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Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: Left Tackles
Published: July 3, 2009
Heading into the 2008 offseason, the left tackle position was a huge question mark for the Denver Broncos.
After a dismal 7-9 effort in 2007, they found themselves holding the 12th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. At the time, they were expected to go after one of three players: Boise State tackle Ryan Clady, Virginia tackle Branden Albert, or Vanderbilt tackle Chris Williams.
Clady was considered by many to be a top-five talent, and some scouts even projected him to go as high as fifth overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.
When he fell to the 12th overall pick, there was no way the Broncos would pass him up.
Professional and collegiate scouts alike raved about Clady’s athleticism and quick feet, thanks largely to the fact that the 6’6″ 325-pound behemoth is a former tight end.
Little did the Broncos or their fans know what kind of player Clady would become and how great an impact he would have in such a short time in the NFL.
After being dubbed the starting left tackle almost immediately after being selected by former head coach Mike Shanahan, Clady went on to have one of the greatest seasons one will ever see from a rookie at any position.
The Boise State product was one of 11 rookies in 2008 to start all 16 games at his position, and one of only three offensive tackles.
Not impressed?
Clady was the only left tackle in the entire NFL to participate in all 16 games and not allow a full sack.
Still not impressed?
The Broncos finished the season second in the NFL in pass attempts with 620, meaning Clady allowed a sack roughly 0.08 percent of the time—best in the NFL. He also participated in 1,019 snaps in all.
If you are not impressed by that, then here are some miscellaneous facts about Clady’s 2008 campaign that will blow your mind.
The rookie allowed only half of a sack, while only committing one holding penalty, and three penalties overall in the 2008 season. He was named Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his performance against Kansas City in Week 14, and he was rewarded for his stellar season by being selected as a second-team All-Pro.
Clady was the only rookie on either side of the ball to be selected to either All-Pro team, and was still snubbed of a Pro Bowl appearance. Jason Peters, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, started the Pro Bowl for the AFC after a season in which he allowed 11.5 sacks.
Why is this significant?
The entire Denver Broncos offensive line allowed 11.5 sacks in 2008.
Clady also helped pave the way for the NFL’s 12th ranked rushing offense despite going through a total of nine different running backs throughout the course of the season. The Broncos ranked fifth in the NFL rushing to the left side, where Clady sets up camp.
Clady is a dominant force in this league, and after the statistics provided, there is no question he is the best offensive tackle in the game today. The Broncos have a gem, and he should be a dominant force for the next decade plus, barring injury.
Still, an elite offensive line is only as good as its depth, and the Broncos are hoping they can count on second-year player Tyler Polumbus if any injuries do occur at the left tackle spot.
Polumbus was acquired shortly after the 2008 NFL Draft as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Colorado, and he ended up making the Broncos’ final roster.
When Clady suffered a minor injury during last season, Polumbus was scheduled to start before Clady decided to play through the pain.
The Broncos’ offensive line will be coached by former offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, a man who has coached Denver’s offensive line for much of this decade.
I fully expect the Broncos to keep Polumbus on their final roster along with Clady, occupying two roster spots from the left tackle position.
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