.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Five things we learned about the Broncos this preseason
Peyton Manning knew he'd be up for the test of learning a brand new offense in his 18th season.
So far, the offense he quarterbacks isn't passing that test. Manning hasn't found a single receiver in the end zone all preseason, the line looks shaky in front of him, and head coach Gary Kubiak's new run-first approach hasn't produced major ground gains.
With the regular season set to kick off Thursday, here are the five most important things we learned from the Broncos' preseason.
1. Peyton Manning can't feel his fingers
Peyton is back for another year in Denver; the same can't be said about the sense of feeling in his hands. "The Sherrif" just recently admitted he hasn't felt his fingertips since coming to Denver, and while he set passing records in the years since, that can't be good. It's just another reason why Kubiak plans on managing Manning's snaps like his team once did with John Elway. They don't want any futher damage done before a playoff push.
2. The Broncos needed Evan Mathis
John Elway has made a few tough calls during his tenure as general manager. Adding an ex-Pro Bowler like Evan Mathis was one of the easy ones, especially given Manning's advanced age and decreased mobility. Mathis will surely keep a cleaner pocket than rookie Max Garcia or Ben Garland ever could. He'll slide right in at left guard too -- his former team in Philadelphia deployed a similiar zone-blocking system to the one Kubiak just put in place in Denver.
3. C.J. Anderson might not be a bell-cow back
C.J. Anderson did more than enough at the end of last season to merit more touches in 2015. Kubiak wants to award them, and then some; he's pegged Anderson as the kind of every-down back that he had in Houston with Arian Foster. It might be asking too much of the third-year back to be a Foster-type. He's already dealing with injuries that've left the door open for guys like Ronnie Hillman to creep in.
4. Shane Ray looks like a steal in the draft
One poorly-timed off-field issue sent Ray careening down draft boards last spring. The Broncos were more than happy to end his first-round slide at No. 23, and they've been even happier with the results since then. The Missouri product healed up from an early toe injury to terrorize quarterbacks in preseason play. He already looks like he's benefitted from a few practice rounds with tutors like DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller.
5. Brock Osweiler is the heir apparent
Brock Osweiler was in quarterback limbo before the preseason. Now, once again, he's firmly entrenched as the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback and the heir to Manning's throne. Kubiak might even send Osweiler in to close out games in relief of No. 18; his strong arm and big frame could help keep Peyton fresh for all 16 games.
Undisputed
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
First Things First
Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander
The Skip Bayless Show
The Carton Show
FOX Sports
