Michael82
07-20-2003, 09:06 AM
1 Will the real Broncos please stand up?
Denver started the first half 6-2 last season and established itself as an early Super Bowl favorite, only to collapse down the stretch in a string of close losses and near-misses. The company line is that the club was only a few plays from being a championship threat. But the reality is the Broncos weren't a playoff team, and have been only once since consecutive championships seasons in 1997-98. The attitude with which the players and coaches report Thursday will be the first sign whether the 2002 funk lingers or inspires.
2 How will quarterback Jake Plummer assimilate the offense?
The franchise's new poster boy has had his head in the playbook almost since signing with Denver, but the real nuts-and-bolts work starts now with the installation of the remainder of what is considered a complicated offense. Plummer needs to immediately show an ability to manage the offense efficiently without contributing the mistakes that plagued him with the Cardinals. He also must demonstrate big-play flair in tight spots.
3 Is the defense under Larry Coyer a destroyer?
Under former coordinator Ray Rhodes, Denver ranked sixth overall defensively, but 31st inside the red zone, 29th in third-down efficiency and 29th in takeaways. The Broncos could stop teams - just not when it counted. Enter Coyer, Rhodes' replacement. He's installing a defensive scheme that puts a premium on attacking the quarterback with the front four, pressing with his cornerbacks and, generally, creating confusion. Problem is, the Broncos defenders might have their heads spinning with only six weeks to work out the kinks. MORE.... (http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/broncos/article/0,1299,DRMN_17_2120307,00.html)
Denver started the first half 6-2 last season and established itself as an early Super Bowl favorite, only to collapse down the stretch in a string of close losses and near-misses. The company line is that the club was only a few plays from being a championship threat. But the reality is the Broncos weren't a playoff team, and have been only once since consecutive championships seasons in 1997-98. The attitude with which the players and coaches report Thursday will be the first sign whether the 2002 funk lingers or inspires.
2 How will quarterback Jake Plummer assimilate the offense?
The franchise's new poster boy has had his head in the playbook almost since signing with Denver, but the real nuts-and-bolts work starts now with the installation of the remainder of what is considered a complicated offense. Plummer needs to immediately show an ability to manage the offense efficiently without contributing the mistakes that plagued him with the Cardinals. He also must demonstrate big-play flair in tight spots.
3 Is the defense under Larry Coyer a destroyer?
Under former coordinator Ray Rhodes, Denver ranked sixth overall defensively, but 31st inside the red zone, 29th in third-down efficiency and 29th in takeaways. The Broncos could stop teams - just not when it counted. Enter Coyer, Rhodes' replacement. He's installing a defensive scheme that puts a premium on attacking the quarterback with the front four, pressing with his cornerbacks and, generally, creating confusion. Problem is, the Broncos defenders might have their heads spinning with only six weeks to work out the kinks. MORE.... (http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/broncos/article/0,1299,DRMN_17_2120307,00.html)