Horse Tracks: 2023 Broncos rubber about to meet the road

For the first time since the last few seconds ticked away on the disastrous 2022 season, there will be new football percolating in Broncos Country. On Wednesday, July 19, Broncos rookies will report to training camp. Just 6-days later, on Tuesday, July 25, the veterans will join them. The offseason doldrums of suckitude are drawing to a close.

All the prognostication, hype, and hand-wringing that permeates the offseason are about to give way to performance-actual football. Soon, we will finally be able to objectively look at all facets of the Denver Broncos and know just what the heck we are getting into this season. Will it be more of the same, or will Denver return to its winning ways?

Folks, the rubber is about to meet the road.

I’ve said before that I’m not as enthusiastic for this season as I have been for nearly every one of them in my lifetime. After getting the bravado and confidence knocked out of me with gut punch after gut punch these last few seasons, I’m only eager to see just what kind of a team we have this year. I’m not expecting to win the AFC West and conquer a Super Bowl, but it would be nice to not have the crowd count down the play-clock for the coaching staff.

It’s the little things I’m looking forward to...and those little things all start this week and next as players begin to report to training camp.

Let’s see what the Denver Broncos have in them for 2023.

HEADLINES

Despite new representation for Saquon Barkley, Giants aren't willing to re-set talks - NBC Sports
As previously reported, the Giants had an offer on the table for running back Saquon Barkley before the franchise tag was applied.

DeSean Jackson hints he is retiring - NBC Sports
Longtime NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson appears ready to call it a career.

DeAndre Hopkins can earn up to $3 million a year in incentives with Titans - NBC Sports
Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins can earn up to $3 million a year on his two-year contract if he meets certain incentives.

Buccaneers LB Lavonte David: QB Baker Mayfield is 'great for our locker room'
Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David spoke this week on what he’s seen from QB Baker Mayfield through offseason workouts, saying that he already likes what he sees in the 28-year-old’s approach to his new team, and is excited to see what the QB competition

Dolphins' Tyreek Hill declares he will be first player in NFL history to get 2,000 receiving yards in a season - CBSSports.com
Hill says he'll break the all-time receiving record in 2023 season and Miami will win Super Bowl LVIII

Cowboys not expected to reach long-term deal with franchise-tagged Tony Pollard, per report - CBSSports.com
Pollard spent most of the past four years backing up Ezekiel Elliott

Miles Sanders says new Panthers teammate Andy Dalton is 'a future Hall of Famer' - CBSSports.com
It's high praise for Dalton, who has never been selected All-Pro or thrown 35 TDs in a season

Jaguars, franchise-tagged Evan Engram agree to three-year, $41.25 million contract day before deadline - CBSSports.com
Engram became the third tagged player this offseason to reach a long-term deal

DeAndre Hopkins to sign with Titans: Star WR will join Tennessee on two-year, $26M deal, per report - CBSSports.com
Hopkins is headed back to the AFC South