I might as well start the season with a confession.
There was a time about a month ago, right before the preseason opener against Dallas, that I was afraid that the Broncos just might have a dismal season.
It’s amazing what a little time can do.
After what the Broncos have shown this preseason, I’m feeling a whole lot better about the prospects they will have at least a solid season.
Bring on the games. I’m ready to see where the Broncos stand.
Among those who cover the NFL nationally, the expectations for the Broncos seem to be overwhelmingly underwhelming. I get that. Given how the Broncos performed last year and the needs they still have on the roster, I wouldn’t predict a complete turnaround in one season. Sure, anything can happen in today’s NFL but I would have to see that to believe it.
On the other hand, I will be more than disappointed if the Broncos don’t show marked improvement in 2011. Here are several reasons why.
1 – AN IMPROVED OFFENSIVE LINE. The guys up front can do so much to influence a game. Ryan Clady is healthy. Chris Kuper is really good. J.D. Walton and Zane Beadles have a full year of experience and seem to be getting better. Orlando Franklin is a rookie but wow, the guy sure looks like he’s legit. Four of these five starters have played a lot of football together.
A better offensive line should mean a better running game. That should mean the Broncos do a better job of controlling the clock and thus, do a better job keeping the opposing offense on the sideline. Plus, a better offensive line should mean more success in third-and-short as well as red zone situations, not to mention making play-action even more effective.
2 – A BETTER DEFENSE. We all know it’s tough for the Broncos’ defense to be any worse than it has been the last couple of years. But that is the past. The Broncos, while still having plenty of pieces to add to the D, are off to a good start in turning the defense around, thanks mainly to getting Elvis Dumervil healthy and drafting Von Miller.
There is just no substitute for a good pass rush and the Broncos should be really good in that department.
Yes, I’m concerned about the interior of the defensive line and the rush defense. Like I said, the defense still has issues, but not as many as before.
3 – THE JOHN FOX FACTOR. I don’t mean to keep bringing up how much I like the Broncos’ new coach but I can’t get away from it. The guy is an absolute pro and the players, to this point, seem to have bought in. That means a lot.
Coach Fox seems to have created an atmosphere the players like being in. Of course, that will be tested if the Broncos struggle out of the gate.
But I have faith in his ability to keep this team united, grounded and headed in the right direction regardless of circumstance.
It’s time to play games that count. And I am really looking forward to seeing how the Broncos stack up.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming season? Thanks for reading and enjoy the opening weekend.
Sincerely,
Mike
Couldn’t agree more about the Oline. It all starts up front and Beadles and Franklin have got to be productive. I’m fairly confident with Walton after a solid rookie season. Kuper and Clady are obviously very talented.
Defense surely can’t be worse than last year. Slightly worried about Bailey playing exclusively inside on passing downs. Not sure how confident I am in Goodman and Vaughn to shut down guys like D. Bowe on a regular basis.
Hopefully the Fox factor treats us better than Carolina last year. lol just kidding, he was a lame duck coach with 0 talent. It’s nice to have a well respected, player’s coach roaming the sidelines instead of McDaniels who tried to take ridiculous measures to “send a message” each week.
Football is finally back, it feels like a holiday to me. Enjoy the games tomorrow everyone
I’ll clarify that Bailey is apparently inside on 3rd downs not all game. Which I suppose is ok, I know Charles Woodson has been used in that role a good bit in Green Bay. It’ll be interesting to see Monday how this move pans out for us.
First, I would like to extend my sympathy to all the victims of 911 on this 10th Anniversary Day and to their families and friends. It will never be forgotten in my mind, guaranteed. I watched that day’s event live on the news on TV that morning and no one had a clue what had happened when the first tower got hit, they knew it was a plane by then but thought it was an accident, and minutes later live on the screen I saw a little dot in the back of the screen coming right behind the 2nd tower and then BOOM, and I knew an other airplane had slammed into it and immediately assumed it was some sort of attack and five minutes later the news crews starting going with that possibilty. I literally weeped for a couple hours watching dots jumping out windows and the towers collapsing sending terror through Manhattan, never been so shook up by a disaster or war of any kind. RIP.
Mike
I felt the same, before the Dallas game I was thinking 4-12, a couple games later I had gone all the way to 6-10, my season record prediction. Things are definirtely looking up and can’t wait for Monday Night Football!
Mr. Rice, thanks for the post. With all the changes that have been made, we have every reason to look at the positives and be optimistic. I always start out the season that way myself and hope to be proved right.
