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Broncos happy about personnel changes, club official says

Team happy about personnel changes, club official says

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 30, 2008 at 12:16 a.m.

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Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart drops back to throw a pass under pressure from Broncos defensive tackle Alvin McKinley in the second quarter of Friday night's preseason finale in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos used big plays in the fourth quarter to beat the Cardinals 28-14 and finish the preseason 2-2.

Photo by Paul Connors / Associated Press

Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart drops back to throw a pass under pressure from Broncos defensive tackle Alvin McKinley in the second quarter of Friday night's preseason finale in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos used big plays in the fourth quarter to beat the Cardinals 28-14 and finish the preseason 2-2.

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The next time the Denver Broncos take the field, they'll be met with this musical query on Monday Night Football:

Are you ready for some football?

It's taken eight months of roster tweaks, free-agent pickups, some front-office upheaval, the draft, a couple of weeks of organized team activities, summer camp and, finally, four preseason games, but the team has arrived at a threshold.

Bring on the Oakland Raiders in the regular-season opener Sept. 8.

"We had several needs that needed to be addressed and we did that, and they performed really well. We feel real good about going into the season," said Jim Goodman, the team's vice president of football operations/player personnel as Denver ended the preseason with Friday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"We've got some young players, some new players who've exceeded our expectations. So we're excited about it."

The lineup against the Raiders likely will feature two new starting safeties in Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel, provided the latter's broken right thumb is sufficiently healed. They'll be joined by a revamped linebacking corps that has D.J. Williams back at his natural weak-side spot and a defensive line counting on rapid advancement from its younger players.

All will fit within a new defensive scheme, which, during the preseason, at least provided hope that Denver might build on its 30th-ranked run defense after a disastrous showing last August that continued right into the games that counted.

The Broncos allowed 65 rushing plays last season of at least 10 yards. But entering Friday, opposing backs averaged just 3.5 yards per carry with a long of 16 yards.

"I wasn't here last year, but I can tell you just being here that the run defense has improved from me seeing what we've done this offseason," said Dewayne Robertson, who's being counted on to beef up the front four as a starting defensive tackle.

The Broncos still must prove they can consistently generate heat on opposing quarterbacks after producing only 31 sacks last season, the team's third-lowest total since 1995.

And above all, Denver, under new coordinator Bob Slowik, has to pare down the 25.6 points per game it yielded last season.

"This year we're real comfortable and feel we'll establish ourselves as a defense," defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said. "We know what we want to do. We know what our defense is - a one-gap defense, where last year it was iffy how we were going to do it. It's going real good, which has a lot to do with chemistry and the scheme around us."

On offense, Denver features some cornerstone players in quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall, has tight end depth and a committee approach at running back led by Selvin Young. The greatest amount of upheaval - and biggest question mark - is up front.

With center Tom Nalen out because of a knee injury, only Chris Kuper returns as a regular from last year's line, and he's switched guard positions. No. 1 pick Ryan Clady and second- year pro Ryan Harris will be starting their first NFL game when Denver plays Oakland. Casey Wiegmann subs for Nalen, while Ben Hamilton returns at left guard after missing a year because of post-concussion symptoms.

"We obviously had some questions at offensive tackle," Goodman said. "We've answered that and are pleased with the results."

Still, expectations on a national scale are muted for Denver, coming off its second straight non-playoff season. San Diego is the odds-on favorite in the AFC West.

Goodman, though, points to his team's chemistry as a strength.

Meanwhile, Robertson, who's new to the club, believes this is a group that knows the standard set by the organization and has bought into it.

"I think we're thinking what every team is - about going to the 'Big Show,' " Thomas said. "We feel we can compete with any team in the country."

Comments

  • August 30, 2008

    8:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    OregonBroncFan writes:

    I'm not saying their not happy but seriously, does any team come out and say they did a terrible job in the off season and they don't like their team?

  • August 30, 2008

    9:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    myerda00 writes:

    Negative GHE fans really sound like jerks when they post. You can think it but do not write it.
    The organization has done a very good job so far. All characters have been traded or let go. Looking like a great draft and the FA's are competing.
    The only problem I see with this organization today is WHO MAKES THE 53!!

    GHF fans can see the playoffs.

  • August 30, 2008

    9:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    The Broncos will be better on D and the offense will be able to out score most opponents and make the playoffs. Probably not yet good enough to win more than 1 playoff game; but who knows?

  • August 30, 2008

    10:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jvill writes:

    OregonBroncFan writes: I'm not saying their not happy but seriously, does any team come out and say they did a terrible job in the off season and they don't like their team?

    Yeah. The Raiders.

  • August 30, 2008

    10:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    jvill, ha, ha, good one.
    I think we have some depth on our team, this year. Last night showed that. Arizona was playing some of their starters into the 4th quarter and our 2nd, 3rd and 4th string STILL BEAT THEM! Very good sign. VERY good. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • August 30, 2008

    10:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    cpd writes:

    Talk is cheap. Performance counts. Pre-season games prove nothing, which is why the NFL is going to a 2 pre-season 18 real games schedule. Schedule and injuries most often determine the outcome. Go Broncs!

  • August 30, 2008

    4:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    topdolladap writes:

    I'm not sold on our linebacker play... We have to stay completly healty to win. We are thin with quality at a lot of positions including or OL

  • August 30, 2008

    4:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncos_65 writes:

    I LOVE OUR CHANCES AT MAKING PLAYOFFS AND TAKING WEST.I KNOW SANDIEGO IS FAVORITE BUT HAS ALOT OF INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS WHO HASNT PLAYD A DOWN-DONT BELIEVE THE CHARGER PROPAGANDA-I LIVE IN SD AND THERE WORRIED--BRONCOMANNIA IS ON THE RISE AND THE ORANGE CRUSH IS COMING BACK.SEE YA IN OAKTOWN ! BRONCOS RULE ! ! !

  • August 31, 2008

    5:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    cpd, where did you read that they are going to 2 preseason games and 18 regular games? I know we have two new teams joining the NFL, but nothing about a schedule change?

  • September 1, 2008

    8:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncodano writes:

    Talk is not cheap... talk is the basis of belief.

    If you dont believe in you team, if you play tenative, then you lose. If you believe in your team, if you play like you are the best group on the field, you are able to do things that you cant when you are filled with doubt.

    The Special Air Service, (british special forces group) have a saying..

    Those who dare, win.

    Take it a step further.

    Those who believe, dare..

    bd