Previewing the Denver Broncos’ 2015 Training Camp

Previewing the Denver Broncos’ 2015 Training Camp

By Mike Carlson

July 21, 2015

Previewing the Broncos’ 2015 Training Camp

Denver Broncos Training Camp — The Denver Broncos are less than two weeks away from kicking off training camp at their Dove Valley facility. This will be the first chance for the new guard to fully instill their philosophy and new schemes. While most of positions on the team are tied up by veteran talent, a few crucial ones are still open for the taking and could prove to be difference makers over the course of the season. Here’s a preview of what to expect.

The Denver Broncos are less than two weeks away from kicking off training camp at their Dove Valley facility. This will be the first chance for the new guard to fully instill their philosophy and new schemes. While most of positions on the team are tied up by veteran talent, a few crucial ones are still open for the taking and could prove to be difference makers over the course of the season. Here’s a preview of what to expect.

Schedule

Denver Broncos Training Camp Schedule

Schedule

Denver Broncos Training Camp Schedule — Training camp for the Broncos will begin July 27 when the rookies arrive and will be in full swing by July 30 when the veterans report.

Training camp for the Broncos will begin July 27 when the rookies arrive and will be in full swing by July 30 when the veterans report.

Quarterback

Peyton Manning Broncos

Advertisement

Quarterback

Peyton Manning Broncos — It should comes as no surprise that future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning will be under center for the Broncos throughout the entire season. In addition, he will also have Brock Osweiler as his understudy for the fourth straight season. However, expect Osweiler to see more reps than he has had in past training camps, as the Broncos will want to keep Manning as fresh as they possibly can heading into the season.

It should comes as no surprise that future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning will be under center for the Broncos throughout the entire season. In addition, he will also have Brock Osweiler as his understudy for the fourth straight season. However, expect Osweiler to see more reps than he has had in past training camps, as the Broncos will want to keep Manning as fresh as they possibly can heading into the season.

Running Back

CJ Anderson Broncos

Running Back

CJ Anderson Broncos — Predictably, CJ Anderson has a firm grip on the lead role at running back for Denver. Beyond Anderson, though, a lot remains to be seen. Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman are presently fighting for the backup spot with the loser ending up as the third option at tailback. Still, the Broncos have a plethora of other ball-carriers who could easily supplant Ball or Hillman with a strong outing at camp. Don’t be surprised by a major shake-up.

Predictably, CJ Anderson has a firm grip on the lead role at running back for Denver. Beyond Anderson, though, a lot remains to be seen. Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman are presently fighting for the backup spot with the loser ending up as the third option at tailback. Still, the Broncos have a plethora of other ball-carriers who could easily supplant Ball or Hillman with a strong outing at camp. Don’t be surprised by a major shake-up.

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders Broncos

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders Broncos — Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will be leading an unproven group of pass catchers this year in Denver. Second-year man Cody Latimer will see a dramatic spike in playing time this year and figures to factor into the aerial assault as he spent a lot of time catching passes from Peyton Manning during the offseason. Still, the fourth spot is up for grabs in camp, and a solid fourth receiver would put the passing attack among the league’s best.

Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will be leading an unproven group of pass catchers this year in Denver. Second-year man Cody Latimer will see a dramatic spike in playing time this year and figures to factor into the aerial assault as he spent a lot of time catching passes from Peyton Manning during the offseason. Still, the fourth spot is up for grabs in camp, and a solid fourth receiver would put the passing attack among the league’s best.

Tight End

Virgil Green Broncos

Tight End

Virgil Green Broncos — The Broncos offense will line up in a lot of two tight end sets under new head coach Gary Kubiak. Owen Daniels and Virgil Green will be fulfilling those roles for the Broncos. Green seems to be the one pegged to replace Julius Thomas and carry much of the offensive workload at tight end. He has been improving his receiving skills all offseason, and Kubiak’s offense presents a great chance to put those skills to use.

The Broncos offense will line up in a lot of two tight end sets under new head coach Gary Kubiak. Owen Daniels and Virgil Green will be fulfilling those roles for the Broncos. Green seems to be the one pegged to replace Julius Thomas and carry much of the offensive workload at tight end. He has been improving his receiving skills all offseason, and Kubiak’s offense presents a great chance to put those skills to use.

Offensive Line

Offensive Line Broncos

Offensive Line

Offensive Line Broncos — The 2015 Broncos' offensive line will look drastically different than the one in 2014. There are a lot of fresh faces among the front five. Notably, rookie Ty Sambrailo will be filling in at left tackle due to Ryan Clady’s ACL injury. The group combined for 23 starts last year with all 23 coming from Ryan Clark and Louis Vasquez. A lot of the starting roles will still be up-in-the-air heading into camp, so expect the competition to be fierce.

The 2015 Broncos' offensive line will look drastically different than the one in 2014. There are a lot of fresh faces among the front five. Notably, rookie Ty Sambrailo will be filling in at left tackle due to Ryan Clady’s ACL injury. The group combined for 23 starts last year with all 23 coming from Ryan Clark and Louis Vasquez. A lot of the starting roles will still be up-in-the-air heading into camp, so expect the competition to be fierce.

