Denver

REPORT DATES: Rookies July 27th, Veterans July 27th

SITE: Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Centre, Englewood, CO

CAMP OBJECTIVES: Though the starting quarterback job ostensibly belongs to Jake Plummer, how well No. 11 overall draft pick and rookie Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt) progresses in camp will likely determine Plummer's very near future in Denver. It will be interesting to note how the presence of Cutler affects team chemistry as camp begins. Staying in the backfield, head coach Mike Shanahan needs Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne to prove capable of handling the rushing load following the departure of Mike Anderson (Ravens). The receiving situation looks fluid. No. 1 receiver Rod Smith is 36 years old and in decline. Potential No. 1 Javon Walker (Packers) is coming off a major knee injury that sidelined him for most of 2006. Deep threat Ashley Lelie is unhappy with his role and may hold out. The best bet to start at tight end is Tony Scheffler, a second-round draft pick out of Western Michigan. By the time the Broncos break camp, the pass-catching specifics need to be more concrete. Things appear more certain on the defensive end of the football, though coordinator Larry Coyer needs to find a consistent pass rusher, which the team greatly lacked last season. Former Brown Kenard Lang and fourth-round draft choice Elvis Dumervil (Louisville) both have a chance to inject some life into that area. On special teams, where the Broncos will be without punter Todd Sauerbrun for the first four games of 2006 due to the player's positive test for ephedra, will need to locate a replacement for him.