Broncos' talent evident

[dragondawg]

By Woody Paige
Denver Post Staff Columnist

In the course of human events, defensive tackle Sam Adams' signing of a free-agent contract doesn't quite rank up there with the other Sam Adams' signing of the Declaration of Independence, but we hold this truth to be self-evident: The Broncos will have their best overall team of the current millennium.

The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Adams becomes the 13th player on the Broncos' roster who has played in the Pro Bowl.

The 1998 Broncos had 13 players who previously had been to the Pro Bowl or would be making their first appearance at season's end. (The Broncos placed 10 on the 1998 AFC team.)

These Broncos could start five former Pro Bowlers on defense (Adams, Ian Gold, John Lynch, Dré Bly and Champ Bailey) and five more on offense (Javon Walker, Rod Smith or Brandon Stokley, Tom Nalen, Travis Henry and Stephen Alexander) - and kicker Jason Elam and punter Todd Sauerbrun played in multiple Pro Bowls.

Bailey has been named to seven (three with the Broncos) and Nalen five (all with the Broncos).

The 1997 and 1998 squads that won back-to-back Super Bowls obviously were a better collection of talent. They featured John Elway, Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe to go with a young Nalen and a young Smith, Bill Romanowski, Steve Atwater, Ed McCaffrey, Tony Jones, Gary Zimmerman (1997), Mark Schlereth, Trevor Pryce (1998), Neil Smith, Tyrone Braxton, Keith Traylor and Alfred Williams (1997) as well as Elam.

Since the retirement of Elway, the career-ending injury to Davis and the free-agency defection of Sharpe (who eventually returned), the Broncos have been on a slippery slope trying to get back to the Super Bowl.

This group has a stronger secondary than the 1997 and 1998 champs, but that's where the real comparison ends. With the signing of Adams, the Broncos added 11 new veteran players (including wayward son Sauerbrun) and four draft choices that should provide depth on the two lines.

Assuming they didn't get lost in the woods or the weeds Monday playing in Mike Shanahan's annual golf tournament-and-cookiefest break from offseason camp, the 2007 Broncos can get to the Super Bowl, I genuinely believe.

If ...

Jay Cutler develops quickly as a quality starting quarterback. Shanahan believes in Cutler, but Shanahan also believed in Brian Griese and Jake Plummer.

The Broncos stay relatively healthy. They can't be without a couple of offensive linemen or "Oh" Henry or two starters in the secondary or Cutler for an extended stay and expect to keep up with the Colts, the Patriots and the Chargers in the AFC.

The linebacking corps comes together as a unit in the absence of Al Wilson. The superb middle linebacker honestly couldn't play at a (five-time) Pro Bowl level anymore because of his neck injury, but they've got to replace him in the middle and in the locker room.

They squeeze another season out of Adams, Gerard Warren and Alvin McKinley on the inside of the defensive line, and Jarvis Moss and Marcus Thomas give the line pass rush and run support.

Henry rushes for 1,500-plus yards, as he should in this system.

Brandon Marshall becomes a dependable target, Smith and Stokley recover from injuries, and the coaching staff finds one more receiver - not David Kircus, please - in the crowd.

Matt Lepsis' knee is sound again, and he protects Cutler's back. With a healthy
Lepsis, the Broncos will have a solid offensive line. Montrae Holland should help.
Elam doesn't aggravate his groin again, and Sauerbrun doesn't turn into sauerkraut again.

The Broncos find ways to utilize all four tight ends. Daniel Graham is good for this team. Tony Scheffler has to make another leap, assuming his broken foot mends.

The defense becomes The Bates Motel - "Nobody wants to go there."

The Broncos discover a legitimate threat as a punt returner to follow the late Darrent Williams.

The Broncos play with dedication in a season of dedication to Williams and Damien Nash.

They win seven of their first eight games.

Cutler develops quickly as a quality starting quarterback. The biggest if.

That's a declaration.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6061051

[Broncojef]

Say what you want about personnel moves, this team consistently puts the best players within salary cap limitation on the field. Glad I paid my season ticket dues already, this ones gonna be fun.

[Atlas]

That's one of the worst Woody columns I have ever read, very jr. highish in quality.

[fdf]

That's one of the worst Woody columns I have ever read, very jr. highish in quality.

Yup. Here's the article: The Broncos will be really good if their players play well and they don't get injured.

[Mediator12]

I thought it made the right point. The Broncos have the talent for the first time in the new millenium to go the distance. Now, they have to go out and play as well as they are talented. This team has overachieved in a lot of ways with the players they have had post Superbowls. That is a credit to a good Staff, solid system, and good execution overall. What they have lacked is playmakers at every level of offense and defense. Now, they have the right mix of talent to play the way they want to play.

[Kaylore]

I thought it made the right point. The Broncos have the talent for the first time in the new millenium to go the distance. Now, they have to go out and play as well as they are talented. This team has overachieved in a lot of ways with the players they have had post Superbowls. That is a credit to a good Staff, solid system, and good execution overall. What they have lacked is playmakers at every level of offense and defense. Now, they have the right mix of talent to play the way they want to play.

I agree, but I wonder if it won't will take a season to put all the pieces together. It seems like with that many new additions that it takes a good year to settle into the systems on both sides of the ball.

[telluride]

I'm still worried about WR. Our whole season depends on Javon staying healthy. If he goes down, we're toast.

The reality is, we have exactly one quality receiver on this team. Everyone else has injury/age/newbie issues.

On a lighter note, there's a piece in the San Fran paper today about how Lelie is likely to be beaten out by two rookies. Ha ha.

[obediah]

I too have concearn where we stand at WR.

I was hoping we got someone else in FA this year.


Obediah

[Hawaii_Guy]

How can you just say that if Javon goes down that we are Toast? I would say even if he goes down we still have a lot of targets. But it would still hurt. Marshall who has all the talent in the world, Smith and Stokley who if Healthy will be productive, and Hixon could be #1 :), Scheffler had a great connection with Cutler, and Graham who was told by the team he will catch more passes then he did in NE. I would say if Cutler goes down, if Bailey goes down, If DJ goes down, If Elam goes down, Nalen goes down... They all would put us in a bad spot. But I would not say that if Walker goes down that wouldn’t be the worst case situation.

[telluride]

How can you just say that if Javon goes down that we are Toast? I would say even if he goes down we still have a lot of targets. But it would still hurt. Marshall who has all the talent in the world, Smith and Stokley who if Healthy will be productive, and Hixon could be #1 :), Scheffler had a great connection with Cutler, and Graham who was told by the team he will catch more passes then he did in NE. I would say if Cutler goes down, if Bailey goes down, If DJ goes down, If Elam goes down, Nalen goes down... They all would put us in a bad spot. But I would not say that if Walker goes down that wouldn’t be the worst case situation.

Well, yes, Hixon could save us.

Seriously, though, WR is dangerously, dangerously thin. We have Javon, then a bunch of question marks:

Rod = great guy, very old.
Brandon = potential, but unproven
Stoke = injury
Hixon = very unproven

Here's a question. If Javon goes down, do we even have a #1? I don't think so.

[Kaylore]

I really don't get why people keep saying things like "We are dangerously thin at wide receiver."

Javon Walker is a true number one receiver and a playmaker. He's also young. So there's number one. Brandon Marshall, even if he only gets a little bit better from last year, is a great fit here as a number two. He's huge, strong and a boon in the run game. Our third wide receiver is our tight ends. Graham and Scheffler offer an excellent punch. Couple that with the receiving abilities of Kyle Johnson, and Travis Henry and you have a great set right there. Hixon, Stokely, Rod and the others are just gravy. Remember: This is a Mike Shanahan offense. We run the ball a lot. The receivers we have are going to be just fine.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Woody Paige is an incredibly intelligent man. No one can hold a stick to his intelligence.

[telluride]

I really don't get why people keep saying things like "We are dangerously thin at wide receiver."

