ENGLEWOOD – It’s been a while since a referee or game announcer called out No. 72.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has gone three consecutive games without drawing a holding penalty, reversing a trend from Oakland in week 2 to the Los Angeles Rams in week 6 when he was flagged for holding five times.

Bolles also hasn’t allowed a sack in three straight games. He has started to figure out this NFL game from the quarterback's blindside.

“I am. I just have to trust in the process,’’ Bolles said in a sit-down interview with 9News this week. “I’ve got a great coach, coach (Chris) Strausser works with me every day. And he prepares me every single week to get me ready for the game I feel like I’m starting to get in my groove and I’m starting to get in a routine that I feel pretty good right now.’’

Said Broncos head coach Vance Joseph: “Garett’s played his best games since I’ve been here the last two weeks—the last three weeks I would say. He’s had a chance to block the best rushers in the league the last three weeks and he’s done a good job.

"I thought against the Chargers he had his best technique game. He didn’t have the lapses where he lost his technique and lost his hands. He’s playing at a high level right now. He’s a first-round pick so we thought he could be this, but he has to continue to work on technique and to play with more consistency. If he does that, he will be what we want him to be.”

Considering he didn't play much football growing up, it shouldn’t have been a surprise Bolles needed some time to come on as a pass protector. A junior college transfer, he played just one season at left tackle at the University of Utah before declaring for the draft.

But after becoming the Broncos’ first offensive lineman taken in the first round since Ryan Clady in 2008, Bolles has started all 27 games at left tackle. He is now in the sweet spot of NFL careers where he is both young and experienced.

“I truly believe the game is starting to slow down for me,’’ he said. “It probably didn’t slow down as fast as I wanted it to, but I feel comfortable. And I feel having coach Straus and coach (Sean) Kugler drill me every single day and getting me ready mindset wise and coach (Loren) Landow gets me physical-wise, I just really feel good. I feel like I’m on a straight and narrow path and it’s going to be hard to knock me off my path.’’

It was about this time last year that Bolles had difficultly keeping his weight up, as he played well below 290 pounds down the stretch. He says he’s up 10 pounds this year and has been able to steadily maintain his weight in the 295 to 298 range.

And he’s not bashful about where he’s keeping it.

“I feel like that’s been a huge role, being a little heavy in the back end so I can anchor when guys come at me,’’ he said.

There is adjusting to bigger and faster players on the field. And there is adjusting to NFL life off the field.

“Off the field, you’ve got the cameras in your face,'' he said. "You got people who constantly want your money or constantly want to get to know you or you’re always signing autographs, but I use it as a great platform.

“I can use it to expand my foundation, reach out to kids that are in need. That’s the biggest thing for me, knowing I play football but off the field, my family -- I love my wife, I love my son. I have a little one on the way, which is awesome and it’s something where I use the platform to continue to rise to where I want to be.’’

His foundation is called GB3 with the 3 representing faith, family and football. His “My Cause My Cleats” initiative this week lifts the National Center for Learning Disability.

“I struggle with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and attention issues so that’s something I’m really passionate about,’’ Bolles said. “It doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you finish.’’

Bolles has come a long way since he stole the first day of the 2017 Draft by carrying, lifting and all but twirling his baby son Kingston on the stage. Then again, so is Kingston, who is now 2 years old.