Offensive Line Fix

[oklahomabroncofan]

I think outside of the dline this was our biggest issue. They are great at run blocking but at times a liability in pass blocking. Next year I think we will see a drastic change in the o-line. Lets go off the assumption that Nalen is cut for cap purposes, Lepsis is goes some where else. (actually I think Houston gives both large contracts to go there). This means:

1) We move Hamilton to center and that position is fine.
2) Tackles. Do we draft a new LT or are there any FA we can afford. At RT Foster just did not seem to get it done this year. I do not know if it was because he was hurt or what. But what if he is moved to guard??
3) Guards We will need to replace Hamilton. I say move over Foster, Sign a new LT and Draft a new RT with one of our 1st and make sure both are decent pass blockers.

What do you guys think??

[ScottXray]

I think outside of the dline this was our biggest issue. They are great at run blocking but at times a liability in pass blocking. Next year I think we will see a drastic change in the o-line. Lets go off the assumption that Nalen is cut for cap purposes, Lepsis is goes some where else. (actually I think Houston gives both large contracts to go there). This means:

1) We move Hamilton to center and that position is fine.
2) Tackles. Do we draft a new LT or are there any FA we can afford. At RT Foster just did not seem to get it done this year. I do not know if it was because he was hurt or what. But what if he is moved to guard??
3) Guards We will need to replace Hamilton. I say move over Foster, Sign a new LT and Draft a new RT with one of our 1st and make sure both are decent pass blockers.

What do you guys think??

I think that O-line changes will negatively affect us. Nalen ALSO calls out the line reads and I don't know if Hamilton has the skill yet. Lepsis at left tackle being gone would be a HUGE hole.
Not to mention the fact that mixing up the line completely would create a lot of mix ups until the new line gelled.

On the other hand, if Nalen and Lepsis ARE gone as well as Dennison maybe, then maybe its time to change the run blocking scheme. Go with the big O-line that most other teams have. Overall we would have a down year in the run game no matter what. Probably More sacks and less run yards until they found their identity. Could mean we end up with a bad year or two , instead of back to the playoffs.:deadhorse

[defenseman]

I'm not a Dennison fan, so hasta la baga$$, don't let the door hit you on the way out. As far as the two, Lepsis and Nalen, I believe we need one of them to stay put...dman

[fontaine]

How about this:

Lepsis and Nalen both played at a pro-bowl level.

If it ain't broke why fix it?

[defenseman]

May not have a choice. Nalen's price may send him to Houston....dman

[TheDave]

May not have a choice. Nalen's price may send him to Houston....dman

So he can finish out his career on a losing team... winning just might keep the price down.

[fontaine]

May not have a choice. Nalen's price may send him to Houston....dman

Yeah let's give up on an all pro C who just had his best year of his career and it's just day two of offseason.

You'd make a great GM. . . right on par with Millen.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

If Nalen's time is short, why would he want to spend his twilight years playing in the cellar for Houston? He'll have to move, practice in Amazon-like weather, learn another system, listen to new coaches, adapt to the Houston media, work with all new guys, a new QB, new RBs against a completely different division in the NFL and so forth...

If you worked at Arby's for a long time and knew you only had 2 years left in your career, would you leave for some mom and pop joint only because they paid you a little more?

Mmmmm...Arby's.

[BritBronco Maniac]

I think that O-line changes will negatively affect us. Nalen ALSO calls out the line reads and I don't know if Hamilton has the skill yet. Lepsis at left tackle being gone would be a HUGE hole.
Not to mention the fact that mixing up the line completely would create a lot of mix ups until the new line gelled.

On the other hand, if Nalen and Lepsis ARE gone as well as Dennison maybe, then maybe its time to change the run blocking scheme. Go with the big O-line that most other teams have. Overall we would have a down year in the run game no matter what. Probably More sacks and less run yards until they found their identity. Could mean we end up with a bad year or two , instead of back to the playoffs.:deadhorse

I'm pretty sure Denver leads the NFL in rushing since Shanny became HC.
I don't think changing the scheme is really the way to go.

[BigPlayShay]

I think that O-line changes will negatively affect us. Nalen ALSO calls out the line reads and I don't know if Hamilton has the skill yet. Lepsis at left tackle being gone would be a HUGE hole.
Not to mention the fact that mixing up the line completely would create a lot of mix ups until the new line gelled.

