Tackles Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin, guards Chris Kuper and Zane Beadles and center Dan Koppen, the Broncos’ starters on the offensive line, play an important role every week, but one that doesn’t often draw much attention or recognition.
But the Broncos’ unsung men in the trenches received a bit of spotlight with Wednesday’s announcement that the group took home Week 8′s Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, which honors the league’s top offensive line.
Winning this week’s award also makes the unit eligible to win the annual honor, which will be revealed during this year’s Super Bowl. The award “serves to celebrate the loyal teammates in the trenches that most consistently provide the time and protection that is critical to their teammates’ and overall team’s success.”
Sunday night against the Saints, the group was every bit as valuable in the ground game as in the passing game, helping the Broncos rush for a season-high 225 yards in addition to 305 yards through the air by quarterback Peyton Manning. The success on the ground featured season-bests for Willis McGahee and Ronnie Hillman, who rushed for 122 and 86 yards, respectively.
In addition to the recognition for the line as a whole, Clady earned Sports Illustrated’s Peter King’s Offensive Lineman of the Week award.
A big part of Manning’s success through the air was his ability to get comfortable in the pocket, as Manning was not sacked once in 30 pass attempts.
“The Broncos offensive line provided consistent protection for Peyton the entire night,” John Madden said in a statement.
Tags: Chris Kuper, Dan Koppen, Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, Orlando Franklin, Ryan Clady, Zane Beadles
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Hola Blogsters! Sorry for the Sparatic Posting, but my internet is on the complete fritz!!!
Congrats to the O-Line and thank you for keeping Peyton upright! It’s making for a very entertaining season to date!
BLOG SCORING PREDICTION CONTEST RESULTS WK8!!!
Denver 34 – New Orleans 14 (48)
The Broncos Handled the business of beating up on a REALLY bad NO squad last Sunday and as a result for your predictions points will be awarded as follows!!!
First Place with 10 Points and Bragging rights for the week was WOLFEDOM!!! His prediction of 30-17 (47) was one point off the total and that makes him the Big Weiner for this week!!! Thanks Wolfe!
The Second Place prediction came from a contest favorite and regular DaddyBronc! 31-20 (51) was good for Seven points and Elk Jerky Style Kudo’s!!! (Hope you make it out here soon DB!)
Third Place this week, and the only other blogger to come within 10 points of the total over under was Millertime2. I have your first prediction of the week at 38-17 good guys for a total of 55 and 7 off the actual score! Congrats Mr. Millertime2 on your 5 point effort and hope your mail route is treating you well!!!
Fourth Place for 3 points this week was a contest first timer pdp1408! Your prediction of 31-28 (59) was 11 points off the total and good enough to get you on the leader board!!! Nicely done!
Rounding off this week’s Scoring was Wyoming Native and Super Emergency Technician sndvl!!! I know 1 contest point isn’t quite the same as going 9 for 9 on First Stick IV’s but it’s gotta be close right?!? Congratulations Mr. sndvl! (What game are you coming to this season?)
Wall of Shame this week goes to WOS Regular Dy_NASTY_D! Three times is a habit right Dy_NASTY?!? LOL, thanks for the email, and good luck trucking along through the Great State of Kansas!!! (-7 points also dude!!!) FOR SHAME!!!
LEADER BOARD WILL BE POSTED AFTER OUR 8TH GAME!!! STAY TUNED!
I read this over at PFF: “The Bengals had a week to think about what they can do when teams cut off the supply route to A.J. Green. Is any team more dependent on one receiver?”
As I said before, Green and Dalton, please meet (The) Champ.
Game over!
DJ for MLB in WK 10! He’s played there before, and I can’t believe there is a single person on the blog or coaching staff that thinks Brookings is a superior talent! (Not superior as a human, but talent… You know, that thing that makes one player better than another on the field and helps you win games!)
I am one who thinks Brookings may not have the physical gifts that D.J. does but I think Brookings is superior. The only way D.J. starts on this team is if WW or Brookings are get hurt (knock on wood). Brookings is the defensive leader that D.J. has never been. He gets the linemen into the proper gaps and makes the right calls and reads.
Personally, I’d let D.J. go right now. However, I think Denver will keep him as depth.
I am so glad to see the offensive line get the credit it deserves. I have been a football umpire for many years and watched many lines and the Broncos line is in my opinion is the best in the NFL. To be honest our weakest spot was J.D. Walton (sorry JD) but Koppen has put an end to the middle pressure Manning was taking early in the season. JD will be a great center but right now I would rather have koppen running the O-Line with his no huddle experience.