Denver Broncos Game 1 Position/Player Grades
Aug 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin (74), Ryan Clady (78), and guard Louis Vasquez (65) during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Line
- Ryan Clady: A
What a difference having Clady back makes. The pocket was clean for Manning to operate and Clady is a big reason. Despite putting in a great showing, Clady still was not at 100%. Clady at 75% however, is a lot of other left tackles at 150%.
- Orlando Franklin: B
The move to left guard is looking like the right one. Franklin was the only first unit OL to get consistent push. One play he pulled to the right, but missed his man. Besides that his showing was great. He looks good in pass protection and able to hold his own against the stronger defensive linemen. He was ferocious and never gave up, literally kept pushing until the whistle. Sometimes even after it.
- Manny Ramirez: C-
Another bad snap. This time, thankfully, it wasn’t for a safety, on the first play of the game, on the biggest stage in the NFL. After that he slightly rebounded. His pass blocking was on par, but improvements can be made. His run blocking was strong. He also was a help to Demaryius Thomas to pick up a first down. Bad snap put him at a D, but he recovered but solid performance.
- Louis Vasquez: B-
Vasquez looks like he did last year. Great in both pass protection and run protection. He got called for a bad holding call, but is looks like a really bad call. He could get more consistent in his run blocking, but for the most part, he looked good.
- Chris Clark: C-
The showing could’ve been better. Got pushed back easily for a hurried pass on Peyton Manning. In the run game he was pushed around for the most part. Needs to get his legs under him and drive more to get a better push. Altogether, he looked okay but could have done a lot better. He needs to do a lot better.
- Winston Justice: C
Justice looked solid on the left side. His pass protection was really good and he managed to be a force in the run game. If he continues it, he should get a shot at starting right tackle, if Clark doesn’t turn it around.
- Ben Garland: C+
The fan favorite put together a pretty good showing. Allowed a couple hurries on the QB, but other than a handful of plays, he was really good. His run blocking was stout and fierce. If it weren’t for the few hurries, he would’ve graded out with a B.
- Will Montgomery: C-
It’s safe to say that overall Montgomery wasn’t that bad. Thankfully for him he displayed great run blocking prowess. However, his pass blocking was near dreadful. As long as it remains that bad, he won’t push for the starting job.
- Vinston Painter: D-
When will the Painter experiment end? They drafted him to play RT, he didn’t pan out. Moved him to RG, and so far, the showing has been awful. On a sack on Brock, Painter just got bullied. His run blocking was poor, overall pass blocking was poor. Altogether, a very poor performance.
- Paul Cornick: C-
Cornick is showing something in camp, and is translated to the game. He was the second best OL on the right side. Cornick could stand to improve his run blocking, but he was stout in pass protection.
- Michael Schofield, Matt Paradis and Ryan Miller: N/A
Surprisingly, the third round pick, Schofield, did not see any reps. Need to see if that changes in the next game. Paradis is the #3 center and the Broncos mainly stuck with ones and twos on the OL, which is why Miller didn’t see reps either. The only third unit OL to see time was Cornick #3 LT, who apparently the Broncos have higher than Schofield, the #2 RT.
Overall: C+
Altogether, the left side put together a better performance from top to bottom than the right side of the line. If Justice puts together another solid showing and Clark struggles, the battle for the starting RT will likely open up again. Would like to see more from the right side, their poor grades brought down the overall grade of the whole line.