In the Denver Broncos’ shutout victory more than the New York Jets, the team lost both equally of its commencing offensive guards to injuries. This opened the door for rookie 3rd-rounder Quinn Meinerz to get his initial authentic motion in the NFL.
At remaining guard, Meinerz would be going through Quinnen Williams, who labored about Dalton Risner various occasions to start off the video game. This wasn’t the excellent matchup for his first NFL exposure, but the rookie much more than held his personal.
It was not constantly very for Meinerz, but when he took the area, the Broncos’ offensive line palpably looked a great deal improved. Just one massive key was how snug he seemed at guard immediately after participate in middle almost exclusively in the preseason.
How excellent Meinerz seemed is precisely why he needed to be place underneath the microscope in the initially film room breaking down Week 3’s motion.
Enjoy 1: 3rd Quarter | 4:48
Circumstance: 2nd-&-22
The defender is setting up a stunt to assault Meinerz particularly. Meinerz carries to block into C Lloyd Cushenberry, clearing out the hole for the stunt rusher to get upfield. It was superior for Meinerz to have the stunt, as it failed to let the rusher a lane up the middle with Cushenberry viewing the other stunter.
This was fantastic recognition from Meienrz as he reads the stunt and has to make a choice. He receives off the very first block and cuts over to wash out the stunting defender. This opened a throwing lane for Teddy Bridgewater to come across Javonte Williams for a fantastic get.
Enjoy 2: 3rd Quarter | 4:02
Circumstance: 3rd-&-13
This is the subsequent enjoy, and it highlights the consciousness of Meinerz when all over again. It also is a a lot far better execution by Meinerz and Cushenberry when dealing with the stunt rush. Cushenberry can stay on his ft simply because he was not blindsided, which prospects to the block currently being handed off on the stunt.
Meinerz rapidly passes off the initially defender when the exterior rusher comes in and sets up to manage the stunter. He picks him up and retains him from crowding Bridgewater, who was forced to choose off since of limited protection and the tackles enabling the pocket to collapse.
Participate in 3: Fourth Quarter | 5:26
Condition: 1st-&-10
Meinerz stands up Folorunso Fatukasi just before a chip from LT Garett Bolles, which the rookie takes advantage of it to greater his hand placement. Fatukasi, by this level, had recked a number of plays for the Broncos, which include having a sack by blowing above RG Graham Glasgow. The Jets’ D-lineman is powerful at the place of assault, and Meinerz standing him up without having offering up floor is amazing.
This rep was like observing two sumo wrestlers just trying with no achievement to toss the other. It is a shame every little thing close to Meinerz failed, and the engage in did almost practically nothing but this was a very good rep for the rookie, revealing that he has the energy for the NFL. If he can get the strategy down, he could be a stud offensive lineman.
Play 4: Fourth Quarter | 4:03
Condition: 3rd-&-9
This rep pits Meinerz towards Fatukasi as soon as again, and this time Meinerz wins simply. Fatukasi tries to swim over Meinerz, but he uses his strong hands to keep keep, and with Fatukasi off-stability, the rookie drives him throughout the development. This gave Bridgewater a good deal of time to locate Tim Patrick down the sideline for a considerable attain right on the aim line.
There has never ever been any dilemma about whether Meinerz has the energy to deal with himself in the NFL. Does he have the requisite system? In this play, he demonstrates off anything you want to see, together with the method and ‘bully’ mentality.
Perform 5: Fourth Quarter | 2:00
Situation: 1st-&-10
Meinerz stands the Jets’ star — Qunnien Williams — proper up and provides the functioning back an option on in which to go with the ball. Then, Meinerz shifts his positioning to seal off the inside of lane as the ball-provider is about to hit the gap. Just after seeing Meinerz stand up Fatukasi and Williams, he may perhaps be extra completely ready to perform at guard in the NFL than initially believed.
This perform ends up heading nowhere with John Fraklin-Myers tossing Bobby Massie into the functioning back again for the tackle. It’s always frustrating to see a good block, primarily by a rookie, be squandered simply because a fellow blocker fails to maintain up.
The Takeaway
If the Broncos do not have Dalton Risner or Graham Glasgow this week versus the Baltimore Ravens, it may well be better to convert to Quinn Meinerz than Netane Muti with the defensive line on the docket. Meinerz has the significantly superior duration to deal with these more time defensive linemen, and he confirmed better technique and handle than Muti has up to this place.
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