C Wade Smith to visit

[DeusExManning]

Saw this on the NFL network, C Wade Smith to visit.

# 71 Wade Smith
Position: T
Height: 6-4
Weight: 318
Born: 04/26/1981
College: Memphis
NFL Experience: 5

I think Shanny may be scrapping or changing the zone blocking scheme and bringing in size after the signing of Holland and then this. It will be interesting to see what our plan is.

[Odysseus]

The Broncos business model for OL is basically use former TE, Tackles who were hurt, guys out of the league, or essentially losers and give them a second chance. Foster was the last guy they tried to bring in that was quality and they failed. So it's back to chummnig through the losers pile.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpag.../gamelogs/2003

I wish I could put my finger on what I hate about our offensive line strategy but we so often don't execute it's hard to see. Are we really that easy to game plan?

[Kaylore]

No Quiettiger, that's not the case here.

We need depth and we need to get bigger and these recent signings are both. Holland isn't going to start and this guy probably isn't either, but expect some competition and some weight gain this offseason.

[ro_50]

Holland has been a starter in this league before and before last season, he did have a solid 2005 campaign w/ the Saints.

I think he has a decent chance to push Kuper for the starting RG job.

[thumpc]

Wade Smith Ht./Wt.: 6-4/318 Position: T

Born: 4/26/81, Dallas, TX. High school: Lake Highlands (Dallas). College: Memphis.

2006 scouting report
Runs well and can consistently reach the second level and hit a moving target. Can mirror and slide in pass protection. Lacks bulk and strength and plays too high. Seems overwhelmed and is consistently overpowered by bull rushers. Has nice potential.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

No Quiettiger, that's not the case here.

We need depth and we need to get bigger and these recent signings are both. Holland isn't going to start and this guy probably isn't either, but expect some competition and some weight gain this offseason.

I didn't say my expectation was realistic because my frustration is despite the sing song "Let's bigger" approach by both the DC and the OC I don't see any line of IMPACT (catch phrase for this season) players. I see a lot of marginal guys who promise to do good.

Everyone wants to defer to Lepsis. O.K. We have an offensive line of one.

Don't get me wrong I think out guys are playing at as a level as they can play but are they going to be consistent? Are they going to play all 4 quarters? I don't think that they will. They would be doing something they have no done, IMHO, in quite some time.

I think we need an IMPACT OL player. Would you agree with that statement?

[thumpc]

Maybe

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by thumpc

Maybe

Depends.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

I think we need an IMPACT OL player. Would you agree with that statement?

Nope. We have them. I'm a little worried about tackle and that's it. If Lepsis comes back then we're fine. Kuper is going to be scary good and we're deep at the other guard positions. I'm honestly not all that worried.

[BroncoInferno]

I agree, Kaylore. I was worried about RT at the start of the offseason, but I feel better about Pears now. If we sign Wade, then we'll be pretty much set up on offense in terms of starters and depth. That will allow us to focus exclusively on defense in the draft, with the exception of maybe a wide reciever since there is too much depth at that position this season not to take one, particular if he can return kicks and/or punts.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Nope. We have them. I'm a little worried about tackle and that's it. If Lepsis comes back then we're fine. Kuper is going to be scary good and we're deep at the other guard positions. I'm honestly not all that worried.

I'm looking forward to your off season report.

Lepsis, at 33, might be at his prime. Why not have our future OLT on deck backing him up? If he wants to play until he's 40 we've got our guy playing OLT, ORT, and even G. If he's atheletic maybe have some fun.

I think the Broncos are serious about both lines for the first time in awhile but I think they have tabled a lot of questions they should be asking again. If you go into camp the one thing you are going to see is a lot of energy and pop. That is good but do they execute.

The biggest thing I hated about Plummer was he was a meat haid. My hope is Cutler comes in like a razor and the last thing I want to see if him crushed into the carpet because our OL was "good enough."

[Drek]

Our OL is going to be improved at three of the five positions next year.

Pears is a world better than Foster at RT, he was a quality LT last year when thrust in due to injury, with a full camp with the first team and playing his natural RT he'll do a good job.

I think Kuper is a better pass blocker than Carlisle already and will find himself well suited to our run blocking system.

Lepsis is back at LT, very good player there.

Pears and Kuper are both over 300 pounds, the FO has asked Hamilton to put on some weight, probably Nalen too. That extra bulk on the line is what we need to control short yardage situations. Adding Holland and potentially Smith just reinforces that by giving us big subs who can help us get that push into the red zone.

We've never been a team that subs their OLs, I think we're going to change that a little, don't be surprised if Hamilton sits when we get into the red zone in favor of the much bigger Holland.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Drek

Our OL is going to be improved at three of the five positions next year.

Pears is a world better than Foster at RT, he was a quality LT last year when thrust in due to injury, with a full camp with the first team and playing his natural RT he'll do a good job.

I think Kuper is a better pass blocker than Carlisle already and will find himself well suited to our run blocking system.

Lepsis is back at LT, very good player there.

Pears and Kuper are both over 300 pounds, the FO has asked Hamilton to put on some weight, probably Nalen too. That extra bulk on the line is what we need to control short yardage situations. Adding Holland and potentially Smith just reinforces that by giving us big subs who can help us get that push into the red zone.

We've never been a team that subs their OLs, I think we're going to change that a little, don't be surprised if Hamilton sits when we get into the red zone in favor of the much bigger Holland.

Whose actually pushing for change on the OL? I have not heard Dennison's name mentioned all off season? Heimerdinger is a ghost. Shanahan is like on witness relocation it seems.

Extra weight many times means more injurys especially on older OL. Our OL gets pretty banged up through a season.

I think the big subs is something they have been thinking about for a long time. The Broncos think a lot. I wish they would just knock guys down sometimes and then think.

