Rebuilding the Defense - How I would do it.....

[Rockies24]

I have basically decided that if the Broncos could field even a mediocre defense then we will be a super bowl contender next year.

My solution to how to rebuild the defense might be a little bit unique, it is based mostly around players we already have on the squad, and focuses on continuity becasue one of the biggest problems with our defense is the shear amount of turnover....So my plan keeps most of the same players, with a couple carefull additions through the draft and FA.

Free Agency:
The only defensive player we need to pursue in FA is Julius Peppers. He alone could make our defense top 20. He is the type of player that can take over a game, and is exactly what we need at LE. A complete end who can stop the run and rush the QB. The ideal pick up would be Albert Haynseworth, but he Tennessee will not let him go, he is their defense. That being said, Peppers looks like he is out of Carolina after this year. He will likely be the most pursued defensive FA on the market, but we need to focus on getting him, and put all our allocated FA money towards it.....

Draft:
Just like we had a nearly exclusive offensive draft last year, we need a defensive draft this year.

1. Taylor Mays (USC - SS) This guy is special...runs a 4.4 and is 6-3;230. He would start right away at FS....

2. James Davis (Clemson - RB) I said we need defense....but Davis would be to valuable to be passed up here...I think he will slip into the mid 2nd behind Moreno, Wells and Ringer....

3. Roy Miller (Texas - DT) Miller could slip into the 2nd round as his stock is rising very fast, but I think we snag him here....

4. Jordan Shipley (Texas - WR) I like MindFields Idea of Shipley replacing Stokely as early as next year, or the year after...

5. Domonique Johnson (Jackson St. - CB) Solid under the radar type player, runs a 4.4.....

With the rest of the picks we can go for depth, and also grab a Center for the future in the late rounds....

Here is my starting defense for 2009....

LE: Julius Peppers - Tim Crowder
DT: Dwayne Robertson - Roy Miller
DT: Marcus Thomas - Kenny Peterson
RE: Elvis Dumervil - Jarvis Moss

SLB: Louis Green/Boss Bailey (If Healthy) - Webster
MLB: Wesley Woodyard (As long as he adds about 10 pounds) - Niko
OLB: D.J Williams - Draft Pick

CB: Champ Bailey - Karly Paymah
FS: Josh Barrett - Rodrick Rogers
SS: Taylor Mays - Calvin Lowery
CB: Dre Bly - Jack Williams/Domonique Johnson

[broncos SB2010]

I have basically decided that if the Broncos could field even a mediocre defense then we will be a super bowl contender next year.

My solution to how to rebuild the defense might be a little bit unique, it is based mostly around players we already have on the squad, and focuses on continuity becasue one of the biggest problems with our defense is the shear amount of turnover....So my plan keeps most of the same players, with a couple carefull additions through the draft and FA.

Free Agency:
The only defensive player we need to pursue in FA is Julius Peppers. He alone could make our defense top 20. He is the type of player that can take over a game, and is exactly what we need at LE. A complete end who can stop the run and rush the QB. The ideal pick up would be Albert Haynseworth, but he Tennessee will not let him go, he is their defense. That being said, Peppers looks like he is out of Carolina after this year. He will likely be the most pursued defensive FA on the market, but we need to focus on getting him, and put all our allocated FA money towards it.....

Draft:
Just like we had a nearly exclusive offensive draft last year, we need a defensive draft this year.

1. Taylor Mays (USC - SS) This guy is special...runs a 4.4 and is 6-3;230. He would start right away at FS....

2. James Davis (Clemson - RB) I said we need defense....but Davis would be to valuable to be passed up here...I think he will slip into the mid 2nd behind Moreno, Wells and Ringer....

3. Roy Miller (Texas - DT) Miller could slip into the 2nd round as his stock is rising very fast, but I think we snag him here....

4. Jordan Shipley (Texas - WR) I like MindFields Idea of Shipley replacing Stokely as early as next year, or the year after...

5. Domonique Johnson (Jackson St. - CB) Solid under the radar type player, runs a 4.4.....

With the rest of the picks we can go for depth, and also grab a Center for the future in the late rounds....

Here is my starting defense for 2009....

LE: Julius Peppers - Tim Crowder
DT: Dwayne Robertson - Roy Miller
DT: Marcus Thomas - Kenny Peterson
RE: Elvis Dumervil - Jarvis Moss

SLB: Louis Green/Boss Bailey (If Healthy) - Webster
MLB: Wesley Woodyard (As long as he adds about 10 pounds) - Niko
OLB: D.J Williams - Draft Pick

CB: Champ Bailey - Karly Paymah
FS: Josh Barrett - Rodrick Rogers
SS: Taylor Mays - Calvin Lowery
CB: Dre Bly - Jack Williams/Domonique Johnson

Domonique Johnson looks like he could be a good late round pick. Not sure why you Josh barrett on there though. With all the injuries we have and he is still on the PS should tell you something about his abilities. I still have hope for him but I wouldn't count on it. At DT I still say we need bigger bodies with strength. BJ Raji is my pick or else Dorell Scott in round 4 or 5.

[SDSU#1]

I love this, but I think that we should try and pick up a FA Safety as well or draft another safety in the second instead of the RB. Peppers is a must and I've been saying this for weeks as well. Kudos on this idea, I have a different draft, but the same idea none the less.

[Wenchang]

Peppers and Dumervill would be terrible against the run. Peppers was terrible a year ago, and this year while being better has not been the same dominant player and still has his lazy plays. Only way you do that is if you have dominant Defensive Tackles, like Haynesworth. Which of course, with the same guys at DT we obviously don't have anything like that. But even worse, the Linebacker core you chose would be quite a soft one against the run. Woodyard, DJ, and Louis Green? We would get gashed. Are you honestly sold on Josh Barrett? What are the qualifications to start? Just being young and making the team? And why not re-sign Ekuban, I doubt he gets a very big contract and he's worth bringing back. Quite frankly he's probably our best D-Lineman. Sorry, but that defense would suck, even worse it would have major issues despite spending a lot of money on Peppers and a first round Safety. Our defense needs to be more physical, we're fast and young enough as it is.

[Broncos724]

Julius Peppers would be way overpriced and not perform to the level that would be expected.

[Rockies24]

Peppers and Dumervill would be terrible against the run. Peppers was terrible a year ago, and this year while being better has not been the same dominant player and still has his lazy plays. Only way you do that is if you have dominant Defensive Tackles, like Haynesworth. Which of course, with the same guys at DT we obviously don't have anything like that. But even worse, the Linebacker core you chose would be quite a soft one against the run. Woodyard, DJ, and Louis Green? We would get gashed. Are you honestly sold on Josh Barrett? What are the qualifications to start? Just being young and making the team? And why not re-sign Ekuban, I doubt he gets a very big contract and he's worth bringing back. Quite frankly he's probably our best D-Lineman. Sorry, but that defense would suck, even worse it would have major issues despite spending a lot of money on Peppers and a first round Safety. Our defense needs to be more physical, we're fast and young enough as it is.

I'm not quite sold on your analysis on Peppers. He will likely be the most sought after defense player on the market if the Titans resign Haynesworth, which will most likely happen. Peppers is also fantastic against the run at 6-7 280. He is that strong side defensive end that we need REALLY bad. IMO he is worth it....we could go through the draft, but we need instant impact on the D-Line.

Woodyard impressed me on Thursday night, as he did in the preseason. If he bulks up 10-15 pounds he would be an ideal MLB. He showed a good amount of fire, getting in Jamal Lewis's face.

Barrett would become the saftey by defualt pretty much. We could go for a cheap FA alternative, but that worked out miserably with Manuel and McCree. I would rather develop a young and raw saftey for the future, and deal with the growing pains.

I also think Mays would bring us a physical presence to our defense. He is a beast.

Anyway, the defense I provide is simply a mediocre defense. I admit it. But I think that is all we need to get to the superbowl. Imagine where we would be right now if our defense was ranked just 16th or 17th instead of 30th.....

I would rather build internally then continue to have a high amount of turnover, there will be some growing pains, but it will benefit us in the future.

btw...Wenchang, what is your grand plan to fix the defense?

[jojo187]

I like everything you said but why not draft a MLB in the first round, and have woodyard play another LB spot or SS. I think that is a better scenario. But I like peppers or Suggs in FA.

[Wenchang]

I'm not quite sold on your analysis on Peppers. He will likely be the most sought after defense player on the market if the Titans resign Haynesworth, which will most likely happen. Peppers is also fantastic against the run at 6-7 280. He is that strong side defensive end that we need REALLY bad. IMO he is worth it....we could go through the draft, but we need instant impact on the D-Line.

While I'm sympathetic to the idea that we need a dominant D-Lineman, I'm not as sold on this one as you. In 8 games Julius Peppers only has 4 sacks, that's on pace for 8 over the season, which is not nearly as good as the kind of sack numbers he used to rack up. And the thing about that is, Tampa Bay are really the only line he's faced that could be argued to be a standout one. Minnesota normally would qualify, except that Left Tackle Bryant McKinnie was out that game. The rest have been mediocre to bad lines. 4 sacks against that in 8 games, not a good sign.

Julius Peppers' strength has never been when a team runs right at him, and that's not a secret either. I'm not going to say he sucks against the run, but he's most likely not a difference maker there. And he has been criticized a lot lately by Panthers fans for taking plays off. Ok, add in a horrible year last season, and Peppers might just be out of his prime already. If that's the case, no way should we touch a guy who you correctly pointed out will probably be the most sought after defensive player. As a matter of fact, if Peppers truly proves to be the most sought after, I would rather pursue Suggs, he's younger and probably cheaper, and for the last several years he has always been up there in pressuring the QB. I'm talking not just about sacks but QB hurries and hits, he's always up there and it says something about what he can do.

I should also expand on the run defense point, simply by saying that, even if Peppers is a good idea. Starting him with Elvis Dumervill in no way is. We would get gashed, I guarantee it, because then you would have too primarily finesse player whose skills are weakest on run defense. In no way is that something we should do.

Woodyard impressed me on Thursday night, as he did in the preseason. If he bulks up 10-15 pounds he would be an ideal MLB. He showed a good amount of fire, getting in Jamal Lewis's face.

Frankly, I haven't seen enough of Woodyard to confidently say how good of a player he is. Anyhow, I'm skeptical on how easy it would be for him to gain 10-15 pounds and play comfortably and learn a new position. If that is a realistic goal, it's an interesting idea, but I can't help but think the idea is a little rash.

Barrett would become the saftey by defualt pretty much. We could go for a cheap FA alternative, but that worked out miserably with Manuel and McCree. I would rather develop a young and raw saftey for the future, and deal with the growing pains.

Outside of pure athletic ability(which means absolutely nothing on its own), what has Barrett shown to even indicate that he is a player who is going to be good for the future? Frankly I am not high on him, when he can't even make an active roster once for this team, whose Safety talent is already perhaps the worst in the league. If anything I'm starting Lowry instead of Barrett.

It should also be said that even for young, developing Safeties, quite a level of NFL readiness is a requirement. The reason is that mistakes by the Safeties are more prone to giving up big plays than any other positions' mistakes are. In general it's difficult to cover up for a bad secondary, but bad Safety play in particular is harmful. Safeties(especially deep safeties) who can't cover and can't make good decisions often bring down the entire defense. This applies strongly to YOUNG Safeties, because it's a position where discipline and decision making are crucial. So having a Safety with too many growing pains can actually hurt the rest of the defense's developement. What you're suggesting is having two young Safeties, which on its own isn't bad, but when one of them(Barrett) hasn't shown any ability to succeed at the NFL level I'm sorry it's not a good idea. I would rather start one of Lowry, McCree, or Manuel. If Barrett doesn't prove anything before this year is over things do not look good for him.

Anyway, the defense I provide is simply a mediocre defense. I admit it. But I think that is all we need to get to the superbowl. Imagine where we would be right now if our defense was ranked just 16th or 17th instead of 30th.....

If our team can grow up, get the running game going, and score at as high a level without turnovers(this being by far the toughest one), you might be right about only needing a mediocre defense. But I'm not sure that defense is mediocre, it seems like a bad if not worse run defense. I don't mean to shoot down every idea, Peppers might be the answer, and Woodyard at MLB seems a longshot but maybe you're onto something. However, I have to shoot down Barrett(unless he shows some transformation some point this season) and Dumervill starting, this is just not a good idea at all imo, and especially if there isn't a decent backup plan(for starters re-sign Ekuban).

btw...Wenchang, what is your grand plan to fix the defense?

I don't have enough of an idea of how much money we have, enough info on players in the draft and how good each are, and enough about trade situations to really say. I could probably make something up, but nothing that I would consider a viable "grand plan" so why bother. So I will only make suggestions. One of them being, if Suggs is likely to go for cheaper than Peppers it would be a better idea to sign him(and by the way it fits in better with your idea of building for the future and using young guys). Another suggestion is re-sign Ebenezer Ekuban.

[Max Power]

Wesley Woodyard is too small to play MLB. Moving D.J. back to MIKE and starting Woodyard at WILL makes more sense. However, I still advocate drafting a MLB early (Spikes) and keeping D.J. at WILL, with Woodyard the backup. Here's how I would improve the defense:

FA: Albert Haynesworth (yeah, right...but it's no less realistic than Julius Peppers, and DT > DE as a need), Chris Gamble

Draft:

1. Brandon Spikes - MLB - Florida (come on, you saw this one coming)
2. Rashad Johnson - FS - Alabama (this guy just intercepted another pass as I typed this)
3. James Davis - RB - Clemson (good value here for a potential workhorse back)
4. Roy Miller - DT - Texas (very quick, disruptive DT who would make our rotation even stronger)
5. Ramses Barden - WR - Cal Poly (very tall, productive small school WR)
6. Graham Harrell - QB - Texas Tech (probably gonna be better than Ramsey)
*6. Zack Follett - OLB - California (decent SAM prospect)
7. Jeff Byers - G/C - USC (local boy, light and quick just how Shanny likes 'em)
*7. Jeff Schweiger - DE - San Jose State (was a 5* recruit for USC out of high school, then transferred into obscurity. Still, has good size at 6'5" 276 lbs.)

*from Falcons in Foxworth trade (they re-sign him, giving us their 6th rounder in addition to their 7th)

[Rockies24]

There is no way that Davis lasts till the third round. Sorry....

We would be lucky to snag him in the second round..

[Orangeandblue6]

You're overlooking a big part of our defence thats making it bad; bob slowik

[fraguela09]

DRAFT Spikes (LB) and Oghobaase (DT); see what free agents there are this year... You could spend BIG and go for Nnamdi Asomugha (uncapped year right).... How about these Safeties: Brian Dawkins, Mike Brown, and Dawan Landry (but he is RFA).

How about these UFA... DL types: Julius Peppers, Albert Haynesworth, Terrell Suggs.

Want a LB: Karlos Dansby, Mike Peterson, Bart Scott, Channing Crowder, James Farrior.

SO... here's the good news:

(1) Denver has one of the lowest payrolls in the NFL. AND, next year should be headed towards an UN-capped year.

(2) DENVER has a bunch of extra picks to work with.

(3) There are LOTS of BIG TIME defensive free agents out there.

SO, here's how I see this going down:

- DEN brings in 3 big free agents on defense (S, LB, DL).
- DEN continues to draft well.
- DEN relies on Torain, Aldridge, Pitty returning... draft a Rb 4-5 round range.

They'll address LB, DT, C/G, FS/SS in the draft. They'll probably even trade up and grab an extra Day-1 pick.

Shanny will keep the coaches... Wants to establish some consistency.

[Rockies24]

While I'm sympathetic to the idea that we need a dominant D-Lineman, I'm not as sold on this one as you. In 8 games Julius Peppers only has 4 sacks, that's on pace for 8 over the season, which is not nearly as good as the kind of sack numbers he used to rack up. And the thing about that is, Tampa Bay are really the only line he's faced that could be argued to be a standout one. Minnesota normally would qualify, except that Left Tackle Bryant McKinnie was out that game. The rest have been mediocre to bad lines. 4 sacks against that in 8 games, not a good sign.

