Former Lineman Kuper Likes What He's Seeing From Young Broncos Offensive Line

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - This year's Broncos offensive line may be young and inexperienced, but a former member of that squad liked what he saw from them in the team's first preseason game.

Former offensive lineman Chris Kuper says he'd give the unit a B grade for their performance in Friday night's 22-20 win over the Seahawks in Seattle.

"It was a solid performance," Kuper told CBS4's Vic Lombardi on Xfinity Monday Live. "It's hard to step in there when the bright lights are on, you're playing Seattle -- a team that everybody struggles with, and they've got a tough defense. And then it's your first game, you're still learning the playbook, you're not quite comfortable with it. And I thought they were good. They were physical and they looked athletic."

The first team only played in the first half on Friday night, and Kuper said they still have plenty of challenges ahead.

"You've got to string together 60 minutes (in the regular season), and that's a lot tougher," Kuper said.

One of the new members of this year's offensive line is center Matt Paradis, who was on the practice squad last year. Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said Paradise "called a great game" on Friday. But what does he mean by that?

"He's making all the mic points, so that kind of gets everybody in rhythm to figure out where (the offensive players) are all going," Kuper explained. "And there's probably some adjustments with safety rotation. If he messes up, the quarterback will take over. But that's his job is to get everybody on the right page."

"Even with Peyton at quarterback?" Lombardi asked.

"Yeah. And if Peyton sees something that's not right or he wants to change, he can change it, but that's how it's been for the past couple of years."

Speaking of Peyton Manning, the way Kuper sees it, although he didn't play in the first preseason game the Broncos quarterback is probably having a great time finding his way in Kubiak's offensive system.

"I think he's excited to get on the field," Kuper said. "He loves the challenge. He loves learning new schemes and figuring out what's going on with this and that and asking questions. So I think he'd love to get out there and utilize it."

The only returning starter on the Broncos offensive line is Louis Vasquez. Last year he played tackle, but this year Vasquez is back to playing guard, a position he has played much more regularly in his career.

"He's ecstatic to be back where he's at," said Kuper.

While Vasquez isn't the most vocal member of the Broncos locker room, Kuper says there's no question he will be a good leader for the younger players on the line. Kuper said he can do that in part by "showing up to work and doing your job every day and holding everybody accountable."

"He might speak up more in that o line room, and that's saying something because that's the biggest contingency of players. There's usually 10 to 12 players in that room," Kuper said.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kuper said he is very impressed with defensive lineman Von Miller.

"Von's hard (to defend against) because everything he does is about feel," Kuper said. "He doesn't have a rolodex of moves where you can study him and know what he's going to do. And then he bends so crazy -- he's like Gumby."

"I'm glad that I don't have to play tackle against him, and I feel bad for some of those guys (that do)."

The Broncos travel to Houston to play the Texans on Saturday night in their second preseason game.