Talking Broncos with former NFL O-Lineman Roman Oben

Roman Oben is a retired offensive lineman who played in the NFL for twelve seasons, playing for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Diego Chargers. Oben was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to talk some Broncos, AFC West, and the 2009 NFL landscape with us.  To thank him we want to encourage everyone to check out his official website and follow him on twitter.  Seriously, do it.  And check out the interview, do that too! Enjoy!

BT: You competed against the Broncos during the team’s greatest era, when it won two Super Bowls. What do you recall about playing against Denver?

RO: My fondest memory of the Broncos was beating them in ’98 in Giants stadium to stop their regular season winning streak! As a Charger, the Broncos were the team who owned the AFC West. They were the AFC West benchmark and the ones we had to dethrone!

BT: Now that the tables have turned and the Chargers are the team to dethrone, do you see a fourth straight division title in their future?

The Chargers should definitely win the division, but I don’t think it will be a six game sweep. Someone will beat them on the road. Could it be Denver?

BT: Is this the year the Chargers get over the hump?

I think the Chargers are the most talented team in the NFL, having an All-Pro caliber player at every position. It’ll come down to leadership for them and how far they go after that home playoff game.

BT: About the Broncos – what do you think about the moves they made this offseason?

RO: The decisions that the Broncos made in the offseason have been intriguing so say the least. My guess was to bring in a Rex Ryan and find the best OC possible for continuity on offense. That didn’t happen, and so I think the team is going through major transition; it might me another year or so before they’re ready to challenge the division.

BT: The team is certainly getting younger.  As a 12 year-vet (quite an accomplishment in today’s NFL), what advice would you give younger players looking to sustain a long career?

RO: People can’t underestimate the value of hard work, being a consistent performer and leadership. If I’m a young player, I’d hang around with guys that are “true professionals” – in the weight room, film study, practice field, road trips – those are the guys you can learn from.

BT:  What do you see elsewhere in the NFL? Any lesser-known player(s) you see having a breakout season in 2009?

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw will have a breakout year as the Giants attempt to go an unprecedented two seasons in a row with two 1,000 yard rushers.  Jets FS Kheri Rhodes should get some MVP votes this year as Rex Ryan uses him as a bigger, more athletic Ed Reed.  The Saints defense will be top 4 in turnover margin as Greg Williams‘ addition helps New Orleans get over the hump.

BT: You played on a number of teams for four different franchises. What set the Super Bowl champion 2002 Bucs apart, from your point of view?

The 2002 Bucs team was special because we knew that we had a defense that wouldn’t give up a lot of points.  As the offense improved later in the season, we put ourselves in a position as a “team” to have our best four weeks of productivity after Christmas.

BT: What have you been up to off-the-field since you retired last year?

I did color commentary for Giants Radio during pre-season & I’ll do their pre/post game show when they’re on the road. I’m also co-hosting the SNY(Comcast) Big East College Football show on Saturdays, as well as college & pro sideline reports for sports USA radio.

I’m a blog panelist for the Washington Post as well.

Off-air I’m VP of Development of the Northeast region for The Corporate Playbook, a company that helps former college student-athletes get into the workforce. I’m also an educational speaker for NCSA, a company that helps match college coaches with high school athletes through a recruiting service. If that isn’t enough, I’m the democratic chairman of Kinnelon, NJ- the town I live in Jersey.

Busy guy.  It’s good to hear from someone who had a long NFL career doing things the RIGHT way. We want to thank Oben again for his straight talk about the Broncos and the AFC West, and hope to tap his brain about all things NFL in the future! Again, be sure to follow Roman on twitter at @ro72.