Denver Broncos Predictions

July 2, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Broncos were a mess this offseasn after finishing with a 7-9 record and a second straight year removed from the playoffs. They fired their defensive coordinator, watched their top offensive line coach bolt to Tennessee, dumped their GM, lost their most reliable player in kicker Jason Elam and cut unhappy wideout Javon Walker. Then there’s Brandon Marshall, who’s 102 catches for 1,325 yards last season was one of the only positives on this team. But Marshall sidelined himself for four months after slipping on a fast food back and accidentally putting his arm through an entertainment center. For the first time in years there aren’t many expectations in Denver. Let’s see how this team fares with our 2008 Denver Broncos Predictions below.

Offense:

Jay Cutler continued to show he can handle the reigns in Denver. His completion percentage of 63.6 was third-best in club history. He also showed his ability to go deep, becoming the first Bronco to throw two TD passes of 40 or more yards in the same game since John Elway did it in 1995. Now it’s yet to see how he’ll adapt to his new receiving corps, especially after not being able to work with Marshall in the offseason.

High-priced free agent Travis Henry was cut after he crossed the line one too many times this offseason. That leaves Selvin Young, Mike Bell and Andre Hall to fight it out for the starting job. Also, Michael Pittman comes over to give this team a proven backup. Fifth-round pick Ryan Torain may become the next star running back in Denver. Shanahan loves his north-south style.

Javon Walker fled to division rival Oakland for a six-year, $55 million deal. You can’t really blame him with those figures. Rod Smith is on the retired/IR list so Denver really needs Marshall to get healthy and grow up in a hurry. He’s not expected to be 100 percent by the end of training camp. Brandon Stokley is a veteran leader but also has head injury issues to deal with. The hope is that one of three free agents acquisitions in Keary Colbert, Samie Parker or Darrell Jackson will step up and play big for this team. The Broncos also drafted 4.39 40-yard dash receiver Eddie Royal in hopes that he will emerge. At tight end, Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler grabbed 73 combined catches last season.

The Broncos are asking first-round pick Ryan Clady to step in immediately to fill the shoes of retired left tackle Matt Lepsis. The Broncos hope center Tom Nalen and guard Ben Hamilton will be back 100 percent from injuries. Tackle Erik Pears and guard Montrae Holland have a full year of experience to build on an each should be much improved this season.

Defense:

The Broncos did little in the offseason to address an overwhelming need for defensive lineman. They are hoping that the acquisition of Dewayne Robertson and the return of 207 first-round pick Jarvis Moss and Ebenezer Eduban from injury will help a unit that allowed a ridiculous 142.6 yards per game rushing. That ranked 30th in the league. Elvis Dumervil recorded 12.5 sacks last year, but he was the only lineman that could get to the quarterback last year. End John Engelberger and young guns Marcus Thomas and Tim Crowder will also be competing for starting jobs.

Ian Gold was let go in favor of Boss Bailey and Niko Koutouvides, two moves that allowed weak-side backer D.J. Williams to flourish as the Broncos’ leading tackler last year. Bailer is a younger brother of Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and easily Denver’s biggest free agent signing. Koutouvides should man the middle this season after being mainly a special teams performer in 2007.

Champ Bailey remains Denver’s best player on defense despite having just 3 interceptions last year. Dre’ Bly is a nice compliment after snatching 5 picks last season. The battle will be at nickel, where fourth-round pick Jack Williams will compete with Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah. Sixteen-year veteran John Lynch though about retirement, but has announced he will make it one more season at free safety. But he’ll get competition from Marlon McCree. At strong safety, Hamza Abdullah will get tested by free agent Marquand Manuel and rookie Josh Barrett.

Info Plays 2008 Denver Broncos Predictions:

Not much can be expected from Denver this season. Their best bet is to try and sweep the season series with the Chiefs and perhaps splitting with the Raiders, but we don’t see that happening either. The Chargers remain the cream of the crop in the AFC West division, outscoring the Broncos 64-6 in the two games they faced each other last season. Although we don’t think these games will be as lob-sided in 2008, the Broncos won’t even sniff winning the AFC West this year. Denver has to settle for a 3rd place finish in this division and a third straight season without a playoff berth.

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