Clady still a Bronco

by Arctic Bronco on Apr 2, 2008 7:50 PM MDT Comment 2 comments

This is how the draft went at the WCG site http://www.windycitygridiron.com/.

I really wanted one of the two monster DTs, but trades weren't allowed. Clady would make a great consolation prize at a position of need. I was really glad that 3 CBs and a WR were picked before #12, I didn't think that I had a chance at Clady.

Disregard my comments promoting Harris as the projected LT, the Shanahan press report favoring fellow Alaskan Kuper came out shortly after I made this post. Maybe that is why Shanahan is a Head Coach and I am just a fan!

Ryan Clady, Offensive Tackle, Boise St.

ANALYSIS: The Broncos break tradition by picking an Offensive Lineman in the first round. Not only is this a break with tradition, but this particular lineman is much bigger than the typical Denver lineman, Clady is 6'6" and 315 lbs. The offensive line is getting old and needs young blood. Two starters were on the IR last year, Center Tom Nalen with a torn bicep and LG Ben Hamilton sat out the season with a concussion he suffered in training camp. The RT, Erik Pears, will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season and the projected LT, Ryan Harris, is unproven. He was a 2007 third round pick who only played on special teams and goal line formations in 2007.

Clady has the mobility and athleticism needed to execute Denver's zone blocking scheme. As an added bonus he is bigger and more powerful than the traditional Denver lineman. He has a small school background, but Boise State was a very successful team. His solid execution of the fundamentals that he has been coached on and his potential for refinement of his technique make him ideally suited to be a big contributer to Denver's run-first offense.

Pro Football Weekly:

"Clady looks every bit the part with a big frame and long arms. The game appears to come easy for him - he's a natural 300-pounder who can bend and adjust - and he is loaded with upside."

Pick

1 Miami Dolphins Jake Long
2 St. Louis Rams Chris Long
3 Atlanta Falcons Glenn Dorsey
4 Oakland Raiders Vernon Gholston
5 Kansas City Chiefs Sedrick Ellis
6 NY Jets Darren McFadden
7 New England Patriots Leodis McKelvin
8 Baltimore Ravens Matt Ryan
9 Cinncinati Bengals Keith Rivers
10 New Orleans Saints Mike Jenkins
11 Buffalo Bills Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

12 Denver Broncos Ryan Clady by Arctic Bronco

Poll

Who else should have been taken?

Desean Jackson

0 votes

Somebody else

2 votes

More cheerleaders!

3 votes

Chris Williams

2 votes

Dan Connor

1 votes

8 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Great read Arctic

I seem to always stick up for Shanahan (perhaps because I know what it is like to have people being critical of coaching decisions when they know little about what happens behind closed doors or closed practices).

But I agree with your take that Harris should be getting the start at LT, with Kuper and Holland competing for guard. With a Hamilton injury, the back-up might move up to starter anyway.

I wish we had kept Meyers for depth at guard as well.

I trust Mike knows something that you and I don't know.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Apr 3, 2008 2:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Playing time for the Broncos is earned

Shanahan has always made young players compete and work hard to get playing time, which is why it is unusual to see more than two Denver rookies have a big impact their first year. It seems like some other coaches fall in love with the potential of their young players and don't push them hard enough, inevitably leading to locker room and off the field issues. Shanahan usually has less of these types of distractions than most of the other coaches.

so, if Shanahan sees Kuper as the favorite for LT right now, I am sure that this preseason decision was made to benefit the team. No gimmes!

by Arctic Bronco on Apr 3, 2008 10:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs