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Ziggy
07-20-2008, 09:31 AM
Young Broncos linemen eager for a second chance

July 19, 2008 - 6:53PM
By FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD • At the end of preseason last year, the Denver Broncos' promising rookie defensive linemen talked about the big season they expected from themselves.

Then the season started and ends Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder and tackle Marcus Thomas played like rookies. Moss had one sack, was inactive in the seventh game and broke his right fibula a few days later. Crowder didn't realize how much a high ankle sprain in training camp set him back.

He didn't get his first sack until Nov. 11. Thomas had the best season of the three, but endured a stressful offseason.

Denver used three of its four draft picks in 2007 on those defensive linemen, including a first-round pick on Moss and a second-rounder on Crowder. One of the more important issues in training camp is figuring out if the Broncos' investment in those players will pay off this year.

None of the three topped the depth chart at his position in the offseason, but the team is hoping for big contributions from all of them.

"Time will tell," defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "We're expecting that. If they keep progressing, absolutely."

The New York Giants built last season's Super Bowl team around a stellar defensive line. But top defensive linemen are highly sought in the draft and free agency, so mimicking the Giants' approach isn't easy. As the Broncos found out with their rookie trio last year, defensive linemen often need time to develop.

Moss will be under the most scrutiny. He showed some promise last year. The defense used a special package against Indianapolis, moving Moss around near the line of scrimmage to feature his talents. But Moss wasn't very effective for most of the season. He was a healthy scratch against Green Bay before he broke his leg in practice.

The leg won't be a problem, Moss insists. He said he feels good and is much more comfortable with the mental part of the game.

"I'm just lining up," he said. "There's less thinking, more playing. I can line up and not worry about ‘Is coach going to worry about this or yell at me for that?' I don't have that feeling anymore."

The Broncos were excited about Crowder before his ankle injury, which happened before the first preseason game.

Crowder did have four sacks in a three-game stretch in November and could have a breakout season if he stays healthy.

"I could have done better," Crowder said. "That's why I can't wait for this upcoming season to get started."

Thomas' solid rookie year, in which he started six games, was clouded by some off-field controversy. On March 1, he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. He claimed the cocaine found in a car he was riding in wasn't his, and the charges were dropped in early May.

With that incident behind him, he can concentrate on football. He was rotating with the first-team defense in the offseason, coming in after Alvin McKinley. Like his fellow second-year linemen, he was confident about what he can do this season.

"I expect a lot more out of myself," Thomas said. "I expect to really lay it down this year. Last year I didn't play nowhere near my abilities."

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 12:52 PM
I think we have something special brewing on this DL man. I think my dreams are going to come true this year.

Requiem / The Dagda
07-20-2008, 12:58 PM
I'd say Crowder had the best season, but it's a good article to think about nonetheless. I hope these guys can do some damage.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 12:59 PM
Considering Moss had a staff infection his senior year and came in ultra light from the weight loss he endeared during the infection.. with the weight he has put back on since and the experience he got last year before the broken leg he should be the one with the most improvement IF he lives up to his Bronco induced hype..

Crowder will continue to be a solid performer and Thomas should be better after getting back into shape and getting through a full season.

But I look for Moss to have the better season of the three..

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 01:09 PM
I just want production. top 5 in sacks would work for me.

WARHORSE
07-20-2008, 01:25 PM
I like these kids. I think Crowder is the one whos going to be the most effective this year for us. He can play any position along the line in passing situations.

Broncos baby.

Benetto
07-20-2008, 01:56 PM
Mark my words...Marcus Thomas will have 7+ sacks this year..10 if our LBs play up to expectation...Then Champ and Dre could have career years if all falls into play.

Marcus is the guy I think will shine the brightest this year.

Just stay healthy boys..:salute:

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 02:22 PM
Mark my words...Marcus Thomas will have 7+ sacks this year..10 if our LBs play up to expectation...Then Champ and Dre could have career years if all falls into play.

Marcus is the guy I think will shine the brightest this year.

Just stay healthy boys..:salute:

Sorry but I do not see the relationship of how the LB's play to sacks by a DT?

