Denver Post sports writer Mike Klis posts his Broncos Mailbag each month during the offseason.
Pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag.
I’m reading all this camp stuff about Peyton Manning and wide receivers and such, but the burning question nobody wants to address is: How do we beat a defense like the Seahawks?
— Greg, Billings, Mont.
Greg – Thanks for reading all that camp stuff. The biggest offensive adjustment the Broncos made after getting whipped by the Seahawks’ defense in the Super Bowl was to alter 60 percent of their offensive line.
Ryan Clady is back at left tackle instead of Chris Clark. Orlando Franklin is at left guard instead of Zane Beadles. Clark is at right tackle instead of Franklin.
This is a significant adjustment that hasn’t been talked about enough because there is always something more interesting to talk about than offensive linemen.
But the primary strategy against the Seahawks this year is to execute the first snap of the game. In other words, don’t get carried away tinkering with an NFL-record offense because of one, miserable game. That opening-play safety was a Super Bowl turning point. Get off the first snap, and the Broncos will take their chances.
The Seahawks’ defense was impressive last year, but let’s not compare it to the ’85 Bears or 2000 Ravens.
With the emergence of Cody Latimer and the tough negotiating of the Broncos, could the Broncos let Demaryius Thomas walk at the end of this season, saving $10 million a year?
— AJ, Littleton
AJ – They wouldn’t let Thomas walk. They may well let him play out this season at $3.275 million and then place a one-year, franchise tag on him next year. The receiver’s tag for this 2014 season was $12.3 million. The Broncos even have the right to franchise tag Thomas for a second season in 2016, although it’s unlikely they go that far because that second-year tag includes an automatic 20 percent raise that makes it cost prohibitive.
Thomas is a true, No. 1-caliber receiver. You don’t invest $20 million a year in quarterback Peyton Manning and not give him a No. 1 receiver. But even if the Broncos wouldn’t let Thomas go, they wouldn’t be against stringing him along on a year-to-year basis if they can’t reach an agreement on a long-term contract.
The problem in his negotiations is the significant gap between the top two highest-paid receivers (Calvin Johnson is averaging $16.2 million a year; Larry Fitzgerald is at $16.15 million) and the third, fourth and fifth receivers in Percy Harvin ($12.85 million), Mike Wallace ($12.0 million) and Dwayne Bowe ($11.2 million).
Thomas, in my estimation, deserves to be the third-highest-paid receiver, or more than $12.85 million, but no other receiver deserves “Megatron” money.
As for Latimer, he really is the 2015 replacement for Eric Decker. The top three this year are Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker. Because Welker’s contract expires after this year, the top three on the 2015 blueprint are Thomas, Latimer and Sanders.
I will add that NFL blueprints are often changed.
Hey, Mike. Can’t wait for the season! If Peyton Manning decides to play the full five years of his contract, what are the possibilities for Brock Osweiler? I can’t imagine a high draft pick wanting to stay a backup for five seasons (or Zac Dysert for four seasons!), but also it seems like a waste to have had him grow up around Peyton only to take that “training” to another team, while the new QB we move ahead with does not get that extensive exposure. After this season, if Peyton commits to two more years, could the Broncos spend a high pick on a QB in the 2015 draft and (sadly) let Brock walk before he ever starts a game?
— Eric, Brooklyn, New York
Eric – You make some keen observations regarding the Broncos’ quarterback future. Problem is, I’m like everybody else that follows the NFL — much better at analyzing what did happen than predicting what’s going to happen.
These types of dilemmas always have a way of playing themselves out. But as it stands now, even if Osweiler never plays a meaningful down during his four years here, the Broncos will try to re-sign him. They like him. As you stated, they don’t like the idea of training him for someone else.
However, again to follow your scenario, I doubt he’d want to re-sign, knowing Manning would be back for his fifth season.
Four seasons as an understudy? Bummer. Five years? No way.
Then again, would Osweiler want to go somewhere else to compete after four years of not playing? Or stick it out one more year as a backup to the Broncos, knowing John Elway and the coaching staff believe in him?
I doubt the Broncos allocate a high pick in the 2015 draft on a quarterback. But let’s see. Osweiler may get a chance to play in a game or two this season. If he plays well, other NFL teams may want him and the Broncos may be more insistent on keeping him. If, maybe, if.
