Surtain’s success
Veteran-like preparation has cornerback ready for 1st game vs. Chiefs
Settled in for the New York Jets’ first play in September, Broncos rookie cornerback Pat Surtain II recognized the formation and diagnosed a curl route by receiver Corey Davis.
Davis ran right at Surtain before doing exactly that, quickly hooking inside to make the 11-yard catch. It was another early-season learning lesson for Surtain, the Broncos’ first-round pick and the capstone of general manager George Paton’s defensive makeover.
“Sometimes, I read plays and I would second-guess myself,” Surtain said in an interview with The Denver Post. “On those plays, I just have to trust what I see and trust my instincts.”
Eleven games into his NFL career, consider Surtain trusting of his preparation and process.
He digs into video clips at home Monday night and throughout Tuesday. He takes notes and presents them to defensive backs coach Christian Parker. And he is reaching a new level of play at just the right time — with his team headed to AFC West nemesis Kansas City on Sunday night.
The commitment to analyzing every detail — minuscule (receiver’s alignment) and major (their go-to move on third down) — has allowed Surtain to be a quick NFL study. Give up a completion on a curl? Be ready to jump it the next time around. Know a speedy receiver likes to use a double move? Stay square and don’t get baited. Understand the back line of the end zone is the 12th defender? Play in front of the intended receiver to pounce on an underthrow.
“When you have a player who respects the game and understands, ‘I have to watch film, I have to do this in practice, I have to strain myself,’ you give yourself a chance to let your talent take over on game-day,” said Parker.
Surtain’s talent took over in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers when he intercepted passes by quarterback Justin Herbert twice in the fourth quarter, the second takeaway going for a 70yard touchdown.
The Broncos drafted Surtain — instead of a quarterback — for offenses like Kansas City and players such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes, receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce.
“Every team in the National Football League is talented on the perimeter,” Parker said. “But when you play a team that has a diverse skill set (like the Chiefs) and a quarterback like Mahomes,