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ENGLEWOOD, Colo.** – Outside linebacker Von Miller isn't just making strides on the practice field, but also as a leader.
During training camp and the offseason, Miller has taken rookie outside linebacker Shane Ray under his wing. Ray says that Miller and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware are in his ear every day with tips and pointers.
"With the young guys—especially with Shane—he's going to be such a great part of this defense," Miller said. "We spend so much time with him because he's going to have his way. He's going to be here with us. The more that he can do for us, the more our defense can do. We're just trying to get him to come along and trying to get him to be the best Shane Ray that he can be."
Miller says he thinks he's able to connect with the younger players because he too is young at heart.
"The young guys—it's always exciting to get with them," Miller said. "They're fresh and their eyes and the lights and everything—to get with them and tell them some of the good stuff, tell them some of the bad stuff, keep it real and joke around with them and just be me."
But Miller can't say whether his work with the rookies means he's maturing.
"I don't know. I can't just sit here and say I'm mature," Miller said. "I'm just trying to be the best version of Von that I can be. If maturity is coming with that, then it is. That just hasn't been my focus. It's not where my mind has been at. I guess that's come along with it, but my mind's just been on the team trying to be great, trying to be do something that's never been done before."
