Former Broncos offensive lineman Evan Mathis was notorious for seeking out his own name on Twitter and engaging with folks who said less than favorable things about him. Fortunately for Mathis, that didn’t happen all too regularly as he was one of the best guards in the league last year. The same couldn’t be said for Michael Schofield, who was routinely on the receiving end of countless unkind commentary about his on-field performance. A home loss to the Raiders in which he surrendered five sacks in one half to Khalil Mack, was particularly tough. Unfortunately, his teammate Ty Sambrailo will now be able to emphasize.
While Sambrailo’s Sunday against the Falcons wasn’t quite so disastrous as that fateful half for Schofield in 2015, he wasn’t far off. In a 23-16 loss, Sambrailo surrendered at least four sacks, 3.5 to Vic Beasley alone. In total the Falcons sacked Broncos rookie quarterback six times with the bulk of the pressure coming from a collapsing right side, which Sambrailo patrolled at right tackle alongside Schofield at right guard.
Schofield didn’t escape the wrath, entirely, however. After Sambrailo was benched and Schofield shifted over to right tackle (with Darrion Weems in at right guard) it took less than a full set of downs before Schofield himself allowed a sack.
Sambrailo started in place of the injured Donald Stephenson, who has now missed three games with a calf injury. Stephenson was signed in the offseason to replace Schofield, who was only in at right guard last year because of the cascade effect caused when Ryan Clady was lost for the season and Ty Sambrailo (who himself suffered a season-ending injury) moved to left guard. As such, Denver’s woes along the line continue as they await Stephenson’s return.
Here are just a few of the slings and arrows being thrown Sambrailo’s (and Schofield’s) way during the game. He might want to avoid the Evan Mathis strategy and not search his name for a while.
Ty Sambrailo beat on the sack. Donald Stephenson missing another game and it is hurting #Broncos @Don59Wayne
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 9, 2016
Sambrailo beaten again. Paxton sacked/fumbled/recovered it. #Falcons defense was ranked 30th in NFL. holding #Broncos to 3 1st half points.
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) October 9, 2016
Cue Yakity Sax. Ty Sambrailo having the worst game of his football life.
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) October 9, 2016
And Sambrailo's beaten again. His man forced the Lynch fumble. Bad day. Bad, bad day. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 9, 2016
Ty Sambrailo should not be a starter. Not at tackle. Maybe not at guard.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) October 9, 2016
Kubiak almost always puts players in position to succeed but maybe not in this case. Sambrailo is overmatched! #Broncos
— Eric Christensen (@cbseric) October 9, 2016
#Broncos fans have a new piñata to smack around…
Last year it was Schofield… This year it's Sambrialo.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) October 9, 2016
Falcons were tied for fewest sacks in the NFL with 4 through 4 games coming into today. They have 4 today, 3 by Vic Beasley.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/SixZeroStrength/status/785241225523699712
Ty Sambrailo out. Schofield slid to tackle and Darrion Weems brought in at right guard #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/Raj_Sharan/status/785243168778313728
Schofield in at right tackle, and then he gets beat. #4Broncos
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) October 9, 2016
Schofield no better than the Sambrailo who he replaced Different guy Same results Mv your feet Dnt drop your head #DENvsATL @MileHighSports
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) October 9, 2016
