Jared Crick says Denver Broncos were his first choice
New Denver Broncos defensive lineman Jared Crick says playing for his former coaches in Denver was his top choice in free agency…
The Denver Broncos added defensive lineman Jared Crick on Wednesday, a move I was incredibly excited about given his familiarity with the coaching staff in Denver and the potential he had as a prospect coming out in 2012.
Crick was phenomenal as a member of the Nebraska football program playing alongside Ndamukong Suh, who is one of the elite defenders in the NFL. He struggled in his senior season when Suh was departed, and injuries coupled to make him a fourth round pick, which was three rounds later than pundits had predicted at the beginning of the season.
Crick’s toughness, physical style of play, and relentless motor have always been his top qualities, but his first two years with the Texans were spent as a reserve, getting acclimated to a new style of defense than he played with the Huskers.
The last two seasons, Crick has started 31 of 32 games opposite J.J. Watt for the Houston defense, and he’s been productive. He’s going to fit in really well with the Broncos’ defense, and his familiarity with the coaches makes this the perfect match for the 26-year old.
“It was a huge part of it,” Crick said in front of the Denver media for the first time. “Just being with ‘Kubes’ (Head Coach Gary Kubiak) for two years, [Defensive Coordinator] Coach Wade [Phillips] for two years and [Defensive Line Coach Bill] Kollar for three years, I know the schemes, what they expect of me and I know what to expect of them. To come back and play for them again, it was a huge part of the decision.”
Crick wasn’t hotly pursued in free agency like the Broncos’ 2012 draft pick at defensive end (Malik Jackson) who was given a boatload of money by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Crick signed a relatively modest two-year pact with Denver for a total of $4 million. He says the Broncos were atop his list of teams to go to.
“Just a couple. I narrowed it down to just a couple that I wanted. This was the first choice. I was just fortunate enough to have it be able to work out for me.”
The Broncos have been thin on cap space, so Matt Sullivan is going to have some fun hurdles to clear before all is said and done. Adding Crick was a nice move for the Broncos to add depth to an area of need before the draft, giving them flexibility with Vance Walker presumably filling in for the departed Jackson. Crick knows he’ll have a role within this defense.
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“Absolutely. We watched Broncos games and the Broncos’ defense for every team that they played that we played. Just knowing Coach Wade’s defense, I had a good understanding of what they’re still doing, what they did before when I was there. It’s good to see the similarities. I’m going to be coming in to a defense that I already know. I’ll have to pick up some of the terminology that was different when they left, but I think I’ll be able to fit in. I just need to learn my role and do whatever I can.”
Talk about some incredible teammates. Crick has spent the last four seasons with J.J. Watt, two-time NFL defensive MVP, and now he’ll line up with Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller.
Both players were taken a year before Crick entered the NFL, and have developed into the league’s best. Crick compared the two on Thursday and talked about the opportunity to play with Miller.
“He’s an exciting player. I know Von a little bit. I’m excited to not only play with him, but get to know him a little bit more. Hopefully we gel well together when we’re on the field together. I’m excited. [He] brings in different skill sets than what J.J. has. Obviously J.J. is more of a hand-in-the-dirt kind of guy. Von is kind of a stand-up guy. Both are great rushers, but they bring a lot of different things to the table. It was fun playing with J.J., but I think it’s going to be fun also learning to play with Von.”
Yes, Jared. Yes it is.