If there’s one thing Max Garcia knows from his time at the University of Maryland, then at the University of Florida and in his first season with the Denver Broncos, it’s change.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to stay in the same offensive system,” the offensive lineman told his former teammate Tyler Polumbus and Les Shapiro on Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7, “being taught by the same offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. I’ve had a lot of change throughout my college career.”
After transferring to Florida, Garcia was a consistent starter, starting every single game in his final two years with the Gators, but didn’t find a consistent home, playing every position on the o-line over those two years. In his rookie campaign with the Broncos, Garcia played a rotational role at both guard positions.
The offensive line as a whole was a position group in flux all season long. Eight different players got more then 100 snaps, in part because of injury and also because of performance.
Garcia bounced from left guard and right guard last year due to veteran players in front of him like Evan Mathis and Louis Vasquez battling injury, while Michael Schofield and Polumbus played in rotation at tackle because of Schofield’s inexperience and struggles at times.
Garcia would end up locking down a spot in the rotation with stellar play, which hopefully will carry over to this season. He believes it will with the consistency that should exist with a more experienced, stable and healthy group of players.
“Just from the preparing stand point, I know where I’m going to be,” said Garcia. “It’s a lot more calming and just assuring knowing where I’m going to play.”
Another offensive lineman that is looking to have a statement year is Ty Sambrailo, a member of Garcia’s 2015 draft class. His season was cut short after injuring his shoulder during the game against the Green Bay Packers.
With the addition of tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson this offseason, Sambrailo will be making the transition to guard.
“I think he is going to do well,” Garcia told Polumbus and Shaprio, “I think he is going to have an excellent year. Right now he is getting over that shoulder injury that he had. We are just trying to take care of that and ease him in to the team reps and everything like that.”
In his final two years at Florida, Garcia had a combined four different coaches at his position and at offensive coordinator. In his first year with the Broncos, he bounced between two different positions. Heading into the 2016 season, he can finally prepare knowing he’s got the same coaches and a set position.
Listen to the rest of the conversation in the podcast below……
Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro every Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.
