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View Full Version : Breaking Down The Broncos Roster -- Part 3 - Offensive Line



TheSportsGuru
07-14-2008, 07:20 PM
Part Three of MileHighReport's series, "Breaking Down The Roster...." is out. This time, I focus on the Offensive Line.

http://www.milehighreport.com/2008/7/14/571271/2008-denver-broncos-breaki

Enjoy!

You can see Part 1(Tight End) Here -- http://www.milehighreport.com/2008/7/9/568059/the-2008-denver-broncos-br

You can see Part 2(Defensive Tackle) Here -- http://www.milehighreport.com/2008/7/11/569950/2008-denver-broncos-breaki

lex
07-14-2008, 09:28 PM
I feel really good about Kuper-more than the piece- and not as good about Hamilton. Im hoping Kuper plays RT and we can perhaps draft a guard with a high pick next year. Youre right on in saying our interior line is important. Im hoping that a year from now our OLine will look like this:

LT- Ryan Clady
LG- Duke Robinson
C- Kory Lichtensteiger
RG- Montrae Holland
RT- Chris Kuper

Lonestar
07-14-2008, 09:52 PM
Good insightful overview.. I had forgotten about a few of them.. It looks like lots of potential and if they live up to it this OLINE should be a great one for nigh on a decade..

Dean
07-14-2008, 09:59 PM
Guru, very well done.

I do have two things that I remember differently. Wasn't P.J. Alexander hurt in an ATV acident? Secondly, I believe that Pears was listed as the back up at left tackle and Kuper listed as the starter at right tackle. :confused:

Lonestar
07-14-2008, 10:40 PM
Guru, very well done.

I do have two things that I remember differently. Wasn't P.J. Alexander hurt in an ATV accident? Secondly, I believe that Pears was listed as the back up at left tackle and Kuper listed as the starter at right tackle. :confused:


no it was Marshall:laugh::laugh:

turftoad
07-15-2008, 12:04 AM
Very well done.

WARHORSE
07-15-2008, 12:21 AM
Lets hope they gel quickly.......:coffee:


:D

TheSportsGuru
07-15-2008, 05:44 AM
Guru, very well done.

I do have two things that I remember differently. Wasn't P.J. Alexander hurt in an ATV acident? Secondly, I believe that Pears was listed as the back up at left tackle and Kuper listed as the starter at right tackle. :confused:

You are correct about Alexander. I knew it was off-field and thought it was basketball.

As for the depth chart, early comments by Shanny said that Kuper would be the starter at RT. I am not sold on that, and time will tell.

Thanks for the comments!

Fan in Exile
07-15-2008, 10:54 AM
That's everything I've come to expect from you Guru.

A couple of points though, your use of stats to show that it was the change that led to the increase of stats is a little misleading. The problem is that there are two games that really throw off the average with such a small sample size. There's the game against SD and the game against SF.

SD got 4 sacks on Cutler which is bad but they do bring a lot of pressure. The game against SF was bad as well, with 5 sacks but Plummer came in for an injured Cutler in that game and he got sacked in limited playing time. So it clearly wasn't just Cutler's fault.

Matt Lepsis went down in Game 7 and it's after that when the sacks started to increase.

I don't know why you would blame stacking the line for the decrees in rushing when it's pretty clear that age and injuries have hit the team so hard.

I wouldn't put so much weight on the success of the o-line with Nalen's success. Certainly if he plays well that's great but we do have plenty of people to back him up.

I don't think that Kuper's play gave them confidence to release Meyer's since they were considering them for two different positions, Meyer's on the inside as the future center and now Kuper outside at RT.

Word out of Dove valley seems to have the coaches being a lot higher on Kuper than you are, certainly not "His prospects at a starting job look to be the most tenuous of anyone."

Clady won't exercise the George Foster demons but hopefully he will exorcise them.

