1. Oakland Raiders – W
   First, I never put up a L against the Raiders. Second, I think Denver is actually better.
2. Cincinnati – W
   This one could be very ugly…if you root for the Bengals.
3. @ Tennessee – W
   First road game and I think the Broncs carry their winning ways into this game. Will be a close one though.
4. @ Green Bay – L
   On the road against the defending Champs? Winning streak comes to a quick halt…but they learn something here.
5. San Diego – W
   I think the Broncs split the season with the Chargers and take the one at home.
6. BYE
7. @ Miami – W
   Just don’t think the Fins are any good and the Broncs are coming off a week of rest before having to make the East Coast trip.
8. Detroit – L
   I really want to put a “W” here, but something tells me this one gets away from them (and Detroit will be much improved this year).
9. @ Oakland – W
   May actually be a loss, but see game #1.
10. @ Kansas City – L
    We never seem to play well here…calling for yet another season split. However, I have a sneaking suspicion this one will be close.
11. NY Jets – L
    Offense won’t be able to do enough against this DEF.
12. @ San Diego – L
    Hard to win on the road against this team, and SD will be making their late year comeback by now.
13. @ Minnesota – W
    Not many will agree with me here, but I think the running game and DEF help sneak out a win on the road here. And I just don’t think MIN will be very good.
14. Chicago – W
    Cutler back home? Yummy! Von Doom should have fun with this offensive sieve line. ;o)
15. New England – L
    We typically play this team well at home, but can’t bring myself to put the “W” here.
16. @ Buffalo – W
    This team is B-A-D and will be in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. Really cold weather could be a factor…but I see us depending on the running game and pulling it out.
17. Kansas City – W
    I think we have something to play for here and will show up to get the season split.

So…my season prediction? A CRAZY 10-6. For the record, I said 8-8 last year (only missed it by 4 games!)…so my predictions mean nothing. But I truly think the Defense is looking good (great so far…but expecting some reality when the season starts). My biggest concern? Two really…injuries…and Orton (if there are close games here he will NOT win them for us).

Even if we end up 6-10 (which is more likely) I still think EFX have on the right road…and who knows…every year there’s that one team…maybe it’s us this year! Go DONKEYS!!

The first instance of “The Jersey Curse” started with Mr. Jay “Whiny Boy” Cutler. I purchased his jersey just months before “the coach who shall never be mentioned by name” traded him away to Chicago. I was hoping it was a one-time occurrence…but alas it was not. It took a little longer this time, but the curse has claimed it’s second victim…and this time a player I actually respected as much as the team.

The really bad news is that I still have one jersey left…the Cutler replacement. Again, I love the player and I got his jersey because I was SURE it was a safe buy. The Broncos absolutely couldn’t let this guy get away! Surely not. Well, here’s hoping…but it’s not looking so good so far…

UPDATE: The power of a blog!! The same day that I wrote this blog, the Broncos signed Champ to a new four-year deal. Is the curse over??

Trades

• Kyle Orton should be traded while he still has value. I firmly believe Elway’s statements this week are a smoke-screen to increase (or at least retain) his current value. I don’t see them getting much more than a 3rd round pick, but 2nd round would be sweet!
• We should trade at least one of our Wide Receivers. This is the strength of our team and we need picks. Jabar Gafney tops my list of expendables with a good stable of younger talent in the clubhouse. I don’t think we get much for him (maybe a 5th or 6th rounder), but anything will do.

Free agency

• Go get DeAngelo Williams. He knows this coach and this system. Even if we keep Moreno, he’s going to need some support (or better yet…he should be the support for DWill).
• Albert Haynesworth? It’s worth a shot since most of his guaranteed cash has been paid. I’d like to see it happen, but I don’t think it will happen.
• SIGN CHAMP BAILEY!!! We simply cannot let this man go! Give him his contract knowing that he has a couple years left at corner and several more at safety. Franchise tag him if we must, but keep him here!

The Draft

• Defense, Defense, defense…and then some more defense! I wouldn’t be sad if that’s the only focus in this year’s draft (even though I think they need a TE and another OL).
• We have six picks in this year’s draft. I won’t get into predicting each pick (I’m not that sick). Assuming they don’t pick up any other picks (for the sake of argument) here’s what I think their areas of needs are (in order of importance): Pass Rushing DE, Run Stuffing DT, Linebacker, Corner, Safety, Pass Catching TE, Offensive Line (yes,I know that’s seven…sue me).
• I think we should keep the #2 pick and not trade down. Picks are important, but they need to hit a home-run with this pick. They need a play-maker that can come in and contribute on defense right now. Would I cry if they traded down? No…but that’s not what I would do unless the offer is just too good to pass up. It won’t be.
• With the #2 pick I think they should take either Fairley or Bowers…don’t care which one, just get the one they value they most or the one that’s left after Carolina picks.

There you have it…my worthless take on what should happen for the Broncos this year. I must say that I’m once again hopeful for the future…we’ll see how things go though. At least there is hope!

And I love this point in the season…when you have nothing but hopes and dreams since we haven’t played a game that actually counts yet. And I get to put down my own dreams and fears on the record for this year’s Broncos season.

