I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fantasy sports person.  In our Aerys Sports league last year I did okay considering much of my roster was autodrafted due to unstable bandwidth and difficulty getting our virtual draft to work for league members scattered across the country.  A few weeks I never got around to changing a starting lineup.  Despite all of that I did play for the championship, a fact that I’m sure is infuriating for people who take these things seriously.

Now, just because I’m not one for fantasy sports doesn’t mean that DHF should be neglecting your passion for it.  So in that spirit I’ve put together an extremely non-statistically based prospectus on the 2012 Denver Broncos.  As you’ll see…it could be feast or very, very bad famine.

Before we get to players and positions we need to discuss that elephant in the room.  Fantasy football, much like actual football, requires a strong component of luck to have a good season.  Much like the Philadelphia Eagles of 2011, fantasy teams have a tendency to look incredible on paper, but once the season gets rolling can dissolve into chaos for a variety of reasons.  Perhaps there is no greater roster to illustrate that unpredictability than the Denver Broncos.  In general, if you’re looking to put Broncos players on your fantasy roster, you probably should make them mid-round pickups rather than jumping other NFL talent while its available.  This is all because of…

Quarterback: From a fantasy perspective (and probably a reality perspective), Peyton Manning will solely determine the team’s fate.  If he’s healthy, and stays healthy, you can’t really miss on Peyton Manning.  He probably carries greater risk than Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger (maybe), Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Matthew Stafford (maybe), Cam Newton, and Andy Dalton.  If you’re taking Manning with one or more of those guys left on the board then you can officially make a t-shirt declaring, “John Elway and I are All In.”

Running backs: You know how we just said Peyton Manning was a risk?  Well that same risk has combined with another risk pattern to form a perfect storm of risky.  Sure, if Manning doesn’t go the distance in the regular season the Broncos will likely turn back to their ground game, thus inflating its numbers.  However, the Broncos would likely become sputteringly one-dimensional (sorry Caleb Hanie).  One dimensional worked for this crew last year, but read-option one-dimensional is far different than between the numbers one dimensional.  Willis McGahee could have a good year, or he could have a bad one, or he could have a very partial one as Denver will likely make running back a committee position.  Running backs are popular early round selections, but there’s an incredible amount of uncertainty about this position in Denver.

Receivers: Sure, take Demaryius Thomas.  Grab Eric Decker, and heck…throw in Bubba Caldwell, Brandon Stokely and tight end Jacob Tamme as well.  These guys are going to be stats machines this year with Manning slinging the ball every which way.  See where this is going?

Kicker: This one is weird as the same idea of “The Manning Gamble” still applies, but in inverse fashion.  If Manning goes the distance you’ll likely get minimal point production from Prater as the Broncos will likely be scoring touchdowns for points rather than kicking field goals.  In a Manning-less scenario, Prater may get more opportunities to point for you, but even then his accuracy thus far is pedestrian at best.  You know what…maybe just don’t pick up Matt Prater.  It’ll drive you nuts if you do.

Defense: Ah yes, and now we’ve come to it.  A safe pick.  The Denver defense isn’t going to win you your league, but it won’t lose it for you either.  No matter who is playing quarterback for the Broncos this defense will be solid…not awesome…but just solid.  They were solid last year, upgraded personnel, and now have the support of two defensive-minded head coaches, one of whom just happens to be working as a defensive coordinator.  If Manning makes it, this could be a very opportunistic defense.  Maybe it isn’t for you, but call it a hunch the Denver D could be a pleasant addition for fantasy owners.

So there you have it.  One additional piece of advice for would-be buyers: view Broncos players as mid- to late-inning relief.  This team is installing a drastically different system from last year, and is being helmed by a man who will have been out of football for about 20 months by the time he sees his first real game action.  Compound that with a fairly brutal early schedule and there’s a chance you may not be fully satisfied with your Broncos assets for a month or two.

Good luck…you’ll need it.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

A lot of DHF stories ideas never leave my head, often as the result of one of two things: 1) DHF isn’t run by a team of writers – just me – and when you add the “real” job to my plate, I simply don’t have enough time, or 2) I made the editorial call to “not go there.”

What I’m about to tackle falls under the latter.

Tim Tebow hatred.

I’m now going there.  It’s a subject I considered addressing weeks ago, but never did.  I had my reasons; besides, the blogosphere is oversaturated with opinion pieces on the Tim Tebow “love him or hate him” debate.  I preferred to instead focus on football as much as possible.

That changed Saturday night, and not just because that’s when the football season ended for the Denver Broncos.

