Meinerz confident after steep learning curve
As a rookie drafted out of Division III Wisconsin-whitewater last year, Quinn Meinerz had a steep learning curve.
“I’m not going to lie, last year in a couple of those games, I’m in there and I feel like I’m running around with my head cut off at times,” Meinerz said. “Things were happening so fast.”
Now he gets to put that baptism-by-fire to good use, as Meinerz is potentially set up to play a starting role at right guard.
Meinerz began 2021 on the sidelines in the first two games, working to earn the coaching staff’s trust and acclimate to the NFL. But ultimately, Meinerz, after replacing Graham Glasgow (broken ankle) at mid-season, used the Broncos’ lost season to show why general manager George Paton selected him in the third round.
“I was building my confidence throughout each week and figuring out new ways to prepare,” Meinerz said.
In his first two games, Meinerz played left guard for the injured Dalton Risner, then took over for Glasgow for the final nine games. He provided a raw but physical presence up front.
Glasgow’s role in a competition remains unclear. He didn’t participate in last month’s voluntary minicamp as he continued his injury rehabilitation. The Broncos could have three options for Glasgow: Right guard against Meinerz, center against Lloyd Cushenberry or left guard against Risner.
Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten said he views Meinerz and Glasgow as “interchangeable at this point.”
“We want to see where they can fit and their ability to play center and snap the ball as a crucial backup,” Outten said last month. “You
want to have that in your back pocket. Those guys will kind of bounce around as you’ll see (throughout OTAS, which start Monday). It’s just to see them fit in different spots and direct traf
fic in playing guard and helping the tackles out as far as the interior (calls).”
The Broncos rescheduled Glasgow’s contract this offseason, reducing his 2022 salary from $8.7 million to a $3.1 million guarantee with playing time incentives.
Meinerz realizes the opportunity in front of him in Year 2, both with the arrival of quarterback Russell Wilson and his own emergence on the roster over the latter half of last season. Meinerz focused on trimming down this offseason, dropping from about 330 pounds to 320 in an effort to better fit into an offense that will call for linemen to make more blocks in space on both run and pass plays.
“I had a sense this offense was going to be more predicated on speed, and I wasn’t happy with some of the positions I found myself in last year (because of being a bit slow),” Meinerz said. “That’s why I took it upon myself to lose some weight.”
While Meinerz’s run blocking was a strength last year, especially downfield, he acknowledged he needs to shore up his pass protection.
In 632 offensive snaps last year, Meinerz allowed a half-sack, two pressures and two disruptions. His improvement in that area is even more imperative when blocking for Wilson, who is capable of extending plays outside the pocket.
“I need more consistency (overall),” Meinerz said. “There was a lack of consistency, more so in my pass protection game, and I think I’m taking the right steps to improve that. I’ve really watched the film, I’m taking the coaching, I’m listening to the veterans in the room.”