2015 Broncos Season — We Have a Problem


So, the Broncos have only had a couple of practices so far this season — a rookie mini camp and OTAs, which began on Wednesday. And so far, it's been a disaster.

During the rookie practice, tight end Jeff Heuerman, the team's third round draft pick, who was lost for the season. That was a set back, of sorts, and the Broncos saw Heuerman as a key piece of the tight end puzzle. But with Owen Daniels and Virgil Green, it could be worse.

Worse happened during the OTAs, as left tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL and was also lost for the season. Ugh. It was hard not to think that, post injury, the Broncos' Super Bowl hopes are over. Some might say that's panic talk since it's still May, but consider the depth of the problems with the Denver Broncos offensive line.

Heading into OTAs, the team only had two starters locked in. Clady was set to play Left Tackle and Louis Vasquez is set at Right Guard. Both are Pro Bowlers, so on paper that's a good start. But there are five offensive line positions, and the Broncos only had two quality starters on the roster. Now they only have one.

Yesterday, in the wake of losing Clady, the Broncos re-signed Ryan Harris — who was with the team for a few years before becoming a journeyman tackle. And head coach Gary Kubiak also praised Chris Clark — a tackle with starting experience, yes, but who was benched early last season never to return. Let me try to contain my excitement…

Of course, neither of them are really at the top of the depth chart right now. In fact, it's possible the Broncos could start four offensive lineman who've never played in or started an NFL game agains the Baltimore Ravens on September 13. Currently rookie Ty Sambrailo is getting a look at left tackle, Ben Garland — a converted defensive lineman — is penciled in at left guard and Michael Schofield — a second year player who was a game-day inactive all last season — is at right tackle. And rookie Max Garcia is in play at center.

Of course the Broncos also have journeyman veterans in Harris, Clark, guard Shelly Smith and center Gino Gradkowski in the mix. Still, that's not a ton to be encouraged about.

And all this is before you consider the Broncos are counting on a 39-year-old quarterback that's not particularly mobile and has a history of neck injuries. Or that Kubiak wants to use a power running game, which requires a complex zone blocking scheme.

Now, it's possible all these new lineman could coalesce and the Broncos could be looking good. And Clady's injury doesn't guarantee that the Broncos endure a lost season. Still, I was concerned about the Broncos' starting offensive line before they traded Manny Ramirez and lost Clady for the season. Now? Who knows.

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