Andrew Mason's Broncos OL Preview

[SoCalBronco]

Friday, July 22, 2005

Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Change is as inevitable on the Broncos' offensive line as any other personnel grouping on any NFL team. It's just that it comes at a more glacial pace than it does anywhere else on the team's roster.

When the Broncos search for a new starter, they are more apt to groom one than to forage through free agency. Right tackle George Foster spent his rookie year standing and watching from the sidelines before becoming a full-time starter in 2004; left guard Ben Hamilton did the same thing in 2001 before heading to NFL Europe in the following spring and becoming the opening-day starter that fall.

When Cooper Carlisle replaced Dan Neil at right guard last December, it wasn't a seismic change. Granted, the eventual release of the stalwart Neil did dissolve a link to the starting line of the Broncos' last world championship team; only center Tom Nalen remains from the starting O-line that tore apart the Atlanta Falcons six years ago.

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Carlisle had been waiting for that chance his entire career. The five consecutive games Carlisle started -- including the playoff loss at Indianapolis -- represent all but one of his areer starts; that month of work had been five seasons in the making for the 2000 draft pick.

But when the offseason dawned, the Broncos had their eye on a competition at right guard. P.J. Alexander had been waiting in the wings for nearly two seasons; this training camp would have been his chance to engage in a battle royale for the spot with the incumbent Carlisle.

COUNTDOWN TO CAMP
As the quiet summer days before training camp dwindle down to a precious few, we'll count them down by focusing on a different area of the team every weekday between now and the start of camp.
JULY 18: QUARTERBACKS
JULY 19: TIGHT ENDS
JULY 20: RUNNING BACKS
JULY 21: WIDE RECEIVERS
FRIDAY, JULY 22: OFFENSIVE LINE
MONDAY, JULY 25: SPECIAL TEAMS
TUESDAY, JULY 26: DEFENSIVE LINE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27: LINEBACKERS
THURSDAY, JULY 28: DEFENSIVE BACKS

Then Alexander hopped on a four-wheeler two months ago. He now sits on the reserve/non-football-injury list, his season ended by a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

[SoCalBronco]

"P.J.'s a guy that we'd been developing for the last couple of years, and felt like he had reached the point where he was ready to make that serious jump to a potential starting spot. Him going down hurt our depth," General Manager Ted Sundquist said. "Losing him was not something that I relished, to be quite honest with you."

Sundquist wanted a contest at right guard, so the Broncos immediately turned to former Arizona Cardinals guard Cameron Spikes to provide it. On one hectic Monday morning in May, Spikes arrived, signed and reported to a quarterback-camp practice, working in teaching drills at right guard, filling in the spot Alexander held.

"I've always wanted to play for the Broncos in their system, (because they are) a team that's still committed to the run in this league," Spikes said. "It's a perfect opportunity."

Another opportunity arose for another ex-Cardinal, Anthony Clement. The Broncos brought him aboard just after the draft when the Cardinals waived him.

"Offensive line is a position that we've been looking at hard in the offseason, looking at the waiver wire," Sundquist said.

But the Broncos will also look long and studiously at players in their midst. There's versatile tackle/guard Tyson Clabo, a 6-foot-6, 314-pounder who was cut in the preseason and then bounced through three practice squads -- including Denver's -- before joining the Broncos' 53-man roster on Dec. 21 of last year.

He never got off the inactive list in the three games that followed, and was subsequently shipped to the NFL Europe League's Hamburg Sea Devils. All he did there was earn first-team All-NFL Europe honors.

"I think the biggest deal with young offensive linemen is just playing the game," Sundquist said. "To learn our offense and sharpened his skills in the running game is one thing, but to actually go and compete and play against guys that want to knock your socks off and get to the quarterback is another thing. He went over there and was a very, very good tackle in the league -- and was their best tackle, according to the Europe coaches we talked to.

"That's got to give him confidence for when he comes back over here -- that if he's called on, he'll be ready to go.

Sundquist believes the experience will be invaluable to Clabo, who first signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in April 2004. That experience would be vital whether he'd been so effective in Europe or not.

"A lot of times when guys don't get in and don't play in the preseason or regular season, you can compare it to being put on I.R.; you've been out of competitive football for a while," Sundquist said. "I know you're practicing ... but there's no pads and contact."

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Center Josh Sewell will go into his second Broncos training camp, but the team chose not to send the 2004 sixth-round selection to NFL Europe. Unlike Clabo, who spent time with the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers practice squads last fall, Sewell had the benefit of spending the entire year in Denver's scheme.

"Josh just continues to learn," Sundquist said. "Historically, with this group, it's going to take a year or two to learn what we're trying to do, understand the tempo of our game and the angles of our run blocking and lower your pads."

