Dan Pompei

If there is one element of the Broncos that has defined them in the Mike Shanahan era, it has been their offensive line. The zone blocking unit almost always has excelled with athletic, sometimes undersized blockers who aren't timid about going low.

Whether or not the line can continue its tradition of excellence after an offseason makeover could determine if the Broncos can bounce back from a 7-9 season.

It is probable that the Broncos will have a completely different offensive line from the line they used for most of last season. First round draft pick Ryan Clady, nicknamed "Sweet Feet" by teammates, is penciled in at left tackle. Clady is succeeding retiring Matt Lepsis, who had been the Broncos left tackle since 2004 and their starting right tackle the previous six years.

At left guard, Ben Hamilton is expected to return after missing the 2007 season with post concussion syndrome. Chris Kuper, who played left guard last year, now is competing for the right tackle job with Erik Pears, who started there a year ago, and 2007 third round pick Ryan Harris.

The plan is for 37-year old center Tom Nalen to come back from a biceps injury that limited him to five games last season, but just in case the Broncos signed free agent Casey Wiegmann from the Chiefs and drafted Kory Lichtensteiger in the fourth round. Lichtensteiger was rated as the top available center in the draft on some boards.

The changes in the line should bring out the best in a versatile group of runners that includes Selvin Young, newly acquired Michael Pittman and fifth round draft pick Ryan Torain. You can't be sure who will be the bellcow in that group, but you can be sure the Broncos will run the ball pretty effectively, as always.

So it could be up to quarterback Jay Cutler to take the next step in his development, and the defense to rebound from an off year in which the team allowed more rushing yards than all but two teams.

In order to improve the run defense, the Broncos acquired defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson from the Jets and have a new linebacker lineup. Robertson, the fourth pick of the 2003 draft, is a significant talent. But he hasn't always played like it in part because he has serious knee issues and in part because he did not fit the Jets' defensive scheme very well.

New defensive coordinator Bob Slowik is moving D.J. Williams from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker, his natural position. Replacing Williams in the middle will be Niko Koutouvides, previously only a backup in Seattle. On the strong side, Champ Bailey's kid brother Boss Bailey was acquired as a free agent.

Hot seat
If things go wrong in Denver this year, there won't be many people for Mike Shanahan to blame. General manager Ted Sundquist was fired in the offseason. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates was shown the door. Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger was allowed to take a job with the Titans.

That can only mean more credit or blame will go to the head coach who has been running this organization for 13 years.

Team owner Pat Bowlen may never see fit to fire Shanahan, but that doesn't mean Shanahan won't be under pressure from outside sources to prove he still has it. His critics point out he has yet to win anything without John Elway, but Shanahan consistently fields competitive, well prepared teams and he remains one of the premier offensive game planners in the game.

Overheard at camp
It's time for Brandon Marshall to grow up and start getting the most out of his considerable abilities. Just ask Cutler.

Cutler tore into the wide receiver after Marshall said he slipped and fell through a television set while wrestling with family members in the offseason. He cut his forearm badly, which prevented him from doing much significant work in the offseason. Marshall also has had run-ins with the law recently, including a driving under the influence charge and a domestic violence charge.

Marshall still had the sixth most receiving yards in the NFL last season in his first year as a starter—but he's capable of more, and Cutler knows it. It will be interesting to see how the chemistry between Cutler and Marshall develops after this latest episode.

Comings and goings
The decision to allow injury prone Javon Walker to leave and the retirement of Rod Smith means the Broncos will be more dependent on three new acquisitions at the wide receiver position, as well as Brandon Stokley. Between Keary Colbert, Darrell Jackson and second round pick Eddie Royal, someone will need to step up and catch a lot of passes.

Prediction
The Broncos probably will field a formidable offense as they usually do. Cutler continues to show growth, and the offensive system is proven. Whether or not they can improve the defense is questionable.

The Broncos will be competitive in most of their games because they will be well coached and well prepared. But they don't have the look of a team that can consistently knock off the big boys at the end of the game. The Broncos look more like a middle of the road team.

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