Finally...

Finally the preseason is done and we can get down to business. The Broncos made their final cuts late last week, and the make-up of the team is more clear. The receiving corps looks to be deep. My fellow football aficionados have been calling David Kirkus the reincarnation of EddyMac, and he certainly seems to be living up to the comparison. He makes the tough catches over the middle and seems to have more speed that McCaffrey could coax out of his battered legs. Todd Devoe looked great in the preseason, and I suspect that he'll come into his own this year. And of course there are the pro-bowl wideouts Javon Walker and Rod Smith. I hope the Plum doesn't drool too much over his passing potential this year.

The defense looks solid. Let me rephrase that: the first-string defense looks solid. The second team got mauled by Kurt Warner and the Arizona offense. It was like flashing back to those disastrous playoff games against Indy when P. Manning shredded the Broncos secondary. If they can stay healthy, the secondary may be the best in Broncos history. Plus the linebackers are always a top-five group and the line seems to be solid pending the return of Gerard Warren. I hope none of the starters miss significant time; otherwise, the Broncos could be doomed.

The running back situation is as obscure as ever. I assume that one of the Bells will start the season as the main back with Cedric Cobbs as a fill-in power back. Until Tatum can learn to fall forward and churn his legs, I'm putting my money on Mike Bell. Yes, I did state that he shouldn't be a starter for any team in the NFL, but it was the preseason and I must have been groggy. We're talking about the Broncos, after all, who can turn any reasonably athletic back into an all-star. Even though I'll pick Mike Bell as the opening-day starter, I can't imagine that he'll be the premier back. Shanahan doesn't roll like that. The Bells will alternate, much like Tatum and Mike Anderson last year (and much to the dismay of fantasy owners everywhere), and Cobbs will play the Ron Dayne roll. It doesn't matter though - the Broncos will be near the top in rushing, much as they are every season.

Opening week prediction: The revamped secondary will subdue the pinpoint accuracy of Marc Bulger; Champ will put a clamp on Torry Holt; and the linebackers will keep Steven Jackson under 100 yards (though he'll get a touchdown). Meanwhile, Plummer and the offense will play a smooth game, alternating the pass and run equally for a workmanlike 27-17 victory over the Rams.