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An interview with Running Backs Coach Tyrone Wheatley

An interview with Running Backs Coach Tyrone Wheatley


There’s perhaps no team with as talented a running back room as the Broncos’ group, led by Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon III and Mike Boone. Guiding the group this year is a new face in Running Backs Coach Tyrone Wheatley. A former NFL running back himself, Wheatley is able to rely on his experience as a coach, as he shared with us in a recent conversation after practice.

BS: In Javonte and Melvin, you’ve got two starter-caliber running backs. What’s your approach in keeping a balance there?

TW: “They had great synergy before I arrived, and right now it’s just continuing that synergy and having them understand, as [Head] Coach [Nathaniel] Hackett says, team first. That’s a great thing right now, because the culture in the room was basically set before I got here. They know it’s team first and it’s running back by committee, and everything we do is to do it by the team. So when you say what is it I have to do, I have to do nothing. My job is pretty simple right now. It’s basically now develop the little things they both need to become better backs in certain situations. But in terms of culture, who gets it, I don’t have to worry about any of that, because it’s great. Now you talk about the older back in Mel and the younger back in Javonte. Mel has done a great job — I’m talking about an absolutely wonderful job — of being that older guy and being able to say, ‘Hey, listen. You can look at this and you can look at that.’ … And I’ll tell you what, he’s a very astute player. He has his own routine in keeping his body in shape, he’s very smart. … And then for Javonte, he’s a huge sponge. He’s soaking it up, he’s learning. I have a good room. I love the synergy, I love the energy. And the great thing about it is it’s not forced; it’s all organic. It just happens naturally.”

From your experience playing in the NFL, what does it do to a defense to have two guys like Melvin and Javonte who have some different skills?

“Here’s what you’re going to get the same in both…

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