Support for Von Miller continues to pour in as the linebacker fights a pending four-game suspension due to illegal drug use involving marijuana. Former teammates like Elvis Dumervill are standing by Miller's side as he battles the NFLPA and the entire Broncos team is voicing their support. Quarterback Peyton Manning understands just how vital Miller is to the team and is hopeful things work themselves out.
As the Broncos opened training camp on Thursday, Miller was busy practicing with the first-team offense as if nothing wrong was going on. Vowing to now let the suspension be a distraction to the team, the linebacker took his place among the starters as normal. Head coach John Fox does not plan on finding a Plan B until he absolutely has to.
Manning told reporters that he was excited to be back on the field after an offseason that involved several issues off the field with Broncos' players. Manning is in full support of his teammates, no matter what.
"I'm sure you'd like to not have those problems, those players would probably tell you that," Manning said. "We know how to handle it. I think the organization has addressed it. Can't always be rosy, can't always be perfect, but we've got Von Miller's back. That's when you find out a lot about people. You find out who the rats are, who's going to jump ship."
Broncos boss John Elway is certainly not concerned with Miller's suspension or any other issue for that matter. Denver is also dealing with the arrests of player personnel director Matt Russell and Tom Heckert who were both arrest for suspicion of DUI.
"There are times when unfortunately, we're all human," Elway said to the Denver Post. When you have an organization of this size, some people are going to make mistakes. My feeling is face the problems, hopefully get the problem fixed. You want to be human about this, but also make sure people understand this is not what we're about.
Miller is essential to the Broncos defense, especially after the loss of Dumervill. The now Baltimore Ravens linebacker compared Miller to a brother and is hopeful that he and the NFL can work this situation out.
"I spoke to Von the day before the situation broke," Dumervill said. "We have conversations all the time. He's like a younger brother. It's an unfortunate situation that happened. I told him, 'Man, adversity happens. It's how you respond to it.' So, he's like a younger brother. So that's a little sensitive.