2009 Denver Broncos - Breaking Down the Roster -- Guards/Centers

by Jeremy Bolander on Jul 17, 2009 11:30 AM MDT in 2009 Denver Broncos Season Preview

Denver Broncos offensive linemen take part in drills during the team's football minicamp at the Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

If you listen very closely you might hear, at a distance, a faint, almost imperceptible sound.

In the wake of resigning C Casey Wiegmann to a two-year, five-and-a-half million-dollar contract, one could be forgiven for suspecting that this sound is the dismay and despair of defensive lines throughout the league who must now contest with what is arguably one of the strongest, most coherent and most productive offensive line units in the NFL. Within that unit, no group works together more closely, or relies on each other as much as the guards and centers.

Casey's return, combined with the returns of LG Ben Hamilton and RG Chris Kuper, would do well to inspire a certain level of despondency in Denver's 2009 opponents, as it was an interior unit which ranked 1st overall in ALY (Adjusted Line Yardage), and 5th overall in ALY solely in the cramped spaces between the right and left guards. When one factors in the added emphasis on pulling guards that is a hallmark of the McDaniels offense (ranked 2nd overall ahead of Denver for guard-to-guard ALY in 2008), and the addition of multiple blue-chip RBs to the stable, the Denver rushing attack should indeed be fearsome.

But the sound that can be heard on the edges of training camps around the league are not the wails and moans of teams who fear having to do battle with such a proven unit. This is the NFL. What the sound portends is the approaching storm. A league full of defensive lines who desire nothing less than to tear apart this line's reputation and cast it down to the perceived depths of incompetence that the rest of the team is rumored to have reached. They will believe, fully, that annihilating Denver at the point of attack will reduce the Broncos to an afterthought that can be easily tossed aside. These defenses have made up their minds to do battle, and they will be focused, louder, more terrible, less relenting. Like Northerlies they will blow in every week, where they must be rebuffed by Denver's varied, complex schemes, swift, repeated blows and confusing attacks which resemble withdrawals.

But even early success against such hordes won't be enviable. The opponents will bristle with hostility at every loss, as if upset by human intelligence, and the attack will be renewed again.

This will be a season of such storms, and the guards and centers are the prow of the ship that Denver must steer steadfastly into them...

Ben Hamilton

#50 / Guard / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-4

Weight: 290

Born: Aug 18, 1977

Age: 32

College: Minnesota

Contract: 2009: $3.34m $4.39 against the cap, 2010: Free Agent

Acquired:Draft #4a (113th overall), 2001

One year removed from a season-long absence due to post-concussion syndrome, Ben Hamilton saw his reputation take a bit of a hit in 2008. Of course, he was still elite, but perhaps the expectation was that, as the longest-tenured member of the Broncos line, he should also be its best member. As it stood, he gave up the most sacks and was flagged for the most penalties, and in a way seemed to be the weak link. Yet, as noted above, the line still managed to clock in as one the finest units in the league, in every measurable statistic.

Maybe he really wasn't that bad?

He certainly has to be looking forward to his contract year, especially in conjunction with his run of good health and the line talent that has been amassed around him. He has been nothing less than a pro's pro, beginning with his first season starting for Denver, where he played both center and guard, covering for an injury to Tom Nalen. He also has been exceptionally durable, and except for the 2007 season (a case where toughness is trumped only by long-term concern and care taken for the unknowns involved in post-concussion symptoms) has yet to miss a start in any game the Broncos have played since he was promoted to the active roster after a stint in NFL Europe.

Of interest is that since the final game of the 2003 regular season, Hamilton has yet to log any more snaps at center. With the accrued depth at center over the last two seasons, there is a developing chance that Hamilton may not be the first name called upon if Wiegmann were to go down with an injury (though it is likely he would be the second name called up.)

Hamilton's leadership on the line, too, should not be overlooked; with a contingent of new, young guards behind him, it is imperative to hang onto the veteran player in order to smooth their transition into the Bronco's complex scheme. Next year, Hamilton's story should be quite interesting in the offseason; but for now, it's steady as she goes.