Javon Walker is a true number one receiver and a playmaker. He's also young. So there's number one. Brandon Marshall, even if he only gets a little bit better from last year, is a great fit here as a number two. He's huge, strong and a boon in the run game. Our third wide receiver is our tight ends. Graham and Scheffler offer an excellent punch. Couple that with the receiving abilities of Kyle Johnson, and Travis Henry and you have a great set right there. Hixon, Stokely, Rod and the others are just gravy. Remember: This is a Mike Shanahan offense. We run the ball a lot. The receivers we have are going to be just fine.

You're sorta making my point. Javon is great, agreed. But beyond him we have no proven #1. Here's a quiz: would you be comfortable going into the season with Rod or Brandon as your #1? Rod with his age and injury issues, Brandon with his inexperience? (And we're talking WR, remember, not TE or RB catches.)

Basically, we have one #1 and a half dozen #3s-4s. So my point remains: if our #1 goes down, we're hosed.

[Kaylore]

You're sorta making my point. Javon is great, agreed. But beyond him we have no proven #1. Here's a quiz: would you be comfortable going into the season with Rod or Brandon as your #1? Rod with his age and injury issues, Brandon with his inexperience? (And we're talking WR, remember, not TE or RB catches.)

Basically, we have one #1 and a half dozen #3s-4s. So my point remains: if our #1 goes down, we're hosed.

You could say that about any position. One guy is usually the standout starter and the rest are pretty-good to stop gap. Are you suggesting we be like the Colts and get two number one receivers? Very few teams can afford to do that.

[kmartin575]

I really don't get why people keep saying things like "We are dangerously thin at wide receiver."

Javon Walker is a true number one receiver and a playmaker. He's also young. So there's number one. Brandon Marshall, even if he only gets a little bit better from last year, is a great fit here as a number two. He's huge, strong and a boon in the run game. Our third wide receiver is our tight ends. Graham and Scheffler offer an excellent punch. Couple that with the receiving abilities of Kyle Johnson, and Travis Henry and you have a great set right there. Hixon, Stokely, Rod and the others are just gravy. Remember: This is a Mike Shanahan offense. We run the ball a lot. The receivers we have are going to be just fine.

Walker will be 29 in October. I didn't realize 29 was young.

[Los Broncos]

Woody Paige is an incredibly intelligent man. No one can hold a stick to his intelligence.

Not even Hixon?

[RkyMtnThunder]

Walker will be 29 in October. I didn't realize 29 was young.



So he is 28 going on 29. This is not 'old' for a WR. Maybe 28 is 'old' for a RB, but thats not always the case either. Many players regardless of position have several years of quality football left at this age.

[BlaK-Argentina]

Walker will be 29 in October. I didn't realize 29 was young.

He has at LEAST six more years at a very high level; barring injury. So yeah, I'd say so. :approve:

[telluride]

I'm putting all my eggs in the Hixon basket.

I haven't been this high on a WR since Muneer Moore. Or maybe Kevin Kasper.

[400HZ]

I've met chimpanzees who write better articles than Woody.

[theAPAOps5]

I've met chimpanzees who write better articles than Woody.

What were you doing with those Chimpanzees? Sounds like we have a sicko ;D

[400HZ]

So he is 28 going on 29. This is not 'old' for a WR. Maybe 28 is 'old' for a RB, but thats not always the case either. Many players regardless of position have several years of quality football left at this age.

Receivers are overrated anyways. Look at San Diego. They didn't have the glimmer of a true #1 until the end of the season, and there were stretches where both the #1, #2 , and #4 slotted guys were hurt at the same time. Nobody came close to San Diego in points scored last year.

Besides, that castoff from Tennessee is a lock for 1600 yards and Daniel Graham is gonna catch 70 passes. With superstars like that, WR should be the least of Shanahan's concerns. :curtsey:

[Inkana7]

Receivers are overrated anyways. Look at San Diego. They didn't have the glimmer of a true #1 until the end of the season, and there were stretches where both the #1, #2 , and #4 slotted guys were hurt at the same time. Nobody came close to San Diego in points scored last year.