On the other hand, if Nalen and Lepsis ARE gone as well as Dennison maybe, then maybe its time to change the run blocking scheme. Go with the big O-line that most other teams have. Overall we would have a down year in the run game no matter what. Probably More sacks and less run yards until they found their identity. Could mean we end up with a bad year or two , instead of back to the playoffs.:deadhorse

If Nalen goes, Hamilton could play Center no problem. He started half the season at Center in 2002 when nalen went down with an injury. He played well.

[ScottXray]

I'm pretty sure Denver leads the NFL in rushing since Shanny became HC.
I don't think changing the scheme is really the way to go.

I don't either. But if we lose Nails AND Lepsis and have that much disruption on the O-line anyway, if we are ever going to do it it would make sense to do it then. Especially if Dennison also leaves since we would have to replace the line coach also. Just thinking about the possible changes coming up.

Hopefully Shanahan is WAY ahead of us all.

:strong:

[ludo21]

If Nalen goes, Hamilton could play Center no problem. He started half the season at Center in 2002 when nalen went down with an injury. He played well.

I say Myers plays center and Hamilton stays at Guard. He has been a beast there, why move him. Lepsis will get payed, he is too good not to. Nalen will retire or re do his contract. He wont go to houston for money.

[Vegas_Bronco]

I know this might be shocking, but, I went to 5 broncos games this year - 2 on the road. I noticed that the Broncos had a slow start at each of those games. In fact, in San Diego, they wen't 3 and out on their first 3 possessions. After each possession, Dennison and Nalen would huddle together and THEN they would get the whole line together to discuss and review the defensive set photos. Nalen was pissed off when we played in San Diego, he was frustrated with someone on the O line and even Shanny came over to 'settle' his nerves. When the Broncs played the Patsies, Nalen was frustrated also - he was yelling at big George. I'm sure this is typical/common on NFL teams when there is a break down; but, Nalen played well and it seems as if his 'leadership' skills were tiresome to him. Personally, if Nalen stays, George might be gone. But, then, do you keep a long time leader vs. a new prospect???

[watermock]

Crying again...Dammit....

Foster laid an egg but alot did...Foxy played like a rookie...hey wait...he was a rookie...

A to Z we played bad bad bad...

Crying over...staring to warm up the fightin' Clubs...

[Dr. Broncenstein]

I'd do whatever it takes to keep Lepsis. Nalen is more of a luxury, but we have a couple of guys who could take over. Replacing a quality left tackle will be exponentially harder to do. Foster out and out sucked last week... I can't help but wonder if he was still hurt. Cornell Green was solid when he played this year.

[oklahomabroncofan]

How about this:

Lepsis and Nalen both played at a pro-bowl level.

If it ain't broke why fix it?

Denver might not have a choice both are free agents and it is going to come down to how much denver is willing to pay them. Other teams not just Houston will have alot more cap room than we will. It will also come down to what the coaching staff believes is the most important area to address this offseason. I will say one thing this will be the most interesting off season in along time.

[defenseman]

I'm thinking we lose one of them either Nalen or lepsis. The cap and salaries, are what they are. We'll see how it plays. I don't want to lose either to be honest, however my gut is telling me we have a hole to fill come training camp time...dman

[footstepsfrom#27]

Nalen is on the last year, maybe two of his career. That's not how you build an offensive line if you're a new coach...getting a guy who made his name in a stretch zone scheme. There's no garauntee Kubes implements Shanny's running system in Houston...at least not right away. It takes 1) somebody who can coach it, and 2) the right kind of players. Outside of raiding our staff and offering lateral positions to come to a losing team, what does he have to offer? Lepsis isn't goint anywher either. How many teams are looking for a 290 pound OT? Atlanta's the only other team that would offer himi anything and their line is set at the moment IMO. The only way any of this happens is if Bobby Turner and Ricky Dennison BOTH leave. That's not going to happen either. If Dennison or Turner were offered the OC position, the other one would have to get the DC job. Does Kubs want to run the stretch zone that bad? Would either of them risk their careers with a guy who has never been a HC before when they can stay with Shanny? I doubt it.

Nalen and Lepsis will both stay in Denver.

[defenseman]

Fontaine, save the barbs for someone who gives two sh*&s with respect to your personal opinion. I'm sure if you were the GM we would all be singing your praises. Your opinion, is your opinion, no need to get silly now is there...dman

[Rascal]

Until Lepsis and Nalen are gone I say don't mess with it. Right guard could use an upgrade but Carlisle proved to a pleasant suprise IMO. We could definetly use the depth though and I would like to use some of our picks on the o-line. I would see what Foster can get in the open market though, who knows what he could garnish. But I doubt that will happen, and I'll be happy to have our line back another year and hopefully with a better RB running behind them.

