2008 Denver Broncos – Training Camp Preview – Overview

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The 2008 Denver Broncos report for training camp this Thursday, July 24, with practices beginning at 8:30 11:15 AM on Friday.  Like every year, some positions on the roster are set in stone; others will require competition to determine the starter.  We’re breaking our coverage into five parts, starting today with an overview of the entire team. Tomorrow we’ll discuss the rookies, both drafted and undrafted, and how they fit into this team. Tuesday through Thursday we’ll break down the team in detail unit by unit, particularly focusing on the battles that you can expect to see.

• Sunday – Overview
• Monday – Rookies
• Tuesday – Special Teams
• Wednesday – Offense
• Thursday – Defense

Offense

Quarterback – Jay Cutler, Patrick Ramsey, Darrell Hackney
Young Jay Cutler is entering his third year under Mike Shanahan, an event that has resulted in breakout years for QB’s in years past. The pressure is on Cutler in 2007 to live up to those expectations. Last year, Cutler played most of the second half of the season suffering from an undiagnosed case of Type I Diabetes; with the condition now under control, Cutler is healthy and feeling better than he has in months. His backup Patrick Ramsey is a journeyman veteran, and Darrell Hackney will have to earn a spot in camp

Running Back – Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall, Ryan Torain
Young has the starting job locked up, and if he can stay healthy, he will earn most of the snaps during the season. Young even went so far as to predict that he would earn the fabled 2,000 yard season this year. Behind him, Pittman, Hall and Torain will battle for backup duties; expect the odd man out of this group to be cut before the season starts. We’ll have more on this training camp battle on Wednesday.

Fullback – Cecil Sapp, Mike Bell, Peyton Hillis
Cecil Sapp hit the free agent market this year then quickly re-signed with the Broncos. He’s the incumbent starter, but will face new competition from impressive-looking fan favorite 7th round rookie Peyton Hillis. Mike Bell will really have to step up to make the team this year. We’ll discuss this more on Wednesday.

Tight End – Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Nate Jackson, Chad Mustard, Brett Pierce
Daniel Graham signed a mega deal contract with the Broncos in 2007, and for many fans, his production was a bit of a disappointment. Signing the second largest contract for a tight end in NFL history, Graham was forced to stay near the line and aid in blocking as the offensive line struggled all year long. Meanwhile, Tony Scheffler shined when healthy in his second year, finishing the season as a Top 10 tight end statistically. Backup Nate Jackson has been given another chance to produce after re-signing this year, and Chad Mustard is on the bubble for making the roster. Brett Pierce is a camp body.

Offensive Tackle – Ryan Clady, Chris Kuper, Erik Pears, Ryan Harris, Tyler Polumbus
First round rookie Ryan Clady has been designated the starting left tackle from the start, replacing the retired Matt Lepsis. Clady will struggle at times in 2008, but he’ll likely still be an upgrade over Lepsis and the trouble he had last year overcoming his knee injury. Last year’s starting right tackle Erik Pears has been moved to the backup LT spot exclusively. Meanwhile, at right tackle, 2007 third round pick Ryan Harris will compete with 2006 5th round pick Chris Kuper for the right tackle spot. Harris has yet to play in the NFL, and Kuper was the team’s starting left guard for the last 11 games of the season. Tyler Polumbus, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado, will likely be resigned to the practice squad. We’ll have more on the right tackle training camp battle on Wednesday.

Guard and Center – Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen, Montrae Holland, Dylan Gandy, Casey Wiegmann, Kory Lichtensteiger, P.J. Alexander, Mitch Erickson
The starting spots will again be filled by Ben Hamilton (LG), Tom Nalen (C), and Montrae Holland (RG). Hamilton suffered a concussion in training camp last year and never saw a snap; Nalen was knocked out in Week 5 with a torn biceps. Both are healthy heading into the season. The Broncos added depth behind them in the form of former Colts guard Dylan Gandy, and former Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann. Wiegmann is an old veteran in the NFL (34 years old, though not as old as Nalen at 37); both are solid backups if the starters struggle coming back from injury. Rookie Lichtensteiger will play special teams and learn the ropes, while RT hopeful Chris Kuper can play guard in a pinch if needed. Guards P.J. Alexander and Mitch Erickson will most likely be the odd men out.

Wide Reciever – Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert, Samie Parker, Eddie Royal, Glenn Martinez, Clifford Russell, Edell Shepherd, Sam Lorne, Marquay McDaniel
Brandon Marshall is arguably the most talented player on the Broncos roster, but off field issues, including injury and arrests, have left a cloud of uncertainty over his 2008 campaign (and beyond). If he’s able, he’ll be the starting #1 WR. Brandon Stokley returns for another season after a great year with the Broncos last year, and is the designated slot #3 receiver. The competition for the #2 spot will be fierce, with Darrell Jackson and Samie Parker brought in to compete with Keary Colbert. All three were free agent signings for the Broncos this year, though the Broncos paid Colbert the most money, and are hoping he will be the #2 for years to come. Rookie Eddie Royal has been impressive and might make a splash, but his biggest impact in 2008 will most likely come from special teams as a returner. Glenn Martinez played in several games for the Broncos last year, but could be the odd man out this year, depending on how many the Broncos keep and if he can show he can compete with the likes of DJack and Parker at the #2 spot. Sam Lorne, an undrafted rookie, will likely make the practice squad, along with 2007 practice squadder Marquay McDaniel. Shepherd and Russell are likely camp bodies. We’ll have much more on the training camp battle for the #2 receiver, and a roster spot in general, when we break down the offense Wednesday.

