Hackett impressed by players’ “great excitement”
Twelve weeks after hiring coach Nathaniel Hackett and seven weeks after trading for quarterback Russell Wilson, the new-look Broncos will make their fullsquad, on-field debut Monday with the start of a voluntary minicamp.
The stench of their six-year playoff drought and streak of five consecutive losing seasons remains, but hope is prevalent throughout the Broncos’ facility and Hackett and Wilson are leading that charge in impacting required change.
“You want to see the guys run around a little bit, you want to see how the first two weeks of teaching have been with the base foundation of what we want to do,” Hackett said last week about the minicamp during an interview with The Post. “And, heck, it will be the first time we break a huddle and it will be the first time we’re up at the line (of scrimmage).
“You just want to get the basic operation (drilled) in a walkthrough or in a practice and get a feel for the guys and where they are knowledge-wise and what we need to do as we move forward.”
The minicamp was one of several topics Hackett addressed with The Post.
Working with Wilson
What’s the story: Hackett’s job changed dramatically last March when the Broncos pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Wilson from the Seahawks. Instead of getting Drew Lock ready or grinding away on video to ascertain which quarterback in the draft was most Nfl-ready, Hackett can collaborate with Wilson.
Hackett said: “(Wilson) is the epitome of a worker and when you hear the line, ‘He’s obsessed with the process,’ I think that’s a very, very good statement about him because he wants to know everything and every little detail. It’s so exciting from a coaching standpoint to have a guy like that, a guy who is running the whole show, a guy who on the field is the general of the whole offense to have that intensity for the whole process and the intense love for the details. That’s one thing that really stands out.”
Analysis: Watching how Wilson operates on the practice field — how he leads just as much as how he throws the football — will be a fascinating sub-plot.
Players in building
What’s the story: Along with Wilson, the Broncos’ players have been back in the facility for meetings and on-field drill work since April 11. Hackett said his opening speech hit his goal of 25 minutes on the dot and attendance for the voluntary sessions appears to be impressive, judging the team’s social media channels.
Hackett said: “I’ve noticed they have a great excitement to be in the building. I think getting up in front of them and installing the offense, the guys have been unbelievably interactive and energetic. That’s always what you’re looking for — it’s not just me up there talking. I really appreciate that from the guys and I’ve really enjoyed just talking with them through all this and slowly teaching them the whole system.”
Analysis: The Broncos’ defensive scheme will have many of the same tenets as 2019-21, but some players on offense are learning their fourth playbook in five years. The key for Hackett (and Wilson, for that matter) is managing the install process so the Broncos are better-equipped to start the season fast.
Wider pre-draft lens
What’s the story: From 2006 until late January, during a college stop at Syracuse and NFL posts in Tampa Bay, Buffalo (twice), Jacksonville and Green Bay, Hackett was an offensive assistant. But now that he carries the big whistle, his lens has expanded to evaluating defensive draft prospects. He played linebacker at Uc-davis and started his career at Stanford as an offensive/defensive assistant.
Hackett said: “It’s been great (evaluating defensive players). You spend all this time in the NFL and going against these great defenses and you know the things that separate the good players from the bad players on the defensive side of the ball. It’s fun to be a part of that discussion and hear what people are saying and the whole time, I’m thinking, ‘Would I want to go against that guy or would I want him on my team?’”
Analysis: This is where Hackett’s offensive expertise in general and his play-calling experience in particular come in handy for the Broncos’ draft prep effort — he knows the type of traits in players that have given his offenses problems.
Re-signing Jackson
What’s the story: Veteran safety Kareem Jackson, 34, was on the market for nearly a month before he agreed to stay with the Broncos on a one-year contract.
Hackett said: “Anytime you can have a guy with that veteran leadership and just the man he is and the command on the field and command in the locker room he has, it’s unbelievable. He’s still playing at a very high level. It just helps so much across the board, from understanding what I believe in and just how he can communicate that throughout the locker room is great. I love veterans because when they’re good people like Kareem is, they make all the people around them better.”
Analysis: Jackson’s return means the Broncos don’t have to prioritize safety in the second or even third rounds and they can continue to develop Caden Sterns at the right pace instead of making him an all-situation player.