Nine and Seven Record, Maybe 10 - 6 With a Little Luck

by lobouno on Aug 8, 2011 11:03 AM MDT

Yes, I am quite optimistic about the Broncos season. I won't go into individual game match ups but here are a few reasons for a winning season.

DEFENSE
Last year our "D" had a league wide nick name given to it; "Swiss Cheese". We had some positive standouts; Bailey, Dawkins, Williams, and even Justin Bannan carried his share. But without the "Doom" the opposing QB had all day to find receivers. The RB's had huge holes to scamper through and the LB corps and safeties forgot how to tackle. It seemed like when the Bronco "O" would get an advantage score wise the porous "D" would give it right back plus some.

This year the "Doom" is back and is healthy. Through the Draft, we have snagged some awesome talent at LB and have acquired some stalwarts through Free Agency to the "D" line. I feel these guys staying healthy will cut at least a TD off the opponents average score from last year. We also have a winning defensive mind as head coach. I have confidence he will get the right mix of personnel plugged in to get opponent shut down results.

OFFENSE
Last year is mostly forgettable. With absolutely no run threat, opposing defenses could blitz at will with success or just double team receivers. I am surprised that Orton was able to get as many 300 yard plus games as he did. That one dimensional offense was so predictable. Last year with a rookie or two on the "O" line and a pro bowl OT at less than 100% still recovering from injury the QB was always under pressure to deliver a strike to receivers in a hurry. This year with what looks like a decent RB group, a healthy Clady back at OT, an luxurious extra 1/2 or full second of time will be given to the QB to find receivers while the mystery of run versus pass will slow down the opponent "D". With Orton at the helm, we should be very successful as it was proven last year that WR's and TE's have gotten in "sync" with Orton's delivery. Excellent receiver - QB connection timing makes for winning games.

WEAKNESS
Will OC Mike McCoy continue to be a conservative play caller; especially in the RED ZONE! Will he use all of the fire power at his disposal? Maybe a gadget play or two?
The play calling will make or break the Broncos in 2011. I am thinking positive. GO BRONCOS!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

Can't wait

I also am really looking forward to the new and improved pass rush the Broncos are installing…That being said, our ability to stop the run is imparitive in our conference. Chiefs/Raiders run the ball a lot and I think w/ a healthy Mathews?(rb for SD) the Chargers are gonna try running the ball and controlling the clock moreso this year than in years past. 8-8 sounds pretty good after watching last years defense

by colorange on Aug 8, 2011 11:18 AM MDT reply actions

The broncos should be a much improved team Defensively

But im still not quite sure they cant get to 8-8 with the schedule they have. Its pretty mean this year. I think at the very best 7-9 and to be honest thats with Orton or Tim leading the way.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.

by nw3030 on Aug 8, 2011 11:28 AM MDT reply actions

If I'm drunk on Kool Aid

Oakland at home – W
Cincy at home – W
Tenn road – W
GB road – L
Dolts at home – W
Miami away – W
Detroit at home – L
Oakland away – W
KC away – L
NYJ at home – L
Dolts away – L
Minnesota away – L
Chicago at home – W (Jay throws 5 INTs)
Pats at home – L
Buffalo away – L
KC at home – W

8-8

"Well at least we picked a good year to suck" said Pat Bowlen after countersigning Von Miller's rookie contract.

by McGeorge on Aug 8, 2011 11:31 AM MDT reply actions

I almost completely agree.

Except I think Denver will beat the Vikings to finish 9-7.

by CompUser on Aug 8, 2011 12:52 PM MDT up reply actions

I think we take the Bills, Lions, and Vikings, but lose to Miami…. 10-6

"If we cannot find a way, we will make one." -Hannibal

by AvalancheRescueDog on Aug 8, 2011 1:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Agree for the most part

I have been thinking between 7-9 wins

by A-Rom on Aug 8, 2011 1:12 PM MDT up reply actions

It would make my entire year if we beat the bears and in the process, Von Doom knocks Jay on his ass 6 times.

Follow me on Twitter: ballinnickcast
Xbox360 gamertag: SnipeMeHarder

by Nick Cast on Aug 8, 2011 2:21 PM MDT up reply actions

would love this

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.

by nw3030 on Aug 8, 2011 2:31 PM MDT up reply actions

Why?

I can understand why’d you’d hate Cutler two years ago, but hasn’t he been vindicated somewhat in light of the disaster that was McD?

Sure he was sullen. Sure he whined. Sure he drank like a fish despite his diabetes. Sure he locked on to Brandon Marshall. Sure he ended Peyton Hillis’ season.

But knowing now what we do, is he worse than McD? Isn’t McD the bad guy here?

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 8, 2011 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions

No not worse

but not much better. I’m looking forward to watching him get raped by VonDoom

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson

by Calikula on Aug 8, 2011 7:01 PM MDT up reply actions

who cares? I still want to see Cutler get rocked at Mile High

I don’t hate Cutler, never really did. But when he comes to town, he is Public Enemy #1.

by boanst on Aug 8, 2011 7:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Here is my opinion on everything.

Yes McD f’ed up that situation, but Cutler showed his REAL colors when he left town.

This is why I will never, ever like Jay Cutler: http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_13012385

He whined his way out of town and kept whining when he got to his new place. To hell with Cutler.

Follow me on Twitter: ballinnickcast
Xbox360 gamertag: SnipeMeHarder

by Nick Cast on Aug 8, 2011 8:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Yup

Agreed

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson

by Calikula on Aug 8, 2011 8:15 PM MDT up reply actions

double yup.

by idahobronc on Aug 8, 2011 9:46 PM MDT up reply actions

Fair enough.

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 9, 2011 7:28 AM MDT up reply actions

Win at Buffalo, but lose to Oakland away,... (got to trip in AFC W somewhere).... Still 8-8.

Otherwise seems good to me.

by idahobronc on Aug 8, 2011 10:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Agree McG

8-8 , and I think we might get the Buffalo game as well so maybe 9-7 ..

by ocrdrhtrs on Aug 8, 2011 12:54 PM MDT reply actions

Switch Buffalo and KC then.

"Well at least we picked a good year to suck" said Pat Bowlen after countersigning Von Miller's rookie contract.

by McGeorge on Aug 8, 2011 1:40 PM MDT up reply actions

I think any success this season depends on the health of the O-line. Just one of the starters goes down and it could become a train wreck.

"If we cannot find a way, we will make one." -Hannibal

by AvalancheRescueDog on Aug 8, 2011 1:17 PM MDT reply actions

Ahhhh… YES! 1-15 if Clady gets hurt.

"Well at least we picked a good year to suck" said Pat Bowlen after countersigning Von Miller's rookie contract.

by McGeorge on Aug 8, 2011 1:41 PM MDT up reply actions

What? No confidence in Manny Ramirez?

Truth shall be known.

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 8, 2011 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions

I got 7-9, with a tragic 3 game L streak at the end

Oakland at home – W
Cincy at home – W
Tenn road – L
GB road – L
Dolts at home – L
Miami away – L
Detroit at home – W
Oakland away – W
KC away – L
NYJ at home – W
Dolts away – L
Minnesota away – W
Chicago at home – W (Jay throws 5 INTs in first half, no sight of him in 2nd half)
Pats at home – L
Buffalo away – L
KC at home – L

I stole McG’s template with some alterations:
   -we finish the job this year on the Jets, I think they disappoint this year
   -we sweep the raiders but get swept by Chiefs and Chargers, the Chiefs win the finale to take the division over the Dolts *don’t like losing to any rival but KC is the lesser of the evils, IMO
   -Orton chokes in Miami, turning their admiration into mockery
   -Cutler still sucks, be assured, but our Super Bowl will be this game
   -McNabb will do what he always does, throw at his receivers feet, and we shut down Peterson after being burned badly by CJ earlier on in the season
   -The Lions lost LeShoure for the season, so they play into our strengths. C’mon, its the Lions, their paper improvement will stay on the paper
   -Last three games will be absolute heartbreakers, we play our asses off against the Pats but come just short on yet another Orton letdown at the end. Kyle Orton never plays another down for the Broncos after this. Tebow comes out to show his moxie against the Bills, but gets outdone by another college QB phenom, Brad Smith. Finally, the Chiefs win a hard fought battle to win the division again, and show they are still a year ahead in rebuilding, and shows us once again that Bowlen picked the wrong Belichick crony in 09.
All in all, 7-9 sounds like some real progress, but in the end, it will feel like we should still be better.

7-9! Till the games actually get played!!

by boanst on Aug 8, 2011 4:22 PM MDT reply actions

Just to go on record here

I think 7-9
But we have so many new things. I really think we will look better but I am not sure that will mean wins.

Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.

by Sean in Pa. on Aug 8, 2011 4:49 PM MDT reply actions

I had high hopes for the defense

but with the new rules regarding defenseless players, I think bfree had an accurate prediction of 40-50 point games arena football style

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson

by Calikula on Aug 8, 2011 6:55 PM MDT reply actions

that launching off two feet thing does sound cumbersome

I really hope that only means to the head, because when the tacklers goes down with the runner, doesn’t his feet leave the ground most of the time?

by boanst on Aug 8, 2011 6:59 PM MDT up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing regarding that

Plus now you cant hit the QB while he’s throwing? damn

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson

by Calikula on Aug 8, 2011 7:07 PM MDT up reply actions

though they said they won't flag incidental contact to the QB's head

That means no more calls when a hand grazes the Qbs helmet as the rusher runs by. I am really hoping, and am confident, that the officials’ trips to camps will clear up some of the wording in the rules to the players and coaches. I think the wording by itself is murky at best. I don’t think it will be as bad as we think. I also think that the emphasis will continue to be blows to the head, with specifics on defenseless players, and with ejections from games because of these blows coming into play now. There was a real issue with how much impact a fine really has, aside from Harrison who could be fined a million for an infraction by years end. Suspensions were deemed too harsh and subjective at this point, but an ejection from the current game could be a true deterrent. I live in Canada so watch CFL, and they have ejected players in exactly this kind of play. I didn’t understand where the ejection came from, but seeing as how CFL often goes with the NFL on these issues, especially with concussions being such a big issue in pro sports now, it makes much more sense now.

by boanst on Aug 8, 2011 7:17 PM MDT up reply actions