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A day-by-day Broncos player breakdown is something we've been doing since our days at BroncoTalk nearly a decade ago. This year the tradition continues as we look at the Denver Broncos roster heading into the 2015 season in our 90-in-90 series.
Today we take a look at fan favorite - tight end Virgil Green.
Name: Virgil Green
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-5 Weight: 255
Age: 26 Experience: 5
College: Nevada
I was a bit obsessed with Virgil Green last season (not in a creepy way, I promise). Green was talked up quite a bit during last year's training camp, but wasn't seen much in the first two games. I began to wonder if the Broncos were saving Green for something special.
In the Bronco's third game, against Seattle, Green finally saw more playing time - and then quickly had to leave the game due to an injury. Green's absence seemed to completely throw off the Bronco's game plan - which is both a compliment to Green's blocking skills and an insult to the coaching staff who did not appear to have a plan B.
More 90-in-90
It seems ridiculous that a tight end used mostly for blocking could have any major impact on games, but it was also hard to ignore the fact that the Broncos just seemed to play better when Green was on the field. MHR's own Scotty Payne wrote about this topic last November.
But Scotty and I weren't the only ones with Green on our mind last season - even Peyton Manning was gushing about him in press conferences. In fact, according to Manning and Gase, Manning called the Osweiler pass play from the sidelines to help ensure Green could get his first touchdown in the Raiders week 17 game.
Virgil Green resigned with the Broncos earlier this year. Considering how many veterans the Broncos front office let walk this year I think Green's resigning speaks volumes about their high opinion of him.
The good:
One word - blocking. Virgil Green is a fantastic run blocker. He's good at it and he likes "moving someone against their will." Pro Football Focus had Green "The Incredible Hulk" as the NFL's #4 blocking TE last season.
Green should be an excellent player for Kubiak's zone-blocking offense. He's a hard worker, a great athlete, and to top it all off is a superstar in the community. In addition to an ongoing partnership with United Way, it is rare for the Broncos to hold a community event and not see Virgil Green there.
.@VGreen85 and @BenGarland63 talk to kids at Stratton Elementay in C. Springs about exercising and staying healthy. pic.twitter.com/9EUmRdc14e
— Chris Hall (@BroncosTV) May 11, 2015
While being a good community role model doesn't get someone on an NFL roster, it sure beats being one bathroom break away from a year long suspension.
The bad:
Virgil Green currently is seen as much more of a blocker than a weapon in the passing game. That could easily change this season but it's hard to know right now if Manning will have more chemistry throwing to Green or new (to the Broncos) TE Owen Daniels. Both players spent time with Manning at his Duke workouts this spring.
Manning has spent more overall time with Green, but Daniels is more familiar with the Kubiak style offense. It will be interesting to see who gets more passes thrown at them this season. I think Manning plays best when he feels comfortable spreading it around to multiple receivers so I hope to see a lot of both Green and Daniels on the field.
Finally, Green had a lingering injury to his calf/knee in the middle of last season. This isn't really anything bad against Green - injuries happen to everyone - but it will be something to watch in the future. Green ended the season off the injury reports entirely which is a great sign.
Quotable:
I think I understand my role, I think I understand what they want from me, and I think I have a lot more football in me to come out.
I think Broncos Country agrees with Green on all three counts.
Status: If Virgil Green doesn't make the Broncos 53 man roster something went really, really wrong during training camp. He should be a lock (barring injury of course) along with Owen Daniels.
But will Green be a good addition to your fantasy team? That answer is harder to predict.