The New York Times NFL Blog — The Fifth Down — recently listed the top 10 players at each position along the offensive line.
At left tackle, right guard and right tackle, the Broncos got a lot of love.
The blog ranked Ryan Clady the No. 2 left tackle in the game. The reasoning: “Arguably the game’s most athletic lineman. Uncanny ability to recover instantly from mistakes (which, by the way, are few).”
Chris Kuper was listed as the No. 5 right guard in the league, due to his “excellent athleticism for his size. Quick, and lands well-placed blocks on the move.”
Ryan Harris cracked the top five at right tackle as well. The blog noted that he “moves with the dexterity of a left tackle.”
Later today, another Bronco or two will step to the podium, and we’ll have audio, video and a top story from the session. In addition, stay tuned, as the 2010 schedule could be released within the next week.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Chris Kuper, Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris
Nobody knows for sure whats gonna happen,I hope we get suprised and the Beast stays and signs a 50 mil $$$$ contract,hey stranger things have happened.
DB I heard that,I hated to see Dennison leave too,seems like a lot of us hated to see the changing of the guard,but every team has to go through it sooner or later.I heard that Shanny refused to have another DC,so that’s why he was fired.As much as I loved Shanny,we had to get better on Defense,we were the laughing stock of the NFL…I hate change.
I just read this and thought it was an interesting though: “The Broncos will draft Dez Bryant with the 11th pick. This will force Miami to give up the #12 pick for Marshall, and with the 12th pick, the Broncos will take either Rolando McClain or Dan Williams. Great first round for Denver and Miami still gets their Alpha receiver…only they get a proven one instead of taking a chance on Dez.”
thanks very much strand and I will be intermittently posting blogs but i must let the big boys talk bye
mikes son in San Diego
MANDIEGO I wouldn’t believe everything I read.That would be like us trading the Beast for Dez Bryant,I’m not on that bandwagon at all,the Beast can’t be replaced.IMO
Would be happy with Williams or McClain though.
ya why wouldn’t you keep him and then just draft williams or McClain. Seems easier and cheaper
very true BFE92, just cant trade/replace a gifted player like Marshall..he’s earned respect of almost all DC’s around the league, they automatically make game plans around him…if McD loves his dink-n-dunk offense very much, he’ll understand that Marshall is an intricate piece of it…hands down!…IMO
Yeah and Marshall is a proven pro bowler.nobody knows how good Dez will be (I think he will become a great WR in the NFL) but I personally would rather keep the BEAST.
If we lose Brandon, our recieving corps is gonna suffer. I don`t care what anybody says. With McD It`s the system. Well what about 100 catch a year INCREDIBLE BALL PLAYERS! Show him the money!
Our Offense will struggle without Marshall,don’t get me wrong Gaffney,Stokely,Royal,Mkinnley,and Lloyd are a good WR core,but with Marshall they are GREAT.Who’s gonna make the one handed grabs and TAKE the ball from the DBs????
I like the idea of getting a dynamic player on offense or defense but the greatest amount of help would come at the offensive line. For the power system that McD is going to run we need a real set of road graders at the LG and C position. I really liked Casey but he was another version of Nalen. Both players were simply to small. In the beginning of the season rotational play will solve this but as the season grows these guys simply can not get the job done. After watching what games I could out here in Charger land I came to one inescapable conclusion. The weakest player on the line last year was Hamilton. I literally can not count how many times I saw him pancaked last year and the number of holding calls that went against him told the fans and should have told the coaches that he is not strong enough to move the pile in a straight up wrap and trap system. I guess the biggest surprise is that McD still wants to run this power system. It’s day has come and gone. A zone blocking scheme lets you hand of the LB pressure schemes of the 3-4 with a greater chance of success as well as handling the bull pressure of the 4-3. When you run a power scheme and get smacked in the face with a blitz package that you aren’t ready for then it turns into a long day. Just ask the Patriots or for a really great example watch the first meeting of the Broncos and Chargers last year. The Broncos could adapt to schemes the defense was showing it. If you look at the second game you see a power blocking scheme from Denver that never stopped San Diego’s D from penetrating the line of scrimmage. Even with Olsen and Kuper in the mix, and I think both of these guy’s are fantastic, we need one immediate starter and some decent depth. One good thing is the depth in this years draft at offensive line.
