Preparations for the 2007 season began the day after slain cornerback Darrent Williams was laid to rest.
The Broncos first overhauled their defensive coaching staff and reset their roster. They prepared for the draft in April. They prepared their players through minicamps, training camp, the preseason and the first five regular-season opponents, including the San Diego Chargers whom the Broncos play today at Invesco Field at Mile High.
And now the unexpected: Preparing for the worst-case scenario regarding their star tailback Travis Henry.
Confronting a one-year suspension for allegedly failing a drug test, Henry has sued the NFL in hopes of nullifying the test results. Henry said in court documents, “This must be a mistake.”
Barring a legal upset, however, there is a strong chance the Broncos will not have the league’s leading rusher for the final six or seven games of the season. If NFL administrators and lawyers have their way and Henry’s case resorts back to league jurisdiction, Henry’s season-ending suspension could start sooner.
What would become of the Broncos then?
“It’s definitely going to hurt us if we lose a guy like him,” left tackle Matt Lepsis said. “But we all have a job to do. I know that’s a cliché, but everybody has their own job and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Still another question: Even with Henry running at tailback until his legal matters are resolved, how will the Broncos handle the sideshow?
“There are always distractions,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “Great teams can deal with it. Poor teams can’t.”
Entering the Chargers game, the Broncos are neither. They are 2-2. Win or lose, the pendulum between great and poor will tilt one way or the other today.
And then if Henry is suspended, the Broncos’ season would again have to be recalibrated.
“Heaven forbid it would go that way,” defensive tackle Amon Gordon said. “But, the league is cracking down on a lot of things right now. Obviously, we’d be disappointed, but I do believe there’s a lot of talent here and we work hard. I think positive things will come about either way.”
A team that adapts
Recent history suggests if ever a team could adjust to losing its star running back in midseason, it’s the Broncos. Unknown back Olandis Gary replaced Terrell Davis in 1999. A 27-year-old ex-Marine rookie named Mike Anderson replaced Gary in 2000.
Early-season injuries to two starting tailbacks promoted Reuben Droughns from journeyman fullback in 2004.
Each replacement gained at least 1,100 yards.
“You don’t want to lose your starter, but sometimes you have no choice,” Shanahan said. “Had Terrell Davis not got hurt, we would have never known about the other backs.”
So if the Broncos lose Henry, they have experience in crisis tailback management.
“He’s a special running back, though,” Lepsis said. “He’s different. He’s a talented guy. It’s not like anyone can come in here and put up big numbers like he has so far. There’s something special about him.”
Analyze the Broncos’ roster, and a case can be made Henry is their most irreplaceable player. At least quarterback Jay Cutler has a proven veteran behind him in Patrick Ramsey.
Javon Walker will be missed Sunday when he sits out his second consecutive game, but the Brandons – Marshall and Stokley – are no slouches.
Even Champ Bailey, who has no peer at cornerback, nevertheless would have a tested replacement in Domonique Foxworth. Bailey missed two games in 2005 and the Broncos won both.
In Henry’s absence, the Broncos would count on Selvin Young, an explosive undrafted rookie who is averaging 9.2 yards on limited carries.
“I have a lot of confidence in Selvin Young,” Shanahan said.
Young’s lean frame, though, would raise concerns about whether he could take a 20-carries-a-game pounding, especially since he suffered his share of college injuries. Most likely, the Broncos would use a tailback rotation of Young and Andre Hall, who is small and compact.
“I’m looking for an opportunity but I don’t want it that way,” Hall said. “Honestly, if Travis says he didn’t do anything, then I believe him. I’m behind him 100 percent. He’s a friend, so I’m with him no matter what the outcome may be. Hopefully, it’s in his favor. If not, he’s still my guy.”
Green replacements
Entering this season, Young and Hall had this many NFL carries: Zero. And they’re only at 15 combined carries now, all by Young.
Given the chance, the combined yardage of Young and Hall may approach the production of one Henry. Or, the Broncos may rush Cutler’s development and decide to become more of an air-strike offense.
Either way, it’s clear the Broncos would rather have Henry.
Why else would they play him today knowing they may not have him tomorrow?
“It would carry a huge impact,” strong safety Nick Ferguson said. “Travis is really a great fit for this offense. Travis could easily be a 2,000-yard back on this team. Hopefully this is something that passes through the night. If not, we have other backs on this team, and then it will be time to step up. As everybody knows, if you’re a running back here, you never know when opportunity is going to present itself.”
Been there, done that
The circumstances are different, but if the Broncos lose Travis Henry to a suspension, it wouldn’t be the first time coach Mike Shanahan had to replace his starting running back during the season:
(Year || Starter || Backup || Record)
1999 || Terrell Davis || Olandis Gary || 6-10
After T.D. injures a knee in the fourth game, Gary gains 1,159 yards in just 12 games.
2000 || Olandis Gary || Mike Anderson || 11-5
Gary injures a knee, but 27-year-old rookie rushes for nearly 1,500 yards.
2004 || Mike Anderson, Quentin Griffin || Reuben Droughns || 10-6
Season-ending injuries to two starters open up Droughns for 1,240 yards.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
