The goal was always to be ready for the first game of the season, because I wasn’t last year. So they brought me in and helped me out to get to the point where I can be out there with my teammates when we take the field on Monday night.

I just had to stay patient to get to that point, taking a lot of mental reps and learning the system so that I was ready when they wanted to put me on the field. Then when my opportunity came, I just set out to take advantage of every opportunity I was given. Tomorrow isn’t promised. The next day isn’t promised. So every chance I get, I just take it one day at a time and enjoy it to the fullest, because you never know what tomorrow is going to look like.

CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER

This organization is just so great top to bottom. It’s one big happy family. Everybody is friends with everybody. We do a lot of activities together off the field, as well as on it. I have good relationships with all my teammates and they’ve been very welcoming to me.

I’ve known Von Miller since he came into the league as a rookie. We had a really good relationship even before I came here. I love his family, and they’ve been very helpful in helping my family and I get settled in. It’s funny, my mother’s maiden name is Miller, so Von likes to say that we’re kin. He is just a big kid and he’s a like a little brother to me.

I also can’t say enough about the way the Broncos treat their players and take care of us. I’ve been going through this rehab process and they have great facilities and trainers. They’ve had guys coming in and working on me, traveling with me and they’ve been there with me every day, every week, every step of the way. They definitely helped me out to the point where I could even make the team. Without those guys taking care of me, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now, ready to play Week 1 for the Broncos.

I’m thrilled to be playing under Coach Joseph. He may be a rookie head coach but he’s really taken control of this team and that’s what you want from a head coach. He knows the talent that he wants on his team and what he needs from his players. He gives us a mindset that makes us all eager to follow him as our coach.

It’s also great to be playing in this offense under coach Mike McCoy. All the guys who have been here a while are excited that he’s back after being in San Diego as the head coach for a few years. They love him here, his scheme and his gameplans. I love it too.

I’m happy to play in this system. It wasn’t much of an adjustment. I’ve been in the league a long time and played for a lot of different coordinators in Kansas City. So it wasn’t a difficult transition. I did a lot of studying but it’s a lot of the same words and calls, some just switched up a little bit different with the way they call their plays.

Plus I love coach McCoy’s energy and the way he coaches. I think he really knows how to use all this talent that he has on this team and we’re excited to all get our chances to succeed in this offense he’s bringing back to Denver.

MORE THAN JUST D

Everybody talks about our defense and we have an incredible setup on that side of the ball, but don’t sleep on this offense. It’s a very talented group. We’ve got the right coaches and the right personnel to go places and be a dangerous team on offense.

I’m really high on this group of running backs we have. It’s great being around all those guys. I’ve been able to build good relationships and bond with them. We’ve got a couple young guys and a couple vets in myself and CJ. I’m the oldest of the group, so I’m doing what I can to help those guys and lead by example through my experience.

But I’m learning a lot from all of them too. CJ in particular is a really intelligent player with a high football IQ. You can see why he has been successful. He’s been a part of this team for a while and learned from one of the best quarterbacks of all time in Peyton Manning, so he has a lot to give in terms of knowledge. I’ve learned a lot from him and hopefully he’s learning some things from me. I’ve been looking forward to playing with him and feeding off him.

Devontae should be back soon too and I think De’Angelo has something to give this season as well, so it’s going to be fun to be part of this group. We’re competing against each other in some ways, but we’re also all here for one reason, to help the Denver Broncos win a championship. So it’s all about seeing each other have success that leads to that. They’re my brothers in that.

Everybody knows we will only go as far as our quarterback and offensive line take us, and I believe we’ve got a good offensive line and quarterback, so we just have to follow their lead.

I’m excited to play behind this offensive line and take advantage of the space they give me. It’s a tough group. They have a great attitude and I think it’s going to be a good year for me and CJ running behind them.

I like what I’ve seen from Trevor Siemian. The guy can throw the football. He’s got a strong arm and he’s very accurate. He knows how to read coverage well, but he’s a gunslinger and that’s what I like most about him. He throws it wherever he sees an opening and he can make those throws. He’s an intelligent guy who knows how to play the game, very confident and composed as a leader. He’s been here a few years. He learned under Peyton Manning. So he knows how to lead.

Going against that defense every day in practice makes every single one of us better on offense. We won’t play a better defense all year than the one we see every day in practice. That’s valuable. It makes you better, and that’s what practice is all about, making each other better.

As far as the games go, having a group like that on defense backing us up makes things easier on the offense. We just have to execute, move the ball and do our jobs, and we know they’ll take care of the rest. That’s why we’re confident we have what it takes to contend for a championship this year.

Every year, every team has that same one goal, to win a Super Bowl. But I’ve never felt closer to that goal than I am here in Denver. It’s the reason why I came here to the Broncos. I want to win a championship. It’s the only thing I feel I haven’t accomplished in the NFL. I want to be able to say I won at the highest level. That’s what I’m chasing. And I’ll do whatever I can this season to stay healthy and help this team achieve that goal.