How Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich’s skill set fits into Sean Payton’s system – ESPN – Denver Broncos Blog

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Few phrases crank up of us in and round Denver like “joker.’’

Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP and reigning NBA Finals MVP, simply led the Nuggets to the franchise’s first championship and has the nickname. Of all of the phrases Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton stated throughout the group’s offseason program, when he dropped “joker’’ and tight finish Greg Dulcich in the identical sentence it might have been one of the vital essential nuggets of the no-pads season.

“He’s bought distinctive talent set, and he’s bought traits within the passing recreation,’’ Payton stated of Dulcich. “We use the time period joker, the place we are able to get matchups.’’

Lengthy earlier than the Nuggets made Jokic the forty first choose of the NBA draft throughout the Taco Bell business, Payton has favored a job in his offense for a participant with multifaceted abilities.

A participant who may run quite a lot of cross routes, stress completely different components of the sector and run with objective as soon as he had the ball in his arms. So far, nevertheless, the gamers who’ve succeeded essentially the most in that function by the years have been operating backs.

Payton has seen the likes of Darren Sproles, Reggie Bush and, most not too long ago, Alvin Kamara, flourish because the joker within the offense. Kamara had 4 80-catch seasons for Payton, three seasons with not less than 13 whole touchdowns and two with not less than 18 whole touchdowns.

Sproles had not less than 71 receptions in all three of years in Payton’s offense whereas Bush rushed for not less than 565 yards and caught not less than 73 passes in every of Payton’s first two years as New Orleans Saints coach (2006-2007).

“The joker participant for us isn’t a receiver,’’ Payton stated earlier this offseason. “It’s both a operating again or a decent finish with distinctive ball abilities after which you’ll be able to work matchups. We’ve had that on the operating again spot, Reggie Bush was the joker, Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara. These had been all distinctive gamers, not simply within the operating recreation, however they’d passing recreation talent units that allowed you to do a number of issues, and I feel Greg does too.’’

Dulcich, who was the Broncos’ third-round choose within the 2022 draft, now immediately has pretty lofty expectations for 2023. His rookie season was equal components frustration due to recurring hamstring accidents that stored him out of coaching camp and restricted him to 10 video games. His first NFL reception was a 39-yard landing and he went on to complete third on the group in receptions and yards receiving regardless of lacking seven video games.

Dulcich has deflected most any dialogue of what his function would possibly evolve into within the new offense, however he has flashed the velocity and the route operating within the group’s exercises to trace at what may very well be.

“(The) complete tight finish unit (has) actually dynamic gamers, (I’m) enthusiastic about what we are able to do,’’ Dulcich stated.

Dulcich has credited tight finish Adam Trautman, who the Broncos traded for throughout the draft, and Chris Manhertz, signed in free company, with serving to the transition to the brand new playbook. Each performed for Payton in New Orleans.

“They’ve introduced experience … they type of know the ins and outs,’’ Dulcich stated. “ … It’s been fairly seamless due to these guys.’’

Payton usually talks of “a imaginative and prescient’’ for gamers on his roster, the precise roles or jobs they’ll finally fill. His concept for the joker has it roots with operating again named Marshall Faulk, who performed for Payton, a 29-year-old operating backs coach, at San Diego State.

Payton has known as Faulk, an NFL Corridor of Famer, the “customary’’ within the function. Payton was additionally the Giants offensive coordinator when Tiki Barber had two seasons as a 1,000-yard rusher with not less than 460 yards receiving.

Whereas Dulcich’s full portfolio stays to be seen when the Broncos return to coaching camp and within the preseason later this summer time, Payton is clearly leaning towards route versatility for the second-year tight finish with velocity matchups Dulcich can win.

The important thing will probably be Dulcich’s potential to depart his hamstring accidents behind. He stated throughout the Broncos’ offseason program he had spent weeks engaged on his flexibility and taking to coronary heart what the locals within the mile excessive nation have know — the altitude and dry local weather make hydration a vigilance.

“You get dehydrated fast,’’ Dulcich stated. “ … I’ve stated, I’ve tried to verify my flexibility is rather a lot higher than it was, simply actually specializing in ensuring I keep on prime of these issues, it’s been an enormous a part of my offseason.’’

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who spent seven years on Payton’s New Orleans employees in two completely different stints, stated the Might and June work within the offense was principally “perceive what we’re attempting to do … who you’re supposed to dam, what route you’re imagined to run.’’ A extra outlined method is on the horizon in coaching camp.

“Once you get into the season, you actually get extra particular to who’s operating what route,’’ Payton stated. “[Dulcich’s] menu goes to be prolonged within the passing recreation and there’s sufficient stuff that we are able to do within the run recreation. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to — I’ve had (former Saints tight finish Jeremy) Shockey, (former Cowboys tight finish Jason) Witten, (former Saints tight finish) Jimmy Graham, and I’m in all probability leaving out just a few guys. I’m not saying this younger participant [will be those players], however he’s bought traits which can be thrilling.’’