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Hey, Happy 4th of July all:salute!:
Since this is the true dead season of the NFL, and I need to take a break from coaching so much baseball, I thought I would bring up and discuss the Broncos prospects for the defensive front seven his year.
I will use what I understand to be the current depth chart, and how I see it changing as training camp develops, and try to predict how the final roster will shake out.
Feel free to jump in and debate...
D-Line
LDE
My projected starter: Marcus Thomas, 6'3"-308
A third year vet with a former first round prospects talent, one can only hope he can make the move and the adjustment to the outside. As a combinaton 3-technique/nose tackle in the 4-3, like San Diego's Luis Castillo, there can be a case made for him playing as a 5-technique DE in a 3-4. He has the size and the power to be stout at the point of attack, yet has the quickness to provide a pass rush. Simply put, Thomas is one of the key wildcards to helping the defense make a significant improvement this season, and has as much upside as any D-lineman candidate.
Others:
Ryan McBean (6'4"-292) Was the listed starter through much of the OTA's, but his inexperience is a concern.
Nic Clemons (6'6"-302) Actually, Clemons will be a player of interest for me to watch. I thought he flashed and did some good things in TC last year, which is why he made the team. Clemons has the size and versatility to compete in camp, and could suprise again.
Everette Pedescleaux (6'6"-305) An interesting undrafted free agent with some tools to work with; will probably be a practice squad candidate.
NT
Ronald Fields (6'2"-315) I truly believe that Fields is going to be an under-rated, suprisingly soild player for the Broncos. Mike Nolan brought him in, and I have to respect that Nolan believes he can handle the job. Not the second coming of Jamal Williams perhaps, but solid none-the-less.
Others:
J'Vonne Parker (6'4"-325) An experienced player in the Steelers 3-4, Parker has the size and versatility to play NT and DE, and is a big body.
Carlton Powell (6'3"-310) After losing his rookie season to injury, coming off surgery to repair a torn Achillies tendon, and playing in a new system, the odds would appear to be long against his making the roster.
Chris Baker (6'3"-328) Another undrafted free agent project that will probably stick on the final roster due to his potential, and limited competition. He would be a major coup for the Broncos if he can develop and become a player down the road, but he was once a Penn St. recruit.
RDE
Kenny Peterson (6'3"-302) Once of my favorite players on the Broncos, primarily because of the heart and determination he played with over the last season-and-a-half after being brought back to the Broncos. I think Peterson is also an under-rated player, and will do a good job for the Broncos as the starting RDE. His experience in playing DT and DE in a 4-3 will help him adjust to the 3-4.
Others:
Matthias Askew (6'5"-305) A former 4-3 DT signed to the Broncos practice squad after the Benglas released him, the move to a new defense, and the competiton on the roster makes him a longshot.
Rulon Davis (6'5"-281) Definitely a player to keep your eye on. Davis' supreme conditioning, and a Marine's discipline give him an edge over his competition, even if he is at an advanced age as a rookie...but that turned out OK for Mike Anderson and the Broncos once before.
Bottom Line: I say the Broncos keep six D-Linemen, with Thomas, Fields, and Peterson as locks, and McBean, Baker, Parker, Pedescleaux and Rulon Davis in hot pursuit.
Linebackers
LOLB
Tim Crowder (6'4"-272) One of the biggest suprises of the OTA's was the announcement that Crowder had been playing with the first team defense. Some say his athletic grades at the combine suggest he is a better fit for a 3-4 OLB, and he does have a similar build and background to other 'backers, ala Dallas' Greg Ellis over the last two years, and Baltimore's Jarrett Johnson. Both players are converted DE's.
Others:
Darrell Reid (6'4"-285) Interesting player coming from the 4-3 defensive system in Indy, but the Broncos made a move to get him in free agency right away, so they obviously liked him. My thought is he is probably more geared to play and contribute on special teams, but will probably be an important role player on the Broncos defense as well, as he can play LB, DE and DT.
LILB
Aundra Davis (6'1"-254) The free-agent signing from the Browns gives the Broncos a veteran presence to start camp in helping the transition to the new defense, but I still believe he is a longshot to make the team, as the Broncos have some very good, young ILB's.
Others:
Wesley Woodyard (6'1"-230) Some folks get hung up on technicalities when discussing this player...'well, he's not a true strong-side ILB...', etc. The fact is, Woodyard is now a legit 6'1"-230lb linebacker that has grown into his body, and who has always made plays when he is on the field. He plays with intensity and emotion, and to me, it is just a matter of time before he is named the starting LB inside with DJ Williams, regardless of what positions they are referred to...and before you say he is too small, I simply point to former Patriot ILB Roman Pfiefer who was 6'1"-225, and played on the Patroits first Super Bowl defense, and Sam Mills, who at 5'9"-230, was a force for years with the Saints 3-4....bottom line: a player is a player is a player, and Wesley Woodyard is a football player, period, and a very good one.
