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 .
Any updates on Bradlee Van Pelt? Has he worked out for other teams?
— Cheryl Ahlbrandt, Fort Collins
Cheryl – Bradlee has been busy. He worked out with Houston on Monday with former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. He has also worked out for Seattle, Kansas City and the New York Giants. But at this point, most of the workouts are exploratory. Bradlee is either going to have to wait for an injury or sign after the season with a team and go to NFL Europe. That is his likely path.
What did Mike Bell do to lose the starting spot? Such a big deal was made in the preseason about him being the starting running back.
— Darrin Cothran, Spartanburg, S.C.
Really, Darrin, he didn’t do poorly. Tatum Bell simply delivered. All coaches want just one primary back, and Mike Shanahan is no different. Tatum Bell showed he can be durable. He showed he can deliver in the forth quarter. And he is an improved blocker.
There is a role for Mike Bell, and he could get more carries as the season goes on. He has been solid. But Tatum Bell has been a little better.
I’m real concerned about the lack of blocking by our RBs and FBs in passing situations. It appears to be a “matador” blocking scheme. Somebody needs to put a body on someone. Otherwise, Jake Plummer is exposed to a variety of blitzing linebackers coming into the backfield unscathed. I don’t want to see Jake getting hurt.
— Grant, Hong Kong
Yeah, Grant, both Bells do need to improve in that area. Like I wrote earlier, Tatum Bell has improved. But he still needs to get better. Mike Bell has acknowledged that learning the blitz-pickup schemes in the NFL is one of the more difficult transitions from the college game. So, yes, improvements need to be made.
We heard a lot of positives about rookie Brandon Marshall from Champ Bailey during the team’s minicamp this past summer. Through Marshall’s first two games, we have yet to see much out of him. How is his knee injury? Are the Broncos still as high on Marshall?
— Chad Smith, Spokane, Wash.
Chad – The knee injury really slowed Marshall down. But he is healthy, so expect to see more of him as the season wears on. Remember, he’s a rookie. Adjustment time is needed. But the future is very bright.
Is it me or did Tatum Bell remind you of Quentin Griffin on short yardage plays in New England? Kid can’t push the pile. Makes me miss Mike Anderson, who incidentally was done wrong. Anderson played his guts out for Denver. What was his thanks? A pink slip.
— Dustin, Aurora
Dustin – The pink slip is a way of life in the NFL. Ultimately, it happens to nearly everyone. As far as Tatum goes, he is getting better. This is a fast kid who relied on getting outside until recently. He is just making the adjustment. It may take some time.
Why don’t the Broncos use David Kircus more? It seems he has made the most of his opportunities.
— Dale Habrock, Kansas City, Kan.
Dale – He’s been the No. 3 receiver. That’s not too bad for a guy who was making sandwiches less than a year ago.
I was very impressed by last week. One thing that concerned me was how gassed the defense looked during the Patriots’ hurry-up offense. Do you think the coaching staff is going to make conditioning a higher priority in the near future?
— CSB, Washington
CSB – I think the fatigue was more of a case of it being the fourth quarter and that New England QB Tom Brady threw the ball 55 times. Any defense is going to get tired against a team trying to play catch-up.
Give us your take on the Clinton Portis-Champ Bailey trade three years after the fact. As a lifelong Broncos fan transplanted to D.C., it looks like one of the best trades in recent NFL history.
— Dan Peters, Washington
Dan – Bailey is headed to the Hall of Fame. Portis is fine, but has shown he gets injured often. He may not be in the league forever. Bailey has another 10 years in him. Consider the fact that Tatum Bell was part of the trade, and this has to be considered a huge steal for Denver.
To me, it looks like Nick Ferguson is flying all over the field and playing really well right now. I think he has stepped it up. What do you think?
— Eric Gough, West Warwick, R.I.
Nice call, Eric. Nick has really taken advantage of his opportunities and has gotten better. He is making a difference this season and has been very active. Ferguson is a guy you root for because his road to NFL success has been so long and hard.
It seems like Jake Plummer doesn’t roll out. Why keep him in the pocket that much when he is not a pocket passer? Making 260-pound-plus linemen chase him will tire them out long before it does Jake – and it will slow down the rush.
— John Koswan, Las Vegas
John – That was a big issue in the first two games. But the Broncos worked hard to get Plummer to roll out against New England, and he had an outstanding game. As much as defensive coordinators try to keep Plummer in the pocket, the Broncos must find ways to get him out. It can be the difference between winning and losing.
I saw . They must be the three Vanderbilt alums living in Denver. Cutler may be the future, but Plummer is the present and needs to be if the Broncos have any shot at the playoffs this year. What is your opinion on how this plays out the rest of the year?
— Jeff, Jefferson, Md.
Jeff – I doubt those guys went to Vandy. The Cutler campaign is alive and well. There will always be a faction for the backup quarterback, especially if the kid is a star-in-the-making like Cutler appears to be.
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, .
