Quarterback
Jake Plummer – The focal point of Plummer’s offseason was to cut down on what he calls “bonehead” mistakes. Plummer throws too many interceptions and takes too many ill-advised chances. He knows it, the coaches know it and the fans know it. Denver coach Mike Shanahan says Plummer can improve.
There were good numbers last season: Plummer tied John Elway’s single-season record for touchdowns (27) and broke the Hall of Famer’s record for yards (4,089).
But Plummer threw 20 interceptions and has 141 in his career, nine more than his touchdown total. Plummer is a fine quarterback who is mobile and a leader. The Broncos can win with him, but he must curtail his mistakes.
Running back
Mike Anderson – Anderson will get the chance to be the lead back for the first time since his rookie year, when he ran for 1,487 yards. Anderson, who will be 32 on Sept. 21, is a smart player who will plow ahead for yards and be a threat inside the 20-yard line. That’s an aspect the Broncos missed last season when Anderson was out with a groin injury. Tatum Bell, a second-year player, will get a chance in the open field and will spell Anderson. He can make things happen with his speed, but he needs to cut down on his fumbles and hit the hole quicker. Ron Dayne also should get some carries.
Fullback
Kyle Johnson – Johnson is a self-made player who emerged last year after nearly being cut in training camp. He is a smart player who has become an excellent blocker. He also has proven to be a solid receiver. The fullback isn’t a major part of this offense, and with so many tailback options, it may be less of a wrinkle this year. But when Johnson is on the field, he will help the team.
Wide receiver
Rod Smith – At 35, Smith still is the heart and soul of the team. Denver likely will try to find another potential No. 1 receiver next year, but for now Smith is a solid option. Smith is as savvy as any receiver in the league and works the sidelines masterfully. He made 79 catches for 1,144 yards last season with seven touchdowns.
Wide receiver
Ashley Lelie – Lelie may be on his way to becoming the complete player the Broncos envisioned when they selected him in the first round four years ago. Lelie used his stunning speed to become a game breaker in 2004. This year, Lelie is working the middle of the field more. He seems more comfortable in possession receiving situations. He even has stolen footballs from defenders during the preseason. That’s a side Lelie hadn’t shown before. Still, his specialty will be the vertical game. He had seven touchdowns of 30 yards or more last year and registered his first 1,000-yard receiving season.
Tight end
Stephen Alexander/Jeb Putzier – This will be an intriguing position. Denver paid Putzier more than $12 over five years to retain him in the offseason and also went shopping for Alexander. The Broncos hope the two will help the offense inside the 20-yard line, where Alexander excels. Alexander will play in single-tight end sets and join Putzier in double-tight end sets, which Denver will employ often. Alexander is a solid blocker as well as a reliable receiver, so defenses won’t know whether both tight ends are going out on routes when they’re in the game at the same time.
Left tackle
Matt Lepsis – Many NFL observers thought Lepsis had a Pro Bowl-caliber season last year, his first at left tackle. This season the former right tackle should be even better on quarterback Jake Plummer’s blind side. Lepsis is a good athlete with great quickness. He is a perfect fit for what Denver does in pass and run protection.
Left guard
Ben Hamilton – A steady force, Hamilton is a reliable blocker who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and is good in Denver’s run-blocking scheme. He’s a typical Denver offensive lineman: athletic, smart and quick. That’s why Denver worked diligently to re-sign him in the winter, keeping him off the open market.
Center
Tom Nalen – He is hinting that this may be his final NFL season, or final one in Denver. Nalen is 34 and his contract voids at the end of the season. The team likely will re-evaluate him at the end of the year. Nalen still is playing at a high level and is the anchor of the line. The potential Hall of Famer will have another strong year if he stays healthy. He says he feels as good as he has in years.
Right guard
Cooper Carlisle – A new starter on the line, taking over for longtime guard Dan Neil. However, Carlisle is not completely new. He started the final five games last season, including the playoff game at Indianapolis. He is a young player and could be picked on. But because the line is in such sync, his teammates can help him along.
Right tackle
George Foster – He excelled in his new job last year. The first-round pick in 2003 became the starter at right tackle and instantly fit in well. By far the biggest Denver lineman, Foster is athletic enough to fit in, but big enough to be a power lineman. A smart player, Foster is a quick study who seems to be on his way to a strong career.
Left end
Trevor Pryce – Almost didn’t make it back to Denver for his ninth season. The team tried to trade Pryce in the offseason, but in April restructured his deal. He missed most of last season with a back injury. There are no guarantees, but Pryce has looked good in training camp. The team hopes he’ll provide a missing link to improve a pass rush that faltered last year. If he returns to form, the four-time Pro Bowl player will be a difference maker.
Left tackle
Michael Myers – A throw-in in the Reuben Droughns trade with Cleveland that brought Ebenezer Ekuban to Denver. But Myers has flourished in camp. He is a high-effort player who is a solid run stuffer. He’ll be spelled by Monsanto Pope, a starting tackle last year.
