Broncos defensive lineman Ben Garland, who participated in the team’s training camp in 2010 before returning to the Air Force, has successfully applied to the Air Force’s Palace Chase program.
Defensive Line Coach Wayne Nunnely said he’s happy to have him back.
“His work ethic is outstanding,” Nunnely said. “And I told him this, if he is a representative of our Armed Forces, we are in great shape. Because he exemplifies all of the great qualities – the great work ethic, the great discipline, all those kinds of things that you want in people who are guarding our country. It’s those same attributes that you want in an athlete and he has all that. I don’t know in my 36 years of coaching if I’ve worked with anybody more disciplined, with such a great work ethic, than Ben.”
After two years of service, airmen that have the opportunity for a career that will benefit the Air Force in recruiting or public affairs can apply for the program, which grants them an early release.
“I think what a great opportunity as an Air Force Lieutenant – if I was able to play and make the team, every time I make a tackle they are going to say Ben Garland from the Air Force,” Garland said. “That public affairs exposure for the Air Force is going to give them more exposure than any bus sign or billboard. I think it’s really win-win for both.”
He saved all of his leave time during his two years of service so that he could participate in the Broncos’ voluntary workouts this spring and summer.
When he was last with the team, Garland finished the 2010 preseason tied for third among the team’s defensive linemen with 6 tackles and impressed the coaching staff with his dedication and work ethic.
At the Air Force Academy, Garland totaled 115 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in 39 career games played — including 34 starts — for the Falcons.
During his time in the military, Garland focused on his duties as an airman, but with the help of other Air Force alums who reached the NFL, he knew what he had to do to keep his dream of playing in the NFL alive.
“That’s one of the great things about being in the Air Force,” he said. “It’s a brotherhood. I got a phone call from almost every one of (the Air Force alums that played in the NFL) trying to help me out and saying, ‘Hey, this is what you have to do. You have to make the Air Force your priority. You have to work hard and do what you can and then if you’re able to come out after making the Air Force your priority and play for a team, then go for it.’”
Now Garland is doing just that — going for it — after two years away from the game.
Nunnely said it will be a challenge for the defensive lineman to make the team, but that if anybody can tackle it, it’s Garland.
“He’ll compete,” Nunnely said. “With his work ethic, there’s no telling. The sky is the limit.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Ben Garland
i do like that he likes him too. tells me i kinda know what i’m looking at. yall about had me thinking i was liking a bad player. thats no good, i gotta have some kinda credibility on here!
ok, this is not my mock, but this is who is reasonably going to be available for our picks.
rd1: Chandler Jones
rd2: Brock Osweiler
rd3: Robert Turbin
rd4a: Derek Wolfe
rd4b: a solid OLB
rd5: Miller from CU
rd6: use to trade along with a lower-roster type player for Asante Samuel
Lol LBF im not saying he isnt a good player cause he is. Just IMO not good enough for a 1st rounder. Taking the plays off and his lack of consistency against elite olinemen push him (IMO) to a early to mid 2nd.
BO14 that looks very much like I wrote it LOL!!!
well ya but the only reason i posted that was because you said you never saw him ranked there by mike mayock, and that at least showed it was there. i couldnt post what i had on my tv from 5 days ago, so was hoping that showing that would help make the claim credible that i did in fact see it. he’s still at #2 on mayocks board. that could change tho for sure. and i’m not the best personel guy for sure, ive said some drastically wrong things on this blog about player projections over the years, but i can hold my own!
LBF well that was a nice find and thanks for correcting me. And like i said I just saw it on NFLN bottom line which adds even more credit to it (Not that you need it I enjoy chatting with you especially about Worthy lol)
I was wrong about that.
man i’m posting too slow. was responding to your comment about the age of the link and bam 3 comments are posted derailing the flow of our back and forth!
I`m hoping we draft RB Doug Martin at #25. There`s a really good chance that we trade back into the 2nd round for addition 2nd and 3rd round picks.
Lol LBF its all good. I often find that happening to myself.
Hey AB, how’s it going. what do you think of this article
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20455928?utm_medium=facebook
well heres hoping for an elite bunch of players coming our way next week. i sure do love the draft season, keeps me from dying from nofootballitis, a severe spring and summer ailment. i am just back from a long trip and i am out…
SW its going good. I dont mind Boykin. He would be a nice pickup IMO.
Strand lol i love the idea of trading back man!!! LOL
Strand, I feel the same way. I think we need a good quality RB at 25.
Do you think Caldwell will take over as punt returner? Think I read somewhere he had experience.
Anybody watch the Nuggets game tonight?
