Lonestar
08-31-2010, 02:51 PM
Analysis: Broncos showing signs of why they're playing big linebackers
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
POSTED: 08/31/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT
Broncos defensive linemen, from left to right, Ryan McBean, Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan (Denver Post file photo)
The proof will always be in the regular-season pudding, but the Broncos tinkered with their defense during training camp and have flashed a couple of the changes in their three preseason games.
One of the changes could impact how their roster looks when they cut to 53 players next week.
In some passing situations, largely in their nickel package (five defensive backs), the Broncos have ditched defensive linemen for the most part and put some of their bigger linebackers in hybrid positions.
Sunday night against the Steelers, with the starters for both teams still in the game, the Broncos played Justin Bannan as the only defensive lineman in certain down-and-distance situations. He was the only 300-pounder in the defensive alignment.
Bannan, a former Colorado star who usually is a defensive end in the Broncos' 3-4 scheme, also lined up at nose tackle. Linebackers were at defensive end. In one instance, Jarvis Moss and Mario Haggan were in three-point stances.
In another version, the Broncos went with Marcus Thomas as their only defensive lineman — again in the nickel package. On a first-down play in the closing seconds of the first half, Thomas and linebacker Robert Ayers were in three-point stances across from the Steelers' guards, with Haggan and Jason Hunter standing up as defensive ends-outside linebackers. On that play, Ayers produced his first of two sacks in the game. He had a third sack wiped out by a Denver penalty.
It remains to be seen if the Broncos can hold up against a team that decides to run the ball into the middle of the field out of three- and four-wide receiver sets. But this situational work could be why the Broncos have been in search of such big linebackers. They have added the 271-pound Hunter, 246-pound Joe Mays, 246-pound Johnny Williams and 250-pound Worrell Williams since the start of training camp.
Last year, coach Josh McDaniels kept seven defensive linemen and eight linebackers on the 53-man roster that opened the season. But if the Broncos are going to use defensive linemen in first- and second-down situations — outside of short yardage — perhaps they keep an extra linebacker or two to fill out the work in the nickel and dime packages upfront and take those slots from the defensive linemen.
Also, the Broncos are linebacker-heavy on their special-teams units. So the 53-man roster could shake out differently this year.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
Read more: Analysis: Broncos showing signs of why they're playing big linebackers - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15942966#ixzz0yDO0pcXh
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
POSTED: 08/31/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT
Broncos defensive linemen, from left to right, Ryan McBean, Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan (Denver Post file photo)
The proof will always be in the regular-season pudding, but the Broncos tinkered with their defense during training camp and have flashed a couple of the changes in their three preseason games.
One of the changes could impact how their roster looks when they cut to 53 players next week.
In some passing situations, largely in their nickel package (five defensive backs), the Broncos have ditched defensive linemen for the most part and put some of their bigger linebackers in hybrid positions.
Sunday night against the Steelers, with the starters for both teams still in the game, the Broncos played Justin Bannan as the only defensive lineman in certain down-and-distance situations. He was the only 300-pounder in the defensive alignment.
Bannan, a former Colorado star who usually is a defensive end in the Broncos' 3-4 scheme, also lined up at nose tackle. Linebackers were at defensive end. In one instance, Jarvis Moss and Mario Haggan were in three-point stances.
In another version, the Broncos went with Marcus Thomas as their only defensive lineman — again in the nickel package. On a first-down play in the closing seconds of the first half, Thomas and linebacker Robert Ayers were in three-point stances across from the Steelers' guards, with Haggan and Jason Hunter standing up as defensive ends-outside linebackers. On that play, Ayers produced his first of two sacks in the game. He had a third sack wiped out by a Denver penalty.
It remains to be seen if the Broncos can hold up against a team that decides to run the ball into the middle of the field out of three- and four-wide receiver sets. But this situational work could be why the Broncos have been in search of such big linebackers. They have added the 271-pound Hunter, 246-pound Joe Mays, 246-pound Johnny Williams and 250-pound Worrell Williams since the start of training camp.
Last year, coach Josh McDaniels kept seven defensive linemen and eight linebackers on the 53-man roster that opened the season. But if the Broncos are going to use defensive linemen in first- and second-down situations — outside of short yardage — perhaps they keep an extra linebacker or two to fill out the work in the nickel and dime packages upfront and take those slots from the defensive linemen.
Also, the Broncos are linebacker-heavy on their special-teams units. So the 53-man roster could shake out differently this year.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
Read more: Analysis: Broncos showing signs of why they're playing big linebackers - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15942966#ixzz0yDO0pcXh