We don't need an ILB & could Baker be our RDE?

[samparnell]

At Hampton, ...

Ok, so on the 2nd question of the OP, is Chris Baker possibly our RDE?

I'm not sure, to be honest I didn't know much about him since he didn't even play last year. If he was so good wouldn't he have had "some" playing time? I guess I don't know how it really works, but seems hard to imagine that no playing time in 2009 to starter in 2010?

other threads about C.Baker back in Jan/Feb (before we signed J.Williams)

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=160784&highlight=chris+baker

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=162577&highlight=chris+baker

If our LB's are like this:

Ayers..........Haggan..........Williams..........D umervil
Reid............Larsen...........Woodyd..........M oss

Then DL like this:

Bannan............Williams.......Green
Baker/Thomas....Fields.........McBean

I'm more worried about the talent & depth with the DL than LB's even though on paper our DL is improved.

... I think Chris Baker played 5 tech in a 3-4 D. If so, he's no stranger to the spot.

Your DL chart has him on the strong side which would probably be right. Any of your second line 5 techs might be better on 1st down, 2nd & medium/short, 3rd & 1 than Green who doesn't seem like a three down 5 tech.

Fields and Williams can probably hold down NT w/Baker available. A good 5 tech from the draft would be good (e.g., Odrick, Alualu). Drafting a NT might wait 'til next year.

Your LB chart looks about right. Atkins might make the team for nine backers. Or he might beat out Moss.

Actually, 7 DL + 8 LBs + 10 DBs = 25. Probably so.

[crash123go]

Ok, so on the 2nd question of the OP, is Chris Baker possibly our RDE?

I'm not sure, to be honest I didn't know much about him since he didn't even play last year. If he was so good wouldn't he have had "some" playing time? I guess I don't know how it really works, but seems hard to imagine that no playing time in 2009 to starter in 2010?

other threads about C.Baker back in Jan/Feb (before we signed J.Williams)

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=160784&highlight=chris+baker

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=162577&highlight=chris+baker

If our LB's are like this:

Ayers..........Haggan..........Williams..........D umervil
Reid............Larsen...........Woodyd..........M oss

Then DL like this:

Bannan............Williams.......Green
Baker/Thomas....Fields.........McBean

I'm more worried about the talent & depth with the DL than LB's even though on paper our DL is improved.

jarvis green isnt the starter at RDE it will probably be mcbean or baker

[Nbot]

Ok, so on the 2nd question of the OP, is Chris Baker possibly our RDE?

I'm not sure, to be honest I didn't know much about him since he didn't even play last year. If he was so good wouldn't he have had "some" playing time? I guess I don't know how it really works, but seems hard to imagine that no playing time in 2009 to starter in 2010?

other threads about C.Baker back in Jan/Feb (before we signed J.Williams)

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=160784&highlight=chris+baker

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=162577&highlight=chris+baker

If our LB's are like this:

Ayers..........Haggan..........Williams..........D umervil
Reid............Larsen...........Woodyd..........M oss

Then DL like this:

Bannan............Williams.......Green
Baker/Thomas....Fields.........McBean

I'm more worried about the talent & depth with the DL than LB's even though on paper our DL is improved.

[Nbot]

Great thread...and good post Sam, you've got me thinking that we do have "enough" talent already w/ LB's and hopefully they will develop even more. I'm beginning to really believe that addressing the OL/DL should be our top priorities.

[johnlimburg]

... currently on hand are: Elvis Dumervil, DJ Williams, Mario Haggan, Robert Ayers, Baraka Atkins, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Darrell Reid, Braxton Kelly and Jarvis Moss.

That's eleven guys ten of whom are NFL vets. Eight or nine will make the roster.

Larsen can play ILB for sure. Those Arizona Wildcat backers are good.

Dumervils's conversion continues. No difference between PR from OLB and DE. He wasn't too bad in coverage which will get better. Run D is way different from OLB and down lineman. That needs work.

DJ is under contract. Trade him or play him.

Haggan did well outside and will probably be better inside.

Ayers will probably start outside on the strongside.

Atkins, Moss and Kelly will just need to step up to make the team.

Reid is going through a similar conversion as Dumervil.

Woodyard's cover 1 on TEs needs work. He makes a lot of plays.

The new DC is last year's LB coach. One assistant is back joined by a new one.

In order for a rookie backer to make the team, he'd need to be pretty good. Too many other needs to draft a backer this year.

I say the LB goes like this:

Ayers..........Haggan..........Williams..........D umervil
Reid............Larsen...........Woodyd..........M oss
Rookie

Reid may miss time though due to injury and anthony carter is great value for a fifth rounder who would be awesome.

[samparnell]

Backers ...

... currently on hand are: Elvis Dumervil, DJ Williams, Mario Haggan, Robert Ayers, Baraka Atkins, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Darrell Reid, Braxton Kelly and Jarvis Moss.

That's eleven guys ten of whom are NFL vets. Eight or nine will make the roster.

Larsen can play ILB for sure. Those Arizona Wildcat backers are good.

