PDA

View Full Version : Tackle battle to come in Denver



red98
06-09-2008, 12:28 PM
Tackle battle to come in Denver

June 9, 2008 1:05 PM



Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson


The word in Denver is that there will be a spirited battle at right tackle between Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris.

Kuper has been getting all the right tackle reps in the OTAs. Still, the word is Harris has looked good and will be ready to compete with Kuper during training camp. Harris was a third-round draft pick last season and was expected to be a left tackle. Yet, Denver drafted Ryan Clady with the No. 12 pick this year and he is now the starting left tackle. The early talk is that the team is very excited about Clady's play thus far and the Broncos believe he'll be productive as a rookie.

Kuper, a third-round player, is experienced and is a tough player. Harris is very athletic and bright so this will be a fun battle.

Meanwhile, the team is also happy with the progress of seventh-round pick Peyton Hillis. Former San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal's name has been connected to the Broncos some this offseason but if Hillis proves he can compete with Cecil Sapp, the team may not have a need at the position.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-482/Tackle-battle-to-come-in-Denver.html

shank
06-09-2008, 12:48 PM
glad to hear it. hope harris wins RT and kuper takes over at LG.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-09-2008, 01:30 PM
Dang Hillis is not looking sharp? I want to see him with pads on before i jump on that hype though. You dont learn much from RB's and FB's with shorts and shirts on.

honz
06-09-2008, 01:32 PM
Let the battle begin!

Also, I am glad to hear that Hillis is looking good.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-09-2008, 01:41 PM
Whoops. I read it wrong it said Hillis IS looking good. Thats good i expect him to be our starting FB this year. Felt strange when i thought it said Hillis was scrubbing.

Ziggy
06-09-2008, 01:54 PM
glad to hear it. hope harris wins RT and kuper takes over at LG.

I'm a bit torn here. If Kuper wins the RT job, it gives us more depth at Tackle with Harris and Pears able to back up both tackle spots. On the other hand, I think Kuper could be the LG of the future for this team, and if so, it would be nice to see him and Clady develop that chemistry and shore up the left side of the line starting this year. Either way, I'm glad we have a little more depth and size on the O-line this season.

Dean
06-09-2008, 03:11 PM
I'm a bit torn here. If Kuper wins the RT job, it gives us more depth at Tackle with Harris and Pears able to back up both tackle spots. On the other hand, I think Kuper could be the LG of the future for this team, and if so, it would be nice to see him and Clady develop that chemistry and shore up the left side of the line starting this year. Either way, I'm glad we have a little more depth and size on the O-line this season.


IMO the more experience that Clady has next to him the easier his transition will be.

I would imagine that Nalen will call the pass blocking to the left to help out Clady until he show he can handle an NFL D-end man to man. By angling the blocking to the left Hamilton will be responsible for the D-end coming to Clady's inside.

That experience belongs to Hamilton; Kuper only got half a year of experience last year.

DenBronx
06-09-2008, 03:23 PM
how can anyone not be happy with the pick of clady? he seems to be really impressing the coaches. i think we will all look back and be happy we passed on a few players.

pnbronco
06-09-2008, 03:23 PM
I'm just glad to hear that it sounds like we are starring to get some depth out there. Competition is good it brings out the best in those that really want it.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-09-2008, 04:02 PM
Sweet Feet Clady was the best player on the b oard by far, And he is the best LT prospect to me way before we even took him. You dont find a more complete athletic tackle with feet like that often.

Requiem / The Dagda
06-09-2008, 04:59 PM
The best scenario is that Harris wins the RT, and we have Kuper playing a guard position. Getting the youth and quality players out there.

Ziggy
06-09-2008, 05:14 PM
The best scenario is that Harris wins the RT, and we have Kuper playing a guard position. Getting the youth and quality players out there.

I agree, but unless Kuper shows that he is absolutely not tackle material right away, he'll be playing in that RT spot throughout camp and probably most if not all of preseason. That doesn't leave any time to make his case at LG. They have film of him there last season, but is it enough to throw him in there over Hamilton? Doubt it, unless Hamilton just has a horrible preseason himself or takes another good blow to the noggin.

dogfish
06-09-2008, 05:30 PM
kupes FTW!

Grover
06-09-2008, 05:33 PM
Has anyone heard anything from other than Bill Williamson that Harris is "looking good".

