Falling Off the Bronco Bandwagon

[vmax]

They are starting to drop off...

 

 

1) No Supe for you, Denver!

 

I expressed doubts about Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos in a column back in May. I further questioned the squad on "NFL AM." Broncos fans branded me a hater. I choose to think of myself as a realist.

And this was before all of the injuries and off-field issues. Now I'm even more convinced: Denver is not a Super Bowl team.

Von Miller has been suspended for the first six games of the season. This is the same Von Miller I listed near the top of my Schein Nine about the most indispensable defensive players. He's an elite pass rusher. And don't forget: Denver's also missing Elvis Dumervil after the fax fiasco that shockingly made him a free agent (and eventually sent him to the Baltimore Ravens).

Meanwhile, Champ Bailey suffered a serious foot sprain in Saturday night's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Colleague Ian Rapoport hears the recovery process could take several weeks. That's a huge injury, factoring in Bailey's play and leadership, plus the overall lack of depth in the defensive backfield. With the aforementioned pass-rushing questions, this is very concerning.

Then there's Stewart Bradley, who appeared to be en route to nabbing a starting linebacker position. Now he needs surgery.

The Broncos open up the NFL season with Joe Flacco and the Ravens. Remember what happened the last time these teams met in Denver? Then they visit the New York Giants for the latest version of the Manning Bowl.

Miller's already a no-go for both games, but what if the Broncos have to play those two teams without Bailey, as well?

On the offensive side of the ball, Wes Welker also suffered a sprain (ankle) against Seattle. While it's not as serious as Bailey's sprain -- Welker is expected to be fine by the opener -- any time missed in developing a rapport with the meticulous Manning cannot be overlooked.

Looking around the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs will be much better than they were last year; I see a legit nine-win threat there. And the San Diego Chargers don't have Norv Turner anymore -- that's a positive.

Don't get me wrong, I still think Denver wins the division. But the Broncos are closer to being a 10-win team than a juggernaut. I don't view them as a powerhouse in the AFC, let alone the NFL.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000232067/article/denver-broncos-are-not-elite-baltimore-ravens-defense-is-back

 

I'm liking the Chiefs too.

 

 

Thin pass rush Denver already looked thin on the defensive line after being forced to release Elvis Dumervil following a contractual snafu. The team needs up-and-down fourth-year player Robert Ayers to be a quality starter rather than a nice option on passing downs. Free agent pickup Shaun Phillips was signed for insurance; now the injury-prone former San Diego Charger will have to provide consistent edge pressure.

The Broncos also don't know when defensive end Derek Wolfe will be back after his scary injury over the weekend. It's unclear if first-round pick Sylvester Williams will make much of an impact in a questionable defensive tackle rotation.

 

More pressure on the secondary

 

No. 1 cornerback Champ Bailey had some struggles early in the preseason, and then hurt his foot. His status for Week 1 is uncertain. Free agent pickup Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is also coming off an injury. The Broncos defense overachieved last year, but they are changing a lot of pieces this offseason. (Including a new starter at middle linebacker.)

 

[Oldschool739]

LOL, that's funny.....But Peyton is all class though, he waited several hours after that playoff loss to congratulate Ray....How many athletes in the same situation do you think would have done that ?....Not I.....lol

 

SB Champs.....REPEAT !!!!