NFC West

Sporting News, The, Jan 14, 2002

Denver Broncos www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/broncos

DETERMINING FACTOR: Fourth-quarter failures kept this team out of the playoffs. In four of its losses--to the Ravens, Dolphins, Redskins and Chiefs--the game was up for grabs in the fourth quarter. QB Brian Griese must be the fall guy. Take away Denver's Week 15 win over the Raiders, and Griese was a final-quarter failure. For most of the season, he had the lowest fourth-quarter passer rating of any starting NFL quarterback. With injuries hampering his receiving corps, Griese was powerless to move the team down the feld with the game on the line. His inability to improvise and make plays hurt the team. But it wasn't just the offense that faltered. While the defense improved this season, it also failed to come up with big plays late in the game. A key fourth-quarter sack or interception would have gone a long way toward winning games that the Broncos lost.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two 2001 rookies--WR Kevin Kasper and DE Reggie Hayward--will be major players in '02. Kasper is smart, tough and talented. If WR Ed McCaffrey comes back healthy, Kasper will be the No. 3 receiver. That will give him a chance to learn from McCaffrey and Rod Smith. Kasper has good speed and great hands; now he must learn how to run better routes and get better separation. Hayward remains a raw talent. He finds himself out of position at times and needs to get stronger, but his long arms and natural quickness make him a great outside pass rusher.

OFFSEASON GAME PLAN: The team has questions at virtually every position, but it might not have enough answers. In the draft, expect the Broncos to look for a defensive lineman, running back and safety. With questions still looming about Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary coming back from a broken leg, a once-overflowing backfield is now thin. Even with the emergence of Hayward, and the potential of injured rookie DE Paul Toviessi, the team needs to find another impact defensive lineman. As for free agents, the Broncos are projected to be more than $8 million over the salary cap so they don't figure to be a major player. Free-agent priority No. 1 would be finding a reliable veteran wide receiver to provide depth while such youngsters as Kasper and Scottie Montgomery develop. Expect some position shuffling, too, and decisions will have to be made regarding Davis, LB Bill Romanowski and K Jason Elam, three players with Super Bowl rings. --Patrick Saunders

FINAL GRADES Regular season

OFFENSE: D Offense finished in bottom half. A huge disappointment.

DEFENSE: B- Rhodes' defense worked well. Pass rush needed.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B K Elam best in NFL; coverage breakdowns fixed.

COACHING: C Shanahan must take responsibility for bland offense.

PASSING    Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Griese      451     275   61.0   2827    65t
Frerotte     48      30   62.5    308    26t

PASSING    TD   Int.   Rating   Sacked

Griese     23     19     78.5       38
Frerotte    3      0    101.7        3

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

T. Davis     167    701    4.2    0
Anderson     175    678    3.9    4
Gary          57    228    4.0    1

RECEIVING    No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

R. Smith     113   1343   11.9   11
De. Clark     51    566   11.1    6
Carswell      34    299    8.8    4

Scoring   XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.

Elam       31    31    31    36   124

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Rouen           81   3668   45.3      1

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Cole            48   1127   23.5      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

O'Neal          31    405   13.1      1

SACKS: Romanowski 7.0, Pryce 7.0,
Washington 4.0.

INTERCEPTIONS: O'Neal 9, Spencer
3, Walker 3.

Kansas City Chiefs www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/chiefs

DETERMINING FACTOR: QB Trent Green was a large factor in the 1-6 start that buried playoff hopes. He wasn't helped by an underperforming group of wide receivers. It's no coincidence Green started to play better once WR Eddie Kennison arrived and once rookie WR Marvin Minnis began to recognize coverages and run proper routes. The early failings of the downfield passing game forced the team to shift the offensive emphasis to the talents of RB Priest Holmes, who responded with a huge season. That took some of the pressure from Green and helped improve his play.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB William Bartee was third on the depth chart but showed upside during the second half of the season. He was probably ready in November to take a starting spot. By next season, he should definitely deserve one in place of either Eric Warfield or veteran Ray Crockett. Bartee was drafted by Gunther Cunningham, who preferred bigger, physical cornerbacks. Bartee's ability to play bump-and-run will serve him well in the defensive system. He appears tentative at times, but those moments should disappear as he gets more playing time and more confidence. G Brian Waters, who played defensive tackle in college, is exactly what the team is looking for in an offensive lineman. Waters is athletic and moves well, allowing him to get down field and on the perimeter.