NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Denver Broncos: Offseason Questions Yield Glory or Doom?

By Dan Salem

facebooktwitterreddit

The Denver Broncos tackled lots of problems this offseason, but failed to answer the questions left in their wake. Does Peyton Manning have enough around him to win big in Denver? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

The Denver Broncos have had a tough offseason.

They decided to part with their very successful head coach after their very successful quarterback wilted through injuries in the playoffs. They brought in a previously less successful new coach to pilot the team now led by the still injury-riddled quarterback who is another year older.

Add to that the losses through free agency along both lines and of their star receiving tight end, and the torn ACL by their early-round rookie tight end, and the Broncos are in full-on recovery mode at this point.

Of course, it isn’t all doom and gloom. This still might be the best team in the AFC West and one capable of making a run in the playoffs.

My problem has been with the decisions this offseason. They seemed to remove problems but didn’t answer questions.

– Okay, so the organization didn’t believe John Fox could get this team where it needed to go, but Gary Kubiak can?
– Okay, Julius Thomas wasn’t worth the money, but now Peyton Manning is relying on the health of Owen Daniels at his go-to position?
– Okay, the running game could be special in Denver, but the team traded away a solid, starting offensive lineman to move up a few spots in the draft after it already lost a starting tackle in free agency?

As we’ve covered before, I am a huge fan of grabbing players such as the Shane Ray pick during the draft. Players who drop so late in the process are the best values on the board. But eating away at a team’s strength in the process, to move up to grab Ray, seems like just another example of removing a problem but not answering the resulting question.

The rest of the division has problems of its own. Denver’s biggest conference rival is dealing with sanctions and a looming suspension. But in-house, the Broncos seem to be on the decline.

Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) hands the ball off to running back

C.J. Anderson

(22) in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

Peyton Manning makes the Denver Broncos favorites in the AFC West and in strong consideration for the AFC title, yet I’m inclined to agree that the team has taken a step back this offseason. Here’s where you lose me. Removing problems is itself a solution and a positive. The Broncos have removed a lot of problems.

Just because we don’t yet know the answers to questions left in the wake of removing said problems, does not mean the Broncos are worse for it. Drafting Shane Ray was a solid decision, regardless of the hole on the offensive line. Denver moved to fill that hole with their second round pick. Ty Sambrailo out of Colorado State is a current question, but so is nearly every other rookie.

More from Denver Broncos

The bottom line with the Broncos is whether or not their defense can stop the other big time quarterbacks in both leagues. Denver can handle its division competition, enough to at least make the playoffs. The 2015 season would have to go very south for Manning to be unable to will his team to a wildcard berth. But can their defense take down Tom Brady, with a new chip on his shoulder, or Andrew Luck? Can they compete with the NFC, if the season ever reaches that point in Denver?

The Broncos had nine picks in the draft and selected five defensive players. A good sign. They picked a tight end, a quarterback, an offensive lineman, and a center to round out the draft. Every pick falls into an area of need you mentioned. They may not pan out, but the Broncos moved decisively to answer every question surrounding Peyton Manning and his football team.

If I was a betting man, I would not bet on the Broncos reaching the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, that’s the be all, end all for Peyton Manning in his last few seasons in the league. Denver built a winner and is sustaining it admirably. It may not get Manning back on top, but the organization appears to be forward thinking while playing for right now. As offseasons go, its hard to argue with that.

Next: Broncos complete 2015 Draft Grades

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Denver Broncos