[bendog]

OK fan, I think the way you phrased it "outside of dline this was our biggest problem" could, just maybe, lead one to think you thought the oline was a problem last year. They did have problems on third down, I agree. But den outgained every team in rushing but Atl. The oline ain't broke.

You then 'morphed' to saying Nails and/or Lepsis will move on. Nails, prolly. However, in the years shanny has been here, exactly how many rooks have started on the oline? a: zip nada. Hamilton moves to center, Myers steps in at guard and Lepsis is resigned.

ps, Nails isn't a FA. It's his roster bonus.

[defenseman]

Correct, and shanny will be slicing and dicing thats for sure strategizing a cap reduction. Whats Nalen's roster bonus this coming year?...dman

[oklahomabroncofan]

I think this year they had problems like you said on third down and it is one of our biggest needs because lepsis and nalen are FA. The last I heard both had voided their contracts and if this has not happened yet it will.

[defenseman]

The other thread says Nalen is 6 mil against the cap? Restructure, release, whatever, who knows on this one.....dman

[bendog]

I googled but didn't find it. Thing with Nails is he's really, at his own admission, got two years of quality time left in him. If Den restructured the roster bonus, there'd be dead money out there. Lepsis, on the other hand, can prolly play in excess of three years. And, with Lepsis, there's no other real option as Foster struggled, while Hamilton's natural position is center, where he'd be an upgrade in terms of speed and strength. And, Myers is bigger than Hamilton.

[defenseman]

Interesting take and observation. I would have to say, the DRAFT this year is paticularly important. I don't believe there will be a quality OL as far as free agency is concerned without a somewhat oversized price tag on him. There fore, the draft appears to be anyway, very important in identifying a quality lineman. Possibly two...dman

[Drek]

My take on the OL:
Nalen - We need to keep him. Let him finish his career here. Personally, I think we should offer him the chance to do what Spencer did as a CB, be a player/coach with the OL. In that fashion we groom him to become the next OL coach in Dennison moves on/up.

Lepsis - I'd like to keep Matt, but I don't want to overpay for him. He isn't a pro bowler and we shouldn't consider paying him like one. We have options, so does he. If he wants to stay he'll take a reasonable offer from us, if he just wants to get paid I think he's out the door.

Now what do we do in the case of loosing one of them?

Nalen is hard to replace as a leader, but Hamilton can take his place on the field and Meyers has shown promise as well. It won't kill us from a personell standpoint, though we'll need to sign and/or draft some OG depth as well.

Lepsis is a starter with no replacement currently on the roster. However, Kevin Schaffer, LT for the Atlanta Falcons, is a free agent. He's 25 and has started 22 of the last 23 games for the Falcons. If he could be signed for reasonable money I'd consider going after him even if we retain Lepsis, since we need OL depth badly, and having him will let Foster platoon with the two of them at the OT positions, letting him work on the position he should be playing, LT. Jeff Backus wouldn't be a bad FA option for OT either, again depending on price.

At guard we can go with the expensive option, Steve Hutchinson, who would be awesome, but as I said, real expensive. Personally I'd like to go after Toniu Fonoti. He's huge and is a monster run blocker. He'd add some serious bulk to the line that would make goal line situations a lot more comfortable for us.

In the draft I think we need to target Elsinger and Steterstrom out of MIN because both are talented and played in a zone blocking scheme. They should go in the middle rounds since most teams won't like their size. I'd be all for spending our 3rd and a comp. 3rd on the pair of them, but I'm praying for at least one because they're the only two NFL caliber OLs who likely can step in and contribute immediately in our zone blocking scheme.

My ideal financial/talent combination for the OL:
position - starter / backup
C - Nalen / Meyers
LG - Hamilton / Steterstom
RG - Carlisle / Steterstrom
LT - Schaffer / Green
RT - Foster / Green

That'll cost us one FA signing, bringing Nalen back, letting Lepsis walk when someone likely overpays him, and drafting Stitchcom, probably in the 3rd round. Not a bad OL if you ask me.

[2KBack]

I mentioned it on a different thread, but we'll be getting guys back from IR as well. I know PJ Alexander should be back, I'm not too sure about Carswell. Has anyone heard if House is retiring?

