Clough: ‘Fundamental’ problem with Broncos at offensive line

The Denver Broncos on Monday claimed an offensive lineman off waivers — guard Billy Turner.

The move comes after Denver’s offensive line was beaten up a bit Thursday against the San Diego Chargers, and even further back on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

It also seems to signify a Broncos front office aiming for upgrades upfront, or at least to correct what 104.3 The Fan’s Sandy Clough called a “fundamental problem” with the team Monday.

“We have to get back on track here and stay away from negative football plays, and we have to give our quarterback a chance to operate. We have to all play better; it’s everybody,” Kubiak said after practice Monday afternoon.

Clough likened the current unit to that of the 2015 season, in which there was a lot of “chaos.”

“It hasn’t changed very much,” Clough said. “And the last two games have been at least as bad as any two games played by the offensive line a year ago.”

Though there’s plenty of bad play to go around, Clough did point specifically to that of second-year guard Max Garcia.

According to Pro Football Focus, Garcia grades out at below average, worst among starters save for tackle Donald Stephenson, who’s been injured as of late.

“I like Max Garcia. Loved him last year as a rookie. I think he has great leadership potential. He’s a good kid. He’s versatile. But he has not played well through six weeks at left guard,” Clough said.

Joining Clough on the phone, The Fan’s Football Insider Cecil Lammey said to look for the Broncos to potentially create a rotation of lineman to filter through the trouble area — both guard positions, with both tackles and center pretty well set.

“Even though the tackles are set so long as Stephenson and Okung are healthy and Paradis there locking down the middle, it just seems like the offensive line play just isn’t quite what it needs to be,” Lammey said.

Through six games, Denver’s only rushed the ball for 100-plus yards twice (148 and 134 yards in Weeks 1 and 2).

Denver’s offensive line has also given up the fifth-highest sack percentage in the NFL (7.5), with 17 total sacks.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.