September 21st 2024.
The recent performance of the Broncos has left fans feeling disheartened and concerned about the team's chances this season. Once again, the game was riddled with interceptions, penalties, and missed opportunities. It's clear that there are some major issues that need to be addressed.
But what exactly is the root of the problem? Many have pointed fingers at different aspects of the team, but it seems that the offensive line is bearing the brunt of the blame. With 14 three-and-outs and only one touchdown in the last two games, it's hard to argue against their lackluster performance.
During a hot and humid practice, left guard Ben Powers sat down and expressed his disappointment. He acknowledged that the organization values a strong offensive line, and it's something that they take great pride in. They understand the responsibility that comes with carrying the team to victory, and they are determined to do their part.
Unfortunately, the once promising offensive line has fallen short of expectations and have instead dragged the entire offense down. The first two weeks of the season were filled with basic mistakes and missed blocks, leading to a dismal performance. According to Pro Football Focus, a reliable source for analyzing player performance, the Broncos rank 31st in run blocking and 30th in pass protection.
This comes as no surprise to former Pro Bowl guard Mark Schlereth and Super Bowl 50 champion tackles Tyler Polumbus and Ryan Harris. As experts in the field, they were asked for their insights after closely watching game footage.
Polumbus, who now works as a talk show host, expressed his disappointment with the recent game against the Steelers, stating that it was some of the worst football he's seen in the last eight years. He also gave credit to the Steelers for their strong defense, but he didn't hold back in criticizing the Broncos' offensive line.
So, why exactly are they struggling? Schlereth, who is now a host and commentator, didn't mince his words. He pointed out that every play seems to have both a physical and a mental breakdown. While he understands that getting physically outmatched can happen, the mental mistakes are inexcusable. He believes that this shows a lack of understanding of the team's strategy and goals.
Harris echoed this sentiment, stating that the offensive line often looks tired and isn't able to sustain blocks. It's clear that the group needs to improve if the Broncos want to see any success this season.
Looking at individual performances, it's clear that there is room for improvement. According to PFF, only one player on the offensive line, Mike McGlinchey, has a positive ranking. The rest of the group, including newly signed Quinn Meinerz, is struggling to perform at a high level.
Meinerz, who signed a big contract extension in the offseason, has been particularly disappointing. In the recent game against the Steelers, he made several costly mistakes, leading to a poor performance. Schlereth believes that Meinerz may be feeling the pressure of his new contract and is trying to do too much on the field.
Harris also pointed out that Meinerz is still young and has room to grow and improve. He believes that Meinerz needs to anticipate the movements of the opposing team rather than simply reacting to them.
Despite their struggles, Meinerz remains determined to improve and help the team succeed. He understands that it's about execution and making the necessary adjustments to perform better on the field.
As the Broncos continue to work towards a successful season, it's clear that the offensive line will need to step up and play at a higher level. With the recent injury to McGlinchey, the team will be relying on first-time starter Alex Palczewski to fill the void. It's up to the entire group to work together and fix their mistakes in order to achieve their goals.
It's no secret that the Broncos have been struggling this season, and last week was a harsh reminder of that fact. Once again, we saw interceptions being thrown, penalties being called, and plays being stuffed. It was a tough week for everyone involved, and it's clear that the team is facing some major challenges.
One of the biggest red flags is the offensive statistics, which are not looking good. In fact, they are downright terrible and almost impossible to believe for a team that isn't playing in leather helmets and using old-fashioned black-and-white TVs with rabbit ears. It's not a matter of debate that the Broncos' offense is struggling, but the real question is: who is to blame for this mess?
There are plenty of culprits to point fingers at, but it's hard to ignore the offensive line's role in the team's struggles. In the past two games, the Broncos have had 14 three-and-outs and only one touchdown, and it's clear that the offensive line has been a major disappointment in comparison to expectations.
During a humid practice in August, left guard Ben Powers sat on a bench and set the bar for the team. He emphasized the importance of having a dominant offensive line and how it's up to them to carry the team to success. However, instead of fulfilling their promise, the offensive line has dragged the entire offense down, making elementary mistakes and missing crucial blocks. According to Pro Football Focus, which provides reliable grades for players, the Broncos rank near the bottom in both run blocking and pass protection.
This comes as no surprise to former Pro Bowl guard Mark Schlereth and Super Bowl 50 champion tackles Tyler Polumbus and Ryan Harris. As experts on the subject, they have a deeper understanding of the trenches and the role of the offensive line. After watching the film, they shared their thoughts on the team's performance.
Polumbus, who now works as a talk show host, admitted that the Broncos' offense was terrible, especially in the past week's game against the Steelers. He also mentioned that the Steelers' defense is incredibly strong, so it's no surprise that the Broncos struggled against them. However, he also pointed out that the offensive line's performance was simply unacceptable.
Schlereth, who has a wealth of experience as a talk show host and NFL commentator, was even more direct in his assessment. He pointed out that while physical breakdowns can happen, the bigger issue for the offensive line is their mental breakdowns. He believes that the players lack a global understanding of the team's strategy and are not able to adapt to different situations on the field.
Harris echoed this sentiment, saying that the offensive line often looks tired, and their lack of endurance is evident in their play. He also believes that they are not sustaining blocks long enough, which is contributing to the team's struggles.
Looking at the statistics, it's clear that the Broncos' offensive line is not performing up to par. They rank near the bottom in rushing yards and passing yards, and have already given up four interceptions this season. While quarterback Bo Nix was expected to face some challenges as a rookie, no one anticipated that the offensive line would play like inexperienced players.
According to Pro Football Focus, the only player who has been performing well on the offensive line is Mike McGlinchey, but he recently suffered a knee injury and will be out for four weeks. His replacement, Alex Palczewski, will be making his first start in the upcoming game.
Despite the struggles of the offensive line, Quinn Meinerz has been a particularly surprising disappointment. He was given a large contract extension in the off-season, but he has not lived up to expectations. In fact, he has been ranked near the bottom among qualifying guards by Pro Football Focus.
Schlereth believes that Meinerz may be feeling the pressure of his new contract and is trying to do too much on the field. He's a strong and talented player, but he needs to focus on his role and not try to do too much.
Harris acknowledges that Meinerz is still young and has room to grow and improve. He suggests that Meinerz should work on anticipating plays rather than reacting to them, which will help him become a better player.
In the end, it's clear that the offensive line is a major factor in the Broncos' struggles this season. While there are other issues at play, it's up to the offensive line to improve their performance and help the team achieve success. As center Quinn Meinerz said, they need to continue working together and fixing their mistakes in order to turn things around. It's not too late for the Broncos to turn their season around, but it will take a team effort to make it happen.
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