Denver Broncos

Broncos guard Garland coming through for his team in a pinch

Published Jun. 26, 2015 12:28 a.m. ET

foxsports

Air Force veteran Ben Garland is still as committed as ever to protecting his country.

He's shown that same commitment this offseason to protecting Peyton Manning. A relative unknown, the 6-foot-5, 308-pounder could evolve into one of the best Broncos blockers in time.

Head coach Gary Kubiak told Mile High Report he's been impressed with his new starter's work ethic.

“He’s the greatest kid in the world," Kubiak said. "He works harder than anybody. He’s the first one here, last one to leave. I’ve never been here when I haven’t seen Ben here at 5:15, 5:30 in the morning."

It's not hard to root for an armed forced veteran who applies the same grit and determination to his NFL job. But it is tough to transition from a school like Air Force to the pros, especially when Manning calls the shots.

Garland needs time to grow, but the Broncos can't offer it. They need him to step up now and lock down a starting job.

That dire situation only makes Garland work harder to fit in lock-step with Manning's marching orders. Like his coach, the all-time great quarterback has noticed.

“It doesn’t take you long to work out with or be on the field with him to realize what an intense and hard worker he is," Manning said. "I think that’s paid a lot of dividends for him. He’s made significant improvements in the time that he’s been here."

Added Manning: "He’s going to fight and scratch and claw, and those are kind of guys that you like in there with you trying to protect you and trying to help you.”

(h/t Mile High Sports)