Denver Post Broncos writer Troy Renck posts his Broncos Mailbag on Wednesdays during the season.
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Love your column! I was wondering if John Elway or anyone in the Broncos’ hierarchy regrets not going through with the Joe Thomas trade in light of the Oakland debacle? Seems like Thomas could have single-handedly won that game had he been on the team?
— Reuven Blau, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Reuven: Anytime the Broncos struggle, the lament over the failed Joe Thomas acquisition becomes a siren call. Denver pursued Thomas aggressively. Ultimately, general manager John Elway deemed the draft pick compensation too high. The Browns wanted to win the trade, looking for their own Herschel Walker deal to move the star left tackle. At one point, Cleveland asked for the Broncos first-, second- and third-round picks in the 2016 draft. Couple that price with Thomas’ salary and the Broncos backed away. It’s easy to second guess, but I can appreciate the discipline that Elway showed. The Broncos’ first-round picks the past two seasons have been important contributors in cornerback Bradley Roby and edge rusher Shane Ray. Those picks matter when trying to balance the roster.
Thomas is a solid player. Obviously, he would have helped against the Raiders. But it’s fair to ask if the Broncos had landed Thomas and that leads to the departure of one or two defensive players was it worth it? Without a Super Bowl title, I’d say no. Again, the Broncos deemed the price to high, and they have options moving forward at left tackle with Ryan Clady and Ty Sambrailo.
Troy, I like the idea of playing young talent but can we all agree Michael Schofield is a bust of a pick? Khalil Mack tossed him around like a rag doll and he barely made the roster out of training camp. Are there any options to replace him?
— John, Indianapolis
John: Schofield figures to see Mack in his nightmares for weeks. He admitted it was his “all-time worst” game. A bust? It’s too soon, if not a bit unfair. Here’s why. This is basically Schofield’s rookie season. He didn’t suit up last year. Schofield has been an effective run blocker. Where he runs into problems is when the team becomes one dimensional. The Raiders knew the Broncos were passing on every down from the middle of the third quarter on. Schofield needs work in pass protection, so the more chances the Raiders had against him the more likely he would be exposed. I was surprised the Broncos didn’t use tight ends to help rather than backs to chip on Mack.
Moving forward, coach Gary Kubiak said he remains confident in Schofield, and mentioned that he’s been playing with a nicked up ankle. The fact is, the options are limited. Tyler Polumbus has gone from rotating at left tackle to not playing. If the staff felt comfortable with him in there, Ryan Harris could move to the right side. Obviously, the practices — which we aren’t allowed to watch — haven’t suggested that should happen. For now, the Broncos need Schofield to take it personal, improve and find ways to help him in protection against elite rushers. Without improvement in pass protection, he profiles better as a swing tackle than a starter.
Why did Gary Kubiak leave Brock Osweiler uncharacteristically unprotected from Khalil Mack when he’s double-teamed others in previous games? It doesn’t make any sense! I have theories but none of them are nice.
— Deb, Denver
Deb: The Raiders surprised the Broncos by using primarily cover two and cover three zone. They weren’t blitzing. Denver handled the pressure in the first half. But when it became clear the Broncos couldn’t run, Mack went wild. He began anticipating the snap, and bulldozing anyone in front of him. Kubiak said he was balancing protection help with getting enough receivers in routes. It led the running backs to help more with blocking than tight ends, and that didn’t work. C.J. Anderson, who excels in pass protection, was missed. Kubiak also mentioned when the Broncos were trying to win at the end, and needed receivers in routes, the onus was on the tackles to win one-on-one battles. Again, that didn’t happen either.
What’s up with the tipped passes? Not something you’d expect for a quarterback as tall as Brock Osweiler. Is it something he needs to improve or is it the O-line’s fault? Or is it just good defense?
