ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The tight end position hasn’t really been a factor for the Denver Broncos offense in the past couple of seasons, but that just might change with the return of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
While many are excited by what improvements could be made offensively with McCoy at the helm, few have been more thrilled than the tight end group, who had a different swagger and attitude throughout Tuesday’s practice.
“I believe we had a great day today,” said Virgil Green after practice. “Of course, nothing is perfect. We can always get better. But the defense knows there’s a lot of different formations they have to see, a lot of different pass routes that we’re running. The play action looks just like the run, so the defense can’t just sit there and tee off on us. There are a lot of things they have to think about before and after we snap the ball.”
The schematic changes and the talent in the room have everyone excited amongst the tight ends, regardless of if they’ve already played under the former Chargers head coach or not.
“I think this is a great offense for tight ends,” continued A.J. Derby. “I think his (McCoy’s) past record in San Diego shows that. The whole room is really excited to see what we can do this season.”
Derby’s excitement isn’t just limited to the offense, as he confessed to feeling the best he’s ever been in the NFL and after having to wait his time with the New England Patriots is excited to continue contributing for the Broncos. He’s only played two full seasons at the position and was constantly reminding the media of the improvement’s he’s poised to make.
“I just have to keep getting better. I see a bright future,” said Derby. “I’m just really excited to get out there to work and keep getting better and keep staying on the field… I have watched a lot of San Diego, but I also have watched a handful of other guys. I’m just trying to learn the greats that are in the league right now and try to learn from what they’re doing and try to put that in my game.”
The mid-season addition from last season also touched on a very interesting point regarding McCoy’s scheme: versatility, a dimension all four of Denver’s tight ends (Derby, Green, Jeff Heuerman, and rookie Jake Butt) possess.
“Just more spread out and more movement,” said Derby about the new offense. “Like what San Diego did with their tight ends, they had two on the field like Gates and Hunter Henry. They’re just using a lot more tight ends and having them be more versatile. Last year it was just learning the week-by-week plays. This year is building on the whole system.”
The veteran Green who has been in both the Gary Kubiak offense and in McCoy’s during his last stint, was thoughtful in explaining the major changes in their role this season.
“I don’t want to say it was forgotten,” said Green, pumping the breaks on how TE’s were used last season. “I just think we had to do things a little differently. A lot of things worked last year. We had to try and get the run game going. I was busy blocking [Raiders DE] Khalil Mack and [Chiefs LB] Justin Houston and those guys on the edge. I think with a system like McCoy has provides answers for those guys and can make it to where the tight ends could be more available in the pass game.”
One positive step forward was both Derby and Heuerman believing this is best they’ve ever felt in their professional careers, especially Heuerman. The former day-two draft selection arrived with some hype from Ohio State but has struggled with injuries his first two seasons. He re-iterated optimistism about this offense and how he could fit in it.
“I think it fits great,” he explained. “Like I said, he allows the tight ends to do a lot of fun things, different types of blocks and a lot of different types of routes. There’s motions all over the place. It’s good. It’s definitely going to be fun to get out there this season and really get in the groove with this offense and get moving on it.”
The tight end position has seen lots of greats coming through the AFC West in the last half century of football, and while there might not be any future Hall of Famers on this roster there’s lots of untapped potential. Could McCoy and tight end coach Geep Chryst be the ones to pull that out of them? Time will tell but Green, Derby, and Heuerman are believers heading into season.
