Preseason is over - Broncos' starting O-Line impressive, backups solid

It is fitting that the end of these awesome preseason O-Line scouting reports comes during "Cut Weekend" - both are sad events to endure, we wish all players (and writers) well in their future endeavors and hope they involve the Broncos.

The good news on our end - actually, the superb news - is that CH74 has so graciously agreed to continue the scouting reports for one Broncos game a month to help us understand how our starting offensive line play is doing and progressing throughout the season. So rather than watch players go the Practice Squad or to another team, CH74 is going nowhere and will keep providing this excellent analysis for Weeks 5 (Arizona), 8 (San Diego), 12 (Miami)  and 17 (Oakland)!

And before we get to it, I want to thank CH74 for taking on this project. It all started because he made a couple great comments defending Chris Clark's O-Line play that I quoted in a story about the offensive line. Taking some bait from me and several readers to do more extensive analysis, he signed on to answer some questions about the O-Line for each game to be wrapped into one final story. Since his first report was so thorough and magnificent, there was really only one option - a four-part series.

It has been fabulous making this happen, especially because I've learned A TON about the offensive line (who knew?) and have obviously helped (only by virtue only of my power to publish) make a lot of MHR readers very happy about the insider analysis.Thank you, CH74...you get a Game Ball!

Key

• PB - Pass Blocking
• RB - Run Blocking
• HD - Hand Placement
• LV - Leverage/Pad Height
• FT - Footwork
• PL/T - Pull and Trap Blocking
• PNT - Penalties

Grades

• (=) Average Performance
• (+) Above Average Performance
• (-) Below Average Performance

Second Team Offense

LT Paul Cornick (#71): Cornick had another rough outing against the Cowboys. He was stood up by his man on three consecutive plays. It seems as if Cornick refuses to play with any leverage and relies on brute force to win his match-ups. This is not a winning strategy in the NFL; you play with technique or you go home.I would have predicted Cornick going home.

Cornick also got hit with a holding penalty that stalled a drive and followed it up with an allowed sack on Osweiler. Cornick was beaten by a strong outside move and was caught reaching on the play. My mother always told me if I didn't have anything nice to say, not to say anything at all. I know the MHR faithful will forgive me here, because we all want the scoop!

CH4's Score: PB (-) RB (=) HD (=) LV (-) FT (-) PL/T () PNT (-)

LG Ben Garland (#63): Garland had somewhat of a bounce-back performance, and his trademark hustle was once again on display. Ben looked very solid in the early going but appeared to be tired and hurt in the fourth quarter. That isn't a surprise considering the Dallas game is probably the most time he has spent on a football field in a few years. Garland and Montgomery botched a transition block on No. 60 Davon Coleman in the run game during the Broncos' first drive that ended up stalling out.

Garland also had a lapse in his pass protection on the Broncos second drive where he was nearly beaten by a strong outside rush. I would like to see Garland deliver a punch there to help redirect the pass rusher.

CH74's Score: PB (=) RB (=) HD (=) LV (=) FT (+) PL/T () PNT (=)

C Will Montgomery (#64): Montgomery was a little up and down again. He had a solid run block on the first play of the game, knocking his man down. I did notice Montgomery get caught high on a few occasions. I also caught him blocking into the second level without finishing his first level block. Getting to the second level doesn't help much if your initial block isn't sustained long enough to get back to the second level! Once again, conditioning seems to be an issue with Montgomery. He'll make the roster, but he needs to spend some extra time with Luke Richesson in case Manny happens to go down.

CH74's Score: PB (=) RB (=) HD (+) LV (=) FT (=) PL/T () PNT (=)

RG Vinston Painter (#70): Painter had a nice game and worked well in tandem with Montgomery. Vinston logged a pancake on No. 70 Dartwan Bush. Painter moved his feet well with the exception of the first play of the Broncos second drive. This appeared to be a busted play, so I am not judging Painter too harshly on it. He bounced back with solid play to finish out the drive. (*editor's note: Painter was among players cut on Friday and was claimed by Cleveland Browns Tuesday.)

CH74's Score: PB (=) RB (+) HD (=) LV (=) FT (=) PL/T (-) PNT(=)

RT Michael Schofield (#79): Schofield started the game strong but had a couple rookie hiccups throughout the game. Schofield was called for illegal hands to the face, which was a back-breaker. He also got completely blown up by Bush on the same busted play that had Painter looking like he had two left feet. Overall, the rookie right tackle had a solid game. He showed good hustle down field and is showing a little more polish than he did in his first performance against the Niner's.

CH74's Score: PB (=) RB (-) HD (+) LV (=) FT (=) PL/T () PNT (-)

Reserves

C Matt Paradis (#61): Paradis entered the game in relief of Montgomery for the fourth quarter and performed admirably. He did get caught high and was over extended on a couple plays but overall, he played well against a demoralized Dallas Defense. (*editor's note: Paradis was among the Saturday cuts and was named to Practice Squad Sunday.)

CH74's Score: PB (=) RB (=) HD (=) LV (-) FT (=) PL/T () PNT (=)

RG Ryan Miller (#73): Miller also performed nicely in late-game action to finish out a beaten Dallas defense. Miller logged a nice pancake block on No. 79 Zach Minter to start the second drive of the fourth quarter. Miller did get beat by a strong inside bull rush later in the drive. Ryan finished out the game with two solid displays of pass protection, two solid run blocks, and the best trap block I saw in the game! (*editor's note: Unfortunately the trap block did not keep him on the team as Miller was one of the early team cuts.)

CH74's Score: PB (=) RB (+) HD (=) LV (+) FT (=) PL/T (+) PNT (=)

Final notes from the preseason:

The preseason has come to an end. The coaching and scouting staff have some hard work on their hands, trimming the roster down to 53. I have seen some good play and some sloppy play. Most importantly, I have seen enough to have confidence in our backups.

Most of our second unit has improved over the course of these games, but unfortunately, there isn't a surprise starter coming out of the depths of the roster.

I have been hammering away in the comments of several threads the one point I have taken away from this in depth look at the second unit and that is our depth is just fine!

CH74's Kudos:

This scouting project has been a lot of fun for me, and I would like to cap it off by giving some Kudos. I would have given horseshoes, but they were already taken!

One player in this bunch of misfits showed steady improvement throughout the preseason. This player started out a little rough, but kept upping his game. I have to give the nod for Most Improved Player to Vinston Painter. Keep it up, Vinston!

From the very first preseason game, the one player who shocked and amazed me with his play is Ben Garland. I didn't expect Ben to be as far along as he is as a converted defensive tackle. Ben Garland is my Surprise Player of the Preseason. Keep Grindin, Ben!

I haven't been alone in putting together these reports for you, as you all know. I have had the help of an awesome staffer that ensures these reports go out to a wider audience. She is also the mastermind for this whole endeavor! When a PhD and Rodney A. conspire against you, it's hard to say no. Dr. Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann, it has been an honor and a pleasure working on this project with you. Thank you for being a great facilitator and the one who makes sure that my I's are dotted and my T's are crossed! (*last editor's note: [blush] The pleasure has been all mine! Thanks for agreeing to be conspired against - haha!)

I would also like to give a shout out to KRONK-00 for inspiring the "KRONK Kode"! I hope the tool has proved helpful in cutting through the Anal-ese speak in these reports.

Last but certainly not least, I give my final nod and Kudos of the preseason to you, the readers of these scouting reports. It has been my pleasure sharing the little bit of knowledge I have of the game with you. I am honored that so many of you read these reports and participated in the comments.

GO BRONCOS!!!