Denver
Broncos

Broncos Team Report

Updated: February 07, 2012 10:25 EST

After returning from the Senior Bowl, the Broncos' coaching staff took the week before Super Bowl XLVI off. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, on the other hand, was at his new desk, diving into his new job.

Del Rio had all the respite he needed in the previous two months that followed his ouster as Jacksonville Jaguars head coach after eight-plus seasons. The Jaguars fired him Nov. 29, with the team 3-8 and headed for its fourth consecutive season at .500 or worse since their last playoff appearance in 2007.

"There was time to reflect on that and decompress a little bit, kind of unwind, and I did some of that," Del Rio said. "I find myself rejuvenated."

The Broncos named Del Rio to their staff Jan. 27, the same day that the Raiders confirmed the hiring of Dennis Allen as their head coach. Allen became the Broncos' defensive coordinator after John Fox took the reins in January 2011, but the improvement of the Broncos' defense from last in the league to 20th under his watch drew the attention of newly installed Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie.

It also forced the Broncos to turn to a seventh defensive coordinator in seven seasons, surpassing the six-in-six years instability of the 1982-87 Bills and the 1999-2004 Redskins. A successful 2012 season could make that eight in eight if Del Rio makes a quick return to the head-coaching ranks; he interviewed with the Chiefs just after the season before they removed the "interim" tag from head coach Romeo Crennel.

Del Rio said he would "maybe someday" like to be a head coach again, but "that's really not in the forefront of my thinking."

"I'm not looking anywhere other than the next week, the next month and how we can dig in and do a great job here," Del Rio said. "I'm going to be a good worker bee on the staff for John Fox."

There was little financial reason for Del Rio to take the job. He had one year left on his contract with the Jaguars, and the salary he earns from the Broncos will be deducted from the amount the Jaguars owe him.

"I had pretty much unanimous support (from friends) that they thought I should stay out (in 2012), but I love to compete," Del Rio said. "I love being around ball, so it's not about money. It's about an opportunity."

Del Rio's relationship with Fox had plenty to do with it. Fox gave Del Rio his first coordinator's job in 2002 with the Panthers; they promptly improved Carolina's defense from last in the league to second in one season together.

"I know the types of things he is looking for with this staff and what my responsibilities would be. I'm very comfortable with that," Del Rio said.

Denver's defensive position coaches are all expected to return after linebackers coach Richard Smith was denied permission to interview with the Raiders for the defensive coordinator position under Allen.

Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno was pulled over by Denver police and arrested for drunken driving on Feb. 1, FOX31 Denver reported Monday.

Moreno, 24, was driving a Bentley convertible when he was pulled over for going 70 miles per hour in a construction zone where the posted speed is 45 mph, according to the citation.

The officer smelled alcohol and Moreno failed a roadside sobriety test. A breath test was administered, and Moreno was then arrested for DUI.

Police say Moreno was "very respectful and polite," according to the report.

The Bentley Moreno was driving has personalized license plates that read "SAUCED."

"We take the incident involving Knowshon Moreno very seriously and are thoroughly reviewing this matter," the Broncos said in a statement Monday. "Our organization will continue to gather information and closely monitor this issue while the legal process runs its course."

Moreno's 2011 season ended on Nov. 15 when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Kansas City.

He rushed for 179 yards and no touchdowns, and caught nine passes for 101 yards.

Moreno had started 13 games in 2010, when he rushed for 779 yards.

--INDIANAPOLIS - One of the most sought-after celebrities here for the Super Bowl festivities this week was Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, who drew crowds of fans just about everywhere he went.

Tebow allowed that he understands he has considerable work to do, especially in the passing game, and that his efforts will extend beyond just minicamps and OTA workouts.

"I'm going to try to get together with teammates (principally wide receivers in the offseason), and just throw as much as I can, and get some timing down," Tebow told The Sports Xchange. "I think there are some (unspoken) things, some understandings, that you can create by just working with people, and I'm looking forward to that. There were probably some instances last season when we all missed that, and it won't be the case anymore."

Tebow allowed he was "gratified" by the recent remarks of Broncos executive vice president John Elway that he will go to training camp as the team's starter. But he emphasized that he was aware, as well, of Elway's assessment that the team will try to bolster the quarterback depth chart and create competition for the position.

--Denver's season was considered an overall success, having lasted two weeks longer than nearly anyone thought beforehand, or especially after a 1-4 season start.

