Last season the Denver Broncos cobbled together an offensive line. From aging veteran guard Louis Vasquez to Matt Paradis, who hadn’t seen an NFL snap in his career yet. Through several injuries, substitutions and promotions they made it work and even got a ring in the process, but a needed change was swift.
Two new tackles, Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson, joined the team and shored up the starting tackle spots, and Paradis will join Max Garcia as returning starters. The remaining one spot is up for grabs starting July 28.
There are several players on the team that technically have a shot at the job. The roster lists only four guards (including Garcia), Ty Sambrailo is still listed as a tackle although he has admittedly been moved to guard. Garcia earned his stripes last season playing 48.9 percent of snaps and Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison spoke of him in early June and hinted strongly to Garcia’s chances at retaining his slot.
“The experience he got through the year in games really has helped him. I think he’s just settled in,” Dennison said. “He’s one of those guys that you don’t notice because he’s doing his job. I think that’s the biggest thing for Max—get comfortable in that.
That leaves four contenders in camp. Ty Sambrailo seems to have the coaches favor and a bit of experience. During his rookie season, he started the first three games at left tackle before a shoulder injury took him out for the year. At Colorado State University, he played all five positions along the line but primarily at guard and tackle. In 48 games he started 42 and was then drafted 59th-overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.
“Obviously, he’s an athletic kid. He has great balance. That’s what we saw when we drafted him,” Dennison said May 25 of Sambrailo and his move inside. “He’s a smart kid. He comes from a stellar university like he did—my alma mater (laughing). It’s a chance to get our best five guys out there. If he has the flexibility to go in and play, great.”
Although Sambrailo has the inside track, his NFL experience is limited, and many other youthful inside players are right on his tail.
“[Sam] Brenner will work in there, obviously. He’s definitely working in there,” Head Coach Gary Kubiak said May 24 of the guards in the competition. “We just have a lot of good competition going. I think we have three or four guys that can play center or guard, so that’s something we battled with last year. Remember, we suited up eight guys the majority of the year. We’d like to get away from that.”
Brenner is a fourth-year player who has appeared in ten games (two starts) that can play both center and guard. However, Connor McGovern, a tackle and guard from the University of Missouri impressed General Manger John Elway enough to take him 144th overall in this year’s draft.
“We wanted to draft an offensive lineman, and he’s very athletic,” Elway said just after the pick. “I think he’s a guy that can move inside and play some guard. He’s got that flexibility and is very athletic, and a tough guy. One thing we know about him is that he likes the weight room. He spends a lot of time in the weight room, so it’s our kind of guy.”
McGovern, who played a lot of tackle at the end of his career with the Tigers, expects to compete immediately for a job at guard.
“Just playing on the inside. I think that’s where I’ll be the most successful in my career as a Bronco,” McGovern said May 6. “I can help the team out on the outside if need be, but I think I’ll be most successful on the inside.”
McGovern and Brenner will certainly push Sambrailo to the max as they too believe they are the right man for the job. Robert Myers Jr., a second player from Tennessee State and Aaron Neary out of Eastern Washington round out the group. Myers certainly has a shot to move up the depth chart after joining the Broncos December 30 of last year.
For the offensive line technique and conditioning is key. That will be on display day one of camp and will only intensify as the summer progresses. While several starting jobs seem sewn up, players must stay healthy and prove that their experience and the coach’s initial feelings are correct. With that said, the right guard position is the first target for several players and will be a prime place for coaches and fans to look in just over two week’s time.
