ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS (AND LOWS)
by Jim Ludes


Second-year QB Jay Cutler's play will be
a good indicator of Denver's record in '07

After uncharacteristically missing the playoffs a year ago at 9-7, Mike Shannahan’s Broncos head into this season under everyone’s radar. Last year’s team was mired in turmoil from the minute they traded up to draft Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler with the 11th pick. Despite his winning almost three of every four games in blue and orange, many clamored for the occasionally brain-dead gamer Jake Plummer to be immediately replaced by the young gunslinger. After tunneling to mediocrity, Shanny finally pulled the trigger -- though the Broncos fell an upset loss at home to the 49ers shy of a playoff berth. Real-life tragedy struck the Broncos in the offseason when cornerback Darrent Williams was slain on New Year’s Eve and running back Damian Nash succumbed to heart troubles mere weeks later.

Ask any casual fan of football and they will tell you that the Broncos are going to run the football. For the first time since trading Clinton Portis, Denver is going to suit up a back thought to be more than “just a guy” in Travis Henry. If they can successfully run the football, much pressure will be taken off Cutler, who will be making only his sixth career start on opening day. In acquiring Henry, Brandon Stokley and Daniel Graham, Denver wanted to add to Javon Walker, Rod Smith, and Brandon Marshall to make Cutler as comfortable as possible with a multitude of weapons.

Plummer took a ton of heat for the team’s less-than-rousing success last season, but a true observer will point out that Denver was absolutely atrocious in field position. Being at the bottom of average starting position won’t help put points on (or keep them off) the board. Denver will need to find someone in the return game to be, at least, average. Jason Elam continues his storied career (as storied as a kicker can get) and Todd Sauerbrun returns to punt.

Through six games last season, the Broncos defense was on record pace.  The team had only allowed 36 points and two touchdowns while going 5-1. Over the next 10 contests, the team only held an opponent to less than 20 points once (26 point average) and lost six games, costing defensive coordinator Larry Coyer his job. Long-time coordinator Jim Bates heads a defense that will convert D.J. Williams to middle linebacker replacing Al Wilson. The Broncos also fleeced the Detroit Lions by sending two guys that would have been cut in exchange for intercepting guru Dre’ Bly to play opposite all-world cornerback Champ Bailey.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
The Broncos have to contend, twice, with the league’s most talented team in the Chargers but also get that same benefit of playing the Raiders and a Chiefs team probably starting a first-year QB of their own. Aside from a road trip to Chicago, the Broncos get an average NFC North in “interleague play.” The Broncos host the Steelers and Jaguars while heading to Indy and Buffalo. A pretty favorable schedule should have Bronco fans thinking double-digit wins and a return to the postseason.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Cutler flops, has a sophomore slump or gets hurt, and Patrick Ramsey ends up running the offense until the Broncos can “Indian-give” on their trade of Plummer to Tampa. He costs the team a first and a third but leads them to a 9-7 season and one blowout playoff loss.