1999 record: 6-10, last in AFC West.

Last five years: 59-28.

Coach: Mike Shanahan (59-28 in five years with Denver; 68-40 in six-plus seasons overall as an NFL head coach).

Playoff past: After winning the Super Bowl in back-to-back years, the Broncos started 0-4 last season and didn't make the postseason.

Outlook

The man who signs quarterback Brian Griese's checks doesn't think the third-year pro could have made Denver Broncos fans happy last season unless he coaxed John Elway out of retirement.

"He was replacing a Hall of Fame quarterback who might be the greatest to ever play the position," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said at the team's training camp in Greeley, Colo. "Replacing him in a community that thinks John can do no wrong and after we had just won two Super Bowls. ... I can't think of anything harder."

Things got so bad for Griese, he was eventually benched. Then, in the offseason, coach Mike Shanahan tried to bring in Steve Young from San Francisco, but Young decided to enjoy his first year of married life instead.

"That didn't bother me," Griese said. "I don't read the papers. I don't get in the Internet. But I'm not blind. I just have to make sure I don't give them reason to (go looking for another quarterback) again."

With a year of starting experience, Brian Griese hopes to make the Broncos his team in 2000.(Allsport)

"I've been compared all my life," he said. "I'm used to it. Since the day I started playing football, I've been compared to my father (Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese, formerly of the Miami Dolphins)."

Griese said he doesn't talk to his dad about playing the position. But he knew in the offseason he needed to improve. He looked at videotape of every mistake he made last season, mistakes that led to 14 interceptions.

Shanahan thinks Griese is much further along this year.

"I think any quarterback is better after a year of (starting) experience," Shanahan said. "You are playing with a lot more confidence and people have a lot more confidence in you."

Griese also is healthier. He had shoulder surgery in January and is throwing the ball with more zip in camp. He is helped by the return of running back Terrell Davis, the NFL's best back until he suffered a knee injury in the fourth game a year ago.

The Broncos return all of their offensive line and wide receivers. But must find a way to replace tight end Shannon Sharpe, who left for Baltimore in free agency.

Defensively, they have few questions except for one cornerback spot.

How well the Broncos do this season is up to Griese. But it's still not his team. The Broncos added free-agent Gus Frerotte in case Griese falters.

"I still don't think it's Brian's team," Bowlen said. "It's a bunch of players' team. Brian should be a very important part of our success, but he hasn't done enough for this to be his team.

"I think it's going to be a lot easier for him this year," Bowlen said. "We're another year away from (Elway). We've distanced ourselves. I think the entire organization didn't anticipate the impact John's retirement would have. We knew we were losing a great quarterback. We didn't know the psychological impact it would have, which was the biggest reason for our 6-10 record."

Schedule preview: Here's what happens when you go from first to worst -- you get to play the Browns, Bengals, New Orleans and San Francisco. The opener at Super Bowl champion St. Louis is tough, but the Broncos follow that with games against nine consecutive non-playoff teams.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 14 overall, No. 15 passing, No. 12 rushing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 7 overall, No. 8 vs. the pass, No. 19 vs. the rush.

Key players lost from 1999: TE Shannon Sharpe (to Baltimore), CB Dale Carter (released), QB Bubby Brister (to Minnesota), S Darrius Johnson (released), S Tyrone Braxton (retired), DE Neal Smith (released), DE Alfred Williams (released).

Key additions for 2000: S Billy Jenkins (Rams), CB Jimmy Spencer (Chargers), CB Darryl Pounds (Redskins), CB Terrell Buckley (Dolphins), WR Andre Reed (Bills), QB Gus Frerotte (Lions), DE Lester Archambeau (Falcons), DE Kavika Pittman (Cowboys).

Rookies to watch: Cornerback Deltha O'Neal, a first-round pick from California, won't start in the secondary but will be the Broncos' kickoff returner. He led the Golden Bears in scoring with six touchdowns last season. Second-round pick Ian Gold, a linebacker from Michigan, has had an impressive camp but likely won't play more than just on special teams. A sleeper is fifth-round pick Muneer Moore, a wide receiver from Richmond.

Offensive line: The Broncos always are good here. Center Tom Nalen could be the best player at his position in the AFC. The left side of the line, tackle Tony Jones and guard Mark Schlereth, are old but continue to be effective. There is depth at every position and coach Alex Gibbs isn't afraid to play a lot of folks. With such a veteran line, Griese should not be pressured much.

Wide receivers/tight ends: Few teams have as good a 1-2 punch as Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith, but the Broncos have to find a third receiver and signed Andre Reed hoping he could fill the role. But second-year pro Billy Miller is also making a strong push. At tight end, Sharpe's receiving skills will be missed, but the Broncos have a lot of young players who can step in.

Running backs: Nobody in the NFL has a player the caliber of Davis, backed up by a second-year pro (Olandis Gary) who rushed for 1,159 yards. Gary's emergence will allow the Broncos to rest Davis or let him take longer to get over his knee injury. If Davis proves to be healthy, Gary likely will be traded at the end of the year. Both run well behind fullback Howard Griffith, a terrific blocker.

Quarterbacks: Which Griese will show up? The one who threw for more than 3,000 yards or the one who made horrible decisions in throwing 14 interceptions? He'll never be Elway. He doesn't have a big arm. Frerotte was signed as a safety net. He thinks he'll play enough that teams will want to sign him next year to be their starter. Seventh-round pick Jarius Jackson of Notre Dame has been impressive early in camp.

Defensive line: The Broncos finally cast aside veteran ends Smith and Williams. They added Kavika Pittman, formerly of Dallas, to start at one side and have Maa Tanuvasa and free-agent signee Lester Archambeau at the other. The middle of the line will be fine now that Pro Bowl tackle Trevor Pryce is getting into camp after his holdout. If he struggles to get back to playing shape, the Broncos are going to be very thin in the interior of the line.

Linebackers: This is the strength of the defense. Mobley has had little trouble coming back from the torn ACL. Al Wilson was outstanding as a rookie a year ago and takes over the starting middle linebacker job. Bill Romanowski will start on the other side if his legal problems don't distract him.

Secondary: The Broncos love their safeties, second-year pro Eric Brown and Jenkins, formerly of the Rams. Cornerback is a mess. Ray Crockett starts on one side. The other cornerback will be chosen among Spencer, Pounds and O'Neal, the first-round choice. Rookie Kenoy Kennedy likely will spell Brown and Jenkins. Teams will shy away from Crockett and go after the corner on the other side.

Special teams: O'Neal is a dangerous return man. Jason Elam is one of the best pressure kickers in the league. The Broncos won't be looking for a punter soon. Tom Rouen signed a seven-year deal in the offseason.