2006 Divisional Predictions Part 7

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos

DEN Jake Plummer is being questioned once again about his ability to win in big games following last years Pittsburgh loss in the playoffs. Denver dominated many of the games they played in last year only to come up short once again. This year they have made some additional adjustments that they hope will get them over the hump and provide no excuses in gettingto the promised land.

In free agency, the Broncos lost RB, Mike Anderson (Bal) and DT, Trevor Pryce (Bal). They were able to keep everyone else and in addition the acquired LB’s, Nate Webster (Cin) and T.J. Hollowell (Chi) as well as DE, Kenard Lang (Cle) and CB, Willie Middlebrook (SF) to sure up the defense.

In the draft, the Broncos hit paydirt with the trade acquisition of WR, Javon Walker from Green Bay and then started selecting their picks for Day 1 selecting QB, Jay Cutler in the first round as the heir apparent to Jake Plummer, but who knows when that will take place. In the 2nd round they took TE, Tony Scheffler to provide some impact at that position, a position that has not been filled properly since the departure of Shannon Sharpe. On day two of the draft the Broncos were stockpiling offensive personnel taking 2 WR’s and a DE with their three 4th round picks and then rounding out the draft by taking a G and a C with their 5th and 6th round selections.

The Broncos added better LB’s in free agency and replaced their loss at DE, but will they have the horsepower to keep up with the rushing attack of Kansas City? If they can they will retain the division crown, but there is not a lot of wiggle room at the top of this division for them to get away with a lot of mistakes.

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