Broncos relying on 2009 draft class

ENGLEWOOD – If the Denver Broncos are going to compete for a playoff spot, the 2009 rookie class is going to have to play a lot better than it did a year ago.

There’s no way around it. The Broncos drafted five players in the first two rounds last year. None of them made a huge impact, but are being counted on heavily this season. Second-day draft picks like guard Seth Olsen, safety David Bruton and receiver Kenny McKinley could also have important roles.

The coaching staff is showing its faith in the second-year players, and likes what it sees so far.

“A lot of those second-year players are really starting to come on,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. “The game has slowed down, you can tell. It makes everybody better because now we have 11 guys out there that can really play at the speed and tempo of the game.”

The most pressure is on running back Knowshon Moreno and outside linebacker Robert Ayers, Denver’s first-round picks a year ago. Moreno was decent but faded late. He had 947 yards and seven touchdowns, but had no 100-yard games, only two runs of 20 yards or more and averaged just 3.8 yards per carry.

Moreno says he did well as a rookie, but he clearly understands there is room for improvement. He watched film to understand his mistakes on some reads and looks in good shape after not missing an offseason workout. When he was asked about his lack of big plays in 2009, he let it be known he expects more.

“That was last year and it’s a new slate now,” Moreno said. “Let’s just start something new and get better.”

Ayers’ promotion represents the biggest leap of faith. He didn’t have a sack last year and didn’t start a game. But the Broncos cut veteran Andra Davis, in part because they wanted to find a way to get Ayers in the starting lineup. Ayers has impressed McDaniels, who praised Ayers’ work habits this offseason and said he has been one of the top performers in the offseason conditioning program.

Ayers said he understands his role this season and has narrowed his focus to concentrate on just his responsibilities. He said when he watches film of last year, he can see how he was over-thinking and it slowed him down.

“I look at myself and then at the other 10 guys on defense and they’re moving at a high speed,” Ayers said. “Then, me, I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on instead of just attacking and playing football.”

Others could have more responsibility. Cornerback Alphonso Smith had a poor rookie season, but spent the first few practices as the team’s third cornerback. Cornerback Champ Bailey said Smith “has grown up a lot” since last year. Veteran Nate Jones was the third cornerback ahead of Smith on Thursday, foreshadowing a training camp battle.

Tight end Richard Quinn, who had no catches last year, has gotten plenty of work with the first-team offense in multiple tight-end sets. Safeties Darcel McBath and Bruton will be key backups. Olsen could start if Russ Hochstein is moved to center, or Hochstein doesn’t recover fast enough from knee surgery.

Ayers summed up the fresh start each of the second-year players has going into this season.

“Last year I didn’t do the things I wanted to do, but that’s last year,” Ayers said. “This year I look to do good things and I’m really excited about the opportunity I’m getting so far.”

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