On both the offensive and defensive fronts, a variety of players have seen time at different positions throughout practices and the Broncos’ preseason opener at Chicago.
That practice will pay off as the team moves forward without pieces on both lines as guard Chris Kuper and defensive end Jason Hunter miss time due to injuries.
Having players able to fill in at multiple positions allows flexibility when a starter is forced out of action.
“There are going to be some injuries from week to week, and the next guy steps up,” Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy said. “That’s the importance of all the OTAs, minicamp and training camp, so that when your opportunity does come, you’ve got to make the most of it in this business.”
Defensive linemen Ben Garland and Malik Jackson were both brought in as defensive ends and are now listed as interior linemen. Adam Grant and Tony Hills both played tackle last season, but are now listed as reserve guards.
Among the players that have received first-team reps at various line positions during this year’s training camp are Manny Ramirez and Derek Wolfe.
“They have to be able to play more than one position,” Offensive Line Coach Dave Magazu said. “Even with the starters, we have a couple guys that are dabbling at other positions.”
Ramirez has played guard and center with the first-team offensive line. He started at right guard in Denver’s 31-3 preseason-opening victory at Chicago.
“We do that every day,” McCoy said about moving players around on the offensive line. “You have to have position flexibility, because you never know when something’s going to happen in a game. We’ve got make sure we’ve got the best five guys up there.”
Wolfe, who played as an interior lineman and as a defensive end in college, has played both positions in his early reps with the Broncos.
“He picks up things quickly,” Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio said of Wolfe’s flexibility. “They did a lot with him in college, so he’s been exposed to a lot. He played all along the front, from nose (tackle) to defensive end out wide. He’s done a lot of those different things, so it was really a matter of him learning the terminology. He is an intelligent young man, and he’s done a nice job of picking things up.”
Orlando Franklin opened all 18 games for the Broncos at right tackle as a rookie last season. He started the preseason opener at tackle as well, but slid over one spot to right guard for a few snaps.
“We’re just trying to make him more flexible and it gives you an extra guy on gameday,” Magazu said. “It’s not just if a guard goes down. It could be the center goes down, or you lose too many guys at one position. (It’s important) to have guys that have some position flexibility.”
The team drafted offensive lineman Philip Blake, who played both guard and center at Baylor, in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Third-year lineman Zane Beadles became the first NFL rookie since Andre Gurode (Dal., 2002) to start at least six games at two of the three positions along the offensive line. He started all 16 games last season at guard, but has also opened six games at right tackle in his career.
“The NFL is different,” Magazu said. “It doesn’t matter how many linemen you carry. On gameday, you usually dress seven. So those extra two guys, and some guys on your starting group, they need to be able to play more than one position to give you added depth. You have to have the ability to move guys around.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Derek Wolfe, Manny Ramirez, Offensive Line Coach Dave Magazu, Philip Blake, Training Camp 2012, Zane Beadles
Thanks Cat I find myself talking to nobody when a new blog pops up lol
Scalp Fox always said that they would be playing into the second quarter, the post is the one that lied to me but either way I’m still stoked!
Kod I am so excited for you!!!!
I am still so proud of Elway for the Derek Wolfe pick!!!
Scalp, inoperable Omon plays early in the game tomorrow night!
Inoperable= I hope… How my iPad did that I have no idea!
I’m so happy you’re going to the game cat, you’ll have a blast!
I think Del Rio had a big hand in drafting Derek Wolfe, which, IMO shows just how great of an NFL executive John Elway is. Contrary to some people’s opinion, who have claimed that Elway’s ego will make him rule with an iron fist, Elway has listened to the experts he has surrounded himself with, and used this intel to help guide his decision making process.
OT you’re right and it’s funny you say that because I’ve heard that from a lot of people, that he is such a dictator and maybe he was when it came to Manning, but honestly, he is doing what’s best for the Broncos and I think that means he listens to others and gets other opinions. I am hoping JDR will stick around…
Some lady is suing Jerry Jones cuz she burned her butt in his stadium. I hope she loses. These lawsuits make Americans look like idiots!
