It didn’t take long for fans and media in Jacksonville to question the Jaguars for signing defensive end Reggie Hayward, who came from the Broncos on the first day of free agency in March. Hayward, expected to be the leader of the Jaguars’ defense, received a five-year contract with a $10 million signing bonus.
But Hayward alarmed the home folks with a poor preseason. One of the reasons Denver didn’t give big money to Hayward, who led the Broncos with 10 1/2 sacks last year, was concern he would slack off after getting paid. It’s too early to call Hayward a bust for the Jaguars. Let him play at least one regular-season game. But there were concerns he wouldn’t be able to handle being the leader of the unit. He is a decent pass rusher, but not an elite player. The complaints in Jacksonville could get louder.
Misplaced priorities
* Arizona: It was typical of coach Dennis Green last week when he boasted at a season warm-up luncheon that the Cardinals would beat the Broncos and finish the preseason as the NFL’s only undefeated team.
With the Broncos resting their starters, Green had his starting offense and defense on the field into the second quarter. Regardless, the Broncos’ backups rolled against Green’s team as Denver finished the preseason 4-0.
Green has rankled folks across the NFL for years with his defiant approach, and his preseason antics are no different. His team is young and any accomplishment has value. But he needs to make Arizona a winner in the regular season. His pregame comments were another indication he doesn’t always have his priorities in place.
On the right track
* Cleveland: The Browns’ new leadership appears to be working well, with coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage both in their first year.
Crennel doesn’t seem to have a big ego and is fine with working in Savage’s system. He has worked for Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. So, Crennel doesn’t have to adjust to working within the framework of a system. The Browns likely will struggle this year and perhaps beyond, but their leadership seems to be on the same page, which will expedite the building process.
Williams fitting in
* Miami: Ricky Williams won’t be with the Dolphins today when they play the Broncos. Nor will he be with them the next three games. But the Dolphins are looking forward to the end of his four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Williams’ return has been well-received by the team. Sour feelings toward him when he left have dissipated, and people in the organization say he has done everything right in his return.
If rookie running back Ronnie Brown excels early, Williams may not be a huge factor. But he is fitting in, and that’s the first step.
Risky business
* Minnesota: Eyebrows were raised across the league when the Vikings signed wide receiver Koren Robinson last week – with a court case pending. The Vikings seemed fine at Robinson’s position, and they had rid themselves of problem child Randy Moss.
So why bring in another wideout with problems? Robinson has a lot of talent and could be a fine addition if he keeps out of trouble, but he may be a risk for a team with playoff hopes.
Deep thoughts
* Oakland: The Raiders dumped the 3-4 defense after one year but still have plenty of defensive linemen on the field.
Oakland’s outside linebackers, Tyler Brayton and Grant Irons, are converted defensive tackles and are built like linemen.
Irons weighs 285 pounds and Brayton, a former Colorado star, weighs about 280. They are solid players, but they don’t run well for outside linebackers.
Oakland may be better against the run, but teams will exploit its plodding linebackers in the passing game. No way can these guys cover deep.
Opportunity knocks
* Tennessee: Many across the league were puzzled that Matt Mauck chose the Titans’ practice squad over the Broncos’ practice squad. But the quarterback from LSU is not looking at the decision as a practice-squad move.
Mauck went to Tennessee with hopes of soon being on the active roster, behind starter Steve McNair and backup Billy Volek. The Titans usually keep three quarterbacks on the active roster but are starting the season with two. Mauck wasn’t likely to be on the active roster in Denver any time soon. The Broncos are comfortable going with two quarterbacks.
If there is an injury and the Broncos wanted to go with three quarterbacks, Mauck could be called back. For now, it seems his best chance to be part of a 53-man roster is with the Titans.
Broncos salivating
* Washington: It would behoove the Broncos’ college scouting department to start scouring the top talent that will be available in the 2006 draft. The Broncos may be staring at a top-five pick.
The Redskins have all the makings of horrible team, and their failures will benefit Denver. Four days before the draft in April, Denver sent the No. 25 pick for a third-round pick and the Redskins’ top pick next year. That trade may look sweeter every week.
The Redskins are shaky throughout their roster. If former Denver running back Clinton Portis can’t lead this team, there’s a chance the Broncos will be in the mix for the No. 1 pick of the draft.
Colts the pick to win it all
Another year, another set of silly, likely to be way off predictions.
AFC
* East, New England: The Super Bowl champions have lost a little zing, but the Patriots are still the team to beat.
* North, Baltimore: Kyle Boller may not be great, but the Ravens’ defense is.
* South, Indianapolis: This is the year Peyton Manning closes the door on the critics.
* West, San Diego: Drew Brees is back at the controls, and this team will win at least 11 games.
* Wild-card teams: Denver: Another playoff spot, another road game. New York Jets: The Jets will chase New England all year.
* AFC championship game: Indianapolis over New York.
NFC
* East, Philadelphia: The Eagles will have their struggles, but should win the division.
* North, Minnesota: Daunte Culpepper is the NFC’s Peyton Manning.
* South, Carolina: If healthy, the team will win the NFL’s best division.
* West, St. Louis: The Rams win the NFL’s worst division.
* Wild-card teams: Atlanta: Michael Vick will be better in the West Coast offense this year. Seattle: The Seahawks will squeak into the playoffs again.
* NFC championship game: Carolina over Philadelphia.
* Super Bowl: Indianapolis over Carolina; Colts overcome Patriots, then the world.
* Offensive MVP: Peyton Manning
* Defensive MVP: Julius Peppers
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
