A new cast of character for Broncos

Team revamped its roster during offseason hoping for better quality — and substance

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 23, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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Joshua Duplechian © Special to The Rocky

Wide receivers Darrell Jackson, left, and Keary Colbert were signed by the Broncos in the offseason to bring a different attitude to the locker room.

Broncos Kicker Picker

The latest edition of "The Broncs Zoo." See if you can replace the automatic Jason Elam.

The circus was in town last year. Not Barnum & Bailey — Champ Bailey and Co.

The Broncos might have been dreary on the field with a 7-9 record, their first losing season in eight years. But with the colorful cast of characters assembled, it rarely was dull.

Todd Sauerbrun, Javon Walker, Simeon Rice, Sam Adams, Ian Gold and Travis Henry were unique personalities. They accounted for numerous off-field headlines and locker-room intrigue.

None is on the roster this season as players report to training camp today.

And it isn’t an accident.

After last season’s disappointing finish, team owner Pat Bowlen lamented a lack of “closeness ... togetherness ... and leadership” on the club and insisted upon a “different attitude” at Dove Valley.

The next three months were aimed at accomplishing just that, while simultaneously improving the on-field product.

Wanted: character

Free agents and draft picks were scrutinized for character and leadership qualities.

And in between, the Broncos tried to overlook receiver Brandon Marshall’s missteps because of his prodigious talent, hoping against hope the new group will rub off and bring further equilibrium to the roster in 2008.

“We had too many guys that probably had their own agenda vs. having the Broncos’ best interests at heart,” assistant general manager Jeff Goodman said, without naming names, about the 2007 experience.

“And so we tried to find guys who were going to put team before self and really care about the people around them more so than just themselves.”

Among the key newcomers who’ll take the field Friday for the opening of training camp are receivers Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson; linebackers Boss Bailey and Niko Koutouvides; safeties Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree; and top draftees Ryan Clady at offensive tackle and Eddie Royal, another wideout.

“It’s too early to say conclusively how our character is, but it’s not too early to see signs,” tight end Nate Jackson said.

“And the signs are good. There are so many new guys here — and it seems like they’re good professionals and long-term guys.

“When you bring in proven veterans, you want those guys to set examples for the younger guys so they see, ‘This is how you do it.’ But the last couple years, there’s been such a big mixed bag of people it was hard for the younger guys to know which guys to follow.”

One reason for the confusion was the loss of some longtime leaders.

Injuries caught up to Rod Smith. Jake Plummer, a popular teammate, was traded. Al Wilson suffered a career-threatening neck ailment and was released. Ebenezer Ekuban missed the season because of injury.

“You need to gain guys that step into their place,” Jackson said. “And some guys have taken a while to do that.”

There also might have been residual effects from the offseason deaths in 2007 of Darrent Williams and Damien Nash.

‘Quality guys’

“We’ve got quality guys,” said quarterback Jay Cutler, who appears ready to be a more prevalent public voice for the Broncos in his second full year as a starter.

“I don’t think people know what to expect from us, but we have guys who enjoy playing football. ... I don’t think people may realize the kind of character we have, and that’s the first thing you need. That’s where it all starts.”

Nonchoir boys still can apply.

The New York Yankees teams of the late 1970s weren’t called the Bronx Zoo for nothing, and they still managed to win despite strong egos, as did the Oakland Raiders of that era. Shaq and Kobe had a pretty good run in the NBA with some constant sniping in the background.

“It’s OK to have a few guys that are selfish,” Jackson said. “But you have to have the other guys to balance them out, take them under their wing and let them know there are bigger goals.

“That’s what’s important. As long as the good outweighs the bad.”

That’s where the Broncos’ front office comes in.

Last year, many headlines focused on Henry’s potential drug suspension and paternity issues, Rice’s unhappiness with his playing time, Walker’s fit within the offense and the team’s handling of his ailing knee.

Behind the scenes, Gold’s attitude and commitment were questioned. Adams’ work ethic rubbed some in the organization the wrong way.

‘Real joy’ of football

And in addition to off-field problems, Marshall clashed verbally in a position meeting with assistant coach Jeremy Bates, who now spearheads the passing game.

Goodman said his sense is the common thread with the team’s newcomers is “it’s not all about the hype, money or individual records,” but instead “the real joy of being on a football team, playing the game.”

And while the Broncos might lack some of the star power of past teams, he suggested the improved attitude could translate on the field at some point because of improved chemistry.

