What Denver should do by Mike Lombardi!!!

[broncofansd]

Very interesting article by Lombardi. I believe he is right that Denver needs to get Bigger on the Offensive Line. With Cutler having one of the strongest Guns in the NFL we need to protect him.

My vote would be Branden Albert 6'6 315lbs Tackle or Guard. I believe he is the 2nd Best Lineman in the Draft after Jake Long.

If not Williams , Clady and even Jeff Otah are going to be condsidered.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/04/24/lombardi.iwould/index.html

[Gr3yStreet]

If I worked for the Broncos, I would ...

Think big. The Broncos in the late '90s had great success building an offensive line with quick, smallish athletes. They won two Super Bowls with this approach. They had a dynamic running game led by an outstanding running back, which highlighted their play action and bootleg passing game. But times have changed in the NFL. The Broncos are no longer the standard for how to run the ball. Denver ranked in the top five in only nine of the 126 offensive categories last season. Much of their poor offensive production in the past two years is due to the lack of size and power in their offensive line.

Last season, in the two games against the San Diego Chargers, who happen to be a very big physical defensive team, Denver scored a total of six points. Against the stronger Jacksonville Jaguars, they scored 14 and mustered only 47 yards rushing. At times during the 2007 season when playing the bigger, more powerful teams, the Broncos looked like a 2A high school team trying to step up in competition to beat a 5A team. They were simply overmatched in the line.

It is critical in the NFL to have symmetry with your personnel. Right now, the Broncos don't have that fluid feel to their offense. They have a tremendous drop-back passer in Jay Cutler, but a smallish offensive line. The two pieces don't work well together.

Cutler is at his best when he can stand behind the center and throw the ball all over the field. He has very unique skills that can eventually lead a team to the Super Bowl, but he needs to have an offensive line that can highlight those skills. The Broncos need to acquire bigger bodies to help protect Cutler, not only to throw the ball down the field but also to control the line of scrimmage.

Cutler was uncanny last year in his ability to throw the ball with defensive lineman all around his legs. But Cutler took too many unnecessary hits and the Broncos needs to do a better job of securing him in the pocket.

Many teams in the NFL stole the Broncos approach to running the ball, now the Broncos need to steal other teams' approach to rebuilding their offensive line. This draft is critical for the Broncos to add size if they want to compete with the big, physical teams in the AFC.

I think Denver is doing a fairly good job of beefing up its line. Nalen and Hamilton may be small, but they're good in run and pass protection (especially Nalen). Montrae Holland was a serviceable guard last year, and hes a beast.

Kuper is slated to be the LT now, and if I remember right hes about 6'8" isnt he? Add that to hopefully a couple of big strong rookies and we MAY have a solid line if we all stay healthy.

[Zealander]

I like the offensive line pick. I'm really undecided what I would rather see, a HB or a OL in the first round. On the one hand the HB gives you that help now threat, and we have a shot at some serious talent. With the line, it is a block for the future. I have always said we need to build this team around Jay, so protect him at all costs. I would love to see one of those big guys here.

[Sequence]

all great points, and exactly why OL will be our first pick, and prob at least 2 or 3 more picks beyond R1. I understand how a stud in a skill position would be tempting but not this year. this is a deep year for good OLs and Im convinced we will take advantage of this.

anyone TIVO'ing the draft? I have to go to a birthday party for a one year old. :rolleyes:

[getlynched47]

I think Denver is doing a fairly good job of beefing up its line. Nalen and Hamilton may be small, but they're good in run and pass protection (especially Nalen). Montrae Holland was a serviceable guard last year, and hes a beast.

Kuper is slated to be the LT now, and if I remember right hes about 6'8" isnt he? Add that to hopefully a couple of big strong rookies and we MAY have a solid line if we all stay healthy.

Kuper is 6'4, 305 lbs. and very very fast and nimble. Like many people say, kids are getting bigger and faster (evidenced by Chris Williams, a 6'6 300+ lbs. lineman who runs just as good or even better than Nalen/Hamilton)

A big lineman can't execute the Broncos scheme, they need fast,nimble lineman not huge maulers like Otah ( maulers in our system are busts just like George Foster)

[LarryDean]

What Denver should do by Mike Lombardi!!!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/04/24/lombardi.iwould/index.html

Think big. The Broncos in the late '90s had great success building an offensive line with quick, smallish athletes. They won two Super Bowls with this approach. They had a dynamic running game led by an outstanding running back, which highlighted their play action and bootleg passing game. But times have changed in the NFL. The Broncos are no longer the standard for how to run the ball. Denver ranked in the top five in only nine of the 126 offensive categories last season. Much of their poor offensive production in the past two years is due to the lack of size and power in their offensive line.

Last season, in the two games against the San Diego Chargers, who happen to be a very big physical defensive team, Denver scored a total of six points. Against the stronger Jacksonville Jaguars, they scored 14 and mustered only 47 yards rushing. At times during the 2007 season when playing the bigger, more powerful teams, the Broncos looked like a 2A high school team trying to step up in competition to beat a 5A team. They were simply overmatched in the line.

It is critical in the NFL to have symmetry with your personnel. Right now, the Broncos don't have that fluid feel to their offense. They have a tremendous drop-back passer in Jay Cutler, but a smallish offensive line. The two pieces don't work well together.

Cutler is at his best when he can stand behind the center and throw the ball all over the field. He has very unique skills that can eventually lead a team to the Super Bowl, but he needs to have an offensive line that can highlight those skills. The Broncos need to acquire bigger bodies to help protect Cutler, not only to throw the ball down the field but also to control the line of scrimmage.

Cutler was uncanny last year in his ability to throw the ball with defensive lineman all around his legs. But Cutler took too many unnecessary hits and the Broncos needs to do a better job of securing him in the pocket.

Many teams in the NFL stole the Broncos approach to running the ball, now the Broncos need to steal other teams' approach to rebuilding their offensive line. This draft is critical for the Broncos to add size if they want to compete with the big, physical teams in the AFC.


Lets look at this for a second...the part I highligthed just kills me and sends my blood pressure through the roof.... :fight:

The fact that Denver lost lets see the starting Center,Guard,RB and had a first year starter ROT & QB this had nothing to do with the loss of offensive production.Hey draft a OT WOW LIKE THIS IS SOME NEW IDEA but dont dog the players or the scheme that the Broncos run...If you do list all facts please and know that Ryan Clady and Williams are not much bigger then Harris,Pears,Kuper :)


DENVER FINISHED HIGHER THEN THE GIANTS IN TOTAL YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE AND FINISHED 11th IN TOTAL YARDS

But yet the lack of offensive production :confused: was he meaning only Touchdowns:confused: if so include that.

How these guys get paid is beyond me... :confused:

That type of writing is why he is writer and not the coach of the Denver Broncos....

Im going to print this out and use it for toilet paper...