Broncos trail other teams in player retention

Mike Sando over at ESPN has compiled an interesting chart that shows how each of the NFL teams stack up in terms of player retention. He points out that most of the top preforming teams end up very close to the top of this list (the Vikings actually claim the top spot with 94.4% retention). Likewise, poor preforming teams tend to settle at the bottom (the lowest two are Detroit and Seattle). And while there are some exceptions to the rules, I find the fact that the Broncos are very close to the bottom something that gives me pause.

At 27th in the league the Broncos’ 72.9% ranks only slightly higher than the abysmal Buffalo Bills at 71.2% and the Redskins at 70.3%. Considering Shanahan is rebuilding the Redskins for the ground up, what does that say about the state of the Broncos at the end of last season?

One could certainly argue that Josh McDaniel‘s ‘team oriented’ system leads to more turnovers than most teams; however, Belichick’s Patriots don’t show that trend (they rank 5th overall).

So, what does this all mean? Are we truly as far from the playoffs as the Lions and Bills?

I personally don’t think so. But I do believe this very clearly demonstrates how deeply McDaniels is continuing to change our team. And while I understand and appreciate what our new coaches had to do in Josh’s first year, I find it troubling that we’re continuing to jettison starters at this pace.

Let me point this out… Mike Nolan has my great respect. He came into a real defensive mess last off-season and without any real ‘outside’ help (Dawkins being the most notable exception), he turned around one the sloppiest units in the league. ONE off-season – with very few personnel changes. Unlike what Nolan did on the defensive side of the ball, McDaniels gutted our offense and traded away our pro-bowl talent. He’s drafted running backs and quarterbacks for goodness sake. The results in 2009 was to plunge the league’s 2nd ranked offense in ’08 into the middle of the pack at 15th overall.

Now, we’re having nearly the same level of personnel change in year two of McDaniels reign. Mind you, I’m not writing off our chances this year. I think we still have enough talent in Denver to make the playoffs, but I certainly want to point out that most teams that are bleeding starters like Denver has the last two years haven’t fared well on the field.

As all my Republican friends keep telling me, “Change for change’s sake isn’t good for anyone”… Let’s hope that McDaniels has, not only A plan, but a plan that produces a Super Bowl caliber team. :)

Here’s to HOPE! GO BRONCOS!