Clady will face super-athletic Peppers on Sunday

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 13, 2008 at 4 p.m.

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The last time the Broncos saw Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, he was sprinting 101 yards with an interception.

And it took a give-it-his-all effort from Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith to finally chase down Peppers in that 2004 game in Invesco Field at Mile High. Peppers had snared a Jake Plummer pass three yards deep in the Panthers' end zone and went 101 yards up the Panthers sideline before Smith dragged him down at the Broncos' 3-yard line.

The play was the longest interception return in league history that didn't end in a touchdown and it also provided a picture of the kind of athleticism Peppers has and the kind of problem he presents for an offense.

"He's shown why he was picked that high in the draft,'' said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.

Chosen with the second pick overall in the 2002 draft, it's still the earliest the Panthers have ever selected a player.

And ask players in the league for a list of the best all-around athlete is in the game and Peppers' name will appear somewhere on it, almost without fail. A good enough athlete to have played for the North Carolina basketball team in his collegiate years, Peppers presents a difficult size-speed matchup for almost every offensive tackle he faces.

As a right defensive end, he also plays the traditional rush slot and will face Broncos rookie left tackle Ryan Clady for much of the day Sunday. Clady, who has been the starter since his first day of training camp, has played far beyond his years thus far.

At what is likely the most difficult position for a rookie to play, outside of quarterback, Clady has surrendered just half a sack this season and has been penalized thee times – a chop block, a holding call and a false start.

At 6-foot-6, Clady has had a significant reach advantage on the speed rushers, like the Dolphins Joey Porter and the Falcons John Abraham, but he will not have that advantage against the 6-7 Peppers.

It's why Peppers, when he extends his arms, can immediately create space on the tackle to get the outside shoulder and get around the corner. He's also powerful enough at 283 pounds to power into a tackle who is leaning to stop his outside move.

And while he may not have the same explosiveness now as he did five seasons ago, he's a far more refined power rusher these days than he was when the Broncos saw him in '04.

After struggling some last season, with a career-low 2.5 sacks, Peppers has 12.5 sacks this season and needs only a half sack to tie his single-season best of 13 he set in 2006.

Clady's footwork has enabled him to flourish at a difficult spot, it's also enabled him to recover quickly from any mis-steps he has made. He regains his balance quickly and consistently keeps his hands in the right spot.

The Broncos, because Clady has come along so quickly, left him to fend for himself over three-quarters of the time this season. And he figures to battle Peppers Sunday on his own much of the time.

• December 13, 2008

  4:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Everytime that we face a team, the sportswriters say, "this will be one of the toughest test for Clady, yet"? They say it EVERYTIME! Yeah, Peppers is great, we get it. But, I say Clady is up for it. He manhandles all the other "great ones". He'll take care of his man, tomorrow, as well. He is playing Pro Bowl caliber ball. I feel confident that he will do his job, well, against Peppers.

• December 13, 2008

  4:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Brain writes:

  Clady has played well enough for a pro-bowl trip and should at least be the AFC Rookie of year (I know OT's never get it); Clady will have another Pro-Bowl caliber game.

• December 13, 2008

  5:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  discer writes:

  Clady is the second best draft pick the Broncos have made in years after Cutler. Do you think that Woodyard can play Strong Safety. He would look pretty scary as the eighth man in the box. And recievers wouldn't be so eager to go over the middle of the field. Just a thought.

• December 13, 2008

  5:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  discer, Woodyard is 230. He's not too large to play S. We have Barrett, who is our heaviest S and he is 225. The rest are from 203-213. I mentioned in another article that I'm willing to bet, though, that they alternate him with Winborn (when DJ comes back). Play him in the nickel package, as well.

• December 13, 2008

  8:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rubenc2 writes:

  Dynamicdave, They said Woodyard weighed in at 220 at the combine.Wouldn't you also agree that the three best linebackers on the field would be Williams,Woodyard,Winborn?Williams back to the middle?

• December 13, 2008

  8:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  sign_floyd writes:

  Hey, if champ plays, how about playing 44 defense. See if Delhomme can beat the broncs with his noodley arm. Champ and Bly man up, Fox plays deep middle. That keeps woodyard in the game. It would be hilarious.

• December 13, 2008

  9:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  brewgeek writes:

  don't think delhomme will beat you with his arm. Gonna beat you in the ground game. Peppers has DOMINATED all the other OTs that are hyped like Clady. Then he'll go to the Left and beat yer man there. Gonna be a great game Panther 28 Broncos 24

• December 13, 2008

  11:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Jubei writes:

  Looks like brewgeek started drinking early...

  Cutler will definitely know where Peppers is on every snap, but I think the Clady/Harris streak of excellence will continue for another week.

  This Bronco offense is every bit as potent passing the ball as the Panthers are running it. On top of that, I think we'll show them that our rushing attack isn't anything to scoff at either.

  This might be the best game of the season. I smell an NFC South sweep...

  Broncos 34
  Cats 28

• December 14, 2008

  12:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  denfanincali writes:

  Clady has done an awesome job. If he lets Peppers get a sack or two, I wouldn't be shocked. But, mostly I think Clady and the rest of the line and Graham and etc will factor in Peppers talent. So, I'm not incredibly worried. What I am concerned about is play calling. I just hope they call a lot of early, high percentage pass plays. Cutler to Royal, Scheffler, Marshall, Graham, Stokely etc...

• December 14, 2008

  6:54 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  denverone writes:

  Clady is a huge reason we are in the position we are today. If this kid does not make the Pro Bowl, it would be a tragedy. You simply cannot play the position any better than he has played it this year. And for a rookie, he's sick!
  Keep in mind, he plays against the BEST athlete the other team has to offer each and every week.

  Great job Clady. If everyone played their position as well as you, we would be dominating the NFL right now.

• December 14, 2008

  7:14 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Andynonymous writes:

  Hey, it's not like they aren't noticing. I voted for him for Rookie of the week last week, saw the competition and said "there's no way he gets it up against those numbers." But he did get it, so it looks like people are noticing his stellar start, and are able to measure it against the more gaudy statistics of running backs and QBs. Or we're just voting early and often!

  Brewgeek didn't get it wrong, he just had a typo and meant to reverse the scores.

  Floyd - never thought of the 44. Does anyone even play that? And if it's that great, why don't more teams? Putting him in at strong safety would give more continuity and keep him on the field. I was bummed to look at the starting roster and not see his name on there today.

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