Besides, that castoff from Tennessee is a lock for 1600 yards and Daniel Graham is gonna catch 70 passes. With superstars like that, WR should be the least of Shanahan's concerns. :curtsey:

Overrated? Think about how good Sandy Eggo's offense could be with an actual wide reciever. Do you remember what one looks like?

[Pseudofool]

You're sorta making my point. Javon is great, agreed. But beyond him we have no proven #1. Here's a quiz: would you be comfortable going into the season with Rod or Brandon as your #1? Rod with his age and injury issues, Brandon with his inexperience? (And we're talking WR, remember, not TE or RB catches.)

Basically, we have one #1 and a half dozen #3s-4s. So my point remains: if our #1 goes down, we're hosed.Just how many teams have more than one #1 reciever? Compared to KC, Oak, SD we're stacked at WR.

I think the emphasis on having a multitude of uber-recievers comes from Indy's success over the past several year. It's unrealistic to expect every competive team to run out their version of Wayne/Harrison. Just like it's unrealistic for every competive team to run out a version Bly/Baily at CB.

How many teams, by the by, have two TEs that are comparable to Graham and Scheffler?

[theAPAOps5]

Arguing TE's with San Diego is a losing cause. I am a huge Dan Graham fan and combined with Sheffler they are going to be a great tandem. But, San Diego has one of the premier TE's in Antonio Gates.

[400HZ]

Overrated? Think about how good Sandy Eggo's offense could be with an actual wide reciever. Do you remember what one looks like?

Well obviously it would be nice to have it all, but that's pretty tough in today's NFL. I personally think that the #1 most important factor in a potent offense is the offensive line. They can make the QB look awesome because he has all day to throw. They can get any scrub RB 1400 yards or so. They can make third rate receivers look clutch because they have all day to find gaps in coverage. Look at Seattle's skill position players in 05 vs 06 when their O line stopped dominating. Look at San Diego's skill position players in 05 vs 06. The skill position guys didn't all get better or worse. Their O lines made them look better or worse.

[400HZ]

Arguing TE's with San Diego is a losing cause. I am a huge Dan Graham fan and combined with Sheffler they are going to be a great tandem. But, San Diego has one of the premier TE's in Antonio Gates.

Manumaleuna is severely underrated in what he's capable of. He's the player with the versatility that coordinator's drool over. Last year he lined up at various times at FB, HB, TE, Slot, and Wide Out. Somebody like that isn't going to put up worthwhile stats, but the way they can realign before the snap and totally screw up a defense is incredibly valuable. LT and Rivers owe a lot to Manumaleuna. He scored 3 touchdowns too!

[Kaylore]

Besides, that castoff from Tennessee is a lock for 1600 yards and Daniel Graham is gonna catch 70 passes. With superstars like that, WR should be the least of Shanahan's concerns. :curtsey:

You should ask Titan fans how they feel about "that castoff" leaving their team.

[NFLBRONCO]

I really don't get why people keep saying things like "We are dangerously thin at wide receiver."

Javon Walker is a true number one receiver and a playmaker. He's also young. So there's number one. Brandon Marshall, even if he only gets a little bit better from last year, is a great fit here as a number two. He's huge, strong and a boon in the run game. Our third wide receiver is our tight ends. Graham and Scheffler offer an excellent punch. Couple that with the receiving abilities of Kyle Johnson, and Travis Henry and you have a great set right there. Hixon, Stokely, Rod and the others are just gravy. Remember: This is a Mike Shanahan offense. We run the ball a lot. The receivers we have are going to be just fine.


I agree with others about WR position Stokley and Rod are concerns and I bet one or both might get cut or retire. It wouldn't shock me if Rod retires this summer if this happens we get thin real quick. David T and Kircus are hardly world beaters.

[Kaylore]

I agree with others about WR position Stokley and Rod are concerns and I bet one or both might get cut or retire. It wouldn't shock me if Rod retires this summer if this happens we get thin real quick. David T and Kircus are hardly world beaters.

