The NFL released its schedule the other day and, frankly, I had a hard time coming up with anything more than a .500 season for the Broncos.
I’ve been right about these things, and I’ve been wrong about these things, but I don’t see a lot to get excited about. Looking at the Broncos’ roster, I see several holes, some more gaping than others.
Not that the Broncos can’t make the playoffs. They can. In fact, if history is any indication, they will. Why? Because Jay Cutler is entering his third season in Mike Shanahan’s offense.
“Usually, by the third year, a quarterback starts to feel much more comfortable with the system, the supporting cast, what they need to do and what they don’t,” Shanahan said. “The biggest growth I’ve seen with players is coming into their third year.”
Year three. He didn’t just pull the number out of the sky. Shanahan-coached quarterbacks always show take a major step forward in their third year. It started during Shanahan’s days as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator.
Shanahan joined the 49ers in 1992 after being fired by Dan Reeves as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator. Three seasons later, in 1994, Steve Young led the Niners to a Super Bowl victory over San Diego.
Then there’s John Elway. He led the Broncos to their first-ever Super Bowl after the 1997 season, Shanahan’s third year as the team’s head coach.
Enter Brian Griese, who led the Broncos to an 11-5 season in his third year under Shanahan, one year after they had finished 6-10. And Jake Plummer, whose third season in Denver ended with an appearance in the AFC Championship Game.
Maybe Cutler is destined for a similar fate. Maybe he’ll emerge into the star Shanahan believes he can be. If so, the Broncos could be a lot better than some people think.
And if not? Hey, don’t expect me to predict doom and gloom. They haven’t lost a game yet in 2008.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s daily sports commentaries on The Jimmy Page midday during the week. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
