The Broncos will begin the run at Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona this Wednesday as they open up training camp and the 2014 season begins. The Broncos enter training camp a much different team that entered last year's Super Bowl. Denver looks to defend their AFC Championship crown and add another Lombardi Trophy in the ashes of the Super Bowl debacle at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks. To say that training camp is meaningless is very inaccurate. This is where the team comes together, puts in the work, and establishes itself as it prepares for the real games to start in September. Here is a little primer as we get set to officially start the 2014 season.
Where We Left Off: The last time we saw the Broncos, they were walking off the field at Metlife Stadium under a sea of confetti as the Seahawks thoroughly destroyed them 43-8 in the Super Bowl. As hard as that game was to watch, the worst part was just how badly they played and how it marred such a wonderful 2013 season. The Broncos got their asses handed to them that day and suffered a record 5th Super Bowl defeat in franchise history, but you could tell from that game that they will use that as motivation all year-especially as they start training camp this week.
What Happened Since: For the third straight year, the Broncos made plenty of headlines in the offseason. They signed Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, and DeMarcus Ware to shore up their defense. They also added Emmanuel Sanders to their receiving corps. They had CB Bradley Roby drop to them at #31 in the first round of the NFL Draft in May. On the other hand, the Broncos lost several key players from their 13-3 squad a year ago. Eric Decker, Knowshon Moreno, and Zane Beadles all left their record-setting offense via Free Agency. Denver also lost key players on defense like Wesley Woodyard, Shaun Phillips, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and of course Champ Bailey. That is a lot of turnover for a team that went to the Super Bowl. The feeling is that the players they signed and the combination of younger guys stepping up will replace those players that left, but only time will tell. Some of the new guys have a lot to prove to replace some of those key contributors from last year's team.
Position Battles at Camp: It seems like every year we start this section by talking about the MLB position. Denver never really seems to adequately address this spot. In camp, the battle will involve Nate Irving, Steven Johnson, and rookie Lamin Barrow all seemed to be battling for this spot. If one of them doesn't win it outright, then don't be surprised to see the Broncos find a veteran to sign to fill that spot late in the preseason. Another spot to look at is at LG. Denver is trying to move RT Orlando Franklin over to that spot to replace Beadles. If that doesn't work out, then look for the possibility of Manny Ramirez moving over there from center.
Surprise Roster Cuts: I don't know if this would be a major surprise, but I could see Andre Caldwell being a casualty. If rookie 2nd round pick Cody Latimer steps up in camp, then maybe Caldwell gets whacked. Also, don't be surprised if a veteran like Kevin Vickerson gets shown the door if some of the younger guys on the defensive line play well in camp and if Vickerson can't fully recover from his hip injury that ended his 2013 season.
Out of Nowhere Players: This name was brought up in OTAs and it is worth watching during camp: Isaiah Burse. He is an undrafted free agent WR out of Fresno State. Burse could make an impact in the return game, and don't be surprised if he dazzles once he gets on the field with the rest of those receivers.
Biggest Questions That Need To Be Answered: What is the mental makeup of this team? After doing everything that they were supposed to do in 2013 (13-3 record, #1 seed in AFC, AFC Champions) this team got embarrassed in the Super Bowl by the Seahawks. It is very hard to go back to square one and make it back to the Super Bowl after losing the year before. Does this team have it in them to get back? Can they get that game out of their minds and focus on the week-to-week grind of a NFL season? We all know that Peyton Manning will be focused and hungry to get to the Super Bowl and finish the job this time, but can everyone else on the roster follow his lead? That is the question that will plague the Broncos all year, and it won't be answered until next February in Arizona.
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