“Every team is going to face adversity during a season,” Goodman said. “Teams with chemistry find a way to win games when there’s adversity in the locker room or externally, and those two or three games they find a way to win are the difference between 12-4 and 9-7.

“So there’s a lot to be said for chemistry. It’s hard to define why one team has it and another team doesn’t. But it’s a unique thing you’re always searching for. Once you have it, you don’t want to mess it up. And you don’t know you have it until you have it.”

In five months, or perhaps sooner, everyone will know whether the grand experiment worked.

• July 23, 2008

  8:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  boblarryj writes:

  Have I missed a story?? What was so bad about Ian Gold??

• July 23, 2008

  9:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  aragornzxl writes:

  No, you dont miss stories, Gold miss tackles.

• July 24, 2008

  6:27 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  tmcd writes:

  I am confused too. Maybe Gold's play had dropped, but when did he become a bad attitude. I have heard several stories about this in several publications. I always thought he was a stand-up dude. After all they brought him back for a second run. What happened?

• July 24, 2008

  7:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  LingLingfor_prez writes:

  Go Chargers!

• July 24, 2008

  8:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  kc02 writes:

  I want the inside story on Gold too. Somebody come out and say it! Where is he at right now?
  Also, in this story it says "Marshall" got into it with Jeremy Bates: Do you mean "Walker", or was it Brandon Marshall?

• July 24, 2008

  9:25 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  markregan writes:

  Shanahan treats players as interchangeable parts, and they're not.

  It's hard to find "chemistry" when you jettison the entire backfield from a 13-3 team (just for starters) and stake the future of the franchise on an unproven, rookie quarterback.

  That cost the Broncs a trip to the playoffs not just once, but twice in two years so far.

  It's hard to say what the Broncos might have done as we get further removed from it, but if Shanahan doesn't bench Plummer in '06, they beat Seattle & San Fran and finish 11-5 to make the playoffs that year. Perhaps BETTER if they'd selected someone other than Cutler in the draft who could have contributed, rather than screwing up the entire team chemistry.

  In retrospect, it was a done deal with the drafting of Cutler; Shanahan didn't like being challenged by his quarterback, so out Plummer went.

  What happens, then, when Cutler starts butting heads with him? Maybe it will then be Shanahan who's found to be replaceable...

  Another example: I still wonder what they had against Trevor Pryce when one of their most glaring needs since they let him go - and still - was a pass-rushing end/tackle, which is exactly what Trevor did best.

  Even Sterling Sharpe said on the NFL Network the Broncos think they can replace players and get the same production, as if parts are interchangeable. And I think this reflects an arrogance - primarily Shanahan's - that has done the team in. Perhaps for a long, long time.

• July 24, 2008

  9:33 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BMat writes:

  Yeah, OK they were 7-9 last year.

  Four of those wins were by three points or less. So w/o Jason Elam that team would have been 3-13.

  And they are w/o Jason Elam now. Hmmmm . . . nah, they should be just fine this year.

• July 24, 2008

  9:34 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Diff writes:

  This town is still oh so over fixated on the Denver Donkeys!
  It's a public obsession!
  Base Ball is not over yet you know!
  - but lets make every sports headline and leading story about
  "Da Broncos", and every detail for the players sorted life
  Get over it all ready - back when they were the ONLY major sports team here - I could understand it, even get caught up in it to some degree, and when they made their first Supper bowl and the Elway and the back to backs - Yeah! Great! Go Broncos.
  But They are not the only game in town anymore and football is not near as good to watch as it was anyway - plus so many of the players are just over paid THUGS and drug users these days
  (NFL=National Felons League)
  - Like the man said in the song.
  GET OVER IT!

• July 24, 2008

  9:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  philvysor writes:

  Who cares about the Broncos, !!!GO COWBOYS!!!

• July 24, 2008

  9:49 a.m.

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  Milehighguy writes:

  I think they forgot to let one character go this summer - Shanahan.

• July 24, 2008

  10:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  myerda00 writes:

  WHOA, you guys are really GHE fans.
  Many stories about Gold and defensive coaches, plus he just quit playing (BTW he just retired).
  markregan, you must not be a Bronco fan because you do not remember the FIGHTS Elway and Shanahan use to have. I hope Jay and Mike do have some discussions.
  Of course who care about blogers like bmat, diff, philvysor, and milehighguy, they are not Broncos fans and just want to vent because there teams are not very good. These type blogers ALWAYS see the glass-half-empty (GHE)

• July 24, 2008

  10:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SteveC writes:

  Just a question for all the people who think Shanahan should go. Who would you replace him with? I don't know of any other coaches that are available who are qualified.
  And for those who don't seem to understand why the fuss over the Broncos, why did you bother to not only read the story, but comment on it as well?

