Page 23 - Flathead Beacon // 12.25.13

BEACON SPECIAL FEATURE | 23

plying it out on the practice ield.”

Veteran lineman Zane Beadles FROM MONTANA TO MILE HIGH
echoed similar praise, giving a nod to The former Flathead Braves star has
Osweiler’s workmanlike attitude. It’s earned respect and admiration in
instilled faith in Denver players that Denver among fans and players.
their backup QB is serious about suc-
ceeding into the future and maintain-
ing the franchise’s proud tradition. make it out to be, Osweiler and Rodg-
“This whole summer he was in ers do share a few similarities.

early, he stayed late,” Beadles says. Both quarterbacks took their col-
“That’s deinitely going to help him
lege snaps in the Paciic Conference.
out in the future.”
Rodgers transferred to the Universi-
Even Denver fans, who are not
ty of California from a junior college
eager to see Osweiler replace the leg- and played two full seasons for the
endary Manning anytime soon, are Golden Bears. Like Osweiler, his ju-
anxious to see what’s in store for the nior year was his only season as a full-

Montana kid.
time starter and, also like Osweiler, he
Derek Blanchard is a diehard fan used the success to vault into the NFL
who paints his face, dresses in vibrant early. Rodgers left college after the
orange and for the past 10 years has at- 2004 season, racking up 2,566 pass-
tended every home game and training ing yards and 24 touchdowns. The
camp. He sits in the infamously rowdy Green Bay Packers selected him with
south end zone section of Sports Au- the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL
thority Field.
Draft.

“I like what I’ve seen so far. I think Like Osweiler shadowing Man-
he’s going to wow a lot of people,” ning, Rodgers studied under Brett
Blanchard said of Denver’s second- Favre, another aging legend. Rodg-
year backup. “He’ll deinitely have ers served as backup to one of the
some dust to shake of, but being be- game’s all-time greats for three sea- side by side. The great debate was on making it a good one.
hind Peyton, taking in what he can sons. When the time came, Rodgers whether the Colts should take the “It’s just such an honor to be a
take in, I look at it as the same thing replaced Favre and became a Super All-American from Tennessee or the Denver Bronco. This organization

when Aaron Rodgers sat behind Brett Bowl champion and Pro Bowl quar- Great Falls native who was a Heis- does everything irst class and is sec-
Favre for all those years. The longer terback.
man Trophy inalist from Washing- ond to none,” he says.
Manning is here, the better Brock’s It’s far too early to make similar ton State University. As it turned out, “I couldn’t be any happier to be
going to get.”
predictions about Osweiler. Anything Manning went No. 1 overall and Leaf here in Denver and to be a member of
The Rodgers comparison is one can happen. Montanans know this as No. 2, but that would be where the this team. I just hope we make a great
that Broncos fans eagerly embrace. well as anyone.
comparisons famously diverged.
run and I can help the team any way
Although comparing quarterbacks is Fifteen years ago, Peyton Man- In the end, Osweiler will have his possible.”
never as simple as the talking heads
ning and Ryan Leaf were compared
own unique story to tell. He’s intent
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