Denver Broncos (Last Year: 8-8) 2012 NFL Season Preview:

More Wishful Thinking Maybe But they sure like T2
from:Walterfootball.com.

Veteran Additions:
QB Peyton Manning, QB Caleb Hanie, WR Andre Caldwell, WR Brandon Stokley, TE Jacob Tamme, TE Joel Dreessen, DT Justin Bannan, CB Tracy Porter, CB Drayton Florence, S Mike Adams.
Early Draft Picks:
DT Derek Wolfe, QB Brock Osweiler, RB Ronnie Hillman, CB Omar Bolden, C Philip Blake, DE Malik Jackson.
Offseason Losses:
QB Tim Tebow, QB Brady Quinn, FB Spencer Larsen, WR Eddie Royal, DE Derrick Harvey, DT Brodrick Bunkley, DT Marcus Thomas, DT Ryan McBean, OLB Mario Haggan, CB Andre Goodman, S Brian Dawkins.

2012 Denver Broncos Offense:
A young quarterback stepped into a situation in which his dreadful team appeared to be destined to occupy the bottom of the divisional standings. He energized the fan base and his own teammates, orchestrating a long winning streak and several miraculous fourth-quarter comebacks. He took his team to the playoffs, and even threw for 316 yards in an opening-round victory as a massive underdog. So, what did team president John Elway do to reward this quarterback? He shipped him off for a fourth-round pick.

If there wasn’t such inexplicable hatred and jealousy toward Tim Tebow in the media ranks, particularly on ESPN, Elway would have been criticized very harshly. Elway refused to think heteroclitically, and thus was too stubborn to accept that Tebow could be a successful franchise quarterback in Denver. He did, however, save face with the fans by acquiring Peyton Manning. While this would have been a guaranteed great move three years ago, it’s yet unknown if this transaction will pay off.

Manning is one of the greatest quarterback in NFL history, but how healthy is he? He’s had four (four!) neck surgeries – and this is after he already showed signs of regression in 2010. He struggled that year, prompting ESPN’s Ron Jaworski to comment at the time, “The last couple weeks, as I’ve studied Peyton Manning, he has not been real sharp … I’m not saying it is, but I’m seeing little signs now that the deep sideline throws are not as accurate as they used to be, there’s not the zip on the ball that there used to be. Maybe father time might be catching up with Peyton Manning a little bit.” Again, this was before Manning’s neck procedures; when he was playing most of his games inside Indianapolis’ cozy dome, and not outside, in the elements.

Manning used to be so incredible that he could transform ordinary talents like Austin Collie, Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme into big-time producers, but now that he’s likely 75 percent (at most) of what he used to be, he’ll need more help around him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have that luxury because Elway absolutely bungled the 2012 NFL Draft, continuously trading down when he should have been moving up in an attempt to win now. The only competent receiver Manning has to throw to is Demaryius Thomas, who is a terrific talent. Thomas accumulated a mind-boggling 204 yards and the famous game-winning touchdown versus Pittsburgh in the aforementioned playoff victory. He’ll continue to progress and will emerge as a legitimate No. 1 wideout.

The rest of the receiving corps is lacking. Eric Decker caught eight touchdowns last year, but he also dropped 10 catchable passes, which placed him in the top six in that category. Sure, Roddy White, Brandon Marshall and Wes Welker also occupied the top six, but they registered 100, 81 and 122 receptions, respectively. Decker had only 44, so his drop ratio easily would have led the NFL if it wasn’t for Cleveland’s Greg Little. Meanwhile, the Broncos signed Andre Caldwell, who struggled with the Bengals last year, and Brandon Stokley, who has nothing left in the tank.

Elway brought over Tamme to appease Manning, but again, the former Colt tight end lacks talent. The only benefit of this move was to provide Manning with someone he’s comfortable with. Joel Dresseen was also acquired, but he’ll focus primarily on blocking. Denver should hope that Julius Thomas, last year’s fourth-round pick, will emerge. Thomas, a former basketball player, has loads of upside, but is still very raw.

The Broncos ran the ball well last year because of Tebow. With opposing defenses focused on containing the mobile quarterback, there was less emphasis on stopping Willis McGahee. Having Manning under center does not guarantee a strong rushing attack – just look at how Joseph Addai and Donald Brown struggled over the years – also with no Tebow Run to watch for it’s a safe bet that McGahee won’t perform well, especially considering that he’ll be 31 in October with 1,800 career carries wearing down his body. Third-round rookie Ronnie Hillman figures to spell McGahee, but it’s unknown if he’ll succeed in the NFL.

The offensive line is also a mess, as many witnessed in Denver’s postseason loss at New England. Tebow didn’t even have a chance; aging has-beens like Gerard Warren were in his face before he could go through his progressions. Left tackle Ryan Clady thrived in Mike Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme, but has performed miserably ever since Shanahan left. He surrendered eight sacks in 2009, and six in each of the past two seasons. He needs to be in a zone-blocking system, so it’s unclear why Denver moved away from that in the first place.

Sadly, Clady is one of Denver’s top offensive linemen. Right tackle Orlando Franklin was a sieve last year, but deserves another shot because he was just a rookie. Center J.D. Walton also struggled mightily, prompting Elway to spend a fourth-round selection on Philip Blake. Left guard Zane Beadles is nearly as bad as Walton, while right guard Chris Kuper is the best of the bunch, which is sad because he couldn’t start for many teams in the NFL.

