News and Notes from Denver Broncos Training Camp

By Michael Moraitis--Featured Columnist (@MichaelMoraitis)

The season is just one month away and much like all teams in the NFL, the Denver Broncos are hard at work in training camp trying to get things ready for the start of the 2013 campaign.

Let's take a look at some of the news and notes from Broncos camp.

Depth Chart Release: Running Backs

The Broncos released their first depth chart of the summer and there weren't any surprises really. Sure, the fact that Knowshon Moreno was listed as the No. 3 back might be surprising, but he has been battling a knee injury during camp that has bothered him since the playoffs last season.

So with Moreno's positioning on the chart taking a hit as a result of the injury, that left Ronnie Hillman as the No. 1 back for Denver, followed by rookie Montee Ball. Hillman is obviously the more experienced of the two having played in one season, and in that season he compiled 330 yards to the tune of 3.9 per carry.

If Moreno is healthy to start the season, that will likely push Ball back a spot on the depth chart, but Hillman figures to be apart of this offense no matter what barring something unforeseen.

However, judging from Moreno's injury history the past few seasons, it's almost a lock that Ball gets some serious carries during the year or at the least, gets a chance to get his feet wet with very little pressure on him thanks to a great supporting cast.

Wes Welker Comments

Welker is wasting little time making headlines in Broncos camp. One of the newest additions to the team recently spoke about his time with his former team, the New England Patriots, and even had an interesting comment about former head coach and evil genius, Bill Belichick.

The quote is courtesy of ESPNBoston.com:

"It was just kind of hard," Welker told the magazine in a story that appears in this week's edition, "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."

"When I'm answering questions from the Denver media, I'm not worried about what the Broncos' people are going to think," Welker told SI. "I'm worried about what Belichick will think. Isn't that crazy?"

Clearly, playing for a coach like Belichick is mentally taxing to say the least and Welker's comments clearly show that. I don't think many would argue with what Welker said, they just wouldn't say it aloud to the media while still playing for Belichick.

It couldn't have been that bad for Welker as he's compiled more catches than any other receiver the past six seasons (672). Moving forward, Welker shouldn't have a problem playing for or with anyone after such a "tough" ordeal in New England.

I personally can't wait for the first book that comes out detailing what it was like to play for the Belichick regime. Can you imagine the stories that are just waiting to be told?


Peyton Manning Getting his Recruiting on

Apparently Manning has some experience in the recruiting process and executive VP of football operations John Elway tapped him to use them.

After the team's centers were dropping like flies, Elway consulted in Manning to find a new center and Manning suggested former teammate, Ryan Lilja, per the Denver Post. Of course, Manning was successful in his attempt to bring Lilja out of retirement to play center for the team.

Lilja's role isn't certain as of yet, but if all goes well he has a huge edge over every other center candidate on the roster because of his experience playing with Manning. At this point in the summer, Manning and the Broncos would love to have someone familiar with the star QB snapping the ball.

Lilja fits the description, but don't count out a guy like Manny Ramirez, who has been working with Manning since Dan Koppen went down to injury. This will be a battle to the end of the summer, but if Lilja can get ready in time, he looks to be the team's No. 1 choice.



Broncos Make the Cover of Sports Illustrated

 

Normally, you wouldn't want the stigma of SI cover boys for your favorite football squad because of the added pressure and expectations it might bring, but come on, this is Peyton Manning we're talking about.

Manning, along with wide receivers Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, graced the cover of SI this week. It's well deserved in my humble opinion because Denver is set to have one of the most feared passing attacks in the NFL and is a favorite to win the Super Bowl.

The Broncos will be going airborne early and often this season and that could lead to a historic run numbers-wise during the 2013 season.