ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -Don’t worry Jay Cutler, Ryan Clady has your back.
Same with you Chad Pennington, Jake Long’s got you covered.
The Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins have placed their trust in rookie left tackles, and their quarterbacks are still standing to tell about it.
In fact, these two behemoths have kept things quite secure while barricading their quarterback’s blind side.
“You don’t have to worry about him,” Cutler said of Clady. “He locks down the left side.”
Long was a lock with the top pick in the 2008 draft, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound blocking machine out of Michigan. Clady was taken at No. 12, a 6-6, 325-pound rock from Boise State with nimble feet from years of playing pickup basketball around his neighborhood.
as advertised, neither really experiencing the growing pains that typically comes with taking over at tackle.
Clady has yet to allow a sack this season, while Long has surrendered 2 1/2 through seven games.
“Jake has done a nice job since the day that he’s gotten here,” said Miami coach Tony Sparano, whose Dolphins (3-4) face Denver (4-3) on Sunday. “He plays like he’s a much older player out there.”
There’s pressure with being the top overall pick, but that’s what drives him.
“I perform best when I’m under that pressure,” Long said. “I just embrace it. I like having the pressure on myself.”
The draft class of ’08 at offensive tackle is proving to be quite bountiful, as Long and Clady have started every game. Kansas City’s Branden Albert (15th overall pick) has started in six games, while Carolina’s Jeff Otah (19th) has played in four contests. Albert and Otah have been holding their ground at tackle as well, allowing just two sacks apiece.
Then again, Clady knew this tackle class was deep.
“A lot of scouts thought we were talented,” Clady said. “We’ve proven that for the most part.”
Long keeps close tabs on Clady after forging a friendship with him, the two crossing paths at various banquets throughout their college days.
going to do really good things for Denver,” Long said.
Clady returned the compliment, calling him a great blocker, especially against the run – hardly a surprise because he played for Michigan.
“Good person and a good athlete,” Clady said.
Long views himself as a lineman constructed from the same mold as New England’s Matt Light, someone who relies on sound technique, guts and guile.
“That’s the type of player I am,” he said. “I go out here, try to finish through the whistle, play with technique and do whatever I can to help this team.”
While Clady doesn’t really emulate anyone, he does study tape of tackles such as Cleveland’s Joe Thomas, who is in only his second season.
“I try to watch other tackles in the league, just to see how well they do,” he said.
Clady barely has allowed a defender to place a hand on Cutler. He’s also drawn just two penalties, relying on his framework and footwork to repel rushers.
“You can’t ask a rookie to do more than he’s done,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s been very consistent. Hopefully, he keeps on getting better.”
Even Clady is a little surprised at his sudden success.
“I expected to come in and play and try to be an impact player,” Clady said. “You hope for the best, but you never know.”
rk cut out for him this week as he’ll see a steady dose of linebacker Joey Porter coming on blitzes. Porter, who played up the road at Colorado State, leads the league with 10 1/2 sacks.
Long knows this much about Porter: He’s glad he only has to go up against him in practice, receiving his NFL initiation by having to block him.
“We’ve had some battles,” Long said. “I’ve gotten him sometimes, he’s gotten me sometimes. He’s definitely made me a better player because he goes out there and practices hard. Hopefully, I’ve been getting him better.”
He’ll put the teachings of Porter to good use Sunday as Long goes up against Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil. The diminutive Dumervil led the Broncos in sacks last season, but has gotten off to a slow start due to a fractured pinkie.
However, Dumervil had two sacks in a 41-7 loss to New England on Oct. 20.
“He’s a fast, slippery guy,” Long said. “He’s fast off the edge. It’s going to be a tough one.”
Dumervil admitted as much as well.
“He’s real good,” Dumervil said. “He’s got nice feet.”
Nice feet?
What’s this, “Dancing with the Stars?”
But efficient footwork on left tackles is the rage, coaches wanting mobility, not statues protecting their prized quarterbacks.
footwork.
“This guy was so athletic,” Sparano said. “You need to find those kind of guys.”
The Broncos and Dolphins think they have.
So rest easy Cutler and Pennington – Clady and Long are watching your back.
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