Denver Broncos Sign Old Friend, Ryan Harris To Compete For Left Tackle Spot

Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Ryan Harris (68) pass protects on Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

You didn’t think that Denver Broncos‘ VP of football operations, John Elway would wallow in self-pity upon learning of the season-ending ACL tear by left tackle, Ryan Clady…did you???

Of course not. Not only did Elway sign a player to add depth to the offensive line, he signed an old, familiar face. As reported by Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter on Twitter, the Broncos have signed one-time offensive line staple, Ryan Harris.

Harris was a 3rd round pick of the Broncos in 2007 by Mike Shanahan out of Notre Dame. He started all 16 games in 2008 under Shanny’s zone-blocking rushing attack. And while there were no 1000 yard rushers in the Broncos stable of running backs, as a team, they rushed for 1862 yards at a 4.8 yards per clip pace. And Harris was a mainstay on that line.

Harris’ last season in Denver, aside from a practice squad role in 2012, was 2009. However, he only played 8 games due to two dislocated toes he sustained midway through the season. From there he bounced around to Philadelphia, Houston (Where he played two seasons under Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison), and Kansas City. Harris is expected to compete for the vacated left tackle spot with veteran, Chris Clark, second year player, Michael Schofield, and rookie from Colorado State, Ty Sambrailo.

One would have to believe that Clark is probably the odds-on-favorite to win the job since he is only two years removed from the same role after Clady left a week two tilt against the New York Giants due to a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot. However, that is why they labor through two-a-days in August. This now becomes a very intriguing competition for us to watch come July 28th.