Javell McGee put on a DUNK FEST!!! I really think Kenneth Faried should tryout for TE… 6’8″ 230 lbs and is athletic! Gotta love the ‘Manimal’!!!
Buck, Caldwell will get a shot as our returner for sure.
SNDVL -
I apologize for not entering the contest – I think I’ve explained my reasons why. Has more to do with personality.
I want to encourage you to keep at it. It may just take time to build over a couple of seasons.
Looking forward to the draft! It’s like Christmas when I was a kid.
Don’t anybody argue with me for the next ten days – I’m on the road and won’t catch up til I get back. LOL
Great to hear about the Raiders struggles!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82883bd6/article/mark-davis-says-hed-like-to-keep-raiders-in-oakland?module=HP11_headline_stack
Manning translates into more Primetime games for those of you who don’t get to see the Broncos very often.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82861bac/article/denver-broncos-among-eight-teams-with-five-primetime-games
Please don’t read the article posted above if you are one of those thin skinned easily offended blogging fans who can’t handle the mention of Tebow (or God, pot, beer, illegal activities, etc., etc., etc.) Haha
http://www.nfl.com/videos/movie-trailers/09000d5d8285a7a4/Denver-Broncos-vs-New-England-Patriots-movie-trailer?module=HP11_content_stream
Manning v. Brady – just a clip
Tired of talking to myself -
Have a great week!
I’m out –
God Bless!!!
Morning Everyone!
Hope you all had a great weekend! Seems like every Monday morning I read through the blog from the weekend and there’s always an argument of some sort. lol
Draft will soon be upon us! WHOOP!
Watched an interesting show last night on NFL Network called “Welcome to the NFL Rookie.” Featured Eddie Royal and NoShow…………plus a lot of other guys……..was really interesting to watch.
I’m also glad to see that Jones beat Evans to keep the UFC Championship. Didn’t get to see the fight but it looks as though he pretty much dominated him ffrom start to finish.
So glad to hear that Rory MacDonald won his fight too……..I think he has the makings to be the next great Canadian fighter and take over the reins from GSP when his time comes. Nothing but a major upside for that kid.
Good morning KK, I didn’t see the fights either bur liked the conclusion. Draft is almost here. Did you put in your picks yet?
Hey buck………….
No, I haven’t put in any picks yet. I don’t follow any college ball and I’m finding that trying to ciefer through all the players is a tad bit overwhelming to say the least.
But I’ll try and put something together……..
Yeah I hear ya KK, I don’t follow like a lot of the other bloggers, but its just for fun so I gave it a whirl. Didn’t get laughed out of the blog so Guess I did allright.
http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-broncos/2012/4/23/2968629/brian-dawkins-retires-denver-broncos
Dawk retires.
The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL. #BBTB
-Dawkins twitter account
Thanks AB, Gosh even though I suspected this would happen I still feel sad. Wish we could have gotten him a ring. He was a great player and Bronco.
Sorry, I meant AT4.
Yea he definitely deserved one. Looks like he has an open invite to retire an Eagle… I wouldn’t be upset if he chose that option
Sad news to read today………….but at least he knows to put his health before a paycheck……….and I’m sure this wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. He loves this game and I hope our organization can reach out to him and get him on our coaching staff to help mould our younger players.
You’ll be missed Dawk!
Maybe he was being pressured to make a decision so they could offer Asante more?
Hope Dawk can become part of the team, hes a good man.
Hope Dawkins remains a bronco in some capacity … maybe start interning as a assistant coach or something. Great guy, man always had his priorities straight. Great player and teammate … will definitely miss seeing Dawk on the sideline or in the huddle firing up the troops … I mean the man is pure fire and intensity. Hats off too him. Wish we got him earlier in his career. Its been a pleasure watching him in Orange and Blue, and while he will most likely retire an Eagle, he gets a big Mile high salute from this bronco fan.
Later days, TRB.
Pretty certain he’ll retire an Eagle as well……..and rightfully so. Just glad he was able to be a part of our team for a few years……and like TRB, I wish we had gotten him earlier in his career as well.
Trip down memory lane:
baylinorcrush says:
January 18, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Dawk, I’m sorry to say but it would be the best thing for you to step down while you can do it on your own terms, just talk to Elway. No way an athlete nearing 40 years old should be playing a position like strong safety in the NFL, it would be pure sillyness. It will be a hard transition as for any other football player but you have done all you could for the position and the two teams you’ve been on, so go out with your health and let the newbies get their chance at a place in the spotlight from now on. Each player has his time and yours was greater than most, cherish it and move on. That would be the correct “wisdom” thing to do. You got your health, money and your faith, you can do anything you wish now, enjoy that, don’t mess it up.
