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Owen Daniels Puts Broncos Fans At Ease Over Young O-Line

DENVER (CBS4) - Many Denver Broncos fans are worried about the young offensive line, but tight end Owen Daniels says there's no need to be worried and tried to put fans at ease on Xfinity Monday Live with CBS4's Vic Lombardi.

Three linemen on the left side have never started in an NFL game. But as a tight end, Daniels has a big role in the blocking department and knows how the offensive line works as well as anyone.

"I think we'll be just fine. To put people at ease a little bit … we had a rookie undrafted tackle and undrafted left guard in Baltimore that started for a good chunk of the season. We did a great job running the ball, protecting the passer," Daniels said. "The guys that we have right now are better than the guys that we had last year."

He said tackle Ty Sambrailo and center Max Garcia are "some big, angry guys that love football and want to get better." They're being thrown in the fire right away but they're getting better by facing players like DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller in practice.

"They're dealing with some pretty darn good players on the defensive side right now, so they're improving every day," Daniels said.

When the Broncos had Julius Thomas at tight end last year, everyone knew he was going to catch the ball and blocking wasn't his specialty. Daniels said he's a balanced tight end who will be there for the running game and pass protection when needed.

"You've got to block as a tight end in this offense. We don't really have any personnel groups where were going to put a tight end out there who just shows the defense we're going to throw the ball. Whoever is out there is going to have to be able to do both," Daniels said. "I've had that responsibility my whole career and I'll continue to do the same thing."

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Owen Daniels with CBS4's Vic Lombardi on Xfinity Monday Live (credit: CBS)

Daniels has played with some great quarterbacks over his career, but now he's looking forward to be playing with Peyton Manning, one of the best to ever play.

"He can still throw the ball well and when you come out of your break it's in the right spot. It's almost like it's just kind of floating there for you to snatch out of the air. I don't have to make a lot of adjustments to the ball," he said. "He's always going to give you a chance to make a play on it … he's been doing a great job with that so far."

Daniels is a 10-year veteran but says he still have more years in the tank.

"I signed a three-year deal here, so I'm playing through the contract."

  • By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com

 

In the below videos Owen Daniels also discusses different blocking techniques, Gary Kubiak's offense, and his passion for the weather:

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