Denver Post Broncos writer Troy Renck posts his Broncos Mailbag on Wednesdays during the season.
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Hey Troy, with the Chiefs and Chargers performing well below expectations, do you see any potential coaching changes coming for them during or after the season?
— Danny Ramey, Centennial
Danny: The NFL isn’t the NHL. But it’s close when it comes to lack of patience. Parity demands that teams contend, so when teams flop, it sticks out with fans, and more specifically, owners. The Chiefs rank among the league’s biggest disappointments. I do wonder how the first half of their season would have played out had they beaten Denver rather than lose in a flood of fumbles, missteps and odd play calls. Andy Reid appears safe, and his roster is compromised without injured running back Jamaal Charles. His offense, however, has not made the expected strides. The lack of production from receivers in the red zone remains perplexing, calling into question how far the Chiefs can really go with Alex “Captain Checkdown” Smith. Mike McCoy’s status is different. He doesn’t have Reid’s resume, and the window is starting to close on Philip Rivers. With a lack of a steady running game and an ordinary defense, it seems like the Chargers are asking too much of Rivers to win every week. Is that McCoy’s fault or roster construction? It’s also not helping the Chargers with their future in flux regarding the Los Angeles relocation possibilities leaving them in limbo.
Quiz:
Troy, what type of trades do you think the Broncos might make before the trade deadline? I wish they could upgrade the tight end and running back positions to boost the anemic offense. Thanks.
— Robert K. Johnson, Kilmichael, Miss.
Robert: Trades in the NFL remain rare. One of my favorite parts of covering baseball was the July 31 trading deadline. A flurry of activity helped changed the postseason picture. Football is different. Back to the Broncos. The addition of Richard Gordon bears watching. If the 270-pound tight end can block as well as expected and give the Broncos more flexibility with two- and three-tight end formations, then a deal is unlikely. But if the experiment doesn’t work this week and the tight ends remain absent in the passing game, it would come as no surprise if the Broncos called about San Francisco’s Vernon Davis, St. Louis’ Jared Cook or the Bears’ Martellus Bennett.
I may be naive, but I think it’s fairly simple why Denver’s running game is not working. They have no real fullback, no bruising running back, and only one blocking tight end who can’t get on the field. I came to this conclusion after watching Seattle’s 290-pound former defensive tackle fullback Will Tukuafu crush Luke Kuechly on the goal line and their 225-pound running back run over him into the end zone. And then watching the offensive line, the defense, and the fans go nuts. Who does Denver have on offense that scares anybody? How hard is it to pick up a fullback and a bruiser at running back?
— Dan, Seattle
Dan: Fullbacks became nearly extinct over the last decade. With the proliferation of spread offenses in college football, fullbacks aren’t developed. They are often former tight ends who are converted. Such was the case with James Casey. He was a hulking figure. The problem with Casey? The Broncos switched to the pistol formation which eliminates the fullback. So to answer your question, it is hard to find a fullback, and in the Broncos’ case, it’s hard to find a spot for one running out of the pistol.
WATCH:
There is a lot of speculation about the Broncos going after a tight end before the trade deadline. Names like Vernon Davis, Jared Cook and Martellus Bennett are popping up. What are you hearing about each of these big-name tight ends? Is this the main focus of the Broncos from a player acquisition standpoint or are they targeting another position? Which TE is the best fit for this Broncos team? Which TE do you think has the best chance of bringing his talents to Denver?
— Drew, Hayti, Mo.
Drew: The deadline is Tuesday. There will be a few deals as contenders look to bolster rosters for the stretch run. Sunday could be telling for the Broncos if the tight end position continues to struggle. As of now, the Broncos are prepared to see if adding Richard Gordon can help. A former defensive lineman in college, he’s a mountain of a man.
I was a Colts fan when Peyton Manning was with them. I still like the Colts, even follow them because I like Andrew Luck. I have been following the Broncos since Peyton joined them. I guess you could call me a bandwagon fan. I was wondering why Broncos fans are very fickle, even sometimes harsh with Peyton? The fans seem to turn so quickly on Peyton when he has a bad day. I noticed this in the past three years. The booing, the screams for Brock, it’s so disrespectful. I don’t recall this happening when he was a Colt. I’m just saying.
