A Closer Look: Why the Broncos are Struggling

Yes, they may have snuck past the Cleveland Browns, 34-30, last night.  But that doesn't mean that the AFC West leading Denver Broncos aren't struggling.  On both sides of the ball, at that.  All hardcore NFL fans should know about the defensive struggles by now, but what about QB Jay Cutler's offense?

Yes, one of the top fantasy QB's this season (right next to Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers and Kurt Warner) has had his problems, too.  Before the season, not too many fans or "experts" would have believed that the Broncos would struggle running the ball.  But, looks like those people (you know who you are!), have been proved wrong as of week 10.  We hear the same old talk about the Broncos consecutive seasons with a 1,000 yard rusher.  "Oh, Denver can run the ball no matter who is in the backfield."

Well it appears that streak may be in jeopardy after the injury bug hit the Broncos in last night's game...again.  Already being without all-pro CB Champ Bailey (groin) and safety Marlon McCree (ankle) out for the game (and possible several weeks to come), the Broncos came into the game short-handed on defense.  The offense is looking even more thin.  Three running backs, Andre Hall (hand), Michael Pittman (neck) and Anthony Aldridge (foot) are on the injured reserve along with all-pro center Tom Nalen (knee) and OT Erik Pears (appendectomy).  Denver suffered another huge blow in their fifth win of the season.  Rookie RB, Ryan Torain, out of Arizona State, suffered a torn ACL and is now on the IR.  GAAAAHH!!  That's what I'm thinking right now.  Boy am I glad I am not a Denver fan right now.  What does it take to keep a guy healthy?!  It's time to hit the waiver wire.

This is certainly not something Shanahan wanted to see last night.

Cutler has been banged up for the last few weeks, thanks to an iffy O-line.  If he happened to even get a little shaken up on a play, they may be in even more trouble.  Second-string QB Patrick Ramsey (elbow) is on the IR, as well.

I guess we can say that it's a good thing the Broncos are in the horrific AFC West, or else they may already be out of contention.  They are, in fact, one game over .500 now (5-4), but had they been in another division they may not have gotten the chance to play weak teams like Kansas City and Oakland.  I am, believe it or not, very disappointed at Denver's remaining schedule.  Despite them having more players on the IR than their active roster, Denver could easily end up knocking off the San Diego Chargers for the West division title.

Obviously they can contend with teams like Atlanta, Oakland, New York (Jets), and Kansas City.  None of those four teams have really proved they can consistently win.  Atlanta has a rookie QB, Matt Ryan, at the helm.  JaMarcus Russell is knocked down on almost every play from scrimmage.  Brett Favre seems to throw an interception on every other play nowadays.  And, Kansas City can seem to even hold on to a 21-point lead despite just one turnover and 384 total yards...That's inexcusable!

Like I said before, Denver can win this division easily with this schedule.  Win four of their final seven games of the regular season and you've got yourself a playoff spot.

The four Denver losses is due to lack of production from the defense.  Giving up 41 points against a Matt Cassel led New England Patriots team?  That shouldn't happen.  All the blame falls on the secondary, obviously.  The Broncos are 27th in the league in pass defense.  Denver's front seven sacked Cassel six times, so how come the secondary wasn't able to pick any of his errant passes off?

Young, inexperienced QB + lots of pressure = At least three turnovers.

This was only week 7.  I am not sure Cassel was quite in the groove of things by then.  I guess that's what facing a weak secondary will do for you.  Cassel was able to throw for 185 yards and 3 TD's despite the six sacks.  His QB rating was a monsterous 136.3 as RB Sammy Morris put up 138 yards on the ground.  Cassel and New England's offense was able to take advantage of Denver's five turnovers.  Final score: 41-7. I don't know about you, but I will be closely following this team from now until the end of the regular season in December.  This division, just like the other seven divisions, should be interesting.  But, if head coach Mike Shanahan wants a shot at another Super Bowl, they are gonna need more consistency from both the offense and defense.

Sorry that I am just now informing you of this, but I really don't have a definite answer as to whether or not the Broncos will come out alive in the end.  I just thought we could, as civilized human beings, discuss this very puzzling mystery.  Can Denver pull this one off??

