--The Broncos open their season on the road for the fifth straight season. They will go to Cincinnati for Josh McDaniels' debut as a NFL head coach. The last time Denver opened the season at Cincinnati was 2003, and the Broncos won 30-10.
--Denver better get off to a good start this season, because the middle of the Broncos' schedule looks brutal.
They start with games against Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland, all of which had losing records in 2008. They then face a stretch against eight teams that didn't have a losing record last season. Five of those teams made the playoffs last year. If the Broncos survive that stretch, they will have a chance to move up in the division race. Four of their final seven games are against AFC West foes.
--The Broncos' minicamp from April 17-19 will give the new coaching staff a chance to implement some of its new system changes on the field. More importantly, perhaps, the coaching staff can get a better feel of what it has before it makes its final draft preparations. The Broncos have 10 draft picks.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "As far as it being a defensive or offensive draft, it's going to be the best players at a position that we need players at that can help our team win." -- Broncos coach Josh McDaniels