Now Mark Sanchez is working for special teams. Can I just say how awful Peyton would be at special teams? And how pleased I am that our team would never be so stupid as to let our starting QB work for special teams?
Elway is not a dictator. It’s VERY hard to be successful when you try to do it all on your own. It’s much easier to have trusted advisors, which Elway clearly has. People will always hate, it doesn’t bother me. Most people think he’s a dumb jock, or an egomaniac, and don’t realize how smart he really is, and are unaware of his past successes. Every successful person has a little ego on them, so that goes hand in hand IMO. I’d be more worried if he wasn’t confident in some capacity.
As far as Del Rio, I have no idea, but if I had to guess, I would think there was some sort of agreement about staying for a few years. He’s comfortable with Fox, he just had his first HC job come to an ugly end, and his son is going to school nearby. We will see what happens, but if I had to bet right now, I say he stays at least another year, maybe even more. He’s only 49, and he’s got plenty of time to take another HC job down the line, I don’t see the urgency there.
For all we know, there could have been a discussion about how Fox may want to retire in a few years. It could be a good spot for Del Rio to be in.
OT! Don’t you go getting my hopes up onJDR replacing Fox! LOL
No, I agree. I remember there being an article in SI that said Peyton had talked to both McCoy and Del Rio about their plans for the future. You have to think that they told him what he wanted to hear. I mean, Del Rio has never had a QB like PFM, so you have to think he’d make the decision to stick around for however many years Peyton ends up playing for us.
Lol. Well, I said the same thing about Dennis Allen cat, so this is obviously just pure speculation on my part. I just hope we stay with a defensive minded HC, whomever Fox’s replacement is.
But I agree, given our crazy turnover at DC, I’d be shocked if there wasn’t some sort of agreement in place. And like you said, Peyton would be concerned with that too, given he is planning on playing for a few years.
hey gang……..
So I was kinda bored this morning so I took a look back through the archives and found my first post…….on Nov 18, 2008. Hard to imagine I only posted seven more times from then to the end of the season………..considering now I can do 7 in one hour! hahaha
Here is my last one of that season……….before knowing Shanny would be fired, Cutler would be gone and the darkness that loomed ahead.
killerkod says:
December 30, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I’m speechless. What I don’t understand, other than the horrible defence, is in almost every game these past weeks the opening drive is dominating and you’re thinking, oh yeah, these guys are clicking….and then the next drive either marches and then stalls or just stalls completly and can’t seem to get back on track until the game is out of hand.
Anyone have any comments on that?
Oh, and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again………..Josh Bell looks so lost on that field and doesn’t have a clue how to cover or tackle. Cut him! In fact, I think the entire D needs to be dismantled and rebuilt with some studs in the mix. Pay the money and get some freaking talent!
It’s amazing how our team has changed since then……….and to look back on the posts from back then, there’s only a handful of names still kicking around, unless some have changed their handles…………
It’s fun to look back!
GO BRONCOS!
Kod,
I remember being sick to my stomach after that game and my stomach did not heal for months after. I literally made myself sick when McDaniels went after Matt Cassel. I was SO not okay with that. Funny how we needed defense and we hired an offesive minded coach that completely dismantled and destroyed our team (per Bill Bellichek’s wishes, I’m sure).
I’m SO glad to look back on that and see where we are NOW. If things hadn’t happened the way we did we would’ve never gotten Peyton Manning. And I couldn’t be happier with where we are now as an organization. Thanks for the flashback, Kod!
Again – congrats Kod…and you too Sndvl, if you are still hanging around.
OT- I agree 100%. I’ve had quite a few people tell me I’m crazy if I think JDR sticks around. I’m sorry, I think he wants to win a Championship and if we don’t win one, don’t you think he’ll stay? I don’t know. You have to think there’s some kind of inner workings going on there. Poor Champ Bailey! Out of all the years that we’ve had him, I bet he has loved this one the most and I’m so thankful to John Elway for giving us a chance to win one for Champ.
Looking forward to tonight’s games – I love football!
Defenses ruled the day in the ATL game.
Dalton is too prone to throw that long ball and is really mobile for a big QB. Ryan looked really good as well.