Mike in San Diego
strandoftds we agree on the same thing,but we can do nothing about it,but watch,sad,very sad.IMO
archangel77 good analization of our Oline last year.I have always liked zone blocking I guess because we have been so dominating over the years with that scheme.But you take players used to zone and change it to power,some can adapt and some can’t because of size(Wiegmann).We had one of the best Olines in the NFL for years,why fix it if it ain’t broke???
He signed his tender. If we do not get something spectacular he is not going anywhere. Jason La Can’tafforda seems to be blowing allot of smoke about Marshall. Everything I have read and heard is to the contrary of his info. I think he release the first no-factual information about the Broncos and continues to try to cover up his own “breaking news.” He will eat his words soon.
BFE92 and strandoftds; you have both hit it on the head. Another problem I see with the corp of receivers that we have actually resides with our QB. Orton seems to be what I call a high/low passer. With the taller receivers he needs to throw the ball high and feels that every pass to a receiver that is under 6 feet tall needs to be thrown at their feet. I think this is one of the reasons that so few balls were caught by Royal last year. Not only was the ball consistently late getting there but Royal was constantly digging them out of the dirt. Even with Marshall; Orton is going to have to get more comfortable throwing the ball to his smaller receivers.
Mike in San Diego
adm I have done learned that you can’t believe Lafornica,Kliss,and especially Woody Paige.
All teams run both zone and power schemes. Some more of one then the other. What McX is doing is trying to get stronger lines on both sides of the ball. I agree. Look at Clady his is the strongest, biggest and fastest player on our O line. Get someone next to him that has the same qualities and the league better watch out! Superbowl or bust!!
Hey guys maybe our Defense will be so good we won’t need much Offense,maybe if we score 17-20 points a game we can win 10 games.LOL
Right! I couldn’t agree more. Adam Schef at least waits and tries to confirm his information. lol
atwaters da man. Great statement! This guy has missed the boat on every major player move this season. This is the guy that said at the beginning of the season the McNabb would not be moved by the Eagles then had no forewarning of the trade to Washington. He compounded this failure with his stunning lack of insight on the Holmes trade to the Jets. I think that teams have changed up their tactics and are really clamping down on security as it applies to their player/personnel movements. This is one of the reasons that I think that Washington’s deal has some meat to it; he didn’t have it first. It’s also the reason I think that if the Washington deal for Marshall falls through then another team we are not even thinking about may take a shot at Marshall towards the final hours leading up to the draft.
Mike in San Diego
For sure!!
adm I agree we draft a big stout Center and plug Olsen in at LT(I think he has the size and potential,now a little more exp)I think we got the best Oline,zone or power scheme in the NFL period.
Bronco country you have been warned. Do not believe Lafornica (Nflnetwork),Kliss,and Woody Paige (Denver post). They are haters! Drinking all that “Hater-aid” lol
This is what I think would be the awesome…
Trade #11 and Sheffler with the Gaints for #15 and #46. Pick POUNCEY @ #15 (before SF, Pit.) Trade #46 and #80 for (With NE @ #22 GB @ #23 or PHI @ 24) Pick ILB WITHERSPOON then pick JAVID BEST @ #45.
#15 POUNCEY
#22 WITHERSPOON
#45 BEST
and keep Brandon Marshall
I dug up some college footage on Lance Ball,if he can play like he did in college he may be our Powerback??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhPLZ7uiygs&feature=related
BFE he could be who knows with Mc D all things are possible
He’s already on our roster,we’re paying him already,but don’t know if he’s injured or on practice squad???
no he isnt injured or anything, we got him after the season ended. He runs with power sometiems but he is not a power back, or should i say he is not the prototypical power back. I saw some 2006 highlights where he ran with power on the goal line but still not THE powerback we are looking for.
He runs the ball well tho. He will definitely add another weapon to our back field WHEN not if but WHEN Buckhalter goes down…cuz he will. We dropped torrain cuz he got injured but Bucky has been getting injured his whole career and is still her. Dont get me wrong, big bucky fan….when he is healthy lol
Ball has been on 4 practice squads Rams,Titans,Colts,Broncos.Didn’t know that,I guess it’s not looking so good for him.