ShrubberyVarsity Captain

370 days ago

Score 1

Ryan Clady has arguably been the best O-lineman out of this rookie class and he'll be great. The Broncos pitfalls start and end on defense. Believe me, losing Marlon McCree is not that big of a deal as he and Manual are the worst safety tandem in football. Losing Champ is huge because now the D has to worry about covering both sides of the field on passing downs, plus Champ was a vastly underrated in run support. Defense is this teams huge weakness.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

326 days ago

Score 2

The up side of Denver's late season collapse is that losing in San Diego and missing the playoffs will drop Denver down to around 12th in the draft. That means they may have a shot at a first round defensive starter and a 2nd round guy who should contribute(although 2006's Moss + Crowder) proves that nothing is guaranteed with early draft picks.

I think Denver has decent skill at DT keeping in mind that 2008 5th Rounder Powell has sat out his rookie year with a blown out ankle. Thomas looks like he was a 1st round talent acquired with the 2006 4th due to weed troubles at Florida. Denver's OLB situation isn't bad; but its ILB situation is horrid, with an aging and injury prone outside linebacker, Webster, playing out of position in the middle. He's backed up by Haggen and a 3/4 time fullback in Larsen. Denver has a OLB/SS tweener in Woodyard (a guy who should be developed as a TE shut down specialist). The problem is really DBs, ILB and DE. I actually think the DE problem is the least critical as the lack of DB skill and depth eliminates schemes and blitzing packages that utilize Denver's talent. The lack of a legit running crushing ILB, eliminates the 3-4 and that set's blitzing OLB advantages. The horrid safety play makes blitzing out of the 4-3 impossible.

1st Round 2009 Wish List:

1. 1 Taylor Mays - SS/FS - USC - 2008 7th Rounder Josh Barrett, may work out, he is getting late season playing time. Barrett is a strong safety, so the question is does Mays have the legit speed for playing Free or is the reported 4.35s due to USC's fast track? Regardless, a 4.40 is a damn fast for a 230 pound SS. The loss of Nick Ferguson several years ago has been very under-appreciated. Taylor Mays is a little bit like Matt Holiday; a guy who eats organic and lives in the gym. He hits like a LB and runs like a CB. He lives for football.

1. 2 Rey Maualuga - ILB - USC - I am NOT a USC fan or alumni, but the fact is USC's D is loaded with talent at the two positions Denver needs solved. There are no 2nd round ILBs in the 2009 draft, so if Mays is still on the board at 12, Denver has a tough decision. Its possible one of the other two 1st round ILBs Laurinaintis/Spikes could slip but probably not to Denver at 2-44. If Mays does use the #1, then I like taking a quality CB at 2-44.

Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio State - a 6'1" 200 pound CB with 4.40 or better speed? Lots of picks and blocks. Both Bailey and Bly will be in their 11th seasons in 2009. Even if surplanting Bly as a rookie doesn't happen, you can always use a 3rd CB as the nickel and you can count on Bly/Bailey missing games with injury. I think 2008 undrafted FA J. Bell may have some skill and be a guy to keep. He ends the year ahead of 2008 4th rounder J. Williams. The 2005 3rd round investment in Paymah can be written off.

Michael Johnson - DE/OLB - Georgia Tech - I think investing in DBs and ILB pays dividends with past investments in DE and OLB that aren't properly employed due to these weaknesses. Moss can become a 3-4 OLB or bulk to 270-275 as 4-3 DE and think run D first. Current 275lb Crowder can do the same as a committed anti-run 4-3 DE. Ekuban and Engleberger will be in their 11th and 10th seasons respectively. Denver can go into camp with the idea of being a 3-4/4-3 full package team. Spending low picks on more DT is needed this year. Denver has extra 5, 6, and 7th round picks, we can toss a 6th or 7th at a DT like Ohio St Abdallah.

There are a number of intriguing 2 and 3 round corners in the 2009 draft. Obviously, Denver will evaluate them in far more detail then what I can read on the draft boards.

Mark Parson - CB - Ohio - Perhaps the best cover corner in the draft if he runs a 4.35 at 195 pounds in the combines the Denver's 2-44 pick might be just about right in terms of where he'll go.

Darius Butler - CB - UConn - 4.38 speed, 186 pounds, All Big East 1st Team. Since Mike Shanahan believes that you should neither kick off to dangerous return men nor bother to have a dangerous kick returner on your roster, we'll have to sell Butler as a corner (but he is a dangeous KR too). BTW, who told WR/PR specialist Eddie Royal to either fair catch or let bounce all punts?

Dominique Johnson - CB - Jackson St - 4.34 from a guy who is 6'2" and 190? Wow. But I'm not Al Davis, we need to know why he left Mizzou for Jackson and be assured he's not a head case.

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Steel TownDraft Pick

325 days ago

Score 2

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