Perhaps the Broncos have just taken their first step toward the Super Bowl.
Perhaps.
There are concerns, to be sure, such as: Can receiver Javon Walker return from major knee surgery all the way back to Pro Bowl form? Can Corey Jackson, Kenard Lang and Elvis Dumervil rush in from divergent career paths and give the Broncos more sacks? Can Ron Dayne finally make it, after all these years, as a primary running back in the NFL?
And will the Broncos alleviate the potential holdout headache that is Ashley Lelie by trading the disgruntled receiver?
One position where the Broncos apparently won’t fret is at quarterback.
After the Broncos finished their voluntary workout sessions this week – an offseason program that included 14 on-field workouts during a 24-day period – coach Mike Shanahan appeared pleased Jake Plummer is not about to melt in the presence of hotshot rookie Jay Cutler.
“Jake has played extremely well in this camp,” Shanahan said last week. “He’s throwing the ball well and he’s in excellent shape. He looks very good. Very good.”
With the possible exception of Walker, Plummer figures to be the X-factor in the Broncos’ 2006 season. The counterculture quarterback has had the best season of his nine-year career, throwing 18 touchdowns passes against seven interceptions while leading the Broncos to a 13-3 regular-season record and a playoff victory against the New England Patriots.
At that point, the Broncos had earned the sensational opportunity to host the AFC championship game, only to then sensationally implode. The defense couldn’t stop the Pittsburgh Steelers on third down, and once the Broncos were down by two touchdowns, Plummer was unable to pull an Elway and bring his team back.
Plummer’s four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles) in the AFC title game remained vivid as the Broncos moved up the draft board in late April and selected the quarterback Cutler, who capped his career at Vanderbilt by earning the offensive player of the year award from the football-rich Southeastern Conference.
As Cutler learns a new playbook and Plummer becomes familiar with new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, don’t be surprised if the Broncos mix in a slightly higher percentage of pass plays this season.
The play of Plummer, and perhaps Cutler, is one reason. The addition of Walker is another. Opposing defenses also may force an adjustment.
The Broncos threatened the record book last season when Mike Anderson (1,014 yards) and Tatum Bell (921) nearly became the NFL’s fourth backfield duo to rush for 1,000 yards each and the first to share the milestone while splitting time at tailback.
After the season, Anderson was released to free agency and was signed by Baltimore, leaving the Broncos’ famed tailback committee to Dayne and Bell, with Cedric Cobbs running third. If opponents make stopping the run a priority in 2006, the Broncos think they have the weapons to adjust.
As Lelie knows, Rod Smith is the No. 1 receiver. What Lelie may not know is Smith has nine consecutive seasons of at least 70 catches, significant when considering that Jerry Rice, who holds nearly every receiving record, never had more than eight straight 70-catch seasons.
This year, instead of having Lelie run fly routes down the other side of the field, Smith figures to have help from Walker for those tougher catches in traffic. Walker was superb for Green Bay in 2004, when he made 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he missed virtually all of last season after he ripped his anterior cruciate ligament in a season-opening loss at Detroit’s Ford Field.
Walker is not expected to be ready by the time the Broncos return to Dove Valley on July 6-8 for minicamp, but he has vowed to be at full speed by training camp.
Lelie hopes he’s long gone by the time Walker is ready. Two weeks ago, the Broncos were set on waiting out the wideout, but after witnessing Walker’s progress, the team is again exploring the possibility of trading Lelie. New England is among the teams interested, but the Patriots would probably have to swap former University of Colorado tight end Daniel Graham to make a deal. Kansas City also is interested in Lelie, but the Broncos are unlikely to help out an AFC West rival.
Instead, the Chiefs reportedly are close to signing offensive tackle Kyle Turley, who had a knack for controversy when he last played in 2003. If the Broncos see Turley lined up in a three-point stance for Kansas City, they hope to beat him with Jackson, a former college basketball player who has spent most of his NFL career on practice squads; Lang, a veteran free agent signed away from Cleveland; or Dumervil, who was drafted in the fourth round after leading the nation in sacks last year.
The idea is to be one well-timed win better than last season. It’s early, but with the voluntary offseason program finished, the Broncos believe they are on their way.
“This time of year you feel good because you’ve had 14 workouts, people are learning the system, people are getting back into football shape,” Shanahan said.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
