Denver Broncos Rumors: Starters Peyton Manning, Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas Have Short Debuts In NFL Preseason Against 49ers, Will Play More Against Seattle Seahawks
The Denver Broncos are heading into the 2013 NFL season with high expectations after making it into the playoffs as the number one seed in the AFC last season and after signing Wes Welker to a deal the team should be even better on offense this season.
Manning did not get many reps in the first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night and he likely will play more once it gets deeper into the preseason. Head coach John Fox also played it careful with his offensive line after losing two centers during camp and Manny Ramirez started his first NFL game at center in the game to help prepare. The rest of the offensive line was shuffled around and backup quarterback Brock Osweiler also got his chances to play.
Manning was only in the game for seven snaps and went 2-for-4 passing for 13 yards and Welker ended up with zero catches. The Broncos have a very talented roster and team executive John Elway is happy with the way some players are developing, including defensive lineman Derek Wolfe. According to ESPN.com, Bill Williamson writes that the team is happy with the development of Wolfe and that Elway is expecting him to step up after the loss of Elvis Dumervil, who signed with the Ravens after his agent messed up some paperwork that made him a free agent.
Wolfe is expected to soften the blow of losing Dumervil and Elway said that he has the chance to step up in his absence. Linebacker Von Miller, who has developed into one of the best defensive players in the league, said that Wolfe had made great strides and that he could make the jump from solid player to star very soon, much like J.J. Watt did with the Houston Texans in his second season. Miller said that Wolfe could make a similar impact with the Broncos that Watt did with the Texans and while the two have different skill sets, Wolfe showed some flashes last season while making six sacks and 40 tackles.
The former second-round pick was big for the Broncos last season and he will join new first-round pick Sylvester Williams on the line and Wolfe has already taken him under his wing. Williams said from camp that Wolfe is the type of player he wants to emulate and that he is always working hard in practice and doing extra reps to get better while running with the defense. Peyton Manning is expecting the Broncos D to be even better next season and with the addition of Welker, the offense should be great as well. The team went 13-3 last season while winning the AFC West and the team was ranked third in the league in both passing yards and rushing yards allowed per game.