Playing in their fifth game together as a unit, the Broncos’ offensive line turned in their finest performance of the season Week 5 vs. San Diego. Denver quarterbacks were not sacked, and the line led the way for Willis McGahee’s second consecutive 100-yard rushing game.
“I think at this point in time, we’ve done a pretty good job of improving every week,” Offensive Line Coach Dave Magazu said. “I think we struggled early in grasping concepts and techniques that are new. I think that now we’re starting to understand all the concepts.”
Denver’s offensive line is the second-youngest in the NFL, averaging just 25.4 years of age. With three players in either their rookie or second season, the line continues to improve as a unit each week that they spend together.
Much of that improvement stems from the leadership of the unit’s veteran, Chris Kuper, who is in his sixth NFL season and was elected as a team captain in 2011.
“I think (Chris) does a great job. He’s a leader on the football field, in the locker room, in our meeting room,” Magazu said. “He’s been doing a great job of helping with the development of Orlando Franklin.”
With the front five showing improvement each week, so has the Broncos’ run game. McGahee has produced three 100-yard games, which is tied for the most among all NFL running backs in 2011.
Denver ranks 10th in the NFL, averaging 4.3 yards per carry this season, which is a 10.3 percent improvement over its 2010 rushing average. That improvement is ninth best among all NFL clubs.
Magazu credits Ryan Clady with sparking the production of the run game this season.
“Ryan’s obviously an outstanding football player,” Magazu said. “I thought he had his best game last week as far as a run blocker, so it is coming together for him.”
Tags: Chris Kuper, Dave Magazu, J.D. Walton, Offensive Line, Orlando Franklin, Ryan Clady, Willis McGahee, Zane Beadles
daddybronc – I agree with you I’m just trying to consider why Bradford is struggling and the best explination seems like not grasping the offense due to lack of off season.
On another note I’ll reserve judgement on John Fox but what if the Broncos had somehow hired Bill Cowher, he can appreciate a mobile QB with heart since he Started Kordell Stewart and Big Ben for so many years
I don’t know about Cam Newton, but the thing that I love the most about Timmy is that he is a character guy. He has what it takes to lead our Denver Broncos and he’ still so young. His passion for the game will ultimately make him great. I hope it’s here, Denver Broncos!
Newton has nothing to lose. He is 1-4 What does car half to lose. They dont have the winning culture Denver has. We want the wins. We expect them. We cant turn into car. They are 4-18 . When TT throws for 425 we should win by 30
Tebow probably won’t throw for much over 300 very often, not for the foreseeable future anyway. He will most likely score 2-3 TD’s every game, which is what I care about, TD=better chance of victory.
Change the Offense to suit Tebow’s strengths it’s easy!!!
Fox is here to stay for at least a while!!!!
Yeah I’m back for a while,while I can still sit up straight!!!
Yeah ex-lax agree to excuse Bradford due to the lack of Offensive expertise:
(McD’s expertise,but we do not need Cowher) we have what we need in Tebow and Foxy,if you don’t like it then see ya!!!!!!!!!!!
9
samurai713….that’s all that matters bro!!!
Yeah……in the East it’s only 1:00 AM here!
Don’t know were in the Hell the 9 came up,but oh well,you know how everybody feels about you…………..
Tebow is use to running a balanced offense with multiple weapons and not relying on any one player. After his Soph year, he didn’t have the pressure to do it himself he had that year because the talent around him got better. He was always surrounded by talent in the last 2 years and he learned very quickly how to use every bit of it. There were no 1,000 rushers at Florida even though they always rushed for 3,000-4,000 yards a year. They would have 4 or 5 guys over 500 and several with a couple of hundred each. Same with receivers. They would have 5 or 6 different players who had caught TDs by the end of the season. Everyone will get his turn in the barrel because that is the way Tebow learned early in his career.
On a different subject, Newton has always reminded me of Vince Young. All the natural talent in the world but questions about a lot of other things like maturity, psychological make-up, mental toughness, the ability to deal with loosing. He struck me a long time ago as another spoiled, spoon-fed athlete who is more worried about himself than he is about his team. He got where he is because he was always way more talented than the guys around him so he never had to really work for it. He expects things to go his way because they always have and that is not happening right now and probably won’t for awhile. By the time Carolina starts to get some talent around him, NFL DC’s will start to figure out that he doesn’t run a particularly complicated offense, never has, and they will start to take away his options. I always suspected that was part of the reason Young was hurt so often. They took away his options knowing he would run and they would get shots at him and he couldn’t stand up to it. Tebow can and will run but there is a physical difference between a guy who is 6-5 or-6-6, 240, who has played and trained like a QB and a guy who is 6-3, 240, who has played QB but trained like a FB. He won’t run as much as he did in college but he won’t be in as much danger as they are in when he runs. In the end, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Newton melt down later in the season if he doesn’t get his head straight soon!
Yes LAX – I think Royal needs to be Tebow’s ‘go to’ slot guy. But letting Moreno backup both Royal and McGahee coming from a lot of positions will really give Denver a lot of looks to confuse defenses. It’ll open the running lanes, and if the Broncs can quit getting themselves in 3rd and long sits- I see the Broncs as having a hail storm of offense that has been missing.
henryac…give Newton a chance,he is on a team that hasn’t much talent,but has lifted them to a new level!!!!!
And no meltdown from Cam Newton!!!!!!!!
And please give Tebow a chance before bashing him….c’mon man!!!
Get a clue dude!!!!
Henry – I said the same thing about Cam earlier – He reminds me a lot of VY.
I like Thomas as the big play guy (if he can stay healthy), Decker as the sure hands guy, Royal is perfect for the slot, Willis can be the fourth, and change around with Moreno, yeah that could work. Imagine if our TE’s develop like EFX hopes they will. That offense could be explosive. I hope Miller, Carter, and Moore can develop quickly though, and Ayers continues to improve. Doom needs to stay healthy as well. If we can do that, we’ll have a descent young core of players to build around. And we have other young players too, heck our offensive line is what, a rookie, two 2nd years, and Clady who is what…4h year or something. That’s a solid young O-line that will get better, and when they peak, we could have one of the best in the league. We need some young CB’s to develop, I think our LB core is solid, and not too old yet, the main concern is the d line, mostly DT. I hope that’s where we go in the draft. DT, CB, RB, DE, and IF Tebow doesn’t work out, depending what pick we get, QB.
You have a hate for SEC Superstars???
heck naw…I’m from Alabama, War Eagle!
Not talkin to you samurai,Henryac is who I am referring too!!!
Seems like an SEC hater too me!!!
Cam is doing well for a rookie, but so did Bradford last year, it’s gonna be a couple of years (as a starter) before you know if a guy is gonna make it or not, unless they just flat out perform badly or can’t stay consistent. Bradford is struggling this year, but he could still improve, and who knows, next year he may do great. Cam is doing average, next year he may struggle, he may improve, but both those young guys need a team around them. Matt Ryan, Josh Freeman, those guys have good teams around them, and it shows because of how well they are doing. Tebow will probably look a little like Newton, but with more running, as far as QBR and all. I hope we can get a team around him to help him out if he becomes the guy. Tebow’s confidence and will power, leadership and determination, is the kind of thing I would love to have in my QB. I hope he makes it because I like what’s he’s about. If he doesn’t, we’ll have to figure something out, man what a headache that would be!
it’s all good bro, heavy eyelids!
Hey, you can’t hate on the SEC, it’s THE elite conference.
Cam has issues.. He had to transfer from UF due to off the field stuff. He may have matured, but he is a risk.. Tebow has the heart of a champion. Once the nfl game slows down for him, look out… Denver, it is ON !!!!
