Suspensions and Injuries Will Not Derail Denver Broncos 2013 Season

(Photo courtesy of Paul Cloud)

This offseason, it has seemed at times that the Denver Broncos have been falling apart.

Two team executives—Matt Russell and Tom Heckert—were suspended by the team earlier this month for DUI arrests, outside linebacker Von Miller is facing a potential four-game suspension for allegedly breaking the league's substance-abuse policy, and center Dan Koppen tore his ACL on Sunday, ending his season.

Koppen was signed by the team when starter J.D. Walton (who is currently on the PUP list) underwent surgery in June.  Expected to again be the team's starter as he was last year during Walton's absence, Koppen will now miss the entire season.

This, coupled with Miller's suspension and Denver's other offseason woes, has some proclaiming that the sky is falling in Denver.  Count NFL.com's Adam Schein among those questioning the team's ability to bounce back:

Dan Koppen big injury for Denver. I'm not buying Broncos to Super Bowl. Division improved. Broncos have questions.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) July 29, 2013

When Schein says the Broncos "have questions," he's not talking about which of their three star receivers will be the first to reach ten touchdown receptions or about the possibility of the team going undefeated this fall.  Schein believes the Koppen loss is a big hit.

Fines and Suspensions Looming for Denver's Russell and Heckert

(Douglas County Sheriff's Department)

Just one day after news broke that Denver Broncos executive Matt Russell was arrested for DUI and crashing into a police vehicle over the weekend, the Associated Press reported that fellow executive Tom Heckert was also arrested for DUI back in June.

It is unclear why the Douglas County Sheriff's Department did not tip Heckert's arrest to the media sooner.  After Russell's arrest created a buzz, the Broncos and Russell quickly released statements on the situation.

After Heckert's arrest became public knowledge, the team released a statement which stated that the team knew of Hecker's arrest when it happened and made the league office aware of the situation.  The team has also stated that both executives will be dealt with for their serious lapses in judgment.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos are working with the NFL to determine the discipline given to the pair of executives.  Schefter also notes that the Broncos may impose discipline before anything is done by the league's office.

In the past, executives have drawn hefty fines and one-month suspensions for DUI arrests—Russell and Heckert could receive similar punishments and the Broncos' organization may face additional fines.