Broncos tackle Ryan Clady, above, spoke today on the job of protecting Tim Tebow vs. that of Peyton Manning: "Not too much of a difference." (Denver Post file photo)
Ryan Clady stood at the podium in the Broncos interview room Friday afternoon and said his job as the team's left tackle hasn't changed much in the past few months.
Oh really, Ryan?
No lineman's duties may be changing more as the Broncos transition from 2011's Tim Tebow-led offense to the 2012 version led by Peyton Manning. Tebow was a lefty scrambler, who often threw from outside of the pocket. Manning is the prototypical right-handed pocket passer, and one coming off a serious neck injury at that.
"I'm just going to try to stay to the same spot, run the guy by the quarterback's zone, or keep the guy inside," Clady said. "Not too much of a difference."
Clady, who has started every game since the Broncos made him
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The Broncos as a unit allowed 49 total sacks last year, including five in the playoffs. Kyle Orton was sacked nine times in the first four and a half games, while Tebow was sacked 35 times in his 11 regular-season starts and five more in the playoffs (all in the divisional-round loss to New England.)
"There were a couple of things here and there that could have been better, but overall it was solid," Clady said. "There is always room for improvement, and that's what I plan on doing this year."
Clady said the offensive line â€" which pending the speed of guard Chris Kuper's ankle rehab, could return all five starters by opening day â€" is working on its chemistry this spring. They are also getting used to practicing with Manning.
"Not as much yelling at us as the wide receivers. He wants to know who's being blocked and what not, and what the blind spots are," Clady said.
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
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