Character matters.
I like how the Broncos are paying more attention to a player’s character when acquiring new talent. It seems they adopted a new philosophy this offseason. They didn’t overspend in the free- agent market for rundown talent. What compelled the Broncos to take this new direction?
Jay, Los Angeles
Mike Klis: There were just enough embarrassing off-field incidents in the past year or so for Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan to recommit their goal of having the Broncos organization stand as a beacon in the Denver community. The team’s lineup of trouble last year: David Kircus, Brandon Marshall, Travis Henry, Darrell Hackney and Todd Sauerbrun.
At heart, Shanahan is a street- wise kid from the blue-collar suburbs of Chicago. His background helps explain why he has been prone to give players with a troubled past a second chance.
This year’s draft was different. High character came into play with the Broncos’ second-round pick, No. 42 overall. DeSean Jackson was the most talented receiver-returner available. Instead, the Broncos took Eddie Royal, who not only has exceptional skills but exudes maturity.
That fine line between character and talent can be difficult to straddle. You can’t have a locker room of choirboys and win in the NFL.
Keys to season.
Tell me what you think about two of our defensive draft picks from 2007: Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss. What do you expect from these two this year?
Shannon, Bend, Ore.
Mike: Moss, the first-round pick in 2007, and Crowder, the second- round pick, are keys to the 2008 season. Moss is a speed rusher coming off serious injuries to his leg and ankle. He is finished with his rehabilitation and says he is 100 percent. But he knows there will be skeptics until he gets his next NFL sack.
Crowder did come on last year after he was slowed by an ankle injury during the preseason. It will be interesting to see how Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik divvies up the playing time among five defensive ends this year: Moss, Crowder, Elvis Dumervil and veterans John Engelberger and Ebenezer Ekuban.
Grabbing insurance.
The Broncos have recently loaded up on veteran receivers. Does this relate to their view of Brandon Marshall’s future?
Darren, Toronto
Mike: I asked the same question. And the Broncos told me no, they just wanted to add depth to an important position, given their hopes are pinned on the continued development of quarterback Jay Cutler. But with the severity of Marshall’s forearm injury, adding veteran insurance makes sense.
Alexander old news.
What are the chances of getting Shaun Alexander in a Broncos uniform and ditching Travis Henry?
Dave, Lakewood
Mike: I’m a big fan of Shaun Alexander’s as a person and have found myself pulling for him in recent years. But it would appear that as running backs go, he will be old at 31 this year. If the Broncos were going to dump Henry, they would have taken Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, and not Boise State left tackle Ryan Clady, with their No. 12 overall pick.
This would be a perfect tailback season for the Broncos: Henry rushes for 1,000 yards; Selvin Young gets 700 yards rushing and another 300 receiving; and rookie Ryan Torain gets 250 yards rushing with some short-yardage touchdowns.
Scary kicking game.
Why didn’t the Broncos select a punter or kicker in the draft last month? These are positions that will come back and haunt them during the season.
Mark, York, Pa.
Mike: For whatever reason, there are just as many quality NFL kickers and punters who went undrafted as there were drafted. Entering the latest draft, the Broncos rated Toledo punter Brett Kern slightly higher than Georgia Tech’s Durant Brooks. It took a sixth-round draft pick to get Brooks, who went to Washington. The Broncos signed Kern as an undrafted free agent.
In Matt Prater and Garrett Hartley, the Broncos are submitting hints about why they didn’t make a stronger attempt to keep Jason Elam. The Broncos want a kicker who can handle both field goals and kickoffs. The question all of Broncoland is wondering: What price, kickoffs?
Mike Klis will start his fourth season covering the NFL after reporting on the Rockies and MLB for 15 years.
Reach him at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
