Broncos Top Pick Shane Ray Can’t Wait to Prove Himself
On Monday, Shane Ray had a lot of explaining to do. On Thursday night, he finally got to celebrate the moment he’s been working so hard to get to.
The Denver Broncos gave up two fifth round picks (one this year, and one next) and Manny Ramirez to have the right to draft Ray with the 23rd overall pick from the Detroit Lions, proving this was more than just a case of the Broncos taking the best player available — they are making a significant investment in a person and player who is going to mean a lot to this franchise moving forward.
“I’m so grateful and indebted to the Denver Broncos for giving me a chance to redeem myself…
I haven’t been a person who’s had a lot of off field issues. This is one that popped up, and it’s unfortunate that it happened a few days before the draft but the Broncos decided to still give me the opportunity, and I can’t wait to come in and give everything I can to this program.”
There’s a lot of question as to whether Ray’s citation and possession of marijuana on Monday was an indicator that he’s going to be a problem for the team off the field. He answered that question pretty emphatically.
“Coming to Denver, I will not have any off the field issues…”
But, it’s one thing to say something, and obviously another to do it. Actions will speak louder than words, and we know that Shane Ray has an opportunity to do something huge in Denver working with DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller. He knows that, and he also knows that teams passed on him for a variety of reasons.
Was it strictly off-field concerns? Was it the fact that they think he is a pass rush specialist only? He feels like he’s going to prove a lot of people wrong.
“Definitely I find myself as a steal. I think all the teams that passed on me that were in the top ten, I felt like they made a huge mistake. As a Denver Bronco I plan on showing them the mistake that they made. Like I said, I’m so indebted to the Broncos for giving me the opportunity, and I can’t wait. I can’t wait to learn from guys like Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and just be a force.”
Another question surrounding Shane Ray was about his turf toe injury. That might have pushed him down boards if teams in the top 10 weren’t sure he’d be able to be a full participant in the offseason program leading up to the regular season, but as he pointed out, he hasn’t had the time to rehab. He’s spent the entire offseason working on his craft, his athletic ability to appeal to these teams more than he would if he was rehabbing a toe injury.
“By the season, I’ll be able to go out there and be the same Shane Ray that you saw on Saturdays attacking quarterbacks.”
I’ll take that any day of the week.
I find the detractors for Shane Ray pretty amusing. I watched a lot of his college tape, as did many of the people who doubt him still, but I feel like there was something missed. So many people feel like he can’t do anything except get to the quarterback…
As if that’s a bad thing.
“I think everyone who thinks I’m a one-trick pony should go back and watch some more film.”
Yes, Shane. Yes they should.