Well, since Mike is asking our thoughts about the season, there is no better time than to list all the season record predictions which came to a close at midnight last night. This is the pulse of the Bronco Country blogosphere:
Starting with the Bronco bloggers who think we will have a losing season, 32 of them:
4-12
fthoodfan
5-11
casinoroyal19
stevecan2
shaztah
6-9-1
The Dane
6-10
londonbronco30
denver0723
Woody Paige
IloveTebow-GoBroncos
Mustang
henryac
brian_schneider
timmah
raidrhadr
theotheredge
baylinorcrush
rayjr26
BroncoRoyaltyEst.1979
7-9
Crush Nation
Orange_Crusher
randy2191
royal1fantasy
collies10
Mark Cooper
RSH
killerkod
since1972
RabidOrange
UKBroncos
pdp1408
Atwater4HOF
eternaltorangeandblue
Now the ones who think we’ll break even, 13 of those:
8-8
BeastFromEast92
bronctario
strandoftds
broncohouston
marshisboss
Bill II
dendins
luigi303
BroncosFan Duh
socalbigbroncofan
louisianabroncofan
MANDIEGO
Broncos Born & Raised
And finally the ones who envision a winning season, 41 of those:
8-7-1
crazyhorserider
9-7
Carsonic
1nOnlyTRB
true2broncos
sirobertvondoom
Cdudbronc24
3rdGeneration
millertime2
DenverOranges
O&BinCostaRica
papapete
letdamansmoke
57Yellow T-Bird
Bro
wild horses
S.D.Bronco30
austin-bronco
Pakaloloman
10-6
sndvl
dfanaj
kearly37
danso
alexanserg
CarnageBronc
royalbroncofan1
Broncothuggin
07elway
bronco4L
KnoshonForSure
Buena_Vista_Co
broncosfreak30
camharland
hometeam007
11-5
codybleedsorangeandblue
seweatherman1
lonewolf7
Rellentless75
oznerol
Mikeyb1203
zhaoyunfan
12-4
Broncfalls
That does it, 16 weeks from now we’ll know who had the correct feel for this season and who was way off the mark.
Obviously we all hope Bronfalls has got it right!
Incredible participation guys, 86 bloggers entered, all time record by far, the interest in this team is building up again, we will raise from McD’s ashes!
Now that the season record predictions are out of the way, I can concentrate on the score prediction contest, my favorite of all by far and today is the deadline for placing your score prediction for tomorrow’s game against the Raiders, midnight blog time, no exception.
BTW, don’t any of you guys go using foul language on the game blogs or anywhere this season, because then your handle becomes a moderated word and is banned from posting, so when I put a list up it will not post it just for one bad handle, then I’ll have to communicate with the blog administration to find out which one it is so I can remove it so the results can get posted, a major pain in the rear, so hold to your decorum and be nice guys would you, even if it turns out to be a bad season, thanks.
Been away from the PC for 2 days and it took me so long to catch up. I have alot of faith in our starting OL and our rush defence the concern is the rush D but i think we can hold on own. Hopefully we hold McFadden to 75 yards or under that would make my day
Well today is football marathon for me, three games and I have a free Sunday of NFL package so here is my menu:
1st game: Buffalo at KC
2nd game: Minnesota at the Chargers
Night game: Dallas at the Jets
That way I will have found out about the opponents for 7 of our 16 games!!!! 2 x KC, 2 x SD, Buffalo, Minnesota and the Jets!!!!
Now you guys find out why the deadline for the season record predictions was yesterday and not today, haha.
I agree with all the points Mr. Rice makes. However, unfortunately I still just don’t see enough to make me believe in more than 5 w’s this year. The only added impact player on D is Von Miller from a 4-12 team. Rahim Moore is definitely a great addition and looks to be the future leader of our secondary, but that dreaded rookie wall. This aggressive D will need a lot of converted 3rd and shorts and 4 more points in the red zone. This is the year to lay the foundation, and no matter what at least this year it will be. With Mr. Allen as the D Co and even my not so favorite John Fox.
Make that 8 of 16, Bay. You got the Green Bay freebie on Thursday before the deadline… Just sayin’
Yeah, but I don’t think anyone needed to see the Packers to learn anything about them, haha.
hey Bay can you see if I can get removed from that list. I got on it last year. Thanks.
Well I am definitely ready for some football. I just wish our team played today in the am. Just so eager to see how we will respond to 4 quarters with our ones.
Can’t wait til tommorow.
KnowshonForSure
Just the fact that I was able to type in your handle and it passed moderation shows you must be off the list.
cool. I hope I am able o post and I will stup cussing. It was towards McDaniels. glad he’s gone. really stirred my blood, like no one else.
able to post and i will stop cussing
stevecam,
and we got Doom back.