Casey Wiegmann

#62 / Center / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-2

Weight: 285

Born: Jul 20, 1975

Age: 34

College: Iowa

Contract: 2009: $2.5m, 2010: $2.2, 2011: Free Agent

Acquired: Unrestriced Free Agent (Kansas City), 2008

With the restructured contract handled with significant professionalism, Casey Wiegmann looks to continue his streak of 8,046 consecutive offensive snaps (tops among offensive linemen). He is nothing if he is not durable, and as his battle with Kris Jenkins will attest to, he is playing with as much savvy and intensity as could be asked for from a 34-year-old lineman.

When a soul refuses to yield to the weaknesses of the body, it is a source of immense power, and Wiegmann has certainly learned how to tap that, regaining in tenacity what he loses in vigor. But he also benefits greatly from his natural physicality, as a smaller lineman with good girth and strength, which allows him to move fluidly and easily within the confines of his area of work, which goes part and parcel with the demands placed on the center in an offense which features pulling guards (as it is usually the center who must execute the athletic 'trap' part of the block). He was well suited to a pure zone-blocking scheme, but he is eminently suited to the new wrinkles that McDaniels has brought into town for this offense, including being an above-average snapper in the shotgun.

With his experience doing the line calls, and spearheading multiple league-leading rushing and passing offenses (2003, 2006 and 2008) the offense is in completely capable hands with Wiegmann.

Chris Kuper

#73 / Guard / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-4

Weight: 302

Born: Dec 19, 1982

Age: 26

College: North Dakota

Contract: 2009: $1.01m, 2010: Free Agent

Acquired: Draft #5 (161th overall), 2006

Chris Kuper is what I would consider an almost-ideal starting guard for Denver's system. Big and athletic, very strong and terrifically balanced only begin to describe Kuper. He is also versatile, having started his career with Denver on the left side subbing for Chris Myers (who had been subbing for Hamilton in 2007), before moving over to the right side to replace Montrae Holland. In both instances, he made the most of his opportunities, and can be counted on as a player who rises to meet expectations. He also slid over to left tackle during his senior year in college, and showed that in addition to being a sound technician as a guard he could also show the athleticism and awareness to adequately man the pass-protection schemes. He isn't likely to see any snaps at center.

Since coming to Denver he has improved significantly in one particular category: reach blocks. Early in his career he would extend too far when blocking away on reach blocks or when moving to the second level, and while his athleticism and quickness still made him a force against the linebackers, he has since learned to use his long arms (a major asset) to get into his blocks under control, where he can use his strength to redirect. He is also an excellent pulling and trapping guard, who will be perfect for the new offense, and he strengthens any interior unit that he is a part of with his ability to switch off and onto blocks during defensive stunts and blitzes, a combination of intelligence and quickness. He makes his center's job easier by a large margin.

In addition, he is durable and exceptionally tough, maintaining a starting streak by playing with a broken hand last year that looked like a side of ham strapped to his wrist. Depsite the injury there was simply no noticeable dropoff in his play. He is the type of player that refuses to be the weak link.

There can be an expectation that the Denver line will fall a bit short of the elevated level of play last year, due to both the schedule and the idea that teams will be gunning for them. However, I think that Kuper, being in his prime and entering a contract year, has the goods to be even better than last year, and will catch on around the league as one of the premier free agents at guard in 2010. Denver should be in the top two or three teams in the league when running off his flanks. Like with Hamilton, 2010 will be another story, especially during the offseason; but for now, we are exceptionally solid.

Kory Lichtensteiger

#67 / Center / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 295

Born: Mar 22, 1985

Age: 24

College: Bowling Green

Contract: Escalators are available in the final year if he plays 35% of the offensive snaps in two of his first three seasons. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: $555,000, 2012: Free Agent

Acquired: Draft #4a (108th overall), 2008

Kory Lichtensteiger is a player who is used to being the best: best lineman on his high school team, then district, then division, then college, and most recently the Rimington Award winner in 2008 for the nation's best collegiate center.

After seeing action in every game as a rookie, Kory doesn't look to be slowing down or tailing off anytime soon, having logged special teams contributions in all 16 games of 2008, while lining up as an H-back on numerous goal-line formations, most of which were scoring plays.

