Broncos Training Camp: Five Burning Questions
Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
5. Who will make up the Special Teams core unit?
We know the Broncos’ long snapper will be Aaron Brewer. What we don’t know is what other players will comprise the special teams unit. It could be one of a number of combinations, but the Broncos have stated their intent to keep just one kicker and one punter to handle place kicking, punting, and kickoff duties, if possible.
That means, in my opinion, one of Brandon McManus or Karl Schmitz is likely to make the roster, whether Connor Barth and Britton Colquitt like it or not.
If McManus makes it, it means the Broncos have seen enough from him in terms of kicking field goals to trust him going into this season. If Schmitz makes it, it means Colquitt and his massive punter’s salary will be out the door.
The ideal — if you ask me — would be for the Broncos to keep both Schmitz and McManus, two power legs, and let them grow together.
There are also questions at the returner positions. It seems Omar Bolden got a stranglehold on the kick returner position at the end of last season, but who will return punts? Will it be Jordan Norwood, who is making his way back to the field after a torn ACL? Will it be Solomon Patton, the waiver wire addition from Tampa Bay?
Training camp and the pre-season should help us answer these questions.