2002 RECORD: 9-7 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (6th); Offense (3rd) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- QB Jake Plummer (Cardinals), DT Daryl Gardner (Broncos), OG Heath Irwin (Rams). Draft picks -- 1. OT George Foster (Georgia); 2. MLB Terry Pierce (Kansas State); 4a. RB Quentin Griffin (Oklahoma); 4b. DT Nick Eason (Clemson); 4c. DE Bryant McNeal (Clemson); 5a. C Ben Claxton (Mississippi); 5b. WR Adrian Madise (Texas Christian); 6. DE Aaron Hunt (Texas Tech); 7a. DE Clint Mitchell (Florida); 7b. RB Ahmaad Galloway (Alabama). SUBTRACTIONS: DT Chester McGlockton (released), CB Denard Walker (released), OT Blake Brockermeyer (released), LB Kavika Pittman (released), DT Montae Reagor (Colts), CB Tyrone Poole (Patriots), RB Olandis Gary (Bills). Team news | Roster | More on Broncos draft

		Wed., May 14 Can Mike Shanahan turn Jake Plummer into a consistent and successful NFL QB? As long as Rod Smith, Shannon Sharpe and Ed McCaffrey stay healthy, Plummer should be consistent. Though this trio has more age than the top three receivers on the Raiders, they are sure targets. They get open and they do it within the system. Shanahan runs a play-action system that shouldn't tax a quarterback physically. Leadership and brains are needed more than arm strengths. As long as Plummer doesn't try to go outside the offense and try to create plays, the structure of this offense should work and limit his tendency to throw first-half interceptions like he did in Arizona. Plummer alone isn't good enough to take the Broncos to the Super Bowl, but the experience of this offense should rank among the league's best as long as they stay healthy.

The longer Denver goes without another postseason victory, the more critics will question Mike Shanahan's supposed greatness. Sure, he won Super Bowls in his third and fourth seasons with the Broncos, but those were during John Elway's final two years. Since then, Denver has had a handful of starting quarterbacks, one playoff appearance and no postseason victories.

But just like the last couple of years, this season is supposed to be different. Denver has rescued Jake Plummer from the Arizona Cardinals and Shanahan is convinced he can make a winner out of a quarterback with 90 career touchdowns and 114 interceptions. The consensus is: How Jake goes determines how good of a season Denver has in 2003.

What they've added?
There's no question that Plummer is the new marquee attraction. When it comes to talent, there are some NFL folks who believe he's the real deal. The Cardinals were especially sold after Plummer parlayed a handful of comeback victories into a playoff berth in 1998. Since then, he's gone just 21-43 and hasn't come close to living up to expectations. Now, Shanahan has the burden of doing what he couldn't with Brian Griese -- turn a talented quarterback into a consistent winner.

After Plummer, the Broncos made only modest additions to the offense. They signed veteran guard Heath Irwin, drafted tackle George Foster with their first-round pick, selected center Ben Claxton in the fifth and replaced running back Olandis Gary by taking Quentin Griffin in the fourth. The other noteworthy additions came on defense.

Larry Coyer replaces Ray Rhodes, who resigned as defensive coordinator shortly after the season ended. And the offseason objective clearly was to strengthen a pass rush that recorded just 40 sacks and was often victimized when facing the league's better quarterbacks. Denver acquired veteran tackle Daryl Gardener, drafted fellow DT Nick Eason and also drafted ends Bryant McNeal, Aaron Hunt and Clint Mitchell to help a pass defense that was 17th (208.6 yards per game) last year.

Fantasy Focus

Former 2002 first-rounder Ashley Lelie is ready for a breakout season. Turning 33 on May 15, Rod Smith isn't the formidable No. 1 receiver of years past. His stats dipped last season when he barely surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. Current Broncos No. 2 receiver Ed McCaffrey is on the downslope of his career at 34. He's battled injuries the past few seasons, missing 15 games in 2001 with a broken leg and undergoing surgery in March to repair a sports hernia. Although McCaffrey is expected to be healthy in time for training camp, Lelie's big-play capability will make it difficult to keep him only as the No. 3 wideout. Lelie led the Broncos with 15 yards per catch, and that ranked him 13th overall in the league. His 106-yard game vs. the Raiders in Week 16 offers a glimpse of his production in 2003. Look for him to win an increased role in the offense, becoming the deep receiving threat that was missing last season. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

What they're missing?
Assuming they stay healthy, a concern for every team, the Broncos have all the right pieces in place on offense. And even defensively, they appear to be in pretty good shape. The biggest concern is perhaps the secondary.

Cornerback Deltha O'Neal had a decent season, and accounted for more than half (5) of the team's nine interceptions. But the rest of their projected starting secondary (safeties Sam Brandon and Kenoy Kennedy, and cornerback Jimmy Spencer) is a collection of relatively young and unproven players. Like division rival Kansas City, if there's a proven veteran available after June cuts, don't be surprised if Denver attempts to add depth in the secondary.

What it all means?
With Shanahan continuing to call the shots, a strong running game and other stars on offense, talk of playing deep into the postseason seems feasible in the Mile High City. But again, so much depends on the production of Plummer.

Plummer has more talent around him than he ever had in Arizona. But to win a title, the stars have to be aligned. Will Ed McCaffrey stay healthy? Will 2002 first-rounder Ashley Lelie emerge as a consistent receiving threat? How will second-year back Clinton Portis adapt to the adjustments defenses will attempt to make against him? And what kind of impact will Coyer have on the defense?

No one knows the answer to these questions, not even Shanahan. But if things don't fall into place this season, Shanahan might be faced with a different set of questions at year's end.

James C. Black is NFL editor II for ESPN.com.