[bendog]

I'd be surprised if PJ is welcomed back. He blew the knee on a 4wheeler that was prohibited on his contract, and he may not have told shanny that at first.

[Rascal]

My take on the OL:
Nalen - We need to keep him. Let him finish his career here. Personally, I think we should offer him the chance to do what Spencer did as a CB, be a player/coach with the OL. In that fashion we groom him to become the next OL coach in Dennison moves on/up.

Lepsis - I'd like to keep Matt, but I don't want to overpay for him. He isn't a pro bowler and we shouldn't consider paying him like one. We have options, so does he. If he wants to stay he'll take a reasonable offer from us, if he just wants to get paid I think he's out the door.

Now what do we do in the case of loosing one of them?

Nalen is hard to replace as a leader, but Hamilton can take his place on the field and Meyers has shown promise as well. It won't kill us from a personell standpoint, though we'll need to sign and/or draft some OG depth as well.

Lepsis is a starter with no replacement currently on the roster. However, Kevin Schaffer, LT for the Atlanta Falcons, is a free agent. He's 25 and has started 22 of the last 23 games for the Falcons. If he could be signed for reasonable money I'd consider going after him even if we retain Lepsis, since we need OL depth badly, and having him will let Foster platoon with the two of them at the OT positions, letting him work on the position he should be playing, LT. Jeff Backus wouldn't be a bad FA option for OT either, again depending on price.

At guard we can go with the expensive option, Steve Hutchinson, who would be awesome, but as I said, real expensive. Personally I'd like to go after Toniu Fonoti. He's huge and is a monster run blocker. He'd add some serious bulk to the line that would make goal line situations a lot more comfortable for us.

In the draft I think we need to target Elsinger and Stitchcom out of MIN because both are talented and played in a zone blocking scheme. They should go in the middle rounds since most teams won't like their size. I'd be all for spending our 3rd and a comp. 3rd on the pair of them, but I'm praying for at least one because they're the only two NFL caliber OLs who likely can step in and contribute immediately in our zone blocking scheme.

My ideal financial/talent combination for the OL:
position - starter / backup
C - Nalen / Meyers
LG - Hamilton / Stitchcom
RG - Carlisle / Stitchcom
LT - Schaffer / Green
RT - Foster / Green

That'll cost us one FA signing, bringing Nalen back, letting Lepsis walk when someone likely overpays him, and drafting Stitchcom, probably in the 3rd round. Not a bad OL if you ask me.


Who is Stitchcom? I think you mean Setterstorm.

[2KBack]

I'd be surprised if PJ is welcomed back. He blew the knee on a 4wheeler that was prohibited on his contract, and he may not have told shanny that at first.

would he still even be on the team now if that was the case?

[Drek]

Who is Stitchcom? I think you mean Setterstorm.
Yep, fixed it, trying to recall the name off the top of my head. ;P

[defenseman]

Good point. Shanny cannot stomach someone who is not up front an honest for the most part. I'm thinking maddox hit the road for that reason. Am I correct? If not , someone recently was shown the door for that reason..dman

[Al Wilson]

I think the staff is impressed with Chris Myers.

He looked awesome in pre season last year.

Wabbit's take.. ?

[bendog]

would he still even be on the team now if that was the case?
sure. He has a contract. The team I could I suppose try to recoup some money but what's the pt. Similar to Jeff Lewis. He may be able to work his way out of the dog house, but most likely not. Carlisle has his job. Myers solidified the backup. They've got some FA types, plus Claybo hanging around, and you can bet that they'll draft one or two oline projects.

[Vegas_Bronco]

Nalen would be an intollerant coach - the kind we need!

[Vegas_Bronco]

photo test

[Vegas_Bronco]

photo 2 test

[fontaine]

Fontaine, save the barbs for someone who gives two sh*&s with respect to your personal opinion. I'm sure if you were the GM we would all be singing your praises. Your opinion, is your opinion, no need to get silly now is there...dman

If I were GM then I'm sure I would be getting blasted!
:giggle:

I didn't mean anything serious by it dman, I just think it's hilarious that it's only hours into our offseason and people are ready to give up Lepsis or Nalen when clearly OL continuity is the most important thing to our offense. No need to panic just yet, the Texans have bigger fish to fry at the moment including QB, RB in the draft, getting a coaching staff before they commit to signing an aging Center who maybe has one year left. Let's wait a few weeks or when Nalen/Lepsis are actually courted by other teams before we start panicing.