I just don't look at their moves and think "they lost Decker and Moreno, so they must have taken steps backwards." They added DeMarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib to the defense, Sanders on offense, and are getting back their franchise LT in Clady. This is all before the draft even has happened.
My grandma could probably produce in DEN's offense with Manning, Demarius, Julius Thomas, and Welker as the 4 main guys--and that's before Sanders and the replacement of 2nd round pick Ball at RB. Prior to this last season, Moreno was largely considered a bust. He benefited greatly from their high powered passing attack, and one huge game in Foxborough.
At the end of the day, I think they should be right there again as a major obstacle.
No question that Denver is going to be the main obstacle for the Pats to get to the superbowl this year, BUT......They're not an "unbeatable juggernaut" like they are being portrayed in the media because of all the FA signings that they made.
I think Ball is an issue for them at RB - He fumbles just as much as Ridley, doesn't pass block well OR catch the ball at all, yet there are some here that would rather Ball on the Pats over Ridley. Plus Vareen is head and shoulders above Ronnie Hillman.
Ward will certainly add to the Bronco's run defense and overall physicality, but he's still a liability in coverage, and this is still an era where passing is king. Plus you might not have questions about the Denver OL, but I would be more cautious until we see it its better.
Finally, I think the biggest question for Denver is going to be the continuing deterioration of Peyton Manning, which IMHO is going to be accelerated by the fact defenses are going to catch up with the Denver offense this year. Teams, especially those with decent pass rushers or good secondaries, are going to make it much more difficult for Manning to throw into the areas that he prefers.
Teams are going to take more liberties by flooding the short to mid range zones, while at the same time design rushes to create more immediate pressure. Manning's success is predicated on him getting rid of the ball quickly and to the right person. If you make him double clutch, he loses effectiveness rapidly. Seattle gave the rest of the league a blueprint that not only slowed Manning, it shut him down.
Lets look at what the Pats have done this off season and compare it to what Seattle has built.
Shut down CB - Check
S with super range - Check
2 other DB's with excellent press zone/man coverage skills - Check
Overall depth in the secondary - Check
LB's with coverage and blitz skills - check, but depth is desperately needed
DL who can rush the QB - I think we have 2 parts of that equation, 3 if Kelly comes back healthy. But we do need that "other guy" in the middle plus more depth. It could be Armstead, and Buchanon, a draft pick, or the further maturation of CJones who (btw) DID have 6 sacks.
Maybe it won't end up being as good as the Seattle D, but its obviously being built to specifically combat what is probably the biggest obstacle the Pats are going to face next season. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. But as of this moment in time, its right on track. Lets see what happens in the draft and the rest of FA. Lets see how many of the 6 first year defenders who saw significant snaps make a big 2nd year leap.
BOTTOM LINE - lots of time and evaluations to make before we declare anyone one better or worse than anyone else. Remember this is the time of year where EVERYONE is going to get better
