Tim Tebow runs with the football while being protected by guard Russ Hochstein (71). (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Offensive lineman Russ Hochstein got to know the AFC West very well after playing for the Denver Broncos for 46 games (16 starts) from 2009-2011.

Hochstein left Denver after last season, and signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, however, he was released by the Cardinals in their final cuts.

The good news for Hochstein is he gets to stay in the AFC West. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a one-year deal to fill in for an injured offensive line. Center Rodney Hudson is out with a knee injury, and that moved Ryan Lilja into the middle.

Before Hochstein was a Bronco, he played for the New England Patriots for seven seasons at a time when current Chiefs’ GM Scott Pioli was with the team.

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Manny Ramirez's first year with the Broncos was in 2011. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Right guard Chris Kuper has become all too familiar with the ceiling of the operating room. Just as he was easing back into practice after a fractured fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle left him sidelined since January 1, Kuper found himself back in the OR to repair a broken left forearm.

“Unfortunately it was a freak accident,” John Fox said. “His arm swung and hit someone and actually cracked the smaller bone in the arm.”

Kuper had surgery on Wednesday and he is expected to be out 4-6 weeks.

As Kuper was easing his way back into football, backup right guard Manny Ramirez was taking most of the reps with the first team. The “next man up” approach never skips a beat.

“Last year when Kuper went down, Russ Hochstein came in and did a great job, and Manny has been with the one’s almost the entire camp because Chris was limited early on when we started here,” offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said. “He’s done a great job and he’s fit right in. We’re not going to skip a beat.”

Hochstein has since signed with the Arizona Cardinals so it’s Ramirez that will get his shot. Ramirez has played in 20 games (15 starts) during his five year career. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of Texas Tech.

More importantly, however, people are wondering how the 6’3″, 313-pound lineman will gel in Peyton Manning’s offense.

“It’s probably more critical for J.D. [Walton] and for Orlandon [Franklin] to be comfortable with Manny because he’s right in between them and they’re making calls together, and so the fact that he has had an extended amount of work going back to OTA’s will be beneficial to him.”

It’s next man up until it’s last man up in Denver. Let the games begin.

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Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Clady (78) and offensive guard Zane Beadles (68) line up for a down during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Sports Authority Field on October 30, 2011. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

Offensive linemen hold a special place in my heart because the majority of my time playing organized tackle football was spent as a member of this group.  Offensive linemen have to be a special breed and have very thick skin because when things go well they get very little credit, and when things go bad they may be the first group that gets the finger pointed at them.

The o-line doing their job, or not doing their job, is very evident by the results of each play.  A running back gains positive yards, a quarterback has enough time to find the open receiver for a completion – five guys did their job.  On the flip side of this are the consequences of the offensive line not executing – a running back gets stuffed, a quarterback is harassed by the defense and cannot get into any rhythm – it all points back in one way or another to the guys who make their living in the trenches.

Due to the way the game has evolved, the two tackles, the two guards, and the center must move and execute as one unit.  Numbers and names on jerseys of offensive linemen are only required for fans and coaches to find out who messed up and didn’t do their job.  It is cliché, but in all seriousness, coaches, players and realistic fans know that any unit – offense, defense, or special teams – is only as strong as the weakest link.  Below is a brief summary of the 2011 starting Denver Bronco offensive linemen courtesy of www.denverbroncos.com – be sure to check out www.denverbroncos.com for more information on each of these players.  These five individuals will be the foundation for the Broncos offense as they prepare for the 2012 season and beyond.

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