Last offseason the Broncos made a number of coaching staff changes Authentic Case Keenum Jersey , including firing offensive line coach Jeff Davidson who had presided over some of the more moribund offensive lines in the NFL during his tenure in Denver. This offseason looks likely to bring many changes to the coaching staff as well, but let’s hope that this year the guys directing the offensive line aren’t among them.After firing Davidson the Broncos replaced him with two coaches, splitting responsibilities more or less along the lines of interior offensive line vs outside offensive line. Chris Strausser, then the assistant offensive line coach, was promoted to oversee the tackles on the outside. And Sean Kugler, the former head coach of UTEP, signed on to coach up the Broncos’ guards and centers.The results of those moves have been rather impressive.Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty ImagesThe Broncos’ offensive line has excelled in the run game this year. Rookie running back sensation Philip Lindsay zipped all over the field for 1,037 yards on 192 carries, resulting in an impressive 5.4 yards per carry average. Lindsay’s determination and skills played a big part in that, but so did the offensive line in front of him. With rare exceptions, the line consistently opened up holes for Lindsay, who then took full advantage. And his blockers were a big part of his league-leading yards gained before contact mark.The line also improved markedly in pass protection this year under Strausser & Kugler, though that’s still its weaker aspect. The group has allowed 33 sacks on Case Keenum this year, which is pretty decent and puts them in a 6 way tie for 20th most sacks allowed in the NFL. It’s not so bad when Deshaun Watson Youth Jared Veldheer Jersey , Dak Prescott, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, and Russell Wilson have all taken 45+ sacks in the 2018 campaign. And it’s also a considerable improvement over the Broncos’ 2017 mark of 52 sacks allowed. Overall, the Broncos’ offensive line has grown from an average at best and unbalanced unit in 2017 to a clearly above average group in 2018. And that’s kind of remarkable when you consider that only 2 out of 5 offensive line starters from the Week 1 tilt against the Seahawkswill be starting and in the same spot in this weekend’s season finale against the Chargers: Left Tackle Garett Bolles and Right Tackle Jared Veldheer. A 3rd starter from Week 1, Connor McGovern, will start at Center instead of his original post at right guard.Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesThe rest have been waylaid by injuries. Original starting LG Ron Leary tore his achilles in the Week 6 loss to the Rams, and starting Center Matt Paradis broke his leg in the Week 9 loss to the Texans. That game also brought the loss of Max Garcia, who’d made four starts at guard in replacement of McGovern or Leary by that point, and had played pretty well. The tackles haven’t been immune to the injury bug either, with Jared Veldheer missing the entire 2nd quarter of the season after getting hurt in the Week 4 loss to the Chiefs.That’s resulted in players like Billy Turner and Elijah Wilkinson receiving a lot of playing time this season, and their coaches have ensured they were up to the challenge. Turner, a former 3rd round pick for the Dolphins back in 2014 and largely considered a bust or at best a development project after being cut by both the Dolphins and Ravens Ronald Leary Jersey , has done well in 10 starts this season. And Wilkinson, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017, has made 6 starts as well.To have an injury-riddled line step up and deliver above average results is no mean feat, especially in light of the Broncos’ longstanding struggle to get quality play out of this position group throughout this decade. So while I won’t regret seeing a number of Broncos coaches go this offseason, Kugler & Strausser are not among them. I’d much rather get to watch their line again in 2019 to see what they can do with these guys in a second year together.Horse TracksThe Rams’ new offensive approach could be just what they need to roll through the playoffsThe Raiders and their fans had the perfect possible sendoff for OaklandNFL picks 2018, Week 17: Experts predictions for the final playoff orderJustin Herbert’s return to Oregon is huge NFL Draft and college football newsNFL playoff picture 2019: 4 more teams clinch, leaving 3 spots up for grabs in the final week2019 NFL mock draft: The strangest QB draft in yearsReview: The Browns should make Freddie Kitchens head coach before they lose himThe 5 most fireable NFL coaches of Week 16, including one guy who