I hope the dude is looking good as I'd like for the 3rd rounder to pan out. But he had surgery and saw very limited action last year. I just can't get too excited about a purported heated competition at RT when Ol' Bill might not have checked with any team sources at all. Not that I think Williamson is lazy or anything :rolleyes:

Drill-N-Fill
06-09-2008, 05:35 PM
Having good depth on the O-line will translate into a dominating running game. Something we have been missing for a while due to lack of talent on the line. I'm glad the Broncos decided to draft o-line early.

oubronco
06-09-2008, 07:26 PM
It would definitly be great if Cutler doesn't have to run for his life on every play this year

SmilinAssasSin27
06-09-2008, 09:55 PM
We now have a handful of youngsters along the front line who are showing they at least have the potential to be good. We're much better off than we were last year.

BOSSHOGG30
06-10-2008, 09:35 AM
Tackle battle to come in Denver


Meanwhile, the team is also happy with the progress of seventh-round pick Peyton Hillis. Former San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal's name has been connected to the Broncos some this offseason but if Hillis proves he can compete with Cecil Sapp, the team may not have a need at the position.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-482/Tackle-battle-to-come-in-Denver.html

Remember that Hillis came from the Plummer trade.... Hopefully Hillis pans out and we can all say that Plummer actually did something good for our organization.

Retired_Member_001
06-10-2008, 09:41 AM
There's no competition to be honest. Clady on the left and Kupes on the right. The only way Kuper doesn't win the spot of RT is if we play him at G. I actually prefer Kuper at guard, but if he must play RT then he must play RT.

You want your RT to have strength and a good drive. It is very questionable as to whether Ryan Harris has this. This is why I wonder if Harris will get the job of RT or not.

PatricktheDookie
06-10-2008, 11:49 AM
This is getting a little exciting... we're slowly building a young and competent offensive line. We've needed an infusion of youth on the line for years.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-10-2008, 01:20 PM
Yeah Clady is starter from day 1. There no competition at LT as Patrick said. Im also happy we have young blood on the OL, Now we need them to all Gel and were set for a decade.

BOSSHOGG30
06-10-2008, 02:24 PM
I'll be happy if Clady can be the LT everyone thinks he can be because I don't see it...but it won't be the first time I was wrong and it won't be the last.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-10-2008, 02:28 PM
What is Clady flaws?

BOSSHOGG30
06-10-2008, 02:31 PM
What is Clady flaws?

Strength, run blocking, technique, mental lapses, smarts, and experience versus NFL worthy talent.

BOSSHOGG30
06-10-2008, 02:35 PM
What is Clady flaws?

This is according to Scouts Inc... (this is just his negatives... of course he has positives too, but we are discussing his flaws)

Weaknesses: Does not show great lower body strength and is going to have problems driving defenders off the ball in short-yardage situations. Lacks ideal explosiveness, hasn't learned how to roll hips into blocks and fails to knock many defenders back at the point of attack. Occasionally will get beat by inside quickness. Needs to learn to set while staying more balanced. Can be overaggressive, lunges a little too much and is vulnerable to push-pull moves. While shows adequate awareness in pass protection and helps out when nothing comes to him, over commits at times and has some problems picking up delayed blitzes. Big enough to hold ground but bends at the waist rather than the knees and is going to have some problems holding ground working against NFL caliber bull rushers. Can get jumpy when defenders start jumping around before the snap and he's vulnerable to false starts.

dogfish
06-10-2008, 02:39 PM
This is according to Scouts Inc... (this is just his negatives... of course he has positives too, but we are discussing his flaws)

Weaknesses: Does not show great lower body strength and is going to have problems driving defenders off the ball in short-yardage situations. Lacks ideal explosiveness, hasn't learned how to roll hips into blocks and fails to knock many defenders back at the point of attack. Occasionally will get beat by inside quickness. Needs to learn to set while staying more balanced. Can be overaggressive, lunges a little too much and is vulnerable to push-pull moves. While shows adequate awareness in pass protection and helps out when nothing comes to him, over commits at times and has some problems picking up delayed blitzes. Big enough to hold ground but bends at the waist rather than the knees and is going to have some problems holding ground working against NFL caliber bull rushers. Can get jumpy when defenders start jumping around before the snap and he's vulnerable to false starts.



the good news is that there's really nothing there that can't be improved by hard work and better technique. . . .

