Mike Shanahan isn’t going to like this blog.
Shanahan never likes to hear talk of the future. With Shanahan, it’s all about winning today, not tomorrow. It’s all about this year, not next year or five years down the road.
But given the Broncos’ recent draft-day home runs, it’s difficult not to peek into the future. The one that could include multiple Super Bowl appearances.
Yes, the Broncos have major here-and-now issues. Their defense in the end may keep them from making the playoffs. If so, their days of not playing in the postseason won’t last long.
It all starts with Jay Cutler. There’s no reason to think he won’t be among the game’s top three or four quarterbacks in the years to come. And once Father Time starts catching up to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady _ he may already have, for that matter — Cutler could find himself at the top of the quarterback food chain.
And he isn’t alone. The Broncos have drafted and developed other stars-in-the-making on the offensive side of the ball. Brandon Marshall, Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Eddie Royal just to mention a few.
If Shanahan can fix the defense in the year few years — and he’ll have some salary-cap room and three extra picks in the 2009 draft to do it — the Broncos could be set for years to come. They could be the team to beat in the AFC West, if not the AFC.
The operative word, of course, is could. Shanahan and his staff have to make the right personnel calls. They have to rebuild a defense that ranks among the worst in the league. In the end, that may prove easier than you think. Why? Because, given all that young talent on offense, the Broncos can devote virtually all of their financial resources and draft choices to the defensive side of the ball.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s sports updates on The Jimmy Page morning and afternoon Monday-Friday. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