I hate the you can't coach size line that you used with Pears. I think it feeds into this bigger is better fallacy that a lot of people buy into. We want good players if it's 305 or 300 Harris I don't care as long as he can play.

TheSportsGuru
07-15-2008, 11:34 AM
Thanks for the feedback(nitpick included).

I agree that looking at the "50,000 foot view" of the stats can be misleading. I also pointed out that the injuries to the O-Line in 07 especially effected the totals and OLine productivity. What got lost was the impact of a huge change in style of play between Cutler and Plummer. Plummer did his damage outside the pocket while Cutler is more comfortable inside. Blocking for those two different styles is completely different and had an effect as well.

As for Kuper, I agree the team seems high on him, and I'm not necessarily down on him. I just want to see it with my own eyes in TC.

topscribe
07-15-2008, 11:56 AM
Thanks for the feedback(nitpick included).

I agree that looking at the "50,000 foot view" of the stats can be misleading. I also pointed out that the injuries to the O-Line in 07 especially effected the totals and OLine productivity. What got lost was the impact of a huge change in style of play between Cutler and Plummer. Plummer did his damage outside the pocket while Cutler is more comfortable inside. Blocking for those two different styles is completely different and had an effect as well.

As for Kuper, I agree the team seems high on him, and I'm not necessarily down on him. I just want to see it with my own eyes in TC.

Sorry about my lack of feedback here. I already flamed you over on MHR. :D

Nah, you did a splendid job, Guru.

Just one thing: Give my man Kuper a break! He was in ony his second year
as a pro, and very first year at LG. Taking that into consideration, I think
he did a fine job. :beer:

-----

HolyDiver
07-15-2008, 12:00 PM
I feel really good about Kuper-more than the piece- and not as good about Hamilton. Im hoping Kuper plays RT and we can perhaps draft a guard with a high pick next year. Youre right on in saying our interior line is important. Im hoping that a year from now our OLine will look like this:

LT- Ryan Clady
LG- Duke Robinson
C- Kory Lichtensteiger
RG- Montrae Holland
RT- Chris Kuper

I like Kuper alot too..............if....that's okay with everyone. :D

hamrob
07-15-2008, 12:08 PM
Good report. Nice insights. I like this group alot. I think Clady is going to be...initially...the weak link. I think he's going to need help from a TE and/or FB for the first 4-6 games until he becomes more comfortable out there.

I think we have excellent depth...but how many will we keep and who will we part with? We seem to have a good mix of vets and young bucks to compete...but it will be instrumental to us that we keep the best group. They typically keep 8 guys on the active roster...which means they don't have the luxury to keep some pretty talented or seasoned players. However, if we end up with a kicker who can kick off and kick field goals...I think we keep 9 guys on the active roster this year. There's 13 players on the current roster for Olineman:

62 Wiegmann, Casey C 6' 2" 285 34 13th Iowa UFA (KC)-'08
66 Nalen, Tom C 6' 3" 286 37 15th Boston College D7c-94
67 Lichtensteiger, Kory C 6' 3" 295 23 R Bowling Green State D4a-'08
61 Erickson, Mitch G 6' 6" 290 23 R South Dakota State CFA- '08
65 Gandy, Dylan G 6' 3" 290 26 4th Texas Tech FA '08
73 Kuper, Chris G 6' 4" 302 25 3rd North Dakota D5-'06
70 Holland, Montrae G 6' 2" 322 28 6th Florida State UFA (NO)-'07
69 Alexander, P.J. G 6' 4" 297 29 6th Syracuse FA-'07
50 Hamilton, Ben G/C 6' 4" 290 30 8th Minnesota D4a-'01
76 Polumbus, Tyler T 6' 8" 310 23 R Colorado CFA- '08
78 Clady, Ryan T 6' 6" 325 21 R Boise State D1-'08
64 Pears, Erik T 6' 8" 305 25 3rd Colorado State CFA-'05
74 Harris, Ryan T 6' 5" 300 23 2nd Notre Dame D3-'07

