Justin Hollins 'off to a good start' as he learns inside, outside linebacker position
Aric DiLalla: Lead writer
Saturday, May 11, 2019 05:03 PM
https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/j...ide-linebacker
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At least as his Broncos career begins, though, fifth-round pick Justin Hollins will have more than one home. The Oregon product has rotated between inside and outside linebacker as the Broncos’ coaching staff figures out the best fit for the versatile rookie. “It’s a credit to the type of kid he is,” Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell said after Saturday’s practice. “You usually don’t do that with a young player. He had a really good background, similar background with the defense he played in college. [Outside Linebackers Coach] Brandon Staley came to us with the idea. He thought he could get it done. He’s done a great job getting him ready. It’s been some productive days to see him and just get an idea how he can possibly help our defense at a couple positions.”
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“Certainly he can do both,” Donatell said. “There’s a possibility he can do both. But he might only do parts of each of those or maybe one full time and part of another.” Fangio said Friday that Hollins practiced at inside linebacker when the Broncos were in their nickel defense and moved to outside linebacker in their base package. Hollins’ 6-foot-5 frame makes him taller than most inside linebackers, but Donatell said height is just one way to measure if a player can be effective at inside ‘backer. Most tall players can have trouble bending, which Donatell said is an essential skill at a position that requires quick change of direction. Hollins, though, has the ability to bend. “He has the bend and he’s versatile and he picks things up so fast that we can take on that task with him,” Donatell said.
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“I’m going to play anywhere they need me,” Hollins said on April 27 after being drafted. “I’m one of those guys who is just going to get in and play where ever I am needed, whether that is special teams, inside, outside — it doesn’t matter. I am here to compete. I am here to play as hard as I can and provide the team with some type of impact.”
Full article here: https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/j...ide-linebacker
Aric DiLalla: Lead writer
Saturday, May 11, 2019 05:03 PM
https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/j...ide-linebacker
-snip-
At least as his Broncos career begins, though, fifth-round pick Justin Hollins will have more than one home. The Oregon product has rotated between inside and outside linebacker as the Broncos’ coaching staff figures out the best fit for the versatile rookie. “It’s a credit to the type of kid he is,” Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell said after Saturday’s practice. “You usually don’t do that with a young player. He had a really good background, similar background with the defense he played in college. [Outside Linebackers Coach] Brandon Staley came to us with the idea. He thought he could get it done. He’s done a great job getting him ready. It’s been some productive days to see him and just get an idea how he can possibly help our defense at a couple positions.”
-snip-
“Certainly he can do both,” Donatell said. “There’s a possibility he can do both. But he might only do parts of each of those or maybe one full time and part of another.” Fangio said Friday that Hollins practiced at inside linebacker when the Broncos were in their nickel defense and moved to outside linebacker in their base package. Hollins’ 6-foot-5 frame makes him taller than most inside linebackers, but Donatell said height is just one way to measure if a player can be effective at inside ‘backer. Most tall players can have trouble bending, which Donatell said is an essential skill at a position that requires quick change of direction. Hollins, though, has the ability to bend. “He has the bend and he’s versatile and he picks things up so fast that we can take on that task with him,” Donatell said.
-snip-
“I’m going to play anywhere they need me,” Hollins said on April 27 after being drafted. “I’m one of those guys who is just going to get in and play where ever I am needed, whether that is special teams, inside, outside — it doesn’t matter. I am here to compete. I am here to play as hard as I can and provide the team with some type of impact.”
Full article here: https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/j...ide-linebacker
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