Tom Nalen -- out for SEASON (1 Viewer)

[candymanvandyfan]

Tom Nalen is out for the season with a torn bicep, per Shanny presser.

Obviously this doesn't help the Broncos.

 

[Nigel]

Probably puts a wrap on his career.

 

[TinHat]

ugh

 

[SSOG]

Probably puts a wrap on his career.

Did I miss the memo? Is today national "jump to conclusions" day? Nalen's been playing at a pretty high level and said before the season that he had a couple of years left in him. Remember that Matt Lepsis was 33 and he still managed to come back from a much more devastating injury. I could easily see Tommy Nalen sticking around another year or two despite this. He might decide a comeback isn't worth the effort and use this as motivation to ride off into the sunset, and he's certainly earned it, but he's still able to go out on his terms at this point.This does screw over Denver's offense, though. Normally, they'd just move Hamilton over and start him at center (Hamilton got starting experience there during the other games Nalen missed in his career, back in 2002 iirc, and he was once viewed as Nalen's successor before Nalen hung around and Hamilton settled in at guard). Unfortunately for Denver, Hamilton's on injured reserve trying to recover from severe post-concussion syndrom (I'd say his career is far more in jeopardy than Nalen's). This means that Denver's forced to start another Kid Bronco (I believe Kuper is next in line in the rotation, although I don't know if they'll start Kuper at center, slide Myers over to center and start Kuper at guard, or keep Kuper backing up the guard position and bring Eslinger up to start at center). That means their offensive line is going to include 3 starters with 20 career starts COMBINED, as well as a fourth guy (Montrae Holland) who is in his first year in the system. There are going to be a lot of growing pains on the line this year, although they'll be a lot better off for it next year (they're either going to find out whether the kids are the answer for the future, or whether they need to start drafting some more replacements).At this point, I'm going to be happy if Denver finishes 8-8. This year is looking more and more like a rebuilding year.

 

[rascal]

Probably puts a wrap on his career.

Did I miss the memo? Is today national "jump to conclusions" day? Nalen's been playing at a pretty high level and said before the season that he had a couple of years left in him. Remember that Matt Lepsis was 33 and he still managed to come back from a much more devastating injury. I could easily see Tommy Nalen sticking around another year or two despite this. He might decide a comeback isn't worth the effort and use this as motivation to ride off into the sunset, and he's certainly earned it, but he's still able to go out on his terms at this point.This does screw over Denver's offense, though. Normally, they'd just move Hamilton over and start him at center (Hamilton got starting experience there during the other games Nalen missed in his career, back in 2002 iirc, and he was once viewed as Nalen's successor before Nalen hung around and Hamilton settled in at guard). Unfortunately for Denver, Hamilton's on injured reserve trying to recover from severe post-concussion syndrom (I'd say his career is far more in jeopardy than Nalen's). This means that Denver's forced to start another Kid Bronco (I believe Kuper is next in line in the rotation, although I don't know if they'll start Kuper at center, slide Myers over to center and start Kuper at guard, or keep Kuper backing up the guard position and bring Eslinger up to start at center). That means their offensive line is going to include 3 starters with 20 career starts COMBINED, as well as a fourth guy (Montrae Holland) who is in his first year in the system. There are going to be a lot of growing pains on the line this year, although they'll be a lot better off for it next year (they're either going to find out whether the kids are the answer for the future, or whether they need to start drafting some more replacements).At this point, I'm going to be happy if Denver finishes 8-8. This year is looking more and more like a rebuilding year.

I heard some rumors about him considering retiring last year, and watching us play the rest of this season may be enough for him to call it a career. The guy can still play, but then so could Schlereth and Zimmerman when they hung them up.I think they will slid Myers over to center, his natural position, and put Kuper in at guard. Personally I'm a little bit pissed at shanny for only having practice two times next week. It's obvious that they need the work.I think 8-8 will be lucky. To be honest I'd prefer 2-14 and get the #1 pick.

 

[SSOG]

Probably puts a wrap on his career.

Did I miss the memo? Is today national "jump to conclusions" day? Nalen's been playing at a pretty high level and said before the season that he had a couple of years left in him. Remember that Matt Lepsis was 33 and he still managed to come back from a much more devastating injury. I could easily see Tommy Nalen sticking around another year or two despite this. He might decide a comeback isn't worth the effort and use this as motivation to ride off into the sunset, and he's certainly earned it, but he's still able to go out on his terms at this point.This does screw over Denver's offense, though. Normally, they'd just move Hamilton over and start him at center (Hamilton got starting experience there during the other games Nalen missed in his career, back in 2002 iirc, and he was once viewed as Nalen's successor before Nalen hung around and Hamilton settled in at guard). Unfortunately for Denver, Hamilton's on injured reserve trying to recover from severe post-concussion syndrom (I'd say his career is far more in jeopardy than Nalen's). This means that Denver's forced to start another Kid Bronco (I believe Kuper is next in line in the rotation, although I don't know if they'll start Kuper at center, slide Myers over to center and start Kuper at guard, or keep Kuper backing up the guard position and bring Eslinger up to start at center). That means their offensive line is going to include 3 starters with 20 career starts COMBINED, as well as a fourth guy (Montrae Holland) who is in his first year in the system. There are going to be a lot of growing pains on the line this year, although they'll be a lot better off for it next year (they're either going to find out whether the kids are the answer for the future, or whether they need to start drafting some more replacements).At this point, I'm going to be happy if Denver finishes 8-8. This year is looking more and more like a rebuilding year.

I heard some rumors about him considering retiring last year, and watching us play the rest of this season may be enough for him to call it a career. The guy can still play, but then so could Schlereth and Zimmerman when they hung them up.I think they will slid Myers over to center, his natural position, and put Kuper in at guard. Personally I'm a little bit pissed at shanny for only having practice two times next week. It's obvious that they need the work.I think 8-8 will be lucky. To be honest I'd prefer 2-14 and get the #1 pick.

Nalen was talking retirement prior to the 2006 season, but he played and played well, and had completely changed his tune coming into this year, where he was saying he thought he had 2-3 good years left in him. Obviously this injury changes things dramatically, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Nalen's done.I agree that it's most likely that Myers moves to center, I just mentioned Kuper and Eslinger as possibilities because it might be Shanahan wants to keep as much continuity as possible. Also, I'd MUCH rather not get the #1 pick, since it absolutely DESTROYS the salary cap. In terms of cash, last year's #10 pick was Amobi Okoye, who signed a 6-year, $18 million deal (with $12 million guaranteed, iirc). The 11th pick was Patrick Willis, who got a 6-year, $17 million dollar deal. The #1 pick was Jamarcus Russel, who got a contract worth up to $68 million with over $30 million in guarantees. Maybe Russell is good, but would anyone rather have the #1 overall pick than the #9, #10, *AND* #11 overall picks? Because, in terms of salary cap, that's the going rate.