Funkerstation » w plenty of attacking intent as they went

DENVER -- Von Miller is back to lead Denvers devastating defense. Still undetermined is who will direct the Broncos revamped offense.Journeyman Mark Sanchez, rookie Paxton Lynch and the unheralded Trevor Siemian are in the mix at quarterback for the Broncos, who lost Brock Osweiler to free agency 48 hours after Peyton Mannings misty-eyed retirement.No team has successfully defended its Super Bowl title since the 2004 New England Patriots. The Broncos are the first team since the 2001 Baltimore Ravens to try to go back to back after losing its top two QBs.After losing the bidding duel with Houston for Osweiler, GM John Elway acquired Sanchez from the Eagles and outmaneuvered Jerry Jones to select Lynch out of Memphis in the first round of the draft.Yet, it was Siemian, the 2015 seventh-rounder with just one snap on his resume, who looked the sharpest in Denvers drama-filled offseason, putting him in prime position to upset Sanchez for the starting job.I think theyre looking each other right in the eye throughout the whole course of the offseason as far who is ahead and who is one or two, coach Gary Kubiak said.I think those two guys are right there with each other. I think its a very competitive situation. Theyre obviously ahead of our young guy just from a mental standpoint right now.Ideally, Lynch would sit a season as he adjusts to the NFL after running the spread offense in college.Both Sanchez and Siemian took the briefest of summer vacations before returning to Denver to continue their quest to take over an offense that features just four returning starters.The defense lost Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency, but returns most members of the one of the best defenses in NFL history. His defense is so devastating that Kubiak wont have to wait for the preseason games to see which of his quarterbacks is his guy.Kubiak said hell ratchet up the pressure -- easier with Miller back in uniform -- and run plenty of no-huddle over the first couple of weeks of training camp to see wholl win the job.Other things to pay attention to as the Broncos defend their title:MILLERS MILLIONS: Miller predicted peaceful contract negotiations 12 hours after spearheading Denvers 24-10 win over Carolina in the Super Bowl. Although things got testy at times and Elway refused to let Millers camp seek a trade, the sides got a deal done that they believe is a win-win. Miller gets $70 million guaranteed and Elway gets several more seasons out of the man hes called the best player on the planet. After spending more time on the dance floor than the football field over the past six months, the Broncos need Miller to be the same demolition man he was in the playoffs.MILLERS MINIONS: Two big question marks still face Denvers defense: DeMarcus Wares balky back and Aqib Talibs wounded right leg. Ware didnt participate in a single snap in the offseason as his bad back that limited him to 11 games last season acted up again. Talib said he feels fine and is full-go after recovering from a gunshot wound to his right thigh and calf last month in a shooting in Dallas. Even if he returns to his superstar level, Talib, whos had firearm incidents in the past, could face legal consequences and punishment from the NFL.NEW O-LINE: The Broncos won it all behind a patchwork offensive line that was dissembled not long after the victory parade attended by more than a million fans. Elway jettisoned right guard Louis Vasquez and let left tackle Ryan Harris and left guard Evan Mathis sign elsewhere. With Max Garcia moving to left guard and Michael Schofield to swing tackle behind free agent acquisitions Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson, only center Matt Paradis returns at his 2015 position.NEW OFFENSE: The Broncos ditched their hybrid offense when Manning retired. Expect more two tight end sets and heavy doses of hand offs to C.J. Anderson and rookie Devontae Booker, who will be running behind fullbacks Andy Janovich and Juwan Thompson. At tight end, the Broncos said farewell to Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels and brought in Garrett Graham and Henry Krieger Coble. Jeff Heuerman, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury, returns alongside veteran Virgil Green.SANDERS NEXT: Elway said he had a trio of priorities this summer: re-signing linebackers Miller and Brandon Marshall along with receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Hes 2 for 3 with Miller and Marshall (four years, $32 million) done. Sanders is entering the final season of his three-year, $15 million deal.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Mavericks Jerseys 2021 . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Dennis Rodman Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. https://www.cheapmavericks.com/363l-jason-kidd-jersey-mavericks.html . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. Brad Davis Jersey . 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The Crusaders have kept pace with the Chiefs at the top of Super Rugbys New Zealand conference by thumping the Melbourne Rebels 85-26 in Christchurch.The home side ran in 13 tries to four on Saturday night, with wing Johnny McNicholl getting a hat-trick, as they celebrated stand-in skipper Sam Whitelocks 100th match in style.With one round to go, the Crusaders are back to a point behind the Chiefs, who had secured their own bonus-point victory on Friday against the Queensland Reds.The Rebels, who leaked 50 points last weekend against the Stormers, were out of finals contention before the match at AMI Stadium.But the Crusaders, smarting from their loss to the Chiefs in Suva, had plenty to play for.With regular captain Kieran Read given a rest, Whitelock led from the front, with the lock charging forward from the kick-off and then scoring the first try inside two minutes.The Crusaders continued to show plenty of attacking intent as they went on to run in seven tries in the opening spell, with centre Ryan Crotty grabbing a double.ddddddddddddThey were helped by handling errors, turnovers and missed tackles by the Rebels, who also struggled at set-piece.The visitors had something to cheer late in the opening spell when, with the score at 38-0, skipper Nic Stirzaker finished off a strong run by winger Sefa Naivalu.But the one-way traffic continued early in the second half as the Crusaders added three touchdowns in seven minutes, including a brace by hooker Codie Taylor.There was a period of resistance from the Rebels, which included a kick-and-regather try by midfielder Reece Hodge before he went off injured.The Crusaders responded with two tries in two minutes.The Rebels then produced a late charge, with lock Culum Retallick dotting down from close range and Naivalu finishing off a counter-attack.But McNicholl had the final say, getting his third five-pointer after the hooter. 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