- The Broncos started the 2009 season with a new head coach in Josh McDaniels after the long tenure of Mike Shanahan ended.
- The rebuilding process began along with the season but was quickly turned into a hunt for the playoffs when the team started the season 6-0
- The Broncos then lost the next four games but were still in the hunt, after this period the team went 2-4 and finished 8-8 on the season, missing the postseason.
- The Broncos scored 326 points while allowing 324 points against
- In wins the defense allowed 10.7 points per game, in losses the team allowed 29.9 points per game
Denver Broncos
AFC West
Players
2010 Schedule
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Week 1
DEN @ JAC
09/12/10
1:00 pm
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Week 2
SEA @ DEN
09/19/10
4:00 pm
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Week 3
IND @ DEN
09/26/10
4:15 pm
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Week 4
DEN @ TEN
10/03/10
1:00 pm
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Week 5
DEN @ BAL
10/10/10
1:00 pm
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Week 6
NYJ @ DEN
10/17/10
4:00 pm
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Week 7
OAK @ DEN
10/24/10
4:15 pm
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Week 8
DEN @ SF
10/31/10
1:00 pm
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Week 9
bye
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Week 10
KC @ DEN
11/14/10
4:00 pm
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Week 11
DEN @ SD
11/22/10
8:30 pm
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Week 12
STL @ DEN
11/28/10
4:15 pm
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Week 13
DEN @ KC
12/05/10
1:00 pm
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Week 14
DEN @ ARI
12/12/10
4:15 pm
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Week 15
DEN @ OAK
12/19/10
4:15 pm
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Week 16
HOU @ DEN
12/26/10
4:00 pm
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Week 17
SD @ DEN
01/02/11
4:15 pm
Offensive Depth Chart
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Quarterback
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Running Back
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Wide Receiver
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Tight End
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Kicker
2009
By Air
- Kyle Orton, in his second year with the Broncos, has been pronounced the starter by coach McDaniels over incumbents Brady Quinn and rookie Tim Tebow
- The Broncos finished last season ranking 13th in the league with 3,627 passing yards
- The Broncos will be looking to replace the huge hole that is left with the trade of Brandon Marshall. Demaryius Thomas was drafted in hopes of fulfilling that need
- Eddie Royal, Jabar Gaffney, and Brandon Stokley will provide the depth at WR
- Daniel Graham will be the team’s starting TE with the departure of Sheffler
- The RBs for Denver are also very effective receivers out of the backfield
By Land
- The Broncos who are used to producing 1,000 yard rushers every season like its their job, failed to do so in the 2009 season
- Denver ranked 18th in the league in rushing with 1,836 yards on the ground
- Knowshon Moreno had an effective rookie season and will look to build upon that in his second season
- Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington will provide the depth at running back
QB
- Kyle Orton has been handed the reigns by the coach and will look to replicate the season he had last season
- Orton completed 336 of his 541 passes for 3,802 yards. He also threw 21 touchdowns to 12 interceptions
- Brady Quinn will serve as the teams back-up, last season he threw for 1,339 yards on 53.1 percent of his passes completed. Quinn also compiled 8 TDs to 7 INTs
- Tim Tebow the former Heisman winner was selected much higher than anticipated but McDaniels is the QB guru
RB
- Knowshon Moreno, in 2009 rushed for 947 yards on 247 carries and 7 TDs
- Moreno also caught 28 passes for 213 yards and 2 TDs
- Correll Buckhalter rushed for 642 yards on 120 carries, an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. He also scored once.
- Buckhalter caught 31 passes for 240 yards
WR
- The Broncos lose one of the top flight WRs in the game and will need to replace his output. Thomas' drafting is expected to fill some of the void left behind
- Jabar Gaffney caught 54 passes for 732 yards and 2 TDs
- Eddie Royal grabbed 37 balls for 345 yards
- Stokley gained 327 yards on 19 catches and scored 4 TDs
TE
- Last season Daniel Graham caught 28 passes for 289 yards and a TD
- Graham has unproven depth behind him in Richard Quinn and Marquez Branson
Kicker
- Matt Prater made 30 of 35 field goals for an 85.7 percentage. He also made all 32 of his extra points
Denver Defense
- D.J. Williams led the team with 122 tackles, Brian Dawkins had 116
- The Broncos had 39 sacks last season
- Leading sacker was Elvis Dumervil with 17.0 (also led the NFL)
- How can the Broncos be more consistent on a game by game basis on defense
- Andre’ Goodman led the team with 5 INTs
- Team forced 20 fumbles
- Team forced a total of 37 turnovers
Offensive Line
Analysis: The Denver Broncos have been beating teams up in the run game for years. There blocking schemes seem to work wonders for any RB. Shanahan leaving will likely impact this. 3 starters will be playing for contracts, so that should help. Expect the sack numbers to rise with the departure of Jay Cutler.
