Lovin’ the new recruit.
I really like the fact we picked up Michael Pittman, and I think he is going to do a good job in Denver. Is there any chance he will start?
Ben, Chicago
Mike Klis: Although stranger things have happened with Broncos’ tailbacks, I don’t see Pittman starting. I do see him playing a significant role, now that Travis Henry has been released.
When the season begins, I would expect the Broncos’ top three running backs to be, in order, Selvin Young, Pittman and Ryan Torain. If there’s an upset, it would be Torain emerging as the No. 1.
Andre Hall would be the fourth back, providing the Broncos keep four backs. They might not, but all four had injury issues last year. I would also expect the Broncos to keep undrafted rookie Anthony Alridge on its practice squad.
Tough it out, Broncs.
It seems like a 7-9 team would have gotten a softer schedule than the Broncos got. Is this some kind of penalty or what?
Jeff, Superior
Mike: It’s not a 7-9 schedule but a second-place schedule. Not only was 7-9 good enough to finish second in the Mild, Mild AFC West last season, it was three games ahead of next-best Kansas City and Oakland. So the Broncos share a similar strength-of-schedule with 11-5 Jacksonville and 10-6 Cleveland, who also finished second in their respective divisions.
Having said that, I think the Broncos have a favorable schedule this year, especially at home. And if a team has playoff aspirations, what’s so tough about Atlanta, the Jets, Carolina and Cleveland on the road?
‘Backs do it best.
What position do you think we addressed most efficiently this offseason with quality players? The worst?
Mike, Rochester, N.Y.
Mike: The most significant upgrade was at linebacker. All three positions have markedly improved. Boss Bailey is a terrific strongside linebacker. D.J. Williams goes from a hesitant middle linebacker to a potential Pro Bowl weakside linebacker. And Niko Koutouvides is a natural middle linebacker. And the Broncos have terrific backups in Nate Webster and Jamie Winborn.
The position the Broncos addressed the least was defensive line, because the team needs to allow its young players to develop. Defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas are all second-season players. Another defensive end, Elvis Dumervil, is starting his third season. The D-line will improve as they improve. The most significant addition was defensive tackle De-wayne Robertson. He played five seasons with the New York Jets, the last two in a 3-4 alignment. Robertson is a 4-3 tackle, so the thinking by both he and the Broncos is he will be a good fit.
Defensive change.
This has turned into a real transition year for the Broncos with so many additions to the team, especially journeymen and rookies. … Do you think this will affect the team’s ability to jell quickly, or will it take a year of playing together before they become a real playoff contender?
Larry, Minneapolis
Mike: You made an astute observation and stated a valid concern. Last season, we frequently used the word “transition.” But based on the number of unfamiliar faces on the practice field this spring, I believe there are more changes this year.
The difference between this season and last season, though, is defensive scheme. Besides all the new players last year, the Broncos tried using the unique defensive system of new coordinator Jim Bates. The Bates system didn’t work because the Broncos were horrific in stopping the run.
This year, the Broncos are returning to the system coach Mike Shanahan has favored for most of his 14-season tenure. There will be eight men in the box, not seven, to stop the run. And there will be more zone coverage in the secondary.
If the defense improves, as it should, and quarterback Jay Cutler improves in the red zone, as he should, expect the Broncos to be playing for a playoff spot in the final week of the season.
Mike Klis will start his fourth season covering the Broncos after reporting on the Rockies and MLB for 15 years. Reach him at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
