2007 Denver Broncos Preview

2007 Denver Broncos preview from Maddux Sports. Looking for a winning season? NFL football picks from our handicappers will stuff your wallet if you are betting against NFL spreads this season.

Positioning Themselves to Make a Rush for the Super Bowl
By Adam Barone

The 2006 season did not turn out quite the way the Broncos wanted it to, but they couldn't have been surprised after they replaced QB Jake Plummer with highly touted youngster Jay Cutler. Cutler has a cannon for an arm and could turn out to be the best signal caller in his draft class - a class that included Vince Young and Matt Leinart. Cutler started only 5 games in his first NFL season in '06, but threw for 1000 yards and 9 TD's with only 5 picks and a completion rate of 59%. With a bit of experience under his belt and a seasoned supporting cast around him, watch for Cutler to explode in '07 and really make his presence felt in the AFC.

Though undrafted free agent rookie running back Mike Bell was a pleasant surprise last season, racking up 677 yards on the ground and 8 TD in 15 games, the combination of the Bell boys was just not enough to ignite Denver's offense. Former Oklahoma State Cowboy Tatum Bell managed to top 1000 yards in '06, 1025 to be exact, but only reached pay dirt twice. Neither Bell is an every down back, but the Broncos like Mike's intensity and small salary, so they shipped Tatum to Detroit for CB Dre' Bly. As if the Broncos needed another top notch corner. Can't Champ Bailey cover the entire field? Now that the Broncos have Bly opposite Bailey, receivers can look forward to getting open approximately one time per game, and when they manage to make the catch, S John Lynch will be there to knock their teeth out.

Denver is very deep at receiver and tight end, aside from WR Rod Smith's extreme oldness. Opposite Smith, the Broncs will feature Javon Walker, former favorite target of Brett Favre (speaking of oldness). Walker topped 1000 yards receiving last year with 8 TDs and a long of 83 yards. TE Daniel Graham signed with the team in the offseason after being somewhat under utilized in New England. Graham is certainly an upgrade over TE Stephen Alexander and will give Cutler a steady target over the middle when he gets in trouble. Also on the roster at tight end is someone named Chad Mustard, who is likely only around because his name is funny.

The Bronco's primary objective in the draft was to upgrade their pass rush on the ends. Not an all-out blitzing team, Denver needs a strong rotation at defensive end to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In 2006 up-and-coming star Elvis Dumervil led the team in sacks with 8 1/2, but had only 17 tackles. The team of Dumervil, Ebenezer Ekuban, Kenard Lang, 17th overall pick in April's draft Jarvis Moss out of Florida, and 56th overall pick Tim Crowder out of Texas will make for quite a formidable pass rush rotation, especially with CBs Bailey and Bly shutting down receivers, leaving few options for opposing quarterbacks to throw to.

The Broncos are a bit old at safety and need to decide who will play middle linebacker after the release of Al Wilson. MLB Nate Webster is on the roster and was a tackling machine at Miami, but has been around since 2000 with Tampa and Cinci and never had a full time job. Also in the mix is OLB Warrick Holdman, who is also a quality tackler with some speed, but does not have the experience inside.

2007 Denver Broncos Predictions

Though many NFL pick handicappers will likely pick San Diego to win the AFC West, don't bet on it just yet. The Broncos have assembled quite a team and have one of the best coaching staffs in the league. Division opponents Kansas City and Oakland should provide four victories, but in today's NFL nothing is for sure. Pay attention to the nfl odds on Denver winning the AFC, especially if Jay Cutler's improvement continues at the rate it's going. If it doesn't, Patrick Ramsey is a more than capable backup and should be able to pick things up if Cutler flounders, assuming Denver isn't already out of it.

If you enjoyed reading the Denver Broncos preview read up on the rest of AFC West clubs like the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs team breakdowns from Maddux Sports.

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