As expected, Broncos kicker Matt Prater, who has yet to sign his franchise tender, was the lone no-show for the start of three-day minicamp.  Since Prater is not under contract, he cannot be fined for skipping the mandatory camp.  Prater and the Broncos continue to hammer out a multi-year deal.

Matt Prater's clutch right leg was a minicamp no show. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

With Prater unavailable, the Broncos tried out kicker Adi Kunalic, who previously briefly played for the Carolina Panthers.

Broncos guard Chris Kuper and tight end Julius, each recovering from ankle surgery, attended but didn’t participate.

The Broncos practiced in two, two-hour sessions today.  It’s a similar arrangement tomorrow, followed up by a single practice Thursday.

Adios, running game?  Not so fast.

For those who think the Broncos’ offense will pass first, pass later, and just keep on passing…

Well, think again.

The addition of Peyton Manning has inevitably changed some part of the Broncos offense (we call those ‘upgrades’), but it hasn’t erased head coach John Fox’s appreciation of a solid ground attack.

Sure, Denver won’t likely eclipse its 164.5 yards per game average, but as Manning told the Denver Post:

“I certainly think our running game is going to be effective because of the people that we have in here.  The offensive line, the system, our backs; it’s still going to be a top priority. Coach (Mike) McCoy has addressed the team and he’s really preaching balance, to be kind of three-dimensional. On any down and distance, you can drop back, you can hand the ball off or your can run play-action. If the defense can be thinking of all three things, that gives the offense an advantage.”

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