Courtesy of cnn.sportsillustrated.com

Bitter Shanahan signed with Redskins? Not too much. He’s like an ex-girlfriend. You wished her the best after the breakup but secretly didn’t want her to be too happy without you…especially with anyone you knew. Anyways…

So I’ve been living in the VA area for some time and you can believe that the Super bowl chants are already happening. Yea, these fans are constantly in the world of delirium. The Skins defense is great as far as their front 7 goes but they are aging. I think Shanny will be able to turn that team into a winner sooner than later as long as their dumb owner keeps quiet.

As far as the Broncos, I can't say the season was too much of a bust. They finished 8-8 just as they did a year ago, but the main improvements were made on defense. The offense looked very anemic most of the year although the yardage count would tell you otherwise I’m sure.

Nobody really expected much from the team. The fact that they started 6-0 surprised a lot of people including myself. I actually started turning into a believer at that point. I got the opportunity to watch the Broncos play when they came to Baltimore and Washington…it hurt badly when they lost to both teams especially the ‘Deadskins.’

The potential the Broncos had and showed amazed me and I was hungry for more. I think their play on the field offensively surprised the hell out of even the players during the first 6 weeks. They looked so hesitant and afraid to commit to the big play out of fear of screwing up. Instead of coming together as a team and continuing to work harder, they started showing cockiness and lazy play after the 6-0 start. This is how I saw it especially when I was at the live game.

What is promising?:

Offense:

Kyle Orton looked decent and managed the game well. He played mistake free football for the most part but was very timid. He didn’t show me he was a valid leader and took the team by the horns like I was hoping. Too many drop off passes and screens showed me he didn’t have the confidence early on in the season.

Knowshon Moreno –I really like this kid, his quickness and ability to make the cuts. I think he can be a solid 1200yd/year back and really provide a consistent rusher. His durability is what I question but that can be fixed if they use Hillis or Buckhalter (although he is aging) in a 1-2 RB punch.

Defensive scheme—Mike Nolan is the true hero this season as he revamped the defense with a mediocre staff and changed to a 3-4 defense. If the Broncos can get a strong DT and another solid pass rusher opposite of Elvis Dumervil, they can force the opponents’ qb into more mistakes and contain the run more consistently. They did do a hell of a job with the run this year though.

*Dream offseason moves:

Draft Taylor Mays or an equivalent to star next to Brian Dawkins and eventually replace him. The secondary is aging and has needed help for some time now anyways.

Draft a solid DT or sign a fairly young already established DT.

What was ugly?:

Too many dropped passes in critical situations by the WR core esp. Brandon Marshall. BMarsh is pretty much gone anyways.

Was McDaniels too inexperienced and overly animated that it didn’t mesh with some of the players? If so, it would be difficult for them to be on board with his plan right?

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