The Broncos’ biggest need is continuity. Bad teams change coaches and systems so often they don't get good players in place. And that sums up the state of the Broncos. The Broncos have been hurt by poor drafting and a lack of continuity on defense, which finished dead last in the league in total defense. The offense really wasn’t that bad, ranking 13th in total offense last season.
Pro player development hasn't been an issue; the Cutler for Orton trade actually worked out, and Pro Bowler Brandon Lloyd stepped in to replace Brandon Marshall. But the quest to have interchangeable lineman (like New England) left them short the past couple of years when Ryan Harris went down. Free agent additions in the defensive backfield have panned out well.
On offense, the Cutler trade could have and should have been a boon for Denver. The two quarterbacks were statistically equal. Cutler threw a few more touchdown passes; Orton threw fewer interceptions. Cutler’s quarterback rating of 86.3 was a lukewarm 16th in the league. Orton’s quarterback rating of 87.5 was good enough for 15th place.
Pro player development hasn't been an issue; the Cutler for Orton trade actually worked out, and Pro Bowler Brandon Lloyd stepped in to replace Brandon Marshall. But the quest to have interchangeable lineman (like New England) left them short the past couple of years when Ryan Harris went down. Free agent additions in the defensive backfield have panned out well.
On offense, the Cutler trade could have and should have been a boon for Denver. The two quarterbacks were statistically equal. Cutler threw a few more touchdown passes; Orton threw fewer interceptions. Cutler’s quarterback rating of 86.3 was a lukewarm 16th in the league. Orton’s quarterback rating of 87.5 was good enough for 15th place.
The Broncos have blown it, wasting their windfall of draft picks from the Cutler trade. Chicago traded its 2009 first- and third-round selections, selecting defensive end Robert Ayers in the first, and trading their third pick to the Steelers, who selected Mike Wallace. They swapped their 2010 first-round selection with San Francisco, who chose offensive tackle Anthony Davis, while the Broncos chose wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. The Bears got Cutler and Denver’s fifth round pick, which Chicago used to draft wide receiver Johnny Knox. Robert Ayers, a defensive end from Tennessee, was designated an outside linebacker despite a lack of speed and experience making drops.
They have to do better this year.
They have to do better this year.
On the other side of the ball, the recent decision to run a 4-3 defense was wise because the Broncos drafting on defense had been, well, pathetic. Jarvis Moss is a 4-3 end; Robert Ayers is a 4-3 end, and neither fit in a 3-4 scheme. They used a pick from the Cutler trade to trade up in the second round to grab Alfonso Smith, who didn't fit the system and ended up in Detroit. They do have Elvis Dumervil, a true 3-4 outside linebacker coming back.
On the other side of the ball, the big questions in Denver will be how will Elvis Dumervil fit in the Fox 4-3, and will Champ Bailey return? We’re not convinced the Bailey issue is a huge deal, and Perrish Cox didn’t look awful as a rookie. The conglomerate on the other side has some potential.
A pass rush will help. Denver finished last in total sacks with a paltry 23. That’s only six more sacks than Dumervil logged in 2009. Dumervil’s return will provide that rush, either as a defensive end or from the Will linebacker spot. The Broncos should draft another linebacker who could help the pass rush, moving defensive ends Jason Hunter, David Veikune, and Ayers closer to the ball and asking them not to go backwards could help that. They could also be aided by more athleticism at the safety position, but the Broncos have Darcel McBath and David Bruton to help there.
The question at the linebacker position is: Which system would Fox deploy? Prior to yesterday’s announcement that they would be running a 4-3, we felt the smart choice would have been a 3-4 because of the presence of Dumervil. Now that they’re running a 4-3, we think new head coach John Fox will find creative ways to use him.
So we assess that the Broncos biggest need on defense is at linebacker, followed by defensive back, where we find an aging Champ Bailey asking to be moved to free safety to prolong his career.
Again, this team is transitioning-- they seemed to get to the point where they had former head coach Josh McDaniels’ players on the field when the team decided they weren't McDaniels’ players. Now Fox has to quell the rebellion.
So when you're drafting 2nd overall, do you draft by need ? Nope - you take the best player. The question is, is that the best player potentially or the best player?
So when you're drafting 2nd overall, do you draft by need ? Nope - you take the best player. The question is, is that the best player potentially or the best player?
The player that best fits the 4-3 defense Fox will be using is Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller. Miller is a football player with a motor. He has a quick first step and enough strength to take on blockers. He even played on special teams when, as the team’s star defender, he didn’t need to.
The Broncos only played defense a couple of games last year. They just didn’t show up most games. Veteran leader Champ Bailey was part of that crew that didn’t show up so I don’t think he’s a huge loss. Dumervil’s return gives them a player that always goes full speed – that’s one the team needs 10 more like that. Miller gives them a 2nd one. He’s the right fit for Denver.
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