Right now they have a discussion on ESPN Sunday countdown about “Has Shanahan lost touch?”. I can answer that easily since he started losing touch 5 years ago with the 2006 season, what he did for us was great and might never be equalled, back to back, but the game has passed him by, and without a great QB he has always been average.
indeed. but he was still on his a-game during an 8-8 year. different staff but, without those 3rd down conversions. a phenomenological pass rusher won’t be enough.
2006 the year Shanahan let his ego matter more than winning.
*phenomenal , sad when i don’t check the right spell check correction.
I don’t do spell check and I see I made quite a few errors this morning, wept, equaled, but it’s more genuine that way, LOL.
It`s time for some FOOTBALL, hech yeah!! And one moe day until the Broncos play the raiders.
I also would like to send out my sympathy to family who lost their loved ones on 9/11 10 years ago. What a dreadful day. I thought the world was coming to an end. I was in a government building that morning And everyone was asked to leave the premises ASAP. I was in court and had no clue what had happened until I got outside and turned my phone on. What horror. There`s a real enemy and we`re taking care of bussiness. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!
Just have to say, my heartfelt prayers go out to all the victims of 9/11… a day no American will ever forget. God Bless!!
So cool to see that many bloggers giving predictions for the season & that more them believe we can have a winning season. I’m impressed with the faith in this team! They can do it, Monday night can’t come soon enough!!!
Ahhh, I’m ready for MNF!!!
Keep the faith Broncos Country…
GO BRONCOS 2011!!!
AMEN strandoftds – GOD BLESS AMERICA indeed!!!
07Elway, lets kick some butt on MNF HUH!! We`re still the best nation on this planet.
lol Agreed strand, totally agree!!!! ALWAYS Proud to be an American!
Gonna go watch the game with my raider fan friend, want to be able to rub the win in his face in person & then we bet a steak lunch/dinner on the game. I’m not buyin no raider fan a dinner! Broncos better bring it tomorrow night, that’s all I gotta say. My sanity & dignity relies on it. lol
GO OUT THERE AND SURPRISE THE HECK OUTA EVERYBODY! My prediction is 9-7, take it to the bank. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
LMAO! Ashley thats classic. ENJOY!
Bank is closed, LOL.
lol strand… it was his idea so my Broncos better make him pay for it!! And when we win, man I’m gonna order the most expensive thing on the menu!! LOL I have absolutely NO problem making a raider fan go broke over steak.
Make him pay!! I mean BRING IT!! HaHa!!
09/11/2001… Remember the fallen
That day through the tragedy we showed the world, that the American Spirit is alive and well. Even if it is only deep down hidden inside of every single American, through the darkest moments it illuminates the entire world.
The baynk of predictions is closed…
I think you can still get some Bronco Bucks at the ATM though….lol
Since he`s a raider fan you know he`ll want his steak raw. LOL
LOL, that is my little devious plan!! So funny!
But if it goes the other way, man I will NEVER hear the end of it. :O lol
LOL LOL @ strand… I’m gonna tell him you said that. Way too funny!!
I hope he`s got his rabies shots. LOL
KnowshonForSure: It seems like a few of us were banned during McD’s time here. I was also banned for cussing at him when he got rid of Cutler. I now refrain from using any inappropriate verbiage.
I was in basic training. That day, I had it in my mind, that they were going to push us through BT Vietnam era style and I would be in the desert by December. We weren’t allowed to leave our barracks for almost 24 hours. Every military installation was on complete lock down.
All in fun. Just kidding. Yall enjoy. Don`t worry, we`ll win.
LOL, stand, you’re too funny!! Yesterday at work I had on a Bronco bracelet, earrings & my new ring and told him as long as I have my ‘Raider Repellent’ on, I could be around him so I wouldn’t get any Raider Cooties or anything else he may have. bahaha
It is all in good fun, he knows it but he also knows how much I HATE the Raiders, with a passion. Can’t turn me over to the dark side. lol
Gods a Broncos fan. Raiders are the dark side. LOL
He` sounds like a cool dude for a raider fan. Well, I`m gone. See ya!
May the families who lost loved ones during 9/11 find peace and solace from all Americans, as we reflect back together on that horrific day.
We will never forget the enemy and their dastardly attack on our innocent citizens on the United States of America.
They tried to break the American spirit, but underestimated our will to endure and survive. As a result, we are now more united than ever…
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty”.
John F. Kennedy