2012 Denver Broncos Defense:
Following one of Tebow’s amazing comebacks, one of the Bronco leaders spoke up in the locker room. He said that this wasn’t just Tebow; it was a full team effort. He was right, for the most part. The defense played a big role in Denver’s mid- and late-season surge. It was also partially responsible for the playoff loss to the Patriots.

Von Miller was the clear-cut Defensive Rookie of the Year, and at one point, it was fair to wonder if he deserved Defensive Player of the Year. He was amazing in every facet of the game, which was especially impressive because he wasn’t playing in a scheme that suited his strengths. If the Broncos still maintained a 3-4 – an argument for another time, since they have mostly 3-4 personnel – he would have been even more prolific.

Miller and Elvis Dumervil combined to produce 21 sacks – a figure that would have been higher had Denver actually established leads in the first half. Left end Robert Ayers, the one player who is meant to be in a 4-3, pitched in with six sacks himself if the playoffs are factored in.

However, despite the presence of Miller, Dumervil and future Hall-of-Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, the stop unit really struggled down the stretch. Miller was never the same following a thumb injury. This only exposed an already-leaky run defense, which surrendered 5.2 yards per carry in the final four games. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkely was the team’s best run-defender, but he signed with the Saints. Denver compensated for this loss by signing over-the-hill, 34-year-old Justin Bannan and drafting Derek Wolfe in the second round. Wolfe was a favorite of Mel Kiper’s. He can rush the passer (he had 9.5 sacks for Cincinnati in 2011), but figures to be a liability against the run, at least early on in his career.

Denver’s big defensive acquisition this offseason was cornerback Tracy Porter. Known for catching the game-clinching interception in Super Bowl XLIV, Porter struggled in 2011, surrendering a 71.2-percent completion rate, which ranked third-worst among starting corners. Porter signed a 1-year, $4 million “prove-it” deal.

Porter will have his work cut out for him. Yes, he’ll have the luxury of a great pass rush and a legendary cornerback on the other side of the field, but he’ll also have to make up for atrocious safety play. Mike Adams is a mediocre player, while the battery of Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore failed last season. They were both rookies, so perhaps one of them will be able to improve.

Speaking of rookies who will need to step up, 2011 third-rounder Nate Irving must push Joe Mays at the middle linebacker position. Mays is solid against the run, but gets completely lost in coverage. The Broncos could use an upgrade there because weakside linebacker D.J. Williams is facing a six-game suspension for a failed drug test. Even if the suspension is reduced, the 30-year-old was noticably a step slower last season. There wasn’t much made of that, but Williams showed obvious signs of erosion.

2012 Denver Broncos Schedule and Intangibles:
The Broncos made a solid coaching hire this offseason. They brought in Jack Del Rio to replace Dennis Allen, who will now be coaching the Raiders. Del Rio was too lazy to be a head coach in the NFL – Jacksonville’s former owner told the media that he wished Del Rio had a better work ethic – but he’s a terrific defensive coordinator.

Freezing temperatures and thin air should create a hostile environment for opponents, which explains why Denver had an NFL-best 70-18 home record from 1995 to 2005. However, the team is just 24-25 as hosts the past five seasons. Is the Mile High magic dead? It certainly appeared that way when the Chiefs dispatched the Broncos, 7-3, in a must-win Week 17 game.

After a rocky rookie campaign, Matt Prater has been great the past three years, nailing 65-of-78 field goals, including 7-of-10 from 50-plus. More importantly, he’s very clutch. He nailed multiple game-winners in 2011.

Punter Britton Colquitt was outstanding last season, maintaining a 47.4 average with nearly a third of his tries pinned inside the 20 (33-of-101).

Eddie Royal scored on three special-teams touchdowns since 2009, but he’s now with the Chargers. Denver hasn’t really replaced him. Even worse, the Broncos surrendered a return touchdown themselves, which gives them a total of nine in the past five years. That’s not good.

The Broncos could easily begin the year 0-3, as their first three opponents are the revenge-seeking Steelers (home), Falcons (road) and Texans (home). Tough battles ensue following a home game against the Raiders; Denver has consecutive road trips to New England and San Diego before taking on the Saints in Mile High. Once the Broncos fall into a hole, how soon will the fans start calling for Elway’s head because he got rid of Tebow?

Denver Broncos Analysis:
The Broncos made it to the second round of the playoffs with Tim Tebow, so how can they not advance further with Peyton Manning? Well, if Manning isn’t who he once was, Denver will undoubtedly be worse. As discussed, Manning is unlikely to be anywhere near 100 percent. The combination of multiple neck procedures, an already regressing skill set, a new supporting cast, a taxing schedule and the fact that he has to play the majority of his games outdoors for the first time in his career spells trouble.

There are also big expectations in Denver. Big expectations usually mean big failure, as the 2011 offseason-darling Philadelphia Eagles’ “Dream Team” discovered. There’s a very good chance the 2012 Broncos will struggle, leaving many in Denver wondering where this team would be if Tebow were still the starting quarterback.