Special only in name

Mike Shanahan often talks about excelling in all three phases of the game, but the truth is the Broncos' special teams have been neglected. In fact, aside from the outstanding work of K Jason Elam, the special teams have been a disaster. The Broncos went through two punters in 2004, and their coverage units were spotty. Rather than finding an explosive young player who could be a difference-maker returning kickoffs and punts, the team seems content to plug in a different player each week and hope he doesn't make a mistake. Over the past couple of seasons, the team's best punt returner has been Rod Smith, but that hardly is the role you want for your top receiver who will turn 35 this offseason.

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