If you’re having a heck of a time believing in the Broncos’ offensive line, then would you believe, um, Baron Browning?
“Listen, the guys on the offensive line, all across (the front), from (left tackle) Garett Bolles to (right tackle) Calvin Anderson, (guards) Quinn (Meinerz) and Dalton (Risner) … I feel like we’ve got a great offensive line unit,” Browning, the Broncos’ breakout outside linebacker, said.
“They really make us be true to how we set up our (fronts) and how we have to attack them. So I definitely feel like going against those guys for the last few weeks, it made me better.”
With the exception of a strong performance in an open practice setting against the Dallas Cowboys in mid-August, which was the first chance to hit someone in a different colored helmet all summer, the voracity of the Broncos’ starting five up front was still something of a mystery as the preseason drew to a close.
Which isn’t the most sunny narrative, given that the No. 1 acquisition of the offseason was a franchise quarterback in 33-year-old Russell Wilson — an investment, it goes without saying, that needs protection at all costs.
“(Wilson) does a great job of keeping those (linemen) on-point, keeping those guys accountable and sticking together as an offense,” new offensive line coach Butch Barry told The Denver Post. “And he’s a winner. And all those things factor in for our whole offense, factor in for our room.”
Unfortunately, that room has also been in something of a state of flux, particularly at right tackle. Projected starter Billy Turner, a free-agent signee from Green Bay, took only a handful of team practice reps in August.
One of the few guarantees for an NFL offensive line over the course of a long season is losing healthy bodies for spells at a time. Which is why Barry and first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett have preached flexibility as much as continuity up front, mixing and matching with different line combinations all summer.
“Anytime that you have to move around, you have to learn the offense better,” Barry said. “And then when you play multiple positions (on the line), you really have to know what you’re doing. And it shows if you don’t, you know what I mean?”
We know. The 27-point preseason loss at Buffalo back on Aug. 20 showed us plenty, on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Especially when it came to how important the Broncos’ starters up front — who didn’t play against the Bills — could be for both the health of Wilson and the health of the offense, period.
As the nimble Wilson looks to extend the later stages of his career, he may not be able to extend plays with his legs the way the nine-time Pro Bowler could seven or eight years ago.
Wilson’s Seahawks line in 2021, per FootballOutsiders.com, ranked 24th among NFL teams in adjusted opponent sack rate, at a clip of 8.0% of all dropbacks. Seattle’s pocket checked in at No. 30 (8.2%) two years ago. The Broncos, meanwhile, ranked 21st (7.5%) and 19th. (6.8%), respectively. The league average for adjusted sack rate was 6.6% in ’21 and 6.4% in ’20.
“I think the accountability factor here at the Denver Broncos has changed dramatically,” veteran left guard and Wiggins native Dalton Risner observed near the start of preseason camp.
“There’s been a sense of urgency since I showed up in April. I think that everyone can feel that sense of urgency … and that starts with Russell. It starts with QB1. And he’s done a great job ever since he stepped foot in here of holding everyone accountable. But the thing he does best is, he holds himself accountable first.”
If you’re still having a heck of a time believing in the Broncos’ offensive line, then would you believe, um, ESPN.com?
In early August, one of the Worldwide Leader’s sports analytics writers, Seth Walder, projected the Broncos this fall to produce the fourth-best offensive line in the NFL, behind only the top-ranked Chiefs, Packers and Eagles.
Other than that, hey, no pressure, Butch.
“I didn’t see (the report). I didn’t notice it,” Barry said of the site’s projection. “I mean, it’s always nice to be respected. But we’ve got to go prove ourselves.”
And if you’re having a heck of a time believing Barry, well, Browning isn’t done gushing yet.
“I think they look a lot better,” the Broncos pass-rusher offered when asked about the offensive line. “And I (didn’t say) they didn’t look good last year, but everybody’s gotten better this year.
“I feel like we’ve got a whole new coaching staff and a (new) vibe in the building. Sometimes, change is good. I think it’s been working for us so far. Just a whole new energy.”
