Denver Broncos: Shane Ray Looking Like A Beast

Shane Ray has shown a new dedication this offseason.  Between boxing, and an improved diet, the Broncos outside linebacker is looking like a beast.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray is about to enter his third season in the league.  The former first round pick seems to have taken his offseason very seriously.  His physical appearance certainly shows the hard work he has put in, as he is looking especially beefed up and fit coming into training camp.

Ray has taken his offseason training, and dedication to getting his body right to a whole new level. He has taken up boxing in an attempt to gain strength and endurance and he is definitely reaping the benefits.  He looks fit, and incredibly strong in comparison to years past.  Additionally, he has changed his nutritional habits in order to shape his body.  He has credited teammate Von Miller for helping him learn how to eat as a professional:

"“He’s upfront and he teaches guys.  I could say my eating habits and my wanting to get a chef and get my body to a certain body fat percentage and all those things came from Von.”  Ray said.    “He did it on a whole different level—245-250 pounds with seven percent body fat who can bend like no other.  I started trying to figure things out like, ‘Hey Von, how do I get my ankles more flexible?  How do I do this?’  He’s always trying to help guys.  He’s always trying to bring guys to extra workouts.”(Quotes acquired from the Denver Broncos PR)"

Von Miller learned these habits from Demarcus Ware, and has now passed the knowledge along to Shane Ray.  Ray appears to have taken it very seriously, and it should show up on Sunday’s while he is feasting on opposing quarterbacks.

https://twitter.com/StingRay56/status/887732054900711424

On top of physical part of it, he has also taken hard to the film room.  This seems to be the most focused that Ray has been since he was drafted over two years ago.  And it’s for good measure. Ray has shown incredible prowess in rushing the passer, but his run defense has been lacking. The increased study and offseason work shows that he has learned what it takes to be a professional.

Back in May, Ray spoke about the importance of self scouting and using the film room to prepare and improve on his weakness’:

"“One of the first things I did this off-season was do a self-scout.  I just went over all of my film and saw what worked for me and what I did well.  I saw what I could have gotten better at.”  Ray said during OTA’s.“Now I have identified what I can get better at as a player, what went great for me and what I could have done better in coverage or the run game.  I have really just taken that and gone day-by-day with it by working on my footwork, my positioning and my technique.”"

If Ray can improve his run defense, and add to an already fantastic pass-rush, he can make that leap from ‘tons-of-potential’ to ‘Pro-Bowl player’ in 2017.  With Demarcus Ware now retired, the brunt of the load at OLB is going to fall on Ray and Miller.  Von Miller is unquestionably a top-3 defender in the NFL.

Next: Broncos Receivers Want Quick Quarterback Competition

If Shane Ray can vault himself into that upper-tier of defenders, the sky is the limit for this defense.  The Broncos kick off training camp a week from today.  Prepare to see a show from this duo of OLB’s.