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Broncos' season in review
Feb. 12, 2008
Overview: The Broncos had some bright spots, among them the emergence of WR Brandon Marshall and RB Selvin Young and the continued maturation of QB Jay Cutler. But there is no denying the disappointment hanging over the Mile High City following a 7-9 campaign that saw defensive boss Jim Bates lose his job after just one season and head coach Mike Shanahan feeling the heat from a frustrated fan base. A plethora of injuries to key players like C Tom Nalen and WR Javon Walker played a significant role.
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Date
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Opponent
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Spread
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Result
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09/09/07
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at Buffalo
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-3
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15-14
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09/16/07
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Oakland
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-9½
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23-20 (OT)
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09/23/07
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Jacksonville
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-3½
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14-23
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09/30/07
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at Indianapolis
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+10
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20-38
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10/07/07
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San Diego
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+1
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3-41
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BYE WEEK
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10/21/07
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Pittsburgh
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+3½
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31-28
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10/29/07
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Green Bay
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-3
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13-19 (OT)
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11/04/07
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at Detroit
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+3
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7-44
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11/11/07
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at Kansas City
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+3
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27-11
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11/19/07
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Tennessee
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-1
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34-20
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11/25/07
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at Chicago
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+1
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34-37 (OT)
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12/02/07
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at Oakland
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-3½
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20-34
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12/09/07
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Kansas City
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-7
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41-7
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12/13/07
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at Houston
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-2½
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13-31
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12/24/07
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at San Diego
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+9
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3-23
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12/30/07
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Minnesota
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+3
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22-19 (OT)
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Team MVP: Marshall went from a talented rookie with loads of potential to a bona fide star in his second year, stepping up as the team’s No. 1 option in the passing game with Walker sidelined by knee problems. Marshall, who racked up 102 receptions for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns, is a perfect blend of size, speed and athleticism, and he takes pride in earning yards after the catch.
Biggest surprise: Young, an undrafted rookie out of Texas, climbed up the depth chart in the preseason and actually ended up leading the Broncos with 729 rushing yards, even holding on to the starting job over Travis Henry upon Henry’s return from a knee injury late in the season.
Biggest disappointments: There are plenty of valid choices, but the lack of production from DT Sam Adams and DE Simeon Rice takes the cake here. Both were pricey, “quick fix” free-agent signings who contributed little and ended up getting cut during the season. Henry’s minimal impact after the first month of the season, aided by knee trouble and the drama surrounding a positive drug test, was an issue, as was the Broncos’ inability to stop the run.
Offseason outlook: The Broncos have a good, young talent base to build around, but they’ll have decisions to make in regard to Henry and Walker, whose injury histories and bloated salaries in 2008 make them unlikely to return unless they take sizable cuts in pay. OLT Matt Lepsis retired, and S John Lynch is still pondering his future. The Broncos will focus on the DT and OT positions, as well as safety and middle linebacker, in the draft and free agency.
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