Defense

Defensive Tackle –DeWayne Robertson, Alvin McKinley, Marcus Thomas, Carlton Powell, Steven Harris, Kenny Peterson, Josh Mallard
The team’s Achilles heel last year, the defensive line struggled against the run all year long, particularly at the defensive tackle position. The Broncos traded for former first round pick DeWayne Robertson, who comes with a knee injury that couldn’t pass a physical but that hasn’t made him miss any games since 2005. Penciled in as a starter next to him is Alvin McKinley, who’s a decent DT who showed flashes last year. 2007 4th round draft pick will push McKinley for the starting job. Rookie 5th rounder Carlton Powell will see snaps behind them, and if the Broncos keep five DT’s (and I think they will), Steven Harris, Kenny Peterson, and Josh Mallard (who had 3.5 sacks last year in limited game time) will battle for the spot. We’ll have more on this training camp battle Thursday.

Defensive End – Elvis Dumervil,Ebenezer Ekuban, Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, John Engelberger, Paul Carrington, Larry Birdine, Nic Clemons
The starting defensive ends heading into training camp are Ekuban and Dumervil, although I’ve argued several times this offseason that Dumervil might be a better fit as a situational player than an every down defensive end. 2nd year players Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, the team’s top selections in last year’s draft, will push for the starting jobs but at this point seem settled into their positions. John Engelberger started last year but will likely compete with Moss and Crowder for backup snaps. Carrington, Birdine and Clemons are likely camp bodies.

Linebacker – Boss Bailey, Niko Koutouvides, D.J. Williams, Nate Webster, Jamie Winborn, Louis Green, Spencer Larsen, Wesley Woodyard, Jordan Beck
The new starters for the Denver Broncos in 2008 are Boss Bailey at strong side (free agent out of Detroit), Niko Koutouvides in the middle (free agent out of Seattle), and D.J. Williams at weak side (moving back from playing SAM and MIKE the past three seasons). Nate Webster, the starting SLB last year, will push Koutouvides for the starting job and has already earned some snaps with the first team. Jamie Winborn saw limited action at WILL last year and played well; he’ll pack up D.J. at that spot this year. Louis Green and Jordan Beck, primarily special teams players for the Broncos, will have to show they can be valuable backups as well to make the team this year. Rookies Spencer Larsen (6th round) and Wesley Woodyard (undrafted) will also be competing for a roster spot, with Larsen having the obvious edge as a draft pick. If the Broncos only keep 6 linebackers, Green, Beck, Larsen, and Woodyard will all be fighting for one spot. We’ll have plenty more on this training camp battle when we break down the defense on Thursday.

Cornerback – Champ Bailey, Dre Bly, Karl Paymah, Domonique Foxworth, Jack Williams, Lamont Reid, Christian Morton
Champ Bailey is as good as it gets and has a starting spot locked up. Dre Bly will start opposite him, although in nickel situations he will likely move to the nickel corner spot again, leaving Paymah as the #2. Domonique Foxworth is a versatile backup at both cornerback and safety, and Jack Williams will be groomed this year as one of the team’s 4th round draft picks. Lamont Reid, a practice squadder last year, may find himself there again this year, and I have no idea who the hell Christian Morton is.

Safety – John Lynch, Hamza Abdullah, Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, Josh Barrett, Roderick Rogers
Quite a bit of shakeup at the safety position for the Broncos this year, although Lynch and Abdullah are still penciled in as starters. Marlon McCree is set to replace Lynch in nickel situations – a situation that could see him earn nearly as many snaps as Lynch anyway. Manuel can play both free and strong safety and will push Abdullah for the starting job. The Broncos are in no hurry with Josh Barrett and can groom him on the bench – assuming he makes the team, it will be the first time the Broncos have carried five safeties in recent memory. Roderick Rogers saw limited time in the last two games of the season in 2007, but is more than likely the odd man out this year.

Special Teams

Kicker – Matt Prater,
The departure of Jason Elam leaves the Broncos in a situation they haven’t seen in over 15 years – a training camp battle to determine who will win the team’s kicking duties. My money’s on Hartley to win the job, but we’ll have more on this battle when we break down special teams on Tuesday.

Punter – Sam Paulescu, Brett Kern
Paulescu played decent for the Broncos in the final game last year, but he’ll be pushed by undrafted rookie Brett Kern in the meantime. We’ll have more on this training camp battle Tuesday.

Long Snapper – Mike Leach
God of the Gridiron. Actually, Leach will have to show he’s worth keeping on the roster with 4th round rookie Lichtensteiger able to compete for long snapping duties. We’ll discuss this a bit more on Tuesday as well.

We are 5 days from the start of training camp – and the end of this hellish droll that we call the offseason. Keep it locked here tomorrow through Thursday as we continue to break down what you can expect from the Denver Broncos training camp this year.

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