Colorado native Dalton Risner ended his second year in the NFL with a painful 32-31 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday. After being selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, Risner started all 32 games on the left guard, bringing stability to a besieged offensive line position room.
Risner will be in his third year with the Broncos, while the team tries to recover an identity. The news of John Elway accepting a senior position on the Denver front line and resigning from GM, combined with that of CEO Joe Ellis announcing that he does not intend to remain in his post after 2022, creates more questions than answers for the franchise.
But the Broncos cannot afford a fifth straight losing streak. In fact, the Broncos are the first NFL team to win a championship and lose the playoffs in the next five years, and if that streak ends, it will take more than just a regime change at the top.
On Wednesday, the 25-year-old fan favorite joined 104.3 The fans Nick and Cecil show to reflect on the 2020 season. While Elway and the company were looking for a GM, Risner expanded the work needed for players to improve in 2021 and snatch the five-year reign of the Scrap World.
“Listen, we went from 5 to 11 this year,” said Risner The fan. “Am I upset about that? Yes. I’m struggling to even enjoy the off-season. It’s only been three days and I want to go back to the gym because I want to be a better football team. It sounds cliché, that sounds easy on the phone. But I promise not. When I think about this year, one thing that makes me very proud, guys, is how I came to work every Sunday, not even that, but 365 days a year. You have to work in the off-season as a soccer player. work during the week. You have to prepare in the right way. I divided the film in each game ”.
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According to Pro Football Focus, the 1.80m-tall, 312-pound Risner played 1,015 snaps in the 2020 season. Although it may appear to the naked eye that he had a ‘second year drop’, a more accurate representation its performance appears in the film and in the advanced analyzes. It allowed six total QB hits and 28 total pressures. However, he recorded no penalty or allowed bags.
As divided as the crowd is and as disorganized as the team may seem now, Risner says he understands the frustrations of the Broncos Country. He must know, growing up on a farm in rural Colorado, playing six-player football as a fan of ‘Orange and Blue’ himself.
“Listen, man, it’s special, man,” Risner replied when asked about the difference between Broncos Country and other NFL fan bases. “And guess what? You guys in Broncos Country expect a lot from us, and I love it. I wouldn’t like it any other way. I see some comments after the games and you know what? I’m not mad, I respect that. Because they want me to we succeed, we resolve this and we will see each other well. I love being a Bronco, I never give up on that.:
Risner was not afraid to admit how frustrated he and his teammates are with the Broncos’ lack of success. But he also revealed how they are determined to do their part to turn the ship around in 2021.
“We are fed up with how we are doing now,” said Risner. “As players, we have to find that out. Coaches can define the moves, and the organization can make the position needs and summon the players. But, truth be told, guys, with the guys we had on our football team this year I think we’re a much better team than 5-11, even with the injuries we’ve had. It’s our job inside the room, it’s our job in the off season to fix that. I grew up in this thing. I was the boy that every Sunday was ruined, I didn’t want to go to school if the Broncos lost. I know what it’s like to be a Bronco guy, I love it. “
Follow Luke on Twitter @LukePattersonLP and @MileHighHuddle.