Denver Broncos: Mile High Mailbag: Just How Good Is This Team?
By Chad Jensen
The next question comes from Jaime U. via Google+.
Who is set to have a career years on offense and on defense?
This is a tough one. There are so many candidates, on both sides of the ball. On offense, I’m going to go with Montee Ball.
Even though he’s only in his 2nd year, Ball will be the Broncos’ featured running back. As we saw down the stretch last season, Ball has a special skill set.
Once he makes his cut, he runs downhill and grinds out the yards. He has explosion through the hole that comes in handy in short yardage and goal line situations.
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) runs the ball against Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the second half in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
He also happens to have one of the best jump cuts ever. Playing in the Broncos system, I expect him to rush for around 1,200 yards and about 10 TDs, along with 50 receptions and 400 yards.
It’s been stated by the coaching staff this past offseason that they want the offense to be more balanced. Montee Ball will be the beneficiary of that.
On defense, I’m going with another 2nd year pro. Sylvester Williams. He was another young guy that played lights out down the stretch and into the playoffs last year.
January 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Sylvester Williams (92) during the first half against the New England Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
He has a quick, explosive first step. His sheer athleticism makes it almost impossible for opposing linemen to block him.
Now that he’s had time to acclimate to the speed of the NFL game and assimilate the playbook, he’s able to just play now, like it’s second nature.
And we’ll see the result of that in full force this year. Expect Sly Williams to have a breakout year.
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