AFC West
Denver Broncos Season in Review
By Joseph W. Everett
Jan 27, 2007, 13:38

The 2005 season was the most succesful since the departure of John Elway and the city of Denver is still waiting for another championship.

Mike Shanahan and his Denver Broncos had high expectations coming into the ‘06 season. Just the previous year the Broncos made a deep playoff run all the way into the AFC championship game. With a majority of the team returning the fans, media, and coaches weren’t expecting too much of a drop-off.

The defense started the year off like gang-busters, holding its opponents to an average of seven points in the first six games. The offense seemed to be up to its usual tricks with Tatum Bell averaging 97.5 yards in that span and Mike Bell doing an admirable job spelling him in the process. Jake "Neck-Beard" Plummer did his best to manage games and not turn the ball over.

The year seemed to turn up-side down after the Colts game, a contest in which the Denver secondary was completely exposed and the Colts put on an offensive clinic for all of the league to see. The month of November brought about a much expected change to the quarterback position. Jake "molester-moustache" Plummer was in rare form that month, as he went on to throw 5 interceptions, fumble 4 times, and get sacked 7 times. Mike Shanahan made a bold move to go with rookie Jay Cutler from Vanderbilt. Cutler, the team’s 1st round draft pick this year, was thrown into action in the Seattle game and did not fare much better than the veteran. The team crawled to a 9 -7 record as a result, finishing 2 – 5 in the final seven games of the season.

The Broncos finished the year 14th in yards allowed, 21st in passing yards allowed, and 8th in points allowed. They missed the playoffs and allowed the Chiefs, of all the teams, to get into the post-season in front of them. This year may have been a disappointment but it had its fair share of bright spots.

Rookie Report

Jay Cutler leads the Denver Broncos into the future

Jay Cutler, while being inaccurate and at times incoherent, showed off amazing arm-strength and zip on the ball. Mike Shanahan called more passing plays once the rookie was inserted into the line-up to protect his own ego and to show that Cutler has the kind of arm that will be feared in the league some day. This writer couldn’t have been happier when the Broncos traded up to get him and this season really helped to show why he was such a huge target coming into the ’06 draft. The Vanderbilt product isn’t the only rookie to make an impact, as Tony Scheffler from Western Michigan showed an un-canny chemistry with Cutler as the two hooked up for 4TDs in only five starts together. Scheffler staked his claim as a football player this season, after his foray as a baseballer. Undrafted RB Mike Bell was huge in Tatum Bell’s absence. He showed great vision, strength, and cut-back ability. The Arizona Wildcat proved this year that he has the talent to play on the next level. If Bell can gain coached trust that he won’t fumble the future should be very bright for him. This writer’s personal favorite rookie came in the form of a 4th round pick out of Central Florida, Brandon Marshall. He possesses the leaping ability and speed of a track star and the physique of a body builder. His ability was completely evident in 71-yard TD where he caught a short 5 yard drag route and proceeded to break through 5 defenders to get into the end-zone. Needless to say the future looks extremely bright for the Broncos.

Looking Ahead

It is abundantly clear that Denver needs to shore up its secondary and defensive line this off-season. The upcoming schedule is looking very difficult as we are scheduled to face Jacksonville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Green Bay, Houston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, San Diego, Oakland, and Kansas City. Most all of these teams boast a good rushing attack and will be very tough to contend with. I believe that safety is a position which should be targeted in the draft in hopes to find the long-term answer there. My best advice would be to trade up to get LaRon Landry from LSU but I sincerely doubt that will happen. Coach Shanny read my mind in last year’s draft so we’ll have to see. Our need list should be free-safety, strong-safety, cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle. I hate to say it but the loss of Darrent Williams due to murder will hurt a secondary that was already behind the eight ball to begin with in terms of progress. The defense will be under close scrutiny, as new coordinator Jim Bates tries to help a much maligned unit regain its early season form. If these needs can be addressed on defense, I believe Cutler and the boys on offense should have this team back into the playoffs in ’07.

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