Part of the Problem Or the Solution—Denver Broncos (06′)
September 4, 2006
You’ve all heard it before, “Your either part of the problem or part of the solution.” It is a way to look at things in black and white, right or wrong, ect. I thought it would be a great idea to analyze sports teams on this concept. I want to decide player by player if they are part of the problem (losses) or part of the solution (winning it all). There is going to be no “push”, no middle ground. So here it goes. The first of my ongoing series. Today I’ll take a look at the starters (i’m not going to do backups for football teams) for my boys, the Denver Broncos….
Offense
QB-Jake Plummer *Soulution* I know what your gonna say, “He throws too many picks” or “You can’t count on him”. Jake haters take too much from the Arizona days. He’s a different QB now. He had an astonishing streak of pass attempts without a pick last year and his only bad game was in the AFC title game. “But that shows he can’t handle the pressure.” Shut up. Why is it that when young QBs lose their first huge game it’s seen as a thing to grow from, but when a vet who has very little big game experience losses his first huge game (like Jake) it’s somehow proof he’s a loser? Can someone explain that to me? Jake is a Super Bowl caliber QB, not saying he’s Joe Montana or John Elway, but he’s sure better than Dilfer and I think he’s about as good as Hassleback. That said, regardless of how this season turns out (even if they win the Super Bowl) Cutler will be the starting QB next year.
RB- Mike Bell *Solution* Anyone who follows all of college football or even just the Pac 10 knows how big of a stud this guy was in college. For evidence look at Arizona’s game against UCLA last year. But the real thing that makes me believe in Bell have been some of Shanny’s comments on the kid. He’s been saying how he was comfortable with and trusted Mike faster than any Broncos’ RB he’d ever coached. More than Terrell Davis or Clinton Portis. Think about that.
FB-Cecil Sapp *Solution*- Good RB in college. Will be a versitle weapon for Shannahan, who has always loved throwing to FBs in the red zone.
WR 1-Javon Walker *Solution* Might be the best deep threat the Broncos have ever had. Yes he had a major knee injury, but from what I’ve heard he’s managed to get faster. That’s the type of WR you want. I guy who is dedicated and won’t be a distraction (ala T.O.). He gives the Broncos something new and exciting that they’ve been lacking for years.
WR 2- Rod Smith *Solution* Is there a more consistent WR in the league? (Yes actually, his name is Marivin Harrison.) Oh. Anyway, it’s not that much of a stretch to say Rod is the best #2 WR in the league (in the running with Terry Glenn, T.J. ….the guy on the Bengals [it's Houshmandzadeh, Seth], ect.). Guess what he’ll do this year. If you said 70-90 catches and 1,000 yards receiving, you are correct. It’s what he ALWAYSdoes. Best undrafted player ever.
TE- Stephen Alexander *Problem*-A below average NFL tight end. I really wouldn’t even want him as my backup TE. Tony Scheffler should be starting because he can stretch the field, but even if he was I’d list him as a problem do to his lack of experience.
LT-Matt Lepsis *Solution*- Great, experienced tackle. Fits the Broncos run scheme wonderfully.
LG-Ben Hamilton *Solution*- Versatile. Can play basically any O-line position and play it well.
C-Tom Nalen *Solution*- I think this guy should be a hall-of-famer. Has anchored arguably the best O-line in terms of run blocking for years.
RG-Cooper Carlisle *Problem*- Not my favorite. I’m not nearly as high on the right side of the line as the left side. Good, but nothing special.
RT-George Foster *Problem*- I still don’t know why this guy is on the Broncos line. He just straight up doesn’t fit the mold of a Bronco O-lineman (under 300 lbs, agile). Just a bad fit for the team.
Defense
LE-Courtney Brown *Solution* Coming off his best NFL season Courtney Brown must still improve to live up to his potential. Played terrific against the run last year, the pass…not so much. Really needs a good pass rusher opposite him to be the best he can be.
DT 1-Michael Myers *Problem* I like that the Broncos are considering Dumervil at DT. Myers is pretty useless so why not play Dumervil here to add to the pass rush. I know it seems crazy, but it couldn’t be much worse.
DT 2-Gerard Warren *Solution* For everything I said about Courtney Brown, just replace his name with Gerrald Warren.
RE-Ebenezer Ekuban *Problem* Umm…Dwight Freeny is going to be a FA this coming season…just saying…
OLB 1-Ian Gold *Solution*- The Broncos have the best starting LBs in the league, and it’s not even kind of close. Gold is the least hyped of the Broncos LBs. Such a solid player, who has the athletic ability to make big time plays.
MLB-Al Wilson *Solution*- The leader of the defense as a whole and especially the linebacking core. Right below the top teir MLBs in the NFL (Urlacher, Lewis). You can always count on Al.
OLB 2-D.J. Williams *Solution*- A freak athlete. If you don’t believe me, go find high school film of him, when he was a RB. Didn’t have as good of a sophmore campain as his rookie year. But don’t be suprised if he’s a 97+ on Madden within a few years, if you know what I mean.
CB 1-Champ Bailey *Solution* Best CB in the league. Period.
CB 2-Darrent Williams *Solution* Probably the key to the defense last year. Such a playmaker. When he got hurt, the D started to struggle. If he can stay heathy, Champ-Williams could be the best CB duo in the league. Here’s an interesting tidbit, Darrent was the only starting CB last year to not get a pass interference against him.
