Bolles’ usage at left offensive tackle faces possible changes
Vance Joseph wouldn’t go so far to say that Broncos left offensive tackle Garrett Bolles is in jeopardy of losing his starting job, but Denver’s head coach did indicate Monday changes might be coming.
“As guys get healthy, we have some options to give (Bolles) a rest from time to time,” Joseph said. “That’s definitely an option. Sometimes you don’t have any options.”
Those comments arrive after another upanddown Bolles’ performance, this time at the Chiefs, which included an allowed stripsack fumble recovered by Kansas City. Bolles’ five enforced holding penalties are tied for most in the NFL this year, matching the number by Cleveland’s Desmond Harrison and Cincinnati’s Alex Redmond.
Joseph described Bolles’ latest struggles as “all technique.”
“It’s not surprising for a young player,” Joseph said. “He has to get over that. You can’t let one bad play lead to two or three. We have to help him with that, and we’re trying to help him with that. It’s not always the tackle when it comes to sacks. It’s timing. It’s receivers’ routes. It’s who getting jammed at the line of scrimmage too long. All of those things count for sacks, not just him getting beat all the time.”
Broncos right tackle Jared Veldheer (knee) has not played in four games. Billy Turner has started in his place. Turner would be an option to spell Bolles at left tackle once Veldheer is healthy.
Harris hopeful D.T. stays.
Cornerback Chris Harris and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas are among just a handful of Broncos still on the roster from Denver’s last Super Bowl squad.
“He’s been a great teammate to me, and we’ve had great competition for the eight years that I’ve been here,” Harris said. “I know he’s going out there and he’s giving it his all. I’ve won a lot of games with him, so I know I can continue to win them with him.”
In response to reports that Denver might move Thomas before the 2 p.m Tuesday trade deadline, Harris added: “I hope not. I love D.T.”
The frustration of a 35 start wears thick in the Broncos’ locker room.
“The way we lose games is just the same thing every week,” Harris said. “I’m just really getting tired of losing the same way: dumb penalties, not making those crucial plays. It’s just critical, critical plays that kill us every game. We can’t do that.”
Silver linings.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons was asked what positives can be taken away from the defeat to Kansas City on Sunday.
“When we execute, we’re really good,” Simmons said. “We executed defensively toward the end of the third and all of the fourth, but it was too late by then. We had already given up 30 points. When we execute, we’re really hard to get drives on and move the ball against. But we just didn’t execute.” BRONCOS BRIEFS