Pranger » The third-year offensive lineman believes the fast pace

Jared Veldheer Jersey , focus on technique and increased situational work is making the OL - and the offense - better." Denver Broncos PodcastsAfter an intense OTAs and minicamp, Elijah Wilkinson is excited for what’s in store at training campNew,28commentsThe third-year offensive lineman believes the fast pace, focus on technique and increased situational work is making the OL - and the offense - better. MDTThe Broncos are in the middle of their summer break, but offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson has no plans to slack off before training camp begins in three weeks.Because after the intensity of OTAs and minicamp, he knows July 17 is going to mean serious business.“I mean, man, I was like, ‘when I go home, I better be running, it’s going to be hot, we’re going to have the pads on, I’ve got to be ready,’” Wilkinson told the “1st & 10” crew Thursday about his mindset leaving Dove Valley two weeks ago. “Vic’s a pretty old school dude, so you know it’s going to be a grinder; it’s going to be tough, and I think that’s what we need. We need that toughness back. We need that Broncos football back. We need to get back to who we are.”Listen to "6-27-19 Elijah Wilkinson on 1st & 10" on Spreaker.Having Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman Mike Munchak coaching is going to help that.Wilkinson says the new position coach really breaks down the game and focuses on technique.“He’s like ‘boom, boom, just hit em,’” Wilkinson said, joking that Munchak makes it seem like it’s easy even though it isn’t. “It’s not so easy, but he makes it simple, makes it seem like it’s an easy game. Just go out and be physical, be nasty, know your assignments.”Wilkinson Connor McGovern Jersey , who played right guard last season but is most likely preparing for the swing tackle role currently, noted that this offseason has had an entirely different feel.“Man, OTAs has been different. It’s just been crazy, man. I don’t think I’ve ever done that much situational work in OTAs since I’ve been in the NFL,” he said. “The fact that we’re getting that much of a jump on it, should really put us ahead when we’re in those situations [in the games], and we’re going to be able to hone in on our training since April and be able to get right through and know the signals they’re showing us.”Wilkinson added that the offense has been doing well, too. Although it’s been pretty even between the offense and defense, he noted that “we’ve even scored some.” [editor’s note: he said this in all seriousness, but you can go ahead and chuckle with me on how sadly funny that is]. “I think it’s amazing we’ve done all that work in just OTAs and minicamp and not even in camp yet. And we’ve done well,” he said. “I think they did a great job explaining it to us; they’re trying to make sure we know how to play the game the best way possible so we have the best chance of winning.”Part of that preparation for the offensive line is coming from facing a trickier defense.“They’ve mixed it up a lot. The first couple of days, it was really vanilla, just a base front and nobody is coming. But then they started really dialing it up, bringing people off the edge, linebackers coming at you, a whole bunch of stuff,” Wilkinson said. “You really had to think and hone into your rules, keep people sharp on protection rules and who they have.” Wilkinson believes they are way ahead of previous years, which is going to be a big advantage in training camp - and ultimately the season.“They threw a lot at us, but I think it was great. We’re already ahead,” he said. “When it comes up in camp, it’s going to bing, bang, boom; we’ll be able to pick it up and everything will be good.”Going into his third offseason training Ja’Wuan James Jersey , Wilkinson he has been impressed with both Ja’wuan James and rookie Dalton Risner, two additions to the o-line this season.“I’m really impressed with Dalton. Seriously impressed. Especially for a rookie,” he said. “And Ja’wuan James is just super humble and plays hard. We talk a lot, bounce ideas off each other, just trying to make each other better. I’m excited to work with them for sure.”But if he had to pick a defensive player that is having a great camp so far - with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb off limits to choose - Wilkinson picked a linebacker.“Somebody who has stood out is Josey Jewell, to be honest,” Wilkinson said. “He made a really big jump from last year. I’m excited for him.” ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Known for his spirited energy, Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay pledges to show increased patience this season.Already, that’s being put to the test.Lindsay participated in individual drills Wednesday at minicamp as his surgically repaired right wrist heals. He also sat out the team drills, which made him antsy.“I’m itching to be out there,” said Lindsay, whose wild hair and relentless rushing style earned him the nickname “Tasmanian Devil” at the University of Colorado. “That’s why they have to hold the reins on me so tight.”With a new coach in Vic Fangio and digesting a different system, the second-year undrafted tailback is eager to display what he can do.Last season, Lindsay rushed for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns. Only a wrist injury at Oakland on Christmas Eve deprived him of a shot at breaking Dominic Rhodes’ 2001 record of 1,104 yards for undrafted rookie running backs. Still, Lindsay earned a Pro Bowl selection even if he couldn’t play.On his list of areas to improve in 2019 — patience. More specifically, waiting for things to develop, especially given the different blocking schemes.But he could hardly stay still on the sideline with Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker splitting the reps.Lindsay wanted to be taking handoffs.“But you can’t go out there half-healthy. You’re going against these grown men and it’s your livelihood,” said Lindsay, who attended the Pro Bowl as a social media correspondent. “They want to put me in the best situation to be able to make plays. I want to be able to go the whole entire year, not half a year.”Lindsay believes he will fit in well in this new offense. He can’t wait to start developing a bond with quarterback Joe Flacco.“Flacco’s seen me, heard about me Kareem Jackson Jersey , but now he has to trust me,” Lindsay said. “I have to go back and earn his trust.”At times, Lindsay ditched his wrist brace for some of the drills. He’s balancing being smart about his wrist with the desire to participate in more activities.“You don’t want to go out there and mess up by tripping or falling, something that’s not supposed to happen,” Lindsay said. “When it’s time, it’s going to be time. I’m going to go out there and showcase.”Fangio said he expects Lindsay to be full-go for training camp. As for his preference about whether he’d rather have a featured back or use the hot-hand approach, Fangio will take a wait-and-see approach. He likes what he sees from Lindsay even if it’s been in a limited capacity.“He’s a very intense competitor, wants to do well and has his priorities in order,” Fangio said.Next month, Lindsay will host a football camp for kids in the Denver area. He will be out there with them and fully engaged.“That’s what I do,” said Lindsay, who grew up in Denver. “I’m not going to just sit there.”After all, it’s difficult enough to sit out some of the minicamp action.“Any injury is frustrating. I’m anxious to be out there with my teammates,” Lindsay said. “I see Booker and Royce putting in a lot of work and I want to be out there with them. I like the grind. I like being tired. I like sweat, blood, the tears. That’s what I’m here for. I can’t wait to get back to that.”NOTES: Former Broncos QB Peyton Manning and his father, Archie, stopped by minicamp Wednesday. Fangio maintained that Archie was the best quarterback in the Manning family. “I always said if he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers back when he played, instead of (Terry) Bradshaw — if him and Bradshaw switched spots, Archie would’ve had all those Super Bowl rings and Bradshaw would’ve had to go through the agony of playing with the Saints in the ’70s.” … Fangio estimated that 90% of the concepts have been installed. … K Taylor Bertolet took quite a few of the field-goal attempts Wednesday over Brandon McManus. “Brandon is obviously the incumbent,” Fangio said. “He (Bertolet) would have to knock him out like in a heavyweight battle.”