Offensive line making life easier for Broncos' Orton

ENGLEWOOD • Life is easier for Kyle Orton behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL.

The Denver Broncos quarterback doesn’t have as many worries when he drops back to pass. Ryan Clady hasn’t given up a full sack in any of his 19 games. The rest of the line is solid, too. Denver allowed 12 sacks last year, tied for the fewest in the league.

Orton hasn’t been sacked the past two games and barely has been touched. Cleveland registered only three hits in Week 2, and Oakland had none Sunday.

“You don’t have to get the ball out so quick, and when the run game gets going that’s the quarterback’s best friend,” Orton said. “It’s kind of twofold: When they can get the run game going and protect so well, it makes it easy on myself.”

The Broncos have a huge test this weekend against Dallas and could go into the game short-handed. Guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) and tackle Ryan Harris (shoulder) missed practice Wednesday.

Clady will have perhaps the toughest test of his career with Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, one of seven players in NFL history to record 20 sacks in a season.

Keeping Orton off the ground will play a big role in the team’s success. Backup Chris Simms said that when an offensive line protects well, the quarterback feels confident because he can concentrate on his receivers instead of the oncoming rush.

“A great offensive line gives the quarterback confidence and keeps him calm,” Simms said. “You’re not thinking about it quite as much. You’re not dropping back and saying ‘Oh, are they coming off the edge?’”