The free-agent frenzy has come and gone. So has the NFL draft. But so far, the Broncos’ 2005 offense looks much as it did in 2004.
That’s just fine with quarterback Jake Plummer.
Although Plummer admitted he was surprised Denver drafted three cornerbacks – Darrent Williams, Karl Paymah and Domonique Foxworth – without selecting a wide receiver, he said the team already has the offensive weapons it needs.
“The offense is pretty set,” Plummer said Tuesday after a news conference promoting the second Jake Plummer Bowl-O-Rama. “I didn’t know they were going to draft three DBs, so that was kind of a shock. But I’m sure they probably didn’t know they were going to get three DBs, either.”
Last season, veteran wide receiver , who turns 35 this month, was Plummer’s go-to guy. Smith caught 79 passes for 1,144 yards and seven touchdowns. was Plummer’s big-play man, catching 54 passes for 1,084 yards, a 20.1-yard average per reception, and seven touchdowns.
, a second-round draft choice of the Broncos in 2004, was inconsistent. But his 31 receptions ranked third among AFC rookies.
“I think Darius will be fine,” Plummer said. “He knows there were four or five plays that he should have made last year, plays that would have made a big difference. But I hope he lets those go and learns from it and makes those plays for us this year.
“You know what you are going to get from Rod, so we need him to stay healthy and continue what he does. Ashley showed us what he can do. After that, there is a question mark. You have a whole lot of guys who will be fighting for that third or fourth spot. I think Darius will be a guy who can step up.”
Going bowling
Next month, the Jake Plummer Foundation will be hosting the quarterback’s Celebrity Bowl-O-Rama. Proceeds will benefit the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Family Tree Center and the Colorado Chapter of the Pat Tillman Foundation.
The two-day event kicks off June 24 with the Bowling Ball at Invesco Field at Mile High. The evening features dinner, drinks, live entertainment and an auction. The next day, Plummer will host the celebrity bowling tournament at Arapahoe Lanes, featuring many of Plummer’s Broncos teammates.
Tickets to the events, and sponsorships, are available through Zack Romero, executive director of the Jake Plummer Foundation, at 720-761- 3258, or by e-mail at zack.- romero@jakeplummerfoundation.org.
Brandon re-signs
Veteran safety , who was the Broncos’ only remaining restricted free agent, re-signed Tuesday. Brandon is likely to vie for backup playing time with Jeremy LeSueur and .
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.