Here's my keepers (9):

62 Wiegmann, Casey C 6' 2" 285 34 13th Iowa UFA (KC)-'08
67 Lichtensteiger, Kory C 6' 3" 295 23 R Bowling Green State D4a-'08
66 Nalen, Tom C 6' 3" 286 37 15th Boston College D7c-94
73 Kuper, Chris G 6' 4" 302 25 3rd North Dakota D5-'06
70 Holland, Montrae G 6' 2" 322 28 6th Florida State UFA (NO)-'07
50 Hamilton, Ben G/C 6' 4" 290 30 8th Minnesota D4a-'01
78 Clady, Ryan T 6' 6" 325 21 R Boise State D1-'08
64 Pears, Erik T 6' 8" 305 25 3rd Colorado State CFA-'05
74 Harris, Ryan T 6' 5" 300 23 2nd Notre Dame D3-'07

Practice Squad (2):

61 Erickson, Mitch G 6' 6" 290 23 R South Dakota State CFA- '08
76 Polumbus, Tyler T 6' 8" 310 23 R Colorado CFA- '08

Cuts (2):

65 Gandy, Dylan G 6' 3" 290 26 4th Texas Tech FA '08
69 Alexander, P.J. G 6' 4" 297 29 6th Syracuse FA-'07

I think you have to keep Wiegmann for depth behind Nalen. He can also play guard in a pinch and trusting K-Lich at this point is too risky. At the same time they won't be able to get K-lich on the practice squad...so all three will need to be on the active roster.

Kuper, Holland and Hamilton are locks...unless Hamilton fails to overcome his heath problems. If he has any setbacks the team could decide to keep Gandy and waive Pears.

Clady is a lock. Harris and Pears are too good to let get away. If they are cut, they'll get picked up. Both have great size and upside. With Clady being a rookie, you'd like to have more than one backup at Tackle on the active roster.

By the start of the regular season, this should be a solid group.

turftoad
07-15-2008, 12:23 PM
Good report. Nice insights. I like this group alot. I think Clady is going to be...initially...the weak link. I think he's going to need help from a TE and/or FB for the first 4-6 games until he becomes more comfortable out there.

I think we have excellent depth...but how many will we keep and who will we part with? We seem to have a good mix of vets and young bucks to compete...but it will be instrumental to us that we keep the best group. They typically keep 8 guys on the active roster...which means they don't have the luxury to keep some pretty talented or seasoned players. However, if we end up with a kicker who can kick off and kick field goals...I think we keep 9 guys on the active roster this year. There's 13 players on the current roster for Olineman:

62 Wiegmann, Casey C 6' 2" 285 34 13th Iowa UFA (KC)-'08
66 Nalen, Tom C 6' 3" 286 37 15th Boston College D7c-94
67 Lichtensteiger, Kory C 6' 3" 295 23 R Bowling Green State D4a-'08
61 Erickson, Mitch G 6' 6" 290 23 R South Dakota State CFA- '08
65 Gandy, Dylan G 6' 3" 290 26 4th Texas Tech FA '08
73 Kuper, Chris G 6' 4" 302 25 3rd North Dakota D5-'06
70 Holland, Montrae G 6' 2" 322 28 6th Florida State UFA (NO)-'07
69 Alexander, P.J. G 6' 4" 297 29 6th Syracuse FA-'07
50 Hamilton, Ben G/C 6' 4" 290 30 8th Minnesota D4a-'01
76 Polumbus, Tyler T 6' 8" 310 23 R Colorado CFA- '08
78 Clady, Ryan T 6' 6" 325 21 R Boise State D1-'08
64 Pears, Erik T 6' 8" 305 25 3rd Colorado State CFA-'05
74 Harris, Ryan T 6' 5" 300 23 2nd Notre Dame D3-'07

Here's my keepers (9):

