It is unusually quiet at Dove Valley this July. Head Coach Mike Shanahan cancelled the usual July mini-camp so the players are doing what they personally need to do to get ready for the July 24^th opening of training camp. Generally, all the players who are recuperating from surgeries and injuries are continuing their rehab and are on schedule for their individual returns. The new Broncos and especially the rookies are studying their playbooks so they can do whatever is asked of them when ever the opportunity is presented. The veteran Broncos are wishing that training camp was over and that they escaped with out injury.

· WR Brandon Marshall is the biggest concern not only because of his injury but also because of his off-field problems. Shanahan says he is happy with where Marshall is at but QB Jay Cutler is less than thrilled about Marshall’s continued antics. It is interesting to note that Marshall was working out in Atlanta with Cutler and TE Tony Scheffler at the time of his latest domestic abuse charge and they were not the ones who bailed him out of jail. The Denver fan base is about 50-50 on whether or not Marshall should be dumped. It will take a top-notch season for Marshall to regain the fans good graces.

· RB Selvin Young may not have been Shanahan’s first choice to be the starting running back for Denver. Travis Henry’s attitude and another failed drug test pushed the issue. Young will have competition from RB Andre Hall for the number one job. Arguably, Hall has superior talent to young but he is also hampered by injury worries and coming from a small school program. Fantasy players will need to be cautious about when they take a piece of the Bronco running game. IMO, Young and Hall give the Broncos similar capabilities so that if one gets dinged the other can carry the load with little adjustment to the game plan. That would leave Michael Pittman and Ryan Torain to be true power backs when that is needed.

· WR Eddie Royal will get a legitimate look as the number two receiver. He is hampered by size but not by heart. Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert and Sammie Parker are better than any one Denver had at number two last season but that isn’t saying much. Royal has been impressive enough to warrant a look and see how he adjusts to the NFL. If Jackson returns to his Seattle form (and stays healthy) he will be a great second weapon for Cutler. If Marshall is suspended for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct code, Jackson may have to be the number one receiver.

· TE Tony Scheffler will likely play in pain the entire season even if he is cleared to go at the start of training camp. I don’t think there is any doubt that he can play with pain and he will be on Cutler’s radar early and often.

The biggest concern going into the 2008 season is whether or not the Broncos have what they need to improve their play on both the offensive line and at defensive tackle. I’m optimistic enough at this point of the season to think they have, but check back with me after training camp starts and see if that changes. Let’s look at the talent pool.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Broncos offensive line has been in decline for the past couple of years. They gave up 30+ sacks in 2006 and 2007. Cutler’s youth (and pocket passing style) coupled with injuries and youth on the line were contributing factors. The rushing yards per game dropped from 158.7 in 2005 (#2) to 134.5 in 2006 (#8) and 122.3 in 2007 (#9). Age and injuries contributed to the Broncos inability to smash it down the opponent’s throat and consequently the offense petered out in the red zone and on short yardage. Shanahan has addressed the offensive line through the draft and with solid free agent acquisitions. · Veteran C Tom Nalen (15^th year) will be counted on to play at a high level with all the youth beside him. If he does, the Broncos will be successful. C Casey Wiegmann (13^th year) has an athletic/movement-based style that fits perfectly into the Broncos system and is solid insurance if Nalen goes down. Rookie Kory Lichtensteiger (C/G) is not very big, not very powerful, but he is very smart, very athletic and very mean. · G Ben Hamilton (8^th year) has been given a clean bill of health after his concussion problems in 2007. The Broncos need him to play at a high level as well as need his experience. G Montrae Holland (6th year) was a free acquisition in 2007 that actually worked out. At 6’2" 322lbs with outstanding athleticism, Holland is the prototype for the future Bronco lineman. Rookie G Mitch Erikson will likely be on the practice squad as another Broncos "diamond in the rough". · Rookie T Ryan Clady must have a good year if the Broncos are to be solid this year. He has the size, athleticism, footwork and lateral movement to get the job done. All we can do is wait and see. T Erik Pears (3^rd year) is clumsy but makes up for it with brute strength. He needs to keep improving to remain a valuable member of the offensive line. T Ryan Harris (2^nd year) is an unknown quantity because of back issues. The Broncos hope he will be ready if called upon to backup Clady and Pears. Rookie T Tyler Polumbus will, like Erikson, be developed on the practice squad. I give the Bronco offensive line a "B".

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Denver ran a run contain defensive scheme under ousted DC Jim Bates. The defensive tackles needed to be big and able to hold the center of the line (not penetrate) because the opponents were supposed to be forced to run the center as the game progressed. Unfortunately, the outside linebackers and the defensive tackles failed in their responsibilities and the rest, as they say, is history. Only Miami and Oakland gave up more yards on the ground. If the defensive tackles are going to get the job done, it will all begin with the most talented defensive tackle, Dwayne Robertson. Keeping Robertson healthy, fresh and on the field is a priority for Denver. DT Marcus Thomas has similar talent to Robertson and seems to be on the road to becoming a solid pro. Unlike Brandon Marshall, Thomas has avoided his old friends and trouble during the off-season. Rookie DT Carlton Powell is solid in all areas and will supply solid depth. DT Steven Harris (2^nd year) needs to make strides in his second year and show that he has growth potential. DT Alvin McKinley (9^th year) will play a key roll on the field and in the locker room if he isn’t passed for a roster spot to keep a younger player. The Broncos need for this group of tackles to exceed expectations. I rate the defensive tackles "C" hoping for a "B"!

FANTASY OUTLOOK

QUARTERBACK

CUTLER: 3476 yards passing with 22 TDs and 14 interceptions; 165 yards rushing with 1 TD

RAMSEY: 291 yards passing with 1 TD; 7 yards rushing, no TDs

RUNNING BACKS

YOUNG: 887 yards rushing with 5 TDs; 211 yards receiving with 1 TD

PITTMAN: 197 yards rushing with 2 TDs; 145 yards receiving with 1 TD

TORAIN: 178 yards rushing with 2 TDs; 33 yards receiving, no TDs

SAPP: 51 yards rushing with 2 TDs; 66 yards receiving, no TDs

HALL: 310 yards with 1 TD; 41 yards receiving, no TDs

WIDE RECEIVERS

MARSHALL: 1346 yards receiving with 10 TDs

JACKSON: 316 yards receiving with 2 TDs

STOKLEY: 446 yards receiving with 2 TDs

COLBERT: 113 yards receiving, no TDs

PARKER: 80 yards receiving with 1 TD

ROYAL: 60 yards receiving, no TDs

TIGHT ENDS

SCHEFFLER: 593 yards receiving with 5 TDs

GRAHAM: 128 yards receiving with 1 TD

JACKSON: 41 yards receiving, no TDs

KICKER

PRATER: 21 field goals and 33 extra points

DEFENSE

31 sacks; 12 fumble recoveries; 15 interceptions; 4 defense/special teams TDs; 379 (23.6g) points against; 5,392 (337g) yards against; 1 safety

ROOKIE SIGNINGS

1. FB Peyton Hillis
2. RB Ryan Torain
3. DT Carlton Powell
4. LB Spencer Larsen
5. S Josh Barrett

GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!