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Posts Tagged ‘Orlando Franklin’

Franklin Opens Home to Vasquez to Build Chemistry

May 10th, 2013 - 9:17am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

Chemistry is one of the most important traits on a football team.

For the offensive line, that might be more true than at any other position.

“We’re talking about five guys working collectively as one on the field,” tackle Orlando Franklin said.

So when the team added guard Louis Vasquez in free agency, Franklin did what he could to speed up that process — he invited the new Bronco to his home.

“Louis was staying at my house for like two-and-a-half weeks when he first got here. Me and him, we got to spend a lot of time together,” Franklin said. “You’ve definitely got to welcome him with open arms.”

Vasquez hadn’t closed on his new home in Denver quite yet, but wanted to join his teammates as quickly as possible. So Franklin opened his home to the newcomer.

But Franklin joked that Vasquez wasn’t exactly the best houseguest at first.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 32 Comments »

O-Line Named Most Valuable Protectors

October 31st, 2012 - 1:46pm by Tyler EverettOther posts by

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.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 7 Comments »

Miller, Thomas, Franklin Pick Up National Recognition

May 16th, 2012 - 4:42pm by Stuart ZaasOther posts by

Von Miller received another honor on Wednesday, adding to the recognition he’s received following his 11.5 sack-season in 2011.

Former NFL scout and current NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah published his list of the top 10 players under the age of 25 today and included Miller, who is 23 years old.

“Miller didn’t waste any time making his presence felt on the Broncos defense,” Jeremiah wrote. “He posted 10.5 sacks in their first 11 games before suffering a broken right thumb. He finished his rookie season with 11.5 sacks and was honored as the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is a very versatile defender. He excels as a pass rusher because of his suddenness off the ball and his ability to bend around the edge. He is also athletic enough to drop in zones or run with tight ends down the seam.”

The rest of the list, which does not include rookies who have yet to play in the NFL can be found below (in alphabetical order):

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 73 Comments »

Franklin Helps Honor Youth Coach

November 17th, 2011 - 3:19pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

On Thursday, the NFL announced that after sorting through more than 600 submissions nominating more than 400 different coaches from across Canada, Rick Gilson has been named the 2011 NFL Youth Coach of the Year.

But it’s one of the runner-ups that is of more interest to Broncos fans.

Scarborough Minor Football Association volunteer coach Roberto “Bubba” Allen was named as a runner-up and will receive $2,000 in equipment. Allen was nominated by Orlando Franklin, who was introduced to football by Allen.

As part of the nomination, Franklin wrote a short essay recognizing the positive impact Coach Allen had on young players in his community.
 
“Once an inner-city kid himself, Bubba has coached an incredible 34 squads (16 fall seasons and 11 summer seasons),” Franklin said in a statement. “He and the association gave me and so many other kids a chance to play when we could not afford it . . . it’s his dedication to his players, present and past, that is astonishing and why we would love to honor him with this great tribute.”

Over the past 13 years, the coach of the year program has contributed more than $150,000 in equipment to deserving programs, and put the spotlight on the grassroots-level coaches who are the engines that drive football in Canada.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 9 Comments »

Paving the Way

October 14th, 2011 - 9:56am by Stuart ZaasOther posts by

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.

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Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 440 Comments »