2010 RECORD: 4-12-0
(4th in AFC West)
HEAD COACH: John Fox
Offense: The Broncos return Kyle Orton as the starting quarterback with Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow serving as the backups.
Orton passed for 3,653 yards last season and also threw for 20 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. Tebow played sparingly and passed for 654 yards with five touchdown passes and three picks.
The running game needed a boost and the Broncos have Willis McGahee (380 yards, 3.8 yards per carry, five touchdowns) in the backfield for the 2011 season. McGahee left a crowded backfield in Baltimore and will get his share of the carries along with Knowshon Moreno (779 yards, 4.3 ypc average, five TD) with Lance Ball spelling the duo on occasion. Spencer Larsen is the fullback.
Wide Receiver Brandon Lloyd had a career year in 2010, making 77 receptions for 1,448 yards (18.8 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns.
Lloyd will team with third-year man Eddie Royal (59, 627, three TD) for the Broncos. Demaryius Thomas (22 catches for 283 yards and two TD), Eric Decker and Britt Davis will see action as well. Dan Fells and Dante Rosario are the tight ends.
The offensive line returns intact with center J.D. Walton, tackles Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady and guards Zane Beadles and Chris Kuper.
Denver averaged 97 yards rushing in 2010, which ranked them 26th in the NFL. Thanks mostly to Orton and Lloyd, the Broncos were seventh in the league passing the football, averaging 252 yards per game. The Broncos scored 344 points last season, which was 19th overall.
Defense: This area of the team has to improve with the addition of pass rusher extraordinaire Elvis Dumervil returning after missing all of last season with injuries.
Denver had a solid defense two years ago with a healthy Dumervil, who was among the league leaders in quarterback sacks. In 2010, the Broncos ranked dead last in sacks (23), total defense, allowing 391 yards per game while also finishing on the very bottom of the league by allowing 471 points. That's nearly 30 points allowed per game.
Ouch!
Needless to say, things can only get better with Dumervil and Robert Ayers at the end positions. The tackles are Keith Vickerson and Brodrick Bunkley. Providing backup is Ty Warren, Jeremy Beal, Ryan McBean and Mitch Unrein.
The linebacking unit sees Joe Mays in the middle with support from outside linebackers Von Miller and D.J. Williams, who led Denver last season with 5.5 sacks. Lee Robinson, Nate Irving, Mike Mohamed and Mario Haggan (five sacks) will spell the starters.
Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman are the cornerbacks with Brian Dawkins and Rahim Moore at safeties. Perrish Cox and Syd'Quan Thompson are the backup corners. Darcel McBath and Cassius Vaughn play safety.
OUTLOOK: After back-to-back break even seasons, the Broncos crashed to earth last season, going 4-12 and finishing in the basement of the AFC West.
New Head Coach John Fox, who got the ax from Carolina after last season, takes over for the departed Josh McDaniels, who also crashed and burned after a scorching hot start (6-0) in 2009.
Fox has named Orton the starting quarterback and that's a good thing for the Broncos. Orton is a solid NFL quarterback who doesn't make many mistakes.
If that continues in 2011, along with a bump in the running game, then Denver should improve offensively.
On the defensive side, Dumervil and company have shown they can bring the pressure on opposing quarterbacks and that has to be case this season or else the Broncos will be a doormat defense once again.
The fact the team defense only had ten interceptions to go with the 23 sacks that resulted in the worst defensive unit in football in 2010 is no surprise.
That will be the key for Denver, forcing opponents to have to hurry their passing game and also stopping the run, where the Broncos finished 31st last year.
If they can see dramatic improvement on defense and steady play from Orton and company, then at least a .500 season is not out of the question.
The call is for a 6-10 finish this season for the Broncos as the team becomes accustomed to a new system.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Oakland
Week 2- vs. Cincinnati
Week 3- at Tennessee
Week 4- at Green Bay
Week 5- vs. San Diego
Week 6- BYE WEEK
Week 7- at Miami
Week 8- vs. Detroit
Week 9- at Oakland
Week 10- at Kansas City
Week 11- vs. NY Jets
Week 12- at San Diego
Week 13- at Minnesota
Week 14- vs. Chicago
Week 15- vs. New England
Week 16- at Buffalo
Week 17- vs. Kansas City
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