I sincerely apologize for bringing this old thread back, but this question has plagued my sleep for weeks - the veritable scratch you cannot itch!
The Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons (Alex Gibbs) have a philosophy as to HOW they're going to run the football. That philosophy is a zone-scheme, a tackle (or 6 & 7-hole) zone-scheme.
Because they have such a clear-cut
vision of what they want to do in terms of running the football, they draft offensive-lineman that FIT their scheme, perfectly: smart, tough, quick and have a "motor." They're not looking for "road-graders," they're looking for football players and they do not care what their "measurables" are (height, weight etc.).
With one notable exception (George Foster), take a look at Denver's starting offensive-line and ask yourself, "Why are these guys so good at rushing the football?"
78 Matt Lepsis, Tackle
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 290 lbs.
College: Colorado
Born: in Conroe, Texas
Acquired: Rookie Free Agent, 1997
Pro Year: 9th
Year with Broncos: 9th
50 Ben Hamilton, Guard/Center
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 283 lbs.
College: Minnesota
Born: in Minneapolis, Minn.
Acquired: Draft #4a (113th overall), 2001
Pro Year: 5th
Year with Broncos: 5th
66 Tom Nalen, Center
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 286 lbs.
College: Boston College
Born: in Foxboro, Mass.
Acquired: Draft #7C (218th overall), 1994
Pro Year: 12th
Year with Broncos: 12th
65 Cooper Carlisle, Guard/Tackle
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 295 lbs.
College: Florida
Born: in Greenville, Miss.
Acquired: Draft #4b (113th overall), 2000
Pro Year: 6th
Year with Broncos: 6th
72 George Foster, Tackle
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 338 lbs.
College: Georgia
Born: in Macon, Ga.
Acquired: Draft #1 (20th overall), 2003 (The ONLY high pick that starts)
Pro Year: 3rd
Year with Broncos: 3rd
Look at WHERE they drafted offensive-lineman this year:
RdSel#PlayerPos.School
5161
Chris KuperGNorth DakotaGil Brandt's AnalysisHe played high school football in Alaska, and probably will be a guard or center. He looked very good at the Combine with his athleticism and speed.
RdSel#PlayerPos.School
6198
Greg EslingerCMinnesotaGil Brandt's AnalysisA young man from Bismarck, N.D. He started 50 consecutive games.
He is an exact copy of Tom Nahlen at Denver, under whom he will learn.
When you run the ball as well as Denver does one would think they're loaded with talent on the offensive-line, right? Wrong, they don't have to pick lineman with great measureables they only need to pick football players that fit into their scheme.
THIS IS WHY I SAY THE BRONCOS AND THE FALCONS HAVE A SCAM GOING IN THE NFL! They let other teams "waste" picks on offensive-lineman and use their high-picks (usually) on skill-players, knowing they'll have the pick-of-the-litter when it comes to undersized, underrated, overlooked football players!
Are you starting to see this?
Pure genius, Alex Gibbs...genius.
P.S. Take a look at Atlanta's starting five offensive-lineman. Tell me what you think!
LT:
72 Wayne Gandy
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=5569http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=10725 http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=-100 LG:
61 Matt Lehr
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=-100 http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=-100 C:
62 Todd McClure
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=1633http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=10706http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=11946 RG:
65 Kynan Forney
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=-100 http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/playerBio.jsp?id=-100 RT:
74 Todd Weiner