Broncos center to join Texans? (ESPN INSIDER)

[liamrock]

Nalen heading to Houston?
<Jan. 23> The Broncos are losing longtime offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to the Texans. Will they lose their longtime center as well? Once Kubiak takes over as Houston's head coach, a move that will be made official this week, among his top priorities will be to shore up one of the worst offensive lines in the league. There's a very good chance he'll try to pry Tom Nalen, an unrestricted free agent, away from Denver.
Although Nalen, who's been forced to take pay cuts in recent years, would like to remain with the Broncos, he's leaving his options open. Would he consider following Kubiak to Houston?

"If it gets to March, yes," he said.

[DonnyMost]

Can we bring the whole team here?

And the snow, too?

[The Real Shady]

He's a bit old at 34, but he knows the zone blocking scheme and would be a nice acquisition. Scouts.com has him ranked as the 10th best Center in the league.

Scouting Report.
2005 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 74 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
He is a tough, durable OC that will and can play effectively at less than 100%. He has an excellent motor for the position - will follow the play down-field. He is excellent mentally - makes all the calls up front. He has an excellent feel for the game - takes excellent blocking angles. He shows excellent agility and mobility for the position. He is an excellent athlete - very quick off the snap to get into his blocks. He is excellent at chipping and getting to the 2nd level. He takes excellent angles to get to the LB at the 2nd level. He is a "nasty" cut blocker - goes low and hard to get he defender off his feet. He is excellent in Pass pro.



All we would need is a RT and we could have a solid line next year.

RT Pitts
LG McKinney
C Tom Nalen
RG Weigert
RT Draft - 2nd round.

[liamrock]

I wouldn't be completely surprised if McKinney was cut loose...he is due for a big raise and I believe the cap hit the Texans would take by cutting him is minimal.

[The Real Shady]

I wouldn't be completely surprised if McKinney was cut loose...he is due for a big raise and I believe the cap hit the Texans would take by cutting him is minimal.

I believe McKinney has said he would be open to reworking his contract to stay on the team.

[DonnyMost]

All we would need is a RT and we could have a solid line next year.

RT Pitts
LG McKinney
C Tom Nalen
RG Weigert
RT Draft - 2nd round.

Ironically, this is what the Texans line looked like the past 3 years.. nobody guarding the left tackle!

[bigtexxx]

All we would need is a RT and we could have a solid line next year.

RT Pitts
LG McKinney
C Tom Nalen
RG Weigert
RT Draft - 2nd round.

I could live with that line. That's a huge improvement from this season, imo. Maybe we could get Colledge from Boise St or maybe Jonathan Scott from UT-Austin in the 2nd round. If we get really lucky maybe Marcus McNeill from Auburn or Eric Winston from the U.

[plee]

All we would need is a RT and we could have a solid line next year.

RT Pitts
LG McKinney
C Tom Nalen
RG Weigert
RT Draft - 2nd round.

Actually the left side was starting to be decent till the rookie center got hurt and McKinney had to go back to center...

[jtotheb]

He's a bit old at 34, but he knows the zone blocking scheme and would be a nice acquisition. Scouts.com has him ranked as the 10th best Center in the league.

34 isn't old for an offensive lineman. Those guys stay durable for years.

[TMac640]

34 isn't old for an offensive lineman. Those guys stay durable for years.


I read somewhere that OL never age... anyone else able to confirm this?

[swilkins]

I read somewhere that OL never age... anyone else able to confirm this?

Yes

Sincerely,
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/thenetwork/news/2000/01/26/pageone_brucematthews/t1_matthews_all_01.jpg

[Bobblehead]

What No More Skinney with Steve McKinney????? Aw...shucks!!!!

[rrj_gamz]

Bring someone with experience and coaches that can teach the zone blocking scheme...then bring in some guys that can adapt and learn...

[JayZ750]

Isn't one of those Seattle lineman a free agent. Steve Hutchinson....would be cool to get him, too.

[H-Town Info]

i would try to get in free agency either one of these players (hutchinsen from seattle, LeCharles Bentley from New Orleans, Mike Flanagan from GB, or Tom Nalen from the broncos). also, for the most likely switch to 4-3, texans should get raheem brock to play the LE position on the DL line. also the team needs a MLB since most likely wong and greenwood would man the OLBs position

[Hakeem06]

I read somewhere that OL never age... anyone else able to confirm this?


there have A LOT of lineman who have stayed very good for a long time. bruce matthews and larry allen come to mind first but i know there are a lot of others who played extremely well into their late 30's. and hell, i'd take an old guy who can play over some of the young guys the texans have that can't play.

[H-Town Info]

there have A LOT of lineman who have stayed very good for a long time. bruce matthews and larry allen come to mind first but i know there are a lot of others who played extremely well into their late 30's. and hell, i'd take an old guy who can play over some of the young guys the texans have that can't play.

also will shields and willie roaf on the chiefs

[TigerBait]

Bring in Nalen and LeCharles Bentley, put one of them at gaurd, preferably Bentley. Bring in Dennison or better yet the mentor Alex Gibbs as the OC, then your set on offense and I could care less who they take with the pick (granted that they don't totally screw it up).

[Hakeem06]

also will shields and willie roaf on the chiefs

thanks, i knew i was forgeting people.

[Drewdog]

According to the Denver Post, it looks like the Broncos are going to do everything in their power to help Nalen stay in denver

Link (http://denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3431140)

[swilkins]

I thought Hodgedon was looking pretty decent at center.

I was hoping to pickup a proven RT.

[redgoose]

It's hard to fathem it takes the Texans 3 years to realize they need some lineman. David Carr has to be one happy fellow now. Unfortunantly he might have to start springing dinners for the line.

[rocks_fan]

Didn't Jackie Slater play until his Social Security kick in?

Barring serious injuries, an OL can be a very good player for a very long time. Even when they lose a step to age, they're usually able to cover it up with situational awareness.

[Miguel]

What No More Skinney with Steve McKinney????? Aw...shucks!!!!


Pocket Haven w/ Tom Nalen

[swilkins]

What No More Skinney with Steve McKinney????? Aw...shucks!!!!

I think that we should dump McKinney.

[Colt45]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2316379

Denver re-signed Nalen to a three-year deal. D-Hog needs to step up.

[swilkins]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2316379

Denver re-signed Nalen to a three-year deal. D-Hog needs to step up.

I thought that Hodgedon stepped up this year, when he moved to starting center. The line started showing improvement, then he got injured.

When you look at how much McKinney makes this year (~4.7M) and how much cap we could free up (~4M), without as much dead money (~700K), how can you not drop him?

[JayZ750]

That sucks. I guess he was a little too old anyway, but those star OL guys last forever.

The Texans need to find one of those stud lineman free agent this offseason.

[jev5555]

I like Drew Hodgdon...I thought he did great in the short time he was out there before his injury.

[VesceySux]

That sucks. I guess he was a little too old anyway, but those star OL guys last forever.

The Texans need to find one of those stud lineman free agent this offseason.

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/nfl/2002/0218/photo/a_boselli_ht.jpg

Be careful what you ask for...

[MONON]

That sucks. I guess he was a little too old anyway, but those star OL guys last forever.

The Texans need to find one of those stud lineman free agent this offseason.


What is Bruce Matthews doing these anyway!?!? :D

[JayZ750]

Be careful what you ask for...

Ok. Modification. Stud, young OL that can actually play...though I think inherent in the word stud should be the fact that the guy actually plays like a stud for the team.