It has been no secret that since the Denver Broncos drafted quarterback Jay Cutler, incumbent Jake Plummer was looking over his shoulder.

The Broncos opened the 2006 campaign and looked good early. Despite a lack of offensive production, the Denver’s bend-but-don’t-break defense kept the team atop the AFC West standings.

It did seem that every time there was a call to hand Jake a clipboard, and go with the rookie, Plummer would answer. The stingy defense would keep the Broncos close and Jake would drive the team to a win.

But after lackluster performances resulting in back-to-back losses to Sand Diego and Kansas City on Thanksgiving, head coach Mike Shanahan has given Plummer the hook and is putting Cutler on the clock.

Fixing Denver’s offensive woes won’t be as easy as simply replacing quarterbacks. Denver has five games left on the schedule including one more on the road against the conference-leading Chargers and will need to address several needs if they want to have a repeat trip to the AFC title game.

 

A season ago, tight end Jeb Putzier gained 481 yards, accounted for 28 first downs, and led all tight ends with 6.1 yards after the catch.

This season’s output is down – a lot. Steven Alexander is averaging 14.2 yards per game with one touchdown, but only 128 yards, which is 24 yards short of the league average for tight ends. Tony Scheffler has only 67 yards this season and teammate Nate Jackson is only contributing 33.

By not utilizing the tight ends, Denver isn’t able to spread the field – putting extra pressure on their understaffed wide receiver corps.

While free agent acquisition Javon Walker is putting up Pro Bowl numbers 51 receptions for 854 yards and six touchdowns. Rod Smith has lost a step and is starting to show his age.

Denver hasn’t had a consistent third receiver all season. The failed Ashlee Lelie experiment punctuated the need and David Kircus and Brandon Marshall have only provided 158 and 76 yards respectively.

As much as the receivers are understaffed, the offensive backfield is congested and has struggled lately. Denver’s 38 rushing yards on Thursday was the lowest output in over two seasons.

Mike Bell rushed for an anemic 28 yards on 10 attempts while Tatum Bell missed his second consecutive game with two injured big toes.

 

The recent bright spot has come from Damien Nash who was recently activated form the practice squad is averaging 10.3 yards per reception out of the back field and just over four yards per carry.

The Broncos will try to get back on track this Sunday when they play host to the defending NFC Champions Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is back under center, after sitting out four weeks with a strained knee and coupled with a healthy Shawn Alexander should test the Broncos defense.

So as the Cutler era officially begins, Denver’s laundry list of offensive troubles cannot easily wash away.