The Broncos are on a 5-10 skid entering today’s game. A look at some possible reasons for the decline:
Draft misses
The Broncos’ drafts from 2001-04 were woeful. From that four-year period, the only player remaining who sees significant playing time is linebacker D.J. Williams. Where have you gone, Paul Toviessi and Terry Pierce?
Left guard Ben Hamilton was a five-year starter until sustaining a season-ending concussion in training camp, and the Broncos did turn draft pick Clinton Portis into a trade for Champ Bailey and George Foster and Tatum Bell into a deal for Dré Bly.
But that’s it.
The Broncos appeared to have rebounded nicely in their past three drafts, but four consecutive weak drafts have taken their toll, leading to trades and free-agent additions to fill holes.
Roster turnover
The Broncos have just five starters playing at the same position from their 2005 season when they made the AFC title game: outside linebacker Ian Gold, cornerback Champ Bailey, safeties John Lynch and Nick Ferguson, and the one offensive starter, left tackle Matt Lepsis. Outside linebacker D.J. Williams has moved to the middle and nickel back/safety Domonique Foxworth started in the 2005 postseason ahead of the injured Darrent Williams at right cornerback.
At many positions, change meant an upgrade in talent. But for 11 players to execute as one unit, each player must react off the other. They also must invest in each other emotionally when times get tough. Lack of cohesion has been a factor in the team’s fall, particularly on defense.
Free agency
A misconception that follows the Broncos is they don’t fare well in free agency. Apparently, the failed legacies of Dale Carter and Daryl Gardener are hard to shake. Yet, John Lynch, Nick Ferguson, Daniel Graham, Ian Gold, Brandon Stokley, Patrick Ramsey and Travis Henry aren’t exactly free-agent busts. True, Simeon Rice didn’t work out and Henry’s off-field issues have been a season-long distraction. It can be argued the Broncos have become too reliant on free agency, but contrary to perception, the problem hasn’t been in evaluating talent.
“Teams more and more when they have a great player, they lock that player up,” former Broncos guard Mark Schlereth said. “They don’t let him hit the free-agent market. To me, the free-agent market has become buyer beware.”
Missing Captain Al
Meaning no disrespect to the lives of Darrent Williams and Damien Nash, who died tragically young during the past offseason, but it was captain Al Wilson who left the most palpable absence in the locker room this year.
Wilson’s departure is not the Broncos’ fault. His performance had declined precipitously in 2006, primarily because of a neck injury. He still isn’t healthy enough to play. But a healthy, spirited Wilson is a void the Broncos have not filled.
Captain Al wasn’t the only leadership loss. Fans either hated or liked quarterback Jake Plummer, but his teammates loved his team-first attitude. And injuries also sidelined the immense presences of Rod Smith and Tom Nalen.
Injuries taking a toll
In today’s NFL, where the salary cap leaves every team vulnerable in depth, no one can sustain significant injuries for long and be a playoff contender.
Look at the Chicago Bears, who played in the Super Bowl last season but are reeling because of an inordinate number of injuries, especially on defense.
The Broncos’ injury list is not only long, it includes several impact players. Defensive ends Ebenezer Ekuban and Jarvis Moss, offensive linemen Ben Hamilton and Tom Nalen, tight ends Stephen Alexander and Nate Jackson, receiver Rod Smith and outside linebacker Warrick Holdman are finished for the season. No. 1 receiver Javon Walker had 17 catches for 220 yards after two games, but hasn’t played since the third game because of a knee injury. Defensive back Champ Bailey and running back Travis Henry each missed one game because of injury, and safety John Lynch has missed two. And Henry and Lynch may not play today against the Chiefs.
The most devastating injury was to Nalen. He was the remaining link to the offensive line that blocked for Super Bowl champion teams in 1997-98.
Defensive confusion
It sounded good in training camp. New defensive head coach Jim Bates brought in a system designed to stop the run with just seven players “in the box” near the line of scrimmage. The system led to some creative – and curious – personnel decisions. Gerard Warren, and his huge contract, was replaced by Amon Gordon, a former practice-squad player. D.J. Williams was moved from outside linebacker to the middle. Now Warren and Gordon are both gone, and so is the seven-man box.
And, Williams has been slow adjusting to the middle.
“I’m not trying to beat that kid up because he’s given great effort and he was asked to do something that was very hard to do,” former Broncos guard Mark Schlereth said. “But to me it’s like, ‘I know you’re a righty, but from this point forward, we’re going to make you a left-handed batter.”‘