It just seems to me that Cam is doing pretty Damn good on a bad team,might just be me!!!
No heavy eyelids here dude!!!
Sorry you guys can’t handle that the SEC is the dominant Conference…Sorry about your Damn luck!!!!!
Idk, I think maybe Cam isn’t in the best situation for success, I mean it is Carolina, but his big thing right now is not being able to handle a loss. There hasn’t been any issues I’ve heard of since he was drafted, and the other stuff…idk, people do things in tough situations, plus you’re impressionable when you’re young. If he has matured, and doesn’t let success go to his head he’ll be alright. He may be a good QB that never becomes great (McNabb), or he may actually win a title. The problem coming from HS and College is, you’re used to winning (if you’re part of a good program) and having to go undefeated to have a shot at being the champ. That whole perfectionists, we can’t lose mentality is harder for some to let go. I think when he calms down a little and gets a team around him, he’ll be fine. He’s played better than VY and JM did I believe.
Carolina is lucky to have him!!!!!!!!!!
They are, I’m just wondering if they can get the talent around him fast enough to keep him successful, cause next year teams will be more prepared for him and he’ll need a better team around him. He’s doing well, I hope he does well in the future. I wish Vince Young comparison’s would stop though for the simple fact that Young kind of played when he wanted to, and the coach kind of gave up on him multiple times. Carolina at least seems to be supporting Cam, and he looks to at least be working hard.
Cam will be a better QB than VY…IMO!
Not because he is SEC,it is because he has better skills!!!
plays well under pressure, like Tebow as well…
Agreed bro 100%,I agree with you,Cam and Tebow will succeed!!!
samuai….Fisher is a Helluva HC and did not give up on VY,IMO,but VY was a kid in a man’s world and did not make it,I hope he makes it later on!!!
Beast I was only saying Imagine Cwher as HC because he would know the value of having Tebow having coached with 2 QBs similar to him. And I no longer defend Orton/Bash Tebow although I never bashed Tebow lol but he has my full support as a Broncos fan
Newton is in the best situation in Carolina because he was the #1 pick they have a lot invested in him choosing him over Miller and Dareus. Cam will continue to torch defenses with his dual threat ability and he has kept them in each game even though their defense has been ravaged by injury. That said I think Tebow has way better intangibles and ability to lead a team over Newton
Henry I think you make a good point but I think Cam has mostly put to rest the “Maturity questions” and his play speaks for itself… Of the other 1st round QBs 2 are on the bench learning and the other isn’t doing much in Jax… and Cam well all he is doing is on a record setting pace for a rookie and is a threat to Run past and through defenders. I was skeptical of him before for the Vince Young/JaMarcus Russell comparisons but he is definitly cut from a different tree
Beast – Sorry to clarify on my defense of Bradford… I think if Tebow had a full offseason he would have easily won the starting QB job but unfortunately the owners did what they did so we had to wait til week 5 for that win to happen… later is still better than never though
and I hope I’m not saying anything to crazy tonight
haha
Henry – You said Tebow was trained like a FB… Just curious because Alex Smith the guy in SF who is having a great year was trained the same way is he also a FB? Tebow grew in the same offense and is a better athlete than Smith and has a bigger arm the guy is a QB and I’m pretty sure he doesnt know how to block like a FB but I’m sure he’d pancake a few guys if given the chance
Beast I fully agree with you… VY has the maturity issues it was really shown when the guy signs as a back up then labels the Eagles the “Dream Team”
I thought tebow trained with the o line in florida untill they stopped him?