Do they need to be? We're talking about the fourth and fifth wide receivers here. And don't forget Brian Clark who really showed some things in camp last year. I'm sorry, but I think people were spoiled with Eddie Mac, young Rod Smith and Sharpe. That kind of receiving talent on one team is abnormal even in a ten year period, people.

[TheDave]

The Broncos find ways to utilize all four tight ends. Daniel Graham is good for this team. Tony Scheffler has to make another leap, assuming his broken foot mends.


When did Scheffler break his foot?

[dark_hawk]

When did Scheffler break his foot?

ummm week and a half ago or something like that

[Popps]

I really don't get why people keep saying things like "We are dangerously thin at wide receiver."

Javon Walker is a true number one receiver and a playmaker. He's also young. So there's number one. Brandon Marshall, even if he only gets a little bit better from last year, is a great fit here as a number two. He's huge, strong and a boon in the run game. Our third wide receiver is our tight ends. Graham and Scheffler offer an excellent punch. Couple that with the receiving abilities of Kyle Johnson, and Travis Henry and you have a great set right there. Hixon, Stokely, Rod and the others are just gravy. Remember: This is a Mike Shanahan offense. We run the ball a lot. The receivers we have are going to be just fine.

Totally agree. I think we'll be somewhere between really good, and the best set of offensive weapons we've ever had if things play out correctly.

[Liebs]

im super excited to see the season unfold. travis henry could have a huge year, the combo of jay and javon, and our two stud cb's, woooo!

[NYBronco]

"The Broncos stay relatively healthy. They can't be without a couple of offensive linemen or "Oh" Henry or two starters in the secondary or Cutler for an extended stay and expect to keep up with the Colts, the Patriots and the Chargers in the AFC."



Replace Broncos with any of the others teams mentioned above or in the NFL (exception Raiders).

[Hawaii_Guy]

I agree with kaylore. Name 5 teams in the NFL that have 2 #1's?? If Bailey goes down, I like Bly a lot but there is a huge difference between the two. If Nalen goes down Do you truly have the same amount of trust in Eslinger? I mean if players go down the team will be hurt and they will have to adapt to win. If you think all of our #1's are going to be healthy all year long I hope you are right but I think you have wishful thinking.

[Victor]

I've met chimpanzees who write better articles than Woody.

Clever.

[NFLBRONCO]

Do they need to be? We're talking about the fourth and fifth wide receivers here. And don't forget Brian Clark who really showed some things in camp last year. I'm sorry, but I think people were spoiled with Eddie Mac, young Rod Smith and Sharpe. That kind of receiving talent on one team is abnormal even in a ten year period, people.

Good point I forgot about Clark.

[Atlas]

You're sorta making my point. Javon is great, agreed. But beyond him we have no proven #1. Here's a quiz: would you be comfortable going into the season with Rod or Brandon as your #1? Rod with his age and injury issues, Brandon with his inexperience? (And we're talking WR, remember, not TE or RB catches.)

Basically, we have one #1 and a half dozen #3s-4s. So my point remains: if our #1 goes down, we're hosed.

How is this any different than when Rod was #1 and Lelie was #2??? Let's not even talk about the year when McGriff, Doering were #3.

Denver will be fine at WR. People are acting like Rod isn't even a good #3. Rod Smith will be the best #3 WR in the league this year.

[fontaine]

We're fine at Wideout.

Our top three (Walker/Rod-Marshall/Graham) are better than what most teams have and that's not counting Scheff.

I won't comment on the article but I do think he made valid points instead of pulling a CNNSI king on it by declaring us SuperBowl champs or whatever.

We have a lot of question marks and he did a good job expanding on the three most critical (Cutler, LBs, Injuries).

I think we have the talent to make it but realistically I think our young guns (Cutler, DL rooks, Marshall, Scheff) still need another season or two's worth of experience.

I'm not looking at playoffs yet. I'm looking for this team to improve as the season goes on. That to me is the most important thing. If our team improves and most importantly doesn't do it's annual fade in December then we know that the young guns are chipping in and the D is getting accustomed to Bates. That's what I'm looking for.