Denver Post sports writer Mike Klis posts his Broncos Mailbag every Tuesday during the 2008 NFL season on DenverPost.com.
To drop a Broncos- or NFL-related question into the Broncos Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Why don’t the Broncos run more no-huddle? The few times they have run no-huddle, they have had success. Run no-huddle, especially when playing in Denver, and take advantage of the thin air!
— Dave “No Huddle” Welanko, Anchorage, Alaska
No Huddle Dave – First, let me say nothing ever works every time in the NFL. If defenses have figured out the West Coast offense, and offenses quickly figured out the Forty-Six defense, than nothing is foolproof.
But I know what you’re saying. Every week there are three or four offenses in the league — and college, for that matter — that are stagnant until the 2-minute hurry-up, and suddenly they start moving the ball.
But I’m not in favor of the Broncos going “no huddle” until quarterback Jay Cutler feels more comfortable with the play calling. Also, the Broncos’ defense already tends to stay on the field too long. The offense needs more time on the field, not less.
Have there been any indications that Pat Bowlen will completely overhaul this team next year?
— Ryan, Orlando, Fla.
Ryan – If you’re talking roster overhaul, I hope not. There’s too much young talent on this team, especially on offense and special teams, to give up on now. Much of the Broncos’ current struggles can be classified as “growing pains.” Jay Cutler, Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Chris Kuper, Ryan Torain, Tony Scheffler, Jarvis Moss, Marcus Thomas and Brett Kern should be better next year than they are this year. Eddie Royal, Brandon Marshall and Matt Prater are already plenty good enough.
I do think there will be drastic changes on defense. There could be up to seven new defensive starters next year. One problem that will confront Mike Shanahan and his three-man advisory committee — Brian Xanders and Jim and Jeff Goodman — as they rebuild their defense is what to do about strongside linebacker Boss Bailey. He’s a talent, but history says he can’t stay healthy.
Fourteen rushing yards, are you kidding me? It isn’t just this week; seems like all year long the Broncos have struggled to get a consistent running attack established, putting even more pressure on both Jay Cutler and the defense. What the heck is going on with the Broncos’ running game?
— Eddie, Fort Collins
Eddie – One problem with the Broncos’ running game was Cutler’s two picks that put them in a 13-0 hole 10 minutes into . Besides the deficit, the Broncos are struggling to keep their backs healthy. Selvin Young missed his third consecutive game with a strained groin. Andre Hall has an ankle and wrist problem. Michael Pittman was trying to play through neck and rib injuries. And rookie Ryan Torain is just getting started after missing three months with a dislocated elbow.
One more factor: The Dolphins were not a good matchup for the Broncos. The Dolphins are a physical team up front, on both sides of the ball. The Broncos are bigger than they have been up front with Clady and Harris at the tackles, and Kuper at right guard. But it’s still a quickness-first blocking scheme.
Obviously, the running game is what needs to be fixed. However, after , is he not a MUST-sign player for the Broncos? Defense wins championships, and KGB may be having an off year, but he beats Reggie White in G.B. sacks. This has to be a no-brainer!
— Jesse, New York
Jesse – I got to know Gbaja-Biamila some last year. Great guy. And for several years, he was a terrific pass rusher. But the Packers are led by some smart guys. If Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy released Gbaja-Biamila, it’s likely he’s slipped. Besides, if you bring in Gbaja-Biamila, it comes at the playing-time expense of someone like Jarvis Moss, who had two of the Broncos’ three sacks Sunday against Miami. KGB would not be a good idea.
Think about this, too, Jesse: The Broncos had six sacks by halftime against New England. Yet they were down 24-0. On the Broncos’ list of problems, pass rush is no longer near the top.
It looks like Jay Cutler is turning into a first-round flop. Does he have the confidence of his teammates to make the big plays and to make the comebacks in the fourth quarter like John Elway had with his teammates?
— Ron, Reno, Nev.
Ron – Congratulations. You’re the first one who has publicly called Cutler a flop. Geez, this has been a tough mailbag. The disgust has been palpable.
Look, when Cutler is playing well, like he did in several games last year and in four wins this year, his teammates have confidence in him. When he’s not playing well, as was the case in the Broncos’ four losses this year, his teammates and everyone else are less sure. I know I’m being trite, but that’s how it is.
Besides, the question here isn’t the confidence his teammates have in him. It’s the confidence Cutler has in himself. Something happened in that Kansas City game. I see a quarterback who seems to be trying too hard not to make mistakes in recent weeks, and therefore is making them.
After the last five games, am I the only one feeling this is the worst Broncos team I’ve ever watched? Of course, there are some (very few) bright spots. Ryan Clady is playing well. So is Eddie Royal. . And that’s about it. I don’t think we can even brag about Jay Cutler or Brandon Marshall anymore. But why does it feel like it’s worse than ever?
— Maxime, Paris
Maxime – It feels that way because we all have selective memories, and four losses in five games, including three in a row, is as bad as it gets in the Broncos’ past 25 seasons. But the Broncos are 4-4 now and they were 7-9 last year. So instead of this being their worst team ever, the 2008 Broncos may only have their worst team since 2007. And if they should stumble all the way to 6-10, then they would only have their worst team since 1999.
But I understand your pain, Maxime. I think the reason this current Broncos team looks so horrid is their turnover problem. They’ve committed a ghastly 15 turnovers in their four losses, 11 of which came in the first half. Somehow, some way, they’ve got to get their quarterback right. The Broncos have put their entire franchise on Cutler’s back. That’s an enormous load for a kid to carry. Remember, Tom Brady broke in at a time when New England had a stout defense and a solid running game. He started off as a game manager before gradually developing into a game changer.
With a 2008 record of 4-12, where will the Broncos draft in April? And besides defensive line, what other draft priorities should they have?
— Frank Lower, Marshall, Texas
Frank, Frank, Frank – The Broncos can’t finish 4-12, not with a 4-4 record and home games remaining against Oakland and Kansas City. I’m guessing they’ll be underdogs, though, in all five road games left on their schedule.
Without knowing their draft placement — and let’s wait a month before we go there — I would say the Broncos have to get a safety within the first three rounds. My other priorities for this team would be, in order, a defensive lineman, cornerback, linebacker, an interior offensive lineman and running back.
Mike Klis is in his fourth season of covering the Broncos after previously covering the Colorado Rockies and Major League Baseball for 15 years. To drop a question into his Broncos Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
