Mum’s the Word on Bronco Starter

Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan is determined to make Denver’s quarterback mystery a cliffhanger.

Shanahan has decided on a starter for Sunday’s AFC wild-card playoff game at Baltimore. He’s just not telling until game time.

Brian Griese, the NFL’s top-rated quarterback, practiced during the week despite pain in his injured right shoulder. If Griese is unable to start, the Broncos (11-5) would turn to backup Gus Frerotte.

“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Shanahan said Friday. “Both quarterbacks did well and we did well as a team. Hopefully, we’ll carry it over and do the same thing when we when get to Baltimore.”

Griese missed six games after separating his throwing shoulder on Nov. 13. He returned for the season finale against San Francisco, but left after being hit hard on Denver’s fifth play from scrimmage.

Frerotte went 4-2 as a starter and prepared this week as if he would lead the Broncos against the Ravens (12-4).

“I don’t know when we’re going to find out,” Frerotte said. “We’ll have to wait and see how Brian’s doing and just go from there. Why worry about something you can’t control?”

Baltimore Coach Brian Billick said that he expected to see Griese. Statistically, there is little difference between the two Denver quarterbacks.

In the nine games that Griese was healthy, the Broncos averaged 30.33 points. In the seven games that Frerotte was the primary quarterback, they averaged 30.29 points.

The biggest difference was turnover ratio. Griese has thrown 19 touchdown passes and four interceptions, while Frerotte has nine TDs and eight interceptions.

“Even if he [Griese] is a little bit banged up, he’s still as good as most other quarterbacks in this league because of the way he plays,” Denver receiver Rod Smith said.