Evans: Observations from OTAs as Broncos head toward training camp

Here are my observations from the Denver Broncos spring football season:

» The raves that surround Case Keenum and all he brings …

… in the form of leadership and stability only underscores what a cluster the Broncos quarterback situation was the past two years.

Keenum is only doing what any team should reasonably expect from its starter. The fact that it’s such a big deal here illustrates how dumb it was to hold a quarterback competition the past two years.

“Today is a Trevor day; tomorrow is a Paxton day. This week Trevor starts; next week it’s Paxton’s turn.”

Stupid.

» I like that Keenum is taking charge. Now, can he play?

I can’t forget how underwhelmed Broncos Country felt about the idea of pursuing Keenum instead of someone like Kirk Cousins.

Now, here we are, extolling his virtues before he’s even gone through a training camp practice. Is Broncos Country trying to talk itself into Keenum? Are they genuinely optimistic?

I’ll go with the former.

» I really don’t worry about Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

I think there’s still enough left in the tank. This offense will once again ride on its ability (or inability) to find a reliable third receiver and a difference maker at tight end.

So, no pressure DeaSean Hamilton and Jake Butt.

» The relative youth at running back doesn’t bother me a bit.

We’re talking about a position that has about a three-year career lifespan and considers 30-year-olds to be over the hill.

Give me as many young legs as possible. I’ll worry about them reading blocks and picking up pass rushers later.

» Risk management is the name of the game now with NFL quarterbacks.

Bill Musgrave needs to come up with an offense (and stick with it) that preaches taking care of the football. Stay on the field, convert a couple of first downs, and punt the ball away if necessary.

Too often Bronco quarterbacks over the past three-plus years have put the Broncos defense in tough situations. Until further notice, the defense is still the strength of this team. Play to it, not away from it.

» I love the DeMarcus Ware hiring.

Kudos to Vance Joseph and the defensive assistants for checking their egos and not being threatened by the presence of Ware. It makes such perfect sense to have a resource like Ware to lean on.

Why in the world don’t more teams do this? The answer is easy: ego.

Still, with the NFL being a multi-billion-dollar business where winning means everything, you would think teams would be able to get past that.

Apparently, they can’t.

» I’m looking forward to watching the competition in the secondary.

Is Tramaine Brock pushing Bradley Roby for the starting corner job that used to belong to Aqib Talib? How will the safety battle play out? Is a veteran like Darian Stewart in trouble?

As much as we tend to be drawn to what is going on with the offense, it is still this defense that will determine whether the Broncos are a playoff team or not.

» Vance Joseph sounds like a different coach.

I have got to believe he’s learned some valuable lessons from last year.

I believe he’ll be tougher on the players, and less trusting.

I believe he feels more comfortable with his assistants than he did a year ago. Mike McCoy and Eric Studesville not being around anymore should make him feel more empowered.

» With that being said, he probably has about six games to save his job.

Follow @MikeEvans1043