Outside linebacker Shane Ray learned a lot from his rookie year. He learned the value of technique, how important strength would be to his game and, maybe most important, he learned to value the teachings of DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller.
This training camp he’s been eager for any word of wisdom he can get, especially from Ware, who has been rehabilitating a back injury. More often than not, Ware will approach Ray first.
“He watches me; he watches my pass rush. He watches everything. When I do a move or something in the run game, he sees it. He always comes back and critiques me a little bit more,” Ray said. “DeMarcus always tells me, ‘You’re beating the guy, but I want you to get the sack.’ So that shows me that he wants me to be complete. He wants me to be perfect. I take all of those critiques that he gives me as well as all of the advice he gives me as far as what I’m doing and go implement them in what I do in games and in practice. It has definitely made me a better player having him around.”
Ray has begun to show the rewards of his teachings this offseason. He got the better of 49ers all-pro left tackle Joe Staley and got to the quarterback a few times during joint practice Wednesday. In Thursday’s preseason game, he notched a sack on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler although he had to share it officially with defensive end Derek Wolfe.
The Broncos have a stronger and better Ray headed into his second NFL season. With Miller, Ware and Shaquil Barrett also bringing the heat off the edge, Denver’s outside linebacker group could be even more feared than last season.