BFE, You misunderstand, my friend. None of that was intended as “bashing”. Quite the opposite, in fact where Tebow is concerned. With Newton, yes there was some bashing there. I also agree Newton has very little talent around him right now so there is much for them to do to improve. But, I watched that young man from the time he was Tebow’s backup at Florida and got his butt in a sling there the first 3 times. My issues with Newton aren’t about his play, its the other things I question. He was always more worried about being the center of attention than he was about other things. Who comes into pro football stating he wants to be and “icon?” My point is that contrary to what many think, Tebow is use to playing a team concept. He thrives in that concept. Newton is more used to being the BMOC and wants it that way. Given the fact that they are both now in the NFL, which one is more likely to face and up-hill battle? And Newton is a little fragile. He doesn’t take criticism well and isn’t particularly mature. Watch his reactions and expressions and you will see what I mean. When things don’t go well, he acts just like Vince Young did on the sidelines. My questions on his maturity are not about his play on the field, its how he handles off-the-field distractions. Young, on the field, could be amazing. Off the field was where it bit him in the butt and that remains to be seen with Newton.
LAX, “training like a FB” meant Tebow spends more time in the weight room than just about any other QB. He is built very solidly and has a great deal of muscle. He started lifting weights at like 8 or 9 and has been doing it ever sense. He is stronger and more durable than just about anybody at the position. Alex Smith is a longer, leaner, QB who seems to have a little better arm but isn’t as purely physical. Smith is an athletic QBI but he isn’t going to physically take on too many people. That is not his strength, why do it?
I heard Tebow described as another Joe Capp, and that is probably as accurate as any description I’ve seen. Joe Capp was tough, physical, a natural leader who accomplished some amazing things when many didn’t believe he could do it. He is still the only QB to start in the Rose Bowl, the CFL Grey Cup and the Superbow.! Not bad for a guy who couldn’t play!
As far as hating on the SEC, NOT FREAKING LIKELY!!! Joke about them being the “elite conference” if you want but until somebody else wins BCS championships in a row, you are just making noise. I have watched the SEC since long before Archie Manning was a QB at Ole Miss! The first game I watched on TV was Bear Bryant and Alabama against Suge Jordun and Auburn, something like 1960. I see mostly SEC games and have supported the conference all my life. If you took any of that as bashing the SEC, you really need to look again. I will because either I didn’t make myself clear or somebody read something I didn’t intend!
Misunderstandings are common occurences here late on Friday nights, it’s all that souped up Bud light in the Tennessee backcountry, LOL.
Now, BFE will agree with this without any misunderstandings whatsoever since he and I have been Ayers defendants here for the last two years, he is now in the correct spot at end and should earn everyone’s respect in time:
Out of the corner of his eye, Robert Ayers could see Philip Rivers trying to step up into the pocket, preparing to make a throw downfield.
Ayers spun counterclockwise, disengaging from guard Louis Vasquez’s block, getting his right arm free. Ayers knew Rivers had stepped too far forward for him to make a tackle, so he took a swing at Rivers’ right arm.
Strip, sack, turnover, and perhaps just a start of things to come from the former first-round draft pick.
“That play, it was a snapshot of what he can do,” Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil said.
And Doom goes on:
“I think he’s more hungry. He’s open to learning now, he’s more at a natural position,” Dumervil said. “His top priority is he wants to learn. He’s asking a lot of questions, he’s learning the game more. The game is starting to slow down for him, and I think that’s why he’s been having a good year so far.”
“I’m still learning, working on a lot of things to get better,” Ayers said. “I’m still trying to assert myself, be more aggressive and make more plays. But it’s all coming along.”
Born & Raised
Reeves has at least 3 SB rings. At least 2 when he player for the Cowboys during the Aikman era and 1 as HC of the NY Giants.
BaycD had him playing out of possesion his first 2 years so I think thats kind of why he struggled so now he is at his natural pposition with 2 years NFL experience in the wrong defensive system. Soon enough he will break out and everyone will be saying where was that before?
I meant to put Bay – Mcd
Its kind of like this year is Ayers rooke year because he is finally playing where he belongs
“he is now in the correct spot at end and should earn everyone’s respect in time”, what part of that didn’t you get that you have to address me to say exactly the same thing I said, get real dude, I’m a 57 year old educated man and I don’t need your help, just saying.