Without punting a single ball in the NFL, Britton Colquitt has already recognized the cache of the opportunity standing before him.
“It’s definitely a dream come true for that to be your job, to play football,” he said. “But at the same time, it really puts a bigger importance on what you are doing and why you are doing it.”
How did Colquitt recognize the importance of the pro jump so quickly? Punting happens to be his family’s business.
When Colquitt signed with the Broncos as a college free agent in April, he became the fourth member of his family to land on an NFL roster – as a punter. His cousin, Jimmy, had a brief run with the Seattle Seahawks in 1985 – one season after his father, Craig, finished a six-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with two Super Bowl rings in his possession.
His brother Dustin is the third link in the family chain, holding a 38.3-yard net punting average in four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. That tally ranks fourth best among all NFL players since the AFL-NFL merger.
Dustin’s success over the past three seasons came under current Broncos special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. Now, Britton has the chance to work with Priefer in Denver, and he’s aware of the tools the coach can teach him.
“Dustin has gone from being decent to great,” Britton said. “Just hopefully getting a little bit of knowledge here, whether it is for a few years or whether it is just this summer in training camp. I feel like I’ve already gained some knowledge and can definitely get a lot better just from him alone.”
As a punter, that bank of knowledge has to be rich in several areas. Handling punts and kickoffs in college, Colquitt was working exclusively with his legs, and had minimal experience as a holder.
With the Broncos, his arm and hands are already coming into play. When Colquitt arrived for minicamps, Priefer and special teams assistant Keith Burns quickly added new threads to his routine, with at least 60 hold drills per day. Colquitt was not opposed to the extra practice, envisioning what a game situation might require.
“Going from nothing to 60 is amazing because it is not just the punting job,” Colquitt said. “I’ve got to be trustworthy that I could be the quarterback of the field goal team and I’ve got to have Matt Prater able to trust me to put the ball down.”
In expanding his range of skills, Colquitt has simultaneously improved his punting fundamentals, from his drop to his leg swing. He said he’s even found time to work on his throwing game, in the case of that rare fake punt.
All those diverse elements of his punting game fit into the bigger scheme of why Colquitt decided to come to Dove Valley in the first place.
“It’s a lot of things coming in and stuff I’ve never done before, but I’m learning a lot,” he said.
- Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Britton Colquitt, Mike Priefer
sweet first to post again!
it is in his blood to be a punter!!! and I got first comment!!!
the NFL offseason is too long!!!!!!!!!!
all the best britton! hope you make the cut so you can help us beat your brother twice a year
now kern can play qb
lol @ Marshall 15.
Kern is a great punter. Colquit is just a camp body.
any punter at Denver looks good. they get a 5 yard boost.
Yup, Its that altitude. One of the reason besides his awesomeness that helped Elam break/tie the record for longest field goal ever. Good luck to this guy even though we all know kern will be the starter. Being top 5 punter and everything last year. Prater got a strong leg on him, with our altitude he could easily break the record.
If we are to do good this year. special teams is key. Orton is used to really good field position. That amongst many things aided him in Chicago. We have suffered from bad field postion for years now. In the end, we gotta be well rounded if we wanna take the west and the superbowl when all is said and done.
~Here’s Hoping we shock the NFL
ORANGE CRUSH ALL DAY!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Hey Royal check this out.
http://broncosarebest.blogspot.com
Aussie, try to become a member instead of just using you’re email account.
Ok I will try but that is when I get home in about 3 hours.
wow, i guess B really doesnt want to be here…I dont know about any of you that watched total access but it was kind of sad. Just like the posts on the other blog, its sad that all he is is just money…I understand wanting security for your family, but come on now…
ummm yeah, I only bring in about 60k a year and I have security for my family. This man is playing a childs game (one that I love) making way more than that, and he doesn’t have security for his???? Obviously he doesn’t know how to live within his means and manage his money imo!
Yes I happened to see the NFL Total Access interview with Marshall and you could tell by his tone and choice of words that he didn’t want to be with the Broncos. Like he just wanted to finish his contract and get outta here. When asked about the Broncos Marshall was talking as if he wasn’t apart of the team. Also at the end of the interview Randy Cross asked if he will be wearing #15 for the Broncos and this is exactly what he said
“I Will Defintely Be Wearing #15″
Pathetic. NFL Players get paid more than the real heroes of the world and they still complain. If you think you should get paid just because you risk your body to win a championship, then just go look for a normal job. There is plenty of people who will be happy with what they get paid. This is a Jevon Walker situation all over again but with money being the issue
Broncobailey, I agree. Marshall has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be a part of the team.
