(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The phrase “winning is the ultimate elixir,” is one of the most true in sports. It doesn’t matter if the starting QB is not playing well, the WRs are dropping passes or the offense is incredibly bland and unproductive at times. The defense is winning games for the team and winning the Super Bowl…who cares about anything else? The other side of this phrase is winning will come to an end at some point. The issues named above need to be resolved or losses, finger-pointing and internal strife mount.
The Broncos start of 2016 free agency did not go as planned (or so many think). John Elway and company seemed to be focused on keeping the good parts of the Broncos good and spending wisely. The team will build around defensive pressure up front and man-to-man principles on the back end. A strong decision based on previous performance. Brock Osweiler departing to Houston, Peyton Manning retiring and overspending for CJ Anderson were all hits to an offense in need of improvement.
The Broncos need an offensive rehabilitation in 2016 to compete in the division, let alone compete for the playoffs and Super Bowls. There are two things that need to happen for this rehabilitation to take shape:
Losing Brock Osweiler was a big hit to the offseason plans for the Broncos (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
- GET A STEADY GAME MANAGER AT QB
Whether it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, AJ McCarron or Brian Hoyer, the Broncos need a QB not willing to take risks and put the defense in poor positions. Peyton learned this lesson in 2015 after sitting out and seeing Brock manage the team. His reward was a Super Bowl ring. Yes…I am aware RGIII and Colin Kaepernick are not included. They are too risky with the ball and not the type of QB this team needs.
- GET THE O-LINE ON PAR WITH THE D-LINE
The Broncos front office understands how winning the trenches leads to wins. Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, Demarcus Ware and Von Miller showed that last year on defense. It’s time to get the offensive line up to par with the defensive line. Adding Russell Okung is big. Now what do you do with Ryan Clady? Trade for picks would be a coup for the Broncos. Look at the Patriots, trading a defensive end for an offensive lineman, signing a cheaper defensive end and trading for an offensive weapon, The Broncos need to build the rest of the offensive line through value in free-agent signings and drafting. This philosophy will build the foundation to necessary strong offensive line play. The Broncos paid CJ Anderson like a top-tier back and need to open up holes for him. It is also necessary to protect whoever is under center. A weak offensive line will result in a weak season.
The Broncos need to focus on these two things to move on from losing Osweiler, Malik Jackson, Trevathan, Evan Mathis, Ryan Harris and Peyton Manning. Re-signing Von Miller is a top priority but if the offense doesn’t improve it will mean little to keep Denver in the playoff hunt. Time to start spending the money where it really matters and get the Broncos drinking the winning elixir in 2016.