Nick Greisen (6'1"-250) Another experienced vet from a 3-4 system in Baltimore than could contend for a backup spot if he excells on special teams.
Lee Robinson (6'3"-248) A player I was very suprised to see went undrafted. I think this player from Alcorn St is going to suprise alot of folks the way Woodyard did last year, and who I believe will make a strong case to make the team.
RILB
D.J. Williams (6'1"-245) In a year's time, no one will be more happy with the move to a 3-4 than DJ Williams. He will have stopped his annual move to a new position, and like Pittsburgh's James Farrior, should find that it suits his skills perfectly. Williams was on the verge of becoming a Pro Bowl player last year, and I would not be suprised to see him make that move now in the new defense.
Others:
Spencer Larsen (6'2"-242) A very good, versatile young player that should provide excellent depth at LB, as well as an enforcer on special teams. It will also be interesting to see if he continues his dual role at FB of offense.
Mario Haggan (6'3"-263) A huge, veteran body in the inside that is familiar with the 3-4 defense from his years in Buffalo, who will have to make it on special teams.
ROLB
Robert Ayers (6'3"-272) The Broncos appear to be set on making him the starter that the 'elephant'/'joker' standup RDE/OLB position from day one, ala Shawne Merriman and Terrell Suggs, and the defense will be counting on him for immediate impact.
Others:
Elvis Dumervil (5'11"-257) A player in the final year of his contract, whose role in the defense appears to be undetermined. Physically, he is built similar to Pittsburgh OLB James Harrison, but Ayers appears to be all but assured that spot on the defense. Dumervil could play a role similar to what Javon Green does in the Patriots defense as a traditional 4-3 DE when they go to four down lineman, which would mean Dumervil is a designated pass rusher. The opportunity to play elsewhere next season in moving back to a 4-3 means Dumervil is probably playing out his last season as a Bronco.
Jarvis Moss (6'6"-255) Like Crowder, Moss is probably looking at his last opportunity to become a solid player in Denver. His athleticism and qability to play in space will determine if he can carve out a future in this defense.
Bottom Line: I look for Ayers, DJ Williams and Woodyard to be three of the four starting LB's this season, with the other remaining position to be determined, as I am not conceding it to Crowder at this point.
OK, debate time...
Since this is the true dead season of the NFL, and I need to take a break from coaching so much baseball, I thought I would bring up and discuss the Broncos prospects for the defensive front seven his year.
I will use what I understand to be the current depth chart, and how I see it changing as training camp develops, and try to predict how the final roster will shake out.
Feel free to jump in and debate...
D-Line
LDE
My projected starter: Marcus Thomas, 6'3"-308
A third year vet with a former first round prospects talent, one can only hope he can make the move and the adjustment to the outside. As a combinaton 3-technique/nose tackle in the 4-3, like San Diego's Luis Castillo, there can be a case made for him playing as a 5-technique DE in a 3-4. He has the size and the power to be stout at the point of attack, yet has the quickness to provide a pass rush. Simply put, Thomas is one of the key wildcards to helping the defense make a significant improvement this season, and has as much upside as any D-lineman candidate.
Others:
Ryan McBean (6'4"-292) Was the listed starter through much of the OTA's, but his inexperience is a concern.
Nic Clemons (6'6"-302) Actually, Clemons will be a player of interest for me to watch. I thought he flashed and did some good things in TC last year, which is why he made the team. Clemons has the size and versatility to compete in camp, and could suprise again.
Everette Pedescleaux (6'6"-305) An interesting undrafted free agent with some tools to work with; will probably be a practice squad candidate.
NT
Ronald Fields (6'2"-315) I truly believe that Fields is going to be an under-rated, suprisingly soild player for the Broncos. Mike Nolan brought him in, and I have to respect that Nolan believes he can handle the job. Not the second coming of Jamal Williams perhaps, but solid none-the-less.
Others:
J'Vonne Parker (6'4"-325) An experienced player in the Steelers 3-4, Parker has the size and versatility to play NT and DE, and is a big body.
Carlton Powell (6'3"-310) After losing his rookie season to injury, coming off surgery to repair a torn Achillies tendon, and playing in a new system, the odds would appear to be long against his making the roster.
Chris Baker (6'3"-328) Another undrafted free agent project that will probably stick on the final roster due to his potential, and limited competition. He would be a major coup for the Broncos if he can develop and become a player down the road, but he was once a Penn St. recruit.
RDE
Kenny Peterson (6'3"-302) Once of my favorite players on the Broncos, primarily because of the heart and determination he played with over the last season-and-a-half after being brought back to the Broncos. I think Peterson is also an under-rated player, and will do a good job for the Broncos as the starting RDE. His experience in playing DT and DE in a 4-3 will help him adjust to the 3-4.
