Broncos Training Camp: 1 Week Down

     Here we go,the 2013 NFL season has begun, and the Denver Broncos are strapping up and getting ready for there Super Bowl run.  Peyton Manning is returning to the Mile High City, not only in his 2nd year from neck surgery,but in his 2nd year with the Broncos, and he is dialed in.  At 38, with the career that he has built, the offense is paying more attention and they are more familiar with his schemes.  (#27)Knowshon Moreno looks to be the front runner at RB, but (#21)Ronnie Hillman has been running with the first team early on in drills. My pick in week 1, starting at RB will be (38)Montee Ball.  The rookie from Wisconsin is very pumped to be working with Peyton, and already has the intangibles to play the position, to go along with his pure talent.  I have been following Ball over the last couple years at Wisconsin, and I always say that good rushing talent comes out of there.  Ball really does remind a lot of Terrel Davis.  He's not afraid to lower his shoulders and hit, he's got good agility, and breakaway speed.  The Broncos got rid of McGahee for a reason, and I believe Montee Ball is it.  My prediction is he will get 1,000 yards rushing, and at least 5 TD's, and will be up for Offensive Rookie of the Year.  If Peyton can get a respectable running game to go along with his aerial attack, the Broncos should average over 30 points a game.

     That brings me to (#83)Wes Welker.  He is the slot WR that Peyton has been looking for his whole career.  Last year, in the same spot, Brandon Stokely had 544 receiving yards, and 5 TD's in only 45 catches.  Stokely was 37, Welker is 32.  Last year with Tom Brady in New England, Welker had 118 receptions, 1,354 yards and 6 TD's.  Welker will be Peyton's security blanket, if Thomas is covered deep, Decker and Tamme are covered at the first down marker, Welker will be there underneath, and will be open a lot! I predict that Welker will get 1,000 yards, but will end up with over 10 TD's, cause he's gonna end up in the end zone in front of that new beautiful giant screen over the South Stands at Sports Authority field at Mile High.

     Now let's shift over to the D, and get the elephant in the room on his way.  Von Miller's 4 game suspension looming over puts a little cloud over Dove Valley, but he does still have a very small chance at winning the appeal, but moving forward the Broncos are going to plan to start the season without him.  The signing of LB (#90) Shaun Phillips from the Chargers will prove to be quietly the best signing for the D.  Look to him to fill Von's spot while he's gone, and don't forget, this D has played without Von and has still been dominant. Yes, it will be a little bit tougher without him, but the Broncos will be able to get it done.
     I can see the D running a 3-3-5(3 LB's, 3 DL's and 5 DB's) scheme a lot in those first games  Put a lot of speed on the field, because teams will be passing, trying to keep up with Peyton's fast scoring offense, so they need hands to create turnovers.  I see Phillips, (#53)Bradley, (#52)Woodyard at LB, (#91)Ayers, (#92)Williams, and (#95)Wolfe at DL, and (#32)Chris Harris, Champ Bailey, (#45)D. Rodgers-Cromartie, (#34)Quinton Jammer and (#20)Mike Adams in the secondary.  I think Jammer is gonna beat out Rahim Moore, unless Moore can get better at coverage.
     Lot of good feelings going on in Dove Valley, and I'm going to be putting a lot of attention this year, on a player who has quietly become a piece of this team, as well as my new favorite player.  Wesley Woodyard, number 52 in your programs.  From the University of Kentucky, a school more known for it's basketball program, Woodyard was drafted in 2008 under Mike Shanahan, he has made his way from playing on special teams, to becoming the Captain of special teams, to starting on D, and now is the Captain of the D.  He has the vocal leadership as well as the physical leadership to lead and play by example.  Go get em Woodyard, I'm cheerin' loud for ya buddy!