Kory Lichtensteiger, a center from Bowling Green taken in the fourth round by the Broncos, can be forgiven if he doesn’t yet know much about Denver’s roster.
When asked Sunday on a teleconference with Denver media if he knew much about perennial all-pro center Tom Nalen, Lichtensteiger thought the question referred to a former college coach.
“You mean, Tom Nehlen?” replied Lichtensteiger, referring to the former West Virginia and Bowling Green coach.
“Sorry, I don’t know much about Tom Nalen.”
Lichtensteiger, 6-feet-3 and 310 pounds, was taken with the first of two Broncos picks in the fourth round, No. 78 overall. Whether Lichtensteiger can become a worthy successor to Nalen remains to be seen. In the short term, Lichtensteiger could get a look at right guard as a replacement for Chris Myers. A starter for every game in 2007, Myers was traded in the offseason to the Houston Texans.
As a senior, Lichtensteiger was credited with 16 blocks that resulted in touchdowns. He was listed as the most underrated offensive lineman in the Midwest by The NFL Draft Report.
“This is a dream come true; the Broncos were one of the teams I liked,” Lichtensteiger said, referring to Bowling Green using a zone blocking scheme similar to that of the Broncos.
Lichtensteiger underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery two months ago. He said he is on schedule to be ready for contact in another two to three months.
