I think people are forgetting something...

[Max Power]

when it comes to drafting an OT in the 1st.

Daniel Graham.

He's such a good blocker that he is like a 3rd tackle out there, and both run-blocking and pass-blocking suffered as a whole when he wasn't in.

Whether or not Shanny still believes in Harris and Pears is of course an important factor in deciding whether or not to invest in an OT in the 1st round of the draft.

But I think people are forgetting how integral Graham is to the O-line, I mean, he's basically a 3rd tackle that sometimes catches passes.

What do you think?

[Schism]

It's a fair point, but you could argue that having poor OT's is wasting what Graham could bring to the offense.

With better tackles, a great blocking TE like Graham could really push the offense over the edge and give us amazing protection.

Last year he was like a very expensive band-aid over a gaping wound. If our O-Line was better we could use him more in the passing game as a reciever as well, which would give us another dimension.

[Max Power]

^ you have a good point about the deficiency of the O-line holding Graham back, Schism.

I don't know if we're missing much by not using him more as a receiver though. He's never been much of a threat in that role in the NFL, and I can't shake the memory of him dropping that 4th down pass in the JAX game. That drop cost them the game. I think there's another good reason he's not used much as a receiver anymore besides being needed to stay in-line and block. Besides, we do have Scheffler, who I can't wait to see get more opportunites, hopefully starting next season.

[Ravage!!!]

Graham has never been a huge 'game breaking' threat... but he's solid..... despite your interpretation of his 1 to 5 ratio. He's one that was considered to be money on third down in NE, and thats coming from Patriot fans. He's not one that is going to be a Gates or Tony G....but he's a guy that could provide Jay an outlet. A guy that is smart enough to find the open space in the zone when needed. A guy, when used from time to time, can move those chains.

He was completely unable to get into the passing game last season because he was completely and totally needed to block. We saw how quickly the line faltered in the last two games without him, because he wasn't there to save our tackle's butt.

I would think if anything else, the need for an OT is even more prevalent after seeing how bad they were when Graham was not in the game. Graham was brought in because he's a VERY good blocking TE that can get into the pattern when needed. A guy that is valuable to the running game. A guy that can move the chains from time to time on third down, and give Cutler that extra smart vet that can find the open space. He is a guy that is a TE... not meant to keep in on the line to block FOR our tackles because they can't do the job.

Thats how I see it anyway

[Cugel]

There's another important point. Daniel Graham signed a huge FA contract to come to the Broncos after being HEAVILY courted by other teams (especially the Seahawks who also stole Patrick Kearney away from us).

Part of the reason he came here was that Shanahan told him that the Broncos didn't intend to use him just as a blocking TE. Taht was an important consideration to him. He was sick of that role in New England and wanted to get out and catch balls more. The Broncos told him that he would, and the salary they paid him also doesn't make any sense unless you're getting a very good pass-catching TE. (True he's not Gates, but nobody else whose available is either -- unless the Giants were to pedal Jeremy Shockey).

He reportedly understood that with the problems on the OL last year he had to stay in and block nearly every down. But, he can't be happy about his role so far.

I imagine he will be looking to get more involved in the offense this season and may be increasingly unhappy if nothing changes.

[gyldenlove]

I have to agree with a lot of what has been said, Graham shouldn't have to babysit our tackles just so we have adequate protection, he should be the one who pushes us into the upper echelon with good tackles next to him.

I don't think he will be happy being consigned to blocking for the rest of his life in Denver, we saw last year that he is money when you throw the ball his way, he is a pretty big target and especially in short situations and end zone he can hold off people with his size and make key catches.

Where his blocking will really pay off, and where we should be reaping the rewards of having the best blocking TE in the league is the run game, if we have a dominant tackle and Graham lined up shoulder to shoulder, they should be able to pave a huge highway to blast a running back into. Graham can take on most linebackers and not get beat, with a tackle taking on a DE on his own and winning, that leaves a pretty big gap to send someone flying through.

Right now we are wasting a player in the passing game because we have 6 blockers on every play, we should be able to block with 5 on a lot of plays and have that extra reciever out there to create space. Imagin Graham acting as the checkdown, that means you can send Stokley or Scheffler, Marshall and whoever becomes our 2nd WR out on the field to look for some serious yardage with Cutler at the gun.

[elevation INC]

everyone so far has valid points, including max power, but I echo the majority setiment that harris and pears are questions, graham will still be forced to maintain the line of scrimmage simply because neither is dominant and will need help , clady i feel would beat out pears in camp as would williams, in any case tackle is a huge need simply because we have 2 guys on our roster desiganted as tackles. that is horrible when u consider we have 6 plus guards and 4 plus centers. OT will be a Need and considered in rds 1-5 guarneteed.


a first rd tackle at 12 makes perfect sense especially if clady or williams is there.

we can expect shanny to focus on the o-line just like he did with the d-line last year.




oh yeah another thing to consider, nfl scouts now are predicting brandon albert to be a starting LT in the NFL. perhaps albert at 12 would actually be a good pick if Clady is gone not only because he is dominant, but he is far more versatile than williams or clady

[japfaff]

when it comes to drafting an OT in the 1st.

Daniel Graham.

He's such a good blocker that he is like a 3rd tackle out there, and both run-blocking and pass-blocking suffered as a whole when he wasn't in.

Whether or not Shanny still believes in Harris and Pears is of course an important factor in deciding whether or not to invest in an OT in the 1st round of the draft.

But I think people are forgetting how integral Graham is to the O-line, I mean, he's basically a 3rd tackle that sometimes catches passes.

What do you think?

I totally agree....that is the point though. If we can get a tackle then we really got something going in the running game. Plus with our lack of solid receiver we can also play two TE setups like we used to and run the seam down the middle all day long. A tackle would open up so much for us. Plus it would keep Cutler healthy

[silkamilkamonic]

Graham is a great blocker. But I do think if he is asked to continue run blocking as much as he has there will be problems with him and the chemistry of the team.

He left New England because he wanted the opportunity to be a receiving TE. Shanahan promised him he would have that opportunity, and he hasn't because our protection has been so bad.

Yea he has dropped some, but when your being asked to block 75%+ of the time, you're not getting an opportunity to be a receiver. If Shanahan doesn't see an opportunity for him to be a receiver with the poor blocking or the oline and Scheffler, I think Shanahan needs to look at trading him, and investing in a cheaper blocking TE.