But cornerback Champ Bailey, who's heading to his 11th Pro Bowl on Jan. 29, had the perspective of a player who's closer to the beginning of his career than the end when he summed up the year.

"It's disappointing," he said. "People think we should walk around here with a smile on our face because we made the playoffs, we won a game. We came up short again.

"I don't have a lot of time here. I don't know how much longer I'll play for. It's one of those things, you know, every year, you miss it and you don't win it and here we go again.

"We've got to start all over again."

--The Broncos will have an expanded contingent of five players in Honolulu for the league's annual pre-Super Bowl all-star game.

Left tackle Ryan Clady and running back Willis McGahee, two of the key cogs in the team's No. 1 rushing offense, will serve as injury replacements, joining teammates Elvis Dumervil, Bailey and Von Miller. Clady takes the place of Miami's Jake Long; McGahee of Houston's Arian Foster.

Clady becomes just the fifth offensive lineman to start every game within his first four pro seasons and make at least two Pro Bowls. Also in that group: Joe DeLamielleure, Joe Thomas, Nick Mangold and Mike Kenn.

--The Patriots' loss was only the final reminder of the limitations of Denver's offense once the run game couldn't play a central role or milk the clock. Teams with multiple weapons like Detroit, New England and Green Bay put up big points and necessitated a score-for-score mindset from the Broncos that couldn't be backed up by a limited passing game.

Tebow's improvement is one key, but wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, a breakout star in the final six weeks of the season, believes that the team's core offensive mindset may limit the club's ability to be a team that puts up 40 points-plus with any kind of regularity.

"We don't do the same thing that they do," Thomas said. "We run the ball more, so we aren't going to be putting up no 45 points a game by running a lot unless we just bust it open anytime we run it. They throw the ball more than we do."

Despite Fox's core grind-it-out mentality mixed with a strong defense, executive vice president of football operations John Elway suggested balance moving forward on offense will be a major key.

"The more we can get a threat in the passing game, the more it's going to help an already good running game," Elway said. "The idea is always to get that balance."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm actually going to yell at him from my office. I'm going to stand up there on the balcony," - Excecutive VP John Elway, when asked if he was really going to be tutor QB Tim Tebow on mechanics and delivery with on-field work.

Never mind player acquisition, perhaps the biggest component facing any NFL team this offseason. For Denver, prioritizing, then keeping the top tier of in-house free agents is the next major steps for Elway, Xanders and newly-promoted player personnel director Matt Russell.

The list of unrestricted free agents includes numerous players with starting experience, including DT Brodrick Bunkley, S Brian Dawkins, LB Wesley Woodyard, PK Matt Prater, MLB Joey Mays and DT Marcus Thomas.

And while the club will look for value signings in free agency, too, the team's philosophy will remain building through the draft.

The biggest question come April will be whether Denver goes for a quarterback right from the get-go. At No. 25 overall, Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck will be long gone and it's questionable whether Denver will want to expend that currency on an older prospect like Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden.

But be assured that players like Arizona's Nick Foles and Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill will be scrutinized closely.

If Denver goes another way other obvious needs are defensive tackle, cornerback, running back and tight end.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Tim Tebow. Backup - Adam Weber.

Tebow has gotten the public support he wanted from the franchise as the starter moving into training camp. Where it goes from there is anybody's guess. His mechanics will get a once-over from the staff and Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. But, while there's little room for argument that Tebow will work diligently to improve, it's open-ended whether he can make the necessary strides to be a pocket passer first before a runner and scrambling thrower. Now that Kyle Orton is gone and pending free agent Brady Quinn is likely going, the team will draft and/or bring in competition for Tebow. Weber is a developmental prospect who was on the practice squad last season.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- Willis McGahee. Backups - Knowshon Moreno, Lance Ball, FB Spencer Larsen, Jeremiah Johnson.

McGahee was one of the best under-the-radar free-agent signings of last offseason. He began the year as Moreno's backup but quickly demonstrated that he had the more physical, between-the-tackles style that suited coach John Fox's philosophy. And when Moreno went down with a torn ACL - he should be fine physically by next season -- McGahee became one of the team's most important offensive players. McGahee will be back, but turning 31 in October, the club doesn't want him to be a regular 25-carry contributor. None of the backups have the juice to beat him out, though, currently, and that includes Moreno, who'll have to have a big camp to make the roster. Ball is reliable but not a big-play threat. Johnson is a role player and Larsen a lead blocker only. The position will be a point of emphasis most likely in the draft, perhaps even with the club's top pick if the value's right.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker. Backups - Eddie Royal, Matt Willis, D'Andre Goodwin.

