Every Broncos gameday, we get to know a Bronco. This week it’s Quinn Meinerz, the Wisconsin-Whitewater product, machine-shop enthusiast and emerging offensive lineman.

What was your reaction to (NFL Network analyst and former offensive lineman) Brian Baldinger praising your play?

“On an individual level it’s cool, but at the end of the day what really matters is what happens on those players. Did we get good-enough yards? That’s what really matters. It’s cool to get a pancake (block). That’s fun. But at the end of the day I want to have more rushing yards and more rushing attempts.”

What has finally having good health meant to your game?

“I think it’s a testament to the program that has been set up here. It’s extremely important to be lifting as heavy as you can throughout the season. So that’s one of the biggest things I’ve been doing this year. I’ve also been playing 10-15 pounds heavier than I’ve played before. I think that’s also another part of it. I’m able to play a little bit bigger. I think last year I was playing a little bit too light. It’s hard for me to stay at that lower weight.”

Why did you add the extra weight?

“It was a little bit of both (him and the team). The biggest thing for me this offseason was trying to self-reflect on what I think. So what I was thinking was I was trying to maintain a weight that maybe wasn’t realistic for me. For me, as the season goes on, I like to gain weight. It gets a little colder, you’re not sweating as much, I like to eat a little bit more. That’s kind of how I’ve always been. I’ve always gained some weight throughout the year. I was not able to do that.”

In your mind, who are the best right guards in the NFL?

“The first name that comes to mind for me is (Chris) Lindstrom of the Falcons. His ability to get off on the snap count is incredible to watch. I’ve been watching Graham (Glasgow) again. He was kind of my mentor here. I’ve been watching Graham play with the Lions. He’s continuing to play really well. You’ve got (Browns guard Wyatt) Teller. My guy Trey Smith of the Chiefs. There’s a handful of guys that are really good. So it’s an honor to be recognized right now in that group of people. There’s a lot more season to play and a lot more stuff to learn.”

What did you learn from (former Broncos offensive lineman) Graham Glasgow?

“Graham really helped slow the game down for me and make it simpler. Being a small-school guy and having no real knowledge whatsoever of any of the defenses… (With) Graham, every single day I had a question, because there’s so many different blocks out there depending on the linebacker alignment and the defensive linemen alignment. And Graham every day was more than willing to take time after practice, before practice and even during practice, to help me. I owe a lot to Graham.”

What have you seen from the Vikings defense?

“They’ve got some interesting and exotic looks, per se. This week it’s really crucial to utilize being at home — not only starting the winning tradition at home, but also have good communication against a defense that tries to get you out of your zone a little bit. It’s not your typical defensive structure. That’s where the communication comes into play. You’ve got to get your eyes right. A lot of it is on (center Lloyd Cushen-berry III). Day 1, he’s already doing great. He’s smart. We owe a lot of our success to him, because he gets us in the right place.”

Your hometown (Hartford, Wis.) is Packers country. Are they Broncos fans now?

“Oh, yeah. Everyone’s now a Broncos fan.”

What’s Hartford known for?

“Hartford is very blue-collar. We’ve got a lot of welding and machine-shop type stuff. My high school was one of the best in the state for machine-shop stuff. That’s what I did a lot, between CNC mills and lathes. So that’s what I did. That’s Hartford in a nutshell.”

If you’re not in the NFL, is that what you’re doing now?

“Yeah, I did go to school to be a strength coach. But there’s always that backup plan. I did love shop class a lot.”