Broncos cornerbacks ready to step up if injuries strike Denver again
The Broncos spent $5 million to bring free-agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie into their secondary. The thinking was that his 6-foot-2 stature and wide wingspan would make a nice bookend to perennial Pro Bowl left corner Champ Bailey.

No wonder there was a gasp at Dove Valley when Rodgers-Cromartie hit the ground with an injury at training camp Wednesday. That was followed by a huge sigh of relief when it turned out he had a high sprain of his left ankle an injury expected to sideline him only two to three weeks.

About the only guys who didn't blink when Rodgers-Cromartie was carted off the field were fellow cornerbacks Chris Harris and Tony Carter both of whom entered the NFL as undrafted free agents. It's not that they don't care about their new teammate it's just that they are absolutely convinced they can get the job done no matter how long Rodgers-Cromartie remains out.

"This just puts us back where we were last year" Harris said Friday. "We were a top-three secondary before he got here so we still have guys who can do the job."

Harris a third-year pro out of Kansas stands 5-10. Carter entering his fifth year out of Florida State is 5-9. They insist that what they lack in stature they make up for with experience and a growing familiarity with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio's schemes and philosophy.

"That definitely helps when you know everything about the defense" Carter said. "You can play with more instinct rather than playing with your head swimming out there. We are a year into Coach Del Rio's system and that's a big plus."

Early indications are that Rodgers-Cromartie will be back in plenty of time to prepare for the Sept. 5 season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Del Rio as well as coach John Fox see the injury as a typical hurdle of training camp.Another man down.



Broncos' Joel Dreessen suffers setback to knee
Another starter has suffered a significant injury. Starting tight end Joel Dreessen had a setback in his recovery from kneecap surgery and will be out at least two weeks.

The Broncos’ top two tight ends from last year Dreessen and Jacob Tamme didn’t dress for the scrimmage Saturday. Tamme was sidelined last week with a pulled quad. They combined for 93 receptions in 2012.



Going to put a couple news articles up over the past few days


Broncos lure Ryan Lilja out of retirement
As unretired centers go Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning may have preferred Jeff Saturday. But with the center position in shambles and Manning presumably interested in not having whatever warm body installed at the position thrown into the quarterback’s knees he’ll likely settle for Ryan Lilja.

The Broncos have announced that Lilja has agreed to terms with the team.

Wes Welker details how bond with Bill Belichick fell apart
Wes Welker and the Patriots had a bit of a messy divorce this past offseason when Welker chose to sign with the Denver Broncos for two years and $12 million instead of re-upping with New England for two years and $10 million (plus incentives).

Turns out Welker left the Patriots for more than monetary reasons.

Welker and three Broncos teammates — Peyton Manning Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas — are featured on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated and Welker said one of the reasons he left New England was because Bill Belichick “got on him in a way he never had before admonishing him in front of the team” wrote SI’s Chris Ballard.

“It was just kind of hard” Welker said. “One of those deals where you have to endure him put up with him . . . But he does it to everybody it’s the way he is.”

Welker splashed across the cover in a spread-eagle pose is now free to be himself in Denver but he is still a bit paranoid about violating Belichick’s media rules.

“When I’m answering questions from the Denver media I’m not worried about what the Broncos’ people are going to think” Welker said “I’m worried about what Belichick will think. Isn’t that crazy?”

Welker said he considered signing with only two teams — Denver and New England — and that he’s going to miss Tom Brady whom he grew to appreciate over his six seasons with the Patriots calling him his big brother and best friend.

Hopefuy miller is back for game one but if not we will get through it. Go broncos

Sad day boys
Preseason though best time to find the issues

Big loss for the Broncos. Six games to start the season is a lot. I mean wow! Almost half the season.

We play the Broncos Week 16 (second to last game) and will probably meet a second time in the playoffs.
So this doesn't really help us much. Von Miller should be back and dominating by then.

Its alright. This season it is very important to win games with only offense. The defense is key in playoff success while the offense must steam roll till we get there

Disappointing preseason but its just preseason. Can't wait for kick off
Go bronchos

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning joined Jim Rome on Wednesday on 'Rome' and the two talked about a variety of topics including how Manning feels physically and whether it's harder to learn a new offense or unlearn an old one.

Manning also dropped an interesting nugget: he admitted that he'll probably never be as good as he was before he suffered his neck injury. Here's the transcription of that question.

Rome: Are you as good as you were prior to the injury?

Manning: I don't believe that I am. I'm not sure that I can ever get to 100 percent of where I was before my injury. I've definitely made improvements since last season. Time's probably been my best medicine. I've put a lot of time in rehab wise and physical therapy and I still continue to do that."

Manning also told Rome that it's more difficult to unlearn an old offense than to learn a new one. "It's unlearning" Manning said when asked by Rome which was harder. "[Before Denver] I've been in three offenses in my life. One in high school. One at Tennessee and one with the Indianapolis Colts."

Manning spent 14 years in Indianapolis which is probably why he's nearly called a Colts offensive play in the Denver huddle "It is difficult to unlearn that system and to not call an old play in a new offense" Manning said. "That's probably been one of the bigger challenges."