I must say that I am bullish on the Donkeys for the long haul. I think they’re putting the right pieces into place but they are shallow at many positions, very young at others, and the schedule this year is brutal!That said, I still think they have a chance at the AFC West title (which is what they’ll need to make the playoffs) only because the AFC West is weak in general. And I like the foundation they are laying for the future.

What do I think about Coach McD? I don’t hate him (as many do) and I don’t necessarily love him either. I’m taking a wait and see mentality. And I’m patient (I’ve been a Bronco fan since birth so I developed that patience early on). I do know it takes time in this league to build a winner for the long haul and I’m willing to take the time and I assume McD knows more than I do. The winning and losing will tell the tale.

With that said, here’s what I think will happen this year…and I’m never right so take this all with a grain of salt (or your preferred spice of choice):

1. @ Jacksonville – W
   I think we start off strong and the offense wins this one on the road for us. If not…hold onto your hats for a long season.
2. Seattle – W
   This team is a mess and we win the home opener. Gets rougher from here…
3. Indianapolis – L
   We come back down to earth. The defense won’t be able to rush Peyton and the blitz will just burn us.
4. @ Tennessee – L
   The brutal schedule continues. I don’t see us winning our first two road games and Tennessee has plenty of firepower.
5. @ Baltimore – L
   We just won’t be able to hang with the Ravens, but I think this will be closer than some people might think.
6. NY Jets – L
   The good news? This game is at home. The bad news? It’s against the Jets!
7. Oakland – W
   Always good for what ails you. The Raiders help us stop the losing streak, but it will be a tougher game than it should be.
8. @ San Francisco – L
   I had a tough decision with this game, but I think we drop this one. My heart says a win, my head says a loss.
9. BYE - Thank goodness!
10. Kansas City – W
    Getting better, but still a bad team on the rise.
11. @ San Diego – L
    I don’t think SD will be as good as some people think, but I still think we split the season with them.
12. St. Louis – W
    This team has a long way to go…but this game scares me! Has all the makings of a “look past” game.
13. @ Kansas City – W
    We always seem to have a tough time at Arrowhead, but I just can’t put a loss here.
14. @ Arizona – L
    Not sure why, but don’t see us pulling this one off. Defense may be getting gassed by this point. Arizona’s QB situation may help us though.
15. @ Oakland – W
    Honestly, even if I though we’d lose this one I never predict a loss against the Raiders. I just hate them too much.  ;o)
16. Houston – L
    This one is close, but I think we find a way to lose it.
17. San Diego – W
    This is the split, but why do we always seem to be playing these guys at the end. I hope this game doesn’t count for something big!

The grand total? 8-8

Does that get us into the playoffs? Errr….maybe not….but I still think we can take the division. But it’s going to take some great offense, a decent defense, and staying healthy (above everything else). With my swing games I wouldn’t be surprised by a 5-11 or 9-7 season (or anything in between). As always….that’s why they play the games!!

Are you ready for some football?!?!??

After they way they’ve played over the last month plus I’m not sure I wanted to watch another game in the playoffs (OK, I lie…I wanted to see it). Like everyone else, I am sickened and confused by the Bronco’s end-of-year meltdowns, this time with almost an entirely new cast of characters.

But now that it’s over, this is the team we thought we might get at the start of the year. In fact, few people gave them a chance to be this “good”. Most thought my prediction at the beginning of the year (read it here) of an 8-8 season was a fantasy…most thought they’d be lucky to get 4-5 wins. That 6-0 start got us all excited and hopeful that a miracle had occurred.

But the bubble was burst.

Reality set in.

These Broncos are who we thought they were…mediocre.

It was still fun to watch most weeks (setting aside losing to the stinkin’ Raiders and Chiefs!!). And the Defense was better, although I’m not sure how it could have been any worse, and has room to continue to improve. I was a little surprised by the offensive line play at times during the year. The running game never got the traction it needed. And there was too much off-field drama (blame both sides there).

Here’s hoping for a better off-season, a great draft, and a better 2010…we gotta keep the faith Bronco Nation!

Painful.

It’s was hard to watch the Broncos dominate field position, time of possession, yardage, etc, etc (at least in the first half)…and come away with only three offensive points for the entire game. I don’t care how good or how bad your defense plays (and ours is playing very well), if you only score three points in this league you will lose.

I am no offensive genius…heck, I’m no genius in anything…but here are my two major issues with our offense right now:

1. Our Running Game. As in…we have none! How did we go from having one of the most dominant running teams in the league to have no running production what-so-ever? By dropping the zone blocking scheme in favor of a power running scheme. One worked. One hasn’t. We should bring the zone scheme back pronto! We have the coaches (Dennison) and the personnel to run it…so why don’t we? Good question. Don’t have an answer, but I know that a short passing game does not substitute for a solid running game…we need ours back.
2. The Long Ball. I could count on one hand the number of times we have thrown the ball down field…and so can the defenses we continue to face. They know we aren’t going to go long so they don’t have to defend it. We should at least try it once in awhile. You never know…Brandon might even catch a few, or at least get a penalty. Defenses simply don’t have to plan or watch for this part of the game. Orton is no long-ball thrower, but he can give it a try…he just hasn’t been asked to do it (he does everything else he’s asked to do).