BOSSHOGG30
06-10-2008, 02:42 PM
the good news is that there's really nothing there that can't be improved by hard work and better technique. . . .

I think this is why he went as high as he did... at least this is what I tell myself... He has so much potential it is too hard to pass up. He can't really get worse but better. Can't ask for much more than that.

G_Money
06-10-2008, 02:53 PM
Yep. I don't really disagree with Clady's weaknesses - they're just things that can be shored up with experience. He has other strengths that can't be taught - you either have them or you don't, and he has em.

He seems to WANT to be a great one, which certainly helps.

I'm still afraid for Cutler this first year, though while he (and either Harris or Kuper) are getting that experience. I hope we remember what a moving pocket looks like or get our rollouts back - both tackle positions will be raw and other teams will HAVE to know that bringing the house is the most likely way to destroy our young bookends on the OL.

~G

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-10-2008, 02:54 PM
Its all technique. That takes coaching and his own will to want to be better. Which he does. He has Pro Bowl ability. Most scouts said they think 3-5 years from now he will be the best LT in the class. His feet are tap dancing all the time. Im sure he will have a few errors his rookie year but overall i think he is first team all rookie. Lol does the NFL even have a 1st or 2nd team all rookie like the NBA?

BOSSHOGG30
06-10-2008, 03:02 PM
Its all technique. That takes coaching and his own will to want to be better. Which he does. He has Pro Bowl ability. Most scouts said they think 3-5 years from now he will be the best LT in the class. His feet are tap dancing all the time. Im sure he will have a few errors his rookie year but overall i think he is first team all rookie. Lol does the NFL even have a 1st or 2nd team all rookie like the NBA?

I know they say he has great feet... even Shanny raves about them, but I've seen many times where he steps back on the back of his feet and that isn't a good thing... he needs to get better at playing on the front of his feet or he will be in trouble.

Ziggy
06-10-2008, 03:10 PM
Strength, run blocking, technique, mental lapses, smarts, and experience versus NFL worthy talent.

We'll get a good look at how all of these are coming along when the Cowboys come to camp. The Cowboys run one of the better 3-4 schemes in the NFL. Clady will have to be able to pick out who to block in a pinch with that team. Wade sends them from every angle, as we saw in preseason last year.

Lonestar
06-10-2008, 03:16 PM
I think this is why he went as high as he did... at least this is what I tell myself... He has so much potential it is too hard to pass up. He can't really get worse but better. Can't ask for much more than that.

almost everything I read on him was he was supposed to be a project with alot of upside and perhaps the best OLT in the NFL in five years..
Lets hope it does not take that long for him to develop and we have to cycle through a couple of QB in the mean time.

The best OLT in the daft in a weak class.

Lonestar
06-10-2008, 03:19 PM
We'll get a good look at how all of these are coming along when the Cowboys come to camp. The Cowboys run one of the better 3-4 schemes in the NFL. Clady will have to be able to pick out who to block in a pinch with that team. Wade sends them from every angle, as we saw in preseason last year.


But, but, but that was cheating if you remember from all of the whiny babies afer they got their asses kicked..


What they forgot was Pat firing him years ago and it was payback time..

dogfish
06-10-2008, 03:28 PM
The best OLT in the daft in a weak class.


do you mean a weak class overall, or a weak class of tackles? because it certainly wasn't the latter. . . a class where a tackle was first overall, and eight were taken in the 1st round, certainly isn't weak at the position. . . pittsburgh's director of player personnel was quoted on NFL.com as saying that this was the best class of offensive tackles in twenty years. . .

Ziggy
06-10-2008, 03:28 PM
But, but, but that was cheating if you remember from all of the whiny babies afer they got their asses kicked..


What they forgot was Pat firing him years ago and it was payback time..

Yeah that was tough to take last season. Not so much that they kicked our butt, but all of the Bronco fans making excuses and crying foul. Dallas killed us at the LOS, and it was a sign of things to come. I hope we look better this year, preseason or not.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-10-2008, 03:28 PM
It was not ((cheating)) it was unexpected for the pre season. But it was just a pre season game i dont know why it was blown up like that. We will be prepared for it this time around though. I want to see Jarvis Moss blind side Romo before starters come out.

turftoad
06-10-2008, 03:29 PM
almost everything I read on him was he was supposed to be a project with alot of upside and perhaps the best OLT in the NFL in five years..
Lets hope it does not take that long for him to develop and we have to cycle through a couple of QB in the mean time.

