Broncos a team physically, and metaphorically, ‘under construction’
May 29, 2018, 12:01 AM | Updated: 7:33 am
The presence of construction at UCHealth Training Center during the Denver Broncos first set of OTAs last week was readily apparent, both audibly and visually.
However, the grind of circular saws chopping metal might serve more than just upgrades to the team’s world-class facilities at Dove Valley; it’s an apt metaphor for the remodeling underway on the field, in the locker room, and in the front office.
“A team under construction. A team having to rebuild itself. And, I think, the construction is happening physically in the building, I think it’s happening out on the field, and I think it’s happening in all areas of the team,” DMac, co-host of “The Drive,” said on Friday. “All areas.”
In January, the Broncos elevated Gary Kubiak’s role with the team, broadening his personnel evaluation responsibilities. His presence, too, was seen on the sidelines during workouts last week.
Denver signed quarterback Case Keenum, not free agency darling Kirk Cousins, in March — a move to bring in a proven veteran whom general manager John Elway said was “the guy” all along.
Just last month, the Broncos, by many accounts, seemingly made a concerted effort to draft mature players, many of whom captained their respective college teams.
However, Denver’s draft proved to be a sobering one for DMac, he said.
“I understand why people were so excited about the draft because it looks like they got so many great players. The reason why I wasn’t excited about the draft was to me it was admitting failure on the past two or three drafts,” DMac said. “And it just, it’s frustrating for me to see us just sort of start from square one all over again.”
But ultimate, DMac said, the process of rebuilding — quite literally in bringing in Sam Hinkie, the man who championed the “trust the process” philosophy with the Philadelphia 76ers — is a step in the right direction.
“I like the changes that are being made, I like the concept of re-examining the process, and, in terms of OTAs, I liked what I was seeing out there by the young guys,” DMac said. “It looks better than last year at this time.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.