I think GB is headed for a very long season. fIRST STRING looked awful. AR was superior though. Weedon is going to get the dogs outta the basement of the NFL. Looks like a good choice.
yea kod definitely funny how situations change. They get worse before they get better and that was especially true in our case. That game still haunts me. prater missed two XP’s in a row and the onslaught began.
I think JDR needs to stay a DC, as I believe Foxxy is much better as a DC. JDR has gone that route – it was a mess – why mess up a good thing. There is no reason JDR should not finish his career as a DC.
Thanks DB! It really made my entire week………….now I just want a great win tomorrow night to cap it off!
It is really only important to me that we win the first half. After that – I want to dominate in the trenches – both directions. I love depth in the trenches.
Ya’ll have a great day!!! Be seeing you!
Cant wait for saturday to come, just one more day to Broncos football. Hopefully my jerseys come in today and I can wear my new orange nike Miller or Dumervil jersey. If not I guess I will have to choose between my orange Dawkins or my orange Atwater, either way I’m excited for tomorrow.
I don’t really care if they win–which is why I think tomorrow’ll be more fun than a normal game. Plus, they’re wearing orange and it’s PFM’s first game as a Denver Bronco. GOOD STUFF!
IN Denver I meant. OOPS LOL
One more day and game time. Ya!!!
When are you leaving to go cat?
I always get into the FUNNIEST conversations about the Broncos with people I don’t know… It’s true.
My phone is acting up, won’t receive calls or make them, it’s awful, considering I’ve got to drive to Denver tomorrow. At least I won’t be by myself.
Anyway, talkin to the guy and verizon on live chat and he tells me it might take 2-3 days to fix the problem so I say “of course… going to Denver for a Bronco game tomorrow without my phone. Classic! LOL Thanks for your help” So, he says “Yea, I’m sorry about that… Do you know? Is Peyton Manning playing at all?”
LOL!!!!
We talked Broncos for a few moments and then I left as frustrated as ever that my phone is not working!
Kod, 11ish. We want to check into the hotel before heading over to the stadium!
well, have a safe drive and have a blast! Looking forward to your perspective of the game being there live.
surprised bay hasn’t been chiming in now that the pre-season has started……..
bay, if you’re reading, I hope you’re doing well my friend.
Yeah! Don’t know when we’ll be back on Sunday. But you’ll get a full report from me for sure!
Hello Kod and Cat. Looking forward to the game my Bronco pals!! By the way Cat, won`t be able to head up to the game tomorrow night. I thought I had a good chance, but not in the cards. Oh well!
how long of a drive is it for you cat?
Hey strand! bummer you’re gonna miss out on going to the game……….but you’ll be watching I’m sure! It’s gonna be so great for our number 1′s to get some extra playing time……the stadium will be a rockin for sure!
Bummer man… at least you’ll be watching with me even if you can’t be there!
4 1/2 hours, give or take. Depending on traffic.
Yeah, you two. I never miss a game. I wanna go, just some issues came up that I gotta take care of. Business before pleasure. HaHa!
killerkod – bay did chime in last Thursday on gameday vs. Bears. Maybe he’ll pop in tomorrow.
or depending on how heavy your foot is? LOL Not too bad………about the same as me driving from here to my hometown.
Cat, be safe going up just as Kod has said.
Have good time cat! My daughter will be at this game as well.
Maybe Bay will write a book as usual. LOL
hey rbf1! How’s it going man? Cool………..I must’ve missed that post. I’m sure the excitement of the season will be too much for him to stay away once it all starts!
Royal, Whats up dude?!
LOL! How heavy my foot is… well, let me tell you, the speed limit is 75 and in Colorado all the sudden people drive 65 MPH. I hate driving in CO!!!!!
I’ll be safe, promise!!
Royal, that’s so awesome.
Doing well kod & strand – just getting jazzed for the regular season !!
Interesting to see who makes the final 53 man squad!
yeah man…………gonna be some tough cuts to make when all they guys are giving great efforts.
Let’s see who shines tomorrow evening from the reserves.
Kod – congrats on the trivia contest !!