Denver Post sports writer Bill Williamson posts his Broncos Mailbag each Friday on DenverPost.com. Welcome to his Sunday Supplement, which runs each week through the 2005 NFL season. The supplement also runs in the NFL Sunday section of The Sunday Denver Post print edition.
To drop a question into the Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
I watched that game with Miami, and I think it’s time to bring Bradlee Van Pelt in as the starting quarterback. Jake Plummer is not a Super Bowl QB.
— David M. Schneider, Las Cruces, N.M.
I was waiting for this. Settle down. Plummer may not be a Super Bowl quarterback, but Van Pelt may not be a starting quarterback yet. I’m as big a fan of Van Pelt’s as anyone. He’s fun, exciting and is a great story. But it is shortsighted to think a second-year player who has never taken a snap in a regular- season game is a better option than a nine-year veteran. Let things play out a little bit before writing off Plummer.
Is there any positive to come out of the Miami game – besides the fact that it is over?
— Richard Gould, Phoenix
I think you hit on it. It only lasted about three hours.
After the first game, it now looks like letting Kenoy Kennedy get away was a huge mistake. Does Denver have anyone capable of filling that gaping hole in the defense?
— Frank Soldano, Overland Park, Kan.
Don’t really buy that one. Kenoy was a great hitter, but the team was not satisfied with his playmaking ability. He wasn’t a cover guy and he missed some big plays. Yes, Kennedy blew people up, but there’s more to it. Also, his replacement, Nick Ferguson, had a team-high 12 tackles. Clearly he did his job.
I just want to say, before everyone starts calling for Jake Plummer’s head after the Miami debacle: Look to the ineptness of his receivers. I could not count the number of dropped balls among Ashley Lelie, Stephen Alexander and Jeb Putzier.
— Wesley Avent, Casper
Indeed, it was a horrendous effort for the entire offense. To blame it all on the quarterback is lazy and uncreative. He had plenty of help in blowing this game.
Since when have kickers become more important than QBs? Present day, according to Mike Shanahan: three kickers, two QBs! What do you think about the third kicker on the roster?
— Keith Eddington, Long Beach, Calif.
It may be a little unusual, but all three kickers and one quarterback played. As long as there is a role for everyone, I don’t see a problem. The problem, though, is rookie Paul Ernster has to get more consistent on his kickoffs and justify carrying three kickers. If not, the Broncos can deal with shorter kickoffs with two kickers on the roster.
Tell me why the Broncos’ high-powered offense can’t score against Miami.
— Charles Truitt, Meridian, Idaho
Dropped balls, interceptions and poor execution in the red zone.
How has defensive end Trevor Pryce looked this year after coming back from surgery?
— J. Brady, Lompoc, Calif.
He’s coming along. He reports no ill effects from his surgically repaired back that cost him virtually all of last season. As he gets more comfortable, watch for Pryce to start making more of an impact.
Bill Williamson is in his second season as a Denver Post NFL writer. To drop a question into the Mailbag .
