Ryan Clady will be lining up against the great Julius Peppers Sunday.
Or is it Julius Peppers will be lining up against the great Ryan Clady Sunday?
If Clady hasn’t been great, he’s been a half-notch below it. Even as a rookie. Even at left tackle, the offensive line’s most difficult position, where you encounter the opposing team’s best pass rusher every week.
That’s why Jay Cutler shrugged his shoulders Wednesday when asked if he felt Clady would be up to the challenge of facing Peppers, whose 12-1/2 sacks have given him 68-1/2 for his career, the most in the history of the Panthers’ franchise.
“He has passed all the tests,” said Cutler, when asked about Clady. It started the first preseason game with Mario (Williams). You don’t expect a rookie to step in and play at that level right away. He has just been unbelievable.”
You never know how a rookie is going to play in the NFL, even one selected with the 12th pick in the draft, as Clady was. Then again, Mike Shanahan did something on draft day that he had never done in his 14 years of selecting college players: He ordained Clady a starter before he ever put on a uniform.
We knew Clady was going to be a starter. What we didn’t know was that he would be a star.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s sports updates on The Jimmy Page morning and afternoon Monday-Friday. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
