The 2009 Bronco Soap Opera And Hope For 2010

My buddy Dave threw down his end of the year review of our beloved Broncs and as much I would love to skip this annual tradition of writing mine BEFORE the playoffs…it was not meant to be this year.

My original thought was 6-10 so why am I so bummed about another 8-8 season? Ever heard the adage it’s not where you are that matters as much as how you got there?

To start 6-0, have a 3.5 game lead in the division, look as good as they did at the start of the season and then to watch it crash was disheartening. 2-7 in the home stretch against some terrible teams – Washington, Oakland, and Kansas City. They may have traveled a different road but ended up in the same destination: 8-8, late season collapse, little to no red-zone scoring, turnover prone, punchless running game, and worse now there is a soap opera in the locker room.

Shanny got fired for less than this but McDaniels won’t. And perhaps he shouldn’t get fired with the uncapped year in front of us and potential lock-out looming in 2011.

What is disturbing is that more and more decisions coming out of Dove Valley look like business decisions not football decisions.

Hiring a young, rookie head coach. Trading this years first rounder for last years second? That pick would have been the 14th pick in 2010 draft along with Chicago’s 10th (or 11th – not determined yet) pick. Football side – a chance to add 2 first rounders to a team that desperately needs a talent boost. Business side – that’s a lot of money.

The treatment of Marshall and Sheffler? Why alienate 2 starters at the end of a season with the potential to go to the playoffs? If they are both restricted free agents and both going ask (and probably get) a hefty pay raise, just save the energy and make it known you don’t want them.

I’m not saying that IS the case, but if it was – McD even screwed this up. Even if Marshall dogged it, Sheffler’s attitude was in the tank, there was no benefit in going public with that info. In fact, it hurts the Broncos more in terms of trade value. Every team in the league knows now that it is next to impossible for Denver to re-sign those two. Trading for them now is stupid. Just wait for the restricted free agency knowing that Denver can’t and won’t match it.

Which is probably the biggest growth area needed in 2010 for McD – you ARE the head coach and everyone knows it. No need to flex in front of team or media to prove it. Just act like it. Take some notes in this area from both your predecessor (Shanny) and your mentor (Belicheck). They were masters at this. Treat your players like men.

This is not to say ‘all is lost’ for the 2010 Broncos. Far from it. Mike Nolan proved once again why he’s a defensive genius as a coordinator. Doom showed why he was drafted. Defense played much better than 2008.

Depth is still an issue. Special teams are still an issue (the punt/kick-off coverage). The offense is still an issue – the line and the QB. Orton isn’t horrible, he isn’t great either. He’s not the elite, cannon arm, overcome mistakes QB that dominate the top of the AFC right now. Colts, Pats, Chargers, and Steelers have that. Having said that, I expect the Broncos to retain Orton precisely because he’s cheap, he knows the offense, he’s not a drama queen, and there really isn’t a better alternative.

ASIDE MOMENT – I realize the Steelers didn’t make the playoffs this year. But it’s more because their defense and injuries than anything else. I’d still take the Steelers over the Jets. Which is ridiculous to think that the Jets made the playoffs but as embarrassing as that is, they won when they needed to…which is more than Denver can say.

This offseason there is little hope for less drama. With Marshall and Sheffler as restricted free agents, that will get a lot of press. This year’s draft is deep on the defensive side of the ball which is exactly why the Broncos will draft 2 offensive players. I hope they get Rolando McClain. Please don’t draft Terence Cody. He was/is a great college player with a personality but I think he’ll be a bust in the pros. He doesn’t work or study as hard as McClain.

I still bleed orange and blue and a pox on the Raiders.