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Inside The Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Centers
Published: July 7, 2009
Like the majority of the Denver Broncos’ offensive line heading into 2008, the center position was really in question.
Future Broncos’ Ring of Famer and possibly Hall of Fame selection Tom Nalen, the lone remaining Bronco from the Super Bowl days, had suffered his second consecutive season-ending injury before the year had even started.
Fortunately, Denver had a backup plan. Late in the 2008 offseason, the team signed veteran Casey Wiegmann to a two year contract. Wiegmann had played most of his NFL career with the rival Kansas City Chiefs, and had been one of their better players over the course of the decade.
Wiegmann had every intention of backing up Nalen at the outset, but after the injury, he was thrust into the starting role.
To say he relished his role would be an understatement.
Whilst extending his NFL record for consecutive starts among active offensive linemen to 152 games (amassing 7,062 consecutive plays), Wiegmann earned his first career trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate.
After his stellar 2008 campaign, the 14 year veteran let the Broncos know that if he was not rewarded for his efforts with a new two-year contract worth more money, he would retire prior to training camp.
Unlike diva wide receiver Brandon Marshall, Wiegmann proved to Broncos brass that he was worthy of such an extension. He missed only one session of the team’s offseason activities, voluntary or mandatory.
Wiegmann was honored with a new contract, and heads into the 2009 season as the unquestioned starter and veteran leader of the Bronco offense.
Right behind him on the depth chart lurks 2008 fourth round pick Kory Lichtensteiger, formerly of Bowling Green.
The knock on Lichtensteiger is that he has short arms. But despite his critics, the second year player fits the theme of “versatility” on Denver’s offensive line. He can play center and guard equally as well; he even lined up for the Broncos as a third tight end and fullback in goal-line situations last season.
He will be a valuable asset on special teams and could fill in at center, left guard, or right guard if the Broncos need him because of an injury. He is also said to be the heir apparent to start in place of Ben Hamilton or Wiegmann when one retires.
The reason I mention him as an heir apparent to Hamilton at left guard is because the Broncos drafted another center in 2009 who they really like.
In the seventh round, Denver drafted Blake Schlueter of TCU—a very versatile and athletic lineman.
He proved that by running a sub-4.80 second 40-yard dash at TCU’s pro day, and the Broncos could have more first year plans in mind for him than at the center position.
Much like Lichtensteiger in 2008, Schlueter could be used in goal line situations as a fullback or tight end. His athleticism and size would make him a nightmare for defenders to take down if he were given the ball inside the five yard-line.
There is also a chance that he could end up being the heir to free agent signee Lonie Paxton, who was the Broncos’ first acquisition of the off-season.
Paxton is a ten year veteran who has played nearly every game over the last decade for the New England Patriots.
He is familiar with coach Josh McDaniels, and is considered one of the NFL’s elite long snappers.
Paxton is a three time Super Bowl champion, and will prove to be a very valuable offseason addition.
I believe the Broncos will keep three centers and a long snapper, as I have projected them to keep only one left guard. Lichtensteiger could be considered a guard/center hybrid player, allowing the Broncos to use roster spots on other positions.
Center could very well be the position with the most depth on the Broncos’ offensive line for 2009—which is really saying something.
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