Broncos cut Dekota Watson and Zach Kerr

[Broncos-R-Great]

FWIW, it sounds like the Dolphins are ready to move on from Kiko Alonso, maybe they just outright cut him

[broncos SB2010]

Does Butler use as much Zone Blitz as LeBeau did?

I'm not sure if any one does/did

[Spice 1]

Does Butler use as much Zone Blitz as LeBeau did?

I researched it last year when we were struggling defensively, because I wanted to see how they do it, and was blown away by how differently the inside linebackers were used in that scheme than in ours. I can't speak for zone blitzes in general, but the inside linebackers are very aggressive.

[samparnell]

Butler uses the same principles as LeBeau. He coached under him for 12 years.

Does Butler use as much Zone Blitz as LeBeau did?

[Spice 1]

Lebeau isn't with Pittsburgh anymore he did go to the Titans in 2015 but looks like he retired in 2017 ... he is 81 now. Because of Ryan Shazier being injured I think they felt they had a need there more than the Broncos. They seem to still value LBs in their scheme but no longer with Lebeau.
TEs do seem to take 1-2 years to really come on at the NFL level, you're right we might need to be patient with Fant. I would've liked it if they drafted Bush.

Butler uses the same principles as LeBeau. He coached under him for 12 years.

Main difference is 2 gap 3-4 to 1 gap. Butler may value fast linebackers more than even Lebeau did because of that.

[samparnell]

The question will be do we want him playing? I mean so much of those comments are predicated on the fact that WHEN he returns he will be at top notch and in peak form. Given how long this has taken him and that he is ALWAYS hurt now it seems is it even worth it? Will he be better than Wilk? - my opinion is likely not. When you're coming back form being hurt THAT much and for THAT long there are usually issues. There will likely also be a decline in play. At this point we already know where Ron will be at. So is a 60% Ron better than a 100% Wilk? - Again I say no.

Sure. IMO if Leary is healthy, he starts. What to do with him if he's not will be up to Elway, Fangio et al. I'm guessing the coaching staff wants Leary in the five at RG, Wilkinson as Swing Tackle and probably Schlottmann as inside backup. Denver may pick up another O-Lineman, if they can find one they think is better.

Leary's health is a bit of a mystery. He has practiced some, but hasn't played in preseason. He probably doesn't need much practice to be ready for the season opener. It seems the approach of the coaching and training staffs has been not to do anything in TC/Preseason to hinder his ability to start the season. When Denver opens at Oakland, it will have been almost eight weeks since TC began.

Time will tell.

[brianmcfarlane]

I only watched a few plays of the Steelers/Titans game, and that was mostly by the Steelers offense for Fantasy Recon purposes. What I did watch of the Steelers defense didn't look bad where Bush is concerned. On TEN's first run, they couldn't get to him in time on a stretch play, and he took Lewis down in the backfield. The other play I watched, Lewan just said screw it and ran straight to Bush so the RB could get the edge. I wouldn't call that bad, because it took an All Pro going out of his way to block him.

I didn't watch the whole game, so maybe he did struggle most of the time. Just reporting on what I did see. What I have seen of Bush so far has impressed me.

PIT's, or I guess you could call it LeBeau's scheme (I'm sure Sam will come along to elaborate), is very ILB dependent. They have to be able to do everything, and that's probably why they had a higher value on him than most teams would. I also get the idea of getting the most valuable weapon for our new OC, while also acquiring another pick. The one that I don't get is if Mack Wilson was never on our radar, and we wouldn't have taken him if Cleveland didn't. That's all speculation though. You have to think JE consulted Fangio about ILB this offseason, and that's why we didn't address it. We'll see how it goes.

We have to be patient with Fant though. Tight ends taken in the first round, especially after the top 15 rarely blow up until after a year or two.

Lebeau isn't with Pittsburgh anymore he did go to the Titans in 2015 but looks like he retired in 2017 ... he is 81 now. Because of Ryan Shazier being injured I think they felt they had a need there more than the Broncos. They seem to still value LBs in their scheme but no longer with Lebeau.
TEs do seem to take 1-2 years to really come on at the NFL level, you're right we might need to be patient with Fant. I would've liked it if they drafted Bush.