Yeah TRB I’m also a Bucky fan,maybe Ball stays healthy and at least gives us depth like you said.
You think Moreno,Bucky,Arrington,and Ball all stay on our roster and still draft a powerback???? thats 5,how many RBs does a team usually carry??
Heres how I see it. I believe we will, have Moreno start, with bucky pitchign in as usual. and Have JJ Arington (who was an amazing college RB btw) on KR/PR duty to free up Eddie. We tried to get himlast year but he didnt pass his physical so we went back for him this year and he passed it. We OBVIOUSLY have a plan for him. and if he doest do KR which i bet he will, he will at least add depth at the RB position like Ball. And if ball doesnt cut it, back to the practice squad for him. We ma also Draft a Power back in the Later rounds of the draft
Lets face it, even with hillis and Jordan there, McD ran Moreno EVERYTIME. Bucky is still on the roster, and did well last year…..There is no way he is gonna draft a Power back high, maybe even at all, cuz he is hard headed. Spent all last year pounding Moreno, He didnt use hillis or Lamont Jordan, his Patriot charity case that has prototypical Power RB bulk. Moreno is a good RB. We fix the Oline AND our runnign plays and he will be fine. McD seems to believe this as well….But we can always use depth…just not as a high pick…but then again, McD is a strange one.
BTW, forgot to add the disclaimer that I could be wrong and this is just an opinion…before someone jumps down my throat lol
Yeah seems to me McD would learn that Moreno ain’t gonna overpower anyone,you can’t keep pounding the kid when he’s used to slash/cut running,takes a lot out of a RB that ain’t used to it.I’m sure Moreno is used to getting hit(remember the Berry video)but not pounded over and over.I read an article that stated Moreno is in heavy training right now to get geared up for next season,said last season took a lot outta him.
I heard that McD dosen’t really believe in using a fullback much,relying on the new prototype TE.Don’t know what to make of it,but that’s what I heard.
Knowshawn has the heart which is what matters most. He is going to explode out the gates this year!
If he doesnt trip over his feet before he gets to the line of scrimmage…
well if marshall leaves orton will not be that good of a qb with smaller weapons. royal will have to step it up. then quinn will be starting. just as we work on one need for the team we lose another part. can we lose 2 good players in back to back years. if mcd wants to win now he needs to keep him. his draft picks last year are expected to do well this year. so he cant draft a wr and think they’ll have a break out season this year. we need to put points on the board and marshall is a big part of it. all we can do is wait till the draft or that day like last year when we lost a player at that time no one wanted to see go. and to make things worst i hate most of the commentators talking about how were going to lose marshall. they dont like the BRONCOS as it is and all were doing is giving them more to talk about. forget every body else. GO DENVER. GO BRONCOS.
looks like the worst possible scenario regarding Marshall has actually come to fruitation
You (Know)shon it man.LOL
Ayers,Moreno,McBath,Bruton,Phonzy,Quinn,and Olsen all have something to prove.All in all our draft class from last year might not be as bad as people think.Lots of potential.IMO
I dont dislike Knowshon, just dont think hes an everydown back. He’s not even Mike Anderson-ish
BTW, props to the O-line. I love this report. Makes McChaos kind of look like a hypocrite
sndvl I’ve watched Moreno a lot in college (watch a lot of SEC football) and he looked as good as any RB in the country in college,but did look a little confused at times last year,especially blocking the blitz,and did shuffle his feet a little,but I think he’ll be alright,just needs experience,he’s working really hard in the off season.Only time will tell.
How many NFL teams besides us can boast that they have 3 OLinemen that are top 5 at their respected positions.We get a big stout Center,and plug Olsen in at LG,if they stay healthy we’ll have the best Oline in the NFL.We gave up a lot more sacks last year than we did the year before,but a lot of blame goes on Orton’s mobility and McD’s playcalling.IMO
Harris injury hurt us too.
Big time! Harris and Jack Williams injuries made us look like a completely different team.
Marshall has been traded folks, to Miami for two second round draft picks
Well at least that is over with we can get on with the draft now
He would love miami it is like home for him so we trade cutler to the team he wanted and now marshall the same thing