

Mailbaggers, good times are here again. Starting today, we're back on a weekly schedule. On to the mailbag:

Why haven't the Broncos cut D.J. Williams? Salary-cap issues?
-- Andy, Jupiter, Fla.

There would be some salary-cap hit but not enough to prevent the Broncos from releasing Williams if that were the team's desire. The primary reason why the Broncos aren't cutting Williams: He's a good player.

The Broncos aren't playing for next year. They're trying to win the Super Bowl this year. Peyton Manning presents a sense of urgency for this franchise as it tries to win its first Lombardi Trophy since the 1998 season.

Know how long ago 1998 was? The average price per gallon of gas was $1.03.

There's also no reason to cut Williams now. Williams was due to make $5 million this year. The six-game suspension will cost him $1.76 million. Of the remaining $3.24 million, it won't become guaranteed until he's placed on the active 53-man roster. And that would not happen until after he serves his suspension. So if the Broncos were to consider releasing Williams, it would make sense to wait.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning stretches during Broncos practice Tuesday. More photos.
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning stretches during Broncos practice Tuesday. More photos. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

He still has his trial on charges of driving under the influence in a Denver County Court. He still has his lawsuit against the NFL's drug-test findings in the 10th Circuit Court of Denver. And he may still have some unfinished business in the court of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The Broncos also may as well wait to see how Wesley Woodyard and Keith Brooking play out at weakside linebacker through the season's first six weeks. But for all the uncertainty regarding Williams' status, the known factor is he's been a solid starting linebacker the previous eight seasons

What are realistic expectations for the 2012 Broncos? Can they compete for a Super Bowl this year?
-- Patrick Stokes, Boulder

It would be a disappointment if the Broncos don't win the AFC West. Once a team gets in, there are certain years when the tourney becomes wide-open. The New York Giants were 7-7 and underdogs in their final two regular-season games last year and wound up winning it all. The Green Bay Packers were 8-6 and needed to win their final two regular-season games in 2010 to gain the No. 6 and final NFC seed, and they wound up winning the Super Bowl.

But for the most part, I recommend restraint on Mile High expectations. The schedule isn't just difficult through the first nine games; it's unfair. The first nine opponents: Pittsburgh, at Atlanta, Houston, Oakland (the Raiders have won four in a row in Denver), at New England, at San Diego, New Orleans, at Cincinnati, at Carolina. That's like going through a playoff schedule times two.

To expect the Broncos to get through a postseason schedule a third time is too much to ask of any NFL team.

I also think Manning should get somewhat of a mulligan in 2012. The NFL is too difficult to expect a quarterback, even a great quarterback, to miss an entire season and immediately return to prime form.

And with Williams out six weeks and right guard Chris Kuper (broken forearm) expected to miss the season's first three games, it's going to be difficult for the Broncos to start fast.

In summary, I think the Broncos can compete for a Super Bowl this year, but getting there is more realistic in 2013.

I realize this is a moot point, but all things being equal, would the Broncos prefer Dennis Allen or Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator? Are there any major plusses or minuses for either guy? With John Fox being the constant in this equation, what types of changes can we expect this year compared to last year? What types of similarities?
-- Dave, Virginia Beach, Va.

I do think Del Rio will have a significant impact on defense. He already has. It was Del Rio who was on Derek Wolfe first. Wolfe's tenacity and strength will bring a more physical aspect to the defense.

You're right, Dave, to include Fox. This is more his defense than the defensive coordinator's. Del Rio was hired because he had already proven — with Carolina in 2002 — that he meshes well with Fox's defense. Fox and Del Rio both believe in having large, physical defensive linemen. They both believe in having linebackers who are both stout and can run (then again, don't they all!).

And they both agreed that because NFL offenses are becoming increasingly tight-end oriented, they needed to adjust by bringing in personnel that can better contest the tight end. So far, the Broncos defense has been impressive, both in training camp and in their first preseason game against Chicago.

Kelvin Sheppard (Bills), Mason Foster (Bucs), Akeem Dent (Falcons) and Colin McCarthy (Titans). Who are these guys? Inside linebackers who were on the board when the Broncos selected Nate Irving in the 2011 draft. They are also ALL starting ILBs who will make an impact for their defenses this year. Who is Nate Irving? A guy who finds himself backing up the 2011 defensive rookie of the year. Will Nate this year (or ever) make an impact on this team? How long before a guy is considered a bust or wasted pick?
-- MJ, Arizona

After a tough rookie year, Irving was impressive in the first preseason game at Chicago. So perhaps a little patience is needed, MJ. The Broncos did like Foster as they lined up their 2011 draft board, but they considered him more of a strongside linebacker. And the Broncos got their strongside linebacker with the No. 2 overall pick in Von Miller.

The Broncos took Irving as a middle linebacker, but Joe Mays has so far kept him off the field. Go back over history, and players don't arrive at the same time. There have been players who had great rookie years only to look back and have Year 1 become their career season. Others like Justin Bannan and Brandon Lloyd didn't come into their own until their seventh and eighth seasons, respectively.

I'm not exactly sure when it's appropriate to call a high pick a bust. But I know it's way too early to put a label on Irving.

Hey Mike, what is the word on Julius Thomas? I keep hearing about Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen, but nothing about Thomas.
-- Matt Fisher, Englewood

Thomas is gradually returning from the mother of all high-ankle sprains. He suffered the injury in Week 2 of the 2011 season. And when it still wasn't healed by season's end, he had offseason surgery. He started looking good in practice again this week, but he limped off the field favoring his right ankle Tuesday.

He is in the Broncos' plans for 2012. But somehow, some way, he's got to get healthy.

Just wondering why some injured players don't travel with the team to away games, especially during the regular season. It would make sense from camaraderie and esprit de corps sense to have the entire team there, injured or not. Who makes the call: trainer, coach, player? Please tell me it's not a money issue.
-- Matt, MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Anyone who has had a knee or ankle swell up on a long plane-ride knows that traveling can be harmful to the healing process. These guys aren't getting paid for esprit de corps, Matt. They're here to play. Staying home gets them ready faster.

Besides, what's wrong with admitting to a money issue? The economy is in a five-year losing streak. The Broncos just raised ticket prices for the first time in four years. And you want the Broncos, or any NFL team, to throw good money after a player who is no good to them that week? Remember, Matt, costs always get passed on to consumers.

Mike - One hundred fifty-six yards from seven different runners and a solid passing performance in the first preseason game. Is this just a matter of "my second string is better than your second string," or do Johns Fox and Elway actually know what they are doing and we have a pretty good offensive line? And, is Knowshon Moreno actually living up to some potential, or is it too early to tell?
-- Deborah, Ventura, Calif.

The most correct answer to each of your questions is: It's too early to tell. No doubt, the Broncos dominated the Bears in the second half — when it was third- and fourth-stringers against third- and fourth-stringers. Some of those players will become second-stringers and make their respective 53-man rosters. Most of them will be gone come Sept. 1.

But all you can evaluate, Deborah, is what you see, and the Broncos were impressive for all eyes to see last Thursday in Chicago.

Listen to Mike Klis on Klis' Korner on 102.3 FM ESPN at 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday and 2 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.