Looking forward, the first thing you see is his ideal somatotype for center: squat, stocky, long arms, thick upper body and strong lower body. His quickness makes him highly effective in tight spaces, and his intelligence (awarded the Falcon Medal of Honor, which is given to a player that exemplifies sportsmanship and scholarship) makes him a consistent contributor in terms of properly reading and making line calls. He made a name for himself in college by leading the NCAA's centers in sustained blocks, which is a measure of tenacity, strength and will. He finished first in this category in 2008 by a wide margin.

He did primarily shotgun snapping at BGSU, and it was all quality work, which fits well with the expected offensive scheme. It remains to be seen how prepared he has been for the classic under-center exchange, but as it is a function of hand quickness, it can be expected that he will adapt and perform well in this area, as he shows excellent hand quickness and placement on reach blocks and when locking up the body of the defender.

His versatility is the opposite of Chris Kuper's, being as he is eminently suited for interior blocking. As a guard he registered 184 knockdowns in his first two years at BGSU, mostly on pulls and traps; so again, he seems to be a perfect fit going forward. He is not quite the quick lateral mover that Kuper is, and so it is expected that Kory will not see time subbing on the outside, and also that he will likely have a learning curve in pass protection slightly behind his run blocking.

Lichtensteiger is an excellent prospect to have in the wings who will be ready to contribute as a starter sooner than later.

Matt McChesney

#60 / Guard / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-4

Weight: 310

Born: Nov 06, 1981

Age: 27

College: Colorado

Contract: Undisclosed

Acquired: Free Agent, 2009 (Miami)

Before you say roster fodder, consider his unique brand of versatility. He played DT at Colorado, and logged snaps there for both St. Louis and the Jets before a knee injury landed him on two different versions of IR in two years (due to NFL Europe rules at the time).

In an effort to stick on a roster, McChesney went through a position switch to OG, where he has noted that his intensity and aggressiveness, while helpful, have needed to be dialed back, a task which has taken up most of his learning curve since the switch in early 2007, but which has improved enough to get him a look from 2008 Miami Dolphins architect Bill Parcells.

But most of his learning curve was taken up by figuring out how to deal with the loss of his little brother, who died in an accident on the Roaring Fork River. Those kinds of events change people, and McChesney is no different. By going back to his roots (he dreamed of someday playing for the Denver Broncos when he was a kid in the South Stands screaming his lungs out for them) and being close to his family, he hopes to break onto a roster where there is already top talent and very little room for error.

Described as "tough and smart," he seems to fit the general mold of players that McX are looking for, and might make his dream come true in 2009's Training Camp.

Mitch Erickson

#61 / Guard / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-6

Weight: 290

Born: May 14, 1985

Age: 24

College: South Dakota State

Contract: Reserve/Futures Contract

Acquired: Rookie Free Agent, 2008

After leading SDSU to a Great West title, Mitch Erickson made it to Denver's practice squad where he is working on adding bulk and improving his balance. With the five starters well established and over ten backups vying for spots on the line, he will need to show that he spent 2008 picking up on all the little things.

His flexibility is of the guard-to-tackle variety, where he logged starts in all 44 of his career college games. At his height and weight, he seems better suited to back up LG, or moving out to back up the RT position. In the 2008 training camp he got most of his reps at RT, and is quite similar to former Bronco Eric Pears, in both build and playing style, with some of the same shortcomings.

My gut says that while Mitch probably has the right attitude, and is a tough player, he may a bit too much of the Shanahan mold. I would expect him to have a very difficult time making this roster.

Pat Murray

#72 / Guard / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 310

Born: Oct 31, 1984

Age: 24

College: Truman State

Contract: 2009: $385,000, 2010: Restricted Free Agent

Acquired:Practice Squad Signee (Seattle), 2008

A better physical specimen in terms of what McX are looking for in a lineman, everything about Pat Murray indicates that he is at best an ideal candidate for the practice squad. His best attribute is his "jack of all trades" versatility, having logged most of his experience at RT in college, yet seeing extensive practice reps at both guard and center while in Green Bay and Seattle.

