Broncos camp: Veterans under pressure

Five Broncos veterans are under pressure heading into training camp.

WR Eddie Royal
Royal did little last year, going all season without a receiving touchdown. The Broncos have said all offseason they regret not getting Royal more involved. That seems disingenuous, but Royal and the Broncos have a chance to prove he was just underutilized last year.

OLB Robert Ayers
Ayers didn’t have a sack last season but the 2009 first-round pick was handed a starting job in the offseason. Things were going well until Ayers was punished and not allowed to practice for most of the June minicamp. He has to rebound in training camp.

OLB Jarvis Moss
An annual member of this list, Moss has a real chance to contribute this year. Denver doesn’t have much depth at outside linebacker and Robert Ayers’ issues have opened up a competition for a starting spot.

QB Kyle Orton
Although Josh McDaniels has mentioned over and over that Orton is the starter, any slip during camp will have folks clamoring for Brady Quinn or Tim Tebow. The good news for Orton is he looked good this offseason.

TE Richard Quinn
A second-round pick last year, Quinn had no catches and contributed little. He was promoted because Tony Scheffler was traded, but didn’t have a great offseason. Denver needs to see some progress from Quinn because there isn’t much depth at tight end.