Denver Broncos

HISTORY
Founded in 1960 as an original member of the AFL. Joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL/NFL merger, and has never relocated.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: 2 - 1997 (Super Bowl), 1998 (Super Bowl)

Conference Championships: 6 - 1977 (AFC), 1986 (AFC), 1987 (AFC), 1989 (AFC), 1997 (AFC), 1998 (AFC)

Division Championships: 10 - 1977 (AFC West), 1978 (AFC West), 1984 (AFC West), 1986 (AFC West), 1987 (AFC West), 1989 (AFC West), 1991 (AFC West), 1996 (AFC West), 1998 (AFC West), 2005 (AFC West)

Playoff Appearances: 17 - 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005

2005 Finish: 13-3, 1 st Place AFC West, AFC Championship Game Runner-up

Recent Records:

2004: 10-6 2005: 13-3 2006: 9-7

2008 NFL DRAFT GRADES

Denver Broncos: A-

I’m not a big fan of Splinter (Shannahan) but you can’t argue with the guy’s ability to put together a solid draft. What I like most about the master mind behind the Ninja Turtles is his ability to put together his own unique draft board that doesn’t really fit with other models but works perfectly for his style. The Broncos don’t get a pure A, however, because they still failed to address their defensive line until very late.

Ryan Clady was a great pick, and in my opinion, equally as impressive as Jake Long. And the great thing about Clady, I think his upside is even greater than the first overall pick. At the 12th pick in Round 1, the Broncos grabbed a franchise left tackle. Yhatzee!

Eddie Royal is one of the guys I’m talking about when I give Splinter his due. Royal is an absolute game breaker on special teams and he was only limited offensively by the quarterbaking, or lack their of, at Virginia Tech. Ignoring catches and receiving yards, Shanny just went in and took the most talented player. Eddie Royal has been compared to Steve Smith and I think Steve is one of the 3 best receivers in the game. Royal helps immediately.

I don’t know much about Kore Lichtensteiger except for the fact that he’s durable, really smart, aggressive, and most of all he seems to really understand himself on the football field. Sometimes, that’s the most important part of being a lineman.

Jack Williams is lightning quick and timed out very well in all the speed and agility drills. He’s another example of Denver’s ability to find players in small places. Williams is strong and athletic.

Ryan Torain was a very good prospect coming into the season, and wasn’t disappointing until he got injured and missed the rest of the year. Torain is a big back that could eventually be a full-time guy. Torain’s a downhill runner that attacks a defense similarly to Ryan Grant. I love this pick.

Carlton Powell was productive in college, but many question if his size will hold up at the pro-level. Are you kidding me? Powell is 6′3″ 300lbs. Good pick this late. But does he really solve the Bronco line problems?

Spencer Larsen doesn’t have great quickness, and his coverage ability is suspect, but he can stop the run, and he could be a tackling force inside for a Bronco team that can’t seem to stop the run.

Josh Barrett, in the 7th round, was a GREAT pick. Barrett struggled a little his senior year, but his product as a junior was great. He also played pretty solid football late his senior season, and I’m willing to bet he gets some playing time early in his career. For a 7th rounder, that’s a win.

With the Broncos last pick, the grabbed probably the best fullback in the draft. While Felix Jones and McFadden are obviously very talented runners, Peyton Hillis had a lot to do with their success. Good late pick by the Broncos.

2007 Denver Broncos

After watching Jake Plummer take a step back in 2006, Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos turned to rookie gun slinger, Jay Cutler, late in the season. Cutler led the Broncos to two late wins, but failed to advance to the playoffs with a loss to the 49ers in the last game of the regular season. As Plummer was traded this off season, Denver has given the keys to Cutler, now we’ll see how he drives in his second season. With Javon Walker coming back now 2 seasons removed from his knee injury, and the addition of Travis Henry to the backfield in Denver, not to mention a huge contract given to former Patriot, Daniel Graham, Jay has plenty of weapons at his disposal. It will be interesting to see if Denver, who also added Dre Bly via trade with the Lions, will trade Bly to the Redskins, or just keep him signed. All in all, the Broncos have set themselves up to make a push for a playoff spot in the AFC, something they just missed last season.

2007 Off-Season Plans:

After an extremely tumultuous off season, one in which two of the Broncos brightest young stars; Damien Nash and Darrent Williams, passed away, Denver has turned the Free Agency period into a rebuilding stage. Names like Daniel Graham, Dre Bly, Dan Wilkinson and Travis Henry have been added, and still the Broncos have a fine set of draft picks to deal with. It will be interesting to see how Jay Cutler handles his full time duties in his second season, as newly signed Patrick Ramsey has proven over his first 4 seasons that he’s not to be trusted with winning football games. Graham’s signing is being criticized around the league, but many forget he’s one of the best all around tight ends in football. Not only is he a superb blocker, and will greatly help Denver’s zone blocking scheme, but he’s a damn good pass catcher as well. He was, like many pass catchers in New England, under-utilized as far as his numbers are concerned, and although the Broncos paid a hefty fee, Graham will prove to be a very good player in Denver’s scheme. Look for the Broncos to surprise everyone on draft day. Either they’ll trade Dre Bly for the rights to move up the draft board, and select a top flight pass rusher or defensive tackle, or they’ll move down a bit and take a corner. Basically, I don’t see the Broncos adding much to their offense through the draft, as free agency has proven the place to be for offensive additions. Look defense with each of the Broncos first day selections.

See the BRONCOS draft situation at Lucky’s Mock Draft!

Share and Enjoy: