Would Maualuga Provide Face Of Defense

[MindField]

So much of great defenses are the personalities that lead them:

I think of Ray Lewis in Baltimore...

Brian Urlacher in Chicago...

Rey Maualuga comes with that pedigree as a leader of one of the greatest defenses in college football history at USC.

I know you can make an argument about his shortcomings athletically, but where do the intangibles come in?

Rey Maualuga would immediately become the face and the leader of the Broncos defense.

He is physical and nasty, and would command the respect of his teammates.

There is also a chance that Brian Cushing, and certainly Clay Matthews would be available at #18...and players like Fili Moala and Kyle Moore after that.

Should the Broncos make a wholesale investment in USC Trojans?

What about this draft idear:

1.) #12 ILB Rey Maualuga, USC 6'3"-255
1.) #18 OLB Brian Cushing, USC 6'3"-252 or Clay Matthews, USC 6'3"-242
2.) DE Fili Moala, USC 6'5"-305
3.) DE Kyle Moore, USC 6'5"-272

...add to that a player like S Kevin Ellison in the later rounds?

I really liked Maualuga after last season, then cooled on him conisderably during the offseason workouts, but now I am starting to like him again when I consider what he would bring to the defense that others can't.

Does BJ Raji inspire others as a leader?

Does Tyson Jackson?

More than anything, the Broncos need an identity on defense. They need a leader and a face of the players, something that has been missing since the departure of Al Wilson, and I am not sure there is a better alternative than Rey Maualuga in this draft.

[SheerCold]

I completely agree with you, Maualauga would be an amazing fit and leader for the Denver Broncos D.

[BoWdY]

Hes not the best looking guy in the draft, that is for sure...but thats not what you want in a linebacker, everyone is comparing him to guys like Lewis, Urlacher, but im gonna go a bit more old school...he reminds me of Singletary and Lambert, he has a mean streak that cannot be coached and he knows how to get to the ball, if you look at some of the greatest players of all time at any position they all had some shortcomings but they all had a passion for the game that got them past those.

[no-pseudo-fan]

I completely agree. Maualuga will bring an attitude to the defense that it has been missing for a while and need to get back. We need players that scare other players. Just do it at 12 and lets go to war!!!!

[BoWdY]

Agreed, we do not need to sit and hope that he will fall to 18 because that is most likely not going to happen i would rather setup or defense for years to come and then grab a complimentary player at 18.

[15thebeast]

What Maualuga will bring is that player OC design there attack around to make sure the ball is as far away as possible. Has anyone else noticed the leadership is growing in our locker room we have one of the greatest corners ever to play in the game in Champ Bailey who everyone in the league looks up to, We have the best motivational speakers and still one of the hardest hitters in the league in Brian Dawkins. Brining Maualuga here would only make this defence better in all aspects of the game.

[NILAFIED08]

In my dreams !!

As my in my title I can only dream that our TOP Brass are smart enough to draft this guy!! He is the same type of player that you build your DEF around!! AKA our very own Ray Lewis or Troy Paulo u know who I am talking about that awsome safety in Pitts!!

[MindField]

Hes not the best looking guy in the draft, that is for sure...but thats not what you want in a linebacker, everyone is comparing him to guys like Lewis, Urlacher, but im gonna go a bit more old school...he reminds me of Singletary and Lambert, he has a mean streak that cannot be coached and he knows how to get to the ball, if you look at some of the greatest players of all time at any position they all had some shortcomings but they all had a passion for the game that got them past those.

Lambert and Butkus in particular could not run a lick the last several years of their careers...but still provided an intimidation factor that carreid the 'D'.

Maualuga is cut from that same mold.

[skeeter01]

ok.....I'm warming to the idea.....but, if BJ's [email protected] will be a dilema....

[Legendary30]

Maualuga or Bust!!!

[Jack-o-Lantern]

Maualuga!!!!!

[-Rod-]

Maualuga would provide something to the face of the opposing offense: bruises

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

Well, Dawkins is going to be the defensive, and likely team, leader for at least a few years. He'll inspire everyone quite enough.

I also remember DJ Williams' comments from two years ago that he never felt he could really lead the team until he was placed as the Middle Linebacker. Once there, he had responsibilities to line people up and be the local leader and he said he really cherished that role. If you take Maualuga in the 1st Round, you're saying that DJ Williams is done in Denver. I think his recent extension and cap ramifications make that unlikely.

You have one 3-down ILB in the 3-4. You never draft a 2-down guy in the 1st Round (and usually not in the first 3 rounds). It makes no sense to pay top dollar to two ILBs and have to remove one on all passing downs for the nickel package.

There are also doubts as to whether Maualuga can be a 3-down LB in the first place. I think he can. We know DJ Williams can. If we didn't have DJ, I'd love to Maualuga, but we do. And because we do, Maualuga makes absolutely zero sense because we aren't cutting DJ. I think our best bet is to hope DJ Williams refinds his vocal leadership this year moving back to ILB.

[broncofansd]

I think that Rey Maualuga would bring the Nasty Attitude and Hard Hitting style reminiscent of Al Wilson(who was a Warrior)


DJ is a very good LB but just not NASTY.

I have read numerous scout's view on him and he is projected from 15th-30th.

I believe that he would be there at 18 if we want him. I don't believe that San Diego will take him because they need O Line and DE more than ILB.


I don't think he is Best Player Available at 18. I believe that Knowshon Moreno is. But by draftin Maualuga and hopefully BJ Raji with 12 Denver would go a longgggg way towards building a Great Defense.

[dragster69]

There will be at least one USC LB available at 12 for us for sure. I think Cushings will be long gone, so that will leave Maualuga or Mathews at that spot. Raji as I've said before is the foundation we need for our defense, anybody else after that will shine playing with Raji anchoring the middle of our defense