The Broncos Lack Leadership

Wilson knew how to rally the crowd, and the team.

There was something about seeing #56 walk onto the field.

Fans and opponents alike knew that they were seeing something special. A team, united behind its leader. Al Wilson, #56 and team captain for nearly a decade on the Denver Broncos, showed his leadership through his performance on the field and through his vocal leadership in the locker room. Without a leader like Wilson, a team loses a piece of its identity, and a piece of its continuity.

This offseason hasn’t just seen the Broncos lose a defensive captain. There are team captains for every phase of the game – offense, defense, and special teams. For the Broncos in the past six months, the team has lost one of each.

OFFENSE – Offensively, we lost team captain Jake Plummer. Our quarterback for nearly four full seasons, Plummer was everything the Broncos had hoped for when it comes to leadership in the locker room. He had a few character-issue incidents of his own, but there’s no doubt the Broncos offense rallied around Jake. He had the unquestioned support of nearly everyone in the locker room, and when he was ultimately benched for rookie Jay Cutler, a lot of players and fans felt like Jake got a “raw deal.” While Cutler brings more to the table physically, he hasn’t led the team the way Jake did during his career in Denver.

DEFENSE – All-Pro middle linebacker Al Wilson was released in April following injury concerns and a high salary figure. He was the unquestioned leader of the defense, and probably the entire team. He was smart enough to make the big stops that were needed, and the team followed his suit play in and play out. This one has me more concerned than any – no one in the front seven is stepping up and saying “Follow my lead!” Right now I think this team needs it, and the absence of Wilson is present on the field. D.J. Williams hasn’t looked great yet in the pre-season, and unless he can adjust and learn the new system he won’t be able to lead by example for the team. I thought maybe a veteran defensive lineman who’s been in the system for a little while could step up – but the Broncos traded Gerard Warren and had to put Ebenezer Ekuban on IR. John Lynch will continue to be a voice on the defense, but he just can’t have the effect at his position that a MIKE backer would have.

SPECIAL TEAMS – The Broncos didn’t really lose their Special Teams captain… they simply promoted him. 12-year veteran backup linebacker Keith Burns is now an assistant on the Special Teams coaching staff, so who is going to lead the team on the field? Warrick Holdman could have filled that role, but now he’s out for three months… perhaps newcomer Paul Smith could step up when he’s healthy? New coach Scott O’Brien‘s impact hasn’t shown itself in the preseason yet, but hopefully, if a player can step up, the unit will come together soon.

Without solid leadership among the players, the team loses a piece of its identity. Is there anything you’ve seen from the front seven of our starting defense that would strike fear in the opposing offense? When Wilson was on the field, you knew he was leading one of the fiercest linebacker units in the league. Teams were scared.

I want to see someone rally the crowd Saturday against Cleveland. We’ve seen Wilson do it – we saw the young Darrent Williams do it last year – raise their arms up and get the crowd involved! Show the other players that you are focused on the play, and their performances will improve. Players need to step up across all phases of our team and declare themselves the leader for this team to take the next step.

So next time we see that number take the field, fans and opponents alike will know they’re in for something special.