Broncos HC Sean Payton says best player will be ready for special teams
The Denver Broncos have plans for their best player to get on the field more in 2023.The Denver Broncos were brutal in almost all facets of the game during the 2022 season. Their offense was the worst in the league; the special teams were one of the worst. The defense is the only thing that […]
The Denver Broncos have plans for their best player to get on the field more in 2023.
The Denver Broncos were brutal in almost all facets of the game during the 2022 season. Their offense was the worst in the league; the special teams were one of the worst. The defense is the only thing that really had bright spots, and even it fell off towards the end of the season.
The offense is improving through new head coach Sean Payton, who has often constructed the top offenses in the league many times. The special teams, well, are finding ways to improve by bringing the best player on the team to play with that unit. Well, they are ready for the possibility.
"All of these guys are going to have roles," Payton said Tuesday to the media. "You start asking questions, and you start getting answers. He did it in high school. I want to know who we are going to if [Option 1] isn't ready. There are 53 on your roster and 47 on gameday. If I need a gunner taken out of the game, then who better to do that than [CB] Patrick [Surtain II]? That's what he does for a living. It's not just offense go over here; defense go over here, and the kicking game go over here.
"I watched [Pro Football Hall of Fame OLB] Lawrence Taylor in a game with the Giants where they were winning, and the team they were playing came back with a couple of kick returns. I watched Lawrence Taylor remove about five guys on the kick coverage unit and bring defensive players out, line them up, and cover a kick. That's when you have something. These are snaps. There are snaps in a game that are valuable. If Surtain can help us as a returner when needed, then we'll have him ready."
As a fan, you'd hope Surtain isn't playing special teams much out there. Being on the field more when he doesn't have to be, means more opportunities for the Broncos' best player to get hurt. Sure, Surtain would be amazing on special teams and would likely make them better, but having him get injured and possibly miss a significant period of time isn't ideal.
Also, the Broncos have a guy in Tremon Smith, who will likely be a special team ace. He has returned punts and kicks in the past and even had a touchdown on both in 2021. Smith is a guy that likely wouldn't be a starting cornerback, so that would make more sense.
But, at the end of the day, it's June. They are just trying out everything. This doesn't mean that's what will happen at all.
Featured Image Via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
