Clady to Start at LT from Day One

[kmonty]

http://broncotalk.net/2008/04/shanahan-and-i-share-a-brain-clady-to-start-from-day-one/


Shanahan and I Share a Brain - Clady to Start from Day One
Posted in Broncos News by Kyle on Sat Apr 26th :: Edit this

Ryan Clady

Great news from Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan - first round choice OT Ryan Clady has already locked up the left tackle position. It’s his to lose.

“He’ll start at left offensive tackle the day he comes in,” Mike Shanahan said Saturday. “Pretty simple, wasn’t it?”

“The thing that impresses you is his feet. I haven’t been around a tackle that has that type of feet. . . . He’s got excellent, excellent feet. You don’t find that very often.”

Atypical for the Denver Broncos offense - usually, drafted offensive linemen sit the bench a year to learn the nuances of the zone blocking system. I’ve said many times though that if the Broncos take Clady, he could break the mold because of his experience in a zone blocking system, and his terrific footwork.

What does this mean for incumbent linemen Chris Kuper, Ryan Harris, and Erik Pears?

“We are going to have some competition with guys like Ryan Harris, who can play either way. Ryan might be on the other side competing with Erik and Kuper.”

Shanahan said that Clady was the Broncos second rated tackle behind Jake Long, and that he expected the Boise State product to be selected between 5 and 8.

“It’s hard to get people in the later rounds and expect them to come in and play. Every once in a while you get lucky . . . but to get a guy like this, who we had as the top tackle after Long, we felt pretty lucky he was there.”

So do I, Shanny. So do I.

* Video: Shanahan’s Presser after Clady Pick [DenverBroncos.com]

[SoDak Bronco]

i liked mayocks breakdown..saying he will be a probowler for yrs to come

[thumpc]

Nice! I went to the draft, just got home on the upper west side. Very happy with this pick.

[kmonty]

i liked mayocks breakdown..saying he will be a probowler for yrs to come

To me, Pro Bowl LT means two things:

- Pro Bowl QB
- Super Bowls

Oh boy.

[55CrushEm]

Irritated that it translates to we wasted the 3rd rounder last year on Ryan Harris........unless he eventually starts at RT.

[Traveler]

Irritated that it translates to we wasted the 3rd rounder last year on Ryan Harris........unless he eventually starts at RT.

I think that's where he'll wind up. Just not as a starter.

[SoDak Bronco]

do we really think clady comes in a starts/.??

[Popcorn Sutton]

do we really think clady comes in a starts/.??

Well, I guess so since it came from the horses mouth... ;)

[peacepipe]

do we really think clady comes in a starts/.??
Being drafted #12 will usually dictate that he will start. Plus Shanahan said so.

[Drek]

do we really think clady comes in a starts/.??

He comes from a ZBS program, so if any rookie OL can do it he can.

I see this putting Harris as our backup at both OT spots, with Kuper starting at RT. I like how the line is shaping up. Now get someone like Sullivan, Justice, or Zuttah to shore up that middle.

[SoDak Bronco]

i hope shanny and co have the confidence to play him right away...that will be a good sign for denver...

LT- Clady
LG- Hamilton
C-Nalen
RG-Holland
RT- Kuper

[broncs2bowl]

i hope shanny and co have the confidence to play him right away...that will be a good sign for denver...

LT- Clady
LG- Hamilton
C-Nalen
RG-Holland
RT- Kuper


that turns me on

[Broncojef]

This move puts me much more at ease about the pending season. I'm really happy that we may now have our franchise LT for years to come and hopefully keep Jay safe in that pocket a bit longer. On paper seeing our line as SoDak just listed above gives me hope. Heres hoping he'll be a solidifying rock on the left side for years to come. Good Pick Shanny!!!

[Blueflame]

do we really think clady comes in a starts/.??

I think it means there will be lively competition for the starting job in training camp and that when the season starts, Shanahan will have the player on the field that he thinks gives the team the best chance of winning, whether that LT is Kuper or Clady.

[Kaylore]

Well I have to admit I am very surprised and I was wrong on this. I honestly believed that we would never take a lineman in day two, let alone round one. I wanted Albert but I never dreamed that Clady would fall to us. It's a friggin steal. Clady is expected to have more upside than Long and could be the better player as he has greater dexterity than Long but is more raw and has mental issues (he's a junior).

Shanahan mentioned that they seem to believe Ryan Harris is expected to play RT. I think personally we address RT tomorrow, but what a fine pick. That means Kuper will stay inside unless Clady just sucks right away, which I really doubt. He really can be an elite player.

And people who say Clady sucks can shove it!

