Surtain, Mcglinchey earn team MVP, “Good Guy” nods
Pat Surtain II is about as outwardly humble an NFL star as you’ll find.
Even he admit ted Wednesday, though, that he needs to find a bigger space in his house for his growing hardware collection.
“They stashed away in the basement at the crib,” the Broncos cornerback said of the awards he’s collected through his first three seasons as a professional. “I’ve got a little awards section around, but I’m running out of room so I’ve got to come up with a new side of things.”
He’s adding fast this week after getting named a Pro Bowl starter on Wednesday night and then the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP by the Denver chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association on Thursday.
“It’s a huge honor to receive such a prestigious award af ter Demaryius, who showed nothing less than humility,” Surtain said. “Obviously he was a great athlete, but a great person off the field. To be recognized is a huge honor.”
It’s Surtain’s second straight year being named the team’s MVP and his second straight Pro Bowl nod. He garnered first-team Associated Press All-pro honors last year and such lofty consideration wouldn’t come as a surprise again over the coming weeks.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, meanwhile, was named the Denver chapter of the PFWA’S Darrent Williams Good Guy Award winner this year.
The award is given to a player who local reporters appreciate for consistency, candor and accountability.
“Mike’s been so good,” Broncos safety Justin Simmons said. “He’s my locker mate, so I’ve seen and heard a lot of his stuff and obviously seen him postgame and I know how difficult it is to get up there and speak. Well- deserved for him to get up there and share his heart after tough losses and big-time wins.”
PRO BOWLERS >> Surtain, of course, is a Pro Bowl starter along with Simmons and rookie receiver Marvin Mims, Jr., who got the nod as the AFC’S punt/ kick returner.
Surtain said he thought the honor should be just the start for Simmons, the eighth- year veteran, in terms of recognition this fall.
“He earned every bit of a Pro Bowl nod and I think he earned an All-pro nod, too,” Surtain said.
Simmons is a Pro Bowler for the first time since 2020, when there was not actually a game played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, he’ll actually get to take part the first weekend of February in Orlando, Fla.
“It means a lot,” he said. “When you get to a point in this league and you get recognized for your play from opposing coaches, opposing players and things like that, it means a lot when your name gets put up there with some of the best in our league. I just feel honored. And obviously for Pat, a huge honor for him and continuing to cement his legacy even at an early age.
“And man, how cool for Marvin to be able to come in his rookie year and be selected as a starter. Obviously well deserved for him, too. I’m so happy for them.”
Simmons also threw in a plug for receiver Courtland Sutton, who is tied for third in the NFL with 10 touchdown catches but hasn’t put up major numbers in terms of catches (58) or yardage (770).
“I know there’s a lot of great receivers in our league, I just thought Court had a great year, too, and at least deserved an alternate spot,” Simmons said.
INJURY UPDATES >> Sutton and outside linebacker Baron Browning each practiced fully Thursday for the first time since each suffered a concussion against New England on Dec. 24.
If neither have setbacks following the full workouts, they are likely to clear the protocols in time to play Sunday against Las Vegas.
Josey Jewell (back), Mims ( hamstring) and running back Samaje Perine (rest) also practiced fully Thursday, while Mcglinchey (ribs), tight end Chris Manhertz (illness), defensive lineman Mike Purcell (rest), punter Riley Dixon ( personal) and long snapper Mitch Fraboni ( personal) did not practice.
Mcglinchey hasn’t practiced this week after catching a helmet to the ribs against Los Angeles on Sunday and said Thursday, “they hurt pretty good.”
The Broncos also officially put safety Delarrin Turner-yell on injured reserve Thursday. He tore his left ACL on Sunday. Denver now has a roster spot free as it moves toward the end of the work week.