Organizational arrogance could prove costly for the Broncos
“Maybe the Broncos have spent too much time listening to the accolades they have gotten from the media and the odds makers and not enough time locking in the things that made them so successful last season. “
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“We will be fine” is a mantra being heard frequently of late, coming from the Denver Broncos organization as well as from its fans. But, especially in the wake of a dismal pre-season performance on Saturday night in Seattle, it seems as though there are plenty of legitimate reasons to worry. Expectations have never been higher for the team. People expect them to contend for a Lombardi Trophy and anything less will be considered outright failure. But the early signs have not been good – which is do at least in part to arrogance.
Maybe the Broncos have spent too much time listening to the accolades they have gotten from the media and the odds makers and not enough time locking in the things that made them so successful last season.
Troubles began when the Broncos were not able to put a deal in place to retain the services of linebacker Elvis Dumervil. Technical problems aside (fax machine), the team had plenty of time to demonstrate to the veteran that he was prized. Instead the Broncos dragged their feet and found themselves in an eleventh-hour negotiation that ultimately ended in disaster. Dumervil ended up a Raven and the diatribe from Dove Valley said not to worry. Now, with Von Miller facing what is likely to be a lengthy suspension, Dumervil’s services will be badly missed. Especially as the Broncos begin the regular season facing him and his new team.
Willis McGahee is another player whose skills Denver decided could be lived without. McGahee was simply released – even though he had inarguably been a component in Denver’s 2012 success. He wasn’t a flawless back, but he was steady and his experience paid dividends. The Broncos find themselves now with Knowshon Moreno as their most experienced player at the position and with doubts about their youngsters. Ronnie Hillman is yet to prove that he can carry the load and Montee Ball, who was selected in this years draft, is a liability in pass protection. Word now is that the Broncos are combing free agency for a back they can add into the mix. Some speculation even has them considering former Falcons running back Michael Turner, a player who is, in some respects, a near carbon copy of McGahee.
Justin Bannan is another player that the Broncos simply let walk away. The defensive tackle accounted for 42 tackles for the squad last season and he batted down four passes. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio convinced the Broncos that Bannan was no longer needed after he brought in the younger Terrance Knighton who, despite having shown promise, had not worked out in Jacksonville. Like with the departures of Dumervil and McGahee, Bannan’s leaving could haunt the Broncos. Already in the preseason the Broncos have shown an inability to get pressure on quarterbacks.
The attitude that this Broncos team can withstand the loss of any player not named Peyton Manning seems to be at the core of Denver’s recent troubles. While all is not lost and optimism remains high, there is a definite sense that more has happened bad than good since training camp opened. Some of what the Broncos are enduring could not have been foreseen, but some of it is self-imposed.
Thankfully, the Broncos play in the AFC West – possibly the very worst division in the NFL. They should still make the playoffs easily – and making the playoffs is really square one for this team. It’s what happens after that will determine how successful the 2013 campaign will have been. It’s Super Bowl or Bust, they say. But, what if the moves the Broncos have made while assuming that they’ll be “OK” that causes them to fall short?
