On a Sunday morning late in August, we must think thoughts about the impending event of great consequence that will occur at the stadium @Mile High.
Not that one.
The Broncos vs. the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 14.
The Chargers are being predicted by many self-proclaimed pundits to finish the season in the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 1.
The Broncos are being predicted by the same pseudo-authorities to finish the season in San Diego on Dec. 28.
Can the Broncos hang with the Chargers?
W.W.Jay-C.D?
Will the four-headed monster at running back — Svantevit in Slavic mythology, Younghallpittmanalridge in Broncos reality — rush for 2,000-plus yards?
Who will replace Brandon Marshall when he is a sofa root vegetable during the home opener against San Diego?
Is Mike Shanahan smart enough to devise a formation utilizing three tight ends — Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler and Nate Jackson?
Where goest thou, offensive line?
Are there defensive linemen everywhere and not a drop to drink?
Will we ever see the likes of Gradishar, Jackson, Swenson and Ratso Rizzo around here again? Or some reasonable facsimile this season?
Is the defensive backfield the best in the game — Madden ’09?
Matt Prater?
Who will be the vice presidential candidate for the Democrats?
The answer to one question is now clear after the Broncos-Packers exhibition Friday night, but can Sen. Joe Biden play wide receiver during Marshall’s suspension?
Can anybody?
Marshall bobbled the ball several times before clutching it and scoring against Green Bay. He has bobbled his life several times. Has he finally gotten it? Does Roger Goodell love Denver’s effort enough for the DNC and Marshall’s effort enough to give the city and the receiver time off for good behavior and a great catch?
Jay Cutler was drafted 11th overall in 2006. In his third season, he will be the 11th best overall quarterback in the NFL. He will have an exceptional season, just as John Elway did in his third season. So, there.
Selvin Young and Andre Hall can shake tackles, but not each other. They will share time and yardage, and Anthony Alridge will get a chance on third downs (think Glyn Milburn from 1995), and Michael Pittman will spot.
Cecil Sapp will start the season at fullback; rookie Peyton Hillis will take over in the season.
No. 2 draft pick Eddie Royal has stuck out at wide receiver, but free agents Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert and Samie Parker have struck out. The running backs, tight ends and Brandon Stokley will be Cutler’s favored targets in the first two games.
Cutler hasn’t been sacked in the exhibitions, but he hasn’t been attacked.
The Ryans should not be confused with the Olsen twins. Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris are 625 pounds of steak tartare or just raw meat. Tom Nalen is tough. He’ll be ready for his final season. And the offensive line scheme still works.
The secondary will be ultra-special because the defensive scheme that didn’t work has been nucleared. Even without the departed John Lynch, the defensive backfield’s depth chart is, well, deep and well-deep. Five cornerbacks, three safeties of merit.
Nate Webster will beat out Niko Koutouvides at middle linebacker, but Koutouvides is big on special teams. D.J. Williams will be a Pro Bowler outside. High ankle sprains don’t heal for quite awhile, so Boss Bailey has stepped back (gingerly), and nobody has stepped up (quickly).
Then there’s the unambitious defensive line. What to make of it? The sophomores — Marcus Thomas, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder — look like freshmen. Elvis Presley once broke his thumb, and now Elvis Dumervil has broken his finger. Dewayne Robertson hasn’t pressed or impressed, but Paul Carrington has. Out of 10, the Broncos have to find eight willing and able — and they haven’t yet.
The kickoff and punt returns have been mediocre, as usual. Royal hasn’t been royal back there. The returns against have been ordinary, too. Too many pedestrians.
And, finally, Matt Prater, already a Legend in His Family-Friends-Fans Minds. One e-mails me often to tell me what Prater (reportedly) tells his followers — blaming his misses on bad holders (the punters) and the rare oxygen world up here. The Praternator needs to shut up and kick some winning field goals before he can be declared a worthy thin air apparent to Jason Elam, a real legend on the field.
Thinking thoughts on a prediction on the season? You can e-mail me your Broncos record. My final final will be announced (like a VP selection) next Sunday, after that other event at the stadium.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
