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New lineup, same result Despite injuries, Broncos offensive line stands strong
Posted: Tuesday January 12, 1999 05:12 PM
DENVER (AP) -- No matter how many rounds of musical chairs the Denver Broncos play with their offensive line, they keep making sweet sounds. Backup Matt Lepsis was forced into the lineup by an injury in Saturday's divisional playoff game against Miami, and the Broncos didn't miss a beat. After left tackle Tony Jones limped to the sideline midway through the second quarter with a twisted knee, right tackle Harry Swayne switched to the left side and Lepsis settled into Swayne's old position. To that point, Terrell Davis had run for 100 yards on 11 carries. Afterward, he ran for 99 yards on 10 carries. Such seamless substitution has become a trademark of this unit, which paved the way for Davis to rush for 1,750 yards in 1997 and then, after numerous changes in the preseason, helped orchestrate a 2,008-yard season for the league's MVP this year. "I thought Harry did an exceptional job on the left side," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Matt did a good job. It wasn't perfect, but he really played hard and got the job done." Swayne hadn't worked at left tackle all season. "It was weird," he said, "since everything is backward. At first, I couldn't figure out what stance I wanted to get in. I didn't want to go the wrong way." Teammates gave Lepsis high marks. Jones, who is expected to return for Sunday's game, said he "didn't have to say anything to Matt - except 'good job.'" Quarterback John Elway said Lepsis "hasn't had a lot of playing time. But what he did was really special, and I told him that after the game." Lepsis, who played sparingly in four games this season, appeared more poised than in those tentative appearances. He was, however, still a bit excitable, accidentally decking teammate Derek Loville while attempting to offer congratulations after Loville's 11-yard touchdown run. Loville's score capped the drive on which Jones was hurt. "I was really fired up," said Lepsis, a tight end at Colorado who has bulked up to 290 pounds. "When I saw Tony go down, I knew I had to go in there and not let the team down." Davis' 199 yards and two touchdowns led the Broncos to a 38-3 rout of the Dolphins, advancing the Broncos to Sunday's AFC championship game against the New York Jets at Mile High Stadium. The offensive line was widely expected to be the Broncos' Achilles heel as they sought to repeat as Super Bowl champions this year. Pro Bowl left tackle Gary Zimmerman had retired, and veteran right guard Brian Habib signed a free-agent contract with Seattle. Habib's projected replacement, David Diaz-Infante, went down with a knee injury in the preseason. Jones switched sides, becoming Zimmerman's replacement at the crucial left tackle position that protects Elway's blindside. Swayne, a backup in 1997, moved to right tackle, and second-year pro Dan Neil became the starting right guard. Only center Tom Nalen and left guard Mark Schlereth were in the same positions as in 1997. Too many adjustments in a unit that demands cohesion? Most observers thought so. The Broncos' offense, however, was even more prolific this year than in their Super Bowl season. Besides Davis' improved numbers, the offense as a whole gained 6,092 yards, compared to last year's 5,872, and scored 501 points, compared to 472. Both figures were franchise records. The line also allowed only 25 sacks. The line has been intact all season, with all five players starting every game, even though Schlereth underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 12 -- the 21st surgery of his career. He had the operation prior to a bye week and was back in the starting lineup just 13 days after the surgery.
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