A look at the 2015 Denver Broncos:
New faces: Head coach Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, TE Owen Daniels, LT Ty Sambrailo, LG Evan Mathis, FB James Casey, FS Darian Stewart, DEs Vance Walker and Antonio Smith, OLB Shane Ray.
Key losses: LG Orlando Franklin, TEs Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme, WR Wes Welker, NT Terrance Knighton, FS Rahim Moore, K Connor Barth, LT Ryan Clady (IR).
Strengths: Coach, DE, LB, CB, S, QB, WR, RB.
Weaknesses: TE, OL, PR.
What’s New: Kubiak has reintroduced the zone blocking scheme and is meshing his philosophies with Peyton Manning’s skills and defensive deciphering abilities in a mash-up offense. Broncos are transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme with ILBs Brandon Marshall (foot) and Danny Trevathan (knee) playing alongside each other to anchor a star-studded defense that features pass-rushers Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Ray, Shaq Barrett and Kenny Anunike.
Fantasy Tip: WR Demaryius Thomas insists there’s big plays to be made in this run-oriented offense “or they wouldn’t have paid me what they paid me,” which was $70 million over five years. Expect Emmanuel Sanders to get plenty of catches, too, but Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Bubba Caldwell and Jordan Norwood will split up what’s left of the receptions.
Expectations: The Broncos are going all-in to get Manning another ring at age 39. They’re dusting off the old blueprints, too, the ones Kubiak used as John Elway’s offensive coordinator in the late 1990s: a stout defense and strong ground game to take the pressure off the passer’s shoulders.
Associated Press