With a crackdown of aggressive defenses being enforced this season, is the NFL wanting to evolve into a Arena League format of almost all offense? (Ultimately a touch football league!)
— John Montano, Denver Tech Center
John – The NFL does have to be careful it doesn’t go too far in legislating so much passing into its game. The Broncos’ 51-48 win at Dallas last year was an Arena-like show in the big top retractable tent that is Jerry’s World.
After a while, too much of anything becomes repetitive. And repetition is another word for boring.
But I also don’t think the NFL has a choice but to make the game safer. Too many former players are having serious health issues. Some of them are suing the league and it seems the league has acknowledged through its enormous settlements that the former players have a compelling case.
This has made moms and dads increasingly leery of allowing their children to play such a violent sport.
The league had to start sending out the message that it’s OK for Johnny to play football.
Mike – Would you see any scenario where Danny Trevathan would move inside to the middle linebacker position? He already plays three downs and wears the mic for defensive calls. It seems like he has all the tools to excel and be a natural at a key position on defense.
— Lou, Commerce City
Lou – Everything but size. Trevathan has the instincts, speed, relentless energy, smarts and leadership qualities to play three-down NFL linebacker. He’s just not built along the lines of middle linebacker. He’s a prototypical Will.
What’s your take on Bradley Roby at this point? His name only seems to appear when Cody Latimer has made him breakfast, brushed his teeth, dressed him, and taken him to school.
— Ash V., Denver
Ash – Roby is extremely gifted. But he’s also a rookie. The plan is to use Roby as an outside right corner in their nickel packages this season. But I’m not sure he’ll be ready for that role by Game 1. If Chris Harris is healthy enough to start Game 1, Kayvon Webster may be the Broncos’ nickelback.
Roby would still be used in dime packages. Let me add that all evaluations to this point have been based on practice. Preseason games will provide a more accurate barometer on how the Broncos employ Roby early in the season.
Love the Mailbag, and The Post keeps me updated on my Broncos. Lerentee McCray’s name was brought up recently in an article. As an undrafted free agent last year, he was put on injured reserve. I’m wondering if he was paid anything by the Broncos in the meantime. They hold his rights, but he never actually made the team. I’m hoping he made a little something so he could eat and pay his rent. Free-agent signing bonus will only go so far. Just wondering.
— Chris Kubin, Georgia
Chris – I’m sure, McCray appreciates your concern regarding his personal well-being. He did receive a $17,000 signing bonus last season, easily the most the Broncos have paid to one of their undrafted rookies in at least the past five years.
Because McCray spent last season on IR, he received a “split” salary of $288,000. The south Denver area isn’t cheap, but that still should get a guy a nice apartment and the occasional steak dinner.
If McCray makes the 53-man roster this year, he would earn a $420,000 salary.
I thought Zane Beadles was becoming an upper-tier guard when pulling on run plays. How do you see the Broncos adjusting with a less mobile Orlando Franklin taking that spot?
— Kale M., Utah
Kale – I see fewer plays with the left guard blocking in the perimeter but more power at the point of attack. Beadles was terrific when he was motoring outside on those bubble-screen plays to Demaryius Thomas. Beadles is durable, intelligent and athletic, reasons why he received a five-year, $30 million contract from Jacksonville.
But Franklin will give the Broncos a sturdier base in pass protection and more of a straight-ahead mauler in the running game. Franklin will also get a nice contract after this season as he becomes a free agent.
Mike – In light of DeMarcus Ware’s goal of having the Broncos finish with a No. 1 offense and defense, I’m curious. Is there a precedent set in that regard?
— Armando, Chicago
Armando – The greatest team in history, the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, were No. 1 in offense and No.1 in defense. And yet modern analysts still argue they weren’t that great.
Incredulously, the 2010 San Diego Chargers were No. 1 in offense and No. 1 in defense. And failed to make the playoffs with a 9-7 record. Mark those 2010 Chargers down as one of the most underachieving teams in history.
Pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag. Listen to Mike Klis on “Klis’ Korner” on Monday-Friday at 102.3 FM ESPN.