Dawkins' absence won't necessarily leave leadership void

One of the reasons the Broncos signed Brian Dawkins in 2009 was because they'd lost nearly all of their long-term leaders in the previous three years, a group that included WR Rod Smith, QB Jake Plummer, C Tom Nalen, LB Al Wilson and S John Lynch. Dawkins provided the defense -- and the entire locker room -- a touchstone and focal point. But with QB Peyton Manning's arrival, DE Elvis Dumervil's maturation, LB Von Miller's ascension and CB Champ Bailey's presence, the Broncos appear set for leaders without Dawkins.