Denver Post staff writer Bill Williamson posts his Broncos Mailbag each Friday during the 2005 NFL season on DenverPost.com. Also, check back Sunday for more Q’s and A’s in our Sunday supplement, which runs in The Sunday Denver Post print edition, too.
To drop a question into the Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Do you think it is about time for the Broncos to consider looking for another kicker?
— Charles Jaramillo, Pueblo
No. Maybe in a couple of years, but Jason Elam is still effective. Yes, he has struggled from long distances this year, but he has not fallen off the cliff. He’s still a reliable weapon in a league where reliability in kickers is difficult to come by.
What is wrong with this town? All you hear about is how bad Mike Shanahan and Jake Plummer are doing. Doesn’t anyone realize what this team is doing year after year? Try rooting for any other team in the NFL in the last 10 years.
— Colby Park, Blackfoot, Idaho
You have a point. The Broncos are one of the few teams in the NFL that has consistently been competitive. Sometimes, fans don’t realize how good they have it. It’s sort of shortsighted to complain after a 10-win season. Here’s the question: Would you rather go into the season knowing you have a chance, or would you want to see the roster blown up (e.g. Tennessee) and go into a rebuilding program with a long-term future that’s not guaranteed, anyway?
How close is Champ Bailey to being 100 percent healthy? He will be needed if we hope to earn a playoff bye week.
— Robert Allison, Washington, Pa.
He’s on his way. I’d imagine he’d come back from the bye, barring a setback, healthy and ready to play at Oakland. He said after the Giants game he was still somewhat sore, but the injury was manageable.
I know this is a stretch, but isn’t it strange that this year’s Broncos and the 1998 Broncos have the same number of losses? They both were handled by Miami and lost a tough game in New York (at the hands of Amani Toomer, no less). Their schedule gets easier after the bye, so am I too optimistic to think the Broncos might not lose another game this season?
— Tommy, Denver
Probably. There are plenty of challenges ahead, including trips to all three AFC West opponents. So count the two like losses by the 1998 team as coincidence for now.
Is Jake Plummer ever going to get the kind of love he deserves from the NFL and, more importantly, from Broncos fans?
— Jesse, Rapid City, S.D.
Until he wins a Super Bowl, probably not. For a quarterback, that’s the respect line. Until then, there will be doubters.
Bill Williamson is in his second season as a Denver Post NFL writer. To drop a question into the Mailbag .
