Broncos players are relieved to have training camp over as of yesterday, but, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Denver was dismantled by the Minnesota Vikings last Saturday, losing 42-28 as their second and third-teamers played most of the game. While the “ones” will get more run in tomorrow’s game, Week 2 is again a chance for the backups and special teamers to prove to everyone what they’ve got. And not just the coaches on the Broncos, but other places in the league, too.
“Right now, it’s week two, so we’re expected to play a quarter or more,” nose tackle Domata Peko said on Thursday at camp of the starters. “But every snap you’re out there you want to get better and improve. You want to make the most of those snaps, especially these young guys. They want to go out there, put the good film out there because we have 90 guys right now, but we only keep 53 on the active. It’s a resume for everyone to go out there and show these 31 other teams what you’ve got.”
Peko’s right, the Broncos are quite deep at some spots — pass-rushers, running back, wide receiver, tight end — and some of those guys who end up getting cut, will be called up by other teams. But, only if they work their butt off in these next, few preseason games, putting together the best film possible.
Because, when a rookie enters the league, his resume is what he’s done in high school and college. But as soon as he’s officially in the NFL, that college resume doesn’t matter anymore; NFL teams and GMs want to see what a guy can do with the big boys.
Hey, the results of these preseason games don’t matter at the end of the regular season, but, they help the team decide who the best 53 are. And for the individuals, it could mean the difference between finding a job in another city or being out of the NFL.
