Denver Broncos Offensive Lineman Player Profile: Orlando Franklin

Dec 23 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tackle Orlando Franklin (74) protects in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Browns 34-12. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

As true football fans know, the offensive line on a football team at any level gets very little recognition, if any at all.  Many times, the attention they get is when things fall apart (quarterback sacks, minus rushing yards, etc).  Unfortunately, the Denver Broncos offensive line has been blasted by injuries in this young season, so I’m sure the coaching staff is scrambling to piece together a unit that will allow the Peyton Manning-lead offensive machine to function at its high potential.  If the first two seasons are any indication, tackle Orlando Franklin will be, if he isn’t already, a leader and foundation of the Bronco offensive line; not only for this season, but many seasons to come.  As the first pre-season game of 2013 approaches quickly, please read a brief synopsis of Orlando Franklin’s career as I shed some light on the current starting right tackle for the Denver Broncos.

Birth date and location: December 16, 1987 – Kingston, Jamaica (age 26)

Height: 6-7

Weight: 320

Jersey number: 74

High school: Atlantic Community High School (Delray Beach, FL)

College: University of Miami

NFL Draft: 2011 (Round 2, Pick 14; 46th overall)

Years pro: 2

Games played: 32

Games started: 32

Awards / accomplishments:

• In 2012 allowed the fewest sacks (3.5) in the NFL among 16-game starting right tackles
• Became the first right tackle and just the sixth offensive lineman overall in Denver Bronco history to start every regular-season game as a rookie in 2011
• Named to the All-Rookie Team by Football Outsiders after opening all 16 regular-season contests and playing in 98.2 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in 2011 while helping the club lead the NFL in rushing with a franchise-record 164.5 yards per game on the ground
• Played 51 games (39 starts) at left guard and left tackle during his career at the University of Miami, twice earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition
• Voted the Miami Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero and was a second-team All-ACC selection following his senior season in 2010 when he led the Hurricanes with 61 pancake blocks to go along with 16 cut blocks
• Allowed zero sacks as a senior in his only season at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Fla., where he was rated as the No. 2 offensive tackle on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 Team

Interesting Facts:

• Lived in Jamaica until the age of 3 before moving to Canada
• Grew up in Toronto, Canada and played two seasons of high school football before moving to Florida in order to receive college recruiting attention

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