Offensive Scheme
Analysis: Josh McDaniels comes over from New England and shook things up right away by chasing Jay Cutler out of town. He runs a West Coast derivative that features a lot of 3 and 4 wides. He will look to run the ball and play it safe in the passing game. OC Mike McCoy has no history, so expect McDaniels to be the primary offensive game planner.
Major Off-Season Moves
July 7, 2010
Claimed OL Kirk Barton off waivers from the Detroit Lions.
June 17, 2010
Signed OL J.D. Walton. Released DL Jaron Baston. Designated FB Kyle Eckel waived/injured.
June 14, 2010
Signed LB Elvis Dumervil to a one-year tender.
June 9, 2010
Signed CB Perrish Cox.
June 4, 2010
Released QB Tom Brandstater. Signed G Chris Kuper to a six-year contract.
May 26, 2010
Signed LB Jammie Kirlew.
May 22, 2010
Signed CB Syd'Quan Thompson.
May 19, 2010
Announced the retirement of G Matt McChesney.
May 6, 2010
Signed OL Maurice Williams. Released S Marcellus Bowman and G Michael Shumard.
April 27, 2010
Signed LB Akin Ayodele.
April 14, 2010
Traded WR Brandon Marshall to Miami and 2010 and 2011 second-round draft picks.
April 13, 2010
Signed WR Brandon Marshall.
March 31, 2010
Announced the retirement of PK Jason Elam after he signed a one-day contract.
March 14, 2010
Acquired QB Brady Quinn from Cleveland for FB Peyton Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick and a conditional pick in 2012.
March 11, 2010
Re-signed DL Le Kevin Smith. Released LB Andra Davis and DL J'Vonne Parker.
March 10, 2010
Waived G Mitch Erickson. Released DL Kenny Peterson.
March 9, 2010
Signed DL Jarvis Green.
March 5, 2010
Agreed to terms with RB J.J. Arrington, DL Justin Bannan, CB Nathan Jones, OL Russ Hochstein and WR Brandon Lloyd.
February 3, 2010
Signed T D'Anthony Batiste to a future contract.
January 27, 2010
Reassigned vice president of public relations Jim Saccomano to vice president of corporate communications. Named Patrick Smyth executive director of media relations.
January 23, 2010
Named Eric Studesville running backs coach, Bob Ligashesky tight ends coach and Bob Wylie assistant offensive line coach. Promoted Ben McDaniels to quarterbacks coach and moved Clancy Barone to offensive line coach.
January 18, 2010
Announced defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is no longer with the team.
Strength of Schedule
We are firm believers that strength-of-schedule analysis is essential when ranking players at every position. We applied this system (without the 5% NFL draft impact) in hindsight to last year's schedule as we were curious how well it could work. The notable results were that Michael Turner and the Falcons had a #32 ranked (easiest) rush schedule last season and DeAngelo Williams and the Panthers were #30.
Our SoS considers three factors when determining rankings for schedules for the upcoming year:
80% weight is applied to the quality of defense from the previous year. We determine quality of defense based on fantasy points given up (run and pass). However, before we get to that number, we factor in the quality of teams that these defenses faced (basically a strength-of-schedule for the previous year). This was all done by hand. Let's just say our boy, Stitchface, has a bit of the carpal tunnel-syndrome going on.
15% weight is applied to Free-Agent movement. We ranked each free agent's impact to their former team (2008), and then ranked each team according to whether they added or lost talent overall.
5% weight is applied to the NFL draft impact. It's tough to gauge a rookie's effectiveness which is why we valued it so low. Certain teams not only drafted defensemen well in '09, but also will be sliding those guys into highly deficient positions from '08, and usually, anything is an upgrade when you are starting a rookie.
If you trust Stitchface's formula (and you will eventually), all you need to realize is the following... The higher the SoS number, the easier the fantasy schedule.
Ranking: 1=toughest 32=easiest
Breaking News
@rootzoo Though I disagree w/ ur rankings, I like ur analysis on the rookie WRs. Personally feel Demaryius Thomas is overrated. Convince me? expand +
Stanford RB Toby Gerhart is a 6-1, 240 pound bruiser that reminds me of John Riggins or Larry Csonka. I see the Broncos taking him. expand +
Holmgren has made it clear that the Browns will be looking to upgrade at QB expand +
Cleveland beat writer Tony Grossi reports that the Browns will be looking to make changes at QB. Derek Anderson is due a $2 million roster bonus - that's not happening, and Brady Quinn has not shown so much as a flash of brilliance, unless you count the Detroit game.
Pyro's Take:
No brainer. Grossi went on to speculate that McNabb/Kolb and Hasselbeck are logical options for the Browns to pursue. I think this team needs to bring in a veteran and then make a good draft pick for the QB of the future - unless they could pry Kolb away from Philly (unlikely).
