Another offseason week behind us and another week closer to training camp and the start of the NFL season.
And with a bow officially now on OTAs, here’s a quick review of the news – with some accompanying views – from the week that was in Broncos Country:
Headline: Injury questions still dogging inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall
Bottom line: Trevathan, who finished last season on injured reserve after sustaining three separate injuries to his left leg, had surgery to replace his kneecap in early January and has at least been able to get in limited reps in individual drills this offseason. Marshall, meanwhile, had two screws placed in his foot as he recovers from last season’s Lisfranc injury and has been unable to participate in any drills this spring. Both remain question marks for the start of training camp July 30, and that’s an issue for Wade Phillips and Co. as Trevathan and Marshall – who have led the Orange in Blue in tackles, respectively, over the last two seasons – are being counted on to man the middle in the team’s new 3-4 defense. Steven Johnson and Todd Davis stepped in during OTAs, but that duo and the rest of the other ILB candidates represent a sizable drop-off from a healthy Trevathan and Marshall.
Headline: Taste of the Broncos event raises more than $50K for the Food Bank of the Rockies
Bottom line: This figures to become an annual event on the Broncos’ offseason calendar after the inaugural edition sold out at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Fans ponied up to dine on food served by 30 of the Mile High City’s finest restaurants and watched as Broncos players “conducted” the Colorado Symphony Orchestra as it played fight songs from various alma maters. The star of the show, of course, was the now-wealthier Food Bank of the Rockies, and that’s all that really matters.
Headline: Von Miller comes in at 33rd on the NFL Network’s list of the league’s top 100 players of 2015
Bottom line: Miller, the third member of the Orange and Blue to be named to the annual list so far this season, improved his ranking by a full 43 spots from a year ago. These rankings have more credibility and luster than a number of the other compilations as they’re voted on by their peers, and it shows the re-gained respect Miller has won back following his suspension- and injury-addled 2013 season. But it also demonstrates that the ace pass-rusher still has some work to do if he has designs on cracking the top 20 or top 10 and joining the league’s true elite.
Headline: C.J. Anderson heading to training camp atop Broncos’ depth chart at running back
Bottom line: And deservedly so after Anderson paced the league in rushing yards (648) and rushing touchdowns (eight) from Week 12 on last season and was one of the few bright spots in Denver’s dud of a divisional playoff loss to the Colts in January. Anderson showed up at Dove Valley in even better shape this offseason, and it was evident during OTA but the last thing the 2013 undrafted rookie find needs is a little overconfidence or smugness as recent high team draft picks Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman aren’t simply planning on conceding the starting gig.
