Broncos’ D.J. Jones a veteran of Greenbrier experience

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — No Broncos player knows about where the team will spend this week more than defensive tackle D.J. Jones.

Jones was with the San Francisco 49ers when that West Coast team stayed at the Greenbrier Resort between Eastern time zone road games in 2020 and 2021. The 49ers beat the New York Jets and New York Giants around a Greenbrier stay in 2020. They beat the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles sandwiched around Greenbrier in 2021.

Asked about the Greenbrier experience, Jones broke out into laughter.

“Um, I’m a country boy,’’ Jones said Friday at his Broncos locker. “It’s out in the middle of nowhere. Some guys will enjoy themselves, some will be in their room. There’s a lot of activities. I’m going to get around this time.”

So the previous two trips, you were …

“I was in my room,’’ Jones said. “Yeah, I was in my room. The rooms are kind of like ‘The Shining.’ Amazing place, though. Historical. I learned so much about it.”

The Shining. Come to think of it, like the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, there are the unsubstantiated rumors of ghosts. Crazy? Sure. Except there are stories of players sleeping in the hallway rather than their room, or sleeping in the training center that is separated from the hotel. Ghosts, D.J.?

“I won’t go that far,’’ Jones said with a chuckle. “But, yeah, it’s a historical place.’’

The Broncos will fly from Tampa to West Virginia on Monday morning. They will have meetings there and then enjoy the Greenbrier Resort during their day off Tuesday.

“I’m going to try to enjoy it more than I have,’’ Jones said. “I’ve been there twice, going on three. I’m going to get out. I’m going to make sure I get out. There’s a lot to do.’’

According to the Greenbrier website, the resort along the Allegheny Mountains has been welcoming guests since 1778. There are championship golf courses, horse riding, bowling, an arcade, spas, bunker tours, fishing, guided hikes and bike trails, shopping, an afternoon tea and high-dollar restaurants.

It’s “a timeless getaway where moments become memories and the past is always present.”

Sean Payton used to take his Saints there. Payton became friends over the years with Jim Justice, West Virginia’s governor, U.S. Senate candidate and owner of the Greenbrier, by way of his family trust.

A cool place for the Broncos to hang out and practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before departing Friday afternoon for New Jersey and the game next Sunday against the New York Jets?

“Yeah, I think it’s bonding,’’ Jones said. “Some guys find themselves working out more. You get more in the playbook. There’s nothing to do.”

You don’t leave the place?

“There’s nothing to do beyond the Greenbrier,’’ Jones said. “I actually had to get an MRI. And the closest MRI was a nice little drive. You can go walking, but you’re not going to go far.’’

The Broncos got their first win on this two-game, 10-day road trip. They trounced Tampa Bay on Sunday. Follow practices at the Greenbrier with a win against the Jets and indeed this Broncos getaway will become a memorable moment.