Jewell turned off time into learning time
The instant after he tackled Jacksonville punt returner Jamal Agnew last September, Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell felt discomfort, but figured he would miss a play or two and return to the game.
“I thought it was just a stinger,” the 27- year- old Jewell said in a phone interview with The Denver Post. “I just felt like my shoulder was a little off and there was something there.”
Something was there. Something season- ending for Jewell. Something season- altering for the Broncos.
The routine play tore Jewell’s pectoral tendon, the chest muscle that allows the arms to move inward. Eighty- two defensive snaps into his contract year, Jewell was done.
“It wasn’t crazy painful, but when they tried to strength- test me ( on the sideline), I couldn’t really bring my arm in; it was just hanging out there,” he said.
Jewell’s injury started a year of attrition at inside linebacker. Fellow starter Alexander Johnson tore his pectoral in Week 6 and the Broncos used seven different players at the position.
General manager George Paton, though, was impressed enough with Jewell’s work that he resigned him to a two- year, $ 11 million contract last month to retain his role as a defensive leader.
“He was the glue that kept our defense together,” Paton said. “He’s so smart and so instinctive. When we lost Josey, it really hurt our defense.”
Learning while rehabbing
Jewell underwent surgery and was inactive for a month, followed by several weeks of rehabilitation before he could stop wearing a sling. He was permitted to resume weight lifting toward the end of the regular season and said he was “cleared, cleared,” for full activity in early February.
A month later, Jewell re- signed and will be joined in the starting lineup by a player to be determined, maybe Baron Browning, possibly Alex Singleton, perhaps somebody not currently on the roster.
“That was amazing to me,” Jewell said of re- signing. “It was very important to have them be interested. I’ve built a life here and have a house here and I’ve made friends so staying around here ( was ideal). They know my worth and I knew what this building was about and I really believe great things can come here.”
Well- versed in then- coach Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme and coming off a career- high 111 tackles ( second on the team) and four pass break- ups in 1,011 snaps in 2020, Jewell was set up for another terrific year. The special teams tackle dashed those hopes.
Admitting that watching the Broncos was “definitely tough and one of the most frustrating things,” Jewell didn’t wallow. He helped the younger players, chiefly Browning, and used the down time to study the games of top linebackers past and present for tips on their technique and anticipation.
“I learned a lot from standing by and watching, from going to the meetings, from watching other guys on film and picking some stuff up from other people’s craft and ( now) trying to implement it to my own game,” Jewell said.
Jewell watched old tapes of retired linebackers Luke Kuechly ( Carolina) and Patrick Willis, who played for Fangio in San Francisco. He also watched thenSeattle/ current Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner.
“I wasn’t going to sit and not enjoy the game or be mad about it,” Jewell said. “I wanted to help the team and help the linebackers and younger guys and see some wins.
“I had a new hunger for the
game and understood how much love and how much passion I have for the game. I’m really ready to get this year started off right.”
Building relationships
The first step for Jewell forging a bond with the other inside linebacker: Figuring out the new starter’s best learning process.
“It depends on how that person likes to work and if they’re really talkative on the practice field or they like to come off the field and talk a lot,” Jewell said. “( Johnson) and I were pretty tight. We had cookouts at each other’s houses and some of the linebackers ( also attended).
“On and off the field, you have to fully understand each other and be very good communicationwise. I’m excited to see who it’s going to be. Excited for that relationship to build, whether with a guy in the building now or
somebody we bring in.”
Jewell was impressed last year with Browning’s rookie performance.
“He’s fast; he can move,” Jewell said. “Fast- twitch, very explosive and I really enjoyed watching him.”
The Broncos’ defense could enjoy an up- tick in production now that Jewell is back healthy. He missed only four tackles in 2020.
“Josey is going to hold down that middle and make sure guys aren’t running through there and we’re going to do everything to keep ( blockers off of him),” outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said.
Said Paton: “The coaches are really high on him and I’m obviously high on him. The more you’re around him, the more you love Josey. He’s a great leader, a great worker and a really good player.”