On Friday, the score of a very busy and active week in Dove Valley was the news of the extension of Justin Simmons’ $ 61 million four-year contract, which makes him the highest paid security in the National Football League. Simmons’ joyful news was juxtaposed against the disappointment of seeing Phillip Lindsay, rejected by his fans, briefly fired by the Broncos.
Part of the wave of activity on Friday at Broncos headquarters was the celebratory press conference for the new defensive pay Shelby Harris. Earlier this week, the Broncos signed Harris for a three-year, $ 27 million deal that ultimately recognizes him for his talents and gives him multi-season security in Denver.
In a spirit of gratitude, a very emotional Harris sat on the podium, struggling to get his words out. But the triumph of his new deal, after all as a player and all the uncertainty and anxiety of fighting to get that long-term deal, was a sweet, sweet moment.
Harris entered 2020 with the thought that he will not be “denied” that big contract when the next off-season takes place.
“I felt I had a good year [in 2019]”But obviously it’s not good enough,” Harris said. So I had to go out and get the job done. If you ever have a question, go get some work done. left last year. I went and kept working. It’s crazy because everything is tenfold. Here’s the most important part – I’m just happy to be here. He’s home here and they gave me my first chance. I’m happy to stay here. ”
New GM George Paton did a short job of getting two long-term house pins like Harris and Simmons tied up with the opening of the free agency period earlier this week. The two re-signings have solved some of the more pressing issues clouding the future of the Broncos.
Another question Paton will have to answer soon is the situation of the defender and what to do with Drew Lock. On Thursday, Paton said that the Broncos “likes Drew Lock” and believes that the team currently has a “nice” room for QB.
While Paton left the defender’s door open for the general selection of team no. 9 of the team next month and reiterated its goal of adding some “competition” in the room, the first-year GM also clarified that Broncos seems to like Lock a lot more than many in the -local and national media would like you to believe.
Harris likes Lock too.
“Drew has all the tools – great arm and can put the ball in crazy places. [He’s] mobile and smart, “Harris said.” He needs reps. You expect instant results and that’s the problem with today’s world. You expect instant results and things take time. “
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True. Nowadays, fans are easily consumed by the envy of QB when debutants like Justin Herbert come out of the box fresh, hit the field and continue to take the NFL by storm.
This envy QB only increases the feeling of impatience in a fan base. However, Rome was not built in a day and not all the QBs that continue to be great hit the ground running into the NFL. Many, as in the case of future Hall-of-Famers, such as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, took several years to marinate and develop.
QB, like turning the corner, because they were lucky to have the opportunity with their respective team to get repetitions and time in the task.
“If the Packers had given up [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.” He fought Drew sometimes, but you see the lightning that makes everyone excited. He’s my defender and I’m going to go after my guy. He can be great. We believe in him. I really think he will take the next big step this year. ”
It’s always interesting to hear a defensive guy talking to a QB on the other side of the ball. Harris is not a player throwing someone’s skirt. He always told her the way he is.
Harris’ remarks would beg the Broncos and fans to be patient with Lock. But what did Lock do to deserve such a long-suffering patient?
As Harris said, the young QB threw that ceiling and those tempting tools that, if capitalized, could help lift the Broncos from the NFL left and provide that elusive and long search answer below center. Only time will tell if Lock 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 list around him, the hope is that Lock will be able to reach not only his QB potential, but also to raise game to the point where it hovers near its ceiling consistently, instead of the drastic ups and downs of the 2020 campaign.
After all the QB rumors that have revolved around Dove Valley, Lock undoubtedly appreciates the vote of confidence of one of his veteran colleagues. Coming from a guy who just proved that hard work, perseverance and the right opportunity can have life-changing effects on a player’s NFL destiny, it just makes the message stronger.
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