Broncos second-round draft pick Dalton Risner has something to prove. He wants to win the team’s starting left guard spot and he wants to show the team’s coaching staff that he gives 100 percent effort on every play.
That’s great, but some of his veteran teammates wanted him to tone things down a little bit during organized team activities and minicamp earlier this offseason.
“He’s a rookie, a rookie offensive lineman that goes really hard as hard as he possibly can every play,” defensive lineman Derek Wolfe said of Risner after practice on May 30. “That’s what you expect from a rookie offensive lineman. We have to tell him a couple of times like, ‘Hey man, chill out.’ I think he’s a good player. I think that was another great pickup.”
Wolfe and his teammates may not love going up against an amped up Risner during a light practice session but they’ll appreciate when he plays like that during the regular season.
Risner will be a key part of the team’s improved offensive line this year — and that offensive line will be a key part of the team’s improved offense.
“I’m just really happy about the team,” Wolfe said. “It’s a whole new feel offensively. You’ve got Joe Flacco over there who’s doing a great job of running the show over there. Our offensive line looks really good. They’re playing as a unit. It seems like they’re all starting to come together more.”
Broncos players are on summer break now until they report back for the starting of training camp in mid-July. The team will have 19 practices free and open to the public this summer, including a stadium scrimmage. Practices will begin on July 18.