— Matt, Monument
Matt: Osweiler is 6-foot-7. However, he has a tendency to change his arm slot so that can mitigate his height advantage. As it relates to the Raiders game, Osweiler explained that Oakland was in zone coverage and “playing volleyball” with their interior lineman. In other words, they weren’t focused on rushing as much as jumping and creating pass deflections as Osweiler tried to dump passes over the middle. It’s part of the growing process for Osweiler. He needs to step forward in the pocket and deliver more than drift.
The Broncos have to improve the O-line next year. Ty Sambrailo, Max Garcia and Matt Paradis have potential. How do they fill in the other two positions? Ryan Clady and the other high-priced vets would need to take significant pay cuts to return, wouldn’t they?
— Steve, Centennial
Steve: The line remains a question mark moving forward. Some of the pieces don’t fit this zone-blocking scheme. You identified potential building blocks. Paradis has been solid, Garcia is an emerging starter and, if healthy, Sambrailo provides an option at left tackle. That leaves question marks at the guard positions with Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis. Vasquez has one year remaining on his contract at $5.5 million, and is more of a mauler than zone blocker. Mathis was only signed for this year. I would think the Broncos will look to draft an interior offensive lineman. Clady hasn’t been ruled out for next season. As written before, I do think he would have to take a pay cut to return.
Why does Gary Kubiak refuse to adjust his offensive scheme? This team was essentially built to run out of the gun like it has in the past, and with success. I get they were trying to go to a run first mindset, but it’s obvious it isn’t working.
— Kyle, Michigan
Kyle: The Broncos have attempted to blend philosophies, and it has been awkward at times because the personnel hasn’t always fit. The Broncos ran the ball well three consecutive weeks leading into the Raiders game, rushing for at least 134 yards. while working under center. They moved from 29th to 17th in rushing yards per game during that span. Then they bottomed out against the Raiders, rushing for a season-low 34 yards. When it doesn’t work, it’s ugly. But they don’t have the line to return to throwing 50 times a game, and they’ve shown that’s not the ideal formula to win a Super Bowl. Kubiak’s second season in Denver will be interesting because I believe the personnel will better fit the scheme.
At this late phase in the season, what can the Broncos do to improve the play of the offensive tackles?
— David Mullin, Colorado Springs
David: They are limited. They can change protections, provide help with tight ends and running backs. C.J. Anderson’s blocking was missed against the Raiders. Ultimately, the tackles have played well when the Broncos have run well, creating balance. When the attack is one-dimensional passing, the tackles struggle.
What would happen if Gary Kubiak allows Peyton Manning to call his own plays when he’s healthy, and along with Wade Phillips’ No. 1 defense, hit the opposition with a simple one-two punch and see what happens in the playoffs. Thoughts?
— Brad Byers, Las Vegas
Brad: Manning has always had audible freedom. And he’s pretty much set free in the two-minute drill. He’s not going to call the game entirely. He didn’t even do that with Adam Gase as his coordinator. A healthy Manning provides a great playoff option. But it’s complicated. First, he has to prove he’s healthy. He might return to practice this week. However, he won’t be available to play, at the earliest, until the Dec. 28 game vs. Cincinnati. He has to show he’s healthy in team practice. Secondly, when he returns, it’s hard to see the Broncos returning to the pistol formation. Can Manning operate under center enough to keep the running game as a threat? They can use some shotgun, but they won’t abandon going under center. Finally, Brock Osweiler holds the key. If he plays well at Pittsburgh, then there won’t be much motivation to make a change.
If we cut Demaryius Thomas could we sign Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, and a semi-competent wide receiver this offseason?
— Josh, Denver
Josh: Demaryius Thomas has to play better. He’s making elite money. Stars must shine for a team to reach its potential. Inconsistency defines Thomas’ season. He looks terrific in stretches then spoils his statistics with critical drops. He’s a premium talent and is working through a slump. I understand the frustration. One year into a big contract is too early to give up on a player this good. Again, he has to figure it out. The Broncos can’t win tough games down the stretch without him.
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
