The Denver Broncos have had a lot of turnover in their offensive line this year, so they’ve been busy shuffling bodies. Somehow they’ve managed to stay productive during what’s become a stellar season, and a lot of their success is about how the Broncos coach their linemen.
Zach Strief was an offensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, and as Broncos offensive line coach he’s taken a different approach to coaching up his charges.
“What’s so special is a guy goes in and the expectations don’t change,” reserve Calvin Throckmorton said to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic in a recent piece. “We know we can still operate at a super high level. I think that’s what is so special about the room.”
The performance has been special, too. The Broncos lost starting guard Ben Powers early in the season to a torn bicep, and his backup, Matt Peart, went down as well with the same injury.
They’ve been shuffling bodies all season long, but Denver still finished in the top five in lowest sack percentage and pressure rate. The line also finished in the top five in yards before contact per rush, which means they’re creating holes in the run game.
The depth is impressive, and it was noticed by offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi back during the summer.
“I can remember back in training camp working on our offensive line and saying, ‘I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of a group that’s as deep as we are,'” said Lombardi. “I’m not surprised by the way that those guys have responded to some of the injuries. I think it’s a credit to just the way this program’s been built.”
Building that program also involved tearing down some lineman who needed to improve in certain areas, including veteran tackle Mike McGlinchey.
“When I first got here, I had just signed my contract, and Zach told me, like, ‘You’re not a very good pass protector,'” said McGlinchey. “I was like, ‘You guys just brought me here on (a big contract). That’s a pretty wild thing to say.’ I’d never met him or whatever, but he says, ‘You’re gonna be.’
“Zach has kind of opened our eyes, and certainly mine, of, ‘Hey, you’ve got to be willing to try different things and things you’re not really comfortable with,'” said McGlinchey, who considers himself a much improved player.
“That’s the part that Zach is so good at, one, being able to be a good teacher and get the message across, but also, two, being a good salesman,” he added. “He’s super conscientious about, ‘If you don’t believe what I’m telling you, then why the hell would I try it?'”