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Return of Emmanuel Sanders will make offense more versatile

One of the biggest concerns early in camp is the ability of the offense to stretch the field. Sanders should help in that regard when he’s fully back.

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Good morning, Broncos Country!

Earlier this week Emmanuel Sanders declared that “he’s back.”

While it was his first action in 7 vs. 7 drills at Denver Broncos training camp, that should excite everyone. The team continues to take it slow with Sanders, as it should considering he’s coming off a torn Achilles. Still, this is a big step for the offense.

The last three days have been the best for Joe Flacco and the Broncos offense at camp. It’s the first time they’ve stacked strong practices on top of each other. The goal now is to remain consistent and improve as camp and the preseason marches on. What will help in that regard is getting Sanders back in the fold. Sanders, along with Von Miller, was excused from Saturday’s practice at Mile High to attend a funeral.

“I honestly think over the last three days, we’re starting to see some of the progress and some of the hard work that we’ve been putting in,” Flacco told the media after Saturday’s practice at Mile High. “Vic’s defense does a really good job. They’ve seen a lot of the routes we’ve run all spring and all summer. I really think that the last few days we’re starting to put it together. It’s been a struggle at times, but we’re starting to get some things to pop and guys being pretty consistent.”

As I told Adam Malnati on the MHR Radio Podcast (ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher), I’m excited to see what Flacco and Denver’s offense looks like against another defense. I’m even more excited to see what Flacco and Denver’s offense looks like against another defense with Sanders on the field. Andrew Mason mentioned it on Twitter on Friday and it’s so true. Mase has concerns about the offense’s ability to stretch the field vertically. Mase said the Broncos need Sanders to be 100 percent in the worst way.

Flacco and Denver’s offense seems to have found its rhythm, and that’s reason alone to feel optimistic. What should get Broncos Country even more excited is the return of Sanders. Once he’s completely back, that’s a huge piece to the offense that will make it that much better and more difficult to defend.

Surreal moment

When Dalton Risner was drafted by the Broncos, he knew his first trip to Mile High as a member of the organization that he grew up rooting for would be special. He had no idea.

“Honestly, it was surreal,” Risner said after the practice. “I walked out, I’m in a stadium a part of the Denver Broncos. The fans welcomed me. It was an unreal experience. I can’t help but smile thinking about it. I’m at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Look at this thing, this is unreal. This thing isn’t even close to packed, so I can’t imagine what it will be like on game day.”

As I said when he was selected by Denver, some things are meant to be. This is just more proof Risner was meant to play for the Broncos. Just as you could say about Phillip Lindsay.

As awesome as that moment on Saturday was for Risner, it’s only the start for the Colorado native.

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