The best OLT in the daft in a weak class.

I think the OT class was very strong this year. There were 8 OT's taken in the first round and we got the 2nd best one.

If we didn't address that pos at #12 we wouldn't have gotten a good in the 2nd or 3rd round.

We all agree it wasn't a sexy pick but lets hope he can anchor that spot for ten years.

dogfish
06-10-2008, 03:32 PM
Yeah that was tough to take last season. Not so much that they kicked our butt, but all of the Bronco fans making excuses and crying foul. Dallas killed us at the LOS, and it was a sign of things to come. I hope we look better this year, preseason or not.

you should have heard how bad it was over at mania. . . the worst part was everybody sticking their fingers in their ears going "LA LA LA, i can't hear you!!" in regards to our run efense. . . .

dogfish
06-10-2008, 09:29 PM
this may have been posted someplace else already, but regardless it's certainly relevant to this thread. . . from PFW:



We hear the Broncos’ Chris Kuper, considered a front-runner for the No. 1 OLT spot before Ryan Clady was drafted, is now penciled in as the starter at right tackle, with Ryan Harris fighting to edge him out. Sources in Denver say Kuper, an 11-game starter at guard last season, seems to be a favorite of head coach Mike Shanahan, who was particularly impressed with how the third-year veteran played against Vikings DT Pat Williams in the last game of ’07.

shank
06-10-2008, 09:39 PM
i feel like harris is too good to ride the bench in our system. that's why i want him to take over RT and get kuper, who i don't want to sit either, in as LG. this also helps me win my bet with dogfish lol.

Requiem / The Dagda
06-10-2008, 10:01 PM
i feel like harris is too good to ride the bench in our system. that's why i want him to take over RT and get kuper, who i don't want to sit either, in as LG. this also helps me win my bet with dogfish lol.

From a football standpoint it makes makes much more sense to have Kuper at LG and Harris at tackle.

Buff
06-10-2008, 10:11 PM
From a football standpoint it makes makes much more sense to have Kuper at LG and Harris at tackle.

Are you saying hypothetically, or that you like Kuper over Hamilton?

Requiem / The Dagda
06-10-2008, 10:16 PM
Are you saying hypothetically, or that you like Kuper over Hamilton?

I've been on record for a long time saying Hamilton's done. If you want to maximize potential and try your worth's out of the draft selections; and place players at their most opportune positions, you'd have Kuper at guard and Harris at tackle. I love Kuper's versatility, but there's no reason to make him the DJ Williams of our offensive line. It makes sense to keep them at their respective positions they'd excel the most at. Try and establish bookends for the next decade and establish a force on the interior with Kuper. Hope that Lichtensteiger is a good player at center, and just have Holland or another above-average person at right tackle.

Make the most of what you got; and by putting Kuper at RT; that's really just holding a future starter back and playing a guy who is likely to retire anyways. This line is fine without Hamilton; in fact, I'd prefer it if he didn't even make the final roster.

Buff
06-10-2008, 10:24 PM
I've been on record for a long time saying Hamilton's done. If you want to maximize potential and try your worth's out of the draft selections; and place players at their most opportune positions, you'd have Kuper at guard and Harris at tackle. I love Kuper's versatility, but there's no reason to make him the DJ Williams of our offensive line. It makes sense to keep them at their respective positions they'd excel the most at. Try and establish bookends for the next decade and establish a force on the interior with Kuper. Hope that Lichtensteiger is a good player at center, and just have Holland or another above-average person at right tackle.

Make the most of what you got; and by putting Kuper at RT; that's really just holding a future starter back and playing a guy who is likely to retire anyways. This line is fine without Hamilton; in fact, I'd prefer it if he didn't even make the final roster.

Eh, you could be right in the end, but I see no reason to run Hamilton off just yet... He was grading out as high as Nalen a couple years ago, if he doesn't have it anymore, we've got a solid plan B in Kuper...

Side note, does Montrae Holland have the RG position locked down? I read the article about him beefing up, any chance we go with a guard tandem of kuper/hamilton?

Requiem / The Dagda
06-10-2008, 10:27 PM
Eh, you could be right in the end, but I see no reason to run Hamilton off just yet... He was grading out as high as Nalen a couple years ago, if he doesn't have it anymore, we've got a solid plan B in Kuper...