• July 24, 2008

  11:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  bigbadthor writes:

  Diff, you must not be from Denver, another transplant, understand the Broncos were here long before Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey, they are and will always be what fuels true Colorado fans who had to endure the teams in the 60's and early 70' and go through the heartbreak of the Super Bowl loses and always stuck with them. Move away or quit reading stories about the Broncos if you hate them.

• July 24, 2008

  2:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rallyracer7 writes:

  Diff, what the hell are you talking about that football players are all thugs and drug users? What are baseball fairies then? You want to talk about a real team sport talk about football, if you want to talk about a hobby that only people that are unable to play a real sport play, talk about baseball. Steroid use is rampent in baseball, and it isn't even a sport. The Rockies still blow, even if they had one lucky season. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of the Rockies for finally making it as far as they did, but a real team doesn't get swept in the World Series.

• July 24, 2008

  2:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  bigbadthor, thanks for telling Diff, what I was going to say. Hey, Diff, if your not a Bronco fan, great, we don't need you. But seeing as you are talking on a BRONCO FORUM, either get used to it or go away. What an idiot. Write to a Denver Bronco Forum to complain how we talk about the Broncos and football? Yeah, THAT makes sense. Sheesh. Oh, and cdmdenver, we hate bandwagon fans. And if you're not a true fan, then you're in the wrong forum.

• July 24, 2008

  4:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  arvada_mark writes:

  Ummm, in Denver, it's always Broncos season. So go back to L.A. & root for your own team...oh yeah, I almost forgot.

• July 24, 2008

  5:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MarcoPolo writes:

  Make one criticism about your team that just went 7-9 and you're a "bandwagon fan". Nice.

  We'll throw the Broncs a parade when they hit 6-10 this year.

• July 24, 2008

  5:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jtoscano writes:

  Let me be clear in explaining the implosion of LB Ian Gold (as a former MIKE LB)>

  1. Crash test dummy (from the special teams & Michigan heritage) had absolute unreal speed and was promted to LB because of Al (see 2 below).

  2. Al Wilson was the MOST underappreciated defensive Bronco team player and it became obvious when he was gone. DJ simply could not cover the gaps Ian left open. At the pro level LB, mili-seconds are everything. Ian had the luxury in his early years of flying around without the theory of what to cover (see 3 below).

  3. Ian's slower autonomic reactions became obvious in 2007 resulting in suffering huge gaffes in the Bronco defense. Yes >> you are as strong aw your weakest link.

  Well, at least Ian can suffer with his ~$10 million investment portfolio while us real Bronco fans wait for the next Super Bowl team! EH?

• July 24, 2008

  6:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  MarcoPolo, cdmdenver didn't criticise, he is one of the types who whines, whines, whines. True fans support their team, regardless of the record. True fans know they have no control over what happens on the field or the the players playing, coaches coaching. We except it for what it is and look forward to the season, as I am doing, this year. Bandwagon fans gripe and whine constantly. They don't support their "so-called "TEAM"". They beat them down verbally and wear another teams hat, the year after. I've been loyal to my team since 1972, when I went to my 1st bronco game at Mile High. People like you and cdmdenver, have this crystal ball and you already figured Denver to go 6-10, eh? I'll be talking to you at the end of this season, and we'll see what we'll see.

• July 24, 2008

  9:32 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MarcoPolo writes:

  True fans also get frustrated when their team doesn't win. Bandwagon fans do not gripe and whine constantly, simply because when the winning is over, bandwagon fans are nowhere to be seen or heard.

  I will watch every Bronco game this year (since 1976), cheer when they win, cuss when they don't and, yes, even vocalize about it (cleanly, of course).

  Unfortunately, I think there's going to be more cussing than cheering among "true fans" out there this year. But you're right, we'll see what we'll see. Personally, I don't think the Broncos have plugged all the holes in their boat this offseason. I hope I'm wrong about that.

• July 24, 2008

  11:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  MarcoPolo, I think they plugged them but preseason will show us how they all have gelled as a unit and how quick they learn and adjust to the new defensive scheme. Thanks for the chat. Time to get some sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow. Till then, be cool.

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