I do not like to see things like this. It is on the Morning Jolt on cnnsi.com. I hope McDaniels can get everyone together.
“Broncos players don’t trust coach
Jay Cutler isn’t the only player who has developed trust issues with first-year Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. A few other players have privately expressed concern, and the media has joined the chorus in feeling that McDaniels has a problem with honesty. (NFL.com) ”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/morning-jolt/07/17/heat-jolt/index.html
I agree. Marshall does make it seem like he does not want to be in Denver anymore. Here’s the link to the interview for anyone that missed it.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81154742&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
To tell you the truth, I don’t believe Brandon cares who he plays for. He actually sounds excited about where the team is going, however money is the only factor. In his words, he has always played with heart and passion, so I expect him to produce as he is in the final year of his contract.
Brandon actually seems pretty smart, I appreciate him side stepping questions so that he does not try to make a mockery out of Denver, also the fact that he talks about players buying into McD’s system and they all believe in it, and expect to do great things in the direction we are headed is really uplifting!
Just my thoughts…
I wonder how long it will be before the “National Enquirer” starts reporting every NFL rumor that they come across? Media sources such as CNN and “Sports Illustrated” have no ethics anymore and neither does NFL network and ESPN. What happened to getting actual sources and verifying information in journalism nowadays? Just saying that “others” on the team have expressed that they do not trust McD does not make it true. It is the media making up these rumors to stir things up because it is a slow time for football news and there is nothing much to talk about before training camp starts. I almost wish NFL Network would never have came into existence. They are the source that starts most of these rumors.
McDaniels..McDaniels..McDaniels. Everyone expects things of McDaniels this season, myself included. All eyes are on him, if we do good it is because of McDaniels, if we do bad it is because of McDaniels. Not one sports analysist has talked about the players taking some responisbility. The players not trusting him and all that BS, that isn’t McDaniels fault. Sure, the whole “Cutler” thing. That’s just the business of the game. You don’t produce you don’t keep your job. McDaniels let some big names go on the D side too, don’t hear anyone complaining about that. If Rod Smith is giving McDaniels a chance I will too.
The Marshall thing, plain and simple it is about MONEY, that’s it nothing else. If Marshall thinks he is worth something, doubtful. Injured, legal issues, character issues, poor hand that causes him problems, he has not real value and even if the Broncos did trade, him which I doubt they will only because they won’t get what he is worth.
Give McDaniels a chance, everyone wants instant gratification. Ain’t gonna happen, it may even be the season after this before we are gelled completely.
I say give him another million. he may have beaten his girlfriend, but his trade value is up to other teams coaches and owners (ect.) so you wont get a Larry Fitzgerald or a Ray lewis for him. Not even a Julius peppers (which would be cool if Dumervil is playing LB) could go through without a couple draft picks. i say trade marshall and orton 4 Mcnabb and Kevin Curtis. BUT! that still doesnt mean I dont want him.
Trade him to Buffalo and we could have the next greatest reality show with T.O and B.M.
Why would we trade for a ten year vet and a sub par wr? I thought we are trying to build for the future. That doesn’t make any sense.
Mcnabb doesn’t fit in McDaniels system. no to that. and why would we trade Orton after just trading for him? McDaniels obviously sees something in Orton that he likes.
anyone thought about Marshall for Shaun Rogers? Cleveland should be looking for another reciever. or we might be able to trade Marshall for Edwards, so many possibilities.
lol brian,
I would actually watch that. It would be part football, the hills, so you think you can dance. All in one. lol
Rogers is a spoiled brat. And a money hog. No thank you. McD wants people with great values and character. He doesn’t fit the mold
I just wish Marshall could avoid contact with law enforcment. then we could get full value for him. we shouldn’t trade him if we’re not going to get our moneys worth.
Ok, i think that link posted above about the trust issue is kind of bogus…It was not even really an article, just saying crap. Course there is going to be worries, but i back mcdaniels through this whole thing. Getting rid of a brat like Cutler was a good move. The team will be just like almost all of us. Pissed off, worried, and wont trust mcdaniels at first. However, i feel they will grow to understand and like him. So many times in life you meet some one you just dont see eye to eye with, and they can possibly end up being a really close friend.
