Denver Post Broncos writer Troy Renck posts his Broncos Mailbag on Wednesdays during the season.
You can pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag here. Follow Troy for more daily updates on Twitter and Facebook.
Be honest. Do you really think that game was called evenly? I know the refs missed calls on both sides all game, but in the fourth quarter and overtime, it seemed to get one sided.
— JoePat, Boston
Joe: The Patriots complained with vigor about the fourth quarter. Quarterback Tom Brady said on his weekly radio show that it’s the most (upset) he’s ever been about a loss. That’s likely hyperbole given his Super Bowl disappointments against the Giants, but his anger was real. I get it. The officials made two calls that benefited the Broncos — the interference call on safety Patrick Chung and the push off on tight end Rob Gronkowski. Instead of third down from the 19-yard line, the Broncos took over with a new set of downs on the 4 after the call against Chung. Osweiler turned that into a touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell. Chung’s was a ticky-tack foul, if one at all. Same for the interference on Gronkowski. So I understand their anger. Bad calls happen, with timing everything. That said, Von Miller was held throughout the game, yet barely drew the refs’ attention. The Patriots have the right to be mad. But they deserve blame as well for putting an inexperienced punt returner in the game — Chris Harper’s botched catch turned the game around — and their clock management before the Broncos went ahead in the fourth was odd to say the least. This has not a been a good year for referees. They should be full-time employees, who are graded with consequences on a weekly basis. However, I don’t like when teams play the blame game. I am not saying the Patriots didn’t have valid complaints, but they had chances to put away the victory before the calls against Chung and Gronkowski.
With the running game clicking with a quarterback under center, do you see the Broncos adding a fullback anytime soon?
— Ramie, Pueblo
Ramie: I thought when Brock Osweiler took over that the Broncos might look to bring back James Casey. They cut him earlier this year because they weren’t using him. The reality is that a fullback becomes a luxury given how they Broncos use their three tight ends. With Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels in pass routes, Virgil Green can function as a fullback. He is a good blocker, and more versatile than a fullback.
Hi Troy, love what Wade Phillips has done with the defense, but what gives on single coverage on Rob Gronkowski and where was the blitz on Tom Brady the Bills were so effective using?
— Tony Ellsworth, Bellevue, Neb.
Tony: Coach Gary Kubiak explained Monday the Patriots’ formations — which spread out the defense — created some of the one-on-one matchups. The Broncos struggled early against Rob Gronkowski, kept him quiet for a few quarters, then struggled again. The Patriots created matchup issues by pairing Scott Chandler with Gronkowski. The Broncos elected not to blitz as much, in my opinion, because of Tom Brady’s quick release. They trusted their ability to produce pressure with their normal front. It worked to some degree, especially late and in overtime. It didn’t help the Broncos’ plans when they lost safety T.J. Ward in the first quarter to a high ankle sprain.
Troy, I just have to say that I was mightily impressed by our running backs against the Pats! I saw several runs where I was like, “whoa, C.J. is killing it” and Ronnie is running with authority and bouncing off of tacklers. Was the vastly improved run game a factor because of the threat of Brock’s arm? Thanks!
— John, Dallas
John: Don’t overlook the obvious. The Broncos are better running the ball with the quarterback under center. As the running backs have explained, in particular Ronnie Hillman, they see the cutback lanes better. Seeing the hole develop even a fraction of a second faster can lead to a big run and a better timed cut. When the Broncos run out of the pistol, the running back stands behind the quarterback so it blocks their vision of the field pre-snap.
As it relates to C.J. Anderson, his health has improved. He suffered something similar to a turf toe injury in the season’s first game. It affected him for weeks, then I believe he lost some confidence. The Anderson against the Patriots was the Anderson I saw the second half of last season. He broke tackles, gained yards after contact, and showed burst and decisiveness.
Troy, do you think a healthy Peyton Manning could have lead the Broncos to a victory against the Patriots last night? Who do you start when he is healthy? I love what Brock Osweiler is doing and he seems like the obvious choice even when No. 18 does become healthy. I still can’t help but hope that Peyton recovers and that Gary Kubiak puts him in no matter what Osweiler does with his remaining starts.
— Justin Malano, Raton, N.M.
