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.”

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Have  you noticed?  There ain’t much Denver Broncos news.  Ah, life post-NFL Draft…

NFL Announces Minicamp and OTA Dates - The NFL has announced the dates for minicamps and OTAs for all 32 teams. Denver will hold OTAs May 21-23, May 30-June 1 and June 4-7. The Broncos’ rookie minicamp will take place May 11-13 and the mandatory full-team minicamp is June 12-14.  These practices are not open to the public. The exact dates for training camp, which is open to the public, have yet to be released.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Brandon Stokley stoked for reunion with Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning - Brandon Stokley was ready for a reunion, not retirement.  Stokley, a wide receiver and 14th-year NFL veteran, rejoined the Denver Broncos — and old pal Peyton Manning — this offseason after missing almost all of 2011. Stokley played in two games for the New York Giants last season before a strained thigh led to an injury settlement. Instead of helping the Giants win another ring, he spent his winter back home in Castle Rock, Colo., wondering if his NFL career was over.  Read more from Associated Press >>>>

Stokley: Peyton Manning has same demeanor in Denver - Denver Broncos coaches are receiving their first look at Peyton Manning practicing with his new team.  Coaches are allowed to oversee limited workouts, players won’t be in pads, and offense-versus-defense drills are not allowed, but it was one of Manning’s old teammates from his days with the Indianapolis Colts who left Monday’s session beaming.  Read more from NFL.com >>>>

Beyond the Shutdown 50 — Brock Osweiler, QB, Denver Broncos - Osweiler is a close friend of Jack Elway, son of Broncos big Kahuna John Elway. In fact, Elway and Osweiler were part of a messy five-way battle for the Arizona State quarterback job before the younger Elway gave up football.  Read more from Yahoo! Sports >>>>