Rounding Up the Latest Denver Broncos Offseason Buzz
The Denver Broncos wrap up minicamp this week at Dove Valley. It has been a busy offseason for the Broncos as they continue to build what they hope is a Super Bowl champion this year.
Things are in motion for the Broncos as they work toward the start of training camp at the end of July. Players have gotten hurt, others are getting opportunities, and a few are losing out on valuable offseason reps.
In this article, we round up the latest offseason buzz concerning the Broncos.
Ty Sambrailo Is the Starting Left Tackle
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When All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady went down with a season-ending ACL injury, the Broncos were left scrambling at the position. In a move that could have happened a couple of years down the road, the Broncos inserted rookie Ty Sambrailo at left tackle.
According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the Broncos have rookie Ty Sambrailo locked into the left tackle spot entering training camp.
Originally thought to be competing for the starting right tackle position, Sambrailo will flip sides before his pro career really gets started. Luckily for the Broncos, he mostly played left tackle during his time in college at Colorado State. Even better, Colorado State used a similar zone-blocking system that the Broncos are implementing this season.
Sambrailo now has the responsibility of protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side. The rookie is athletic enough to mirror rushers on the outside. He gets out of his stance quickly and plays with a nasty disposition, which helps him against ferocious defenders. If he can prove himself against NFL-caliber rushers, then Sambrailo could be a fine left tackle for the Broncos this year—and into the future.
Montee Ball Expecting Big Role
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Last year was a colossal disappointment for 2013 second-round running back Montee Ball. He began the regular season as the starter, but a preseason appendectomy sapped him of his true ability. Later in the 2014 season, he ended up hurting his groin in what was essentially a season-ending injury.
This year, Ball is staring up at C.J. Anderson on the depth chart. Regardless of the current situation, Ball is confident in his ability as he tries to win the starting job back.
Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports that Ball is expecting a big role this season.
Head coach Gary Kubiak has featured two running backs in a single season before. In 2005 as offensive coordinator for the Broncos, he crafted an offense that involved Mike Anderson (1,014 yards) and Tatum Bell (921 yards) on the ground. However, when Kubiak has a workhorse, he chooses to use one primary back like he did most seasons with Arian Foster and the Houston Texans.
Ball looks better at minicamp this year, but he’s not as fluid in the zone-blocking system as Anderson is. This battle will be heated in training camp, but Ball may not get the big role he’s expecting unless he outright beats Anderson for the top job.
It’s a good problem for the Broncos to have, and Kubiak will make the right decision for his offense in 2015.
Demaryius Thomas May Skip Camp?
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The Broncos are negotiating with franchise-tagged wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. The two sides have until July 15 to reach a new long-term deal. After that deadline, he will have no choice but to play on his one-year tender of $12.8 million.
Chris Wesseling of NFL.com reports that Thomas is not expected to attend camp if there’s no new deal in place.
This sounds ominous right now, but the reality is Denver has several weeks before it gets to that point of the offseason. Deals get done at deadlines in the NFL, and Thomas could sign an 11th-hour deal with the Broncos similar to the way then franchise-tagged Ryan Clady signed his deal on July 14, 2013.
It’s too early to say whether or not Thomas would skip training camp in protest of his contract situation. The Broncos are in a make-or-break season, and he is an important asset for what they hope is a championship campaign. They’ll work diligently right up to the deadline to find a new contract that properly pays one of the best wide receivers in the game.
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C.J. Anderson Even Better
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This season, the Broncos are utilizing a zone-blocking system that is perfect for third-year running back C.J. Anderson. Last year, he took over as the Broncos starter when Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman were injured. He proved to be more effective than both of them, and Anderson led the league in rushing over the final six weeks of the regular season.
Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com speculates that Anderson could be even better this year.
He sits atop the depth chart at this time, but Ball will push him in training camp for the starting job. A more powerful player, Anderson has the ability to beat Ball in a straight-up competition. Anderson runs with authority, plus he’s proven as a reliable receiver out of the backfield.
The zone-blocking system requires backs to be patient and decisive at the same time. Anderson fits this mold, as he knows how to set up defenders at the second level before he crosses the line of scrimmage. He’ll press the hole and follow his blocks unless a cutback lane opens up to his inside.
Anderson is in better shape than he was last year at OTAs, and he knows the competition he’ll face in camp from Ball. If he wins the starting job, Anderson has the ability (and is in the right offense) to lead the league in rushing.
Peyton Manning Is Unhappy
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Without Demaryius Thomas at offseason workouts, Peyton Manning expressed his frustration with his teammate’s contract situation.
NFL Network Media Insider Ian Rapaport reported last Thursday on NFL Total Access that Manning is already upset that Thomas doesn't have a new deal and isn't in Denver.
It’s understandable for a guy like Manning to have frustrations when a key component of the offense is missing out on precious installation of the new system. He has established fantastic chemistry with Thomas, and the two make one of the most dangerous combinations in the NFL.
Manning stated his feelings after minicamp practice earlier this year.
“When you’re out there on the field, you certainly wish that No. 88 was out there. At the same time, Demaryius is a young player. He’s played extremely well the first few years in his career. In my opinion, he has established himself as one of the top receivers in the NFL.”
Manning emphasized, “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him to be out there on the left or right side opposite [WR] Emmanuel [Sanders] during these practices. Like I said, I understand it and I want what’s best for him. I really do. Hopefully there is that happy medium for both sides and we can get him in here soon and put it all behind everybody.”
Thomas will eventually show up at Dove Valley, and he should pick up his role in the Kubiak offense quickly. Regardless of when he shows up, Manning is certain to pepper his favorite target with plenty of passes when the regular season rolls around.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.
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