Battered and bruised line requires time to get well - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 08-10-2007, 03:16 AM

Battered and bruised line requires time to get well

By Mike Klis Denver Post Staff Writer

Never mind the gimpy receivers. Save the pity for the banged-up group out beyond the hash marks.

A training camp problem just as significant for the Broncos' offense is scrummed near the ball.

Left guard Ben Hamilton has missed significant time with a concussion. Left tackle Matt Lepsis has been out with a pulled groin. Right guard Chris Kuper was replaced on the first-team Monday by Montrae Holland.

Lepsis' injury caused the Broncos to move Erik Pears from right tackle to left tackle one day, then back to right tackle the next. Adam Meadows has been playing whatever tackle position is opposite Pears, and Chris Myers has been filling in for Hamilton. Another backup left tackle, rookie Ryan Harris, hurt his back during the morning workout Thursday.

The only player who lines up at the same position each day is the 14th-year center.

What would be the best way, Tom Nalen, to describe the current state of the Broncos' offensive line?

"We've got a few guys banged up, but it's still camp," Nalen said. "Eventually, we'll get those guys healed, and if not, some of other guys are getting good reps."

Preseason meaningless

As preseasons go, Mike Shanahan might have his toughest challenge since becoming the Broncos' coach in 1995. He has won at least three preseason games in 11 of his previous 12 years, but because of an inordinate amount of early injuries and roster turnover this year, it's conceivable the Broncos could have, say, a 1-3 preseason. Not that it would mean much heading into the season opener Sept. 9 at Buffalo.

"If you have a 4-0 preseason, it doesn't mean anything," Shanahan said. "You hope to be 4-0 because you always want to win, but not at the expense of giving away your game plan or keeping guys healthy."

The Broncos' 37-15 preseason record under Shanahan might be a testament to their full-speed workouts and ability to find second- and third-team talent. But when the Broncos open their preseason Monday in San Francisco, they will likely play without Lepsis, Hamilton, rookie defensive end Jarvis Moss, top receiving tight end Tony Scheffler and three of their projected top four receivers in Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley and Rod Smith.

Bell promoted

After running with the No. 3 offense during the offseason minicamps and through the first 11 days of training camp, Mike Bell became the No. 2 running back Thursday. That leaves him behind starter Travis Henry, but ahead of Cecil Sapp, who had been running with the second unit. Andre Hall appeared to be splitting the third-team reps with Sapp.

Bell feels he is a much improved runner this year.

"The coaches are constantly harping that I have the skills, but I have to be patient," said Bell, who rushed for 677 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie last season. "This year, I'm able to understand the concept of the offense and get in the flow. A lot of it has to do with watching Travis run amok. He's done such a great job at it, it's helping me and the other backs as well."

Footnotes

David Kircus, fighting for the No. 5 receiver spot, strained his hamstring in the morning session Thursday. ... Former Broncos safety Sam Brandon underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week. He has not ruled a return to the NFL this season.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6587939

DukeWoody · 08-10-2007, 04:56 AM

Good to see Bell back at #2, now he has to fend off all challenges and keep the spot for the rest of PS....I think he has to apply even more patience now with half our starting big uglies missing time...The timeing for holes to open must be an issue, but the quicker he can adapt to changes and unusual sitchuations, the better the RB he will become...

footstepsfrom#27 · 08-10-2007, 05:59 AM

Half the O-line out and nobody to throw the ball to, plus we're going in to play on that turf at San Francisco. This looks like the perfect spot to see what Preston Parsons can do.

bronclvr · 08-10-2007, 08:38 AM

Maybe I have selective memory, but were we banged up this bad last year at this time? I don't remember it being like this-

Broncojef · 08-10-2007, 08:54 AM

Good grief this is getting ridiculous. Anytime Mike Bell is moving up the roster and the injuries I've heard are happening we are in trouble. I like Mike Bell but he is below average talent and I can't get too excited to say I want to watch him run the ball again this year, especially behind this line.

TotallyScrewed · 08-10-2007, 08:57 AM

Since the Acquisition of Travis Henry, Mike Bell has always been the number two. It was never in doubt. Just like last year, despite all of the hype, Tatum Bell was the number one.

chrisp · 08-10-2007, 09:01 AM

I've said something similar in another thread - I honestly think that the promotion of Sapp to #2 was all about giving him some decent reps at RB (having mired him in the FB position for most of last year) rather than becuase he was likely to take the job off Bell. Sapp should make the roster as third-string RB AND FB and if so it will be a relief to know he got some quality reps at RB in camp if the other two guys do go down.

Shanny obviously intends to pound it early on, and with the problems we've had at receiver this year he want's to know that all three RBs are primed and ready to go.

Of course this assumes that neither Hall or Young make any moves. From what I hear Young is looking likely to be one of the first cutdowns but Hall is still hanging in there and pushing the other guys (although he's remained #4 on the depth chart throughout camp so far).

