The Denver Broncos didn't have a great season last year and finished with a final score of 7-9, missing the playoffs. What explains the Broncos lackluster season? Many fans say it was inevitable due to the injuries suffered by players like Rod Smith, Jarvis Moss and Ebenezer Ekuban. The upcoming season will be the Denver Broncos 49th season for the NFL and head coach Mike Shanahan will be returning for the 14th time. He has held the position steady since 1995 and improved the Broncos in many areas such as offense and high-yardage rushing. Shanahan has also helped the team overcome tough competition like The New England Patriots and a whole host of other top rated teams, and showed them the way to the playoffs several times since his debut.

What awaits the Broncos in 2008? The team has already lost some big name talent to trading, including linebacker Ian Gold and wide receiver Javon Walker. Gold signed with the Miami Dolphins and Walker signed on with the Oakland Raiders. The team also lost Jason Elam to the Atlanta Falcons and cut running back Travis Henry. What they lost they hope to make up for in some impressive draft signings as well as other team acquisitions. Some of the team's most exciting draft picks include offensive tackle Ryan Clady from Boise State, wide receiver Eddie Royal from Virginia Tech, cornerback Jack Williams from Kent State and defensive tackle Carlton Powell from Virginia Tech.

How do you like the chances of the Broncos in 2008? If you believe the Broncos played fairly well in 2007 but were out-powered by the competition (and more importantly affected by numerous injuries) then this coming season may spell good news. Unlike other losing teams who have never really had a good season, the Denver Broncos are former NFL Super Bowl Championships, having captured the title for the first time in 1997 and 1998. In 2007, the team's list of injuries was surely devastating. The complete list of injured players in 2007 included Rod Smith, Ben Hamilton, Javon Walker, Tom Nalen, Jarvis Moss and Ebenezer Ekuban. Commercially speaking, the Broncos are playing well and set a franchise record in their home game against the Green Bay Packers, in which 77,160 tickets were sold.

How does the team's management feel about the upcoming year? Head Coach Mike Shanahan has expressed relief and enthusiasm regarding the team's top draft picks in Ryan Clady and Eddie Royal. Shanahan even told the Denver media that they these were the two players the team was really hoping to draft. He even clarified that as far as picking the two star players whom he wanted the most with the first two draft picks has happened "zero times" in his career.

Shanahan has much to be excited about and the team remains loyal to their coach who brought them to Super Bowl glory and has remained their reliable leader for the past 14 years. There's a reason why owner Pat Bowlen has kept Shanahan on-the man delivers results, give or take a few seasons of mistiming.