In general, his playing style and college play isn't ideally suited to the offensive scheme (it is more of a drive-blocking style) but there is no doubt that his versatility makes him a boon in practice and training camp in order to field 2nd- and 3rd-team lines in order to run drills.

But eventually those drills become pregame practices, and somewhere in that transition Murray usually gets lost. With the severity of the numbers crunch coming up for the interior linemen, Murray will need one heck of an opportunity to arise even to scratch back into the practice squad. Could quite likely be the first offensive lineman cut.

Seth Olsen

#70 / Guard / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-4

Weight: 306

Born: Dec 17, 1985

Age: 23

College: Iowa

Contract:

Rookie

Acquired:

Draft #4b (132nd overall), 2009

Seth Olsen is one of those naturally "big" linemen, the kind with the good bone girth as opposed to being just 'weighty', and he is well balanced in that area, having good strength in both his lower and upper body. He excels at using his hands, and his hand technique is the strongest part of his game. Intelligent, tough and resourceful, he was also trained in the art of zone blocking at Iowa, and so has an advantage in that department.

However, his second-level play is an order of magnitude below where it needs to be to compete with the current veteran guards, his most likely position. He will need to work on regaining leverage at the second level instead of leaving his feet to make a block, or extending out of control and thereby lunging past defenders. If he can bring that element of his game in line, his hand play should take care of the rest.

In a way, Olsen is a significant departure from the traditional "Shanahan" offensive lineman, and I see him as very much the product of the new scheme and philosophy ideas that McDaniels holds, so adjusting to Olsen's skill set may take a little while. Olsen is not the quickest player, and does not have the best lateral agility, something which was prized under Shanahan, and Olsen could even be accused of "trudging", something I haven't seen in the starting lineup since George Foster left town.

But he is a smart, tough technician with an aggressive mean streak and the versatility to man both RG and RT, and even has experience at LT and LG. Ideally a right guard, he has the natural physical makeup to be the lead candidate for the first backup G/T combo player (with Kory being the first G/C combo), as he has the natural girth and trained leverage to effectively "sit down" in pass protection, a major boon when having to be inserted in case of injury to a starter.

Olsen has significant improvements to make to be a starter-quality player, but the backup job appears to be his to lose.

Blake Schlueter

#63 / Center / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 284

Born: Apr 22, 1986

Age: 23

College: T-C-U

Contract:

Rookie

Acquired:

Draft #7 (225th overall), 2009

Denver's final pick in the 2009 draft, some immediately questioned whether Lichtensteiger had a future in Denver. Don't. Schlueter is an excellent find and a terrific opportunity to insure both the guard and center position, with a tenacious, mean and intelligent player.

He is a good size already to man the center position, but his body type is a bit different from Wiegmann (though similar to Hamilton) so he may need to add some bulk in order to play at Casey's level in the middle, and to anchor effectively in pass blocking.

Where Schlueter really impresses is his potential for special teams. You've seen it before, but here are his pro day numbers:

40 yard dash	4.79
20 yard dash	2.77
10 yard dash	1.64
225lb bench reps	28
vertical jump	35"
broad jump	9'3"
20 yard shuttle	4.28
3 cone drill	7.42

This is an exceptionally athletic, and more importantly, driven young man. He is a wild card that will make it difficult for the coaches to settle on the eventual active roster, but with McDaniels' deep respect for the role of special teams, it seems quite likely that Schlueter will be part of the active gameday 45-man roster, which means he is putting significant pressure on backups like Murray, Erickson and McChesney.

If Schlueter can maintain his drive right through training camp, than just like his pro day, he will be impossible to ignore.

SUMMARY

2009 looks to feature as strong a group of interior lineman as Denver could hope for in an offseason of significant tumult. The starting trio of Kuper, Wiegmann, and Hamilton have the combination of experience, talent and camaraderie that will keep the unit playing at a high level, while backups such as Olsen and Lichtensteiger give the starting offense confidence that the wheels will stay on in the event of injury. Players like McChesney and Schlueter will drive the above group even harder, and the additions of Murray and Erickson should keep the entire unit running smoothly throughout training camp, perhaps earning themselves a future look.