Come to think of it…these two go together. The running game sets up the passing game and the long ball helps with the run by keeping the safeties and linebackers honest. They get to cheat right now…and they are calling the bluff (nice poker reference huh?).

Is this team over and done? Not by a long shot. Am I giving up on them? Never!

Out of the next eight games we have four that we should win easily and should be able to at least split the remaining four…which would leave us at 12-4. And even if we split all eight games we’d be 10-6 (both FAR above anyone’s expectations heading into the year).

Up next? The Washington Redskins…that should cure what ails us!

Go Broncos!!!

1. @ Cincinnati – W: I put the W here, but I’m not sure I believe it. This team is still learning, but Cincy sucks so I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.
2. Cleveland – W: If you can’t beat this team…
3. @ Oakland – W: See Cleveland above
4. Dallas – W: I know most are predicting a Dallas win here, but it’s at home, the Broncs will be riding a winning streak and I just don’t think Dallas is that good (which is why Shanny will be coaching there next year).
5. New England – L: I want to put the W here, but just can’t do it. I have to give the edge to the Master. I will say the NE doesn’t usually play well here…so the Broncos might be able to steal this one.
6. @ San Diego – L: I’m not as high on SD as some are (read…Norv Turner), but I’m not naive either.
7. @ Baltimore – L: The schedule just keeps getting worse.
8. Pittsburgh – L: And worse.
9. @ Washington – L: I want to put the W here to help stop the November slide, but it’s hard to win on the road after four straight loses.
10. San Diego – W: I think we split with San Diego, but what do I know??
11. NY Giants – L: This team is good.
12. @ Kansas City – W: This is more an indictment on KC than anything else. It’s tough to win at Arrowhead, but I think we get it done this year (they may have a new coach by then).
13. @ Indianapolis – L: This one could be ugly, you might not want to let the little ones watch it…but can it get much worse than it was under Shanny?
14. Oakland – W: Oakland, the perfect cure for what ails you.
15. @ Philadelphia – L: I don’t think it will be a blow-out, but tough to win here.
16. Kansas City – W: Come on…this one could be ugly in a good way.

After totaling up the W’s and the L’s…my prediction for 2009 is that the Broncos will go: 8-8.

There is a lot of unknown here and I think there are a few games that can make this number go up a little or way down: Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego, and Washington specifically. Can they steal one more win? Will they lose a few more? I can’t see anything more than 9-7 (and that would be a miracle) and could see them slide to 5-11 if they don’t get their act together at the start of the year.

Gonna be fun to watch! I think the DEF is much improved over last year…meaning they will be average with some upside for the future. The schedule is brutal in November…so buckle up. Football is back!

Here they are:

It’s not hard to figure out which player is which just based on the passing attempts, but take a look at some of the others numbers and they aren’t that different. The completion percentage is very close and they both threw one TD. Yes, Orton threw the interception but it was bogus…and should have been a TD on the play before (which would make the numbers look that much better for Orton).

Am I saying Orton is better than Cutler? No. I’m just saying the numbers are not really that much different and Orton is playing in a different kind of offense. Also, the Giants had over half of their DEF players out of the game…so it wasn’t exactly like Cutler was playing the SB Champs of last year.And Orton plays in a style of offense that is going to yield lower passing averages than Cutler will…not better or worse, just different.

Just an interesting observation on the perspectives for each of these two players. Similar numbers with two VERY different reactions. I for one am not freaking out yet…and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.

Until then…the Broncos are dead to me!

Thanks to “Cutler-gate” the Broncos now have two…count them, two…first round draft picks: #12 and #18. They also have five picks within the first 84…the first time in franchise history on both accounts. So who will the Broncos pick up? Are they going to trade up and take Sanchez? Are they going to trade down? Will the stand pat? Here is my prediction…

First, I do not think they are going to move up to take Sanchez. One one hand, I think McD thinks he can groom one of the QBs he already has. One the second hand, they are being way to vocal about their interested to actually be interested (this is the ultimate poker game…and you can’t trust anything being said or done this month). On the third hand (I don’t’ know where the third hand comes from), if they pick a QB instead of defense I might just drive down to Dove Valley myself and TP the place!

I am predicting defense, defense, defense with both of these top two picks. I would LOVE for them to get B.J. Raji but I just don’t think he will be there at #12 (but if he is…Merry Christmas!). I wouldn’t even mind if they traded up as far as #8 to grab Raji (but he may not be there then either). So who do I like? I like a lot of players, but here are my predictions…well see how they pan out come Saturday…

#12: Tyson Jackson, DE from LSU
#18: Ron Brace, DT from Boston College

Anything close to this (i.e.: two good defensive players) will make me very happy. Anything offensive and I will just shake my head and join the “Does McDaniels Know What He’s Doing?” crowd. One thing is for sure…it’s gonna be fun to watch!

How about you? Any predictions of your own? Do share…