Denver Broncos Season Preview Resource Article

The Denver Broncos attempt to put a tragic offseason behind them starting Sunday when they visit the Buffalo Bills to open the regular season.

What looked like a promising 2006 season turned ugly when Denver lost five of its last seven games to finish 9-7 and just outside of the AFC playoff picture.

Denver 's playoff fate was sealed after a 26-23 home defeat to San Francisco in its finale on New Year's Eve. That loss, however, ushered in one of the most trying offseasons the franchise has ever experienced.

Hours after losing to the 49ers, starting cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting. Then in February, backup running back Damien Nash collapsed and died after playing in a charity basketball game.

"This is going to be a tough season and these two guys would have helped us out tremendously," said receiver Javon Walker, who was with Williams when he was killed.

Linebacker Al Wilson, the team's leading tackler last season, was waived after suffering a neck injury and veteran receiver Rod Smith - the franchise's leader in catches and touchdowns - is on the reserve/physically unable to perform list while recovering from offseason hip surgery. Also, defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban is lost for the season with an Achilles' tendon injury.

Despite a tumultuous eight months, Denver will still try to keep pace with AFC West favorite San Diego . The Broncos could start on a positive note as they try for a fifth straight victory over Buffalo , which hasn't been to the playoffs since 1999 or beaten Denver in almost 13 seasons.

Denver will look to running back Travis Henry to pace an offense that ranked 21st in the NFL with 309.4 yards per game last season.

Henry signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract after rushing for 1,211 yards in 14 games for Tennessee in 2006. He has been bothered by a sprained left knee and some off-field issues, but is expected to be ready for Sunday's contest against his former team.

Henry was drafted by Buffalo , where he spent 2001-04 and made the Pro Bowl in 2002. With Tennessee , he rushed 25 times for 135 yards in a 30-29 win over the Bills on Dec. 24.

Undrafted rookie free agent Selvin Young could also be used in the backfield after gaining 167 yards on 34 carries in the preseason.

Jay Cutler looks to build off his rookie year when he started the final five games in place of the since-departed Jake Plummer. Cutler was 81-for-137 for 1,001 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions, but the Broncos went 2-3 with him as the starter.

"We're working things out," said Cutler, who became the first rookie to throw two or more touchdowns in each of his first four games. "I feel comfortable with the guys."

He'll be looking for Walker, who caught a team-leading 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

While the Broncos offense has the potential to improve, the defense will have a new look up front with veteran end John Engelberger and tackle Sam Adams to anchor an otherwise young group of linemen.

Denver 's starters allowed 44 points and 547 yards in roughly six quarters during the preseason. Hoping for a lift, the Broncos signed veteran pass rusher Simeon Rice, who was released by Tampa Bay in July.

"He's a terrific football player all-around. A lot of people like to give him a hard time about his run defense. It doesn't always look pretty, but he gets the job done," said safety John Lynch of the 12-year veteran, who is second to the Giants' Michael Strahan among active players with 121 career sacks.

Dre' Bly was acquired from Detroit to replace Williams and give Denver a formidable secondary with the hard-hitting Lynch and cornerback Champ Bailey, who tied New England's Asante Samuel for the league lead with 10 interceptions in 2006.

Buffalo , meanwhile, opens the season with as many as six new starters, including rookie running back Marshawn Lynch.

"We've put together, given our resources, the best group we can under the circumstances right now," Buffalo 's 82-year-old general manager Marv Levy said. "So we're looking for them to advance quickly."

Lynch, who was selected with the 12th overall pick in April's draft to replace Willis McGahee - who's now in Baltimore - rushed for 3,230 yards and 29 TDs in three seasons at California.

Lynch, quarterback J.P. Losman and receiver Lee Evans hope to improve an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL in 2006 with 266.9 yards per contest.

Losman completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,051 yards with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his first season as the full-time starter, while Evans set career marks in receptions (82) and yards (1,292).

Defensively, the Bills may lack depth, but end Aaron Schobel was third in the NFL with 14 sacks and safeties Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson are regarded as two of the game's better young defenders.

"We'll be ready to play," Evans said. "We're going to go out there swinging with both arms and we'll see what happens."

Buffalo last beat Denver 27-20 at home on Sept. 26, 1994.