But when the leaves begin to fall, there will likely only be ten total linemen kept, including tackles, and only seven will be expected to be activated for game day. With players like Schlueter too talented to keep off of the special teams roster, and players like Licthensteiger (also a special teamer) too critical to risk leaving off the game day roster in the event of injury, good players like Olsen may find themselves in a tragic numbers crunch, which at best may keep them off the active roster, at worst may put them in danger of having to clear waivers just to make the PS, and even then they won't be completely safe.

One drawback to solid team-building philosophies are the roster limits and their unsympathetic treatment of excellent depth at a position. And with a major free agency period for Hamilton and Kuper coming up in 2010 these roster decisions will end up having far-reaching consequences. They have to be made with utmost care.

The battle from within can be as critical as the battle without, and the coming storm demands proper choices now. Forces amass against this unit, waiting for the smallest weakness to show up.

It has been said that Wind is all winds, Force is all force. The whole of that horde is now coming.

On one side, that legion.

And on the other?

We must be shrewd.

Poll

What are the chances that their could be a surprise cut or trade from the group of Ben, Chris, Casey, Licks Ten Tigers, Seth and Blake?

Zero chance. They are all keepers in some capacity.

137 votes

Mild. I could see one of the rookies not making the cut.

212 votes

Moderate. Licks Ten Tigers is part of the old regime, he may not be the apple of McX's eye.

56 votes

Surprising. There are rumblings that Hamilton doesn't fit the long term plan.

64 votes

Exceptionally surprising. We paid Casey just so we could cut him...

10 votes

479 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 33 comments | 25 recs |

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Comments

Brilliant stuff, as always! Rec'd to the fullest extent of the law

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by Ted Bartlett on Jul 17, 2009 11:45 AM MDT reply actions

+1

by bchiper on Jul 17, 2009 11:56 AM MDT up reply actions

Exceptional Styg.

Exceptional.

"Talking tough is easy when it's other people's evil and you're judging what they do or don't believe. It seems to me you'd have to have a hole you're own to point a finger at somebody else's sheet" -- Mike Cooley

by ButteBronco on Jul 17, 2009 12:04 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Thanks Styg!

Very nice write up, i love the theme.. Our Mile High Mountains are up to the oncoming storm but just in case of erosion over time we have younger developing Mountains that are still growing and gaining strength to stand up to the ferocious weather fronts of opposing D-Lines.

In all seriousness though i think you are very right about other teams being out to conquer one of the top lines in the league.. and after such a good performance last year it will be tough to have as good a year as last year especially with the difficulty of our schedule. I hope the protection for Orton is up to the same quality that it was for Cutler because Kyle is going to need help this year as he learns a new system and synchronizes with our receiving core. One aspect that I’m not so worried about is the running game, the fact that Dennison and Turner are still around and also the new talents we have at RB means that aspect of our team should be better than last year. I’m not sure what the guard pulling technique means for our consistency but it seemed to work pretty well for NE, it remains to be seen how well it can be integrated with ZB.. maybe HT or someone more knowledgeable than me (probably most of you) could break down for me how that might work at some point.

Thanks again for the post and for all the previous ones, I’m learning a lot about our team, and as someone else mentioned in a previous position breakdown, it will enhance my ability to understand and enjoy the game when the season eventuuaallly arrives..

Peace

by HorseStance on Jul 17, 2009 12:26 PM MDT reply actions

Excellent write up

Very good read, this is definitely one of our strengths.

Go Broncos!

by dbroncos78087 on Jul 17, 2009 12:40 PM MDT reply actions

Rec'd just for being, ok BRILLIANT!!!

by bfree2bronc on Jul 17, 2009 12:52 PM MDT reply actions

Good work - thank you

Although I tend to be on the pessimistic side when it comes to Denver’s current talent level I don’t think there is any doubt that we have the best OL in football right now. Of course what did help last year on the line was the lack of injuries. Lets hope lightning (does not!) strike twice.

Offensive lines win football games. I would take an elite line over any elite QB.