Denver has its two young starters to build around into the future, and with a run-based offense, it may be unlikely that the team and a free agent at the position would be a good marriage. That doesn't mean the Broncos won't try to upgrade the depth behind Decker and Thomas with young players. Thomas finally showed from December on the talent behind his first-round grade from the Broncos during Josh McDaniels' tenure. He has the size and speed to beat cornerbacks in man but still needs to work on his feel sitting in zones and being physical to the ball in the air against tight coverage. Decker started off the season as the favorite of both former quarterback Kyle Orton and Tebow before defenses began swinging coverages in his direction. He remains sneaky fast and can be a solid intermediate threat. Royal is set for free agency and after watching his pass-catching totals decline may look for a fresh start. That would create an opening for a slot receiver that potentially could be filled by Willis, who knows all three receiver positions and helps on special teams. But if Denver can find a bargain veteran or two late in the free-agent process it would create some necessary depth and competition. Goodwin was a late-season add to the roster after Decker went down with a MCL sprain (he'll be ready for offseason camps) and will need to have an impressive offseason to stick.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Ryan Clady, LG Zane Beadles, C J.D. Walton, RG Chris Kuper, RT Orlando Franklin. Backups -- G/C Russ Hochstein, T Chris Clark, T Tony Hills, T Ryan Harris, G/C Manny Ramirez.

There's a lot to like in the starting group, particularly its youth. Beadles, Walton and Franklin have all been added via the draft within the last two years. Clady is only completing his fourth year and Kuper is the elder statesman at age 29. The starting five had the versatility and physical skillset to play a combination of schemes, including the read option. But there are three overriding issues moving forward. Kuper broke his leg and dislocated his ankle late in the season. His recovery is vital entering 2012 as the team's best interior player. Walton, Beadles and Franklin all demonstrated ability to pull, trap and get to the second level to pave the way to a No. 1 ranked rushing offense, augmented by Tebow's unique abilities. Yet, as the team looks for Tebow to make strides as a pocket passer, the question is whether the trio can anchor in pass protection should one of just three teams that ran more than it passed last season look to move in the other direction (subtly, not completely under Fox). Until Kuper's injury, the line stayed together for 15 games. That meant its shaky depth wasn't tested. Clark, and to a lesser extent, Hills were used as extra blockers in the run game. Hochstein can play all three interior positions but is a free agent who turns 35 in October. Harris, a former starting Denver right tackle in the Mike Shanahan years, had had back issues and was a late-season add. The Broncos will look to add depth, particularly at guard and center, though it's well down the list of priorities.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DE Elvis Dumervil, DT Marcus Thomas, DT Brodrick Bunkley, DE Robert Ayers. Backups -- DE Jason Hunter, DE Derrick Harvey, DT Ryan McBean, DT Mitch Unrein, DT Ty Warren, DE Kevin Vickerson.

This has been a scrapheap of talent for many years in Denver, and other than the top-tier additions of perhaps Dumervil and Trevor Pryce back in the day, the mishmash of young players and aging veterans hasn't produced consistent results. In fact, it's only meant for robust yearly change. The need to upgrade still remains. Dumervil had a nice bounce-back season as a passrusher, especially in the second half when he was over shoulder and ankle injuries and shook off the rust from a lost 2010 season (torn pectoral). But even Dumervil isn't the outside anchor coaches would prefer vs. the run in a 4-3 front. Denver continually struggled with holding the edge and while other factors such as missed tackles and lack of gap control by linebackers were factors, so was the defensive ends getting washed into the pile. Ayers, the 2009 draft pick, was better with the move away from outside linebacker in a 3-4 to a hand-on-the-ground end but he lacks the get-off of a pass rusher. That's why Hunter played often in that niche role. Bunkley and Thomas, both pending free agents, were better than expected after injuries hit in training camp. Warren (torn triceps), the anticipated starter inside, should be recovered but hasn't really played in two years. Vickerson is a good swing player for depth but no star. He'll be back for offseason workouts and likely be a solid reserve next season. Those injuries meant Unrein, an undrafted free agent, and McBean had to play significant snaps after being on the roster bubble last summer. On the outside, Harvey was signed to upgrade the rush but was inactive in every game but one after Oct. 23 and won't be back. Look for the Broncos to be aggressive in re-signing Thomas and Bunkley but this group will be reconstituted and have added competition via both the draft and free agency.

