No offense to Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock, but going up against them in practice every day wasn’t going to prepare Pat Surtain for playing against Patrick Mahomes-level quarterbacks in the AFC West and the league’s other top QBs.
That’s changed now, as Russell Wilson has been challenging Surtain in practice. The Broncos are also deep at receiver, with Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick among the wideouts testing Surtain every day.
“It’s helps me a lot, going against premiere talent like that with a great quarterback and great perimeter players,” Surtain said last week. “That helps me as a player and [helps] build on my game. It’s always great going against them.”
Extending plays comes naturally to Wilson — he’s one of the best mobile QBs in the NFL. Mahomes is similar, so going up against Wilson in practice should help Surtain and Co. prepare for facing the NFL’s most elusive QBs.
“He’s very dynamic,” Surtain said of Wilson. “His second-play mentality where he’s making something out of nothing with his scrambling ability — that’s something that defenses may fear. His ability to utilize his legs and create plays on his own — that’s something special about him.”
Surtain was a Pro Bowl alternate last year and he’ll be looking to build on that this season with All-Pro consideration. Going up against one of the game’s best every day in practice should help him get there.
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