Lonestar
12-12-2009, 05:40 AM
Q&A:
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/12/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Ryan Clady (Denver Post file photo)
Welcome back and keep the queries coming
Today's comes from Dennis Smythe:
Q: We all know Ryan Clady had a great rookie season, highlighted by his giving up only half a sack. This year, he seems to have regressed a bit, giving up at least 3-4 sacks by my count, as well as taking several penalties. Tamba Hali looked like an all-pro against Clady last week, beating him several times to the quarterback. Has Clady indeed regressed, in your opinion, or has something changed with the blocking schemes or the quarterback that is exposing him somewhat?
A: Dennis, regressed may be a strong word, but he certainly isn't having the same year he had as a rookie. And that's understandable.
In some aspects, he's still learning the position. He started his career at Boise as a defensive lineman before the switch to offense. He was a three-year starter there before entering the draft as a junior.
So he's really been playing one of the most difficult positions on the field — left tackle — for four full years before this one. There are going to be some bobbles.
Athletically, he is so gifted — in terms of footwork, his quickness and how he uses his hands.
The one question people had was, after he played so much in a two-point stance in a spread-like offense in college, how would he do in a more traditional look from time to time in the NFL when he had to power out and take on a guy?
Last year, the Broncos threw the ball 616 times, played out of the shotgun plenty and passed 229 more times than they ran it. The Broncos likely wouldn't have played that way if they had not had so many injuries at running back, but Clady was suited to play that way and it showed.
This season, the Broncos are far more balanced, and in the new offensive scheme, Clady is being asked not only to play the zone scheme the team has used in the past, but also more of a straight-on power game in the rushing offense.
And with that has come some growing pains. At least that's what some personnel executives say around the league — that Clady simply doesn't look as comfortable and that he may be pressing at times because of it.
Sunday, Hali beat him on back-to-back plays, including one that resulted in a Kyle Orton fumble. Hali forced another fumble later in the game rushing from the defensive right but was engaged with a tight end around the corner on that play. Clady had moved toward the middle of the formation, so it's difficult to know if there was an assignment error there or if the Broncos had called something in the protection to move him toward the middle.
But people are attacking his outside shoulder hard and some of the bigger rushers, like the 275-pound Hali, are finding some room.
Among the offensive linemen, Clady and center Casey Wiegmann have been the most penalized players — both having had four penalties that were accepted so far this season. Clady has had two false starts, a tripping penalty and a holding penalty. Wiegmann has been flagged for three false starts and a holding call.
Most football people believe Clady is still having a pretty good year and that he will continue to improve, but that the changes in the offense have caused him some difficulties.
The Broncos would likely disagree with that, but that's what some general managers and pro personnel people around the league think.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13980518
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/12/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Ryan Clady (Denver Post file photo)
Welcome back and keep the queries coming
Today's comes from Dennis Smythe:
Q: We all know Ryan Clady had a great rookie season, highlighted by his giving up only half a sack. This year, he seems to have regressed a bit, giving up at least 3-4 sacks by my count, as well as taking several penalties. Tamba Hali looked like an all-pro against Clady last week, beating him several times to the quarterback. Has Clady indeed regressed, in your opinion, or has something changed with the blocking schemes or the quarterback that is exposing him somewhat?
A: Dennis, regressed may be a strong word, but he certainly isn't having the same year he had as a rookie. And that's understandable.
In some aspects, he's still learning the position. He started his career at Boise as a defensive lineman before the switch to offense. He was a three-year starter there before entering the draft as a junior.
So he's really been playing one of the most difficult positions on the field — left tackle — for four full years before this one. There are going to be some bobbles.
Athletically, he is so gifted — in terms of footwork, his quickness and how he uses his hands.
The one question people had was, after he played so much in a two-point stance in a spread-like offense in college, how would he do in a more traditional look from time to time in the NFL when he had to power out and take on a guy?
Last year, the Broncos threw the ball 616 times, played out of the shotgun plenty and passed 229 more times than they ran it. The Broncos likely wouldn't have played that way if they had not had so many injuries at running back, but Clady was suited to play that way and it showed.
This season, the Broncos are far more balanced, and in the new offensive scheme, Clady is being asked not only to play the zone scheme the team has used in the past, but also more of a straight-on power game in the rushing offense.
And with that has come some growing pains. At least that's what some personnel executives say around the league — that Clady simply doesn't look as comfortable and that he may be pressing at times because of it.
Sunday, Hali beat him on back-to-back plays, including one that resulted in a Kyle Orton fumble. Hali forced another fumble later in the game rushing from the defensive right but was engaged with a tight end around the corner on that play. Clady had moved toward the middle of the formation, so it's difficult to know if there was an assignment error there or if the Broncos had called something in the protection to move him toward the middle.
But people are attacking his outside shoulder hard and some of the bigger rushers, like the 275-pound Hali, are finding some room.
Among the offensive linemen, Clady and center Casey Wiegmann have been the most penalized players — both having had four penalties that were accepted so far this season. Clady has had two false starts, a tripping penalty and a holding penalty. Wiegmann has been flagged for three false starts and a holding call.
Most football people believe Clady is still having a pretty good year and that he will continue to improve, but that the changes in the offense have caused him some difficulties.
The Broncos would likely disagree with that, but that's what some general managers and pro personnel people around the league think.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13980518