Page 22 - Flathead Beacon // 12.25.13

22 | BEACON SPECIAL FEATURE

Arizona State, you step into the NFL this year so far in phase two.”
teammates and the media took notice
DENVER’S HEIR APPARENT
and you don’t necessarily know ev- “He’s getting better every day,” of his advancement.
The Montana quarterback has
erything as far as being a professional Gase says. “His biggest thing is the “He has done well,” Gase says.
seen little action this season but or how to go about your business. But mental aspect. Trying to learn what “Every day is improvement.”
remains focused on preparing for his when you get to watch a guy who has we do, as a whole. Skillset-wise, I feel That type of dogged determina-
opportunity in the future.
done it for 14-15 years now at the top conident with Brock throwing the tion is also how you earn respect from
level, there’s no better way to learn.”
ball and operating our ofense. It’s teammates. Even though he has a lot
in the building by 6 a.m. and I’m not Fellow players and coaches have just, every day, getting those tough to live up to in Denver, Osweiler has
done with football until 8 to 9 p.m. taken notice.
looks from our defense, it’s good de-
garnered his fair share of admiration
that night,” he says. “Once you get to “He’s done a really good job. He’s velopment for him.”
in a short amount of time.
the NFL, your game becomes your life light years ahead of where he was Osweiler has continued to work on
“He understands that he’s one play
pretty much.”
last year,” Denver head coach John his delivery with Noel Mazzone, his away from being the guy and having

His dogged preparation and de- Fox says of Osweiler. “We probably former ofensive coordinator at ASU to lead this football team. He’s taken
termination has begun relecting an- haven’t gotten him in games as much and the current ofensive coordina- that upon his shoulders,” Broncos vet-
other Broncos’ quarterback famously as we have at diferent points (in the tor at UCLA. Mazzone, a former NFL eran tight end Joel Dreessen says of
known for his meticulous nature.
past), but yeah his growth in practice, quarterback who has coached the past Osweiler.
If Osweiler had to narrow down he’s doing a very good job.”
34 years, notably mentored Philip “He’s a true professional. He’s
one thing he has learned most from Adam Gase has worked closely Rivers at North Carolina State before right there, 5:45 every morning, get-
Manning, it would be Manning’s pro- with Osweiler the past two seasons, Rivers was taken by the San Diego ting breakfast and sitting in the ilm
fessionalism, “how he goes about his last year as the team’s quarterbacks Chargers with the fourth overall pick room; the irst one there and one of

day-to-day business and how to be a coach and this year as the ofensive in the 2004 NFL Draft.
the last ones to leave. He’s a great guy
professional quarterback in the Na- coordinator. Gase is quick to compli- Last ofseason Osweiler focused to be around and just soaking in ev-
tional Football League. Coming from ment the young signal caller and point on his delivery, and by the time he erything, learning everything and ap-
college, being a one-year starter at
out that Osweiler “has taken a big step
arrived at summer training camp,

BROCK OVER THE YEARS

2005
2008
2009
2011
2012
2013

Freshman year Named Montana Gatorade Football Graduates early from Flathead to In his one and only full Forgoes senior season and Second season in
at Flathead High Player of the Year as a senior after attend spring football camp at season starting for the enters the NFL Draft; Denver Denver as Peyton
School
compiling one of the all-time great Arizona State University
Sun Devils, compiles 4,036 Broncos position themselves Manning’s backup
seasons in state history with 3,463 passing yards, the irst to take Osweiler with the 57th
total yards (2,703 passing, 760 Becomes irst true freshman QB to start time an ASU quarterback overall pick in the second
rushing) and 42 touchdowns (29 for ASU since Jake Plummer in 1993
surpasses 4,000 yards
round
passing, 13 rushing)
DECEMBER