1,000 Views Edition: There's Four Where That Came From

Last month, I was scrolling down the page of my Facebook timeline and saw a headline from the Denver Broncos page that read ESPN projects them to finish the season 6-10. Really? I already have a bone to pick with ESPN for that Joe Mixon video being played during the draft. I still think that was some b*tch made stuff they did, but I'm not here to talk about that, I've addressed that fiasco in a previous blog.

Now, I realize everyone's entitled to their analysis and opinion, but I wonder if these "experts" realize that the Broncos are not far removed from winning a championship. They dealt with inexperience at the quarterback position, and inconsistency in areas that wasn't there during their championship run, and still managed to finish 9-7. That's no excuse for them falling short and failing to defend their championship, but it is what it is.

Denver Broncos 1st Super Bowl championship, 1998.

The nucleus of the team (the defense) is still in place, and they have revamped in all aspects of this team in approach and players. As Coach (Vance) Joseph said, "This is not a rebuild, but a re-boot." I mean, with this team, as I've said before, he has been given the keys to a Porsche, just don't wreck it.

Coach Joseph, who was hired in January, is known as one of the young, bright minds (particularly on defense) in football. What's more is that he has the ability to connect with the players beyond Xs and Os, and I believe this combination is what not only made him a hot commodity among teams who were searching for head coaches, but it's what landed him in Denver, ironically a job that was considered to be a hot commodity. He added two great offensive minds in former head coach Mike McCoy (as offensive coordinator) and Bill Musgrave (as quarterbacks coach), who both orchestrated top 10 offenses last season. I'm still trying to figure out how he pulled that off. 

I thought QB Trevor Siemian played well (for the most part) considering the situation he was in, and showed fundamental prowess, and veteran-like unflappability. Paxton Lynch showed some upside; although I've heard he has made strides so far in the OTAs, he particularly is still a work in progress. The way I see it, with the two quarterbacks now having a year under their belt-- I still believe it's Siemian's job to lose-- along with the tutelage and direction of McCoy and Musgrave, the ceiling is mighty high for these young guns in Trevor, Paxton, and rookie Chad Kelly.

Back-to-back championships, 1999

They're implementing an aggressive, but flexible offense (my personal preference), with more of a downhill running game. Although they've had success in the zone blocking scheme, namely C.J. Anderson, I believe this suits the styles of C.J. and Devontae Booker better, not to mention, an explosive piece in All-Pro Jamaal Charles-- who is dangerous in any offense-- who was added two months ago.

The wide receivers are a strong unit with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders alone, but they need help. I like the picks of Carlos Henderson, who I believe can be a third receiver right away, and potentially the next Tyreek Hill in Isaiah McKenzie. Speaking of which, the return game was another area that needed vast improvement.

The offensive line, particularly the tackles, were a major issue. Trevor Siemian detractors, who were looking for every nook and crook to put Lynch-- who clearly wasn't ready-- out there, placed too much blame on him. Granted, there were times when he held the ball too long, but the blocking for the most part, was piss-poor. Ronald Leary, a sought after free agent, and a major part of the Cowboys' offensive line that made life easy for Ezekiel Elliott was added, as well as Menelik Watson. They drafted OT Garrett Bolles, who I definitely like from watching his tape. He has the tools to be the dominant blocker desperately needed in Denver.

The defense was still great, despite struggling mightily against the run last year. However, they finished with the No.1 pass defense for the second consecutive season, an NFL record. That's extremely difficult to do, and they have accomplished this in an era where most teams are pass-happy. It's even harder when the run defense isn't holding up. Speaking of which, they revamped up front on the defensive line as well, bringing in underrated Domata Peko, versatile Zach Kerr, and drafting ACC Defensive Player of the Year DeMarcus Walker.

Denver Broncos 3rd championship, 2016

To piggy-back off Coach's narrative, aside from shoring up the front line offensively and defensively, adding another receiver or two, and getting some explosive play makers in the return game, there aren't any glaring holes or needs on this team, just a few tweaks here and there. You have people who are predicting them to finish 3rd in the AFC West, and I don't know what the hell they're looking at. Of course, these are some of the same people who overlooked them the year they won their third championship.

There's continuity and chemistry within the entire team, and that's something money can't buy, but I believe it's an essential component when making a championship run. A team can have all the talent in the world, but if there's no continuity, or it lacks chemistry, they won't get very far. So my response to them (i.e. the naysayers) is there's four where that came from!

There's four where that came from!

Now that the powers that be have handed Tom Brady another championship to fit with his overcoming-suspension-so-called-f*ck-you-tour, since that bullsh*t is over, the quest for No.4 begins. By the end of this season, everyone will know that it's all about the four. Do you understand? Do you know what I mean? It is all about...the four!