BRONCOS NEED TO START OVER October 12, 2009: With the Broncos now the sole winless team in the ISFL, possessors of a not so gaudy 0-7 record and no hope of victories on the immediate horizon, it is none too soon for Bronco fans to be looking ahead to next year (indeed, this year can't end soon enough). The Broncos will probably have a top four pick in next year's ISFL draft, and should be able to get a player at that point who can both contribute immediately and be a productive starter for the next ten years - or at least, that's the goal. A Ryan Clady, Dwayne Bowe, Joe Thomas or Ernie Sims type is the goal here. Those four players are the Broncos last four first round picks, and all have been solid starters for the Broncos. But there aren't many players like that on the current Broncos, and general manager Hank Sienzant is just coming to the realization that the current team needs to be gutted and rebuilt from the ground up to become a competitive squad again. OFFENSE: On the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos strongest positions are the offensive line (with Joe Thomas and Ryan Clady as bookend tackles) and wide receiver. Their weakest is quarterback and running back. They need inceased speed at the skill position players. OFFENSIVE LINE: The offensive line has some decent players alonside those book end tackles Thomas and Clady, in Nick Cole, Josh Sitton, and Allen Barbre, but it is becoming apparent that center Samson Satele is not the answer. Veterans Mike Wahle and Andy McCollum shouldn't buy a home in Denver, as they are not going to be here next year. Tackle Erik Pears missed all of 2009 and returns from injured reserve to back up Thomas and Clady. It is anticipated Barbre will get a look here as well. Breno Giacomini needs to pick up his game if he is to make next year's roster. Clady has stepped in at right tackle and done an exceptional job, especially given his natural position is left tackle. The 6-6, 325 Clady is a player who, barring injury, looks like someone the Broncos should be able to count on for the next 10 years. Joe Thomas is a carry-over player from the previous regime, but equally as good. Thomas and Clady offer the Broncos bookend tackles are will be the foundation of the rebuilding effort that should take at least another two years. WIDE RECEIVER: Wide out has two players who can be good pros in Nate Washington and Dwayne Bowe. Bowe is more of a possession receiver, and his 54-573, 10.6, is good for second in the league in receptions. Washington has provided the deep speed thus far with 26-434, 16.7. Two rookies, Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed have been up and down thus far, although Thomas (15-127, 1 TD) has had a better rookie campaign than Sweed (1-16). Both show promise at this juncture. Smallish Ryne Robinson comes off the reserve list next year but has an uphill battle to make the club. TIGHT END / H-BACK: There is one veteran in danger of getting cut (Bubba Franks), one journeyman (Delanie Walker), and two youngsters in Tom Santi and Jermichael Finley. The Broncos would be happiest if one of the youngsters emerge from the group to become the full time starter. Santi already has 20-167, 1 TD, but it is Finley, only 21 years old, who has the biggest upside of the group. The Broncos drafted the youngster in the fifth round, and while he has only 5 receptions for 56 yards, his 11.2 average is the best among the Bronco tight ends and shows some of his rare speed and ability. Dalanie Walker has some utility as a kickoff returner (28-495, 17.7), so that might help him make the roster next season. RUNNING BACK: Running back has two decent players in Lendale White and Ricky Williams, but neither is a quality back at this time. Williams is still a good player, but at 31 isn't getting any younger. A dominant player in his prime, he needs to be spotted to be effective at this time. Lendale White is a disappointment. Expected to be the dominant bell cow back, he has struggled with weight issues his entire pro career and needs to get down to his optimum weight of about 230-235 (he is playing at 260 right now). However, more than losing the weight, he needs to become a productive every-down back or the Broncos will probably seek reinforcements elsewhere. QUARTERBACK: Without sugar coating it, this is a disaster area. 31-year-old Dante Culpepper earned the job out of camp, but it was more like he only stood still while everyone else took a step backward. He hasn't started a game since week one due to an abdominal tear, but he is expected to be back late in the year. In week one, he compiled a 44.7 passer rating. In his stead, 34-year-old journeyman Brian Griese has thrown 8 touchdown passes and 15 picks(!) in five starts (66.8), so Rex Grossman got the nod in week seven, but his 30.7 passer rating didn't exactly inspire confidence moving forward. 