New Look Broncos

A few years ago, after Bronco's running back Clinton Portis had rushed for 3,000 yards over 2 seasons, Coach Shanahan had this phenom traded to get cornerback Champ Bailey. In the beginning most were maddened or distrustful at such a strange move, and many people wearing Portis Bronco's jerseys could not understand the decision. Yet the next year another running back rushed for a thousand yards, and so on. This past year Bronco's running back Tatum Bell also ran for over 1,000 yards as shown by ESPN. Once again Shanahan has made a deal and last years leading rusher will be leavingso that the Broncos defense can be even more formidable.

The newest member of the Broncos D is Detroit Lions Pro Bowl cornerback Dre Bly. With him on one side and Champ Bailey on the other the Broncos now have arguably one of the best backfields in the league. With two shut down corners and all pro safety John Lynch, throwing against Denver next season is going to be a risky move. So, on the defense end the Broncos have certainly been improved by this trade, yet the offensive might be feeling differently.

Yes, it is true that each year coach Shanahan has been able to find some new (or old) halfback to replace the one from before, yet how long will this system work. For one the Broncos offensive line has aged considerably and no ultra-promising young stars wait in the wings. Also is the fact that recently Denver's offense has been using more of a one two punch in the running game, so to request that former un drafted free agent Mike Bell take over the reigns completely is unrealistic, at least for now. So this would mean that for the offense to work another running back might have to be used considerably, and that would mean taking a shot in the dark. Current number two running back is Cedric Cobbs, who only had three runs in a game against Pittsburgh last year. Now even if he would have scored three touchdowns with those runs instead of the nine yards he actually gained, such an untested back up running back is a huge risk if the Broncos wish to continue a double headed rushing game.

To further the ire that this trade has caused, Tatum Bell was a young, up and coming new talent, while cornerback Dre Bly, despite his great track record, has already had eight years of punishment as well as seeming to have lost some of his magic this past year. So for a few years yes, this trade is a huge help to the defense, yet will that be enough to overcome the looming questions on offense. Personally I think that QB Jay Cutler, who has yet to play a full season, might need a more solid running game or he could unfairly be imitating Jake Plummer's interception woes.