08-10-2007, 03:16 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Battered and bruised line requires time to get well Battered and bruised line requires time to get well By Mike Klis Denver Post Staff Writer Never mind the gimpy receivers. Save the pity for the banged-up group out beyond the hash marks. A training camp problem just as significant for the Broncos' offense is scrummed near the ball. Left guard Ben Hamilton has missed significant time with a concussion. Left tackle Matt Lepsis has been out with a pulled groin. Right guard Chris Kuper was replaced on the first-team Monday by Montrae Holland. Lepsis' injury caused the Broncos to move Erik Pears from right tackle to left tackle one day, then back to right tackle the next. Adam Meadows has been playing whatever tackle position is opposite Pears, and Chris Myers has been filling in for Hamilton. Another backup left tackle, rookie Ryan Harris, hurt his back during the morning workout Thursday. The only player who lines up at the same position each day is the 14th-year center. What would be the best way, Tom Nalen, to describe the current state of the Broncos' offensive line? "We've got a few guys banged up, but it's still camp," Nalen said. "Eventually, we'll get those guys healed, and if not, some of other guys are getting good reps." Preseason meaningless As preseasons go, Mike Shanahan might have his toughest challenge since becoming the Broncos' coach in 1995. He has won at least three preseason games in 11 of his previous 12 years, but because of an inordinate amount of early injuries and roster turnover this year, it's conceivable the Broncos could have, say, a 1-3 preseason. Not that it would mean much heading into the season opener Sept. 9 at Buffalo. "If you have a 4-0 preseason, it doesn't mean anything," Shanahan said. "You hope to be 4-0 because you always want to win, but not at the expense of giving away your game plan or keeping guys healthy." The Broncos' 37-15 preseason record under Shanahan might be a testament to their full-speed workouts and ability to find second- and third-team talent. But when the Broncos open their preseason Monday in San Francisco, they will likely play without Lepsis, Hamilton, rookie defensive end Jarvis Moss, top receiving tight end Tony Scheffler and three of their projected top four receivers in Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley and Rod Smith. Bell promoted After running with the No. 3 offense during the offseason minicamps and through the first 11 days of training camp, Mike Bell became the No. 2 running back Thursday. That leaves him behind starter Travis Henry, but ahead of Cecil Sapp, who had been running with the second unit. Andre Hall appeared to be splitting the third-team reps with Sapp. Bell feels he is a much improved runner this year. "The coaches are constantly harping that I have the skills, but I have to be patient," said Bell, who rushed for 677 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie last season. "This year, I'm able to understand the concept of the offense and get in the flow. A lot of it has to do with watching Travis run amok. He's done such a great job at it, it's helping me and the other backs as well." Footnotes David Kircus, fighting for the No. 5 receiver spot, strained his hamstring in the morning session Thursday. ... Former Broncos safety Sam Brandon underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week. He has not ruled a return to the NFL this season. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6587939

08-10-2007, 09:01 AM	#7
chrisp Friend of the unsung Not into the football......yet Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 1,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Danny Trevathan	I've said something similar in another thread - I honestly think that the promotion of Sapp to #2 was all about giving him some decent reps at RB (having mired him in the FB position for most of last year) rather than becuase he was likely to take the job off Bell. Sapp should make the roster as third-string RB AND FB and if so it will be a relief to know he got some quality reps at RB in camp if the other two guys do go down. Shanny obviously intends to pound it early on, and with the problems we've had at receiver this year he want's to know that all three RBs are primed and ready to go. Of course this assumes that neither Hall or Young make any moves. From what I hear Young is looking likely to be one of the first cutdowns but Hall is still hanging in there and pushing the other guys (although he's remained #4 on the depth chart throughout camp so far). Last edited by chrisp; 08-10-2007 at 09:03 AM..

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08-10-2007, 04:56 AM	#2
DukeWoody Happenin Homer Homie Back to the drawing board Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In The Loft / Dog House Posts: 1,151 Adopt-a-Bronco: NEXT BIG STAR	Good to see Bell back at #2, now he has to fend off all challenges and keep the spot for the rest of PS....I think he has to apply even more patience now with half our starting big uglies missing time...The timeing for holes to open must be an issue, but the quicker he can adapt to changes and unusual sitchuations, the better the RB he will become...

08-10-2007, 05:59 AM	#3
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,117 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Half the O-line out and nobody to throw the ball to, plus we're going in to play on that turf at San Francisco. This looks like the perfect spot to see what Preston Parsons can do.

08-10-2007, 08:38 AM	#4
bronclvr Ring of Famer She is faster than you! 8.39 @ 156 Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,996	Maybe I have selective memory, but were we banged up this bad last year at this time? I don't remember it being like this-

08-10-2007, 08:54 AM	#5
Broncojef Ring of Famer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Great White North Posts: 3,020	Good grief this is getting ridiculous. Anytime Mike Bell is moving up the roster and the injuries I've heard are happening we are in trouble. I like Mike Bell but he is below average talent and I can't get too excited to say I want to watch him run the ball again this year, especially behind this line.

08-10-2007, 08:57 AM	#6
TotallyScrewed Ring of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,597	Since the Acquisition of Travis Henry, Mike Bell has always been the number two. It was never in doubt. Just like last year, despite all of the hype, Tatum Bell was the number one.