The Denver Broncos have high expectations for the 2013 season after earning the number one seed in the AFC for the playoffs and winning the AFC West, but after dropping their home playoff game against the ravens they aren't taking any chances, which is why they re-signed center Dan Koppen.
According to ESPN.com, the Broncos brought back Koppen on a deal after starter J.D. Walton's ankle surgery and now he may have the chance to get into the starting lineup depending on the recovery time. The team kept the terms quiet and the report says that Walton may be out of action until at least October. There is a chance he could miss the entire season if he has complications while recovering from surgery, which is why the Broncos felt they had to bring back Koppen.
The surgery for Walton came after a previous surgery last season when he was put on injured reserve and the new procedure was to replace hardware that was put in for that original injury. The center was originally hurt last season in October and he was placed on season-ending IR with broken and dislocated left ankle and after that Koppen took over.
The 33-year-old has plenty of experience after playing 10 seasons with the Patriots and he started 12 games last season. The report says that Manny Ramirez, not that one, also saw time at center for the Broncos this year. Peyton Manning likes to be comfortable under center and with Koppen there it shouldn't give the quarterback or offensive line any issues, as he is very experienced and also was with the team last season. The Broncos are going through some changes, including bringing in rookie running back Montee Ball and using Ronnie Hillman over Willis McGahee, who was cut over health issues.
The Broncos went 13-3 last season and won the division and Manning was back to his usual self, throwing for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns. The duo of Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas has breakout seasons and the team is expected to be even better with Wes Welker coming in.
