Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus has been around this team long enough to see great players such as Peyton Manning and coaches such as John Fox and Gary Kubiak lift the Broncos into a Super Bowl contending and winning franchise.
While Manning and Kubiak would get credit for the offense and Fox the defense, the culture of winning permeates all three phases of the game. McManus understands this and has begun encouraging incoming rookies to embrace the aspect of playing special teams.
“We see all these college players [who were] the best players on their team when they come here,” McManus said on June 9. “Obviously, there are great players here already, so they’re not going to be the No. 1 player here. We have incredible players. Their role to help this team is going to be special teams. I think that’s difficult for a lot of players to realize.”
While McManus understands that players may have a hard time adjusting to life in the NFL, his point is for the rookies to see that special teams are not just about paying dues but also about development.
“Some of them love it, some don’t. I think having [special teams coordinator Dwayne] Stukes here will help with that transition, [especially with] being a former player and also motivating these guys. Justin Simmons was a four-core special teamer and now is [one of] the highest-paid safeties. Some people say you have to pay your [dues] to the game… . I think that’s what Coach Stukes will do — help motivate his guys.”
McManus mentioned Simmons as a current players who turned a key special teams role into a staring role on defense. Years earlier, running back Terrell Davis turned an opportunity on special teams into a Hall of Fame career on offense. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s an important job — one that can be used as a launching pad into for bigger roles on offense and defense.
McManus is a respected teammate and was a part of the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 win. Time will tell if the rookies take heed.
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