Would be great if McChesney could make it seeing as he is a Denver fan – that would be really cool. Wonder if he could switch back to DT?

by British Bronco on Jul 17, 2009 12:52 PM MDT reply actions

I'm goona take the opposite side to HS

While I love the fact that Turner and Dennison were retained, I think this line still has a little “gellin’” to do. I believe they’re outstanding in pass protection and had a chance last year to get that down. However, I think they really didn’t hit their ZB stride until the last third of the season, and by then, we had no RBs left. I’m still looking for the TD era cohesion and hopefully we’ll see it this year. Go Broncs!

It's "just" football

by Donkhead on Jul 17, 2009 12:57 PM MDT reply actions

Licks Ten Tigers

looks like the most likely to leave. I don’t think that McD is that excited about him.

"Hey Raiders fans!!! If you leave now you can beat traffic!"
-Rod Smith

by GarretBarnes on Jul 17, 2009 12:59 PM MDT reply actions

That was awesome.

I love our O-Line.

Thanks Styg!

by NedBronco on Jul 17, 2009 1:09 PM MDT reply actions

Great write-up as usual styg

.

.
Playoffs here we come!! Go Broncos!!

Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
Gonsoulin, Taylor, Little, Wright, Gradishar, Atwater, Davis, and Sharpe...
Why are they not in the Hall...I just don't understand.

by Mike Clark on Jul 17, 2009 1:31 PM MDT reply actions

Brilliant work Styg.

I’m thinking Murray and Erickson may be in trouble. I’m pulling for McChesney and the two rookies. Oddly, I feel our 7th round pick has a better shot than our 4th(b) round pick.

Terrific write-up! I think you’ve got each player described perfectly.

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

by Steve Nichols on Jul 17, 2009 1:48 PM MDT reply actions

Great post Styg! I can't wait to see how the O-line will do against the better teams.

I don’t know whether to be worried or excited about it. Hopefully our squad will do alright.

"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".

"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.

by broncoholic on Jul 17, 2009 1:59 PM MDT reply actions

LOL, is it a requirement for guards to have cheesy smiles

As far as cuts, I think Hamilton may be axed, for the simple fact that of last year’s group he probably had the worst year, he lacks ideal size and strength at the point of attack, and with K-Lich and Schuelter in the wings, having him as a backup C isn’t as critical a need. The other thing Hamilton has going against him is that I am sure that he will be seen as one of Shanahan’s guys in McDaniels eyes and I think he wants to turn over as much of the previous roster as feasible, and his contract is probably a little high for a guy who is not what I would call an elite guard.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Jul 17, 2009 2:01 PM MDT reply actions

"LOL, is it a requirement for guards to have cheesy smiles "

Yes. all those pix look to have been taken (despite the jerseys) as they knocked on the door for their 18 year old date, expecting to be greeted by Dad.

The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Jul 17, 2009 2:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Hamilton may be gone...

but not cut. The Broncos seem to have more depth than room on the roster. The standard move in that situation is to trade away your most tradable player – Hamilton in this case. We may see him as the weak link in a great line; on other teams he would be viewed as a bright spot.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Jul 17, 2009 2:55 PM MDT up reply actions

true, maybe he goes to the Texans

by Broncoman on Jul 18, 2009 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions

We also appear to have the pastiest group of interior lineman in the league

by Broncoman on Jul 17, 2009 2:03 PM MDT reply actions

Once again great work!

It will come down to execution regardless of what the defense chooses to do. I think the O-line is up to the challenge. Like so many things, if you’re not getting better you’re losing ground to the competition.

by Ponderosa on Jul 17, 2009 2:17 PM MDT reply actions

I cannot add anything

but my thanks. Nicely done.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

by KaptainKirk on Jul 17, 2009 3:32 PM MDT reply actions

Damn, Styg! You're a Writer and Then Some!

Not much I can add at the moment except that I wish I could give you more than one rec.

Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy

by AZDynamics on Jul 17, 2009 5:05 PM MDT reply actions

Good Stuff Styg

JB, you crack me up…I can’t remember but did you start the Licks Ten Tigers because it was easier to spell? Everytime I read it I laugh.

Loved the article!

Moreno in 2009! - Check
Taylor Mays in 2010!

by Steve O' on Jul 17, 2009 5:37 PM MDT reply actions

You're GREAT, Styg!

