Latest Buzz Surrounding the Denver Broncos Ahead of Training Camp

For many fans in Mile High, Friday serves as one of several Christmas mornings during the football season, as the Denver Broncos open the first of 14 training camp practices to the public at the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre in Englewood, Colorado on July 31.

Almost all teams enter camp with question marks for the upcoming season, and Denver is no exception. One of the biggest questions that will need to be answered in August is how the Broncos plan to protect their 39-year-old quarterback for 16 games and beyond.

Peyton Manning was banged up for the tail-end of last season and the playoff loss to the Colts with a tear in his right quad, which certainly limited his performances.

Now a year older, things won't get any easier health-wise for the future Hall of Famer, and new head coach Gary Kubiak has a tough task ahead to mesh Manning with his running-style offense.

The pressure will obviously be put on the offensive line to not only protect Manning, but to open up holes for the Denver running backs. A strong running game will help open up the passing game, but only if the line can make it happen.

Four of Denver's five starters on the offensive line will be new faces this season, with the only returning starter being Louis Vasquez, who moves to right guard after playing half of last season as right tackle.

The Broncos suffered a huge blow to their line when All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL in May. Denver has been scrambling to find the right fit and looked to Ty Sambrailo, a second-round pick, who will mostly likely fill in the blank to protect Manning's blind side.

Ben Garland, a former defensive linemen, is slated for left guard, and Chris Clark has come into camp as a starter at right tackle. Michael Schofield and Ryan Harris—who was signed after the Clady injury—will also compete for a spot.

Denver's latest attempt to bolster its line came on Thursday when the team met with Jake Long, the former No. 1 draft pick of Miami in 2008. The 30-year-old was released by the Rams in the spring after missing nine games with his second torn ACL.

However, ESPN.com writer Jeff Legwold reported Thursday that team executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway will not sign Long—at least not yet. According to Elway:

"We brought him in, we’re doing out homework on him," he said. "… We’ll continue to look at all our different options in training camp. We wanted to bring him in and take a look at him, but at this point in time we’re not going to make any move."

Kubiak's passing schemes will feature several sets with two tight ends, which might give enough extra help on the edges to give Manning time to run the plays.

Plans are already in place to further help Manning's health, even though it's only training camp.

USA Today's Lindsay Jones also reported Thursday that Denver plans to rest Manning each week, stating:

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This training camp will be markedly different for Manning, in that every three or four days he will be sent to the sidelines. The Broncos are hoping the added rest will help keep Manning fresh, while also giving much-needed practice time to backup Brock Osweiler, who despite having been on the roster for three years, has rarely spent full practices running the first-team offense.

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And though the veteran quarterback may not be happy while watching action from the sidelines, Jones also reported some comments from Elway regarding the decision. Elway noted:

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The key thing with Peyton, and I think Peyton is on board with it, is that even though you can't feel it now, and if you're doing too much work now, eventually that's going to catch up to you. At 37, 38, 39-years-old, where he is, you can't make that up at the end. It's going to be important that he's a part of that management process and going to be able to take some time off to where he is just as good late as he is early, and we don't wear him down.

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Manning won't be the only Bronco taking it easy. Andrew Mason reported for denverbroncos.com that five players—tight end Virgil Green, linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan, defensive end Antonio Smith and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas—will be limited when training camp begins.

As it stands, the following weeks will be a great way for the Broncos to see what they'll have on the offensive line and what changes they might need to make before Week 1.

Manning has a lot to learn in Kubiak's system, but he should learn quickly and begin developing a rhythm with the running game and receiving corps. 

The Denver brass are also wise to manage Manning's health early, as the protection he receives in the pocket could be what makes or breaks the Broncos offense this season—an offense which is already expected to win a division title.