When the Denver Broncos signed cornerback Aqib Talib to a 6 year deal worth $57 million, big things were obviously expected. Last year, Talib easily fulfilled those $57 million expectations. He was once again a lockdown corner and a headache for many an offensive coordinator, all of which culminated in his second Pro Bowl nod.

Still, for as positive an impact Talib can have between the lines, he can have just as negative an impact outside them. During his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he found himself in constant violation of the league’s rules. Clearly doing more bad than good for the Bucs, he was dealt to the New England Patriots for virtually nothing. While in New England, Talib quickly thrived and, more impressively, put his troubled past behind him even quicker.

This made Talib an easy sign for Denver once he hit the open market. Not only were the Broncos getting one of the league’s top corners, but also an upstanding citizen.

However, this past offseason Talib came under investigation for an altercation at a Dallas nightclub. Granted, the investigation was suspended due to a lack of evidence, but where there’s smoke there’s fire. As Talib heads into camp, it will be imperative that he show that this was merely an isolated incident and not a part of a larger trend.

The other pressing matter with Talib is his health. The corner has yet to play in a full slate of NFL games since being taken as the 20th overall pick in 2008. It doesn’t take a NFL insider to know that the more Talib is on the field for the Broncos, the better they are defensively. His skill set as a corner is unparalleled and he matches up well against almost anyone. In one Week 6 game as a member of the Patriots, Talib held the much taller and larger Jimmy Graham to zero catches. A feat, at the time, not seen since the uber-talented Graham’s rookie season.

With the 2015 season on the horizon, Talib must prove that both his troubled past and injury history are behind him. Should he miss time for either reason, he puts the Broncos’ anti-air attack in an exposed position. There isn’t much to experience past Talib and his fellow Pro Bowler Chris Harris. Not to mention Talib will be leaned on heavily this year as most of his looks will come in man-to-man coverage with very little help from his safeties. Talib will be on an island this year and, provided he stays on the field, should continue to be a nuisance to opposing wideouts.

The Broncos have a special talent in Talib and, when paired with Harris, have an even more distinguished duo. Last year marked the second time in a century that a tag team of defensive backs started the Pro Bowl with neither as an injury replacement.

Not since the early nineties has any duo achieved the same exploit in back-to-back years. Expect Talib to hold up his end of the bargain in 2015.

Mike Carlson is a Denver Broncos Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @deejacyactual, add him to your network on Google, or “Like” him on Facebook.