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LINCICOME: Broncos venturing into unknown

By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 25, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.

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Whew. That was close. What did rookie tackle Ryan Clady make it by, five minutes, 10? But all the Broncos are signed and all the Broncos are set. Super Bowl here they come.

On the opening day of training camp everything is possible. Reality arrives soon enough.

Happiness is not a warm puppy, it is training camp.

Misery arrives later, as early as October, as late as December, maybe earlier, November being to the Broncos lately much as a pit bull is to a postman.

But that is then. The world for now is as encouraging as it can be, because every question is unanswered, every answer is unquestioned.

This training camp opens with less optimism than some others, there being so many unknowns, or to put the new roster in Rumsfeldian terms, there are known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns, and three deep at some positions.

For all we know, middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides could be all of them.

So unknown are the knowns that even the Broncos don’t know, their first depth chart having no starters at left tackle, center (though we know that will be Tom Nalen), running back, punter and kicker.

So, starting as these things inevitably do, at quarterback, the learning curve of Jay Cutler gets a serious unknown. This should be the season that Cutler takes command of the team and his own talent.

But never far from any result, good or bad, will be the lingering concern for Cutler’s health. Either he will be an amazing diabetes patient or an unproductive third-year apprentice, probably both and probably in the same game.

Cutler is no longer premature. This is the year he must validate Mike Shanahan’s foresight and confidence; otherwise, the both of them will have some explaining to do.

Cutler is one of those known unknowns, as is his foremost pass catcher, Brandon Marshall, who was a known known until his offseason turned into a soap opera, or is it a sap opera? That is still being sorted out.

For Cutler and the Broncos, being merely what he was before celebrity silliness overtook Marshall would be enough. But you never know.

Clearly the most unknown of the unknowns is the running game, which we all thought we knew. The Broncos turn out running backs like Napa turns out wine, usually fine enough for any table.

Last season was vinegar, but enough about Travis Henry. To know Selvin Young can gain 2,000 yards is not the same as him saying it. He does not know. And neither does Michael Pittman. All we do know is that Mike Bell, whom we did not know when he started the season two years ago, is no longer around.

The schedule is known because it is printed up and handed out. What is not known is how many wins are on it and how many losses. Know this. The only sure thing is Miami.

We do know something. The single most productive, dependable, unflappable Bronco of them all is gone. That would be Jason Elam, a kicker for the ages, not just for the altitude. Elam is as close to irreplaceable to the Broncos as salt is to celery.

Shanahan’s choice to let Elam drift off to Atlanta may be his greatest regret, especially with wind in his face and the clock running out.

There should not be a genuine concern over the pass rush, which consists mainly of Elvis Dumervil and dumb luck. As it has for Cutler, time has come for Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas to justify their early notices.

What new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik knows is unknown, except that he seems inclined to eight-man fronts, leaving Champ Bailey to do everything beyond.

Most known of all the knowns was supposed to be Shanahan, now a full decade beyond glory. Do we know if this season is as disappointing as the recent ones have been if Shanahan will be gone, either from his own sense of frustration and failure or by invitation?

Ah, we know that is not going to happen. Shanahan is coach for life, or forever, whichever comes first.

These Broncos are an uncertain, unfamiliar bunch, refitting the offensive line, introducing themselves at linebacker and shrugging their shoulders everywhere else.

The only thing we want to know is simple. Are the Broncos better now than they were when they staggered out of last season?

Who knows?

Comments

  • July 25, 2008

    4:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life1 writes:

    Well I have to thank you for an article that told us nothing. I'm assuming your writing ability is one of the unknowns? Give your paycheck back to your payroll department, you sure didn't earn it with this story.

  • July 25, 2008

    4:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bigbadthor writes:

    I agree, wasted 3 minutes of my life reading that, you must be bored. Here's another unknown, what will happen in the NFL this season, did anyone "know" the Giants would end up winning a Super Bowl last year over a undefeated New England team?

  • July 25, 2008

    5:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    bigbadthor, Lincicome is a jerk. He has nothing to talk about because none of the Bronco staff talk to him. All he does is bash the Broncos. Do you think they would want this moron in their locker room? Unlikely. He is forced to write dribble because he wore out his welcome, long ago. He could best be used as a tackling dummy.

  • July 25, 2008

    6:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mmorg17 writes:

    Lincicome, please find something that brings you happiness. This is so unproductive, for you and any Bronco fan. Every once in awhile a sound off on the negative is needed, but this is an every article occurence for you. I feel bad for you buddy, if your mommy put you on the toilet seat backwards, get over it!
    Matt M. Gig Harbor, WA

  • July 25, 2008

    7:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronco4428 writes:

    what in gods name is this guy saying someone please tell me what the meaning of this article is?? the whole nfl is unknown....what a mess this guy is

  • July 25, 2008

    8:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BornOrange writes:

    The known known here, is that Bernie is a perennial idiot. The unknown unknown is when the hell is he going to lose his job and skip town? The sooner the better.

  • July 26, 2008

    12:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    Come on guys! Give Bernice a break. She's under a lot of pressure. That cub reporter from the Ignacio Chieften is breathing down her neck and about to get her job.