Thanks for all your thoughts. You all make some good and interesting points.

–Broncos20…looks like Hixon and Clark did enough to make the team. I look for them to be contributors, too. Clark has shown the ability to make plays and I still think Hixon is one of those electric players who can change a game in the blink of an eye.

As far as Crowder and Moss go, I hope they are able to play at a high level right away. It’s hard to depend on young defensive linemen to come right in and make an impact. Cowder needs to get healthy. I think they both have tremendous ability, the question now is whether or not they will be playmakers, especially when the game is on the line.

–archangel77…Thanks for your kind words. Young’s rise to become the #2 running back was easliy the best story of training camp. I asked him the other day if he saw himself as a surpirse and he said no. He always believed he could accomplish what he has. You have to love a guy like that.

I completely agree with you when you say Young brings a different style to the position than Travis Henry. You can’t teach speed and he has plenty of it. He’s another player that seems like he can provide a big play at any moment and the Broncos have been looking for guys like that the last few years. NOw he has to do it when given the chance.

Your conern about the linebackers, to me, reflects a defense that is still learning. I like the talent and I think the D will keep getting better. I think it will be hard to replace Al Wilson, not only as a player but as a leader and a locker room presence. Other guys have to step into and assume those roles. Time will tell how well they do that.

–OrAnGe WiLk…Good call on Selvin Young. I kept waiting for him to show he was legit and he did just that. Just after the draft, a colleague of mine at 850 KOA spoke with Selvin and Young said he thought he would be a perfect fit for the Broncos’ system. Along with being a darned good running back, it looks like Selvin is something of a prophet, too.

–bronco_hyde…You’re one of several people who have mentioned Hamza Abdullah. I think sooner or later, he’s going to be a factor on defense. He looked pretty good in the pre-season and has been around the team for a little time, now.

As far as returns go, watch for Domenik Hixon. He handled some of the returning chores in the pre-season and seems to be a player who can make big plays. You have to get guys like that on the field.

–wormyblackburny…I’m not sure what to think about Mike Bell. I think he’s a good running back but Selvin Young had a better pre-season. Mike’s health certainly didn’t help him and he never seemed to get into a rhythm. Now he’s a fullback, a new position for him. It’ll be interesting to see what his role is as the season progresses.

To your point about resting the starters in the final pre-season game…I can’t argue with Coach Shanahan’s decision at all. If a core player gets hurt, then it’s an absolute disaster and teams just can’t risk that. These guys work out year round, they are constantly around the game and they’ve been playing it competitively for years. They should be able to take a week off and still play well.

–Joe (jfnota)…Thanks for checking in from the Windy City! It’s good to hear from you. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think the Broncos will get better as the season goes along. They might scuffle some early in the year, but I believe they are a good team that will continue to improve.

–100%…good call, my friend. Good call.

–dr_broncos22…again, good thoughts on the defense. I’m not sure we could take a whole lot from the last pre-season game but at least the D held Arizona to only three points without the starters playing. If nothing else, the Broncos have to feel a little better.

At the same time, everything changes once games start counting. Road games are never easy to win and the Broncos’ defense will have to play well if Denver is to beat Buffalo on Sunday. Bills’ wide receiver Lee Evans is terrific and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Quarterback J.P. Losman, while not being spectacular in his career, has more experience and is a talented player. I think Marshawn Lynch will be a really good running back but how good he is in his first career game remains to be seen.

–doctorising…you were on the mark with almost all of your comments. I, too, liked what I saw out of Glenn Martinez and was glad to see the Broncos sign him to the practice squad. He is out of Division II Saginaw Valley State in Michigan but the Broncos have shown they’ll keep guys who can play. Martinez, while young, could be a guy who makes his mark down the road.

Cargile is in the same mold, even though Columbia is not Division II. Still, he’s a guy who “flashes,” as coaches like to say. He has that proverbial nose for the ball, he’s in on the action and more often than not is in the middle of things. John Lynch and Nick Ferguson, while terrific safties, are also getting older, so Cargile could be a replacement at some point.

Finally, Brian Clark. I love this guy. He’s figuring it out…and he seems to be a kind young man. You root for people like that.

–tonytdrummer@bellsouth.net…very clever! I like it. Let’s hope the Broncos phone in a bunch of wins. Sorry, that was bad.

Thanks again to all for your thoughts.

Mike