There are certainly a lot more than five things that every NFL team will need to do once the lockout is lifted. Still, for the sake or discussion here are five things that will set the Denver Broncos well onto the path of rebuilding.
These recommendations go from the first day of the new league year, to the first game of the 2011 season.
Trade Kyle Orton
There is no good that can come from Orton remaining on the roster of the Broncos when it is clear that Tebow is the quarterback of the future and Orton is not. This team is not ready to contend for a Super Bowl, if it were, then Orton would definitely be the right man for the job.
However, since the Broncos are clearly nowhere near earning an AFC Championship this coming year, it is time to see if Tebow is the man everyone hopes he can be.
Some might argue that if Fox would simply just name one of the two the starter right off the bat the problem would be solved. That couldn’t be more wrong. Having one on the bench if the other is struggling will do nothing but cause endless mind games and cautious play from either player, and neither deserves that.
Trade Orton immediately and either acquire a starter for him or a high value draft pick that will help build the team that Tebow is inheriting. Don’t waste any time going back and forth about who is the starter and who isn’t. It might make for great media hype, but it won’t help the team.
Sign DeAngelo Williams
Fans are always hesitant when a new coach comes in and wants to surround himself with “his guys.” Denver fans might be the most hesitant to accept a plan like that considering the abject failure of the previous coaches attempt at implementing that plan.
Still, it is basic human nature to want to have some familiarity around you and for John Fox to have a player that helped him find success would be huge. Especially when it is a player that still has a lot to offer and fills a big need for the team.
DeAngelo Williams would make John Fox feel like he has a huge cornerstone to build from in the running game. It would also allow more time to work with Tim Tebow on running the offense.
Simply put if Fox has to teach a running back, and a quarterback, about his offense they may not have enough time to adequately prepare.
Have A Movie Night
Sounds childish and elementary but this movie has a pretty good plot that the players need to see. It’s about the Denver Broncos and it should highlight the fact that they are the heartbeat of Denver.
This movie should not focus on the great players in Broncos history, but rather the great teams and what they accomplished. It should show the peaks and valleys of the franchises history starting from mustard yellow, go through bright orange and now to deep blue.
These players need to be reminded that they play for a storied franchise, and that it’s an honor to have the opportunity to bring back the tradition of “Orange Sunday.”
This has always been, and will always be, a great place to play football.
Get Out In The Community
There's going to be a lot of angry fans out there and even though it may be tough, the team needs to reconnect with them. The Broncos have a pretty valuable resource in PR wizard Jim Saccomano. They will need all of his skill to quickly make this team lovable again.
Luckily, the fans know that the problems are not solely those of the Broncos and should be willing to forgive. Whatever the team was going to do normally, they should double it.
Weekly trips to the Children's Hospital, why not make it twice a week?
Charity golf tournament, How about a bowling tournament to go with it?
The people want Tim Tebow…give them more Tebow than they can handle.
Whatever they end up doing, they can always do more and in this case they need to. Above and beyond that they need to practice saying all the right things. The team needs to listen to Jim Saccomano and take all of his advice when dealing with the media.
Beat The Raiders
Start the season with the biggest bang that you can. Every good Broncos fan will trade almost anything for a victory against the Raiders. Even if the wins are few and far between, this one could do wonders.
First, it would give fans hope for the rest of the season. Starting the season off with a win, and against the Raiders no less, gives fans some good memories that will stay fresh until the next one comes around.
Second, it would mirror the inaugural game for John Fox with the Panthers. If that means that he will turn around the Broncos as quickly as he did the Panthers then that can’t be a bad thing.
Simply winning the first game does not guarantee prolonged success. In fact, Broncos fans know that a coach winning his first six in a row still can’t guarantee that.
Regardless, a win against the Raiders in Week 1 puts the Broncos first in the AFC West for at least a week. That, in itself, would be a huge accomplishment for Fox and the Broncos.
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