AFC Notes: Broncos, Colts, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos OC Pat Shurmur acknowledged that QB Drew Lock has been working with some of their running backs and receivers at local parks and is impressed with how quickly Lock has learned Denver’s new offense and concepts.

“He was able to keep up with the installations when he and the rest of the quarterbacks and (quarterbacks coach) Mike (Shula) and I would sit down and just generally talk concepts,” Shurmur said, via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. “I think he’s got a really good feel for the game, he’s developing a really good feel for what we want to do, and again, if the rumor is true that he’s throwing to our players, then I think he’s learned something there,” he said. “We’ll just try to put it all together here come July.”

Shurmur denied the rumors that he was the one adamant that the Broncos sign RB Melvin Gordon and said he believes the team can use Gordon alongside both Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.

“Listen, I’m all for adding good players at every position,” Shurmur said. “I feel like Phillip Lindsay is an outstanding player that we can hand the ball or throw the ball to. The fact that we have two running backs now that can be very explosive with the ball in their hands, whether you throw it or run it, I think it’s a good thing. I really do think you need more than one running back. Royce Freeman did a great job last year as well. So we’re going to utilize both and all three of them and try to utilize their skills. The whole pounding-the-table narrative — listen, I’m the new guy here. But I will say this: I’m looking forward to adding outstanding players to all position groups.”

• Shurmur preferred QB Daniel Jones when he was HC of the Giants, but Lock was also under consideration and the two will now have the chance to work together in Denver. (Ryan Dunleavy)

Colts

Colts CB Rock Ya-Sin is convinced that he can continue to improve his play heading into next season and still has plenty left to prove.

“I was proud of the way that I continued to get better throughout the season because you are at a crossroads,” Ya-Sin said, via George Bremer of The Herald Bulletin. “That’s a turning point for a young player right there after having a really bad game or really bad games back-to-back. Being able to continue to get better, kind of silence the noise and continue to get better and continue to push forward, I was proud of myself for that. I was proud of how I finished the season.”

Raiders

Raiders WR Tyrell Williams was the other half of the team’s bid to radically remake its receiving corps last offseason after trading for Antonio Brown. Williams backed up the Raiders’ claimed that they saw him as a No. 1 wideout early in the season, going over 100 yards in the season opener and scoring a touchdown in five straight games to start the year. But crippling plantar fasciitis — first in his right foot after two weeks, then in his left foot for the rest of the season — hobbled Williams for the rest of the year. 

“Shoot, it’s been a long offseason with my feet,” Williams said via the Athletic’s Vic Tafur. “I did two months after the season of just rehab and resting them. It was still taking a long time and I started getting pretty discouraged, but … um, about two months ago, I finally got over the hump and my feet have been feeling good. So I still feel it a little bit, but compared to what I had … it’s nothing compared to what I was going through during the season. And it’s still getting better week to week so I am excited for the season.”