Dumervils's conversion continues. No difference between PR from OLB and DE. He wasn't too bad in coverage which will get better. Run D is way different from OLB and down lineman. That needs work.

DJ is under contract. Trade him or play him.

Haggan did well outside and will probably be better inside.

Ayers will probably start outside on the strongside.

Atkins, Moss and Kelly will just need to step up to make the team.

Reid is going through a similar conversion as Dumervil.

Woodyard's cover 1 on TEs needs work. He makes a lot of plays.

The new DC is last year's LB coach. One assistant is back joined by a new one.

In order for a rookie backer to make the team, he'd need to be pretty good. Too many other needs to draft a backer this year.

[johnlimburg]

Okay, I'm really curious to know, is there anywhere that McD actually said that Branson is going to be moving to fullback? All I've heard was someone mentioned that Branson could make a good fullback with his good blocking abilities (mind you, lead blocking via fullback is much different than TE line blocking) and good receiving ability.

However, everyone seems to have run with the idea like it is fact...I'm just wondering if this is pure speculation or if there is merit to it?

And i agree to an extent with Woodyard. Im thinking keep him on the roster, but maybe not in a role where he is playing in pass coverage as much as last year. TD's were flying all by him last year haha

just speculation

[BiggyBoy660]

Baker

When its all said and done with, I hope Baker gets some playing time through out the regular season this year. I can't wait to see what this kid can do!

If we draft Odrick which I hope we do then our d-line would be upgraded tremendously.

If we dont draft Odrick then I'm on the Dez Bryant bandwagon.

[-Rod-]

^^^ Is it Shakespeare?

[London Bronco]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Boundaries shift, new players step in, but linebackers always find a place to rest their head.

We fought and bleed alongside the defensive linemman, we should have known they'd hate us for it.

Players change, the rationale, the objective.......

[Cyrend]

I disagree that larsen will stay at fullback. Branson will be the fullback and 3rd string tightend or we should draft john connor in the 7th. He is a crazy run blocker who blows peoplke off the ball.

I agree that we still need a ILB. Whether haggan goes across, larsen is backup and dj and wesley woodyard are on the other side, we need a long term solution. Also WW was a joke last year and i wouldnt be suprised to see him cut after training camp.

Also mcbean should not start.

Okay, I'm really curious to know, is there anywhere that McD actually said that Branson is going to be moving to fullback? All I've heard was someone mentioned that Branson could make a good fullback with his good blocking abilities (mind you, lead blocking via fullback is much different than TE line blocking) and good receiving ability.

However, everyone seems to have run with the idea like it is fact...I'm just wondering if this is pure speculation or if there is merit to it?

And i agree to an extent with Woodyard. Im thinking keep him on the roster, but maybe not in a role where he is playing in pass coverage as much as last year. TD's were flying all by him last year haha

[crash123go]

I disagree that larsen will stay at fullback. Branson will be the fullback and 3rd string tightend or we should draft john connor in the 7th. He is a crazy run blocker who blows peoplke off the ball.

I agree that we still need a ILB. Whether haggan goes across, larsen is backup and dj and wesley woodyard are on the other side, we need a long term solution. Also WW was a joke last year and i wouldnt be suprised to see him cut after training camp.

Also mcbean should not start.

THANK YOU!!!! I have been daying draft john konnor for weeks. this guy is the only pure FB in the draft and he is a straight road plow

[beastlyskronk]

The reason I through Safety on there is because it is so deep this year, and I think there would be good value there for the Broncos.

Also I think you over estimate what the Broncos have a safety, they have two aging veterans, sooner or later Dawkins is going to break down, and a bunch of unproven young players. Drafting a very good safety should defiantly be an option IMO.

I think Mcbath poved that he can start in this league so I wouldn't call him unproven. When Barrett played SS he shut down Tony Gonzalez, he just needs some refining on the angular part of the position which he'll learn from Dawkins. I don't like Bruton that much but I think he can be about average at either S spot.

I don't like the idea of taking a late round S this year though.

[johnlimburg]

Larsen is big enough for ILB IMO but how will he do in pass coverage?

He wouldnt be dropping into pass coverage that much though. He will fill the spot davis played if he was to start and here is davis and williams stats compared Davis in Bold:

Total snaps: 547 1047

Pass Coverage: 136 470

Run Defense: 337 470

Pass Rush: 74 107

From this i take that majority of snaps taken would be in run defense at the TED linebacker position (which is open to anyone). They rarley rush the passer and sometimes drop into coverage. The main thing is that they are solid against the run. (brandon spikes anyone).

[jojo187]

No way is safety our 3rd biggest need.

We have 3 starting calibur safteys in dawkins, mcbath, and hill

And we have 2 backups who could start in a pinch in Barrett and Bruton.

3 of those 5 are under 25.

Maybe a late round safety would be fine, but its definitely not a pressing need

The reason I through Safety on there is because it is so deep this year, and I think there would be good value there for the Broncos.

Also I think you over estimate what the Broncos have a safety, they have two aging veterans, sooner or later Dawkins is going to break down, and a bunch of unproven young players. Drafting a very good safety should defiantly be an option IMO.