"He's going to be a baller": Veteran players show full confidence in Drew Lock

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Broncos’ brass ponders over who their starting quarterback will be on Sunday against the Chargers, they’ll have some additional input.

On Tuesday, despite a foot of snow gently blanketing the Mile High City, the Broncos were in the building to start their Week 13 preparation. A few of those players weighed in on the hottest discussion in Denver.

While the coaching staff and executives aren’t quite sure if Drew Lock’s ready to take the reins of the football team, the locker room has a very different perspective on the rookie.

“He’s going to be a baller for sure,” Tim Patrick said, giving the “baller” endorsement to Lock, also pointing to his stellar arm strength and confidence.

“I like Drew,” Chris Harris Jr. stated. “I’m excited to see him play whenever he gets the opportunity. I know everybody in Broncos Country is calling for him to play, but it’s up to coach and [John] Elway and when everybody thinks he’s ready.”

This is all on top of Von Miller stating the 6-foot-4 quarterback is a “star in the making.”

But is he ready now? After all, part of the hesitation to start Lock is he has only had two full weeks of practice up to this point since coming off the injured reserve.

“Ready to play as the starter? The only person who can answer that is probably Drew, honestly,” Patrick said, tiptoeing around choosing sides in the quarterback debate. “Of course we have faith in him, but he has to have faith in himself to be ready to go out there and play.”

Well, Tim, does he?

“Of course, he has faith in himself,” Patrick said without a doubt. “He was a second-round draft pick.”

It’s no surprise to say Lock has confidence in himself. That’s not a secret and never has been. In fact, on Tuesday, Patrick said Lock’s confidence is “through the roof.” All it takes is one conversation with Drew to feel the confidence oozing out of his pores.

Chris Harris Jr. had the real scoop on this.

“I’ve talked to Drew; Drew thinks he’s ready, so that’s good right there coming from the player,” the veteran cornerback said. “You want him to feel confident and know that he’s ready to go. From talking to him, he seems like he’s ready.”

Drew’s ready. His teammates appear to be ready to welcome to rookie in. Broncos Country is ready.

It’s only a matter of days, or hours, until the only people that matter in this discussion give their input.