What a terrific article! Somehow I don’t think OL will be a problem area for the Broncos. I can really envision the fierce competition in training camp. There will be some changes in the OL, particularly in the reserves. Yet another rec’d article, Styg! Thanks!

" Life is what happens while you're making other plans "

by hairybear on Jul 17, 2009 8:18 PM MDT reply actions

Styg you had me rolling!

" a broken hand last year that looked like a side of ham strapped to his wrist"

That’s the funniest simile ever on this site.

"Kool-Aid Kool Aid, Tastes Great, We Want Kool Aid, Can't Wait" -- Kool-Aid Man

by littletinybroncos on Jul 17, 2009 8:39 PM MDT reply actions

Wow, I guess I am out of the loop

who are these guys.

Great to see all the corn fed guards.

Thanks and REC

I ride the short bus!

by scottwchicago on Jul 17, 2009 9:05 PM MDT reply actions

ditto on hamilton

he seems to have several things working against him at this point in his career. he is no longer the center of the future(nalen’s heir), is an injury risk-coming off a sub-par season, and makes more money than perhaps he is worth, going forward. i like the guy-he’s a warrior, no doubt, but i could see one of the younger guards sliding in as we prepare to sign kuper next season. if he sticks this year, it will be his last in denver, i imagine.

this line will be severely tested this season, as styg alludes to. we’re playing the men this year, and we’re going to be giving up size and strength at the point of attack in most games. i don’t think it’s going to be as easy as most people think. this line has to improve this season, believe it or not. especially in the running game, with new schemes, rb’s and qb’s. tall order, are we up to it? the answer should determine the outcome of more than a few games. let’s hope so

taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the secondary?

by davecheffy on Jul 17, 2009 10:52 PM MDT reply actions

concussion syndrome

There was an article on concussion syndrome last year, and it pointed out that if there hasn’t been any symptoms in a long time then the concussion syndrome is unlikely to recur. The belief that Hamilton is in jeopardy because of his past concussion is not in itself a medical prognosis offered by a medical authority.

I don’t want to say that there isn’t any risk, since concussions often seem to reveal that a player is prone to this injury, but the issue with Hamilton should be his level of play rather than his previous concussion.

"If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences". W. I. Thomas

by Colinski on Jul 18, 2009 12:43 AM MDT up reply actions

well in all fairness

Whenever you get a concussion you are more likely to get further damage from additional blows to the head, so another bad hit and he could be out for a while. Any head injuries are at a higher risk for additional damage, and Hamilton definately plays a position subject to a fair amount of abuse.

by Broncoman on Jul 18, 2009 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions

I wrote it

Yes, it is far less likely. As BM says below, if another does occur it takes longer to heal and the damage will be greater for each which is why Stokley’s dozen scares me. However – while the guards take abuse in many ways, concussions at the position are fairly rare.

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Doc Bear on Jul 19, 2009 10:56 PM MDT up reply actions

great story!

One of the brightest hopes we have here in Bronco land is our line.
Our potentially GREAT line. (Thanks Shanny)
Orton could quite possibly thrive with Moreno and this line.
Keeping Marshall would be nice but he’d be sorrier than we would if not…
I don’t want to rush my summer by but…
Damn it’s almost AUGUST!!!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

Gooooooooooooo Broncooooooooooooooos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Whidbey Bronco on Jul 17, 2009 10:53 PM MDT reply actions

Excellent post, Styg. Rec'd.

I love us having an OL of this quality. It makes sense that all 5 starters will play this year with the new system coming in. Good starters – good depth. It would make sense for one of the 2 FA (Hamilton and Kuper) to return and the other to be gone, but I am not so sure that that will happen. A lot depends on how valuable each is this year.
Good job, Styg.

by Blackknigh on Jul 17, 2009 11:56 PM MDT reply actions

Excellente' amigo!!! Grande trajabo...13-3 Nin`o

by bfree2bronc on Jul 18, 2009 11:23 AM MDT reply actions

Brilliant...

Love an article with in-depth analysis on the lines.

Rec’d!

Take my advice... I'm not using it!
Just click your heels together three times and say, "There's no player like Hillis... there's no player like Hillis."

by BroncTastic on Jul 18, 2009 2:29 PM MDT reply actions