The day after last season ended, Mike Shanahan said he thought the 2004 version of the Broncos was not far from the NFL’s elite, but his team had squandered too many games.
Thursday, on the eve of the 2005 training camp, Shanahan, entering his 11th season as the Broncos head coach, said it’s too early to tell if this roster will be able to go from playoff flameout to the top of the NFL food chain.
But Shanahan said he knows two things. First, the team – which added about a dozen key figures in one of the busiest offseasons in team history – certainly attempted to make the move up. And second, the coach likes what he sees.
“The indications are pretty good so far,” Shanahan said. “We like what we’ve done. We just have to go out on the field and do it. But we do feel good about what we have going into the season.”
The Broncos, who reported to training camp Thursday afternoon and had a team meeting, were scheduled to hit the practice field at 8:30 a.m. today to make the push to be among the NFL’s elite again.
Even though Denver added so many pieces – the Broncos concentrated on upgrading their defensive front and special teams in particular – the team is remarkably set as far as training camp battles go. Most of the competition will be for rotation spots on the defensive line and at backup spots at running back and wide receiver.
Shanahan hopes the added pieces will strengthen what ultimately was an underachieving team last season. In 2004, Denver was the only NFL team ranked in the top five in total offense and total defense.
Like most in the organization, Shanahan said he believes a key to the Denver season will be closing out games. Last year, the Broncos ended up losing at Jacksonville, at San Diego and at home against Oakland in games they could easily have won.
“You have to work on winning the games you should,” Shanahan said. “It’s those games that kill you. We have to stop making mistakes in those types of games. I think we will.”
Shanahan’s troops are heading to camp with a like mind.
“I think we can push for the Super Bowl,” said safety Nick Ferguson, who is replacing Kenoy Kennedy after the veteran departed via free agency to Detroit. “We can make that push.”
Cornerback Champ Bailey said he has closely watched the team’s offseason moves. He said he thinks the additions will fit in nicely and already have paid off during the developmental camp season.
“I expect big things because of what I’ve seen,” Bailey said. “I think we are not missing even one piece. I think we have it all without any holes. We’ve plugged in pieces, and now it’s time to go win the Super Bowl.”
Shanahan said he senses an urgency from the team to take the next step.
“You have to put a championship team on the football field, which means you’ve got to win Super Bowls,” Shanahan said. “You have to address the needs that you think give you the best chance to get there.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