[Los Broncos]

i hope shanny and co have the confidence to play him right away...that will be a good sign for denver...

LT- Clady
LG- Hamilton
C-Nalen
RG-Holland
RT- Kuper

I can live with that starting o-line.

[rovolution]

Well I have to admit I am very surprised and I was wrong on this. I honestly believed that we would never take a lineman in day two, let alone round one. I wanted Albert but I never dreamed that Clady would fall to us. It's a friggin steal. Clady is expected to have more upside than Long and could be the better player as he has greater dexterity than Long but is more raw and has mental issues (he's a junior).

Shanahan mentioned that they seem to believe Ryan Harris is expected to play RT. I think personally we address RT tomorrow, but what a fine pick. That means Kuper will stay inside unless Clady just sucks right away, which I really doubt. He really can be an elite player.

And people who say Clady sucks can shove it!

Kaylore, if we do get our starting RT tomorrow, where do you think it leaves Ben Hamilton, because I think Montrae Holland played too good last season to be merely a backup this season

[s0phr0syne]

I wasn't around back then, but what were the expectations and reactions when we drafted Foster? Were people as excited? Or was there already the feeling that Shanahan had made a mistake?

[Houshyamama]

Well, I guess so since it came from the horses mouth... ;)
He's more like an uber-intelligent rat

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Doesn't speak well for Ryan Harris. Another shanny bust.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Now grab another OT (Carl Nicks) on day two... ;D

Ryan Harris might wind up playing center IMO.

[peacepipe]

I wasn't around back then, but what were the expectations and reactions when we drafted Foster? Were people as excited? Or was there already the feeling that Shanahan had made a mistake?I think that pick caught most of us by surprise, & according to some accounts I believe denver was caught with their pants down due to not having a plan B when the player they wanted wasn't there.

[That One Guy]

I think we'll see Hamilton stumble once or twice and Kuper will steal that job. Kuper probably deserves it but they'll give Hamilton a chance to keep it. Then we'll see Harris beat out Pears at RT (hopefully).

We'll end up with:

Clady
Kuper
Nalen
Holland
Harris

[rovolution]

I think we'll see Hamilton stumble once or twice and Kuper will steal that job. Kuper probably deserves it but they'll give Hamilton a chance to keep it. Then we'll see Harris beat out Pears at RT (hopefully).

We'll end up with:

Clady
Kuper
Nalen
Holland
Harris

that would be a pretty sick line

[That One Guy]

I wasn't around back then, but what were the expectations and reactions when we drafted Foster? Were people as excited? Or was there already the feeling that Shanahan had made a mistake?

I too wasn't around then but I recall seeing some old posts where they referred to Foster as an untouchable player when it came to trades. Supposedly he lost some fire when he busted a guy's leg or something like that. Definitely blind optimism if that's what you're going at. But hey, if freakin' Bob could talk trash over a few draft picks with the team they currently have then Denver fans can definitely get their hopes up for good cause.

[peacepipe]

Doesn't speak well for Ryan Harris. Another shanny bust.I look at it this way in the 1st rd a bust is spelled BUST, in the 2nd it is spelled Bust in the 3rd it's spelled bust. there are differant degrees of "busts". but I'm pretty sure KC is very aware of drafting BUSTS.

[2KBack]

Kaylore, if we do get our starting RT tomorrow, where do you think it leaves Ben Hamilton, because I think Montrae Holland played too good last season to be merely a backup this season

Ben is the heir to Nalen right? I would assume that if he is actually healthy, this season may be Nalens swan song.

[Drek]

Well I have to admit I am very surprised and I was wrong on this. I honestly believed that we would never take a lineman in day two, let alone round one. I wanted Albert but I never dreamed that Clady would fall to us. It's a friggin steal. Clady is expected to have more upside than Long and could be the better player as he has greater dexterity than Long but is more raw and has mental issues (he's a junior).

Shanahan mentioned that they seem to believe Ryan Harris is expected to play RT. I think personally we address RT tomorrow, but what a fine pick. That means Kuper will stay inside unless Clady just sucks right away, which I really doubt. He really can be an elite player.

And people who say Clady sucks can shove it!

I wouldn't bet on Kuper moving back inside.

A line form this article by Shanny:
“We are going to have some competition with guys like Ryan Harris, who can play either way. Ryan might be on the other side competing with Erik and Kuper.”

Sounds like Kuper is being shifted to RT, at least for this year. I'm guessing its either him or Harris who wins the job, if its him then Harris backs up both OT spots and Pears is possibly looking for a job. If Harris wins then Kuper moves back inside and is basically the backup across the line (Hamilton going to C if Nalen is hurt).

