Denver Post staff writer Bill Williamson posts his Broncos Mailbag each Tuesday during the 2006 NFL season on DenverPost.com. The season finale is slated for Tuesday, Jan. 9.
To drop a question into the Broncos Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
I am probably venting a little after , but I do not remember a defense that was less clutch than this Broncos defense. They were a great first-half defense, but they can’t seem to get a stop in the second half. Is this a conditioning issue or just a lack of heart?
— Jeff Knight, Boise, Idaho
Vent away, Jeff. that really hurt this team this season. But Sunday, the defense played its heart out. But you are right, there were too many fourth-quarter drives.
Bill: What will you remember most from this season?
— S.R., Colorado Springs
S.R. – Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006. In a season of blown games and disappointments, the home loss to the less than average San Francisco 49ers was horrendous. It will long be remembered as one of the great blown games in the Broncos’ home history.
So, now that the team has blown another lead and , what changes are we likely to see in the offseason. I’m not ready to give up on Mike Shanahan yet, but the Broncos definitely weren’t the same team without Gary Kubiak. Are we going to see a coaching-staff shakeup?
— Jake, Marion, Iowa
Jake – There could be a change or two on the staff, but Mike Shanahan really likes this staff and will stick with it for the most part.
Who should be held accountable for the special-teams issues? Ronnie Bradford or the players? Special teams did the Broncos no favors during the last half of the season.
— Eric Brown, Fort Collins
Eric – Bradford may have saved his job as his unit has come on strong late in the season. But once again, the special teams will have to be addressed.
Will the Broncos keep George Foster and Cooper Carlisle? They both seemed to be liabilities on the line during the last half of the season. I also heard Mark Schlereth mention Foster would make a great guard.
— Sam Brown, Fort Morgan
Sam – Foster will likely be cut or traded. Look for Erik Pears, who replaced the injured Matt Lepsis in October, and veteran Adam Meadows to fight for the job. Carlisle could be kept as a free agent. But the team does like Chris Kuper, who’ll be in his second season.
If you had to pick one play all season that cost the Broncos a playoff berth this season, which play would it be?
— Simon, Denver
Simon – The 36-yard kick by Joe Nedney in overtime to give the 49ers the win. That was the end of it all.
Will the Broncos finally give up on Tatum Bell? He can’t stay healthy. He can’t get the tough yardage consistently. And he quits on plays too often.
— Kya, Loveland
Kya – I wouldn’t be surprised if Tatum Bell is not back in 2007. His durability and fumble issues will likely be major issues in the team’s decision on whether to keep him or not. Look for Denver to have a new running back in 2007.
Now that the Redskins’ season is over, losing their final game to the Giants, and winding up with a 5-11 record, I’m hoping that you can answer the question that I’ve been dying to ask since the summer: What is the value of the draft pick that we got from Washington as the result of the three-way trade that enabled us to offload Ashley Lelie to the Falcons?
— Randall Fritz, Denver
Randall – Denver will get a third-round pick in 2007 and a fourth-round pick in 2008 as compensation for the Lelie trade.
First, I want to say that what Mike Shanahan has done with so many rookies is incredible. But, I really want to know if Champ Bailey has a chance at defensive MVP. He has been absolutely awesome this year, and if you’re Carson Palmer, or any QB, why would you even throw it his way – pride?
— Thomas, Fort Collins
Thomas – Champ Bailey will not win the award. . If the Broncos would have made the playoffs, Bailey may have had a shot. He should win it. No other defensive player changes games like Bailey. He was thrown at less than 50 times this season. It’ll probably be less next season as he remains in his prime.
What message does sending Shawne Merriman to the Pro Bowl send to younger athletes? “Hey, if I take banned substances, I can still make the Pro Bowl.” Thoughts?
— Raphael Sandoval, Denver
Raphael – Not a great message for sure, as both Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey addressed last week.
It seems the Broncos have traded for established players in the league the past couple of years, rather than draft prospects. Do you see that happening with a defensive end this offseason?
— Bryon, Fort Carson
Bryon – If there is a player who is disgruntled, Denver may take a look. It needs an impact player on defense, and it could make a run either in free agency or in the draft. Denver has shown it is not afraid to make a trade for a veteran or trade up in the draft. Look for a big move in a couple of months.
I keep seeing where people say we need help at the safety position. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t the team draft a kid out of Ohio who is a safety. What happened to him? Does he have a future in Denver?
— Kelly, Clovis, N.M.
Kelly – You are thinking of Tyler Everett, a free agent. He was cut during the summer. But Denver is high on Curome Cox, Hamza Abdullah and Steve Cargile.
Bill Williamson just completed 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, .