[Rich_C]

It would be great if he could start and play this year. Wilkinson could be Swing Tackle and maybe Schlottmann could provide inside depth. They might pick up an O-Lineman after cuts.

Good links!

The question will be do we want him playing? I mean so much of those comments are predicated on the fact that WHEN he returns he will be at top notch and in peak form. Given how long this has taken him and that he is ALWAYS hurt now it seems is it even worth it? Will he be better than Wilk? - my opinion is likely not. When you're coming back form being hurt THAT much and for THAT long there are usually issues. There will likely also be a decline in play. At this point we already know where Ron will be at. So is a 60% Ron better than a 100% Wilk? - Again I say no.

[Rich_C]

It was very cool them making the move now so these guys have more time to catch on elsewhere

I agree - Fangio said as much in his presser. IMO - this move by the Broncos showed a lot of class as an organization. Just as I have said for years on these boards. IF we DONT play the best guys we have at their positions in PS and elevate them then the UDFA's we are able to pickup who are legit talents will simply go elsewhere. Look at Malik Reed and evem Muhammed (SP). These guys are legit NFL talents. They CHOSE to come to us. Now when borderline FA's or depth FA's have tow places to chose form the way we treat people will play into their decision making process.

[Spice 1]

Bush didnt look very good this last week. Was getting washed out of the run almost every play

I only watched a few plays of the Steelers/Titans game, and that was mostly by the Steelers offense for Fantasy Recon purposes. What I did watch of the Steelers defense didn't look bad where Bush is concerned. On TEN's first run, they couldn't get to him in time on a stretch play, and he took Lewis down in the backfield. The other play I watched, Lewan just said screw it and ran straight to Bush so the RB could get the edge. I wouldn't call that bad, because it took an All Pro going out of his way to block him.

I didn't watch the whole game, so maybe he did struggle most of the time. Just reporting on what I did see. What I have seen of Bush so far has impressed me.

PIT's, or I guess you could call it LeBeau's scheme (I'm sure Sam will come along to elaborate), is very ILB dependent. They have to be able to do everything, and that's probably why they had a higher value on him than most teams would. I also get the idea of getting the most valuable weapon for our new OC, while also acquiring another pick. The one that I don't get is if Mack Wilson was never on our radar, and we wouldn't have taken him if Cleveland didn't. That's all speculation though. You have to think JE consulted Fangio about ILB this offseason, and that's why we didn't address it. We'll see how it goes.

We have to be patient with Fant though. Tight ends taken in the first round, especially after the top 15 rarely blow up until after a year or two.

[DENVERSB50CHAMP]

Fant is going to be great if he stays healthy. Watson should get scooped by another team soon, he can play special teams and can at times pass rush. Kerr wasn't necessarily better than other backups but he looked pretty solid to me. Purcell played quite well against the Rams. Maybe that was enough to justify the Kerr cut,

Fant will be good in a year or 2.

[WYBRONCO]

Fant is going to be a great draft pick

Fant is going to be great if he stays healthy. Watson should get scooped by another team soon, he can play special teams and can at times pass rush. Kerr wasn't necessarily better than other backups but he looked pretty solid to me. Purcell played quite well against the Rams. Maybe that was enough to justify the Kerr cut,

[Champ>NFL]

Fant better become a all pro TE because we could have used Devin Bush badly right about now. I starting to believe we may have made a big mistake trading with the Steelers and skipping on Bush.

Fant is going to be a great draft pick

[Papa-pwn]

Fant better become a all pro TE because we could have used Devin Bush badly right about now. I starting to believe we may have made a big mistake trading with the Steelers and skipping on Bush.

Bush didnt look very good this last week. Was getting washed out of the run almost every play

[Murph2432]

If Denver wants an ILB or more O-line help, here’s a short list of available players-
Ryan Schreader, John Sullivan, Mason Foster, Andy Levitre, Josh Bynes, Jeremy Pernell.

Unless there’s a trade coming but I’m not predicting one.

Fant better become a all pro TE because we could have used Devin Bush badly right about now. I starting to believe we may have made a big mistake trading with the Steelers and skipping on Bush.