Julius Peppers' strength has never been when a team runs right at him, and that's not a secret either. I'm not going to say he sucks against the run, but he's most likely not a difference maker there. And he has been criticized a lot lately by Panthers fans for taking plays off. Ok, add in a horrible year last season, and Peppers might just be out of his prime already. If that's the case, no way should we touch a guy who you correctly pointed out will probably be the most sought after defensive player. As a matter of fact, if Peppers truly proves to be the most sought after, I would rather pursue Suggs, he's younger and probably cheaper, and for the last several years he has always been up there in pressuring the QB. I'm talking not just about sacks but QB hurries and hits, he's always up there and it says something about what he can do.

I should also expand on the run defense point, simply by saying that, even if Peppers is a good idea. Starting him with Elvis Dumervill in no way is. We would get gashed, I guarantee it, because then you would have too primarily finesse player whose skills are weakest on run defense. In no way is that something we should do.



Frankly, I haven't seen enough of Woodyard to confidently say how good of a player he is. Anyhow, I'm skeptical on how easy it would be for him to gain 10-15 pounds and play comfortably and learn a new position. If that is a realistic goal, it's an interesting idea, but I can't help but think the idea is a little rash.



Outside of pure athletic ability(which means absolutely nothing on its own), what has Barrett shown to even indicate that he is a player who is going to be good for the future? Frankly I am not high on him, when he can't even make an active roster once for this team, whose Safety talent is already perhaps the worst in the league. If anything I'm starting Lowry instead of Barrett.

It should also be said that even for young, developing Safeties, quite a level of NFL readiness is a requirement. The reason is that mistakes by the Safeties are more prone to giving up big plays than any other positions' mistakes are. In general it's difficult to cover up for a bad secondary, but bad Safety play in particular is harmful. Safeties(especially deep safeties) who can't cover and can't make good decisions often bring down the entire defense. This applies strongly to YOUNG Safeties, because it's a position where discipline and decision making are crucial. So having a Safety with too many growing pains can actually hurt the rest of the defense's developement. What you're suggesting is having two young Safeties, which on its own isn't bad, but when one of them(Barrett) hasn't shown any ability to succeed at the NFL level I'm sorry it's not a good idea. I would rather start one of Lowry, McCree, or Manuel. If Barrett doesn't prove anything before this year is over things do not look good for him.



If our team can grow up, get the running game going, and score at as high a level without turnovers(this being by far the toughest one), you might be right about only needing a mediocre defense. But I'm not sure that defense is mediocre, it seems like a bad if not worse run defense. I don't mean to shoot down every idea, Peppers might be the answer, and Woodyard at MLB seems a longshot but maybe you're onto something. However, I have to shoot down Barrett(unless he shows some transformation some point this season) and Dumervill starting, this is just not a good idea at all imo, and especially if there isn't a decent backup plan(for starters re-sign Ekuban).



I don't have enough of an idea of how much money we have, enough info on players in the draft and how good each are, and enough about trade situations to really say. I could probably make something up, but nothing that I would consider a viable "grand plan" so why bother. So I will only make suggestions. One of them being, if Suggs is likely to go for cheaper than Peppers it would be a better idea to sign him(and by the way it fits in better with your idea of building for the future and using young guys). Another suggestion is re-sign Ebenezer Ekuban.

Peppers just had a breakout game. 3 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He arguably changed that game. That is the type of game changer we need....

[BroncoWY]

Are you guys serious there should only be one pick on the offensive side of the ball the rest of our draft should stay mainly defense. Our defense is just outright horrible right now!

[BRONCO-BRIAN]

first get rid of some overpaid players, trade or release....bly, engleberger, ekuban, graham, manuel, mccree, d.jackson, and niko.

go after FA's Peppers and DT G.Watson

draft 1. FS Moore or Mays, 2. DT Cody if still available or MLB Spikes
3. RB Greene, 4. CB, 5. DT, 5. DE, 6. SS, 7. Blocking TE, 7. G