It is kind of like starting all over again for David Bruton as he acclimated himself to life in the NFL.
After serving as one of the more experienced members of the Irish defense over the past two seasons with the younger players looking to him for leadership, the roles have been reversed, and he’s now the one seeking out the veterans for guidance.
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Bruton figures to make his most immediate impact on special teams for the Broncos.
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“Brian Dawkins,” Bruton responded when asked which of his new Denver Broncos teammates he’s leaned on for support as an up and coming defensive back. “Basically, I’m just trying to learn under all of the veteran guys, and take the lessons that they tell me and put them to practice on the field.
Also helping Bruton along the way has been a familiar face from his days with the Irish program as he’s renewed his friendship with offensive tackle Ryan Harris, who will be entering his third season in 2009.
“That was my big brother at Notre Dame as a freshman and sophomore. I always used to try to hang out with him, try to be around him. He’s just an overall good guy, just a great person in general, just a great football player.
“It’s been a fun experience, getting a chance to know all of the guys and learn how to play professional football, walk around like a professional.”
Bruton has looked the part of an NFL professional since his junior season when he recorded 85 tackles, third best on the team, with three interceptions, two passes broken up, a forced fumble and a recovery. That effort earned attention from the NFL scouts during Notre Dame’s practices last spring and fall, and he followed that up last season by increasing his tackles total to 97, second only to fellow safety Kyle McCarthy, with four interceptions, six passes broken up, two forced fumbles and two recoveries.
However, much like his freshman and sophomore seasons, as well as his junior and senior season quite frankly, Bruton figures to make his most immediate impact on special teams as a rookie with Denver.
“I think special teams plays a major part in where I was drafted as well as a major part in any football game,” he acknowledged. “I’ve played special teams throughout high school, even when I was a starter in high school, even as a starter at Notre Dame. So I’ve always taken special teams very seriously. It’s a way to get on the field and get my feet wet, and get some experience.”
Bruton was a standout as a gunner for the Irish, especially on the punt coverage team, and he looks forward to locking down that role with the Broncos during the preseason workouts.
“That’s probably my favorite position on special teams,” he said. “Just being a big guy and people not thinking you can run that fast, you basically get a free shot at the returner. That’s the fun part, just knowing that you have a chance to knock the returner out or cause a big turnover, a big play in the game.”
While Bruton hopes to take advantage of every opportunity for playing time that comes his way as a rookie, he ultimately looks forward to playing in the defensive backfield. He started at free safety at Notre Dame in each of the past two seasons, but as the consummate team player, he’ll play wherever the coaches ask him to play with the Broncos.
“I see myself as a safety,” he said when asked if he had a preference – free safety or strong safety. “Wherever they put me is what I’m going to have to learn to play. I’ll play strong willingly. I’ll play free willingly. I have no problem doing either.”
If Bruton can maintain that humble attitude throughout his professional career, he’ll have no problems, period.