LINEBACKERS: Starters - WLB D.J. Williams, MLB Joe Mays, SLB Von Miller. Backups - MLB Nate Irving, SLB Mike Mohamed, SLB Mario Haggan, WLB Brian Iwuh, MLB Joe Mays, WLB Wesley Woodyard.

The Broncos still lack the kind of versatile player at the position that can help diffuse the trend to big, strong, athletic tight ends. Players like Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski were nightmare matchups for Denver's safeties, too. But Williams' limitations in coverage were exposed by those types of players, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen seemed hamstrung at times to find answers anywhere else that fit within his game plans. Woodyard is a team captain and special teams ace, and he had some early success with tight ends in the nickel. But teams started to pound Denver vs. the run against that look and that meant more dime packages with Mays, a run-stopper only, in the lineup. It was plugging up holes only to spring more leaks. Miller emerged right from the start as a bonafide edge rusher and Allen moved him around the formation to bring pressure from different areas from the joker position. But once Miller tore thumb ligaments, his ability to engage blockers was seriously compromised and his sack totals stayed relatively stuck. Mays is a free agent and the team drafted Irving as his potential replacement. Learning the intricacies of a pro defense without OTAs and mini-camps coupled with a brief holdout left Irving behind from the get-go. He may make Mays expendable. Iwuh and Mohamed were positional depth that will make it to camp but need to shine in August to make an improved 53-man roster.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Champ Bailey, RCB Andre Goodman, SS Brian Dawkins, FS Quinton Carter. Backups -- FS Rahim Moore, SS David Bruton, FS Rafael Bush, CB Chris Harris, CB Jonathan Wilhite, CB Syd'Quan Thompson, CB Cassius Vaughn.

The Broncos continued to put the utmost trust in Bailey's ability to play shutdown cornerback and he delivered for the most part. Santonio Holmes, Calvin Johnson, Dwayne Bowe and Brandon Marshall were some of the players entrusted to Bailey. But as coach John Fox openly discussed after the playoffs ended, teams that spread Denver out gave them trouble. Bailey will need plenty of help from a personnel standpoint next season and it will likely be among the top priorities. Chris Harris went from undrafted free agent to starting nickel cornerback, and he will continue to play a vital role in coverage. He's aggressive, tough and instinctive. But Goodman's return is once again in doubt, and while Thompson (Achilles), and Vaughn (hamstring) can be core special-teams players, they aren't top-tier cover players on a championship-caliber defense. The issues on the back end of Denver's defense aren't relegated to cornerback, though. Moore was drafted in the second round but seemed to get spooked from a tackling respective after a preseason fine for an illegal hit vs. Buffalo and while rangy, didn't play the ball particularly well either. The team hasn't yet given up on him but he has some mental and physical strides to make to get back in good standing with the coaches. Carter had some inconsistencies himself, but those seemed to be more experience-based. He'll stick his nose into the pile and is better suited to strong safety, where Dawkins may have to retire due to lingering neck issues. Bruton and Bush played way more than the team would have liked on defense at season's end due to a rash of injuries but could find their way back to the team as roster depth.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Matt Prater, P Britton Colquitt, PR Eddie Royal, KR Matt Willis, LS Lonie Paxton.

Prater missed six field goals during the season but only one inside 40 yards. He was as clutch as they come with four walk-off kicks in pushing his career mark to 28 of 29 in the fourth quarter and overtime in his career. He's 12 of 16 lifetime on field goals from 50-plus yards and led the league in 2011 in touchback percentage. Prater is a free agent but wants to stay and Denver will make a push to keep him around long-term. Colquitt found the consistency that had eluded him and turned into one of the NFL's top young punters with a franchise-record 40.2 net. His only hiccup came in San Diego on a SportsCenter worthy bobble of a snap by Paxton, who continues to be one of the most consistent long snappers in the league. If there's an area of need here it would be finding a big-play contributor in the return game. Royal may not be back and Willis doesn't have the instinctive explosion running back kicks.