Leadership On Defense:
For years the Broncos relied on veterans Champ Bailey and Wesley Woodyard to be the veteran leaders on the defensive side of the ball. Both of those players left the team via Free Agency this past winter, so now the Broncos locker room is looking for someone to step up and be the leader on the defensive side of the ball.
One guy who many may look to be that guy on the defensive side of the ball is newly signed future Hall Of Famer DeMarcus Ware. However, Ware knows he must again prove himself to the locker room first before the "leader" tag is applied to him.
Ware wants his peers to decide if he's a captain on the Broncos in 2014.
"I think the main thing is you sit back in the catbird seat and you just lead by example. Eventually, the guys, they know exactly that you mean business," Ware said. "Then eventually you're able to be a little bit more vocal and gradually you move up."
Another player who may take the reigns as a locker room leader is Terrence "Pot Roast" Knighton. He already has the respect of his peers after his solid 2013 campaign, so the next step shouldn't be too tough for Knighton.
"I always tell guys like Von Miller, 'With the ability that you have comes a responsibility.' As well as I played last year, they're expecting me to lead this year and take my play to another level," Knighton said. "I lead every way I can. We've got a lot of young guys. Sometimes they'll mess up and they'll need a vet to let them know it's all right and we've been there before. We just want to make sure everybody's moving forward together."
If the Denver Broncos want to have success in 2014 they're going to need to find themselves some leaders on the defensive side of the ball. A healthy locker room culture, players holding each other accountable, and just a family feel could give this team just what it needs to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Nationwide Is On the Broncos side:
The Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning held a press conference Friday announcing anew relationships with Nationwide Insurance.
The #Broncos and Peyton Manning both announced expanded relationships with @Nationwide Friday: http://t.co/QYad2y5GDw pic.twitter.com/0S6wewZXg2
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 30, 2014
The Broncos have already had a partnership for five years, but this new deal with expand on the original partnership. According to the Broncos, the new deal will include media, on-site activation, in-stadium branding and hospitality. Nationwide will also be the presenting sponsor of the Broncos final regular-season home game on Sunday, December. 28th, against the division rival Oakland Raiders.
"We view the Denver Broncos to be a first-class organization with first-class people, and it's been a wonderful asset for us that we decided we wanted to expand that relationship, and we couldn't be happier to do that."
Also expect to see more of Peyton on your television screen. Look for Peyton to appear in some of Nationwide's national commercials, as well as some local ones as well.
"Peyton Manning, to us, off the field carries himself with class and with grace," he said. "He's a family man. He is a small-business owner, and everywhere he has lived and worked, he has been a pillar of his community. His on-the-field talent is obvious. He is at the top of his profession. He is a professional with a level of attention to detail and excellence that we really admire and we want to partner with."
Go Broncos!
Horse Tracks:
- Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Daryl Washington has been suspended for "at least" a year by the NFL. What a waste of talent.
- Veteran running back Justin Forsett is taking first team reps over Ray Rice at Ravens OTAs. It could be a long year for the Ravens and Rice.
- New York Giants Safety Will Hill has been suspended six games by the NFL.
- NFL.com ranks the best players of All-Time from every AFC team. There's no surprise who they picked for the Broncos.
- An NFL official said Friday that "Redskin" is a not a racial slur. Do you guys agree?
- Foxsports.com takes a look at the best available Free Agents still on the market.
- Believe in the Madden Curse? Well Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton and Seattle Seahawks Cornerback Richard Sherman are your finalists to be on the cover of Madden 15.