KUSA—Run, Ben Garland, run.
Shelley Smith, the former Colorado State Ram, may have NFL starting experience and a starter-like $2 million salary.
But in the Denver Broncos' new zone-blocking scheme that asks linemen to get out and run into open spaces, there might not be a blocker in the league who can pick 'em up and lay 'em down like Garland, the former Air Force Academy Falcon and cadet.
Garland has seen enough examples during his six seasons with the Broncos to know it won't be salary but performance that will prevail in the Broncos' in-state battle for starting left guard.
"They just want the best guy there," Garland said Wednesday in a quiet hallway inside Broncos headquarters. "I love the competition. I've been a Bronco fan all my life. I want the Broncos to be the best team. If (Smith) can help make it the best team, absolutely. But I'm going to work my tail off to beat him out for the job."
Garland, 27, might be the most inexperienced veteran player in the NFL. This is his sixth NFL offseason with the Broncos but between his two-year military commitment, two-year practice squad service and switching positions from defensive tackle to offensive guard, he didn't get on the field until last season, and then only sparingly.
In eight games, Garland was in on 47 offensive snaps and 81 special teams plays.
But along comes coach Gary Kubiak and the zone blocking scheme. It's as if Kubiak and his scheme were gifts specifically suited for Garland, who still serves in the Colorado Air National Guard.
"I love the zone scheme," Garland said. "It's more lateral movement, quick, being smart and being able to move quickly and get to the cutoff block on the backside."
The zone system is also about cut blocking. Nobody knows the tactic better than a former Air Force Falcon -- even if as a defensive tackle, Garland was not throwing but taking on the cut blocks.
"Oh yeah, every single day," Garland said. "I remember days when we had no pads on and they'd still cut.''
Asked if he understands the frustration that comes with getting cut, Garland smiled and answered diplomatically: "I can appreciate it."
The zone blocking is also about getting out to the second level. It's safe to assume no NFL offensive lineman is better conditioned than Garland. Signed by the Broncos in 2010 as an undrafted free agent, Garland and another rookie, Tim Tebow, were the stars of the Josh McDaniels-ordered post-practice conditioning sprints during training camp.
The gung-ho Tebow would win every sprint among offensive players, beating the next-best hustler by at least 10 yards. The gung-ho Garland would win every sprint among defensive players, beating the second-place finisher by at least 10 yards.
Going on his third season since the switch to offensive guard, Garland will get a legitimate shot to win the starting position that lines up between left tackle Ryan Clady and center Gino Gradkowski. The competition between Garland, Smith and possibly second-year offensive lineman Michael Schofield will begin Wednesday, when the Broncos hold their first organized team activity (OTA) practice.
How eager is Garland to win a starting job after getting a taste of playing last year?
"Very eager," he said. "When I was very first signed as a rookie, that's all I wanted. I wanted to start for the team, just really contribute out there and to become a Pro Bowler. Those are my goals."
(KUSA-TV © 2015 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