maaaaybe could be replaced by Jim HarbaughRob Gronkowski: I haven’t thought about retirementDamien Williams, Chiefs agree on 2-year extensionQB Index, Week 17: Previewing offseason QB marketNFL head coach candidates: Names to know for this hiring cycleCowboys’ Sean Lee, Bucs’ Jameis Winston need new team in ‘19 Free agency is just right around the corner and the Broncos who should have plenty of cap space figure to be very active once the free agency period opens. One of the biggest names available will be former Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety, Earl Thomas. Profile:Height: 5’10Weight: 202lbsAge: 29 years oldExperience: 9 yearsEarl Thomas played his college ball at Texas and while it was a short tenure at that program, Thomas proved to be one of the best safety prospects in the country. During Thomas’s two seasons at Texas, he totaled 135 tackles Authentic Domata Peko Jersey , 7.5 tackles for a loss, 10 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns. This play helped Thomas be a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft where the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the 14th overall pick. He has since played his entire career with the Seahawks but will be changing teams this offseason. Thomas has played 9 seasons in the NFL and since has become of the more feared defensive players in the game. During his nine-year career, Thomas has totaled 664 tackles, 68 pass deflections, 28 interceptions, 2 defensive touchdowns, and 10 forced fumbles. Thomas’s 2018 season was cut short because of a broken bone in his leg that he suffered during the Seahawks week four matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Thomas is ranked as the second-best free agent this offseason according to Pro Football Focus.With the Broncos looking to be active in free agency and needing some help in the back end of their secondary, could they make a big splash and sign Earl Thomas? Why this makes sense:Elway is known for making big splashes in free agency. Peyton Manning. DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, Wes Welker, and so on. Now could he go out and sign arguably the best defensive back in the entire NFL? I could see it happening. The Broncos hired Vic Fangio to be their Head Coach and he’ll bring his defensive expertise to the defensive side of the ball. He turned Eddie Jackson into a top talent in Chicago and he was a key part to the Bears defensive success. Thomas would fill that same role and may even do it better. Fangio likely will play more zone coverage which would allow Thomas to roam the field and do what he does best.If Elway and the Broncos are serious about keeping their defense strong, Thomas should be high on their wish list.The tight end issue the Broncos have long had would suddenly go away. Thomas’s range and ability to cover the middle of the field would help in that area. He would help the Broncos corners much like he helped the Seattle corners during his tenure there. Honestly Youth Von Miller Jersey , it is a win-win for the Broncos. Plus, you have the Mahomes factor. He isn’t going away anytime soon and a player of Thomas’s caliber would instantly help the Broncos chances of slowing him down moving forward. Why this doesn’t make sense:While money figures to be the big deciding factor here, I think Thomas is more interested in playing with the Cowboys. The Cowboys tried acquiring the All-Pro safety during the last offseason and prior to the trade deadline this year, but they could never agree to terms and his injury happened. However, there appears to be mutual interest on both sides and I could see it coming together this offseason. Also, there is the fact that Thomas has been on record saying he hates the Denver Broncos. Here is what Thomas had to say about the Broncos prior to Super Bowl 48. Now, this happened nearly a decade ago and there is a different regime running the team and this quote is also four years old. However, grudges are real and Thomas may still be holding one against the Broncos. Finally, it’s the price tag. Thomas figures to be heavily coveted on the free agent market and probably will go past the Broncos price range. Elway isn’t known for throwing big-time money at free agents or budging past a line he drew in the sand. Plus, do you want the Broncos to throw big money and a long term deal at a soon to be 30-year old safety coming off a leg injury? Final thoughts:My thoughts here will be short and sweet. Thomas in a Fangio led defense with Von and Chubb rushing the passer would be a dream, I just don’t see it happening. Would love it, and I expect a safety to be signed, but Thomas likely won’t be the safety joining the Broncos.