Broncos Ring of Fame Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg

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Patrick Smyth, Executive Director of Media Relations ([email protected] / 303-264-5536) Rebecca Villanueva, Media Services Manager ([email protected] / 303-264-5598) Erich Schubert, Media Relations Coordinator ([email protected] / 303-264-5503)

DENVER BRONCOS TRAINING CAMP QUOTES (7/29/12)

BRONCOS RING OF FAME LINEBACKER KARL MECKLENBURG

On his role with the team during training camp “I’ve been working with the pass rushers a little bit. [Head] Coach Fox and [Defensive Coordinator] Jack Del Rio asked me to come out and be a part of the team again. It’s nice to be out here and work with the young guys.”

On how the game has changed for defensive linemen “There are some major changes. There really are. From a defensive line standpoint, it used to be the nose guard and the defensive tackle’s job to grab a couple guys and hold on so I could make the tackle. That’s not the way it is anymore. You can’t be grabbing as a defensive lineman. So now it’s more a penetration thing. The linebackers are more on their own.”

On his lifestyle in retirement “I’m a motivational speaker. I do about 45 presentations a year all around the country. That’s where I was Monday and Tuesday. I was in Tampa and Cincinnati. I’ll be in and out, helping out whenever I can.”

On rookie DT Derek Wolfe “I really have been impressed with Derek. He’s fitting right in. A guy with a great motor, that’s the thing, he’s going to go to the whistle every single play. If he can do that and get some positive vibes for the rest of the team, he’ll make some plays this year.”

On being back at Dove Valley “It’s nice. It really is. It’s been a few years since veteran guys were welcome out here. It’s nice to be invited back.”

On the challenges for pass rushers playing against QB Peyton Manning “He’s going to get rid of the ball quickly. Peyton understands where the ball is going probably before the ball is snapped, more often than not. As a pass rusher it gets real frustrating to make a great move and get free to the quarterback and the ball’s already gone. So to me, it was like rushing Dan Fouts or a guy like that. It’s just, the ball is out.”

On his first thoughts when he arrived at practice today “Most of my training camps, actually all of my training camps, were in Greeley. So this is a little different. The idea that they got a day off coming up and there’s one-a-days during two-a-days, there was nothing like that when we were playing.”

On whether lighter camps would have extended his career “I think so. I could have maybe got a couple more years out of it.”

On how great it feels to be back “It’s really nice to have the opportunity and the door’s open now. I’m sure anybody who’s interested in coming out will come out. I know Terrell [Davis] has been out here—a couple other guys. It’s an open door situation and I think it’s a good idea to take advantage of the wisdom, just the tradition of winning Bronco football teams.”

©2012 Denver Broncos Football Club. All rights reserved. The individual quotes cited in this document may be used for the purpose of news reporting and other fair uses as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. Duplication or posting of this quote sheet, in its entirety, or any other use of this material which is not a fair use as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Denver Broncos Football Club. On whether any players come to him for advice “The young guys have an understanding of what I was able to accomplish. To be a pass rusher, and one of the top pass rushers in the league with a 4.9 40—it wasn’t my speed, it was definitely my technique.”

On how good this team can be “The sky’s the limit. Every year is a new year. This team had a taste of success last year. The guys they got in now, they got some new guys that are going to maybe lift them to the next level. It’s always a staircase to the Super Bowl and hopefully they’re going to be able to get that this year.”