Denver Post sports writer Mike Klis posts his Broncos Mailbag every Tuesday during the 2007 NFL season on DenverPost.com. However, due to the Monday game vs. Tennessee, the next installment is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 21.
To drop a Broncos- or NFL-related question into the Broncos Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Hi, Mike. I’m a displaced Broncos fan. Can this team win the division when healthy? Thanks.
— Martin, Long Island, N.Y.
Martin – Your qualifier, “when healthy,” makes a correct answer impossible because the Broncos will never again be healthy. Tom Nalen, Ben Hamilton, Ebenezer Ekuban, Jarvis Moss, Stephen Alexander, Nate Jackson and Warrick Holdman are finished for the season.
The Broncos should get John Lynch and Javon Walker back soon. And running back Travis Henry should be back this week for perhaps his final game Monday night against Tennessee. Henry could get sentenced to a one-year suspension following the Tennessee game.
The Broncos will never again be at full strength this year. Which leads to the first part of your question: Can the Broncos win the division? If this was the AFC West of 2006, or 2004, or just about any other season, the answer would be no. This Broncos’ team will have to win six of their last eight games just to finish 9-7. They got one down with the win at Kansas City. That leaves overtaking San Diego.
, so the odds remain long for Denver to win the AFC West. But during that shellacking, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers played well. He has not played well otherwise, and . As it appears now, the AFC West will be decided Christmas Eve when the Broncos get their rematch against the Chargers in San Diego.
Hey, Mike. Is Rod Smith traveling with the team? I saw him on the sidelines talking to Jay Cutler near the end of . I did not see him on the sidelines .
— Bruce, Denver
Bruce – Smith was there Sunday in Kansas City. He has made all the trips this year. He probably figured Cutler didn’t need a pep talk near the end of a 27-11 victory.
It was a good win at Kansas City. But still a lack of discipline (way too many penalties in the first quarter – and overall). It would good to see a more wide-open attack. Once Jay Cutler smoothes out his accuracy, he’ll be dangerous.
— Les Sullivan, Tustin Ranch, Calif.
Yes, Les, six penalties for 35 yards in the first quarter were not characteristic of Mike Shanahan-coached teams. Penalties have been a problem for the Broncos this year, which would coincide with the heavy roster turnover during the offseason and continual lineup changes in-season caused by the large amount of injuries.
As for the wide-open attack, I don’t think you’ll see it because of protection issues. This is a revamped offensive line. Matt Lepsis is the only blocker who started at the same position for the Broncos last year. Without Nalen and Hamilton, the Broncos must add an extra blocker, whether it be fullback Cecil Sapp or tight end Chad Mustard. Wide-open passing games will spread out four receivers, and the Broncos can’t afford to expose Jay Cutler without the extra protection.
Mike – It is time for the Selvin Young era to begin? This guy is a one-cut-and-gone type. Will we see a lot more of him real soon?
— John, Brookhaven, Pa.
John – I’d say the Selvin Young era is off and running. Henry may be back for Tennessee, but it may be the last game of his Broncos career.
If it wasn’t for Henry’s suspension fight with the NFL, more attention would be paid to how he’s been unable to stay healthy throughout his career. He’s only played through a 16-game schedule once, and that was five years ago. He’s already missed two games to injury through nine games this year and hasn’t been effective since Week 4 against Indianapolis.
The suspension is the primary concern, though, because of its permanent implications. A random drug test in early September revealed Henry had traces of marijuana in his system. He has fought the positive test through the legal system but the NFL is about to play judge and jury when it hears his case Friday. Henry and the Broncos believe he will be cleared. I don’t. I can see the NFL having mercy if this was Henry’s first strike. It’s more difficult to beat the rap when it’s a third strike.
If Henry is suspended for a year, there’s a chance his career will be doomed. Anybody seen Ricky Williams lately?
As for Young, he has looked very good in his two starts, rushing for 180 yards on 38 carries. That guy has a higher gear few others possess. Even if Henry were healthy, I’d like to see the Broncos split his carries more equitably with Young. It would have been an ideal Mr. Inside-Mr. Outside rotation. The Broncos no doubt realize this now, but it may be too late given Henry’s legal matters.
If Henry leaves, the question for Young will be whether he can hold up. It would be a stretch to give him 20 carries a game in each of the season’s final seven games. The way he’s built, Young’s speed may be better utilized if he was limited to 15 carries.
