Season-in-review team reports — AFC
West
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 8-8 |
| Overview |
| The Broncos opened their checkbook in an effort to keep their talent and
add key components, but a .500 record is all they had to show for the spending. The new
Ray Rhodes-led defensive regime improved from 24th in the league the year prior to his
arrival to eighth this season, but the offense never seemed to be able to get on track.
Denver’s blocking efficiency was not quite the same after OL coach Alex Gibbs settled
into semi-retirement, the loss of WR Ed McCaffrey to a broken leg in the opener was
devastating, QB Brian Griese’s play dropped off and the running backs battled injury
problems for much of the season. In short, it was a disappointing season considering the
preseason expectations. |
| Turning point |
| It seems odd to focus on something so early, but McCaffrey’s injury
had such a negative impact on the Broncos that it can’t be denied. Not only was
McCaffrey coming off a 101-catch season, but his blocking made him a vital ingredient in
the Broncos’ impressive running game. Griese’s security blanket was gone for the
season in Week One, and with no one really stepping in and filling McCaffrey’s shoes
the rest of the way, his loss proved to be too much to overcome. |
| Offensive MVP |
| Rod Smith seemed to be the only thing that kept the Broncos from becoming
one-dimensional this season. Without his partner, McCaffrey, Smith faced relentless
double-teams, especially when opposing teams discovered the Broncos were void of any other
consistent playmakers at wide receiver. With the added attention and the fact Smith played
with two badly sprained ankles for much of the second half of the season, it’s
amazing he was able to haul in a league-leading 113 passes and 11 touchdowns. |
| Defensive MVP |
| OLB John Mobley made good on the huge extension he signed last offseason
and served as what those close to the team called "the best of an ordinary
group." Mobley led the Broncos with 133 tackles and contributed a sack, an
interception, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. The only time Mobley has
failed to lead the team in tackles in his six-year career was during his rookie season of
1996 and when he missed 14 games in ’99 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. |
| Biggest surprise |
| DT Chester McGlockton came to Denver during the offseason with a
reputation for being a detriment in the locker room and one who takes plays off on
occasion. But instead, McGlockton was everything other teams said he wasn’t, and the
veteran run stuffer proved to be a major force in the middle of the Broncos’ defense. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| By leading the league in passer rating and boasting a stellar 19-4
TD-interception ratio in 2000, Griese set the expectation bar quite high, but he failed to
even approach it this season. His accuracy wasn’t as sharp as it was in 2000, he
tossed 19 interceptions and was the NFL’s lowest-rated starting quarterback in the
fourth quarter. In fairness, the blocking wasn’t there for him all the time, and the
loss of McCaffrey hurt, but the drop-off in productivity was troubling considering the
progress he had shown. |
| Rookie recap |
| There isn’t a lot to go over in this department because to say the
Broncos’ rookie crop failed to distinguish itself would be putting it kindly. CB
Willie Middlebrooks and DE Paul Toviessi, the team’s first- and second-round choices,
respectively, were nonfactors. Third-rounder Reggie Hayward showed some promise at
defensive end, and despite an ankle injury that slowed his impact significantly, the
Broncos like speedy WR-RS Kevin Kasper a lot and feel they got a sixth-round steal. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| McGlockton proved to be a worthy gamble, but DT Leon Lett did not and
thus will not be back next season. CB Denard Walker was solid but not worth the money
Denver paid to lure him from Tennessee. WR Eddie Kennison did little before abruptly
leaving the team, and DE Keith Washington was serviceable. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Terrell Davis, 701 yards on 167 carries, 4.2 avg., 0 TDs.
Passing — Brian Griese, 275-451 attempts for 2,827 yards, 23 TDs, 19 interceptions,
78.5 rating.
Receiving — Rod Smith, 113 receptions for 1,343 yards, 11.9 avg., 11 TDs.
Scoring — Jason Elam, 124 points on 31 PATs and 31 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Chris Cole, 48 for 1,127 yards, 23.5 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Deltha O’Neal, 31 for 405 yards, 13.1 avg., 1 TD.
Punting — Tom Rouen, 81 for 45.3 avg., 36.5 net, 8 TB, 25 inside 20, 1 blk., 64L.
Interceptions — Deltha O’Neal, 9 for 115 yards, 12.8 avg., 0 TDs.
Sacks — Trevor Pryce, Bill Romanowski, 7. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to Denver.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 10 |
New York Giants |
(-7) |
31-20 |
| Sept. 23 |
At Arizona |
(-7.5) |
38-17 |
| Sept. 30 |
Baltimore |
(-5.5) |
13-20 |
| Oct. 7 |
Kansas City |
(-10.5) |
20-6 |
| Oct. 14 |
At Seattle |
(-6) |
21-34 |
| Oct. 21 |
At San Diego |
(-3) |
10-27 |
| Oct. 28 |
New England |
(-7) |
31-20 |
| Nov. 5 |
At Oakland |
(+6) |
28-38 |
| Nov. 11 |
San Diego |
(-5) |
26-16 |
| Nov. 18 |
Washington |
(-8.5) |
10-17 |
| Nov. 22 |
At Dallas |
(-6.5) |
26-24 |
| Dec. 2 |
At Miami |
(+3) |
10-21 |
| Dec. 9 |
Seattle |
(-6) |
20-7 |
| Dec. 16 |
At Kansas City |
(+1) |
23-26* |
| Dec. 23 |
BYE |
|
|
| Dec. 30 |
Oakland |
(-1) |
23-17 |
| Jan. 6 |
At Indianapolis |
(+2) |
10-29 |
* Overtime |
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