball when he needs to…it’s the decision making and accuracy that will make him successful and McD will work on his mechanics and have him prepared every week.

Thomas, Powell, Baker. That would be an intriguing line up to watch. The thing I like the most about what we have is the versatility of all of them, and I do mean ALL of them. I can also see a 5-2 being used. I think it is obvious that Coach has a plan. The suspense is killing me.

I think Seattle will be picking around #12 to #15 overall with our 2010 1st round pick.

1. place finish in the AFC West and 7-9 overall.

2nd place finish in the AFC West.

I’m still saying 8-8, give or take a game. After training camp, I’ll put it all on the line with a concrete pick.

The biggest upgrade was the coaches. All were specifically picked. Coach Nunnely is the steal. Not only is he one of the top rated defensive line coaches BUT he is not with SD.
Posters above have it right, there is no book (film) on what the 2009 Broncos will do at any time. Surprise is now an asset. Hum something like Cutler, traded. Or like Tony Schaffler, now a key to an open offense. Or the draft, pick best player available to bolster the team.
Look at the schedule. Nice opening three to adjust to mistakes and learning but still win. Then Dallas and NE at home. Time to put Mile High back as an asset, 1-1. At San Diego before the bye will show us how we stack up. 4-2 at the break, nice.
Baltimore may have some sophmore type slump, or not. Pittsburgh, San Diego and Giants at home and can they continue the Mile High feeling. 2-1 or 1-2. OH beat Washington.
At Indy and Phil are tough with KC twice and Oakland could turn a 3-2 record.

7-10 wins this year. IMO SD has a tougher schedule. At Pittsburgh and Giants and Tennesse plus at Cleveland in December.

When trying to predict final records, before preseason even starts (or is done for that matter) – I’m thinkin’ 11-5, but can’t argue with the 13-3 crowd ; )

I would love if we went undefeated at home this year! Thanks for the thought/discussion provoker, g_c

I have been lurking on this site for about 6 months after stumbling acrossed it. I have been a fan since the Broncos started and always went to their practices when they were at about 56th and Washington and it was convienient since my old HS was just down the street…Go Mapleton Falcons… Anyway just wanted to say I appreciate the fans on this site and their thoughts and your insights grind_core. I predict a 9-7 season depending on how our “demoralized and confused” (lol) Broncos can take on the new system and changes, I really think they will ambush some people and hopefully build some momentum. Will love it when they stuff the neysayers and critics!!!! =)
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Broncos

Blue and Orange in the desert…
Clanmaster_55

nuff said!!