Denver Post Broncos writer Troy Renck posts his Broncos Mailbag monthly during the offseason. He answers two more of your questions in the video above.

You can pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag here.

What in the world is keeping the Broncos from getting a long-term deal for Demaryius Thomas? The Broncos have never had a high-profile receiver like DT that I can remember; maybe Haven Moses or Rod Smith. It makes me sick that they have not done the deal.

— Clint, Thailand

A: Clint, I wrote about this length a few weeks ago. The easy answer is that it’s complicated.

Demaryius Thomas wants Calvin Johnson money, which is $16 million per season and $48 million guaranteed. Fair or not, both numbers are viewed as outliers for the wide receiver position. There’s no question that Thomas deserves more than Mike Wallace, the second-highest paid receiver at $12 million per season. But this is not about annual value. It’s about the guaranteed money. When you look at what Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Cincinnati’s A.J.Green will make over the next three years — taking into account this year’s salary and, for argument’s sake, the franchise tag for two

seasons, in 2016 and 2017 — it comes in around $40 million. It would be hard for Thomas to take much less than that. There’s no way, in my opinion, the Broncos reach that number. So let’s say that Thomas becomes impatient and wants to establish the market for he and Dez Bryant, the other wild card in this equation muddying the waters. I can’t see either player taking less than $36 million. But there’s no real motivation to move quickly. Thomas would prefer that Bryant sign, creating a platform to work off for his new deal. Thomas has limited leverage. If a long-term deal isn’t completed by July 15, he can only play on the $12.82 million franchise tag. The Broncos can go year to year and franchise him next season at $15 million, leaving them with roughly $28 million guaranteed over two years.

RELATED: Demaryius Thomas, Broncos must find middle ground for deal

However, if Thomas holds out in training camp to express his displeasure with the process, which is possible, it could prevent the Broncos from placing the franchise tag on him next season. There’s a strong argument for leasing given the uncertainty of Peyton Manning’s long-term future and Brock Osweiler’s skillset. And the fact that no team in recent history has required a superstar receiver to win the Super Bowl.

Thomas, to me, is elite in every way. He can succeed in any offense with any quarterback. But if the Broncos tilt over the next few years to a run-based offense with a powerful defense, Thomas’ situation becomes intriguing. Would you rather invest in him, or use that money for Von Miller and say Malik Jackson? Again, it’s complicated.

How close does the re-emergence of the Gary Kubiak run-blocking scheme get us to 1997 season-type of success running the ball? In other words, can we reasonably expect a 1,500-plus-yard rusher because this is a similar scheme or was the late ’90s’ success merely a product of Terrell Davis?

— Taylor Poe, Tallahassee, Fla.

Taylor: History has worked in Davis’ favor. As it should. I covered his best seasons and felt like he didn’t receive the credit he deserved. He was part of “the System vs. the Players” debate. As it turned it out, the players were more important as the Broncos went years without winning a playoff game following the exits of Davis, Sharpe and Elway. Davis was special, a hall of famer in my opinion. That said, I believe C.J. Anderson, a bowling ball with legs, can roll for 1,400 yards. He will be physically prepared for the grind. Just as Davis paved the way for the Broncos’ first Super Bowl, Anderson holds the key to making life easier on Manning. It might not be circa 1997, but Anderson can be plenty good enough.

Will Chase Vaughn make the Broncos this year? We have followed him since his Smoky Hill days. Is he being given a fair chance?

— Art Pineda, Aurora

Art: Chase Vaughn represents a potential feel-good story. He played at Adams State, where his scholarship was roughly $300, and then ended up at Colorado State-Pueblo. Under coach John Wristen, who cut his coaching chops at CU when I covered the team from 1989-1993, Vaughn blossomed. Vaughn made a nice impression a year ago before an injury derailed him. He showed improvement during practices over the past six weeks.

Realistically given the team’s depth and talent, Vaughn’s best chance is to earn a practice squad spot. He will receive an opportunity, but like anyone who is not drafted, he will have to maximize every chance in limited duty and on special teams to catch the coaching staff’s eye.

There has been much talk about how the 2015 Packers offense will be the most potent in years. What would be the difference between that offense and Denver’s record-breaking one from a few years ago? The Packers would still have to meet up with the Seahawks twice and get through them.

— Manuel Garcia, Falcon

Manuel: I haven’t heard that chatter about the Packers’ offense. I would be surprised if they are better with coach Mike McCarthy relinquishing his play-calling duties. That, to me, was a complete over-reaction to the team’s loss in Seattle, a game the Packers gift-wrapped with a mind-numbing mistake on the onside kick. The Packers are loaded, beginning with reigning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He throws missiles, and brings sneaky mobility. He should win MVP honors a few more times before he’s done. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb provide a terrific one-two punch at receiver. Eddie Lacy brings a legitimate ground attack. The Packers led the NFL with 486 points last season, four ahead of the Broncos. The Packers are legit. Still, there is no reason to believe they will be better than Denver’s 2013 attack, though they will feature more balance as Lacy continues to serve as a V-8-powered bulldozer.

Troy, per your column on June 6, if you’re saying early retirement from the NFL is a “sign of independence and enlightenment,” you must not think much of the game. The smart guys get out? Does that mean the smart sports writers also get out?

— Dan, St. Louis

Dan: I like football, and love game day. I covered the NFL from 1996-2000, and resumed last year after a 15-year hiatus writing about baseball. I don’t want to see football disappear, nor am I looking to cover another sport. I root for stories, not teams. The NFL provides a plethora of intriguing topics and players. My point is this: We are all better when we make informed decisions. Some players will take the data on injuries and concussions and decide it’s worth the risk. Others will decide it’s not worth it. For decades, it can be argued that players were unaware of the long-term risks of concussions. Those playing now walk into the sport with eyes wide open with information — and that’s a good thing.

Troy, do you think the Broncos’ move to Kubiak’s run-style offense could produce similar results to what the Cowboys did last year? Also, I think Ty Sambrailo is up to the task at left tackle, which could be a blessing if Ryan Clady’s play continues to tail off. Thoughts?

— Tony Ellsworth, Bellevue, Neb.

Tony: I don’t believe reaching the Cowboys’ level this season is realistic. Dallas posted 2,354 yards, second only to the Seahawks, with a 4.6 average. Denver totaled 1,785 yards last season with a 4.0 average. The goal should be 2,000 yards with 4.4 yards per attempt. I expect C.J. Anderson to serve as the bellcow, averaging 18 carries per game, with Montee Ball receiving roughly seven-to-eight.

RELATED: Are the Broncos asking too much of Ty Sambrailo?

As for Sambrailo, it sets up for him to start the season opener at left tackle barring a poor training camp. It’s his job to lose. He has the smarts and fits the zone-blocking scheme. And let’s be honest, he benefits from Manning, who is sack proof. The key is keeping Manning from taking hits to his lower body. Sambrailo will struggle at times. It’s the nature of the position. His success will be judged on his ability to run block consistently and prevent body shots on Manning. I am not ready to say he can pull it off until I see the team in pads. But his potential is real.

I saw Isaiah Burse in the last 2014 preseason game. I thought he looked great at wide receiver. Do you think he’ll get a shot to get in the rotation at wide receiver this year?

— Chris Kellar, Allendale, N.J.

Chris: It would help him tremendously if he can make gains as a receiver because I don’t think he can make team as solely a punt returner. The competition will be fierce with Solomon Patton, Jordan Norwood — who had beaten Burse out before blowing out his knee — and Kyle Williams. Burse is a hard-working kid who continues to improve, but he faces long odds to break into the rotation given the depth at the position.

Pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag.

Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck