Someone please explain how the Broncos are the winners. They were knocking on the door of the Super Bowl and did nothing to immediately improve the team. Walker is coming back from a serious knee injury and Cutler shouldn't see the field for sometime. I actually think they took a step back towards everyone else in the division.
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Like you just said they are knocking on the door to the super bowl, so they obviously don't have too many huge needs. They did improve at WR going from Lelie to Walker, that's a huge improvement right there. They also got there quarterback of the future in cutler and since like you put it they are already knocking on the door, they have the luxury of drafting a QB they can groom to take over in the future. How did they take a step backward in the division? As far as immediate impact I"d have to say Javon Walker will have more of one than the Raiders, Chargers or Chiefs first round picks, none of which were bad picks.
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I just don't think a WR changing teams with a bum wheel is much help. Chad Jackson was on the board in that vincinity. I just think two impact defensive players would have been then ticket in a division with LT, LJ, and Moss.
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The Walker trade is no doubt a risk, but I really don't think Denver would have made that trade if their doctors and trainers weren't confident that Walker will get back to, or damn close to, 100%--that is, he'll be able to accelerate, jump, and make all the cuts pretty much like he used to. The Broncos are smart, and I can't see them giving up an early second rounder if they were't fairly certain he'll be the old Javon soon. All the teams that looked at Javon said the same thing--that he'll be ready to go.I'd much rather they get Walker like they did than take a chance on Jackson, especially with the drastic difference in his YPC the last two seasons, and also with the lack of success former Florida wideouts have had in the NFL. IMO, there were more question marks with Jackson than there are with Walker.
So, I really think Javon will make an immediate difference to the Denver offense, and I see Shanny trying to open it up more through the passing game so that when they face teams like NE, Pitt, and San Diego, teams who tend to shut down their running game, they will be able to to air it out and win the game with the passing game. With more and more teams moving to the 3-4, it's becoming more and more important to not rely solely on the running game.
I've already said how I feel the other acquisitions will help Denver, and it is true that most of them probably won't provide much of an immediate impact (though I think Sheffler and Dumervil likely will). But the fact is Denver didn't need much to get over the hump, and Walker alone might be enough to get them there. If nothing else, Denver has helped ensure their success for many years to come.
All that said, I agree with you that a few key defensive acquisitions would have been nice. They chose to upgrade offensively instead. In doing so, they took a step in the right direction--namely, they improved.
On the defensive side of the ball, getting a player like Manny Lawson would have been nice, because their pass rush was lacking last season. They could have stayed put at 15 and grabbed Lawson, and they'd no doubt be in better shape for next season than they are with Cutler. Instead, they grabbed Cutler, and put themselves in a position to be in great shape years from now, because they're already in pretty good shape for next season as it is.
And, Denver's pass rush wasn't terrible last season anyway. While they didn't have many sacks, they were probably among the league leaders in QB pressures (granted a lot of that was due to Trevor Pryce). Still, they have the Cleveland defensive line. With one more year in the Denver system, they should only improve. John Englerberer will almost certainly play a larger role this year. And Dumervil should help the pass rush. I see Denver's defense being pretty similar to how it was last season. Perhaps better because their young CBs, Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth, will have a full year of experience under their belts and will only improve. I see their offense being quite a bit better. If Javon can make an immediate impact, they could be atop the league in points per game. They should be among the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Perhaps I'm a blind homer, but I am very happy with how Denver's draft and offseason have pannedout.
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