If Hamilton can play, he's fine to play, but I'm worried about his head injuries and just hope he realizes that there's more to life than football. It's just a gut feeling that I think Hamilton will be gone. It's the same sort of feeling I had over Gold, Henry and Warren. *shrugs* Not that it means a darn thing, but it's just how I feel.


Side note, does Montrae Holland have the RG position locked down? I read the article about him beefing up, any chance we go with a guard tandem of kuper/hamilton?

I'd say he's got a fairly good shot. I had never thought of that sort of switch-up. Now you're making my brain go nuts. Kuper can certainly play LG and RG; so it's definitely not out of the question. Would make more sense playing your best tackles at tackle and guards at guard, I guess.

Lonestar
06-10-2008, 10:27 PM
I've been on record for a long time saying Hamilton's done. If you want to maximize potential and try your worth's out of the draft selections; and place players at their most opportune positions, you'd have Kuper at guard and Harris at tackle. I love Kuper's versatility, but there's no reason to make him the DJ Williams of our offensive line. It makes sense to keep them at their respective positions they'd excel the most at. Try and establish bookends for the next decade and establish a force on the interior with Kuper. Hope that Lichtensteiger is a good player at center, and just have Holland or another above-average person at right tackle.

Make the most of what you got; and by putting Kuper at RT; that's really just holding a future starter back and playing a guy who is likely to retire anyways. This line is fine without Hamilton; in fact, I'd prefer it if he didn't even make the final roster.


I'd say add Licthensteiger to the mix this year IF he is healthy and get started building the all important experience with each other from day one..

Requiem / The Dagda
06-10-2008, 10:35 PM
I'd say add Licthensteiger to the mix this year IF he is healthy and get started building the all important experience with each other from day one..

Yeah, I'd only play Lichtensteiger this year if it was a last-case scenario. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to him starting if he earned the job, but that's highly unlikely. Having Casey W. at center would make us all cry.

Then again, Hamilton can play center in a pinch if Nalen's knee isn't working so you just don't know. We have so much versatility that we'll have some pretty good players all over the line.

It's possible to have these scenarios. . . [Assuming Clady's our LT]

Clady, Hamilton, Nalen, Holland, Kuper

Clady, Hamilton, Nalen, Kuper, Harris

Clady, Kuper, Hamilton, Holland, Harris

Heck, there's probably a few more -- but I'm really excited about the players we have this year. It's actually sort of nice (barring injury) to have an abundance of talent on our OL. Same with our DL this year too!

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
06-11-2008, 09:54 AM
I hope Nalen is ready to go t his year. I dont think the Litchenser guy is ready day 1. But players have proven people wrong before.

TXBRONC
06-11-2008, 07:29 PM
Tackle battle to come in Denver

June 9, 2008 1:05 PM



Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson


The word in Denver is that there will be a spirited battle at right tackle between Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris.

Kuper has been getting all the right tackle reps in the OTAs. Still, the word is Harris has looked good and will be ready to compete with Kuper during training camp. Harris was a third-round draft pick last season and was expected to be a left tackle. Yet, Denver drafted Ryan Clady with the No. 12 pick this year and he is now the starting left tackle. The early talk is that the team is very excited about Clady's play thus far and the Broncos believe he'll be productive as a rookie.

Kuper, a third-round player, is experienced and is a tough player. Harris is very athletic and bright so this will be a fun battle.

Meanwhile, the team is also happy with the progress of seventh-round pick Peyton Hillis. Former San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal's name has been connected to the Broncos some this offseason but if Hillis proves he can compete with Cecil Sapp, the team may not have a need at the position.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-482/Tackle-battle-to-come-in-Denver.html


It's not a real big deal but Williamson should know that Kuper was 6th round pick not a 3rd round pick.

BANJOPICKER1
06-11-2008, 09:02 PM
I'm a bit torn here. If Kuper wins the RT job, it gives us more depth at Tackle with Harris and Pears able to back up both tackle spots. On the other hand, I think Kuper could be the LG of the future for this team, and if so, it would be nice to see him and Clady develop that chemistry and shore up the left side of the line starting this year. Either way, I'm glad we have a little more depth and size on the O-line this season.

I think depth is the biggest need for the Broncos, remember last year as we lost players and had really nothing good to plug the holes with?:D

GOOOOOOO BRONCOS!!!!!