Denver Broncos: Dalton Risner saying all the right things of his teammates

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Dalton Risner #66 of the Denver Broncos walks in the bench area during a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Dalton Risner #66 of the Denver Broncos walks in the bench area during a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos left guard Dalton Risner has the right attitude when it comes to talking about his teammates.

Could the Denver Broncos have one of the better left sides of any offensive line in the NFL? Second-year guard Dalton Risner spoke highly of rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry on Monday.

Cushenberry is fighting for the starting position in the middle of the offensive line and by the sounds of it, could have the upper hand already.

We will find out within the next two weeks who the starter at center will be. I still believe that the coaches should let their players know who that starter will be.

The Broncos have made a point of bringing in players who have strong leadership abilities. Cushenberry, who was a leader on LSU’s offensive line, can provide those same things.

"“Lloyd is extremely intelligent. He does a great job. He wants to be great. Lloyd has a passion for the game. He has leadership capabilities that he’s probably not even aware of. I’m really impressed with Lloyd. I was telling the coaches today that I want to keep getting more reps with him, as many reps as we can and we have to get reps after practice. That’s what we need. We need to have an understanding of how each other makes certain blocks and what we mean by certain calls. That’s so big for an offensive line. It’s about meshing together and coming together as a unit. I think Lloyd’s done an extremely good job and the offensive line is continuing to jell more and more. He’s got a lot of work to do just like I do, but I’m really happy with where we’re at right now.”— Denver Broncos left guard Dalton Risner on rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry (quotes via Broncos PR)."

The Broncos may already know who their starter at center will be for week one. They aren’t likely to officially announce it but it appears that Cushenberry has done a very good job so far.

Dalton Risner has been impressed by Denver Broncos’ LT Garett Bolles

Risner’s been through a lot in just his first year on the Broncos, and that continued as he earned his way into the starting left guard spot beside left tackle Garett Bolles.

Bolles has had a lot of issues in terms of holding penalties since entering the league in 2017. The Broncos declined Bolles’ fifth-year option this offseason but hypothetically could still bring him back on a low-risk contract.

Risner said that he is impressed with the work Bolles has done this offseason/training camp.

"“I think what Garett has done is really honed in on what Mike Munchak is saying. Garett might have had a way doing things his first few years, but I think Garett grew a lot last year, whether some people saw it or not. I think that Mike Munchak is helping him continue to grow this year. This is the NFL. Everyone has a fair shake. That’s the thing that I want everyone to know. Everyone has a fair shake and we’re going to duke this thing out to have the best five offensive linemen. Garett continues to prove himself in practice, and that’s coming from me. That man is athletic and does a great job. He has things to work on, just like I do and just like all of us offensive linemen do. But what he’s done a great job of is competing every single day, listening to a Hall-of-Fame Coach in Mike Munchak and really doing what he wants in terms of technique. I think that’s going a long way for Garett.”— Broncos G Dalton Risner on LT Garett Bolles (quotes via Broncos PR)."

That is a ringing endorsement for Bolles, who has taken a lot of heat over the years. Bolles still has a chance to stay in Denver but needs a strong 2020 season to do so.

But people have to realize that, before entering the league in 2017, Bolles did not have a lot of experience playing football.

With the Broncos declining his fifth-year option, he may have to search for a new team following the 2020 season. But maybe this will be his best year yet.

A lot has changed since just the beginning of the 2019 season. This offense has transformed into something that has the potential to go far. We will just have to wait and see if what we think will happen will actually translate onto the field, not only this season but for years to come.

Next. Royce Freeman making strides in year three. dark

Dalton Risner has said all the right things so far, in my opinion, regarding his teammates and that is a good thing for the chemistry between them all.