Sundquist anticipates a similar gestation for this year's sixth-round pick, Chris Myers. The former University of Miami lineman played tackle, guard and center at various points for the Hurricanes, but took most of his work this offseason at center.

"(It's going to take a year or two) with Chris Myers, as well," Sundquist said. "Those young guys have got to be flexible. They've got to learn two, three positions."

Myers' versatility -- which includes his willingness to work on long snapping -- is a significant part of why he's in Denver.

"That's one of the reasons why we felt like he was a steal for us in the sixth round. He's got the body type as well as the smarts to move up and down the line of scrimmage."

As Myers, Sewell and Clabo develop along with rookie free agent Erik Pears, late-season signee Tim Stuber and offseason pickups Reese Hicks and Zach Wilson, the learning curve continues along the starting five, particularly for Foster, who stepped in at right tackle last year, started all 16 games and demonstrated the potential that caused the Broncos to make him the first offensive lineman taken by the team in the first round since 1983.

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"He made a big jump from his rookie year to the sophomore year, and we expect it again," Sundquist said. "He is one of the better run-blocking tackles that I've seen. He blocked very well on the run. In pass protection, he's got all the tools that you're looking for; he just needs to continue to play in a consistent manner."

Just as important as his blocking skills was his ability to stay out of trouble and avoid too many holding calls.

"He's using his tools," Sundquist said. "He's not relying on grabbing. When he gets himself into trouble, he's able to get himself out of it with his feet. He's a big man who's very light on his feet."

For the near future, Foster is planted at right tackle, with Matt Lepsis set on the left side. Competition at tackle will come from Clement, Cornell Green and Dwayne Carswell, who works out at tackle for the second consecutive offseason. Denver moved him from tight end to right tackle last offseason, but when the Broncos released Byron Chamberlain and Jed Weaver at the final cutdown, Carswell slid back over to his old position for the regular season.

"I'm kind of picking up where I left off," Carswell said. "I was getting into it at first (a year ago). At the end and in the preseason when they decided to move me. It wasn't a big shock. I knew it was kind of a possibility (of playing tackle) so I got my mind set on it."

Now he -- and the other linemen around him -- will grapple and claw for the precious spots on the Broncos' roster.

[Rascal]

I don't care how many times they say otherwise I think Carlisle is liability. I have zero confidence in him. I'm liking the youth movement, but our interior is still the weakpoint.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Thanks SoCal. It looks like Broncs have legitimate depth on the Ol for the first time I can remember. I think bringing in Clement was HUGE and it would be nice for a couple of the young guys to come on. I couldn't believe it when Claybo was not drafted. He stood out even on a crappy Wake team. You know I am a big Meyers supporter and I would love to see Pears on the IR with a hang nail or something.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I don't care how many times they say otherwise I think Carlisle is liability. I have zero confidence in him. I'm liking the youth movement, but our interior is still the weakpoint.

I absolutely agree and hope Spikes, Calybo, Meyers or even Sewell start by mid season. Carlilse is soft. Watch his feet. They are never moving - he is always getting pushed backward. He doesn't get into the D-linemans body which allows them to get their hands up and deflect passes.

[Odysseus]

I absolutely agree and hope Spikes, Calybo, Meyers or even Sewell start by mid season. Carlilse is soft. Watch his feet. They are never moving - he is always getting pushed backward. He doesn't get into the D-linemans body which allows them to get their hands up and deflect passes.

Good points.

[Rascal]

I absolutely agree and hope Spikes, Calybo, Meyers or even Sewell start by mid season. Carlilse is soft. Watch his feet. They are never moving - he is always getting pushed backward. He doesn't get into the D-linemans body which allows them to get their hands up and deflect passes.

Yeah I found somebody who agrees with me. When i watched the Titans game from the first row on our sidelines I saw first hand just how pathetic his technique is. I honestly can't believe he is our second best guard. I really hope somebody replaces him.

Everytime they came off the field he was getting harped on. I managed to get a bunch of their field photos and it was plain as day what he is doing wrong.

He takes horrible angles and is always a step behind. They showed them getting off the ball on one and he was still in his stance almost and everybody else was moving.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Yeah I found somebody who agrees with me. When i watched the Titans game from the first row on our sidelines I saw first hand just how pathetic his technique is. I honestly can't believe he is our second best guard. I really hope somebody replaces him.

Everytime they came off the field he was getting harped on. I managed to get a bunch of their field photos and it was plain as day what he is doing wrong.

He takes horrible angles and is always a step behind. They showed them getting off the ball on one and he was still in his stance almost and everybody else was moving.

I was right behind the bench for the Miami game and the way Dennison was on him, I thought he would be cut a half time.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I don't care how many times they say otherwise I think Carlisle is liability. I have zero confidence in him.
I've always thought this guy was a stiff. They need somebody else to step in and take that spot.