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.
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.
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.
Ironically, this is what the Texans line looked like the past 3 years.. nobody guarding the left tackle!
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.
Actually the left side was starting to be decent till the rookie center got hurt and McKinney had to go back to center...
Bring someone with experience and coaches that can teach the zone blocking scheme...then bring in some guys that can adapt and learn...
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
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.
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).
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