Quinn put on IR, done for the season expand +
Browns quarterback Brady Quinn (foot) has been put on injured reserve, thus ending his 2009 NFL season.
Pyro's Take:
Oh boy oh boy oh boy! The world gets to watch QB Derek Anderson run the Cleveland offense once again, which is basically akin to watching "The Hangover", "Wedding Crashers", and "Old School" back-to-back-to-back. Thank goodness for late-season entertainment.
Coach hopeful on Buckhalter's Week 16 return expand +
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said on Monday that he is hopeful that running back Correll Buckhalter (ankle) will be able to return to practice later this week and play in the game against the Eagles this weekend.
Pyro's Take:
The Denver running game wasn't close to what it normally is with Buckhalter in the lineup, as he and Knowshon Moreno work much better as a tandem than separate. We'll keep you posted throughout the week on his progress.
Moreno likely to get full load against Oakland expand +
Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (high ankle sprain) missed practice again on Friday and is listed as doubtful for the game against the Raiders on Sunday.
Pyro's Take:
With Buckhalter out, Knowshon Moreno will take on the every-down back role against a team that gives up the world to RBs. Boost him up to a borderline RB1 on your fantasy football team this weekend because of the news.
Buckhalter doubtful for Sunday expand +
Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (high ankle sprain) missed practice again on Friday and is listed as doubtful for the game against the Raiders on Sunday.
Pyro's Take:
With Buckhalter out, Knowshon Moreno will take on the every-down back role against a team that gives up the world to RBs. Boost him up to a borderline RB1 on your fantasy football team this weekend because of the news.
Buckhalter misses practice Wednesday expand +
Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday and doesn't look likely to play this weekend against the Raiders.
Pyro's Take:
Bump Knowshon Moreno way up your fantasy RB chart for this week as the Donkeys take on a porous Oakland Raiders D.
Buckhalter on crutches after Sunday's game expand +
Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter was seen walking around on crutches after the game against the Colts on Sunday. Buckhalter injured his right ankle in the first quarter yesterday and did not return to the game.
Pyro's Take:
If Buckhalter can't play in the game next Sunday against Oakland, Knowshon Moreno would become a nice high-end RB2 for your fantasy football team, so keep an eye on this situation throughout the week.
Kolby Smith ruled out for Sunday expand +
Chiefs running back Kolby Smith (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game.
Pyro's Take:
And the Jamaal Charles show rolls on.
Falcons release kicker Jason Elam expand +
The Atlanta Falcons announced today that they have decided to release 17-year veteran kicker Jason Elam from the team. 34-year old kicker Matt Bryant was signed to take his place.
Pyro's Take:
What a sad day in sports. Granted, Elam was absolutely awful this year, making just 12-of-19 field goals while missing an extra point to boot. And really, going 4-of-8 from 30-39 yards is completely unacceptable.
However, the 39-year old Denver Broncos legend likely ends his career today with an 80.7 field goal percentage while making 39-of-65 from 50+ yards, good for 60 percent. He is also currently tied with Tom Dempsey for the longest field goal made in NFL history as he sank a 63-yarder on October 25th, 1998 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Eddie Royal returns to practice Tuesday expand +
After being knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a thigh injury last week, Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal participated in practice today and looks like he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Chiefs.
Pyro's Take:
Royal has been a severe disappointment to fantasy football owners thinking they might have drafted the 2009 receptions leader to their team. As surprising as the Broncos have been this year, it has been equally surprising how far Royal has fallen.
Orton "probable" for Thursday's game expand +
Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (ankle) is officially being listed as probable on the team's Thanksgiving day injury report.
Pyro's Take:
The Big Neck-Beard is playing tomorrow, and gives all the Broncos players a giant boost in fantasy football value. He may not be more than a so-so QB2, but the Giants can be beat in their secondary, so you shouldn't have a problem taking a chance on him this week.
Orton feeling better, expected to start Thursday expand +
Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton says his ankle is feeling much better now and that he shouldn't be limited going forward.
Pyro's Take:
After seeing him come in off the bench and lead the team last week, we expect to see him get the start this Thursday against the Giants. He could make for a pretty good QB2 on your fantasy football team going up against an overrated Giants secondary.
Broncos will rest Orton and start Simms today expand +
According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the Denver Broncos have decided it would be best to give quarterback Kyle Orton another week to rest his ankle and will start Chris Simms under center against the Chargers on Sunday.
Pyro's Take:
Even though the Donkeys desperately need Orton to have a chance to win the game, this is probably their smartest move as it would kill their season if Orton was to injure his ankle further by playing today. All Bronco skill position players take a hit because of the news, but will be better off in the future for your fantasy football team.