Just all my opinions and recommendations is all of course but I would feel real bad if I didn’t speak up and you come back on next year and end up with a much more severe neck condition to deal with for the rest of your life. It’s going to be hard enough physically for you as is, it is for me and I never played contact sports just crazy extreme sports, and at 57 my body is the one of a man 20 years older.
Thanks for everything you’ve done for us and leaving nothing on the field, you are the best example any teammate could ever have. Be wise in your decision!
Which brought a blogger out of the closet:
Tide Bronco says:
January 18, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Wow. I sure wish Mark Cooper would say something in regard to your arrogant post on the other thread, but, unlike me, he’s probably too much of a gentleman to do so. And now, here you are, a mere blogger nobody, offering your unsolicited advice to a pro football player about how to live his life and what to do with his career. I mean, get real! Do you seriously believe he’s interested in your opinion about whether he should play next season or not? Unbelievable. Just unbelievable the arrogance of it all.
I’ve been reading this blog for years, and have endured, and yes, even laughed at, your egomaniacal, arrogant, braggadocio filled, know it all (though somewhat ignorant at times), horn tooting posts about me, me, me, me me, without responding a single word. However, your “season impressions” post from you, Bay, just begged for a response, and now YOUR advice to Dawk about his career is the cherry on top, etc, etc….
Dawk is obviously a smart man.
And just so this blogger can rest easy about the “arrogant post” of mine on the Cooper thread, this is what Coop e-mailed me later on upon learning of my blog retirement:
RE: baylinorcrush From: Mark Cooper February 9th, 2012
Hey, buddy that’s a freaking awesome boat…love it. Thanks for all your input, “as you get it”, and know the game and have a passion that exemplifies Bronco fans. I enjoyed your analysis and banter as that’s what makes a blog fun. By the way, the Barrel man was a class act. I met him on numerous occasions and he was always a gentleman and bled orange and blue. Loved the guy!!
P.S. never received the pics before.
Thanks again, we’ll miss you.
Coopster
He was talking about some pics of the “Orange Crush” and one of the barrel man and myself together at a Bronco game I e-mailed him.
Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, I should of known all along…
Enjoy the draft you all, choose wisely EFX & co.
We were lucky to have Brian Dawkins suit up for the Orange & Blue! You will be missed. More importantly, you get to leave on your own terms…
Brian Dawkins and Broncos Country Strong 2012!
Hey y’all
Not surprised at Dawkins retiring. I think it was a good decision, albeit a tough one. He was a great Bronco and hopefully he can remain with us in some capacity to enjoy the ride, but I’m not sure how realistic that is. Kudos to our FO for having to foresight to recognize this as a real possibility, and signing Mike Adams.
BAY! So good to hear from you again brother………..You should really chime in here more often………..you’re missed by some of us at least! lol
We have young options and I am confident at least 1 will answer the call between Bruton (my choice), Carter, and Moore.
Dawk exemplified a great pro and I am glad that he is choosing to go on his own terms with his health in tact.
lol @ missed by some of us. I think his chiming in is enough. Only when major things happen (Manning and Dawk). Always great to hear from ya Bay. Hope all is well. Have a good one bro.
Later days, TRB
Also, I have a great deal of respect for Dawkins making this decision before the draft. Unlike guys like Favre who handcuffed a team all offseason.
Now with 4 safeties (McCarthy is gone) we will likely pickup a late round option (Janzen Jackson?) come this weekend
I think we need to offer Dawkins a coaching position! He needs a ring one way or another and besides, it’d be a great way for him to still feel part of the team…probably wouldn’t happen for a few years anyway, but I can dream that we offer him a job immediately
Nice to hear from you Bay, hope you enter the draft contest. I coulda used some tips. Looking forward to this contest and always enjoyed your views.
While I haven’t been on the blog as long as some around here, but for the record, I have nothing but good things to say about both baylinorcrush and Tide Bronco. They both are very knowledgeable and passionate fans, whose love for the Denver Broncos can’t be denied and always comes first. I actually think given another chance, they would get along.
One love in Broncos Country!!!
*With the occasional disagreement… LOL!
OT……………your rangers are going down in Ottawa tonight………hahaha
dawkins HOF!!! just wish he was here for 1 more year to help coach!! great guy on the sidelines!! Maybe we draft CB now in draft if the Kirkpatrick or Jenkins just to help with secondary!?!?!? I hope we go DT no matter what first 2 picks unless we can swoop Doug martin!! He is ray rice good!!
New blog.