[That One Guy]

I wouldn't bet on Kuper moving back inside.

A line form this article by Shanny:


Sounds like Kuper is being shifted to RT, at least for this year. I'm guessing its either him or Harris who wins the job, if its him then Harris backs up both OT spots and Pears is possibly looking for a job. If Harris wins then Kuper moves back inside and is basically the backup across the line (Hamilton going to C if Nalen is hurt).

Was Ian Gold really a superior WLB or was it the fact that DJ could play SAM while Ian was WLB or nothing? DJ basically said that was the case... Ian was a better option at WLB with DJ at SAM than DJ at WLB and whoever they could find at SAM. I think the same situation fits here. Kuper may be a better RT than Harris or Pears but Harris and Pears would make even worse guards... so Kuper will go back to being a guard and Harris/Pears will compete to be a competent RT. (EDIT: and that's with the assumption that Hamilton is carrying scrambled eggs in the upstairs compartment. If he really is 100% then field the best 5 guys... but I think there will be a guard position open for competition)

[listopencil]

That surprises me. I've seen a lot of preseason depth chart nonsense, though. We'll see.

[Bronco Billy]

That line does look good. We're better off than I thought (on paper). We just need to get TDs inside the red zone and we'll be okay.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

So much for those that said Harris and Pears would be good LTs. Good chance neither are on roster this year. With the depth of OL talent left on the board the Broncs are bound to take at least one more.

[Man-Goblin]

Ryan Harris has nothing to do with this pick other than now he's got to start Studying RT. He will make the team.

Erik Pears, on the other hand, better start looking for a job.

[peacepipe]

Here's my guess on our starting line up
LT=Clady
LG Harris(left side is more natural for him)
C= nalen/Hamilton
RG=Holland
RT=Kuper
You can't just assume that moving from LT to RT is a give in. Zimmerman gave it a try was terrible at RT. Played RT for 4 games I think & got moved back to LT. If Zimmerman couldn't do it, what makes people think Harris can?

[27atwater]

I can live with that starting o-line.

And more importantly, so should Cutler.

[Bronx33]

Iam Glady We Got Clady.

[Houshyamama]

Iam Glady We Got Clady.

wait, I'm pretty sure that doesn't rhyme.

[Cito Pelon]

Clady is a pass-blocker only, dude won't be leading the running attack. Albert I thought was the way to go, or Chris Williams. I'm sticking my neck out, we'll see how it pans out.

[Sassy]

NEW YORK (TICKER) —The Denver Broncos found a perfect fit to fill a huge hole.

The Broncos on Saturday selected Boise State offensive tackle with the No. 12 pick in the NFL draft.

With tackle Matt Lepsis retiring this offseason, Denver had targeted that position with its top choice to protect the blind side of quarterback Jay Cutler.

The Broncos may have been surprised to find the 6-6, 310-pound Clady still available at No. 12. Projected as the second-best tackle in the draft behind No. 1 overall pick Jake Long, Clady is the first player from Boise State to be drafted in the first round.

“Yeah, I knew the Broncos were interested in picking me up,” Clady said. “I thought there was a good chance, and I wasn’t all that surprised when they called.”

Not a powerhouse in the mold of Long, Clady has exceptional athleticism - a vertical leap of 31 inches - to go with his big body. He had 122 knockdowns on the season and led the nation with 21 touchdown-resulting blocks.

Clady also was an attractive selection since he played in a pro-style offense at Boise State.

“It is the same type of system and I have been in the system for four years, and I have gotten to know it well,” Clady said. “I am on the fast track for learning and getting on the field a little faster because I know the system.”

One thing Clady won’t have to spend time learning is a new team nickname; Boise State also is known as the Broncos.

“I have been saying for the past few weeks that it would be nice to still be a Bronco,” he said.

[Kaylore]

So much for those that said Harris and Pears would be good LTs. Good chance neither are on roster this year. With the depth of OL talent left on the board the Broncs are bound to take at least one more.

Pears was an undrafted free agent. I could see him getting cut. Ryan Harris...I could see him hanging around if for no other reason than to save face for the organization. We'll see.

[Kaylore]

Clady is a pass-blocker only, dude won't be leading the running attack.
As usual, you're way off. Clady is a powerful run blocker. Williams is the one who struggles in the rushing attack.

[montrose]

I'd like to see an immediate lineup of Clady, Hamilton, Nalen, Holland and Kuper. If Nalen retires after this season, Harris could step in at RT with Kuper playing LG.

