ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Ty Sambrailo didn’t get a vote, but he’s happy to be in the election.
No, the Denver Broncos didn’t dial him up this offseason to take his temperature about a potential move from tackle to guard, but if that position change gets him on the field and in the lineup, he said Wednesday that he’s all in.
“No, they don’t necessarily approach me when they make their decisions – surprisingly,’’ Sambrailo deadpanned after Wednesday’s practice. “No, I got a call from [offensive line coach Clancy Barone] and he said, ‘Hey, we want the best five guys out there. It might you at guard, might be at tackle. You’re flexible and can play multiple positions.’ … I’m all on board.’’
Sambrailo was the Broncos’ choice at left tackle last season – his rookie year – after Ryan Clady suffered a season-ending knee injury in May. The Broncos thought enough of Sambrailo's savvy and athleticism to throw him into the lineup and he was the starter on Peyton Manning's blind side until Week 3 in Detroit.
Sambrailo fell hard on his left shoulder in that game -- "I knew it wasn't good, my arm just kind went numb'' -- and the play ended his season. He since has had surgery and has almost completed his recovery, but the Broncos also signed tackles Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung in free agency.
The Broncos still want Sambrailo in the lineup so that has put a move to guard on the table. He isn’t yet full speed, but has started to work at guard in the team’s walkthroughs and other practice drills
“After this last year being hurt, I just want to go play,’’ Sambrailo said.
“I think if we lined up today with our perfect five with the way we think -- you know how that goes -- Ty would go inside,’’ Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “But we are unhealthy at some spots, so we’ll probably work him at both once we turn him loose to go with the team.’’
Sambrailo’s athleticism gives him a chance to make the move in an offensive scheme that covets quality movement skills from the guys up front. The Broncos want multi-taskers working in the offensive line given they had eight linemen in uniform for games at times last season and would prefer to have seven and use the other gameday roster spot elsewhere.
But to do that they need players who play and are proficient at more than one position. Sambrailo said Wednesday that once he gets more comfortable at guard he believes he could play either guard or tackle if needed.
“Remember, we suited up eight guys the majority of the year,’’ Kubiak said. “We’d like to get away from that.’’
“I’m sure I could do it, I’m sure most of the guys playing in our room could do that,’’ Sambrailo said. “At this level, anyone can play anything pretty much.’’
Sambrailo did say Wednesday the Super Bowl run last season was bittersweet following his injury and being moved to injured reserve, but he’s hopeful he gets a chance to live it again, this time in the lineup.
“Kind of like being around, let’s say someone makes a pie and you get to smell it, you get to look at it, but you can’t eat it, but you’re hungry for it. It kind of gave me that perspective of this is what we’re working for, this is why we’re here.’’