dogfish
08-28-2008, 02:08 PM
Clady busy, so Elvis, Jay provide raves
By Jim Armstrong
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 08/28/2008 12:24:20 AM MDT
Not only has he stepped in as a starter on the Broncos' offensive line, Ryan Clady has proved adept at listening to his veteran teammates.
You know, his fellow offensive linemen who like talking to the media about as much as a case of jock itch.
So, Ryan, got a minute?
"Gotta get treatment."
A few days later, the same question merited this response: "Got a meeting."
Hey, life is busy when you're starting as a rookie in the NFL. Not only that, Clady is starting at left tackle, arguably the most critical spot on the offensive line.
"There's a lot of pressure on him to come in here and start in a league with some very good defensive ends and linebackers who are coming his way," Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said.
"He's doing well right now. He's picking up the offense well because he has been in there since OTAs (organized team activities). By now, he should have it."
There will be growing pains, no doubt, but the Broncos' decision to select Clady with the 12th pick in the draft appears a good one. He's a rare combination of size — 6-feet-6, 325 pounds — and quickness, the likes of which the Broncos have never had.
He has struggled at times versus the likes of Mario Williams and DeMarcus Ware, but, according to another big-name pass rusher, Clady has improved over the course of training camp. That would be teammate Elvis Dumervil, he of the 21 sacks in his first two NFL seasons.
"He came in and felt right at home at that left-tackle spot," Dumervil said. "He's smart. You're not going to beat him with the same move twice. It's a good challenge for him and for me. We make each other better. By game one of the regular season, he should be really comfortable."
A team talking playoffs with a rookie tackle on the left side? It isn't as far-fetched as it may seem. We take you to Cleveland, where the Browns selected Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the third pick in the 2007 draft.
Thomas didn't just land in the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He helped change the culture in Cleveland. The Browns improved to 10-6 from 4-12. Along the way, they scored 402 points, 164 more than the previous season. They also averaged 4.3 yards per carry, up from 3.6, and allowed 19 sacks, 35 less than they had in 2006.
Yes, a dominant left tackle can have that type of impact. It remains to be seen whether Clady can make that kind of mark, but Dumervil says the kid has "player" written all over him.
"He's got a good feel for the game, he's got long arms, and he's a good athlete," he said. "If he does things right in this system, he'll find himself in the Pro Bowl one day. You look at what Joe Thomas did. That's a perfect example. Ryan has that same potential."
By Jim Armstrong
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 08/28/2008 12:24:20 AM MDT
Not only has he stepped in as a starter on the Broncos' offensive line, Ryan Clady has proved adept at listening to his veteran teammates.
You know, his fellow offensive linemen who like talking to the media about as much as a case of jock itch.
So, Ryan, got a minute?
"Gotta get treatment."
A few days later, the same question merited this response: "Got a meeting."
Hey, life is busy when you're starting as a rookie in the NFL. Not only that, Clady is starting at left tackle, arguably the most critical spot on the offensive line.
"There's a lot of pressure on him to come in here and start in a league with some very good defensive ends and linebackers who are coming his way," Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said.
"He's doing well right now. He's picking up the offense well because he has been in there since OTAs (organized team activities). By now, he should have it."
There will be growing pains, no doubt, but the Broncos' decision to select Clady with the 12th pick in the draft appears a good one. He's a rare combination of size — 6-feet-6, 325 pounds — and quickness, the likes of which the Broncos have never had.
He has struggled at times versus the likes of Mario Williams and DeMarcus Ware, but, according to another big-name pass rusher, Clady has improved over the course of training camp. That would be teammate Elvis Dumervil, he of the 21 sacks in his first two NFL seasons.
"He came in and felt right at home at that left-tackle spot," Dumervil said. "He's smart. You're not going to beat him with the same move twice. It's a good challenge for him and for me. We make each other better. By game one of the regular season, he should be really comfortable."
A team talking playoffs with a rookie tackle on the left side? It isn't as far-fetched as it may seem. We take you to Cleveland, where the Browns selected Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the third pick in the 2007 draft.
Thomas didn't just land in the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He helped change the culture in Cleveland. The Browns improved to 10-6 from 4-12. Along the way, they scored 402 points, 164 more than the previous season. They also averaged 4.3 yards per carry, up from 3.6, and allowed 19 sacks, 35 less than they had in 2006.
Yes, a dominant left tackle can have that type of impact. It remains to be seen whether Clady can make that kind of mark, but Dumervil says the kid has "player" written all over him.
"He's got a good feel for the game, he's got long arms, and he's a good athlete," he said. "If he does things right in this system, he'll find himself in the Pro Bowl one day. You look at what Joe Thomas did. That's a perfect example. Ryan has that same potential."