Denver Post sports writer Mike Klis posts his Broncos Mailbag every Tuesday during the 2007 National Football League season on DenverPost.com.
To drop a Broncos- or NFL-related question into the Broncos Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
With Jim Bates leading the defense, should Broncos fans expect to see D.J. Williams in the top five in the league in tackles? If this happens, do you think D.J. would make the Pro Bowl?
— Mike, Englewood
Mike – Yes and yes. The Jim Bates defense is made for middle linebackers. When Bates ran Miami’s defense from 2000-04, Zach Thomas finished among the league’s top four tackle leaders in four consecutive seasons. In Bates’ lone season of running Green Bay’s defense in 2005, Nick Barnett had a career year in tackles. And there isn’t a scout out there who would argue Thomas or Barnett can match Williams’ skill package.
The primary reason why Bates’ system is so middle-linebacker friendly is he plays not one, but two gargantuan players at the defensive-tackle positions. This year, 350-pound Sam Adams, 330-pound Gerard Warren and 320-pound Jimmy Kennedy will rotate among the two tackle spots. They will eat up multiple blockers while Williams will be left free to tackle his way all the way to Hawaii.
Hi, Mike. This week you revealed that Jay Cutler has been bothered by tendonitis in his right wrist. Has he experienced this before? Are there any members of the organization anxious about it?
— Josh, Parker
Josh – From what I understand, Cutler went through a similar struggle prior to one season at Vanderbilt. I don’t think the organization (read: Mike Shanahan) is worried because Cutler hasn’t missed a snap in training camp. It looked like Cutler’s wrist bothered him during practice last Thursday, but he bounced back to throw well on Friday. That tells me the medicine took hold. The deadline on this mailbag was prior to the preseason game Monday, so you probably had your question answered before you read this.
The Broncos always have some interesting nicknames for most of their players. What do you think about “Big Chef” for Tony Scheffler, and David “The Circus Man” Kircus?
— Derek Schilson, Springfield, Ill.
Derek – I’m not sure either nickname will stick in Broncoland. However, allow me to suggest “The Land of Lincoln” as a nickname for Springfield, Ill.
Do you think Kyle Johnson can become a weapon for the Broncos, and are there signs of a bigger role for the FB in camp this year (especially with two new ones – Troy Fleming and Paul Smith – on the roster)?
— BigNick, Green Bay, Wis.
BigNick – One of the milder surprises of camp this year is Johnson doesn’t appear to be pushed for the starting fullback spot. I say “surprised” because last year, the Broncos clearly were ready to make Cecil Sapp their starting fullback. Sapp’s inability to stay healthy in camp cost him the starting job – and perhaps rescued Johnson.
With Sapp moved to tailback this year, I thought Smith would give Johnson a run for the starting spot this year but that hasn’t happened. Fleming is running No. 2, but from what I’ve seen, it’s a distant No. 2. My guess is Johnson won’t quite match his 2005 season, when he had 17 catches for 160 yards and five TDs, but will put up better stats than last year, when he had seven catches for 37 yards and one touchdown.
Speaking not only as a Broncomaniac in Virginia Beach, but also as an avid fantasy football player, is Mike Shanahan going to frustrate us fantasy managers by splitting the touches again this season with Travis Henry and Cecil Sapp like he did with Tatum Bell and Mike Bell?
— Rudy D., Virginia Beach, Va.
Rudy D. – The word going around among us fantasy nerds is Mike Shanahan doesn’t hate us, anymore. Henry will be a 22-carries-a-game back this year. With the Broncos’ formidable zone-blocking system, Henry should have multiple 100-yard games, especially early. If anybody steals his fantasy points, it will be Mike Bell near the goal line. Bell’s combination of hops and strength were good for eight TDs in a limited role last year as a rookie. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bell gets eight-plus TDs this year.
My main concern with Henry is durability. He hasn’t topped 270 carries in the past three years, and his only 16-game season was five years ago. Those trends have me putting his over/under at 1,250 yards and nine TDs this year; not 1,500 and 12 as enthusiasts project. If those 1,250 yards and nine TDs come in 14 1/2 games, fantasy owners should be pleased.
Mike – Give me your take on the team’s placekicking game. Is there any competition in camp?
— Trick Standing, Pungo, Va.
Hmm. Trick Standing. Trick Standing. Where have I heard that name before? Anyway, Jason Elam does not have any competition. Fourteen consecutive 100-point seasons will earn a guy a break. He already ranks seventh on the NFL career list in field goals and ninth in points, and the people ahead of him all kicked for well more than 14 years. Elam is 37 years old, so it’s not like the Broncos don’t pay closer attention to his age and leg strength, but the key for him is accuracy from inside the 40-yard lone. He was 20-for-20 from that range last year and 7-for-9 on kicks from 40-59 yards. I’m tougher than most, but I say those numbers warrant him another year.
Mike – I recently attended camp with my son, and I felt that Patrick Ramsey far outshined Jay Cutler. Any chance of Patrick starting for us on opening day?
— Herb Labenz, Hutchinson, Kan.
Herb – Barring injury, Cutler will be the starting quarterback on opening day in Buffalo and the week after that and week after that. Ramsey will be the backup. I’m not sure what camp day you attended, but your observation was probably astute. Cutler has been bothered by tendonitis in his right wrist, a malady not uncommon this time of year as it’s caused by excessive throwing. There were a couple days when the pain subsided and Cutler threw well. I’m guessing the wrist bothered him on the day you were there.
The wrist is one thing; decisions are another. Cutler essentially is a rookie, given he has but five games of NFL experience. He has thrown some ill-advised passes this camp. But it’s camp. Something to keep in mind as you’re evaluating Cutler through the preseason and, say, the first 11 regular-season games: Peyton Manning, the greatest of them all, had 26 touchdown passes and 28 interceptions through his first 16 games. After his impressive start last year, Cutler could throw 17 TDs and 23 interceptions in his first 11 games this year – and be right on Manning’s pace.
Mike Klis is in his third season of covering the Broncos after previously covering the Rockies and Major League Baseball for 15 years. To drop a question into his Broncos Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
