As training camp draws ever near I wanted to take a look at what has been making news for the Broncos. There has not been much noise coming out of Dove Valley the last few weeks but it has really heated up in the last few days leading up to Training Camp. Mainly three news stories that we will continue to follow as they develop.
News Headlines
Ryan Clady Extension
If the DenverPost is to be believed the Broncos have offered Clady a contract in the range of a 5-year deal worth $50 Million, with $28 Million guaranteed. This is close to Top-5 money for the left tackle position. But there are reports out Clady is looking for 'Joe Thomas' type money (Thomas signed an 8-year, $92 million contract last August, with $44 Million guaranteed.) The two sides will continue to negotiate the terms in a hope to extend Clady soon but it is doubtful that would happen before Training Camp starts. Elvis Dumervil Arrest
Elvis joins a long list of other players that were arrested over the offseason. The list can be found here.Dumervil was charged by Miami Beach police with a charge of aggravated assault after he was accused of lifting his shirt and showing a handgun in his waistband during a road rage incident last Saturday on Collins Ave. in Miami's South Beach area.
Sources close to Dumervil say he was not wearing a gun. Further, the sources say the Land Rover Elvis was driving and the gun are not registered to him.
One of Dumervil's friends, Andy Auguste, was also arrested on an aggravated assault charge. The incident was reported on a 911 call by an employee at a nearby Victoria's Secret store. During the 911 call, the employee mentioned people screaming from a white Chevy Impala and a person brandinshing a gun from a Mercedes, but never mentioned the Land Rover or anyone it. The police report from the incident said Auguste was a passenger in the Mercedes.
According to the Miami-Dade County Court website, Elvis Dumervil has a preliminary hearing on his aggravated assault charge set for Aug. 16. Judge Darrin Gayles has been assigned to the case.
Dumervil will report along with his teammates to Broncos training camp Wednesday for meetings and conditioning. The team's first training camp practice will commence at 8:50 a.m. Thursday.
Elvis has stated the truth will come out and that he has nothing to hide. For his sake I hope that is the case but the Ginger Hammer may still come down on him with a suspension.
Colorado Aurora Shooting
As Colorado continues to mourn and try to understand the massacre at Aurora, the Broncos are trying to do their part and bring the community together. Broncos players visited victims in hospital to show support and hopefully put a smile on their faces. More info and pictures can be found here, here and here.Peyton Manning also called hospital rooms to talk to some of the victims and listen to their stories, for more go here.
Champ Files with Thunderbirds
There is a nice gallery here of Champ's day with the Air Force but all I was thinking about was this video.Training Camp Primer
With Training Camp only days away there are a number of key positional battles occurring. Almost every position has some form of battle or a point of interest that we the fan should watch closely. Below are my thoughts entering Training Camp on a position by position bases.Offense
With new players and the integration of a new scheme/plays it is hard to know what to expect from the Broncos Offense. This will make it interesting viewing as we may see a few things the Broncos haven't done before or in quite a while.
Quarterback
This will be the first chance fans get to take a look at new starting QB Peyton Manning. It will give the fans a chance to gauge where they believe Manning is at compared to what has been reported. It will also be another chance for him to test his health.The interesting battle happening at quarterback is for the No 2 job. Adam Weber twittered that he is in a competition with Hanie and Osweiler for that position. You would think Osweiler and Hanie are the favorites for the position with Weber a distant third but anything can happen.
Running Back
Who will perform and who will stay healthy is the question. It is almost every year the Broncos lose a running back in camp to some injury and the same will probably happen this year. Every RB position is open for competition but Willis McGahee should keep the number one job. The question lies in who will make up the remainder of the running back corps. From Knowshon Moreno, rookie Ronnie Hillman, returning from injury Mario Fannin and holdovers Jeremiah Johnson and Lance Ball. Plus a few other young backs that may be able to upstage the others. Ronnie Hillman is a lock to make the team. Moreno on the other hand should be a little worried. It is easy to say now that he is the second best or third best back on the roster. But if Fannin or JJ can set up their game it may move Moreno down into cuttable territory. Ball should not make the the team
