Excess of expectations focused upon few Denver Broncos

This season may be do or die for the Broncos' head coach.

Mike Shanahan, who's still leading the Broncos into his 14th season as head coach, may not see his 15th. That is if he and his handpicked team can't deliver.

For the past two years, the Broncos have sat out of the playoffs and although the team is in the midst of what is called rebuilding, you can't help but think that another disappointing year could signal Shanahan's dismissal.

I'm not expecting a Super Bowl. No one is. The Broncos need a winning season to call it a success. Even finishing 8-8 will suffice.

Eight wins and coach Shanahan will keep his job and the rebuilding process will be closer to an end, or at least one can hope. That includes wins against the Oakland Raiders, the New Orleans Saints, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Miami Dolphins, the Atlanta Falcons, the Buffalo Bills and twice against the Kansas City Chiefs.

A lot of the pressure rests on the shoulders of quarterback Jay Cutler, who is entering his third season in the league. A magnifying glass looms over the 25-year-old, who last year showed glimpses of quarterback genius.

Added, the hype surrounding Cutler may have been amplified a couple months ago, when running back Travis Henry was cut from the team. Without Henry to share portions of the focus, Cutler has to carry it all. Denver fans expect him to excel one day and they expect it soon.

Nevertheless, Cutler has some support. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall will literally lend out his helping hands for the young quarterback. However, a dark cloud hovers above the passing duo as Marshall has been suspended for three games due to off-the-field controversy.

The Broncos' defense will also be studied and stared at this season. What is lacking in the team's line backing corps may be made up in its cornerback tandem of Champ Bailey and Dre Bly. Also with this pairing, safety John Lynch's and cornerback Dominique Foxworth's departures leave the remaining burden of expectations on Bailey and Bly, like with Cutler on the offense.

The Bronco's 2008 season is all about expectations and performing up to them. Many question marks surround the team and it's future. Yet, if the team can survive the season at .500 or above, it will be marked as an accomplishment and fans will claim that the Broncos are returning to their once revered status.

And if not, it's that same ole' story in sports; in failure, coaches are the first to be blamed and coaches are the first to be fired.

- Mitchell Woll is a junior journalism major and the sports editor for The Mirror.