The Denver Broncos made a big splash in NFL Free Agency by signing safety Talanoa Hufanga away from the San Francisco 49ers, and he also happened to bring Dre Greenlaw with him.
Now the former 49ers duo is looking to wreak havoc against opposing offenses this upcoming season.
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga fits right in on defense
During Broncos OTAs on Thursday, we had our first look at free agency signing Talanoa Hufanga. After practice, we had our first chance to speak with him.
ICYMI: Denver Broncos wrap up Week 1 of OTAs
On the field, he’s dialed in and plays with aggressive abandon — off the field, he’s one of the nicest guys out there. Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater had the nickname the ‘Smiling Assassin,’ and that mentality is something Hufanga seems to possess himself.
Coming to Denver, Hufanga understood coming into the organization the historic lineage of the safety positio,n ranging from players like Steve, his former general manager John Lynch, Brian Dawkins, and guys like T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart.
“I just met [Pro Football Hall of Fame safety] Steve [Atwater] for the first time,” Hufanga said. “Obviously, I’ve known [Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Brian] Dawkins as well. Being around [Pro Football Hall of Fame safety] John [Lynch], that’s something that I learned and that’s something that you go through during free agency. When I signed here, that was the first person to call me and congratulated me. He said how excited he was because he played here as well. There is a long line of history here. My goal is to represent them the right way.”
One of Hufanga’s biggest mentors, Troy Polamalu, has been a crucial sounding board for him throughout his high school, college, and now NFL career.
“Being a sponge, you have to absorb as much knowledge around him,” Hufanga said. “I think the first time I ever encountered him [was] coming out of high school. We both were from Oregon, both played safety, both went to USC. A guy that I asked, ‘What can I do to be a better safety?’ That was my very first question. I was 17, so please don’t be mad. He said, ‘We have to work on your character first.’ That’s just a testament to who he is, who raised him and the way that he learned throughout his journey in the league. So for me, my character I would like to say is the most important part first. That’s something that he allowed to teach me as well.”
When you watch him on the tape, he plays with a similar feel that Troy did years back, where the aggressiveness is evident, but it’s also calculated. He looked the part in practice without pads, and we’ll get a more in-depth look at him when the pads come on during training camp and the preseason — but it’s clear as day to see why the Broncos wanted him this offseason.
New Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga a welcome addition to Denver’s defense Mile High Sports.
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