The Broncos have had a couple of mini-camps, the latest of which was in early May. That’s when the Broncos’ draft picks had the opportunity to work with the team for the first time.

This is part one of a question-and-answer series with some of the Broncos’ picks. We had the chance to speak with many of them when they first visited Dove Valley on April 26.

With the twelfth overall selection, the Broncos chose running back Knowshon Moreno from the University of Georgia.

MR: Knowshon, take us through the lead-up to the draft and your emotions leading up to the call from the Broncos.

KM: I waited throughout the week and finally it (the draft) gets here. I think at my place, the atmosphere was really calm and collected. Everyone was just waiting to see what happens because we didn’t know. We got that call and he said I’d be going with the twelfth pick to the Broncos and we all went crazy and I’m really enjoying it.

MR: So Coach McDaniels called you?

KM: Yes, he called me before they picked me. I didn’t tell my family, though. I kept it under wraps a little bit and let them watch it for themselves. Everyone got really excited.

MR: Did you have any inkling that the Broncos were interested?

KM: I knew they were interested but you never know what’s going to happen in the draft. I lot of teams were interested and needed help on both sides of the ball. It was a waiting process for me and seeing what was going to happen and where I was going to be. I’m so happy it’s here.

MR: What was your immediate thought when you heard from Coach and you thought, “I’m a Denver Bronco now?”

KM: I said, “Here we go, baby, let’s do it!” It’s a great place; it’s a great organization. I’m so happy to be a part of everything.

MR: You know the history and the great tradition of running backs here. What are your thoughts about potentially trying to fit into that group?

KM: I think that has to do with the players having the opportunity to work with Bobby Turner, the running backs coach, who has been here a long time now. I’m just happy to be a part of this organization and let’s see what happens this off-season.

MR: When it comes to how you might fit in or how you might be used, did the coaches give you any indication?

KM: Not yet. It all comes down to me working hard, learning the system, learning from the backs we have here already and then see what happens after that. I want to get into the system and work from there.

MR: With a new coach and with some things changing, even though you weren’t here before, can you get a sense of how Coach McDaniels wants to do things and his style, even though you just got here are just getting settled in?

KM: Everyone’s focused knowing that we need to win some games this year. We have the players and coaches to do that. Everyone’s just really focused.

MR: You came out after only two years at Georgia, yet you obviously felt ready to make the transition to the NFL. What led you to believe that?

KM: Just my preparation and the way I work and also being healthy. I’m really healthy right now. I wanted to take this opportunity and I’m happy I did this.

MR: How would you describe you running style and your game?

KM: Really hard-nosed, versatile, can catch the ball, also run the ball, block, all those things. I can get better at all those but I think I do those things really well and it will be a great attribute for this team.

MR: Georgia head coach Mark Richt has referenced the energy and the enthusiasm, the speed you brought to the Georgia running attack. Is it fair to say you might be able to bring those things to Denver?

KM: Yeah, definitely, definitely. Just the way I play, my energy during practice or in the game also. I love to play the game and I hope to bring the same energy here and hopefully everyone feeds off it.

MR: I have to ask you about one highlight from last year and you know what I’m going to ask you, the highlight where you leaped over a defender (against Central Michigan). Is that something that just happens on the field when you’re able to make a move like that?

KM: It definitely just happens on the field. It’s instinct. You really can’t draw that up; you can’t think about that before it happens. It’s all instinct and spur-of-the-moment. It was a great play and we went out and got that victory.

MR: What did you know about the Broncos before you got drafted by them?

KM: Not too much, just that is was a great place to be, great atmosphere, a history of running backs. Bobby Turner has been there, great person, great guy. He reminds me of Tony Bell, who’s at Georgia right now as running backs coach. That’s pretty much it but I want to learn more.

MR: I would imagine John Elway fits in somewhere, too.

KM: Oh yeah. I can’t forget about John.

MR: Knowshon, thank you for your time and good luck.

KM: Thank you very much.

Next time, a conversation with the Broncos’ other first round pick, defensive end/linebacker Robert Ayers from the University of Tennessee.

Thanks for reading.

Best,
Mike

This entry was posted on Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 4:55 pm and is filed under Mike Rice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.