Big Al: Broncos LT Bolles ‘lightness’ means he’ll likely get run over
Jun 6, 2018, 8:18 AM
On Tuesday, 2017 first-round pick Garett Bolles offered insight into how he’s bulked up a bit this offseason after the Denver Broncos asked him to gain so more weight.
Bolles, who said he finished last season around 290 pounds, said the reason for the upswing in weight is so he could “anchor” better when taking on bull rushes.
“I talked with my coaches and the front office, and they want me to get a little bit bigger. So, I’ll probably stay around 300-305. That’s sort of my range,” Bolles said. “I feel more comfortable there. I feel more explosive and powerful. Probably no more than about 308 is what I’m feeling.
“I feel confident there. My body feels good and I’m looking forward to the season.”
But on Tuesday, “The Drive” co-host Alfred Williams said he understands the Broncos wanting Bolles to bulk up, but despite the weight gain, there’s concern the left tackle is still too small and athletic.
“The one thing that Garett Bolles needs to get ready for is guys just running right over him because of his lightness,” Williams said. “You know, 300 pounds in the NFL is not a big person when you consider that Orlando Brown, who was drafted by the Ravens, is 6-foot-8, 350 pounds.”
Williams said he there’s a problem with “athletic tackles” in the sense that they feel as if they can “stay in front of athletic rushers.”
“And, for a while, they can,” Williams said, “until that athletic rusher becomes physical with them, and then that athleticism gets that tackle in trouble.”
Instead of “big and athletic” tackles, Williams said he’d prefer the player to be “big, sturdy, and (understanding of) the points what he needs to get to.”
“If a tackle misses his point and you beat him there, OK fine. But if you keep getting run over, man, it’s just the easiest thing to do in football — put your head down and run,” Williams said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
