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 .
It looks to me like the Broncos will probably win the AFC West. But unless they can develop an effective running game, they won’t go beyond the first game. When Peyton Hillis went down, so did the Broncos’ Super Bowl hopes. What do you think?
— Charles Truitt, Spring Creek, Nev.
Charles – It would be widely agreed that Hillis’ injury was the most devastating of the five tailbacks who have been lost for the season. He was a ferocious, between-the-tackles runner. He reminded me some of Mike Anderson, except Hillis might have hit the hole with greater explosion.
As for the three running backs the Broncos used Sunday — Tatum Bell, P.J. Pope and Selvin Young — there’s something to be said for all of them. I like them all as 1B backs. But none of them is a between-the-tackle runner. The Broncos need one, but it won’t be Cory Boyd, who was waived Monday. To meet playoff-quality, running-game standards, the Broncos need a back that can pick up a fourth-and-1 — as Hillis so memorably accomplished in a come-from-behind win at Cleveland six weeks ago.
Hey, Mike! Wanted to get your thoughts on where things went wrong Sunday. I’m sure you got hundreds of e-mails saying that the Broncos lost because they assumed they had already won the division, but the fact that they came out and scored on their first drive and were up 10-7 before it turned bad proves that theory wrong. Most will probably say turnovers, but I have noticed somewhat of a trend that big plays have been the doom for most of the season. Even though there was plenty of time to come back from it, did DeAngelo Williams’ TD run pretty much seal the game for Carolina? It seemed like after that the Broncos just became listless.
— Kyle, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Kyle – I thought the Broncos were goners before the DeAngelo scamper. You’re right; the Broncos were ready to play. They were very confident going in. They scored on the opening drive. Their 4-4 defensive scheme, though, turned out to be a miscalculation with Champ Bailey unable to play. Steve Smith tore it up way too easily. And the Broncos didn’t react well once the game turned Carolina’s way.
I got the sense the Broncos were done the minute the Panthers took the lead. It was Selvin Young’s fumble, and subsequent Panthers’ field goal just before the half, that sealed the Broncos’ doom. DeAngelo’s run merely erased the remaining morsel of doubt.
Mike – Now that Carolina exposed the Broncos as a mediocre team, at best — one that will go one and done if it makes it to the playoffs — what changes need to be made for us to be competitive next year? Obviously, a kicker and a bigger, more physical corner to go with Champ Bailey, what else?
— Brandon, Hibbing, Minn.
Brandon – I like Matt Prater. He’s a good guy and a talented kicker. But at this point, he probably can’t afford to miss any more field goals. Let’s see how he responds in the final two games and, if the Broncos get there, the playoffs.
Otherwise, I think you’ll see the Broncos concentrate on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason. A safety, inside linebacker and defensive lineman or three will be identified as needs. Offensively, I think the Broncos will continue to seek an every-down running back in the middle rounds of the draft. And they’ll also run the film on sleeper receivers.
Mike – Third-and-16, draw. Third-and-7, run. One minute left in the half, no timeouts and then a run? The last time I checked, we had some of the most amazing receivers in the game. Who is calling the offensive plays and why are they still employed?
— Dave, Salt Lake City
Dave – The play calling did seem to get a little conservative after Jay Cutler threw an interception late in the first quarter. And for good reason. What beat the Broncos at Kansas City this year? Turnovers. What was common in the Broncos’ losses to Jacksonville, New England and Miami? Turnovers.
I did have a problem with the play calling in the final 30 seconds of the first half, with the ball at their own 18. The mindset was somewhere between taking a knee and trying to advance for a field goal. Young’s fumble was a classic case of how sometimes there’s risk involved in a conservative play.
Dear Mike – Can you explain to me why Brandon Marshall always retreats with the ball after making a catch instead of going forward? He never breaks a big play with this ploy and is constantly surrendering valuable yards.
— Scott, Fort Myers, Fla.
Scott – You make a great observation. And the Broncos’ coaching staff has been trying to get Marshall to think more north and south after he catches the ball. Marshall has talked about it himself.
He knows it. Habits and initial instincts, though, aren’t easy to break. One reason why it may be difficult for Marshall to alter his style is he almost always avoids the first tackler with his initial backwards or sideways move. The problem is, by that time, he can’t always accelerate out of his move to avoid the defensive pursuit. Generally speaking, there is greater overall speed on defense than on offense.
I think Marshall will eventually make the adjustment because he does have a strong desire to be great.
When is Champ coming back?
— Bert Benson, Sacramento, Calif.
Bert – At least one game too late. The Broncos’ 4-4 defensive idea might have worked if they had a healthy Bailey to cover Steve Smith one-on-one. Problem is, Bailey is not healthy.
He said following the game Sunday at Carolina that he still feels his groin strain grab when he makes certain movements. It’s been eight weeks since he played, and Bailey had never missed more than three games in his previous nine seasons, so we know now how serious his groin tear was. There is hope, but no guarantee, that Bailey will return for the game Sunday against Buffalo.
Hi, Mike. Is there any chance the alternative orange jerseys the Broncos wore twice this year could become the regular home jersey? They did go 2-0 in them, breaking the curse, and I think they look a lot sharper than the dull blues. It brings back nostalgic feelings for the old Orange Crush uniforms.
— Robert Twomey, Orlando, Fla.
Robert – There are several players who share your fashion sense. Many prefer the “orange” over the “blue.” The only problem with wearing the orange on a regular basis is they wouldn’t be called “alternative” home jerseys anymore. Me? The issue doesn’t move me either way. My wife picks out what color to paint the walls.
Is there any chance that the NFL would flex the Bills-Broncos game to the Sunday night game?
— Dustin Lundeby, Fargo, N.D.
Dustin – Bite your tongue. Us newspaper writers aren’t particularly fond of the deadline inconveniences associated with night games. Not that the networks care what us scribes think, but NBC had already flexed the Giants-Panthers game for this Sunday in what is now a contest between two 11-3 teams fighting for the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.
There’s a chance the Broncos’ final game, Dec. 28 at San Diego, will be flexed — NBC is expected to announce its choice today — but that would be taking a gamble on it meaning something. If the Broncos clinch the AFC West title this weekend, I’d be surprised if Denver quarterback Jay Cutler plays much past the first quarter against the Chargers. There’s too much bad blood between the teams for the Broncos to put their most important player in harm’s way of a potentially testy opponent.
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 .
