Quinn Meinerz doesn’t need to convince anyone he’s ready to block NFL defensive linemen. But the Broncos guard is still thrilled he and the rest of the starters will get one more tune-up Saturday against the Saints.
After some action in the first preseason game and joint practices with the 49ers and Cardinals, Meinerz said there’s value in knocking the rust off before Week 1 against Tennessee. And yes, he had one Titan in particular on his mind.
“I like that we play,” Meinerz said on Thursday. “Because I don’t want my first game snap, especially getting ready for this season, to be against Jeffery Simmons. I don’t want that, so I’m glad I get to play in these games.”
Denver’s coaching staff could’ve held the starters out like they did in Week 2 against the 49ers. Sean Payton says the ones are expected to play eight to ten snaps after most of that group sat out on Saturday. Meinerz said he’s embracing the chance to test what he’s been working on in training camp.
“Take the techniques that I’m learning and working on every single day and putting them into a game, because it doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re executing in practice,” he said. “We get judged on our 17 games in the regular season. So we gotta make sure we’re putting that stuff on tape when it matters.”
And for the belly, it’s not just about the body being ready.
“There’s the big mental side of it, too,” Meinerz said. “Are you mentally strong enough to be ready for those moments of truth? Of playing your best when it matters the most. That’s really the point, I think, as a starter to play in these preseason games, is to really see how ready are you before this season?”
Meinerz opened up about his mentality after the season and how his contract and being named a captain impacted him. It’s good to see him implement some of his lessons and focus harder on his brain rather than his, well, belly. Either way, Meinerz’ approach hints at the hunger of this Broncos team. Their last meaningful game was a playoff rout in Buffalo. So come Week 1, they want to hit the gas and not worry about rust.