Denver Post staff writer Bill Williamson posts his Broncos Mailbag each Tuesday during the 2006 NFL season on DenverPost.com, which earned distinction for its online-exclusive series of Mailbags at this year’s Colorado AP Reporters and Editors Awards.
To drop a question into the Broncos Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
“Bad Jake” is back. Maybe he will get it all out in the first game, maybe not. Even so, Jay Cutler will probably sit out the year unless Bad Jake gets hurt (not that I want him to). Your thoughts?
— Charles Truitt, Meridian, Idaho
As you can imagine, Charles, you are not the only one asking this question. To be honest, a week ago, I thought there was no chance Cutler would play this year if Plummer stays healthy. But if Plummer has a couple more four-turnover games, things could change. It will have to get drastic, but it was not a good start for Plummer in St. Louis, and he has acknowledged that fans will start clamoring for Cutler. It is up to Plummer to make sure coach Mike Shanahan doesn’t start clamoring for Cutler like the fans.
What’s with the Broncos and losing to rookie coaches in the season opener?
— Doug, Castle Rock
Yeah, Doug, the past two seasons, Denver has started against teams with new coaches and got beat. Last year it was Nick Saban in Miami, this time it was Scott Linehan (who was the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator last year) in St. Louis. After the loss to the Rams, Denver safety John Lynch said the Broncos were caught by the emotion of a team playing for a new coach. It happens.
Jay Cutler will help Jake Plummer in three areas. 1. Push to perform 2. Mike Shanahan will let the reins loose with Jake, knowing he has a backup. 3. More running/scrambling plays with more than adequate backup. Bottom line: Jake will improve with more aggressive play-calling this year or sink. Thoughts?
— Tony Ellsworth, Papillion, Neb.
This question may have been filed before . We’ll see, Tony, we’ll see.
We hear so much about ACL injuries that I wonder: Do the knees heal TOTALLY? I am concerned about Javon Walker.
— Joe Francis, Chicago
Not a doctor, Joe. But with the intense rehabilitation and surgery procedures, they do heal quite well. If not, players wouldn’t be able to return so quickly. Walker was adamant Sunday after the game that he is fine. Actually, – not his knee – in the loss to the Rams.
Now that the camps and preseason are over, how high do the prognosticators outside Broncoland rate this year’s Broncos draft?
— Gary Gryte, Boulder
Gary – The general consensus is that it takes three years to evaluate a draft truly. But this group has a chance. Cutler, Tony Scheffler, Brandon Marshall and Chris Kuper all have chances to stick around a while. Plus, undrafted free agent Mike Bell isn’t too shabby, either.
Where is Bradlee Van Pelt now? Did he sign with any other team?
— Aaron, Fort Collins
Aaron – Van Pelt has talked to the Seahawks and the Bills about workouts. It may take a while, but Van Pelt should find work.
What happened with Corey Jackson? I thought that the Broncos were really high on him as their next big pass rusher. Then they cut him and he didn’t even make it back on the practice squad?
— Terry Johns, Colorado Springs
Good question, Terry. Jackson was definitely a disappointment. The Broncos thought highly of him, but he didn’t have a strong training camp or preseason. Jackson was such a disappointment the team didn’t sign him to the practice squad. He was a former college basketball player who just couldn’t complete the transformation.
Does John Elway ever show up at the team’s locker room, practice, etc.?
— Carl, Cave Junction, Ore.
Carl – I’m beginning my third season in Denver, and I have seen Elway once. He was at a training-camp practice in 2005. I heard he was at the win over Oakland on Christmas Eve last year, but I didn’t see him. He obviously is close to many in the organization and stays close with those people. But Elway has his own life and isn’t a major presence at Dove Valley.
Who is the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver?
— Kurtiss Gainey, Reno. Nev.
Kurtiss – David Kircus and Todd Devoe both played a lot at St. Louis but neither had a catch. Expect rookie Brandon Marshall to emerge once he is 100 percent healthy. He may be able to play Sunday against visiting Kansas City.
After a relatively long tradition of the tight end playing a major role in the offense, it was virtually ignored (namely in the red zone) last year. Apparently this was due, in part, to lack of a major talent. Has this changed with the addition of Tony Scheffler?
— Mark Lawton, Beavercreek, Ohio
Mark – Scheffler is going to be a standout. Watch for him to be a factor in the red zone and otherwise this season.
Why did the Broncos drop Darius Watts? Do they really think Todd Devoe and Charlie Adams have more talent?
— Dave Pegg, New Castle
Dave – Watts was just too inconsistent. He couldn’t catch the ball with regularity. He was going to be buried again because the team didn’t have confidence in him, so the brass decided it was time to cut bait.
Bill Williamson is in his third season as a Denver Post NFL beat reporter. To drop a question into his Broncos Mailbag, which runs each Tuesday of the 2006 NFL season, .
