Denver Native (Carol)
06-02-2010, 04:42 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15211984?source=rss
The Broncos hit the midway point of their offseason practice schedule Wednesday, and several defensive players said they can already tell the defense under new coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale is going to be aggressive.
"I like it, it is early but so far Wink really has an understanding of the guys he has on this team defensively," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "He has a good sense of who he wants to bring, how he wants to attack coverage."
Ayodele, who signed with the Broncos in late April after starting 28 games over the last two seasons in Miami, said he can tell Martindale likes to blitz. The defense first was allowed to practice those pressures against the Broncos offense last week.
"If you want to win football games you have to have an attitude, and that's what I'm seeing," defensive end Jarvis Green said.
The Broncos have two more days of voluntary organized team activities this week and three next week before the team holds its only mandatory minicamp from June 11-13.
With three new starting defensive linemen, a handful of new linebackers and defensive backs, this time has been crucial, players said, not just for learning, but also for getting a head start on position battles.
New cornerback Nate Jones, who signed as a free agent from Miami, knows he's going to be in one of the most competitive battles for the nickel corner role. He'll compete along with second-year players Alphonso Smith and Tony Carter, as well as rookie draft picks Perrish Cox and Syd'Quan Thompson.
"The team I was on last year drafted two corners in the first round. That's the league, that's what happens," Jones said. "I have something I can bring to this team, whether it is special teams or (defensive) packages."
The Broncos hit the midway point of their offseason practice schedule Wednesday, and several defensive players said they can already tell the defense under new coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale is going to be aggressive.
"I like it, it is early but so far Wink really has an understanding of the guys he has on this team defensively," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "He has a good sense of who he wants to bring, how he wants to attack coverage."
Ayodele, who signed with the Broncos in late April after starting 28 games over the last two seasons in Miami, said he can tell Martindale likes to blitz. The defense first was allowed to practice those pressures against the Broncos offense last week.
"If you want to win football games you have to have an attitude, and that's what I'm seeing," defensive end Jarvis Green said.
The Broncos have two more days of voluntary organized team activities this week and three next week before the team holds its only mandatory minicamp from June 11-13.
With three new starting defensive linemen, a handful of new linebackers and defensive backs, this time has been crucial, players said, not just for learning, but also for getting a head start on position battles.
New cornerback Nate Jones, who signed as a free agent from Miami, knows he's going to be in one of the most competitive battles for the nickel corner role. He'll compete along with second-year players Alphonso Smith and Tony Carter, as well as rookie draft picks Perrish Cox and Syd'Quan Thompson.
"The team I was on last year drafted two corners in the first round. That's the league, that's what happens," Jones said. "I have something I can bring to this team, whether it is special teams or (defensive) packages."