What to watch for at Broncos OTAs

The Denver Broncos kick off Phase Three of their offseason workouts Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Here's what to watch for.

Full schedule

OTAs: May 27-29; June 1-2 and 4; June 15-18

Different coaches and players will be available after practice each day. The first practice, Wednesday May 27th, is open to the media, so be sure to follow @MileHighReport for the latest as we'll be watching reports closely.

What to watch for

How is Peyton? Every offseason since 2012, we've heard the same expression from Broncos players: "Peyton's arm is stronger than ever." Will we hear it this year? After a slide at the end of the 2014 season, questions surround Peyton and his 39-years-young body.

Will Antonio Smith practice? There's an ongoing investigation surrounding allegations of child abuse for Smith, who joined the Broncos as a free agent this offseason. Will the Broncos sit him out, or allow him to practice until charges are filed? Update: Smith is excused from practice as his legal situation plays out.

The o-line shuffle. Left guard, center, and right tackle are all positions of flux for the Broncos in 2015 - only Ryan Clady (left tackle) and Louis Vasquez (right guard) appear to be secure in their spots. Look for battles between Ryan Michael Schofield, Ben Garland, Gino Gradkowski, Tyler Sambrailo, Max Garcia, and more.

OTA rules

Straight from the CBA (via Arrowhead Pride) on what is and isn't allowed at OTAs:

• Phase Three shall consist of the next four weeks of the Club's offseason workout program.
• Subject to the additional rules set forth in Subsec­tions 5(a) and 5(c) of this Article and Appendix G to this Agreement, during Phase Three each Club may conduct a total of ten days of organized team practice activity ("OTAs" or "OTA days").The restrictions set forth in Subsection 5(b) of this Article shall not apply to OTA days.
• The Club may conduct a maximum of three days of OTAs during each of the first two weeks of Phase Three.
• A maximum of four days of OTAs may be conducted during either the third week or the fourth week of Phase Three, with the Mandatory Veteran Minicamp (Article 22, Section 2) to be held during the other week.
• During weeks in which the Club conducts only three days of OTAs, the Club may also conduct a fourth day of non-OTA workouts, but such activities shall be subject to the rules governing Phase Two workouts, as set forth in Subsection 2(b)(ii) of this Ar­ticle.
• During Phase Three, all coaches shall be allowed on the field.
• No live contact is permitted.
• No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills are permitted (i.e., no offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen pass rush or pass protection drills, no wide receivers vs. defensive backs bump-and-run drills, and no one-on-one special teams drills involving both offense and defense are permitted).
• Special teams drills (e.g., kicking team vs. return team) are permitted, provided no live contact occurs.
• Team offense vs. team defense drills, including all drills listed in Appendix G to this Agreement, are permitted, provided no live contact occurs.
• Clubs may require players to wear helmets; no shells are permit­ted during Phase Three of the Club's offseason workout program or any minicamp.