Denver Broncos first-round pick, quarterback Paxton Lynch and the rest of the Broncos rookie class took to the field on Friday for the first time as a member of the Denver Broncos.
12. pic.twitter.com/70OUCYFOa3
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 6, 2016
Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak came away impressed with what he saw today and said he was excited to see what Lynch grows into down the road.
"Obviously big, strong, talented young man. He throws the ball very well. I was impressed with the fact that—obviously he’s going under center full-time today and doing those types of things. We’ve got a long way to go. It’s exciting to see a kid like that and what he can become. Let’s get to work today. It was good."
Earlier this week, Broncos General Manager John Elway said that "We think Paxton Lynch is going to be ready quicker than a lot of people think", and Kubiak echoed a similar sentiment today. When asked what the learning curve for Lynch would be like, Kubiak said he thinks Lynch will "catch up quick".
"I think that’s in general. In college football there is a lot of no-huddle on the ball. Guys have menus, what they call menus, so they’re not really calling plays or those types of things. I think for any players—receivers, quarterbacks—a lot of guys coming out we find that we have a lot of ground to make up from that standpoint. I don’t see that as that big of a difference. A lot more verbiage in what we’re doing, but I also think it’s giving him a lot more information to work with. It’s different, but it’s different for a lot of guys. Just watching him today, I think he’ll catch up pretty quick."
Now speaking about that transition, one hot topic about Lynch was his ability to work under center. It's not something he did a whole lot at Memphis but is something he is comfortable doing. Apparently some believe some misinformation is being put out there on this topic, but that "simply is not true...".
When asked about this, Lynch says he has been working on this since the lead up to the Combine and it's not an issue for him.
"Not really, no. Just because of training for the Combine and all of that, I’ve been doing all of the under center stuff. It’s not too different."
Overall it was a good practice for Lynch. Kubiak came away impressed, and Lynch said that it was "pretty crazy" feeling to be on the practice field for the first time.
"Yeah, obviously coming out here, this is your first time getting on the field since you became an NFL player so it’s pretty crazy. I’m really blessed to be out here. Like I said before I even got a chance to be drafted, I would be blessed to be anywhere, and now I’m here as a Bronco and I’m really excited. I’m just really glad I got a practice under my belt."
Lynch will be excused from practice on Saturday because he will be graduating from Memphis, one week after being drafted by the Super Bowl Champs.
More of Lynch practicing under center & throwing pic.twitter.com/RtltDlrdrB
— Michelle Tuckner (@MichelleTuckner) May 6, 2016
Attending graduation is something that means a lot to Lynch, and it's cool that the Broncos would allow him to attend it. They did the same with fourth-round pick, running back Devontae Booker who graduated from Utah on Friday.
"It means a lot to me. I get to go to Memphis however many more times but this might be the last time for a long time. I get to be there with my roommates. One of my roommates lives out there so I think we’re all going to go to his house afterward and just hang out and relax before I come back out here. I’m excited to graduate as well as being a first-round draft pick for the Denver Broncos. I’ve had a pretty busy two weeks."
Lynch has had a pretty eventful, exciting, and life-changing two weeks for sure. He should enjoy his day at Memphis, and I expect him to come back to Denver next week ready to work, learn, and start fighting for that starting quarterback job.
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