62 Wiegmann, Casey C 6' 2" 285 34 13th Iowa UFA (KC)-'08
67 Lichtensteiger, Kory C 6' 3" 295 23 R Bowling Green State D4a-'08
66 Nalen, Tom C 6' 3" 286 37 15th Boston College D7c-94
73 Kuper, Chris G 6' 4" 302 25 3rd North Dakota D5-'06
70 Holland, Montrae G 6' 2" 322 28 6th Florida State UFA (NO)-'07
50 Hamilton, Ben G/C 6' 4" 290 30 8th Minnesota D4a-'01
78 Clady, Ryan T 6' 6" 325 21 R Boise State D1-'08
64 Pears, Erik T 6' 8" 305 25 3rd Colorado State CFA-'05
74 Harris, Ryan T 6' 5" 300 23 2nd Notre Dame D3-'07

Practice Squad (2):

61 Erickson, Mitch G 6' 6" 290 23 R South Dakota State CFA- '08
76 Polumbus, Tyler T 6' 8" 310 23 R Colorado CFA- '08

Cuts (2):

65 Gandy, Dylan G 6' 3" 290 26 4th Texas Tech FA '08
69 Alexander, P.J. G 6' 4" 297 29 6th Syracuse FA-'07

I think you have to keep Wiegmann for depth behind Nalen. He can also play guard in a pinch and trusting K-Lich at this point is too risky. At the same time they won't be able to get K-lich on the practice squad...so all three will need to be on the active roster.

Kuper, Holland and Hamilton are locks...unless Hamilton fails to overcome his heath problems. If he has any setbacks the team could decide to keep Gandy and waive Pears.

Clady is a lock. Harris and Pears are too good to let get away. If they are cut, they'll get picked up. Both have great size and upside. With Clady being a rookie, you'd like to have more than one backup at Tackle on the active roster.

By the start of the regular season, this should be a solid group.

That's pretty much the way I see it to.

Thsi will be Nalens last year. Licht will be starting next year.

I do like the two PS guys you've got. You never know.

broncobear
07-15-2008, 12:37 PM
One aspect of Guru's comment on size is the length of Clady's arms. Size can be overstated, but those long guns, big hands, strength and fast feet are a solid combination.

turftoad
07-15-2008, 12:40 PM
One aspect of Guru's comment on size is the length of Clady's arms. Size can be overstated, but those long guns, big hands, strength and fast feet are a solid combination.

Good feedback on all 3 of your posts so far Bear.

Hope to see you keep it up.

Oh, and welcome to the board.

Lonestar
07-15-2008, 12:44 PM
One aspect of Guru's comment on size is the length of Clady's arms. Size can be overstated, but those long guns, big hands, strength and fast feet are a solid combination.

lets hope there is something between the ears to make it all work in a new environment.. At this level opposed to the college level in a less than stellar conference.

Lets see if he was "just a big fish in a small pond" or will become a minnow in large lake..

Hobe
07-15-2008, 01:14 PM
If Nalen comes-back Kory Lichtensteiger will spend most of his time on the practice squad. If Nalen struggles, it will probably be Wiegmann at center. Center is just one of those spots that is very hard to start a rookie.

hamrob
07-15-2008, 09:37 PM
I really like Polumbus. If you take a look at his combine numbers in comparison to Clady's...they're very similar and both have the same size/reach etc. Polumbus ended up with all Big 12 honors as well. The Broncos could end up with bookends if they're lucky!

WARHORSE
07-15-2008, 09:58 PM
I like Kuper alot too..............if....that's okay with everyone. :D


Sure it is Diver.






:shocked:






er.....................that is...........if its in a .........football.........kinda way.;)

WARHORSE
07-15-2008, 10:04 PM
I think Wiegman was a very, very good signing for us. He is Nalen II.

He is a stellar component because of what he has above his shoulders. We need guys like that to help the youngsters along.

If we have good competition, maybe we can trade an Olineman to Tejas. Kubes needs some meat down there.

Whichever youngster gets left out.