The Denver Broncos have a stud lineman on their hands in second-year player Quinn Meinerz. Meinerz is the best lineman on the team, by far. The Broncos offensive line might be the worst coached unit, regardless of position, in the entire NFL, and I don’t think I’m being hyperbolic there.
Offensive line coach Butch Barry has done a downright horrendous and pathetic job this year as the unit’s coach. The entire line has regressed and has not shown any sort of competency. The unit is also needing an influx of talent.
I’d expect to see at least three new starters on the line for next season, but I could see as many as four. However, there is one player who has all but cemented himself as a quality guard in the NFL and the best offensive lineman on the Broncos roster.
Second-year guard Quinn Meinerz out of a DIII school is excellent at what he does. Sometimes when you’re watching a game, it might be hard to key in and watch a specific player, especially on the interior of the offensive line.
The guards and centers are buried in the middle of the field, and unless they get brutally beat on a pass rush, it’s not the easiest to try and watch and see how they are playing. However, Quinn Meinerz leaving the game on Sunday with an eye injury all but proved that he was the best lineman on the roster.
Meinerz not being in the game proved to be detrimental to the unit. They allowed about 195 sacks when he left the game. Tom Compton and Luke Wattenberg, two backups, were simply no match for the Cardinals’ defensive line.
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The performance drop-off from when Meinerz left the game and the backups came in was astounding to see. It does not only prove Meinerz’s value to the team, but also the need for quality backup linemen.