[Beantown Bronco]

What frightened me was Shanny saying Kuper's first name was Mark. Anyone else catch this?

[Atlas]

Ryan Harris has nothing to do with this pick other than now he's got to start Studying RT. He will make the team.

Erik Pears, on the other hand, better start looking for a job.

Hell, Pears isn't going anywhere. He'll be switched to LT to back up Clady. Harris and Kuper will battle at RT.

[rovolution]

What frightened me was Shanny saying Kuper's first name was Mark. Anyone else catch this?

maybe he was reading Mark Coopers blog this morning on denverbroncos.com and got confused :)

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/mark_cooper/2008/04/02/no-off-season-for-you-broncomaniacs/

[broncolife]

I wasn't around back then, but what were the expectations and reactions when we drafted Foster? Were people as excited? Or was there already the feeling that Shanahan had made a mistake?

I hated that pick sooooooooooooooo much. I remember my friend calling me up and saying I cant believe we drafted that fat injured slob whos only played 9 games.

[cutthemdown]

Foster was never the same after he Broke that cincy players ankle. It affected his tenacity IMO.

[cutthemdown]

Hell, Pears isn't going anywhere. He'll be switched to LT to back up Clady. Harris and Kuper will battle at RT.

kuper now has the upper hand because he can play guard also. He makes a more versatile player then Harris or Pears. Harris and Pears IMO are fighting it out for a roster spot. Since Harris the higher pick Pears may have to really show something. I really thought Pears looked promising his first yr.

[rovolution]

i think Cladys going to have his fair share of struggles, but he will get better and better each and every game, just like Ugoh did last season for the Colts. Hes far from a finished product like some of you are acting like he is. Mayock was showing some of his weaknesses (he failed to adjust to slides in protection calls a few times and sometimes he had some instances of bad technique where he tried to grab the pass rusher ), but thankfully they can be corrected with time. His scouting report said hes prone to false starts as well.

I still expect to see a heavy dose of Daniel Graham OT babysitting just like last season till Clady and whoever our other tackle will be get completely situated.


I was not completely behind this selection as some of you know from the chatroom because at the time, i had no idea he would be starting. I thought it would be the typical Denver oline routine while KC was running away with 3 starters from this draft on day 1. But knowing Clady is being thrown to the wolfs oddly makes me feel better about the situation.

[Drek]

Pears was an undrafted free agent. I could see him getting cut. Ryan Harris...I could see him hanging around if for no other reason than to save face for the organization. We'll see.

As it is right now Harris has experience at LT, RT, and as a special team blocker.

I don't think he's going anywhere. We use a middle of the 3rd round pick on him which isn't anything you expect to pull all-pros out of very often, and he should worst case scenario be a very solid backup across both OT spots and a special teams contributor for a good chunk of time here.

We'll have to wait and see how the interior line plays out now though. If Hamilton or Nalen is unable to perform or only has one last season in him it could precipitate Kuper (or even Harris) moving to LG to fill the vacant hole, giving them both starting jobs in the near future.

I'd like to see us grab at least one interior OL with our 7 second day picks though, preferably an interior guy and another OT. Stock up on them in this deep class and lets forget about the issue for a long time. My preferences would be Zuttah and Carl Nicks at this point.

[kmonty]

As usual, you're way off. Clady is a powerful run blocker. Williams is the one who struggles in the rushing attack.

Actually most scouts agree that the running game is where Clady could use the most improvement. Adding bulk and strength to his legs to help his drive blocking.

He's dominant in pass protection though.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

I am very skeptical of the reports on Ben Hamilton's health. I just can't force myself to believe that a guy who spent an entire year on the IR for concussion symptoms will ever be able to play again.

LT Clady
LG Kuper
C Nalen
RG Holland
RT Harris / Pears

[That One Guy]

I am very skeptical of the reports on Ben Hamilton's health. I just can't force myself to believe that a guy who spent an entire year on the IR for concussion symptoms will ever be able to play again.

LT Clady
LG Kuper
C Nalen
RG Holland
RT Harris / Pears

I don't expect him to be himself at all. It's not like last year where Lepsis came back but there was only garbage behind him. Hamilton has to show he's back to speed but also be able to outperform those ready to steal his job. One way or another, I definitely expect to see someone else in that slot come the first game of the season.

[Dedhed]

Clady is a pass-blocker only, dude won't be leading the running attack. Albert I thought was the way to go, or Chris Williams. I'm sticking my neck out, we'll see how it pans out.

Yeah, because Boise State never ran the ball to the left side with any success. You're such a tool it's amazing. Reading your posts is like watching a dog take a dump.