Ryan Harris to Broncos: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The Denver Broncos did not wait long to react to Ryan Clady’s injury.

ESPN’s Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter noted Thursday that Denver “agreed to terms with T Ryan Harris.”

The move is clearly a response to the news that left tackle Clady tore his left ACL during Wednesday’s practice and will likely miss the season, per Schefter. Clady also missed extensive time in 2013 with foot problems, and Denver needed an insurance policy with the latest setback to its four-time Pro Bowler.

Harris is that insurance policy, and Broncos fans should be familiar with his work, since the team drafted him in 2007 out of Notre Dame. He played a combined 27 contests in Denver in the 2008 and 2010 seasons and appeared in all 16 games last season for the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Raj Sharan of ESPN Denver Radio praised the move, while Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders pointed out that Harris should be familiar with head coach Gary Kubiak’s system:    

Harris played in Kubiak's system in 2012 with the Houston Texans. That should minimize his learning curve in the offseason and allow Denver to transition into the regular season without as much concern.

The Broncos are certainly in win-now mode with the 39-year-old Peyton Manning under center at quarterback. It is no surprise then that they added a veteran along the line so quickly after the devastating Clady news.

Few quarterbacks can hide offensive line struggles as well as Manning because of his ability to release the ball quickly and simply avoid pressure in the pocket, but even the future Hall of Famer needs some protection if he wants to reach the Super Bowl this year.

What’s more, running back C.J. Anderson gave the Denver offense much more balance in the second half of last season. If the Broncos are going to establish a running threat alongside Manning, they need a solid line, which looked like a problem after Clady went down.

Harris may not be a four-time Pro Bowler, but he provides critical depth in the wake of a difficult injury and will help Denver establish a balanced attack behind Anderson and Manning.