Hey, Mike. Is your mailbag full now? It seems that people love a train wreck. Although many are calling for Mike Shanahan’s head, I believe he is still a GREAT coach. I would love to see Mike get back to trusting his players and coaches and just let them play. Do you think the problem may be that he has spread himself too thin trying to control every aspect of the team?
— Fritz Black, Spanish Fork, Utah
Fritz – I believe this is the second letter I’ve answered from Spanish Fork. Before I answer, I must ask you a question: Whatever became of Nicole, Gary Gilmore’s girlfriend who was made famous by Norman Mailer in the real-life novel “The Executioner’s Song”? My attempts through Google have failed. Certainly the coffee shops in Spanish Fork know what happened to her? And while we’re at it, let’s raise those coffee cups and cheer the life of Mr. Mailer, who passed away Saturday.
Anyhow, Mike Shanahan. His strengths include organization and preparation. I haven’t met a highly organized, well-prepared person yet who easily yielded to others. General manager Ted Sundquist and his staff have way more input on personnel matters than people think. If Shanahan wants a guy, Sundquist will go get him. If Sundquist likes a guy, Shanahan has the final say. But Sundquist’s role is substantial.
In turn, I don’t think Shanahan is spread thin. He delegated the entire defense, and its personnel, to Jim Bates during the offseason. There was a meeting of the minds during the bye week. And in large part because of Shanahan’s insistence, the Broncos have added an eighth man to their defensive box. That’s been a good thing.
Mike – What exactly is the Broncos’ “zone blocking scheme”?
— Vincent Kotsubo, Superior
Vincent – Essentially, each of the five blockers is responsible for an area, not necessarily a specific defender. As an example, a running play right. The Broncos running back will stretch fairly wide to the right while the five blockers – six counting tight end Daniel Graham – will shift or angle slightly to the right. A wall is formed. The running back is to stretch the play along until he sees the crease, then make one explosive cut at the hole.
At least I think that’s how it works. I must admit, I pay attention to blocking about as much as I pay attention to soccer.
Mike – Why did the NFL draft decrease time between picks? Increasing that time would give teams more freedom to trade. Isn’t freedom good?
— Paul Polichio, Reno, Nev.
Paul – You’re right. The 15-minute window between picks was set because coaches and GMs felt they needed that time to exchange trade proposals, and think them over. But the league had to do something about the excruciating snoozefest that was Round 1 of the draft. The event has grown beyond a cottage industry, but the boredom that sets in on the first day threatened to diminish the event’s popularity. Teams now discuss trading picks well in advance of the draft. The shorter window means more preliminary work must be done before a team goes on The Clock.
Personally, I think the optimum balance between building anticipation while eliminating the tedium is to shorten the time to 5 minutes between first-round picks.
Just wondering what the status of Javon Walker is and if he’ll be back this year? I have Javon on my fantasy roster and need to know if I should keep him or, unfortunately, drop him. Thanks.
— Mike, California
Mike – If your fantasy league is like mine, you are probably trying to decide between an injured Javon Walker with a high upside, or a healthy Drew Bennett or Dennis Northcutt who are good for 30-60 receiving yards a week and score a touchdown every three games. Walker will try to play this week, but my guess is he won’t play until the following week at Chicago. And I wouldn’t expect significant production until the final four games.
In summation, my advice would be to keep Walker, but don’t play him until Cutler hits him with a long one.
What is your opinion on the progress of Jay Cutler taking on the role of the leader of this team, both in the locker room and on the field? I know he was elected captain, but that seems like a gimme for the position he plays. Thanks.
— Bill Sweeney, Los Angeles
Bill – I’m going to steal from Shanahan by saying the primary characteristic of leadership is performance. If Cutler plays well, people will follow. If he starts playing like Philip Rivers or Damon Huard or Chad Pennington, he will be looking at a locker room of averted eyes. Cutler has been progressing as a leader because he continues to progress as a quarterback. The more he plays and demonstrates improvement, the more his teammates will trust him. When it comes to leadership, personality and words are irrelevant next to performance. Followers must have confidence in their leader if a leader is to lead. …
Wow. I don’t want to say I just got a little carried away, but let’s have everybody put their hands in a circle. Ready? One, two, three: Mailbag!
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 .
