Broncos To Part Ways With RT Ryan Harris

Harris' days in orange and blue appear to have come to an end. (AP Photo/ Chris Schneider)

UPDATE — Harris will visit with the Broncos Tuesday August 2nd and is expected to re-sign with the team.

After offensive lineman Ryan Harris struggled with injuries the last two seasons, it was expected Denver may not re-sign him when his contract was up.  That speculation appears to be coming true.

In April, the Broncos drafted versatile offensive lineman Orlando Franklin in the second round (46th overall) out of Miami.  Franklin comes in as a big (6’6, 316), physical force that will probably replace Harris at the right tackle position.

The Broncos will be bringing in fellow unrestricted free agent Marcus Thomas, a defensive tackle, for a visit.  If he passes his physical, Thomas will probably re-sign with the team.  Harris was not asked to come in.

When rookie Orlando Franklin selected jersey number 74 — the number Harris has worn the past four seasons — as his own, it pretty much sealed the deal that the Broncos have no plans of retaining Harris.  Although he only started in 10 games, Harris had his worst season statistically in 2010.  Harris was penalized twice and allowed 3.25 sacks, which was a career high.

With Harris moving on, the Broncos offensive line depth chart may look similar to what’s compiled below:

Left Tackle   Left Guard  Center  Right Guard  Right Tackle

Ryan Clady  Zane Beadles  J.D. Walton  Chris Kuper  Orlando Franklin

Chris Clark  S. Daniels   Russ Hochstein  Eric Olsen  Herb Taylor

All of us at BroncoTalk wish Harris nothing but the best and thank him for his four years of service.  There’s a team out there that’s going to get a solid offensive lineman.