It is usually the reverse if the DT play well the LB's are free to make plays..

Benetto
07-20-2008, 02:58 PM
Sorry but I do not see the relationship of how the LB's play to sacks by a DT?

It is usually the reverse if the DT play well the LB's are free to make plays..


When LB's effectively cause pressure at the line during blitz's, it makes things easier for the Dline to get their sacks.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 03:03 PM
When LB's effectively cause pressure at the line during blitz's, it makes things easier for the Dline to get their sacks.

when you have a great DL you rarely need to blitz to get tot eh QB.. your thinking is assbackwards

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 03:42 PM
Sorry but I do not see the relationship of how the LB's play to sacks by a DT?

It is usually the reverse if the DT play well the LB's are free to make plays..

It goes hand to hand to me actually. Because if an OL knows the team has impact type of LBs then there looking out for them meaning there not paying full attention on the beast in front od them. Anytime you can have players thinking and not just reacting its s plus. But for the most part the DL does slightly benefit the LBs more.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 03:45 PM
when you have a great DL you rarely need to blitz to get tot eh QB.. your thinking is assbackwards

depends on your DC. DCs like the Giants and Philly are going to blitz regardless. Its just in them to send guys from everywhere. Slowick system is suppose to be like that back when he was a DC. But that obviously didnt work for him so he says he has tweaked it a bit. But we all should expect an aggresive defense next year with guys flying around. Last year around this time all the defensive guys were saying " Well were just trying to learn the scheme and gel" This year its more like " We love the new scheme and guys are happy competing". I can tell a differance. Now we just need to put it all together on the field.

Requiem / The Dagda
07-20-2008, 08:01 PM
Thomas won't even get close to seven sacks, let alone 10.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 08:47 PM
Thomas won't even get close to seven sacks, let alone 10.

Oh okay nostradamus.

broncofanatic1987
07-20-2008, 10:27 PM
Thomas won't even get close to seven sacks, let alone 10.

If Shaun Rogers can get 7 sacks, Marcus Thomas at least has a chance. Maybe not this year, buy you never know.

I just hope he can hold up against the run and force the quarterback out of the pocket.

jrelway
07-21-2008, 12:45 PM
when you have a great DL you rarely need to blitz to get tot eh QB.. your thinking is assbackwards

but when you do blitz with your LB'ers, and they get jammed at the line, then its up to the Dlinesmen to pick up the slack no? i think this is what ben was referring to.

Lonestar
07-21-2008, 01:03 PM
but when you do blitz with your LB'ers, and they get jammed at the line, then its up to the Dlinesmen to pick up the slack no? i think this is what ben was referring to.


most normal teams with great DLines rarely have the need to blitz the LBs' unless the DE's can drop back into coverage..

You blitz when your DL sucks.. or occasionally to confuse the OLINE.. It should not be a staple of your defense IF you have drafted wisely..

If you are counting of your DL to pick up the slack because your LB are being picked up on blitz's then something is BACKASSWARD in your scheme..IMHO

Requiem / The Dagda
07-21-2008, 01:07 PM
If Shaun Rogers can get 7 sacks, Marcus Thomas at least has a chance. Maybe not this year, buy you never know.

I just hope he can hold up against the run and force the quarterback out of the pocket.

Shaun Rogers (when healthy) is one of the most dominant interior forces in the league. He was also playing on a line with other good talent. Rogers has an average of around four sacks a year; which is great considering the 2-on-1 attention he most always gets. Thomas didn't have any sacks last year, and it's unknown whether or not his fellow lineman have progressed enough to help open things up for him.

The only way Thomas gets close to that amount of sacks is if Dumervil and another person can consistently draw up two defenders. Maybe Robertson can draw that occasionally, but I'm not seeing any way that Thomas is going to get that many sacks. I'd certainly hope that we'd try different schemes and techniques to improve our run defense first as well; that's where the emphasis for improvement should be on first and foremost.

Dortoh
07-21-2008, 05:37 PM
I'm hoping for the best with Moss. His game is in large part a game of speed. Hopefully this latest injury does not affect his speed or he becomes less then average really fast.