Film Room: Did Broncos' LT Garett Bolles show improved technique in season-opener?

The Denver Broncos' left tackle Garett Bolles gets a lot of hate by fans, but not every rep is a bad one. However, there are a lot of areas that the third-year player can work on, as his technique is still a mess, no question.

After reviewing the game, three plays stood out that show the flaws of Bolles’ technique that still need drastic improvements.

These are just three plays, but understand, they don’t reflect Bolles' game overall. He was a solid lineman for the Broncos, doing okay as both a run blocker and a pass blocker.

Was it what you want from your left tackle? Not ideally, but it was good enough of a game the Broncos could get by with, even if just by the skin of their teeth.

Play 1: 15:00 | Second Quarter | Week 1

Situation: 1st-&-10

Bolles is taking on rookie defensive end Maxx Crosby and Bolles' job is to open the inside lane for Royce Freeman to cut into and pick up some yards. However, Crosby is able to get early leverage on Bolles and set the edge, while keeping separation to break off and make the tackle. The reason Crosby is able to win so easily is due to poor technique from Bolles.

The first issue with Bolles here is how late he is to get engaged. Crosby is quick to get to the shoulder pads of Bolles and take control of the rep. From there, Bolles and his well-documented poor recovery technique can’t, well, recover.

Then, when he needs to focus on getting Crosby to the outside, or driving him back, he keeps his feet moving laterally. Bolles needs to plant them and just drive Crosby downfield. In so doing, Bolles would keep the outside a little more open for Freeman to get some yards.

Play 2: 13:01 | Second Quarter | Week 1

Situation: 2nd-&-12

Just a few plays later, Bolles sees himself matched up against Arden Key, who has plenty of speed to the outside. Off the snap, Bolles isn’t able to kick out fast enough to stay in front of Key, and by the time he meets up with him, Key already has the outside shoulder.

One big issue that can be seen with Bolles on just about every rep, is he keeps his hands low. He needs to keep them up and ready to strike. Key has his arm outstretched to keep Bolles from getting to his pads. When Bolles does finally get his hands up, Key is able to show his bend and go underneath his arms.

With a pass rusher like Key, you have to get your hands on them early in the rep. If you let them dictate the rush, you are going to lose the rep. Thankfully, this pass attempt fell incomplete, as it was close to being stripped from Joe Flacco. Bolles managed to slow Key down for a split second, which was long enough.

Play 3: 11:27 | Fourth Quarter | Week 1

Situation: 2nd-&-10

The final play from Bolles again shows his slow klick-slide and poor recovery. For being praised as an athletic tackle with upside coming out of the draft, Bolles moves a little slow. This time it isn’t even Key he is taking on as the edge rusher. Bolles is again taking on Maxx Crosby, and the rookie rusher made Bolles look like he was the rusher.

Crosby takes the outside quickly, and Bolles' kick-slide is again slow to stay in front of his defender. Bolles again keeps his hands low and is late to bring them up. Not only that, Bolles turns his body to continue to allow Crosby the edge.

The proper technique would be to treat the QB like he's the star and Bolles' butt is the camera, and guide the rusher by him. If it wasn’t for a veteran presence at QB who knew to step up in the pocket, this would be a sack, if not a strip-sack.

The Takeaway

There is so much simple technique that Garett Bolles still simply hasn't mastered. With this being his third year, you want to see more improvement from the tackle, but watching him, his technique is where it was as a rookie.

Sometimes he can get by with it, but more often than not, he can't.

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.

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