ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- For Montee Ball and Kayvon Webster, simply being drafted was a dream come true.
But to be drafted by the team they grew up rooting for?
"I'm going to do my best to try to find some words to describe this," Ball said. "Honestly, when the phone call came in I kind of went back to when I was 7 years old, watching the team that I always wanted to play for, and now finally the dream is now reality. It was an emotional time for me and my family, but we're blessed and very grateful, and now it's time to get to work."
Webster, like Ball, considered himself part of Broncos Country growing up. The player in particular he idolized was Champ Bailey. He would even announce himself during practices at South Florida by shouting, "Champ Bailey is here!"
Now he has a chance to play alongside the future Hall-of-Famer.
"It's going to be a blessing to be here with Champ Bailey (and) the history that I shared with Denver," Webster said. "I hope I can get my locker next to Champ so I can pick his brain; that would be kind of cool."
Familiarity with the Broncos went a step further for Ball, who met with the club for a formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine.
He said he already knew who was going to be in the interview room, starting with Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway. Just shaking his hand before the interview was a memorable moment for the running back.
Learning under Denver's coaching staff is the next aspect that Ball is anticipating.
"I think the coaching staff here is amazing," he said. "A lot of players before me at Wisconsin are texting me now telling me how much they would love to have played here, or once they were free agents they would love to play here, because of the chemistry between the coaches."
Both players said they already feel welcome at Dove Valley -- Webster said he already received a text from quarterback Peyton Manning.
"He texted me last night, told me it's time to work," he said. "So if Peyton texts me, 'It's time to work,' it's time to work."
As for what the Broncos got in their day-two picks, Webster described himself as a cornerback that will do whatever his coach asks of him.
He played inside for his first two years of college as he transitioned to the position -- he played wide receiver and linebacker in high school. As he gained more experience, he moved outside.
"If he wants me to go on the line, I'll make that my full obligation and be aggressive on the line and do what he coached me to do," Webster said of Head Coach John Fox.
For Ball, he said he always has room for improvement, simply because he "strive(s) to be the best." But in particular he's proud of his ability to pass block, a talent he honed when Russell Wilson took over at quarterback for Wisconsin.
He'll have to do plenty more of it protecting Manning.
"I understand how important it is to protect the quarterback," he said. "I believe that it's one thing that a running back needs to focus on a lot. I think it's one of the easiest ways to keep your job as a running back is to be that guy to protect the quarterback, so that's what I'm going to make sure that I do.
As for his much-discussed college workload -- Ball racked up 663 carries the last two years -- the running back said it's not a concern because of how well he takes care of his body.
"For me, my saying is, 'My body is a temple,'" he said. "The NFL is about availability. Whenever they need you now, they need you. So I make sure to take care of my body — cold tub, stretch, all that stuff, so I'm healthy for the game."
Saturday was the rookies' first day at team headquarters, and it only served to get them more excited to get things started.
"I'm just ready to get to working and excited to go out there and compete," Webster said.
