Happy New Year and if you just flipped the calendar to to 2008--the Broncos had you beat by a month.
Sure, they talked about winning the last four games and controlling their playoff lives, but as we all know, talk is cheap (even if the Broncos free agent spending sprees aren't).
When you split with the Raiders, kick and punt to Devin Hester, and lose by 37 to the Lions--sorry, you don't deserve to go to the playoffs.
Even Mike Shanahan himself said as much. The Mastermind knew that even if his team made the playoffs, they wouldn't do much when they got there.
Did injuries cost this team? Sure, they did, though every team in the NFL is constantly dealing with that issue. For example, the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts had arguably more injury issues to top-flight personnel than the Broncos, yet they won their division, and it just happened to be a division in which no team finished with a losing record. That's called perseverance--something all of us in Broncos Nation need to have at the moment, as this organization decides what steps it will take to try and reclaim it spot among the NFL elite.
I am not sure what their plans are in that regard but here are five things that I think that hindered them this past season. Some are fixable,others aren't, primarily for financial reasons, though let's take a look back and see what might be the plan going forward.
1) YOUTH IS SERVED
With yesterday's retirement of Matt Lepsis, the offensive line, always such a strength of this team, is in as much a state of flux as other key positions. The Broncos always seemingly had a different running back carrying the load year after year, but the line each of those individuals ran behind was the same--until now. It is no coincidence, to me, that a year in which the team lost both center Tom Nalen (triceps) and guard Ben Hamilton (concussion), that the running game seemingly stalled as well. Now, even if Nalen returns (likely) and Hamilton comes back (still questionable), there will be a youth movement on the offensive line. In a way that's good. Eventually the Broncos need to give their young interior lineman a chance to learn and grow into the position. The bad news? The 2008 campaign might be a crossroads season for this team. They have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Can they afford to again? The bottom line: Ryan Harris and Chris Kuper, it's time to step into the spotlight.
2) YOUTH IS SERVED, PART II
The biggest question about this team regards the future of their defensive guru Jim Bates. More on him below, but whether it's Bates, Bob Slowik, or somebody else running the defense---this much we know: much like the offensive line, the defensive line will also have to rely on young players. Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, and Marcus Thomas need to become playmakers. Is that fair to ask of would-be second year players? It depends on the situation, but the circumstances with this team, dictate that they do. Much has been made of Shanahan's drafting. From 2001 through 2004, only one player he has selected remains on their roster: middle linebacker D.J. Williams. The draft of those years gone by should be the core of this team, but there is only one guy even left. That's why Shanahan's drafting the last two years becomes so extremely critical to the future success of the team. In 2006 he picked Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Tony Scheffler, and Elvis Dumvervil. Well done, for sure, especially on offense. However, as we saw this past season, offense alone is not going to do it for this team. Therefore, he can only hope his 2007 selections--Moss, Crowder, and Thomas--can match his success from 2006.
3) THE BATES DILEMMA
If the Broncos are not going to run the defense that Bates made so successful and earned his genuis reputation on, then why have him back? Let me say, I think he is a great coach and I blame the players more than Bates for their inability to grasp his defensive scheme Players in Green Bay and Miami flourished under his tutelage. To me, that says, the issue isn't the system, it's those trying to learn the system. However, since the team has already put an extra defender in the box to help stuff the run, his principles are already being deviated from. Bates is a good man but seems like a bad fit here.
4) SPENDING FREELY (AND STRANGELY)
Looking at this team and it's lack of talent, how much better off would they be if they spent the $30 million they are giving Daniel Graham, possibly elsewhere? I like Graham and his skills. I realize Shanahan wants to have the tight end become a part of the offense once again. However, the year before they paid Graham, they drafted Scheffler to be their tight end of the next decade. He caught 49 passes this year. You want a two-tight-end set? That's fine, but can you justify spending that much on a second tight end when you have so many other areas of concern?
5) TWO SUPERSTARS WITH TOO MUCH BAGGAGE
On Monday, Javon Walker said he would like to be gone. (At least, I think he said that. It was a confusing interview session, for sure.) There is only one sure thing with Walker, though. He may want to play elsewhere, though this is the rare case where outright cutting Walker would be more expensive than having him on the roster. Finances always play a part. Can Walker regain his form? Do the Broncos want to pay to find out? Could he play in the shadow of Brandon Marshall? Who knows? Travis Henry is another concern. Will he be back? Can Selvin Young be the team's lead running back? Henry did not carry the ball against Minnesota. Young got most of the work and even Andre Hall got carries. Meanwhile, your $12 million man sits. Why? Shanahan said that Henry runs well between the tackles and due to Minnesota's tough run defense, they wanted to attack the edges with Young as well as Hall. I can see that. Though not one carry at all? That I can't understand...unless they have decided his future already.
A lot of questions, though, so far, few answers. It should be quite the off-season.
Have a great Wednesday.
-"Z"
