Broncos in need of update in offseason

ENGLEWOOD • Mike Shanahan didn't have the talent at his disposal to do much better than 8-8 this season.

Of course, Shanahan had final say on all personnel matters, so the deficiencies on the Denver Broncos roster can be traced back to him. That's a reason Shanahan was fired after 14 seasons as Broncos coach.

The Broncos might have been lucky to go 8-8. They were outscored by 78 points this season. The Chargers, who won the AFC West at 8-8, had a plus-92 point differential. The Jaguars finished 5-11 and were outscored by only 65 points. St. Louis, Seattle, Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, Cincinnati and Cleveland were the only teams in the NFL that were outscored by more than 78 points, and all of them had at least 11 losses.

No matter who becomes the new coach, the biggest challenge for the team this offseason is upgrading the roster.

"We're not in the playoffs, so we are a long way away," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen acknowledged. "But that could change in a hurry."

The Broncos are in a unique situation because almost all of their problems are on defense.

Denver could use a standout tailback - none of the running backs in the organization, including all seven on injured reserve, are without some flaws - and could use another backup receiver and some depth on the offensive line.

But those are minor problems compared to the other side of the ball.

Every defensive position group could use an upgrade. The defensive line lacks playmakers. Linebacker isn't in bad shape, but the Broncos could use a top-notch middle linebacker. Safety was a major problem all season, and the cornerbacks are getting older.

Cornerback Champ Bailey is one of the few safe players on defense, and he will be 31 next season. Linebacker D.J. Williams was having a very good season before suffering a knee injury, and he'll be a centerpiece of the defense. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil has the talent to rebound from a poor season in which he had only five sacks.

The new coaching staff, along with the front office, will evaluate just about every other defensive player's future. The Broncos finished 29th in yards allowed, 30th in points allowed, 26th in passing yards allowed and 27th in rushing yards allowed. Only one team had fewer than Denver's six interceptions and its 26 sacks were 26th best in the NFL.

"We played well at times, but the good defenses like the Ravens, those guys are consistent," cornerback Dre Bly said. "To me, a steady team, a team that's going to make the playoffs, we need to be more consistent defensively."

An overhaul is needed, and the most important move will probably be with the 12th overall pick of April's draft. A potential impact player like USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, USC safety Taylor Mays or Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo could fall to the Broncos. Denver will also have to fill some holes with later draft picks.

The Broncos used a more conservative approach in free agency last year and it didn't turn out well. Center Casey Wiegmann was a good pickup. Others like safeties Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree, linebackers Niko Koutouvides and Boss Bailey, receivers Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson added little. Top defensive players, especially linemen, command large contracts in free agency, so Denver will have to decide if it wants to spend more money this offseason.

After signing Williams to an extension in September, Denver doesn't have many high-priority free agents it will look to re-sign. The Broncos' top free agent is probably middle linebacker Nate Webster. Other players could become free agents if Denver decides to make major changes.

"When you don't make the playoffs, when you have a lead in your division and you falter at the end, most of the time changes are made," Bly said after the season finale, not knowing there was a major change in store on the coaching staff. "I've been in this league 10 years and I know how it goes."