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Fans were left a bit perplexed this off-season in Denver. The team seemed to take some huge steps forward last season. Many veteran players were jettisoned in favor of draft picks. However, the team still managed to go 8-8 and win their division. And they did it with one of the youngest teams in the league.
So... most fans in Denver expected the team to add a few pieces and take another run at the division this season. It seems that the front office in Denver had different ideas. They sent CB Randall Inoue to St. Paul for picks. Then just as the season is about to start, they send their starting LT to St. Paul for a 1st round pick (subject to certain conditions). No wonder this team has one of the worst fan bases in the league.
GM thenewchuckd saw things a bit differently. "Look - this was always going to be a minimum 3 year rebuild. You don't go from 4-12 to a bowl winner in one season. We had a lot of bounces go our way last season. And I don't want to take away from the other teams in the division - but they are not exactly world beaters. Our playoff game told the real story - the team was just not ready for prime time - yet."
"We had a fantastic draft this season, though. Our scouts found a prime time player in McCloud. When he develops, he will make the fans forget about Inoue. Wrighster looks to be a solid #2, although he has had trouble at camp. But I have faith that the coaches can turn him around. We converted Logan to DE and I think he will prove to be a steal in the 2nd round. All told, I think there are at least 7 starters for our team in this class."
"Plus do not forget that our draft last season was also pretty good. Not as good as this season, but still nothing to sneeze at. We had another steal finding Corbett with the 1-27. Last season he showed some flashes of brilliance but he will show even more this season. I think that Bart Ross will put together a 1,000 yard season if he can stay healthy. Phil Browning is no slouch at the WR position, either."
"In terms of weaknesses, we still lack a real starting QB. It is going to be our achilles heal. At RB, I don't think we have found a true starter there, either. We are weak at TE and the OT positions. We switched to the 3-4 this season because of our depth at LB, but we still lack a NT and a run stuffing DE. Plus we have no real starting safeties."
"But like I said, this is a 3 year plan. We have picks going forward and a very young team. There is time to address those needs in the future."
"On the other hand, we will not lay down this season. We are gunning for the conference title again. I really suggest not counting us out of things just yet."
So... most fans in Denver expected the team to add a few pieces and take another run at the division this season. It seems that the front office in Denver had different ideas. They sent CB Randall Inoue to St. Paul for picks. Then just as the season is about to start, they send their starting LT to St. Paul for a 1st round pick (subject to certain conditions). No wonder this team has one of the worst fan bases in the league.
GM thenewchuckd saw things a bit differently. "Look - this was always going to be a minimum 3 year rebuild. You don't go from 4-12 to a bowl winner in one season. We had a lot of bounces go our way last season. And I don't want to take away from the other teams in the division - but they are not exactly world beaters. Our playoff game told the real story - the team was just not ready for prime time - yet."
"We had a fantastic draft this season, though. Our scouts found a prime time player in McCloud. When he develops, he will make the fans forget about Inoue. Wrighster looks to be a solid #2, although he has had trouble at camp. But I have faith that the coaches can turn him around. We converted Logan to DE and I think he will prove to be a steal in the 2nd round. All told, I think there are at least 7 starters for our team in this class."
"Plus do not forget that our draft last season was also pretty good. Not as good as this season, but still nothing to sneeze at. We had another steal finding Corbett with the 1-27. Last season he showed some flashes of brilliance but he will show even more this season. I think that Bart Ross will put together a 1,000 yard season if he can stay healthy. Phil Browning is no slouch at the WR position, either."
"In terms of weaknesses, we still lack a real starting QB. It is going to be our achilles heal. At RB, I don't think we have found a true starter there, either. We are weak at TE and the OT positions. We switched to the 3-4 this season because of our depth at LB, but we still lack a NT and a run stuffing DE. Plus we have no real starting safeties."
"But like I said, this is a 3 year plan. We have picks going forward and a very young team. There is time to address those needs in the future."
"On the other hand, we will not lay down this season. We are gunning for the conference title again. I really suggest not counting us out of things just yet."