This may be a roster in which questions about the quality are answered in quantity.
As the Broncos set their season-opening, 53-man roster Saturday, they went heavy on heavy guys and light on the lighter guys.
The Broncos put 10 defensive linemen on their roster. Let’s see LaDainian Tomlinson run on that. It’s one or two more D-linemen than the Broncos have kept in past years. And just in case 10 aren’t enough, the Broncos kept a whopping eight linebackers employed, at least two more than their usual quota.
Talk about prioritizing the need to stop the run.
“That’s a problem you want,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “You want to be crowded at a lot of different positions but, yeah, we have more depth (at linebacker) than we’ve had in the past.”
There are also nine offensive linemen, again one or two more than usual. And they hope to put a 10th blocker, Mitch Erickson, on their practice squad.
Protecting quarterback Jay Cutler shouldn’t be a problem, even if three offensive tackles — starters Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris, and undrafted University of Colorado rookie Tyler Polumbus — have combined for virtually zero NFL playing experience.
As for who will be catching the passes, it’s Cutler who better not get anybody hurt. With Brandon Marshall currently serving his one-week suspension, the Broncos will take just four receivers to Oakland for the Monday night season opener Sept. 8.
The Four Handsmen of Jay Cutler are Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Eddie Royal and Keary Colbert. That’s one or two fewer receivers than the Broncos have been known to keep on their active roster. They will also go with just three tight ends. Daniel Graham is the blocking tight end, Tony Scheffler is the receiving tight end, and Nate Jackson is the tight end who can do a little bit of everything.
A roster can be evaluated in pragmatic terms: The Broncos have 24 players with three years or less of experience, including 10 — count ’em, 10 — rookies. They have a rookie fullback in Peyton Hillis, a veteran tailback who can play fullback in Michael Pittman and a rookie linebacker who can play fullback in Spencer Larsen.
But there is no returning starting fullback in Cecil Sapp. He was placed on injured reserve, as was another rookie, tailback Anthony Alridge, whose sterling performance in the preseason finale Friday night at Arizona was spoiled by a torn ligament in his left foot.
A roster can also be discussed subjectively.
“We didn’t really make a big splash in free agency this year,” Broncos cornerback Dre Bly said. “We got Boss (Bailey) and Dewayne Robertson, and we had a great draft, but last year it felt like we had the playmakers to have a great season. For whatever reason, it didn’t work out. We got rid of a couple guys who coaches, I guess, felt were a problem with the team last year. Now the chemistry is well, and I think we benefited from the moves that we made.”
Gone is the distracting talent that was Javon Walker, Travis Henry and Todd Sauerbrun. The likable John Lynch, Jason Elam, Matt Lepsis and Rod Smith are gone, too.
Added were free-agent starters Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel at safety, Robertson at defensive tackle, Boss Bailey at strongside linebacker, center Casey Wiegmann and receiver Darrell Jackson.
Clady, Royal and punter Brett Kern are rookie starters. Back from injury are guard Ben Hamilton, defensive tackle Ebenezer Ekuban and, eventually, center Tom Nalen.
Back from a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is Cutler. Back for the second game, against Tomlinson’s San Diego Chargers, will be Marshall, who had his suspension reduced Friday from three games to one.
The running backs are Selvin Young and Andre Hall, with Pittman available to provide a little rest.
It can be said with certainty that the Broncos’ roster adds up to 53 players. It is up for discussion whether this roster adds up to playoff games in January.
“Talent-wise and the togetherness, the camaraderie, it’s all there,” backup safety Hamza Abdullah said. “I don’t want to make any predictions. I’m not a big prediction guy, but I think we are as talented as I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”
If the bromide is true that a team is only as good as its weakest link, then the Broncos showed evidence of being very good in their final preseason test against Arizona. The Broncos played the whole game with their No. 3 quarterback, Darrell Hackney, and most of the game with their No. 4 tailback, Alridge. Meanwhile, the Cardinals played their first-stringers for two series each.
The Broncos won easily, 28-14. In the head-to-head portion against Cardinal starters, the Bronco reserves went up 3-0.
Hackney and Alridge were among the 20 moves the Broncos made in trimming their roster to 53 players. Perhaps the Broncos’ weakest links were stronger than most.
“A lot of good players are cut in the National Football League,” Shanahan said. “There’s a lot of competition.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
Day of judgment
Broncos writer Mike Klis looks at the players who were on the bubble when it broke as the Broncos cut down to their 53-man roster Saturday:
THEY’RE IN
1. Brett Kern, punter: Undrafted rookie’s powerful leg could not be ignored.
2. Tyler Polumbus, LT: Undrafted rookie longshot from CU impressed coaches.
3. Spencer Larsen, LB/FB: Rookie from Arizona plays on both sides of the ball.
4. Michael Pittman, RB/FB: Nice complement to the smaller-slashing duo of Selvin Young and Andre Hall.
5. Wesley Woodyard, LB: Another undrafted rookie who led team with 21 preseason tackles.
TOUGH BREAK
1. Cecil Sapp, FB: Beat out by rookie Peyton Hillis.
2. Darrell Hackney, QB: Broncos saying a prayer he can slide to practice squad.
3. Clifford Russell, WR: Fifth man out as only four receivers will suit up for opener at Oakland.
4. Anthony Alridge, RB: Probably would have made the team had he not suffered a season-ending foot injury.
5. Sam Paulescu, punter: He’s better than half the punters in the league.
Now former Broncos
Players cut from the Broncos’ roster on Saturday:
Pos. Player Exp.
G P.J. Alexander 6
S Josh Barrett R
LB Jordan Beck 4
DE Larry Birdine 2
DE Paul Carrington 3
CB Wale Dada 1
G Mitch Erickson R
G Dylan Gandy 4
QB Darrell Hackney 2
DT Steven Harris 2
WR Glenn Martinez 3
WR Marquay McDaniel 1
TE Chad Mustard 5
P Sam Paulescu 2
CB Tyrone Poole 13
WR Clifford Russell 6
S Vickiel Vaughn 2
Placed on injured-reserve list:
RB Anthony Alridge
FB Cecil Sapp
WR Edell Shepherd
Due to an editing error, this article excluded long-snapper Mike Leach, No. 83.
