Broncos Mailbag: How will Ronald Darby’s return impact Kyle Fuller?

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.

I think the Broncos are only missing a few parts to become contenders: Coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, quarterback, left tackle, center, new owner, tight end who can block and cornerbacks who are not two steps behind receivers. If I forgot something could you please remind me? Thank you.

— Tim Monroe, Kingston, Idaho

At least Tim didn’t include, “New Denver Post beat writer,” on his laundry list of alterations.

This mailbag submission mostly reflects the replies to me on Twitter and emails sent my way during and after the loss to Pittsburgh.

Taking the list item-by-item would be a tall task, so I’ll only say the Broncos, to break their two-game losing streak, need better play from the quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater), left tackle (Garett Bolles) and the cornerbacks (Kyle Fuller specifically) and a tuned-up game plan from the coach/defensive play-caller (Vic Fangio) and offensive coordinator (Pat Shurmur) and one game without a major special teams gaffe.

As for the “new owner,” … soon, Tim.

Why do the Broncos arrive at an away game, like with Pittsburgh this week, so late on Saturday with an early scheduled game on Sunday?

— Joseph R. Skovrinski, Littleton

This was a one-time situation because events in the Pittsburgh area limited the available hotels and also the meeting space at the hotel the Broncos were able to secure.

By coincidence, I stayed at the same hotel as the Broncos in Pittsburgh and I ran into players around 8 p.m. Saturday, a full 13 1/ 2 hours before the first set of buses left for the game. Not ideal, but not an excuse for falling behind 24-6, either.

Most of the time, the Broncos arrive in the visiting city in the late afternoon hours after a walk-through at their Englewood facility and a bus ride to the airport.

Why have there been so many injuries this year? It seems to be an inordinate amount this year that seems to go beyond simply “one of those things.”

— Iva

All I can compare the Broncos’ current injury situation is to what it was last year after five games.

2020: Receiver Courtland Sutton, outside linebacker Von Miller, inside linebacker Justin Strnad and defensive end Jurrell Casey were on injured reserve and would not play.

This year: Receiver KJ Hamler and inside linebacker Josey Jewell have been ruled out for the year, but there is more attrition in terms of players who are expected to return – – cornerback Michael Ojemudia, receiver Jerry Jeudy, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and running back Mike Boone.

I always look at the type of injury and if there is a rash of soft-tissue issues (calf, hamstring, etc.). Jeudy is a high ankle sprain and Chubb a bone chip removed from his ankle.

What’s up with the secondary? There’s a ton of money along with a top-10 draft pick (Pat Surtain II) invested in this group and they’ve seemed to struggle the last two weeks. Lots of missed tackles (especially on third down), blown coverages and guys getting beat on deep balls. Do you think they are trying to overcompensate to make a play for the offense or just getting exposed by a beat-up front seven?

— Steve, Forks, Wash.

First three games: The Broncos allowed an average of 162.3 yards passing and two touchdowns and had four interceptions.

Last two games: The Broncos allowed an average of 274.0 yards passing and three touchdowns and had no interceptions.

The Broncos hadn’t allowed a pass longer than 49 yards entering the Pittsburgh game, but then allowed completions of 50 and 59 yards.

As you pointed out Steve, it is concerning how there have been communication miscues and the lack of a pass rush against Pittsburgh didn’t help the secondary. But I don’t see being over-aggressive in trying to make a play to help the offense.

About the 7-foot player: Ryan, did you notice that the first touchdown of the Chargers’ game was to a 6-foot-8 tight end (David Parham)?

— Norm Campbell, Kentwood, Mich.

Parham, 24, has five career touchdown catches since starting his career with the Chargers last year. He previously spent time with Detroit and Washington.

Twenty years ago, the NFL seldom lost players for the entire season due to injury. Today with all the rule changes, more modern equipment and better physical condition year round, many more players are lost all season, what gives?

— Michael Bockh, Costa Rica

I’m not sure about the data from 20 years ago, but back then, once you put a player on injured reserve, he was done for the year — no exceptions.

.The injured reserve list has swelled the last two years because teams are allowed to return an unlimited number of players back to the active roster.

But overall, if there are more injuries, why? Well, like every sport, football players are bigger, stronger and faster compared to the previous generation and that produces bigger collisions.

Ryan, what happens now with Kyle Fuller? He had a miserable game on Sunday. If he was getting burned by the Steelers’ receivers, he’ll absolutely get torched by Henry Ruggs III next week. Any word if Ronald Darby is coming back?

— Hank, Brighton

It was tough sledding for Fuller against Pittsburgh — I booked him for allowed completions of 23, 50 (touchdown), 14 and 22 yards in addition to a pass interference penalty in the end zone that led to a Steelers touchdown.

Now comes a decision for coach Vic Fangio and his staff via the return of cornerback Ronald Darby.

Play Darby/Pat Surtain II in the base and Fuller only plays in dime situations? Rotate Darby/Surtain/Fuller at the two base-package cornerback spots? We won’t know until Sunday.

Why aren’t the Broncos using Noah Fant more in their passing game? It seems like he’d be an obvious choice now with all the injuries we’ve accumulated? Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton are talented, but they can’t do it alone.

— Miles, Parker

Fant’s first target at Pittsburgh wasn’t until 13:03 left in the game and he finished with three catches for 20 yards (long of nine yards). I agree on Sutton/Patrick needing some help in the passing game and the Broncos should get creative in finding ways to involve Fant down the field.

Source: Read Full Article