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 .
Rod Smith just hit a major point in his career. He won’t self-promote, so let’s do it for him.
— Donnie Graves, Richmond, Va.
OK. Rod Smith has been a great Bronco. And at 35, he is still playing at a high level and is a huge part of the offense. Good enough promoting?
Denver’s special teams have greatly improved since last year. Who gets the credit?
— Mike T., Lyons
The special teams are still a work in progress, but they have made strides, especially Monday night as they contained Dante Hall. So things are definitely getting better. As for credit, it goes everywhere. It goes to coach Mike Shanahan and the front office for trading for punter-kickoff specialist Todd Sauerbrun and drafting returner Darrent Williams. Unit coach Ronnie Bradford deserves credit for leading the group, and the players deserve kudos for working diligently to improve. The issues aren’t completely solved, but the Broncos’ special teams are definitely improved.
Will Darrent Williams continue to get starts at CB?
— J.B., Denver
It appears so. The coaching staff wants the rookie on the field as much as possible. He will remain the starter as long as he plays well. Lenny Walls, whom he replaced, will get plenty of playing time, too. But Williams has been so impressive the coaches decided to make the move.
Am I the only one who even watches Broncos games? I understand the quarterback position is the first to be scrutinized when the offense is struggling, but I have seen nothing that has warranted the continued criticism of Jake Plummer as the sole problem of the Broncos’ offense. Start Bradlee Van Pelt, bring back Brian Griese, draft Matt Leinart! Get real, people!
— Chris, Meeker
Amen, Chris, thanks for noticing the fickle nature of your fellow fans. Plummer isn’t perfect but he isn’t horrible, either. He is the Broncos’ quarterback, and people have to get used to that.
I know the NFL has to stand up for its officials, but it seems unfair and kind of illegal to fine Broncos coach Mike Shanahan for his comments. Doesn’t the NFL require head coaches to hold news conferences? Then they are fined for stating their disagreement of a play? Doesn’t that violate the First Amendment?
— Brady, Aurora
Interesting point. The league apparently is having it both ways. By the way, I was surprised Shanahan was fined for his comments. His words weren’t overly harsh. He should have received a freebie after that weak call.
Why is Charlie Adams the third receiver? Darius Watts seemed to have a lot of momentum going into the season after the Indianapolis preseason game. Why the change?
— Joe Miller, Boston
Adams has been more consistent. The second-year player from Marshall is still in the mix at receiver, but for now Adams is No. 3 because he has been the better player.
Mike Shanahan and Jerry Rice seem to have a lot of admiration for each other. Jerry loves the game and was a great inspiration to his teammates. To your knowledge, was there ever a discussion of Jerry becoming a player-coach or just a receivers coach outright? And, what do you think of that idea?
— Ted Lytle, Boulder
Don’t see Jerry Rice ever wanting to be a coach. The primary reason he left was to be with his family. Getting in the NFL coaching business is not the avenue to having more family time.
What is all this crybaby stuff with the players and media about fans not being allowed to boo? As a season ticket-holder (for cheap seats), I drop $700 a season. Not to mention parking at $10 per game, $6 beers and $4 nachos. These inflated prices pay these guys’ salaries. If they stink, I feel I’ve got the right to let them know it. But when they do good, I’ll cheer my guts out, which I think all 73,000-plus of us did in the late stages of the San Diego game. But you don’t hear about that.
— Dustin, Denver
Dustin, I don’t think too many people are upset by fans booing. It is a reaction; you react to what’s going on. You’re right, you paid for the ticket, do whatever you want (within the law, of course). By the way, Dustin, $10 parking? Where are you parking? At the Pepsi Center?
Bill Williamson is in his second season as a Denver Post NFL writer. To drop a question into the Mailbag .
