Well, we better learn these no-names’ names.
The reality is, for the 2015 Broncos to win in January 2016, Denver must maximize its roster. Last season’s roster was a constellation of stars, and two seasons ago, the offense was interstellar (“Star Wars,” even). Yes, many of the big names are back, but Gary Kubiak’s team can flourish in part because lesser-name players play the right way. The apprenticeships must be over.
And such, Michael Schofield matters. , this guy will compete for the right tackle job, along with, likely, a high draft pick from this spring. There are numerous talented tackles in this draft — Denver could likely nab one — but even so, shouldn’t a third-rounder with a year under his belt be ready to, at least, compete for a starting job?
On The Denver Post’s daily online morning show, (shameless plug), host Eric Goodman wondered if the Broncos shouldn’t use a first-round pick on a position it recently drafted high — be it offensive tackle or defensive tackle, in regards to Sly Williams. and I agreed that you can’t worry about the past, you simply have to attack the present, and if picking an OT or a NT can help you win ASAP, then you do it.
As such, a lot of apountry is nervous about the offensive line. They need to draft someone, right? Heck, a solid line last year faltered to the point that they got “Schlereth’d.” As of right now, there are three open spots. But guys, as Mike Klis , most teams can only afford to pay two linemen top market value. Well, Denver has done that with left tackle Ryan Clady ($10 million) and right guard Louis Vasquez ($5 million). Schofield will get his shot this year.
Cody Latimer, remember him? John Fox didn’t. Now that’s not a necessarily fair shot at Foxy — it’s arguable that the wide receiver Latimer wasn’t prepared to play on Sundays. Now, whose fault is that? Regardless, Latimer is in his second season, and Kubiak must play the man. We’re talking about a second-round pick here.
Other guys, such as defensive back Kayvon Webster and maybe even center Matt Paradis could be no-names whose names will matter come autumn. Incidentally, check out Paradis’ haircut from his Boise State days. As @DawgJaytee tweeted per the mullet: “Business in the front, Paradis in the back.”
I just googled Broncos center Matt Paradis, and my day is made.
— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman)
Chew on this
• Another sharp debate on “The Sports Show AM” was about reliability in the NFL. We were talking about , who was fantasy gold but also oft-injured and a matador blocker. Brown, a former NFL star, pointed out that he’d rather have a guy who’s a “seven,” but who’s ALWAYS a seven — at practice, in the film room, on Sundays — than a guy (not literally talking about Thomas, but you get the gist) who can be a “nine” some days but a “two” other days. On third-and-8, you want to know what you have out there.
• This is cool. found this — in 2000, Daniels was a high school quarterback, and , he was the 12th-best high school QB … one ahead of Kyle Orton. No. 1 on that list? Future baseball star Joe Mauer. Brodie Coyle was second and future Heisman winner Matt Leinart was seventh.
• is all you need to know about the Avalanche game last night — and, really, the Avalanche season.
• The Indiana Pacers are an NBA-best 12-2 since Feb. 1. Wait, really? Yup.
• Happy 34th birthday to “The People’s Champ,” , who’s “Got my mouth looking something like a disco ball. I got the diamonds and the ice all hand set. I might cause a cold front if I take a deep breath.”
Benjamin Hochman: bhochman@denverpost.com or
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