2009 Denver Broncos Football Preview

2008 Record: 8-8, Second AFC West

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Head Coach: Josh McDaniels; First year

Key Additions: S Brian Dawkins, CB Andre Goodman, S Renaldo Hill, QB Chris Simms, RB Correll Buckhalter, RB LaMont Jordan, LB Nick Greisen, WR Jabar Gaffney, DT Ronald Fields, LB Andra Davis

Key Losses: QB Jay Cutler, CB Dre' Bly, S Marlon McCree, S Marquand Manuel, LB Jamie Winborn, RB Selvin Young, DE John Engelberger, DE Dewayne Robertson

1st Round Draft Picks: Knowshon Moreno – Running Back, Robert Ayers – Defensive End

2nd Round Draft Picks: Alphonso Smith – Cornerback, Darcel McBath – Safety, Richard Quinn – Tight End

2009 Denver Broncos Schedule

Denver Broncos2008 NFL Season in Review

Two words come to mind for the 2008 season of the Denver Broncos, collapse and change. With three weeks left in the season the Broncos sat at 8-5 and were looking primed for a postseason run. The team than lost their final three games, including the decisive final game against division rival San Diego to miss the playoffs and finish with a record of 8-8.

The end to the season was the catalyst for the departure of longtime coach and GM Mike Shanahan. While he was once again able to craft a successful offensive attack, despite lacking nearly any healthy running back, the defense continued to flounder. The Broncos finished the year ranked 30 th in points allowed and 29 th in yards allowed per game.

Denver Broncos 2009 NFL Season Preview

Things are going to be quite different in 2009 for the Denver Broncos. First year coach Josh McDaniels takes over in place of franchise face Mike Shanahan. Quarterback of the future Jay Cutler has been traded, a running back was drafted in the first round and clearly the club has taken on a new direction. The good news for fans of the Broncos is that the AFC West is still a very soft division.

2009 Denver Broncos Offense:

Kyle Orton looks to be the starting quarterback for the Broncos 2009 campaign. However he still faces competition from newly acquired Chris Simms for the starting spot. Although Jay Cutler is gone, the talented group of wide receivers he threw too often remains in place. The big question mark is Brandon Marshall. Marshall has been in constant trouble with the law and may be demanding a trade out of Denver to boot. The remaining receiving threats will primarily be Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley and Tony Scheffler.

The team drafted Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno with the 12 th pick in the first round, could you imagine Shanahan doing that? Moreno may emerge as the leader with a talented backfield including Correll Buckhalter. The running game will need to take the pressure off the passing game, which will absolutely miss the arm strength, accuracy and play making of Jay Cutler.

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2009 Denver Broncos Defense:

The defense will be featuring many new faces during the 2009 season, which is a good thing considering the terrible performance they put forward in 2008. Of course it will also be extremely helpful to have a healthy Champ Bailey for an entire season. He'll now be joined by intense former Eagles standout Brian Dawkins, in a move very reminiscent to bringing in the hard hitting John Lynch in the latter stages of his career. Andre Goodman was also brought in to replace Dre Bly at cornerback.

The leading tackler from last season, Jamie Winborn, is no longer with the team which places even more importance on the health and play of players like D.J. Williams. The Bailey, Goodman and Dawkins defensive backfield will be the strength of the club and should allow the Bronocs to blitz early and often.

2009 Denver Broncos Prediction: Second AFC West

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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