Renck: Expect many changes along Denver’s offensive line

Douglas Lee Jan 26, 2015 8:57 AM

Pro Bowl observations: Beckham’s one-handed catches, Broncos’ roster talk
blogs.denverpost.com

It’s unlikely that Orlando Franklin returns at guard. The scheme requires mobile linemen who can reach the second level on blocks. That means the Broncos must sign a right tackle — Paul Cornick and Chris Clark didn’t work out last season — and draft a right guard given how poorly Manny Ramirez performed.

The Broncos will keep Demaryius Thomas and I fully expect them to make a strong effort to re-sign tight end Julius Thomas. They will try to keep defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. It would not surprise me if Rahim Moore receives more money on the open market, leaving the Broncos to find a safety for the second consecutive year in free agency.

What of Michael Schofield, 2014 third-round pick?

Doug is IAOFM’s resident newsman and spelling czar. Follow him on Twitter @IAOFM

Thanks, Doc. Always appreciate your insight.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2015-01-26 22:51:26

Schofield did play some LG, but you're right, BK - RT was his primary slot. He did play some LG as well.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-01-26 22:15:18

Very good points, BM. I thought that Schofield played RT at Michigan. Their starting LT was drafted earlier than Schofield last year. Maybe he would be more comfortable on the left side - but he does have experience on the right side.
IMO Franklin is very important to keep. I think it is very important to have a solid interior OL to stop the A gap rushes. Then put your guys in the best position to succeed. That would mean to me: Clady-Franklin-Monty-Vasquez-Schofield/whomever? Maybe a FA pickup - unless there is someone who can step in and play right away at RT. Not very likely - but it is possible.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2015-01-26 22:13:54

You've got a good point, ob. One thing - Manny went from our best center to falling apart. He was safest at RG, but nothing was going to make him more than average at best. Clady was injured. They didn't really have a backup for Franklin, or he would have been a much better option at RT.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-01-26 21:36:04

What was worse was that knowing that Orton has no footwork, McD still didn't use the hot reads that are the standard for defeating repeated A gap blitzes. btw, I'm with you on Franklin (as if you didn't know :D).

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-01-26 21:35:42

Royal, I think he's got potential at either. I saw more of his RT work, and there's no reason that his footwork wouldn't fit in (Note - I don't see anyone but Manny having trouble with ZBS footwork, including Franklin at either slot). I didn't see enough of his LG work to say for sure, so I'll wait to get a look this summer.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-01-26 21:25:22

Looking at the way Manning plays, I think strong guards are more of a priority than a right tackle. He needs protection from those "A" gap blitzes, and space in front of him to throw well.

I still have this image of Orton in the "bad old days", when Walton and Beadles were rookies. Orton would be trying to throw quickly from a three-step drop, but the pressure would be on him so fast that he would just fling it as he was being knocked over backwards.

We've come such a long way from there. I say we should keep Franklin, and play him at left guard.

Posted by VonSwenson on 2015-01-26 13:37:28

Good news on DT. I'll believe it when I see it, though.

Posted by drewthorn on 2015-01-26 12:16:05

Letting Orlando Franklin go would be a mistake. I fail to understand why anyone would think that Franklin couldn't play the scheme Kubiak prefers to utilize.

If you truly believe the Broncos won't re-sign Franklin because they want to commit money elsewhere, then say that instead of ignoring that Franklin was your best lineman and talking about how he no longer fits schemes.

I still maintain that Franklin is a priority to re-sign. And if you get Montgomery re-signed, you only have to address one position on the line, because you know Clady and Vasquez will return. The only question to answer is: Where should Franklin go? All that depends on whether you keep Franklin at left guard (the ideal situation) or move him back to right tackle (you only do this if you don't believe you have better options at RT, but are available at LG).

And while we do have Schofield on the roster, he's been listed as a LOT. If the Broncos believe he is a better fit on the left side than the right (as was proven to be the case with Chris Clark), then they may not feel comfortable putting him there. Only time will tell where the Broncos see Schofield fitting in, though. I would agree the ideal situation is to let him be RT, but who knows where the Broncos might see him fitting in.

But losing Franklin means you have more than just one position to address, because it's clear that Ramirez is not going to be here next year (cap number is too high for a backup guard and he's not an ideal starter), and that Vasquez is a better fit at RG.

Posted by Bob Morris on 2015-01-26 11:59:07

Doc, how do you think Schoefield will fit in a ZBS at either RT or LG?

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2015-01-26 11:44:53

I think Renck is off in his evaluation of Orlando Franklin. I think Franklin could play in a zone scheme. Just because an offensive lineman is huge, does not necessarily mean he cannot play in a zone scheme. The issue in my mind with Franklin is what the open market is willing to pay him.

Posted by RSH, Esq. on 2015-01-26 11:04:02

Just a season from hell for Louis after his awesome 2013. He was battling multiple injuries all year as well as playing out of position. I can't wait to see him back to his old self next year.

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-01-26 10:55:51

I'm hoping the new coaching regime does better than the old one in terms of managing the OL. They had three strong pieces to work with, they should have been able to come up with two more serviceable ones and make something work better than they did. Moving Vasquez to an unfamiliar position created two holes on the same side of the line. It seems like the obvious move would have been to move Franklin to his old position then find a serviceable replacement for him inside. I wonder if Elway disagreed but correctly stayed out of coaching matters.

Posted by ohiobronco on 2015-01-26 10:27:27

Seems like it's not solely a personnel issue. While I think he was a good player, I don't think the loss of Zane Beadles was the reason the line went from stud to dud in a single season.

Assuming Schofield pans out, seems like we're in decent shape. Just need to play better.

Posted by Rhett Rothberg on 2015-01-26 10:25:01

That covers it. Well put

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-01-26 09:59:54

I didn't get the entire paragraph. OK, he says Franklin won't play LG. Maybe so, although his footwook was very good last season. What happens to him? If he moves to RT, they don't need an RT or an RG - that's Vasquez. Monty's got Paradis behind him, Franklin has Ben Garland behind him. Clady's going to be a question until either they let him go or confirm that he's their guy, which I find more likely. Clark backs him up.

Now you look at how to improve it.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2015-01-26 09:59:24

Man, he really mailed this one in.

Posted by Yahmule on 2015-01-26 09:38:47

Franklin would be fine in the new system. He is mobile enough to get to the next level. I don't understand why he thinks he wouldn't. I wouldn't be surprised to see Franklin leave for more money, but it's silly to think he won't fit the new system

Posted by Tim on 2015-01-26 09:33:13

I had the exact same thought. All though, my thought was, "Does this guy even watch the Broncos?"

"That means the Broncos must sign a right tackle — Paul Cornick and Chris Clark didn't work out last season — and draft a right guard given how poorly Manny Ramirez performed."

How you write that sentence without realizing who played RT during the back half of the season and not remember where he came from is beyond me.

Posted by C$ Money on 2015-01-26 09:20:02

Probably just a brain fart on his behalf. Vasquez is an all-pro RG that was struggling with injuries all of last year. Broncos would be flat out ridiculous if they still plan on keeping him as a OT.

I would have to imagine Elway has a plan for Schofield...hence using a 3rd round pick for him. The kid is an absolute perfect fit for the ZBS.

Posted by BK on 2015-01-26 09:18:37

Is Louis Vasquez getting cut? Otherwise, why the need for a RT and a RG?

Posted by Drew on 2015-01-26 09:08:33

FWIW, Rahim Moore said (when the Broncos drafted him) that he'd always wanted to be a Bronco.

Posted by bradley on 2015-01-26 09:01:55

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