DENVER — Four times last weekend, Denver Broncos right guard Louis Vasquez turned around and saw Peyton Manning on his back. And that was just the first half.
“That's bad. That's the worst-case scenario,” Vasquez told USA TODAY Sports.
Three sacks and another big hit that night against the San Francisco 49ers – all on stunts or a designed blitz through the interior of the Broncos’ offensive line – reinforced why general manager John Elway signed free agent guard Evan Mathis. A young group with four new starters (the only returner is Vasquez), including a left tackle and center that will make their NFL debuts on Sunday, wasn’t working to protect the Broncos’ most precious asset.