40-year-old Brad Johnson was released before the start of the season, and brought back as the emergency backup when Culpepper went down. He is waiting in the wings and may be starting before too long, but if he is, the Broncos really don't have a prayer, as Brad has nothing left to give. While some have criticized the Broncos for passing on Joe Flacco in the draft, who is playing well in Cleveland (88.4), it should be remembered that future All-Pro Ryan Clady was acquired with the pick. DEFENSE: Defensively, the Broncos need help everywhere, although they do have some good young talent to build around. This promises to be an easier job getting competitive than on the offensive side. The biggest problems are lack of size in the front seven and overall team speed. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Cornerback has the most promise, with youngsters like 22-year-old Tracy Porter and 23-year-old Terrell Thomas looking good when starting. Porter went down with injury early on, but the Broncos are very high on his skill set. Thomas has been pressed into duty as a starter because of injuries to Porter and veteran Shawn Springs, and has been burned at times, but he has shown he has a future in this league. 33-year old Springs isn't done yet, although he has lost a half-step from his prime, and the Broncos have considered moving him to safety next year to keep him on the field. He is no longer starter material, most likely, but his veteran savvy and leadership role still has a place on a rebuilding team. 32-year-old Jason Craft has been burned repeatedly and is probably gone at year's end, while Drew Coleman is okay at best. He can't viewed for more thab a nickel or dimeback role at this point in his career. 34-year Sam Madison was picked up mid-season and will be released at the end of the year. At safety, Denver has one good player, and a few possibilities. Dawan Landry is the good player, but he is on IR right now and may not play again this year. 25-year-old Josh Bullocks, 25-year-old Jason Allen and 22-year-old Craig Steltz are young enough and talented enough to develop into starters, but that may or may not ever happen. 27-year-old George Wilson is just a body. Marlon McCree has lost a step and is getting by on just guile. He isn't long for this league. LINEBACKERS: The core of the linebacking corps is small, but solid. 24-year-old OLB Ernie Sims (230 lbs) and 28-year-old ILB Will Witherspoon (239) aren't spectacular (no sacks or turnovers), but they do what they have to do and are generally around the ball (Witherspoon has 53 tackles, Sims 50). Na'il Diggs (240) is a notch below those two but still good enough to play. Rookie Vernon Gholston has the size and speed the Broncos want, but has been a major disappointment to date. The Broncos need him to come through in a big way. Drafted in the second round out of Ohio State, he was expected to replace Diggs and put pressure on the QB, but he has been nearly a cipher thus far (just six tackles in seven games, and no big plays). Bryan Kehl (24) was selected in round 8 and Erin Henderson in the supplemental rounds. Both have some talent, but need further growth and refinement before they can be counted on. Veteran special teamer and journeyman ILB Monty Beisel (30) is near the end of the line and will probably be replaced. DEFENSIVE LINE: These guys can't stop the run, but they make it for it by not putting pressure on the QB either. DT Tony Brown is a solid veteran, but at 28, may not be around long enough to see the Broncos get competitive again. He already has 54 tackles this year, but too many are downfield. The Broncos turned down two different trade offers for him in the offseason. Nobody else on the defensive line has more than 13 tackles, so the problem is obvious. DT Ed Johnson (25) looked good a few years ago as a rookie, but something is missing right now. He needs to get that fire back. Neither of these players has the size required to hold the point and stuff the run. Johnson is only 296, and Brown just 290. Most likely, none of the other players - Chris Hoke (32), John Engleberger (32), or Chris Clemons (27) - will be back next year. While Hoke is 305, he isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore. Engleberger is only 260, and Clemons smaller still (240). After all, as the saying goes, the Broncos can go 0-7 with a bunch of rookies. This area rivals the Broncos QB situation on offense in terms of how much help is needed, but may be more difficult for Denver to improve immediately, as the Broncos only need one good player at QB, but far more on the D-Line. SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Mason Crosby has a strong leg (54-yarder last week), and has been nearly perfect on field goals (10 of 11). At just 24 years old, his future is bright. Jon Ryan has a 46.0 yard gross punting average, but only a 36.0 net. He needs to improve on that mark, but otherwise has been very good. Long Snapper L. P. Ladouceur also has played some DE, but he should stick to long snapping. 2010 DRAFT: The next draft does bring some good news. In addition to owning all of their own picks, the Broncos also have a third rounder from KC, a fifth rounder from Detroit, and a sixth from the Jets, giving them 11 picks overall in the 2010 draft. This will enable them to improve the team size and speed and grab a few good players who can contribute immediately, as well as getting some players with longer-term potential who may be a few years away.