The Denver Broncos are entering the 2013 season with very high expectations after losing in the playoffs last season to the Ravens with a 13-3 record, but one major snag could be losing star linebacker Von Miller for four games, as he is facing a suspension for violating a league policy.
According to Pro Football Talk, Miller is appealing the four-game suspension and it is not clear yet whether it is a PED or drug failure that resulted in the suspension. Miller's appeal may win, like Richard Sherman did last season and he did not have to serve the suspension, but that still remains to be seen. The team needs Miller even more after losing Elvis Dumervil to the Ravens in a paperwork problem and the fact that the news got out means sources are talking past the strict confidentiality clause the league has on these cases.
The Broncos have been through the ringer the past couple weeks after director of player personnel Matt Russell and director of pro personnel Tom Heckert were arrested for drunk driving and both have been suspended for various periods of time by the team. Miller is key for the team after making 18.5 sacks last season and the team will play against the Ravens in Week 1 and could be without him on defense.
While the suspension may not stand, it is another bad mark on the Broncos this offseason and there is a chance that the suspension may have come as a mistake test for Miller and that could be why he is appealing. The Broncos added Wes Welker for Peyton Manning this year and the team feels that it is ready to make the Super Bowl jump after going 13-3 last season.