Defensive Line

Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe Broncos

Defensive Line

Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe Broncos — As it stands now, the Broncos have four proven options on the defensive line in Malik Jackson, Sylvester Williams, Derek Wolfe and Vance Walker. It will be imperative, however, that the organization finds at least two more trusty options on the line during training camp in order to make the new 3-4 scheme as effective as possible. The new look, new scheme defensive line is filled with potential. A strong camp will be the first step in showing it.

As it stands now, the Broncos have four proven options on the defensive line in Malik Jackson, Sylvester Williams, Derek Wolfe and Vance Walker. It will be imperative, however, that the organization finds at least two more trusty options on the line during training camp in order to make the new 3-4 scheme as effective as possible. The new look, new scheme defensive line is filled with potential. A strong camp will be the first step in showing it.

Linebacker

Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware Broncos

Linebacker

Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware Broncos — Despite not having hit the field as a complete group yet, the hype around the Denver linebackers is very real. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware will be dynamoes on the edge, while Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan plug up the middle of the field. Plus, the drafting of former Missouri star Shane Ray adds another dynamic pass rusher to the mix. If Marshall, Trevathan and Ray can all get healthy, look for this group to become the league’s best.

Despite not having hit the field as a complete group yet, the hype around the Denver linebackers is very real. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware will be dynamoes on the edge, while Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan plug up the middle of the field. Plus, the drafting of former Missouri star Shane Ray adds another dynamic pass rusher to the mix. If Marshall, Trevathan and Ray can all get healthy, look for this group to become the league’s best.

Secondary

TJ Ward and Chris Harris Broncos

Secondary

TJ Ward and Chris Harris Broncos — The secondary for the Broncos will be headlined by Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and TJ Ward this coming season. Darian Stewart will fill the void left by Rahim Moore at free safety, and Bradley Roby will see most of his playing time at nickelback. Besides those five, there isn’t much tried talent on the roster which could put the team in a jam should one of them go down. Trust a fair amount of roster slots to go towards bolstering the secondary.

The secondary for the Broncos will be headlined by Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and TJ Ward this coming season. Darian Stewart will fill the void left by Rahim Moore at free safety, and Bradley Roby will see most of his playing time at nickelback. Besides those five, there isn’t much tried talent on the roster which could put the team in a jam should one of them go down. Trust a fair amount of roster slots to go towards bolstering the secondary.

Special Teams

Connor Barth Broncos

Special Teams

Connor Barth Broncos — Connor Barth is firmly entrenched as the place kicker for the Broncos. The exact opposite, nevertheless, goes for kickoffs, punts and returns. Rookie Karl Schmitz will be competing for punts and kickoffs against Britton Colquitt and Brandon McManus, respectively, while almost every wideout is seemingly in the mix for return duties. The Denver special teams was disappointing last year and may take all of camp to turn around this year.

Connor Barth is firmly entrenched as the place kicker for the Broncos. The exact opposite, nevertheless, goes for kickoffs, punts and returns. Rookie Karl Schmitz will be competing for punts and kickoffs against Britton Colquitt and Brandon McManus, respectively, while almost every wideout is seemingly in the mix for return duties. The Denver special teams was disappointing last year and may take all of camp to turn around this year.

Biggest Camp Battle to Watch: Left Guard

Ben Garland Broncos

Biggest Camp Battle to Watch: Left Guard

Ben Garland Broncos — It’s a two-horse race for the left guard position in Denver with Ben Garland clashing against Shelley Smith for top billing. Garland easily has the strength to play left guard but doesn’t have quite the grasp on the system, while Smith, a former player under Gary Kubiak, knows the system better than the alphabet. Both are more than capable starters, but Garland will win out in the end simply because of the physicality he brings to the table.

It’s a two-horse race for the left guard position in Denver with Ben Garland clashing against Shelley Smith for top billing. Garland easily has the strength to play left guard but doesn’t have quite the grasp on the system, while Smith, a former player under Gary Kubiak, knows the system better than the alphabet. Both are more than capable starters, but Garland will win out in the end simply because of the physicality he brings to the table.

Biggest Camp Battle to Watch: Punter

Britton Colquitt Broncos

Biggest Camp Battle to Watch: Punter

Britton Colquitt Broncos — The battle to conduct punting duties is an odd one. On one side, there is the veteran, yet extremely displeasing Britton Colquitt, while on the other side it is the untested, but uber talented Karl Schmitz. Cutting Colquitt would free up a decent chunk of cap space in Denver, and the Broncos may not hesitate to do so if Schmitz shows he is as advertised. Ultimately, the low cost, high upside combination will make Schmitz the punter in 2015.

The battle to conduct punting duties is an odd one. On one side, there is the veteran, yet extremely displeasing Britton Colquitt, while on the other side it is the untested, but uber talented Karl Schmitz. Cutting Colquitt would free up a decent chunk of cap space in Denver, and the Broncos may not hesitate to do so if Schmitz shows he is as advertised. Ultimately, the low cost, high upside combination will make Schmitz the punter in 2015.

Teams in this article »

Denver Broncos

Share On Facebook

Share