Photo Credit: Eric Risberg/Associated Press
With the Broncos being the most recent Superbowl contenders, they are poised to be the division winners. However, it looks like the Broncos could be dethroned this year especially with the positive reports coming out of all 4 camps so far.
Denver Broncos: Wednesday was actually a day off for the Broncos, but it looks like the other days have been productive. While it’s clear how talented Manning is, the offensive line is really receiving most of the praise. Surprisingly most of it was not geared towards Demaryius Thomas who was a little out of his element due to what he deems is “a new offensive line”, but it gave time for other wide receivers to shine.
So far, it looks like Cody Latimer, Emmanuel Sanders and Jordan Taylor are really stepping up to the plate in Thomas’s absence. Along with the wide receivers, the 4th-round draft pick LG Max Garcia is fitting in well with the offense and could become a starter.
The defense is off to a wonderful start too, especially with Von Miller no longer involved in the NFL’s drug program and it’s clear that he is ready to perform. Miller has a new attitude and it shows on the field in the way that Miller is not afraid to rattle the offense’s cage. It looks like Miller, (Demarcus) Ware and rookie Shane Ray could be the defensive trio to beat this year. With the positivity coming from the Broncos camp, so far, it looks like the season has ended for WR Kyle Williams with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Kansas City Chiefs: The biggest story from the Chiefs off-season so far involves Eric Berry who battled cancer but now has been given the “okay” to get back on the field. During camp, Berry has picked up an interception and a new nickname. When TE Travis Kelce was asked about Berry, he responded perfectly “EB is superhuman, even Superman doesn’t have anything on Eric Berry, man. That guy is — you can’t say enough good things about him.” It looks like Superman’s positivity is really rubbing off on the rest of the team especially the defense, because rookie CB Marcus Peters has already racked up 3 interceptions and 4 pass break-ups which is pretty darn good for a rookie.
The offense, on the other hand, was a little bit shaky especially between Alex Smith and most of the offensive line. One thing that really needs work is the communication between Smith and Jeremy Maclin since Maclin is a recent pick-up from the Philadelphia Eagles. While the passing game needs some work, it looks like the running game is in pretty good shape with Jamaal Charles and Charcandrick West. West has been taking reps during camp and it looks like he could be a hidden weapon for the Chiefs offense behind Charles.
Oakland Raiders: As unbelievable as it may sound, the Raiders are off to a really good start in training camp. While most of it has to do with the team’s dedication, motivation and mostly positive attitudes, some of the credit has to go to new HC Jack Del Rio. Rio made it very clear that he does not want to discuss the Raiders past failures but instead want to focus on the future and how it can be improved. This mentality seems to have rubbed off on wide receivers, Michael Crabtree and first-round draft pick, Amari Cooper. Crabtree is a freak athlete and it shows how frustrated the defenders were trying to take him down and Cooper looks like he’s NFL ready, even being compared to Randall Cobb or some think even better than Cobb.
With his rookie year behind him, QB Derek Carr is looking to improve both physically and mentally and camp is a good indication of that happening. It looks like the defense needs some time to try to adjust to their more traditional scheme, but that certainly did not take away from superstar Khalil Mack. With only four sacks last season, Mack is back and ready to attack, even sacking Carr. The defense is also benefitting greatly from the second-round draft pick, Mario Williams Jr. who is slowly but surely improving and adding depth.
San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon has been talked about since he was drafted and he’s looking alright. After missing a day with “bumps and bruises,”, Gordon was back on the field but it looks like he still needs some time to improve. However, QB Phillip Rivers really lit up the field, throwing touchdown after touchdown, but most of the credit has to go to the corps of wide receivers. Rookie Tyrell Williams got a touchdown along with Stevie Johnson and Javontee Herndon, but tight ends are also getting their fair share too.
For the defense, second round draft pick, ILB Denzel Perryman is impressing, especially as a physical player which HC Mike McCoy backed up: “You saw 52 step up there and make some big collisions on lead blockers whether there was a running back, fullback or a guard at the second level.” The defense lost DT Tenny Palepoi to a broken foot, ranging anywhere from a few months out to a whole season, but the depth seems to be pretty well intact for the defense especially with Corey Liuget and the signing of Luther Robinson after Paleopi’s injury.
