The bye week, if Lt./defensive tackle Ben Garland makes it that far, won’t be spent in Vegas or fishing off a coast or relaxing in a getaway mountain resort. As an official member of the Colorado Air National Guard after he was sworn in Wednesday outside the Broncos headquarters, Garland is committed to one weekend a month, plus another two full weeks a year.
So, providing Garland is with the Broncos either on their practice squad or their 53-man roster during their off weekend of Oct. 21, he won’t be enjoying a getaway. He’ll be reporting to his second job.
“I’ll be going to wherever they need me,” Garland said between signing the official documents that stamped his support in defense of the U.S. and Colorado constitutions.
Now that Lt. Garland’s part-time job is secure, the question is whether he can earn a full-time job as a Broncos defensive tackle.
Garland, 24, played at 268 pounds during his senior year at the Air Force Academy for coach Troy Calhoun. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos in 2010, Garland instead fulfilled his two-year military commitment. He returned to the Broncos this offseason weighing in at 310 pounds.
“He’s one of those guys who is still discovering his body,” said Calhoun, a former Broncos assistant coach who joined Broncos coach John Fox in attending Garland’s swearing-in ceremony. “So the weight he’s put on has all been in the last 24 months or so. As he gets used to what you can do with your lower body, your legs — he has good power. He has excellent anticipation and he’s just a great teammate. He loves film. He loves all the grunt stuff, which you like from those guys who play down in there close to the ball.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
