NFL reporter Mike Klis lists five goals for the Broncos, who play their preseason opener tonight against Dallas at Cowboys Stadium:
1. Stay healthy: Lockout or no lockout, preseason games remain meaningless in the standings. The Broncos need their key players — most notably defensive end Elvis Dumervil — to reach the regular-season starting line.
2. First-team confidence: Veteran quarterback Kyle Orton and the No. 1 offense could deliver a stiff-arm to Tebowmania with a scoring drive.
3. May the second-best man win: Once the starters leave the game, the competition for backup jobs is on. Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn are going at it for the No. 2 job at quarterback.
4. Stop Dallas QB Tony Romo: Ranked 32nd in the 32-team NFL last year, Denver’s defense should show immediate improvement with a defensive- minded head coach (John Fox), the return of a key player (Dumervil) and the addition of a high-profile rookie (outside linebacker Von Miller).
5. Pass protection: If it’s third-and-long for the Broncos’ offense, the Dallas defense figures to test rookie right tackle Orlando Franklin. The backup offensive line needs Tebow to make quick decisions.