I certainly wouldn’t use the word ‘naïve’ to describe myself, but I was honestly taken aback by the online onslaught of personal insults and malicious taunting directed toward Tebow.  Okay, I know collectively we all love watching stars get publicly dinged.  We love to hate the media darlings, and Tebow certainly qualifies as such, but I inexplicably found myself outraged, incensed, and most of all, disappointed.

Silly how something as trivial as a Twitter timeline can make you realize just how much you care about a team and a player.

Tim Tebow's newest role: polarizing public figure. (personal photo)

I know the basic arguments (for lack of a better word) to dislike Tebow: questionable quarterbacking skills, relentless media coverage, and religious convictions.

Tebow has a lot to work on if he wants to develop into an elite quarterback in the NFL.  Heck, he has quite a bit to work on if he wants to develop into an okay quarterback in the NFL.  Tebow is dedicated to improving his passing, particularly his short- and middle-distance throws, along with reading defenses, and the inordinate number of “little things” it takes to lead a team.

As a quarterback, public criticism is par for the course.  “He shouldn’t have thrown that ball” or “He missed the wide open receiver” are the Sunday norm.  The verdict on Tebow’s NFL career remains to be seen, but if you dislike how he plays as a quarterback, that’s fine.  He does a lot of things that irritate me to no end.

If you’re irked Tebow has singlehandedly overshadowed a banner year for NFL passers, point the finger at the national media.  Tebowmania was largely a media creation.  Note to Denver readers: I omit Denver-based media because it’s their job to report on local news, and the Broncos are just that.

Three NFL quarterbacks (Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Matthew Stafford) threw for more than 5,000 yards this season, yet the Tebow media machine dwarfed the historic passing season.  The Green Bay Packers only lost one regular season game – a feat that only garnered second-headline status.

I get it; there’s too much Tebow out there. I also get that he’s not soliciting NFL Network, ESPN, or even the morning national talk shows for coverage.  Media love to overkill a news story.  Remember “The Royal Wedding?”

Look who gets a cover mention in The National Enquirer? (personal photo)

Remember the ESPN fascination with all things Brett Favre that thankfully met its demise (for the most part…or at least I’m hoping) in 2011?  Remember the “Pursuit of Perfection” surrounding the 2007 New England Patriots?

I sure do, and I hated it.

Do I hate Brett Favre?  No, but I really dislike his indecisiveness and penchant for raunchy drama.  Do I dislike the Patriots?  You betcha, but I’m from Colts country, so it’s expected as long as certain folks remain in Foxborough.

The point is that hearing too much about anything gets incredibly annoying, especially when the buzz seems to negate every other story.  However, that’s something out of Tebow’s control.  Attacking him for it is misguided, and ultimately won’t change a thing.

Regarding the lightning rod that is Tebow’s religious convictions, I’ll just add this: Tim Tebow is openly religious.  That’s not going to change.  While the political and personal ramifications of his faith may rub some the wrong way…that’s who he is, and it’s not going to change.

Writing about this now probably lends no credence to the Tebow debate, nor should it really.  Perhaps this nothing more just my venting, or a therapeutic exercise, or whatever you want to call it.  I understand the notion of wishing ill on the popular kid, but when by all accounts the popular kid is a genuinely good person, attacking him is petty.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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The Denver Post: The Broncos are thinking ahead to 2012 draft needs, and at the top of the list: Secondary.

The Denver Post: We’re on Matthew Stafford watch.

Detroit Free Press: Matthew Stafford watch Take II.

DenverBroncos.com: Lions vs. Broncos game preview.

MLive.com: Things to know for the Lions vs. Broncos game.

Austin Statesman: What do Tim Tebow and Bobby Knight have in common?  They’re both polarizing sports figures.

Montreal Gazette: A former Bronco overcomes a disability to succeed in the CFL.

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Hope springs eternal in Tim Tebow’s world.

Ever the optimist, the Broncos quarterback said the offense made “strides” this week in practice, working on timing, precision, and everything else that is essential to being competitive in the NFL.  He better be right.  Otherwise, those still reveling from the emotional high of Denver’s overtime win against the Dolphins could be in for a sobering wakeup call Sunday.

The Detroit Lions will have none of it.

Detroit has dropped two straight games after a scorching 5-0 start, and wants nothing more than to right the ship heading into a bye week.  On paper, Denver is the perfect opportunity. 

You may be thinking, “On paper?  But with Tim Tebow on the field, what’s ‘on paper’ doesn’t exactly matter.”

You’re right…to a point.

Perhaps more importantly is how the Broncos handle Tebow.  The onus is on offensive coordinator Mike McCoy – and John Fox to a lesser extent – to make set adjustments to cater to Tebow’s style by exploiting his strengths and concealing his weaknesses.

Right now, this is still an offense designed for a traditional pocket-passer (i.e. Kyle Orton).  For whatever reason, McCoy is seemingly reluctant to make many (any?) revisions to Denver’s offensive schemes.

The result?  Ultra-conservative play-calling for 3.5 quarters against Miami.

It was only when the Broncos were down 15 points in the mid-late 4th quarter we saw any offensive excitement, and then, it was only by necessity – the necessity of mounting a comeback.  Funny how a guarded game plan is abandoned in times of desperation?

But did you see what that abandoned game plan accomplished?  A victory.

Cautious play-calling doesn’t benefit Tebow.  It doesn’t benefit his offense, either.  The Broncos need to play to win from the 1st quarter, not the 4th.  When the Broncos tried using Tebow as a kind-of quarterback nothing jelled.  When Tebow had to start throwing the ball late in the game his accuracy improved, and so did the entire team.  Denver’s coaches need to demonstrate faith (no pun intended) in their quarterback to make the quick reads and quick throws from the first offensive series.

That doesn’t mean the Broncos should shelve the running game.  In fact, quite the contrary.  With Willis McGahee out Sunday, it’s up to Knowshon Moreno, and likely Lance Ball, to make things happen.  Remember, the consensus is that if Moreno doesn’t show something this season, he’s likely at best a role player for the rest of his career.

The timing, at least for Moreno, couldn’t be better.  The Lions run defense ranks 28th in the NFL.  Moreno isn’t a between-the-hashmarks type of runner, so to make a real impact, he’ll need to find the sideline or continue to develop his catch-and-run game.  Ball’s running style is closer to McGahee, so if the Broncos offensive line creates a hole, Ball can get, say, six yards per carry.

A decent showing by Denver’s offense will be the defense’s best friend.  If – and I keep using that word – the Broncos’ offense can score on long, sustained, ground-first drives, it not only keeps the defense fresh, it the Lions’ offense on the sidelines, which brings me to:

The Broncos coaching staff is losing sleep over…

This one’s easy: Calvin Johnson.  Champ Bailey will have the “honors” of covering Megatron, who’s easily the best wide receiver the Broncos will face all year, and arguably the best receiver in the NFL.  Lions QB Matthew Stafford is gimpy, but should play, but even if Shaun Hill gets the nod, Johnson will see many passes come his way.  He’ll catch those passes, too.  Because he’s that good.

There’s no way to take Johnson out of the game, other than physically taking him out of the game.  No, not by hurting him, but keeping the Lions offense on the sidelines where it belongs.

Matchup That Could Be Crucial or Insignificant

Crucial matchups?  How about a plethora, but one that could also be insignificant?  I’m drawing a blank here.  This game is all about matchups.

Final Score: Detroit 31, Denver 17

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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Could it be?  A collection of Broncos headlines sans you-know-who?

The Denver Post: Quinton Carter knows what he needs to do for a starting job.

The Denver Post: More than this season is on the line for Knowshon Moreno.

DenverBroncos.com: The Broncos are building momentum…or at least hope to be.

ESPN: Keeping an on Matthew Stafford’s injury.

FS Florida: Profiling Broncos GM Brian Xanders, a former Florida State Seminoles walk-on linebacker.

Fan IQ: Is it too early to talk about the Broncos at Raiders game?  Nah.

STLSportsMinute: Ex-Bronco Brandon Lloyd impressed the Rams in his first game with the team.

York News-Times: Staying on the subject for former Broncos, Maurice Clarett is making the public speaking rounds.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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Slow day.  Snow day.  Frankly, I’m not a fan of either, but there are a few miscellaneous Broncos-related nuggets to share.

About those aforementioned enemy lines…

For all things Lions (and to give a shout out to my Aerys Sports colleague), be sure to visit Barry Sports Memorial Blog for coverage and news (i.e. Matthew Stafford’s injury)  from a pro-Detroit perspective.  Just make sure you come back here, since you are a Broncos fan, remember?

Shout out to my Aerys Sports colleagues II…

It’s the return of Aerys Huddle!  I joined Aerys Sports’ NFL writers to discuss league news and headlines. In Part I, we tackle the Colts’ nightmarish season, a surge in penalties, turning the season around, and the biggest surprises and disappointments through Week 7.

Sack negated…

Better late than never.

Elias Sports Bureau has taken away Kendall Langford’s sack on Tim Tebow from Sunday’s game, according to The Denver Post.  The play, which resulted in a Tebow fumble recovered by Matt Willis, has now been changed to a tackle on a rushing attempt, putting the Dolphins sack total from Sunday at six.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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