In his press conference on Thursday, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said there will be a change in the offensive line, with Russ Hochstein replacing Ben Hamilton.
McDaniels said he made the move in hopes of doing “what is best for our team.”
“If there is something we feel like may give us a better opportunity to have success, wherever it may be, then we would not be opposed to doing anything,” McDaniels said. “We’re going to see how that goes and evaluate it ongoing. This is not an anointment of anybody or anything tremendously negative about Ben Hamilton. We’re just going to see if this makes the situation any better, and if it does, great.”
As multidimensional as they come, Hochstein has made starts at both left and right guard this season. He also started at tight end in the team’s Week 9 Monday night contest with Pittsburgh. The ninth-year veteran has been an important part of the team’s goal line and short yardage packages, lining up at H-Back — a hybrid position between fullback and tight end — to provide an alternative look on rushing downs.
That type of versatility has made Hochstein a valuable commodity to McDaniels.
“He’s obviously played a lot of spots, and he’s tough, physical — not dissimilar to the rest of our linemen,” McDaniels said. “He’s very versatile and can do a lot of different things, moves decent, plays with great effort, (is a) smart player that’s going to be able to be in the right spots and help us up front. Most of our linemen would fit the same description. We feel like he’ll be competitive in there. We’ll see how it goes.”
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy said the offensive staff made the decision collectively, thinking the move could “give us the best opportunity to win.”
Like McDaniels, McCoy said the team can get creative while using Hochstein in the starting group, possibly moving him from left guard to other spots from time to time depending on the situation.
“When he got here, having known the system and everything coming from New England, he had a lot of flexibility,” McCoy said. “He came in and was able to play a number of different spots … Moving him around and certain things in different personnel groups — the position flexibility (he provides), it’s great to have that up front.”
INJURY UPDATE:
There was one change to the Broncos’ Week 10 Injury Report on Thursday. After he did not practice on Wednesday, Brandon Marshall (back) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice session.
For the Redskins, RB Clinton Portis (concussion) and T Mike Williams (ankle) were listed as out on Thursday. After being a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, QB Jason Campbell (ankle) participated in full on Thursday. P Hunter Smith (right groin) did not participate, while P Stephon Heyer (knee), who was not listed on Wednesday’s report, was a limited participant for Washington on Thursday.
-Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Here are some pictures from the onset of Thursday afternoon’s practice session:
Tags: Ben Hamilton, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Russ Hochstein, Washington Redskins, Week 10
What exactly does “kiss the baby” mean?
Hahahaha OC, cuz we know how stubbord McD is lol
I like the “What I wish the broncos would do” and “what they would do” so true and so hilarious…while we have suffered there is no way we are beating the Deadskins by just one point maybe a field goal but not one point lol
Im tired of making quotes cuz these past two weeks have been heartbreaking but my prediction is
Broncos 23
Redskins 10
1. Kiss the Baby
A phrase made popular by NFL WR Chad OchoCinco, Kiss the Baby is commonly used in competition to symbolize the point of no return, or “the end” for the opposing team.
“The San Diego Defense might as well Kiss the Baby because we’ve already won.”
Thats how it is word for word in the Urban Dictionary…when in doubt, always check there lol
ps: I like that they used San Diegos defense ast the example lmao
TRB: Thanks. I’ll have to get up to date on my Urban lingo. LOL!
My prediction: 30-10 Broncos
@ Orange_Crusher…. i have been sayin all season (literally) to call some plays to get our backs outside! a pitch would be nice! or even a little hb pass on the blitzing side of the defense! get the ball to those guys in space and i think they will be a force!!!
Go Broncos
“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS”
It will be interesting to see if the league hands down a fine to Steeler LB James Harrison for his “hat to hat”, hit on Buckhalter! That was totally flagrant. We saw it during the game and could not believe anything was called. It got rowdy with all those Steeler fans around when that play went down. This guy may qualify as the dirtiest player in the NFL. I know it’s off the current subject. Just throwing this out here to see what you all thought about that particular play. Could not believe how many Steeler fans were at Invesco that night.. (more than Cowboy game for sure).
wow…another ex-patriot pushing aside a long time BRONCO…..what a shock…pretty soon they will be calling us the denver patriots…i feel for ben,all that loyalty…just to get mcdaniels sneaker print on his backside…..does loyalty even exist in the nfl anymore?????????
baylinorcrush: I was exaggerating. I was just trying to make a point. Orton moves worse than an old man.
broncofan2639, you must of made a spelling error, considering we are only three years apart, you ought to remember that the QB who moved like an old man had a M in front of “Orton”, Morton, as in Graig Morton. LOL. Sluggish would define Orton better, IMO.
I listened during both of our previous 2 games as Mitch Berger was described as a “veteran, Pro Bowl punter”. Well if those are the standards anyone uses to judge punters, I believe that Ray Guy should still be punting. In my opinion, the standard should be,what can you do for us today & hopefully tommorow. I hope that Berger will be judged on that because I am definately ready to put his 2 previous performances behind us!
baylinorcrush: Morton was an old man when he came to broncos. Morton released the ball quicker & was more accurate. He also lead the broncos to a superbowl, something I don’t think Orton will do.
I thought that was funny, sorry it went right over your head…
baylinorcrush: Didn’t go over my head. Yes it was funny. I guess I’m not much of an Orton fan.