Others:
Matthias Askew (6'5"-305) A former 4-3 DT signed to the Broncos practice squad after the Benglas released him, the move to a new defense, and the competiton on the roster makes him a longshot.
Rulon Davis (6'5"-281) Definitely a player to keep your eye on. Davis' supreme conditioning, and a Marine's discipline give him an edge over his competition, even if he is at an advanced age as a rookie...but that turned out OK for Mike Anderson and the Broncos once before.
Bottom Line: I say the Broncos keep six D-Linemen, with Thomas, Fields, and Peterson as locks, and McBean, Baker, Parker, Pedescleaux and Rulon Davis in hot pursuit.
Linebackers
LOLB
Tim Crowder (6'4"-272) One of the biggest suprises of the OTA's was the announcement that Crowder had been playing with the first team defense. Some say his athletic grades at the combine suggest he is a better fit for a 3-4 OLB, and he does have a similar build and background to other 'backers, ala Dallas' Greg Ellis over the last two years, and Baltimore's Jarrett Johnson. Both players are converted DE's.
Others:
Darrell Reid (6'4"-285) Interesting player coming from the 4-3 defensive system in Indy, but the Broncos made a move to get him in free agency right away, so they obviously liked him. My thought is he is probably more geared to play and contribute on special teams, but will probably be an important role player on the Broncos defense as well, as he can play LB, DE and DT.
LILB
Aundra Davis (6'1"-254) The free-agent signing from the Browns gives the Broncos a veteran presence to start camp in helping the transition to the new defense, but I still believe he is a longshot to make the team, as the Broncos have some very good, young ILB's.
Others:
Wesley Woodyard (6'1"-230) Some folks get hung up on technicalities when discussing this player...'well, he's not a true strong-side ILB...', etc. The fact is, Woodyard is now a legit 6'1"-230lb linebacker that has grown into his body, and who has always made plays when he is on the field. He plays with intensity and emotion, and to me, it is just a matter of time before he is named the starting LB inside with DJ Williams, regardless of what positions they are referred to...and before you say he is too small, I simply point to former Patriot ILB Roman Pfiefer who was 6'1"-225, and played on the Patroits first Super Bowl defense, and Sam Mills, who at 5'9"-230, was a force for years with the Saints 3-4....bottom line: a player is a player is a player, and Wesley Woodyard is a football player, period, and a very good one.
Nick Greisen (6'1"-250) Another experienced vet from a 3-4 system in Baltimore than could contend for a backup spot if he excells on special teams.
Lee Robinson (6'3"-248) A player I was very suprised to see went undrafted. I think this player from Alcorn St is going to suprise alot of folks the way Woodyard did last year, and who I believe will make a strong case to make the team.
RILB
D.J. Williams (6'1"-245) In a year's time, no one will be more happy with the move to a 3-4 than DJ Williams. He will have stopped his annual move to a new position, and like Pittsburgh's James Farrior, should find that it suits his skills perfectly. Williams was on the verge of becoming a Pro Bowl player last year, and I would not be suprised to see him make that move now in the new defense.
Others:
Spencer Larsen (6'2"-242) A very good, versatile young player that should provide excellent depth at LB, as well as an enforcer on special teams. It will also be interesting to see if he continues his dual role at FB of offense.
Mario Haggan (6'3"-263) A huge, veteran body in the inside that is familiar with the 3-4 defense from his years in Buffalo, who will have to make it on special teams.
ROLB
Robert Ayers (6'3"-272) The Broncos appear to be set on making him the starter that the 'elephant'/'joker' standup RDE/OLB position from day one, ala Shawne Merriman and Terrell Suggs, and the defense will be counting on him for immediate impact.
Others:
Elvis Dumervil (5'11"-257) A player in the final year of his contract, whose role in the defense appears to be undetermined. Physically, he is built similar to Pittsburgh OLB James Harrison, but Ayers appears to be all but assured that spot on the defense. Dumervil could play a role similar to what Javon Green does in the Patriots defense as a traditional 4-3 DE when they go to four down lineman, which would mean Dumervil is a designated pass rusher. The opportunity to play elsewhere next season in moving back to a 4-3 means Dumervil is probably playing out his last season as a Bronco.
Jarvis Moss (6'6"-255) Like Crowder, Moss is probably looking at his last opportunity to become a solid player in Denver. His athleticism and qability to play in space will determine if he can carve out a future in this defense.
Bottom Line: I look for Ayers, DJ Williams and Woodyard to be three of the four starting LB's this season, with the other remaining position to be determined, as I am not conceding it to Crowder at this point.
OK, debate time...
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