Right tackle
Gerard Warren – The man they call “Big Money” looks like he’s ready to cash in on a career than has been marred by a label of laziness and untapped potential. Acquired from the Browns for a fourth-round draft pick, Warren was a star at camp. Warren has been so promising, coach Mike Shanahan – usually on the reserved side – predicted Warren will make the Pro Bowl. If Warren shows the same sideline-to-sideline tenacity in the season that he showed in camp, the coach may be right.
Right end
Courtney Brown – Ebenezer Ekuban and Marco Coleman, who played in place of Trevor Pryce last year, will need to be on standby. Brown may be a fine player when he is on the field, but he has been unable to stay healthy in the NFL. He missed 33 of 80 games in five seasons with Cleveland before signing with Denver. Brown missed most of the preseason with a dislocated elbow. If healthy, he is a standout. But staying healthy has been a challenge.
Weakside linebacker
Ian Gold – The Broncos jumped on the idea of bringing back Gold as soon as he was released by Tampa Bay in a salary cap move. The Broncos wanted to retain Gold last year, but his former agents were asking for too much, especially considering Gold was coming off an injury. But Gold was healthy and played well in Tampa Bay last year. Denver hopes Gold will solidify the fastest, most athletic linebacking crew in the NFL. He is a playmaker.
Middle linebacker
Al Wilson – A defensive captain, he is the anchor to the outstanding linebacking crew. Wilson seems to get better and smarter each year. He improved last season, even though his tackling numbers were down a tad. He has become a better technician and always has been a great tackler. An elite player at his position.
Strongside linebacker
D.J. Williams – It’s a new position for Williams, who was one of the most dynamic rookies in recent Denver history. Williams – who nearly won the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year award – moves to the strong side to make room for Gold. Denver hopes Williams will be able to take advantage of his great athleticism on this side. Williams got better as the season progressed. Teammates have praised him for his attention to detail this year and expect more growth from him.
Right cornerback
Lenny Walls – Last year was supposed to be a major transition year for Walls as he was adjusting to playing right cornerback instead of left, making room for Champ Bailey. But Walls missed much of last season with five injuries. He went on the injured reserve in November with his third shoulder separation. This is another big year for Walls. He looked strong in camp, making several interceptions and playing tight coverage. At nearly 6-feet-5, Walls is the tallest cornerback in the NFL. His combination of speed and size make him a tantalizing partner for Bailey. In his free-agent year, Walls has to prove he can stay healthy.
Left cornerback
Champ Bailey – The star of this defense. Bailey is coming off a strong 2004 season in which he showed why Denver traded Clinton Portis to Washington in March 2004. Bailey is a top-flight corner with great tackling ability and coverage skills. That’s not to say Bailey is perfect. The Pro Bowl performer gave up some big plays, with lapses in prime-time games against Cincinnati and Oakland, both losses. Bailey vows a better year in 2005. He admits he was inconsistent during his first season in Denver. Expect the occasional lapse again, but overall, Bailey makes Denver better.
Strong safety
Nick Ferguson – Beginning the season as a starter, a role he played 10 times in 2003. A solid journeyman who has been cut three times, Ferguson has become the starter in wake of the free-agency departure of Kenoy Kennedy. Kennedy was a fan favorite in Denver because of his ferocious hitting. But the Broncos didn’t want to pay to keep Kennedy, because they thought Ferguson, a special-teams ace, was a better playmaker. Ferguson is a smart player who gives up his body to make plays. He may not be flashy, but the Broncos don’t lose much with him on the field.
Free safety
John Lynch – Will be 34 this month and is slowing down when it comes to one-on-one coverage. But Lynch still is a major part of what Denver does defensively. Lynch proved last year he is not over the hill and he still is one of the most intimidating players in the NFL. He hits like a truck and keeps a patrolling eye on the middle of the field. He is also an effective blitzer and is a force in goal-line situations. Lynch’s best attributes may be his leadership skills. In his second year in Denver, Lynch is a team rock. His teammates love him and the effort he gives each play.
Kicker
Jason Elam – Keeps plugging away. Elam is one of the most consistent, accurate kickers in the game and one of the best late-game weapons in the league. He converted 29-of-34 field-goal attempts in 2004 for an .853 percentage, the third-highest of his 12 seasons in the NFL. He remains effective on long attempts. He made 12-of-16 from 40-plus yards in 2004. When the game is on the line, Elam is Denver’s best weapon.
Punter
Todd Sauerbrun – Coach Mike Shanahan wants to take advantage of the Mile High air. He tired the past few years of watching opposing punters come in each week and whack the ball while his punters struggled to take advantage of the altitude. Denver got him for a seventh-round pick and a punter, Jason Baker, who was going to be replaced one way or another. Sauerbrun has had off-field issues, including an alleged link to steroids and a DUI arrest in the past year. If Sauerbrun stays clean off the field, the Broncos say they’ll keep him. If not, he’s gone. So far, no issues have surfaced in Denver. And his punting should help the Broncos win games. His gross career average is 44.0 yards, the fifth-best in NFL history.