SS-Nick Furgeson *Problem*- Doesn’t do anything exceptionally well. Needs to be replaced soon.
FS-John Lynch *Solution*- Now I know his skills are on the decline, but Lynch is a solution because of the intangables he brings. He provides the D with the toughness, knowledge, and experience they need to be successful.
Special Teams
K-Jason Elam *Solution* Yes he’s on the decline. But even a old, less reliable Jason Elam is a top 10 NFL kicker. He still has the power in that leg. I think this should probably be his last season, and the Broncos should draft Mason Crosby in next years draft.
P-Todd Sauerbrun *Problem* When he plays he’s one of the top 2 punters in the NFL. Too bad he’s a steroid user and a head case. Punter is an underrated position and his suspension really hurts. To put it simply, you
can’t rely on this guy.
PR-Darrent Williams *Solution* Very good and explosive punt returner. Every time he touches it as a PR I feel like there’s a big play potential. Durability is a concern, but the threat he brings is too great to worry about injury.
KR-Mike Bell *Problem* If there’s one thing I hate it is risking your starting RB on special teams. GET HIM OUT OF THERE!!! It’s not worth it.
Final Tally*
*Solution*-18
*Problem*- 8
Summary The Broncos look poised to have another great year and go to the playoffs once again. It’s obvious that this team has more solutions than problems. I have picked them to lose in the Super Bowl, the defiantly have the talent to achieve this and maybe even more. If certain factors (a pass rush, M.Bell maturing, ect.) fall into place they could be hoisting a certain trophy when all is said and done.
Sorry, I’m getting pumped for college football and when I think college football I think of all the great players the Broncos could draft.
So I decided to do Shanny a favor and tell him who to draft…if the draft was tommorow. By the way…I’m assuming the Broncos are picking late because they’ll make the playoffs. Also I’m not sure if they have traded away any picks or have extra picks next year so I’m just gonna do it straight up.
(Round)
(1) Jeff Samardzija WR Notre Dame
With the arrival of Javon Walker some might question picking a WR. I don’t. Rod Smith is old. REALLY OLD. If the arrival of Jay Cutler told you anything it’s that the offense is looking to get fresh and young quickly. Lelie is an idiot and Watts isn’t even a decent #3 WR. So take Jeff. He’s got amazing hands (Chris Carter-like), is a fantastic route runner, is tall, and is much faster than people give him credit for. He goes out CATCHES the ball with his hands, unlike most WRs who let it fall to them. I know he’d immediatly be compared to Eddy Mc, because he’s a great white WR (which is stupid). With Cutler, Walker, and Jeff we’d have a great offense for years to come.
(2) Tom Zibikowski S Notre Dame
Another ND player…I know. But this guy is an a**kicker. Face it kids, Lynch isn’t getting any younger. The Broncos are gonna need a replacement for him soon, so why not. He’s got a great mind for the game (he reads it well). He’s really the only truly legit player on ND’s defense. He never gives up on the play (see last years Fiesta Bowl when he was one step from stripping Holmes on the goal line). He’s got really strong hands that help him strip the ball. Also he’s a great punt returner.
(3) Mason Crosby K Colorado
Honestly, I doubt he’ll fall this far. The kid has an absolute cannon for a leg. I’ve heard tales of how far he boots it in pregame that I hardly believe. Elam is definatly past his prime. He should probably retire after this season. This kid would be a popular local pick and could be making 3’s and 1’s for years to come.
(4) Garrett Wolfe RB Northern Illinois
Probably a top 5 RB in the college game. He’s rushed for 3,236 yards and 34 TDs in 20 career games. So how the heck do I have the Broncos getting him 4th round? Simple, he’s listed 5′7″ 173 lbs. He’s undersized. And nothing scares away teams from a RB like lack of size. However, I think it’s worth the risk. The kid is flat out explosive. Even if Bell has a great year (which I think could happen) the fans will still want the Broncos to draft a RB. For some reason Broncos fans always want another RB. Well here he is.
(5) Kevin Kolb QB Houston
Another guy who I’m not sure will fall this far. Kolb is probably the most underrated QB in the nation. He’s the active leader in total yards in the NCAA. Now I love BVP (Bradlee Van Pelt) as much as the next guy, but come on. He’s more of a “weapon” the a QB. Does any Bronco fan truly feel good when Van Pelt is in at QB? Well I have a feeling this is Plummers last season in Denver, and Culter will be the start next year, fair or not. So do you want BVP as the backup QB? I didn’t think so.
(6) Mike Murphy DE Montana
Can you say diamond in the rough? This guy is sick. He’s just a pure football player. Similar attitude to Zibikowski. Never stops playing. He’s might be the best I-AA defensive player. I don’t know what else to say because I doubt anyone else has seen him play. Just trust me on this one.
(7) Daniel Sepulveda P Baylor
Sauerbrun is a great, great punter, but he’s always in trouble. He’ll probably get busted for drugs again before the draft. Also it’s really hard to project 7 rounds so I’m just gonna go with Sepulveda who is the best college punter. I know…it’s the lazy way out.
Anyway that’s what the Broncos should do.
THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE UNNECESSARILY LOOKING AHEAD DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