People always say were looking for the next elway and were set, but in reality were just looking for the next DENVER BRONCOS. BY that i mean a team willing to give it their all, non greedy, play for their teamates and coaches. Get a decent QB in there that was the will to win and a team willing to play for passion not just the cash then were set…Even some one like tyler thigpin *spelling* would surfice in my eyes…
Get a decent QB in there that “HAS” the will to win ***Sorry spelling***
It is hard being and undrafted punter in the NFL.
Although anyone at any position can be amazing
DrChris,
I am not sure why people keep thinking we traded for Orton. We traded for the high value in picks, Orton was just the icing on the cake. Orton is a good QB – but Cutler in no way would have been traded to obtain Orton – its just the deal Chicago offered was too good to resist. IF Orton wasn’t part of the package, Simms would have started or we would have got someone like Jeff Garcia who was hanging out there for awhile.
Nothing against Orton, I actually like him, as a man, leader and player. He is good – can manage a game well. Granted, he does not have the God gifted talent that Cutler had, but he does have one thing Cutler didn’t. A Brain. I loved Cutler to death, however he made some real bad decisions. Orton played exceptionally well in Chicago for not having any talent around him. You have to have a brain to do what he did.
Just my thoughts – everyone have a great weekend!
bronco-blaze, Cutler did some things that were bratty, and I know you’re gonna tell me to move on, but I WOULD take cutler over orton or simms. but, on the other hand, ayers, brandstater, our draft picks did make it worth the trade. Maybe not this season, but after a few seasons, it will have payed off.
trigger73, I agree with you all the way. Rod Smith was an undrafted free agent and he almost 100% will be a hall of famer.
Im sorry…i thought this Cutler/McDaniels things was over with and a thing of the past…Enough already…..
As for Marshall..He needs to get out there this season,shut his mouth and prove to everyone he deserves what he’s asking for…Geez…Why does he think he should get umteen million dollars just because he’s Brandon Marshall??
DrChris:i agree with you about Marshall but unfortunately he’s proving to people he’s just a thug who can’t avoid confrontations with the police…
Sorry folks..you can probably tell im pretty pissed about this Marshall thing.First, the bull with Cutler/McDaniels took up most of our off season,now when it looked like things were calming down in Broncoland this crap with Marshall comes up.But im staying faithful and always will…Start the season!!!!Lets go!!!!Go Broncos!!!!
Im on a roll!!!Hey just remember that Orton finally has a “TEAM” around him so b4 we start thinking trade him,lets give the man a shot.Here,he has great recievers which he didnt have in Chicago,good running backs.great offensive line,the only thing he had in Chicago was a defense.I know ours is suspect,but with our recent additions we’ll be alot better than last season…Stay positive!!! Go Broncos!!
With the way athletes act these days esp. all of the DIVA WIDE RECEIVERS. I’m so glad we were able to witness great humble athletes like Terrell Davis, Rod Smith, and Ed Mccaffrey just to name a few play for our Denver Broncos.
Money is the root of all evil and like many of you have said before me…. Many of these guys like Marsha Marsha Marshall just don’t know how good they/he has it. They couldn’t last working a 5-6 day a week 40-70 hour job.
Whatever player doen’t want to be in Denver needs to roll on out of denver. We have quality @ the receiver spot to get the job done.
Britton and Brett are in a punter competition. I think it is 66-44 Brett
Nevermind. 50-50
Sounds like some hot issues are going down here.
Lol @ Carmelloo Tryna run those bad seeds out of town.
people who want money ruin franchises. chad ochocinco, T.O., (even if i like both of them) but then their are the steelers, who pulled off a SB win. They didnt have the most talent, but they worked together the best, and I still havent heard of a steeler complaining about money
What’s up my bro Greatness?! Yeah man we need to get the bad seeds out well try to. Amen to that Marshallman-15!! People like Jaime Dukes from NFL Network buck those never satisfied players head up! I can’t stand that dude!
http://www.courant.com/sports/football/hc-statenfl0717.artjul17,0,7320804.story
here’s a good article for everyone to check out. It’s about fa rookie dt Baker. Check it out and let me know what you think. I, for one, greatly appreciate this young mans dedication and what he’s going through to not just make the team, but make an impact on the team. Keep up the good work Chris! Broncos to surprise the naysayers in ’09!
Anyone see the article about Shanny. Basically talking about what he is gonna do in the future coaching wise. Plus the Jay cutler situation.
I saw that article, where do you see shanny coaching in the future?