SUNDAY MORNING QUATERBACK: Cutting McGahee Proves That Often Roster Spots are Wasted on the Young! by Todd Baker

The Five Stages of Grief and Getting Over the Denver Broncos 2012 Season

The Five Stages of Grief and Getting Over the Denver Broncos 2012 Season by

Denver Broncos organized team activities are over. Next stop: Training camp. (Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sport)

Mandatory minicamp ended last week and the Denver Broncos are off until the start of training camp at the end of July.

After the five week long break ahead Denver will officially open the 2013 season and games will be right around the corner.

For all intents and purposes the offseason is over, and what an offseason it was.

The Broncos dominated news around the league for the second year in a row. Last offseason it was the Peyton Manning watch and Tim Tebow trade, and this year it was the free agent spending spree and the strange release of Elvis Dumervil.

It seemed like a week wouldn’t go by without Denver being involved in a big story, and the hits kept coming last week with the release of running back Willis McGahee.

McGahee was a favorite among the fan base but was one of the more frustrating players on the team the last few years. He performed well when he got on the field but injuries became a recurring issue. And when he did play it seemed like he would alternate between stellar runs and turnovers. Fans would find themselves holding their breath during his touches until they heard the whistle. There was just no telling when the football would squirt into the open field.

But with that said McGahee was a great Bronco and will be remembered fondly for helping turn the franchise back into a contender. He was the workhorse back during his two years in Denver, and he had a fantastic season in 2011 when he finished with 1,199 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns and a Pro Bowl nod.

Regardless of his accomplishments the Broncos were clearly comfortable enough with the running back situation to part ways with him.

That, plus he may not have been fully recovered from the injury that ended his 2012 season. Latest reports are that questions surrounding McGahee’s health may have been the leading factor in his release.

Either way Montee Ball figures to see a lot of action as a rookie and Ronnie Hillman must be impressing the coaches going into his sophomore year. Not to mention that Knowshon Moreno is still in the mix. The running back battle in training camp will be one of the most exciting things to watch when the Broncos get back to work.

For now the players are getting in some vacation and making final preparations for the long season ahead. The fans will be counting down the days until they see the 2013 team in action.

Next stop: Training camp.

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