Justin: Hard to play the hypothetical with Manning. He has provided numerous big-time performances. But this year’s Manning turned the ball over too much. Before talking about what he might have done, Manning’s health needs to improve. The walking cast on his left foot is expected to be removed Friday, or thereabout. From that moment, he must rebuild strength. That’s why I believe it’s highly unlikely he plays against the Oakland Raiders next Sunday. I believe it will take another week of recovery. Typically in these cases, the patient receives cortisone and sees improvement. The issue will be avoiding setbacks in practice when testing the foot. Manning has a torn plantar fascia. It won’t heal from a few weeks rest. Can he make the injury manageable and perform at a high level? I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that question yet, Manning included.
Obviously, it becomes awkward if Manning is healthy and the Broncos stick with Osweiler. But I really don’t see it that way. Coaches are paid to make decisions that are best for the team, not individuals. If Osweiler continues to play well, and more importantly the team keeps winning, there would be no reason to sit him. It’s the same logic I advanced when Manning was struggling earlier this season. They weren’t benching him when the team was 7-0.
It’s impossible not to respect Manning. His career ranks among the all-time greats. He has earned every drop of praise. But viewed through this season’s lens, he has slumped. And the NFL leaves no room for sentiment. The Broncos are trying to win a Super Bowl. That means the best players have to play. I see this more like the Tom Brady-Drew Bledsoe situation in 2001. There’s no reason to give up on Manning. He could help the Broncos at some point just as Bledsoe did in the playoffs with New England. Manning is doing everything possible to get his foot healthy. When he does, then the Broncos face a decision. But if Osweiler keeps winning and the offense continues running the ball effectively, the decision will make it itself.
Hi Troy. Why do the Broncos shuffle C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman so much? In the Patriots game, C.J. was really running well and yet he comes off the field for more than three plays. Are the running backs really that tired after one or two plays? Why not keep the hot player on the field? I don’t remember Terrell Davis coming out so much.
— Brian, Elizabeth
Brian: Coach Eric Studesville ranks among the league’s best. He has a strong read on how he rotates the backs. Going into the season, coach Gary Kubiak preferred to have a bell cow. It didn’t work out as Anderson failed to gain traction. Moving forward, the plan continues to be to use both running backs. They form a dynamic one-two punch because of their different skillsets. The days of Terrell Davis have gone the way of 8-tracks and VCRs. But the idea of relying on one back more in a big game makes perfect sense.
When will Demaryius Thomas start showing up for games? It seems that after signing his new contract he is afraid to go after tough balls or take the big hit.
— Jeff, Sacramento, Calif.
Jeff: He played poorly against the Patriots. He has enjoyed big games in big games, so it’s not fair to paint him with a broad brush. However, he came up small against the Patriots. Luckily, he saved his night with his 36-yard reception late. Until then, it was a forgettable performance. I don’t see it as a money issue. I see it as a guy who struggles to get back on track after a couple of early drops. It happened early last season. He can fall into the trap of trying to do too much, which affects his concentration. He must be better. And history suggests he will be.
Is Emmanuel Sanders Denver’s true No. 1 receiver?
— James Kane, Scotland
James: Statistically, he is. He makes tough catches, plays with emotion, provides big plays. Of course he benefits from having Demaryius Thomas alongside him. But Sanders deserves credit. He is self-made, a rolled-up sleeves hard worker with a dash of flair. I have said throughout this season that he is the Broncos’ offensive MVP. Now that his left ankle has improved, his production should continue to increase.
Any idea of how the Broncos can fix the offense line issues? If there would be any chance of a trade next year, who do you think the Broncos could snag? Or would they sign someone off of the free-agent market? In your opinion what is the biggest weaknesses in our O-line that could change next year via draft or free agency?
— Ryan Mattingley, Denver
Ryan: The draft represents the easiest route. Given the money needed to sign Von Miller, Brock Osweiler and Malik Jackson, I don’t see a big free agent splash along the offensive line. Again, that’s on Dec. 1. Things can change. The Broncos have a solid inventory of young players. They remain bullish on guard Max Garcia, who continues to play more, and Ty Sambrailo, who could play guard or tackle when he returns next season following shoulder surgery. The line has experienced different issues throughout the season. Left guard Louis Vasquez is a mauler, but I don’t think this offense is a great fit for his skillset. And Evan Mathis has battled through multiple injuries, and came up huge against New England on a compromised ankle. The key for me is this: Can you trust Michael Schofield at right tackle? And if so, do you return Sambrailo to tackle, invest in a veteran, or perhaps bring back Ryan Clady on a restructured contract?
Denver Post Broncos writer Troy Renck posts his Broncos Mailbag on Wednesdays during the season.
You can pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag here. Follow Troy for more daily updates on Twitter and Facebook.
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or @troyrenck