Everyone is talking so highly of Holland both on and off this board.

I was thrilled when they finally got House into play at TE and I was hoping that they would do some things similar to that with Mustard.

I like Nate Jackson's attitude. I wonder if he would make a good WR? Has anyone seen him on Special teams?

Thanks for the killer info guys. I hope they are focused as everyone thinks that they are.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Whose actually pushing for change on the OL? I have not heard Dennison's name mentioned all off season? Heimerdinger is a ghost. Shanahan is like on witness relocation it seems.

Extra weight many times means more injurys especially on older OL. Our OL gets pretty banged up through a season.

I think the big subs is something they have been thinking about for a long time. The Broncos think a lot. I wish they would just knock guys down sometimes and then think.

Everyone is talking so highly of Holland both on and off this board.

I was thrilled when they finally got House into play at TE and I was hoping that they would do some things similar to that with Mustard.

I like Nate Jackson's attitude. I wonder if he would make a good WR? Has anyone seen him on Special teams?

Thanks for the killer info guys. I hope they are focused as everyone thinks that they are.

Jackson was originally a WR, he sucked there too.

I'd love to see Mustard take on a House type of role as our #3 TE, he's so damn big he can't help but work out well in goal line situations.

I'm not super high on Holland myself, I think Kuper will beat him out for the starting job easily, but Holland provides a better OG backup than what we've had in a very long time, and I don't think Chris Myers is a scrub.

If I recall correctly it was the training staff, namely Greek, who commented on getting Hamilton to put on more weight, which makes me pleased. Its not a coach saying "add 10 pounds by camp" and the guy stuffing himself with dunkin' donuts and cake for four months. Its our training staff saying "add 10 pounds of muscle, here's how to do it, any questions you give us a call and we're there."

I think the OL will be fine. Its gotten a bad rap because last year was such a down season, but that was a result of loosing a stud in Lepsis, along with the right side being staffed with a rotating door in Foster and a one dimensional run blocker in Carlisle. We should reap the benefits of Lepsis' injury, getting Pears and Kuper both live game experience, this next season.

Graham will help, he's a tough guy and will do fine work helping the right side have more punch. What I think will really help the line is Travis Henry running the ball though. Everyone says the running back benefits from the OL but totally undersells the fact that you need a dangerous runner to make the opposing front seven respect their ability. Otherwise we see what we saw last year, every team sending the house knowing arm tackles were good enough to stop our 'backs cold. You send a wrecking ball like Henry out there and he breaks two or three arm tackles on his way to a 20 yard gain and they'll all take a step back from the LOS and play a lot more honest football. That just sets 'em up for the OL to get on them quick when we do pass or play action.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Drek

Jackson was originally a WR, he sucked there too.

I'd love to see Mustard take on a House type of role as our #3 TE, he's so damn big he can't help but work out well in goal line situations.

I'm not super high on Holland myself, I think Kuper will beat him out for the starting job easily, but Holland provides a better OG backup than what we've had in a very long time, and I don't think Chris Myers is a scrub.

If I recall correctly it was the training staff, namely Greek, who commented on getting Hamilton to put on more weight, which makes me pleased. Its not a coach saying "add 10 pounds by camp" and the guy stuffing himself with dunkin' donuts and cake for four months. Its our training staff saying "add 10 pounds of muscle, here's how to do it, any questions you give us a call and we're there."

I think the OL will be fine. Its gotten a bad rap because last year was such a down season, but that was a result of loosing a stud in Lepsis, along with the right side being staffed with a rotating door in Foster and a one dimensional run blocker in Carlisle. We should reap the benefits of Lepsis' injury, getting Pears and Kuper both live game experience, this next season.

Graham will help, he's a tough guy and will do fine work helping the right side have more punch. What I think will really help the line is Travis Henry running the ball though. Everyone says the running back benefits from the OL but totally undersells the fact that you need a dangerous runner to make the opposing front seven respect their ability. Otherwise we see what we saw last year, every team sending the house knowing arm tackles were good enough to stop our 'backs cold. You send a wrecking ball like Henry out there and he breaks two or three arm tackles on his way to a 20 yard gain and they'll all take a step back from the LOS and play a lot more honest football. That just sets 'em up for the OL to get on them quick when we do pass or play action.

You might be right about Henry being the difference maker. Like you stated we haven't had anyone in the backfield since Portis was back there. I think our OL will get their old pop back if this guy is good as advertised. I think if Henry is that good he'll make (the real) Bell more of a threat as a change up back.

Having a real special teams coach matters. These played out of a hole last year so bad it was painful to watch.

I remember they bounced Jackson back and forth between WR and TE for awhile. He was thrown off by injury, weight, and a bunch of poof stuff. I am not high on the guy I'm just curious.

Wabbit says that Leach is actually a pretty good TE but they won't him on the field because they are scared he'll bust a pinky or something. I would love to see this guy get a touchdown one time next year ala Patrick Hape.

This draft is rich in recievers. I hope that Rod makes another year.

[Kaylore]

I forgot about Mustard. If they move him to tackle then I would feel much better about our line.

[Barry Ramey]

I think the running game will be more effective this coming year with Henry a true between the tackles type of runner and Mike Bell in his 2nd year. As I've wondered for a couple years now, Tatum just was not a tough runner or a guy you could get the ball late in the game and he takes over. Just wanted to take too many runs to the outside when it wasn't there and the team was faced with too many 3rd and long situations.

With a healthy Lepsis, a better RT(anybody they put over there is bound to be better than Foster) and hopefully solid play at RG whether it be Holland or Kuper, and the continued solid play of Nalen and Hamilton, not to mention one of the best, if not the best blocking TE's in the NFL, they will be much improved.