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 .
No one really talks about this a whole lot, but is Champ Bailey really worth the money the Broncos are paying him? I’ve seen him “blanket” average receivers, but the good-to-superstar caliber gets free from him.
— Jason O., Pasadena, Calif.
No one talking about it? It seems every time someone makes a catch on Bailey, the “overrated” talk heats up. We all have to remember that if a receiver makes a couple of big plays, that doesn’t mean the defender is horrendous. Other than two plays, Bailey was all over Terrell Owens, perhaps the best receiver in the NFL. Yes, Owens had two big catches, and Bailey was victimized on those plays. But overall, he played very well, especially considering he’s not completely healthy. Bailey is a big-time player. Be happy he’s here. Bottom line.
Am I the only Broncos fan wondering where Darius Watts is? I understand he drops the ball often, but so does Charlie Adams. I just don’t understand why the Broncos won’t play a guy who has as much athletic ability as Darius Watts! Maybe you know the answer.
— Matthew Bernstein, Syosset, N.Y.
Adams has performed better in practice and has been much more consistent than Watts. That’s why he leapfrogged Watts. Of course, so has Todd Devoe, who had the huge touchdown against the Eagles. Watts is struggling mightily, and as long as Adams and Devoe don’t take a step backward, don’t expect Watts to be active any time soon unless the team wants five active receivers.
The entire week leading up to the game against Philadelphia, all of the media were reporting the dangers of falling to 5-2 for the third consecutive year. Then after the game, I read a Denver Post article reporting that the last time Denver started 6-2, the team finished the season 9-7 and out of the playoffs! What is it with the media always having to “spin” the negative?
— Scott Nelson, Montrose
I hate the media, don’t you?
Could you see the Broncos drafting Mason Crosby, the kicker from the University Colorado? I think in this altitude he could break the 63-yard record for field goals in the NFL. Your thoughts?
— Scott, Mason City, Iowa
The word is Crosby could be a second-round pick. Don’t think the Broncos are interested in using a high pick on a kicker with Jason Elam still being effective. While Elam has missed some long field goals this season, he’s still in the Broncos’ plans for the future. Teams like Dallas, Minnesota and Tampa Bay could be interested in Crosby.
Is wide receiver a position the Broncos will upgrade this offseason?
— Jeff, Dayton, Ohio
It’ll very likely be their top need. With two first-round draft choices in April, expect one of the two to be used on a receiver.
What’s your take on Jake? Do you believe he can help a complete Denver roster to the Super Bowl? I know he can’t take the team to the big game on his own the way John Elway did. But he’s a lot better than Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson.
— Chris, Denver
Plummer is 25-10 as Denver’s quarterback and has led the team to two playoff appearances in two seasons after the team went 1-for-4 in the four seasons immediately following the Elway era. The guy is a good leader for this team. He clearly has made big strides this year, cutting his mistakes dramatically, and some national pundits this week have nominated him for MVP honors. So, yes, Plummer belongs here.
Bill Williamson is in his second season as a Denver Post NFL writer. To drop a question into the Mailbag .
