Lloyd Cushenberry isn’t going anywhere.
The third-year center has started 32 of a possible 33 games for the Denver Broncos in the past two seasons. And he plans to start, barring injury, all 17 games at the pivot next season.
“Every night [I’m] just [using] flashcards and studying and being on point. As a center, a lot of people expect the center to know everything,” Cushenberry said last week. “You have to be smart. You don’t get a pat on the back for being smart as a center. You’re supposed to do that. That’s what I try to do every night. I get home and the first thing I do is watch the film, study a little bit, and take a little time off. Before I go to sleep, [I do the] same thing.”
It’s a good attitude for Cushenberry to have. Pundits believe fifth-round rookie center Luke Wattenberg is in the mix to start at the pivot next season. Although the former Washington center is a Day 3 pick, typically not considered an instant-starter round.
Bronco Wire’s Jon Heath actually dubs second-year interior offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz as the projected starter at center. Although fourth-year guard Dalton Risner‘s status could shake things up on the offensive line.
First-year, first-time coach Nathaniel Hackett is on board the Cushenbrry cruise as well.
“We do a lot of different testing with the guys during meetings. We have these fun ‘Kahoot!’ tests that we like to do, and he wins every one of them when the whole group is in there,” Hackett said last week. “That’s a challenge to all of the offensive guys because we’re trying to figure out how to find someone to beat him, but he’s doing a great job. His knowledge of the system [and] his understanding of it gets better every day.”
Cushenberry vs. Wattenberg vs. Meinerz is a storyline to watch during training camp and the preseason this summer. Cushenberry’s the incumbent so it’s his job to lose, and he doesn’t plan to lose it.
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