On Friday, punctuating a very busy and active week in Dove Valley, came news of Justin Simmons’ $ 61 million contract extension for four years, making him the highest-paid safety in the National Football League. Simmons’ joyful news was juxtaposed with the disappointment of seeing fan favorite runner Phillip Lindsay summarily dismissed by the Broncos.
Part of Friday’s hustle and bustle at the Broncos HQ was the commemorative press conference for newly paid defensive lineman Shelby Harris. Earlier this week, the Broncos signed Harris with a three-year, $ 27 million contract that finally recognizes him for his talents and offers him some security for several seasons in Denver.
In a spirit of gratitude, a very emotional Harris took to the podium, struggling to pronounce the words. But the triumph of his new contract, after all he went through as a player and all the uncertainty and anxiety of striving to win that long-term contract, was a very sweet moment.
Harris entered 2020 with the mentality that he would not “have denied” that big contract in the next off-season.
“I felt like I had a good year [in 2019], but obviously it’s not good enough, “said Harris.” So, I had to go out and work. If you have any questions, just go to work a little more. I wasn’t happy with how free the agency was last year. I went and kept working. It’s crazy because everything came ten times. Here’s the bulk of it – I’m really happy to be here. This is my home and they gave me my first chance. I am happy to continue here. “
The new GM George Paton had little work to get two homemade stallions, like Harris and Simmons, tied for a long term, as the free agency period started earlier this week. The two rehires resolved some of the most pressing issues that obscured the Broncos’ future.
Another question that Paton will have to answer soon is the situation of the quarterback and what to do with Drew Lock. On Thursday, Paton said the Broncos “likes Drew Lock” and believes the team currently has a “good” QB room.
While Paton left the quarterback’s door open in relation to the team’s choice of the general draft No. 9 next month, and reiterated his goal of adding a little “competition” to the room, the first-year GM also made it clear that the Broncos seem to like Lock much more than many in the local and national media would like you to believe.
Harris likes Lock too.
“Drew has all the tools – a big arm and he can put the ball in some crazy places. [He’s] mobile and smart, “said Harris.” He needs representatives. You expect instant results and that is the problem in the world today. You expect immediate results and things take time. “
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Truth. Nowadays, fans are easily consumed by QB’s envy when newcomers like Justin Herbert get out of the box, step onto the field and go on to take the NFL by storm.
This envy of QB only increases the feeling of impatience in a fan base. However, Rome was not built in a day and not all of the QBs that became big started running when they entered the NFL. Many, as in the case of future Hall of Fame members, such as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, took a few years to marinate and develop.
QBs like they turned the corner because they were lucky enough to have an opportunity with their respective teams to get continuous repetitions and time on tasks.
“If the Packers had given up on [Hall-of-Famer] Brett Favre immediately, or if the Broncos had given up on John Elway immediately, there would be none of them, “Harris pointed out.” With Drew, he fought at times, but you see the flashes that get everyone excited. He’s my quarterback and I’m going to ride for my guy. It can be great. We believe in him. I really believe that he will take the next big step this year. “
It is always interesting to hear a defensive guy talk to the resources of a QB on the other side of the ball. Harris is not a player who blows up anyone’s skirt. He always said how it is.
Harris’ comments begged the Broncos, and fans, to exercise patience with Lock. But what did Lock do to deserve such suffering patience?
As Harris said, the young QB displayed that roof and those tempting tools that, if harnessed, could help lift the Broncos from stagnation in the NFL and provide that elusive, long-running answer to the center. Only time will tell if Lock finally reaches his potential.
But if the Broncos are inclined to give him another year as a starter and continue to invest in the team, building the squad around him, the hope is that Lock will not only reach his potential as a QB, but elevate his game to one point where it hovers near its ceiling on a consistent basis, rather than the dramatic ups and downs of the 2020 campaign.
After all the QB rumors that circulated in Dove Valley, Lock undoubtedly thanks the vote of confidence of one of his veteran teammates. Coming from a guy who just proved that hard work, perseverance and the right opportunity can have life-changing effects on the fate of a player in the NFL, it just makes the message more hit.
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