— Abbie Kohl, New York
Abbie: Sports have changed, mirroring society. Instant gratification rules. And don’t forget how much weekly fantasy football shapes how football fans, not necessarily fans of a team, view certain players. I don’t tell fans how to think. I love their passion. Manning’s first three seasons in Denver have been historic by any statistical measure. Clearly, he’s trying to stiff arm Father Time, fighting decline. He has made great plays in big moments, like at Kansas City, Detroit and Cleveland. He obviously needs to eliminate the turnovers. But the idea that the Broncos would change quarterbacks with a 6-0 record is misguided. Players view their team through their quarterback. It affects chemistry on multiple levels. I covered the Broncos when coach Mike Shanahan benched Bubby Brister, who was wildly popular in the locker room, before the 1999 season opener for Brian Griese. The team started 0-4 and never recovered. Same goes, it could be argued, when Shanahan benched Jake Plummer for Jay Cutler. The Broncos missed the playoffs. Manning has earned the benefit of the doubt. As the offense improves around Manning — consistently running the ball — there’s no reason he can’t be functional in this offense.
WATCH:
Hi Troy. What do you think the chances are that the Broncos trade for a quarterback like Philip Rivers in the off season? John Elway strikes me as a “win now” kind of guy, especially with this elite defence. Assuming Manning decides to call it a day, I can’t see the Broncos going with a rookie or inexperienced starter. I recall reading rumors a while ago that Rivers might be looking to move, especially if the Chargers go to Los Angeles. Other than the division rivalry aspect, it seems like a perfect fit. Always enjoy reading the mailbag so I’m interested to get your thoughts.
— Daniel Foster, Sheffield, England
Daniel: You are right, the Broncos spare no expense in pursuing championships. The idea of Rivers was a lot more intriguing before he signed a long-term deal before the season. I don’t see it happening. The Chargers paid Rivers to be the face of the franchise, and it’s hard to believe they would trade him to a division rival. It would have been fascinating to see the Broncos’ favorite villain in orange and blue. Again, I don’t see it as realistic since Rivers signed his new contract.
Why haven’t the Broncos developed some of their young receivers to play the slot? And what’s with the lack of productivity from the tight end position? How can pundits lay blame for the offense on the offensive players when the scheme played is stagnant and unimaginative?
— Norm, Albuquerque, N.M.
Norm: I have written that given Manning’s age, he needs more help. The tight end position has been ineffective, and disappointing. Will that change if Denver runs better? It should. The tight end drag routes in this offense are predicated on play action. If the Broncos can establish a running game with the offensive line practicing together and healthy for the first time in a month, it should create options for Owen Daniels and Virgil Green. The Broncos have developed Bennie Fowler, turning him from a practice squad receiver into a contributor. The X-factor remains Cody Latimer. Defenders talk about how difficult he is to cover on the scout team. But, he hasn’t earned the trust of the coaches after struggling in the preseason. However, he’s making progress. As the Broncos look for weapons, Latimer represents hope if they can get him on the field.
Troy, We all have heard about these college basketball players converting to football tight ends — Tony Gonzales, Antonio Gates, Julius Thomas — right? Well I think we have one on our bench that no one is looking at. Why not post up Brock Osweiler on those red-zone drives let him go get it?
— Kelly, New Mexico
Kelly: Brock could definitely post-up. He signed to play hoops at Gonzaga out of high school before pursuing a football career at Arizona State. It’s my understanding, however, he was nails from the perimeter, not necessarily an inside banger. Fun aside, the Broncos aren’t putting their backup quarterback in harms way. As soon the defenders see him, they would look to take him out with a free shot. No team wants to go through a game with one quarterback. That’s the only reason Ryan “Alarm Clock” Mallett wasn’t cut last Sunday after missing the Texans’ charter.
Denver Post Broncos writer Troy Renck posts his Broncos Mailbag on Wednesdays during the season.
for the Broncos Mailbag here. Follow Troy for more daily updates on and .
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or @troyrenck
