After inking Jared Crick to a two-year $4 million deal, the Denver Broncos have immediately bolstered their defensive line rotation. Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of The Afternoon Drive caught up with him on Wednesday to discuss his arrival to Denver.
Crick compared himself a bit to Derek Wolfe as someone with a high motor and good technique. It's a comparison that the tape and stats seem to support, so the Broncos should expect to be even more stout against the run in 2016. That's impressive considering they finished with the best run defense in the NFL last season.
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From his press conference, Crick had a lot of interesting things to say.
Of signing with Denver over other teams, Crick said, "Just a couple. I narrowed it down to just a couple that I wanted. This was the first choice. I was just fortunate enough to have it be able to work out for me."
He also thinks he can fit in well with this defense. "We watched Broncos games and the Broncos’ defense for every team that they played that we played," said Crick. "Just knowing Coach Wade’s defense, I had a good understanding of what they’re still doing, what they did before when I was there. It’s good to see the similarities. I’m going to be coming in to a defense that I already know. I’ll have to pick up some of the terminology that was different when they left, but I think I’ll be able to fit in. I just need to learn my role and do whatever I can."
And he plans to compete for a starting position opposite Wolfe, saying, "I’m just coming in and trying to put my best foot forward to start out. Wherever that takes me, it’s going to take me. I’m just trying to do my part to help the team right now."
Really though, Crick's true motivation for signing with the Broncos came down to playing for his former coaches. The decision came down to Denver or the Houston Texans and it was playing for Gary Kubiak, Wade Phillips and Bill Kollar that brought Crick to the Mile High City.
The prospect of playing with Kollar was also quite appealing to Crick.
"He brings the best out of you," said Crick. "Every year that I played under Coach Kollar, I got better and improved as a football player. I expect playing for him again that I’ll continue progressing as a football player and improve my skill and my game."
It's also probably hard to argue with a guy who once wrestled a bear. You just don't mess with that kind of crazy.
Overall, this is definitely a quality signing for the Broncos and gives John Elway some flexibility heading into the 2016 NFL Draft.
Bonus Listen
Eric and Les dive into the mock draft madness and discuss who is getting mocked to the Broncos.