Broncos Offseason: The Denver Broncos have lost Peyton Manning to retirement. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, could Emmanuel Sanders be the next leader up for the franchise for the 2016 season? I weigh in my thoughts here.
When it comes to team captains in the NFL, they normally have four. Teams can sort them out anyway they want to. For the Denver Broncos, the captains last year were Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Demarcus Ware, and David Bruton Jr.
Two on offense, one defense, and one special teams. Not a bad balance. However, with Manning retired and Bruton Jr. playing for Washington now, the team is going to need to find a new leader to step up.
I have no doubt that Ware will remain a captain. They could keep Thomas the captain, but I only question that due to his intensity and playmaking during the postseason, where he was relativity quiet.
The quarterback situation will most likely not be resolved until near the end of the preseason, so it is uncertain if a quarterback will be one of the leaders of the team.
So, who should step up for the Denver Broncos in terms of leadership in 2016?
Troy Renck of The Denver Post does have one idea on who could step up and be that leader. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. His true grit and dedication to the game of football is quite inspiring. And Renck believes he can be the next leader for the Broncos.
And I could not agree more. In fact, I am going to take it one step further and say that he should wear the “C” on his chest during the 2016 Denver Broncos season. Why does Emmanuel Sanders deserve the captain patch?
In my opinion, I believe that a true captain is someone who can lead a team, make the big plays, and motivate his team. Sanders does all three of those very well.
In his two years in Denver thus far, Sanders has recorded over 1,000 yards receiving. Even though to some two years may not be a whole lot, it is his performance on the field that is deserving of the captain patch.
This is especially true with last year as he was Manning’s go to receiver early on in the 2015 season on third down. He made the plays that the Broncos needed to win some key games.
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Every offseason, it appears as if Emmanuel Sanders is working out. Even in victory, he takes that mentality as in needing to improve just like Manning. That kind of work inspires me and proves that he is has the potential to be a great leader.
There is one thing that I did forget to mention as to why Sanders deserves to be a captain. His loyalty to the Denver Broncos.
His comments on wanting to be a Bronco for life and his dedication to the fans by way of the Mile High Salute whenever he scores a touchdown is quite refreshing to see in a player that wants to become part of the rich tradition that is Broncos Country.
The team will not know of captains until the final 53-man roster is released after the final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. However, I am certain all of Broncos Country will be rooting for Emmanuel Sanders to become the next captain of the franchise.