Broncos focused on adding outside pressure

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12194040

Watch Brian Orakpo walk through a room, and it's hard not to be impressed.

At 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, Orakpo, who played defensive end at Texas, already looks the part of a prototypical NFL outside linebacker. A guy in the mold of San Diego defensive menace Shawne Merriman or Dolphins' star Joey Porter. A guy NFL coaches and executives hope can terrorize quarterbacks for years, regardless of whether he plays as a down lineman in a traditional 4-3 or as a linebacker in the 3-4.

"In a perfect world, I just want to rush the passer, first through fourth down," Orakpo said at the NFL combine. "Any position where I can be effective doing what I naturally do best — and that's getting after the passer and affecting him. It's not all about the sacks, it's all about pressure."

After recording only 26 sacks last season — an average of 1.6 per game — the Broncos desperately need players who can create that type of pressure. And in the conversion to a 3-4 defensive scheme, that pass rush will come from the outside linebackers.

In the team's first mini-camp for veteran players last weekend, former linemen Darrell Reid, Elvis Dumervil, Tim Crowder and Jarvis Moss all took reps at outside linebacker, but none are proven yet in that role.

Good thing, then, that the upcoming draft appears to be well-stocked with pass-rushing linebackers and collegiate defensive ends who are projected as stand-up players in the pros.

"This is the best year I've ever seen for the amount of college 4-3 defensive ends that will be asked to play outside linebacker," said draft analyst Mike Mayock of the NFL Network.

Orakpo, who won the Nagurski and Lombardi awards in 2008 as college football's best defensive player and lineman, respectively, is at the top of that bunch and could be off the board by the time the Broncos pick at No. 12. The ESPN/Scouts Inc. mock draft, for example, has Orakpo going one pick earlier, at No. 11 to Buffalo.

The rest of the top group includes Tennessee's Robert Ayers — who might be a better fit as an end in the 3-4 — Northern Illinois' Larry English, Penn State's Aaron Maybin and Florida State's Everette Brown. All are expected to be first-round picks.

"Where they're picking, they're not going to have the opportunity to get some of those players. Guys are going to go a little earlier than that," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said.

That could lead the Broncos to consider a linebacker-defensive end hybrid with their second-round pick, where Cincinnati's Connor Barwin and Utah's Paul Kruger could be available at No. 48.

Or the Broncos could look at several players who actually played linebacker in college, namely the two stars from Southern California — Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews.

Both are considered to be a bit raw as pass rushers but are considered to be savvy, instinctive players who could develop into NFL stars.

Matthews, in particular, could intrigue the Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels because he remained a special-teams star throughout his career at USC.

"That's what I consider my bread-and-butter and that's what got me to where I am today, and to be able to play linebacker," Matthews said. "It's just something I really appreciate and understand the value of and would love to do for years to come."

Trojan trio are unique

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said we might have to look back four decades to find another crop of linebackers like the trio coming out of Southern California.

Outside linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and insider linebacker Rey Maualuga are all expected to be first-round picks in this weekend's NFL draft.

But Mayock said that despite their common college, each player possesses a unique set of skills.

"There are three distinctly different type of players, even though people like to lump them together," Mayock said.

# Brian Cushing

Height-weight: 6-3, 243
Strength: Respected for his mental and physical toughness for playing through injuries in college, he has elite speed and the ideal body type for an NFL outside linebacker.
Weakness: Inexperienced as a primary pass rusher and in dropping into pass coverage.

# Clay Matthews

Height-weight: 6-3, 240
Strength: Went from walk-on to future first-round pick at USC, and experts think he's still got plenty of room to improve. Could be a star on special teams immediately.
Weakness: Not as strong a tackler as Cushing and Maualuga and is not a polished pass rusher.

# Rey Maualuga

Height-weight: 6-2, 249
Strength: A ferocious hitter with good closing speed, a key skill for chasing down players in the open field.
Weakness: Sometimes considered undisciplined and will miss while trying to make the big play (a la Nate Webster).

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Thanks Carol!

[dogfish]

Broncos focused on adding outside pressure



they better be. . . . :coffee:

[LRtagger]

LOL they just compared Rey to Nate Webster

[xzn]

That DPO article has a flawed scouting report on Cushing.

Here's a much more informed take from NFL.com/draft

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/brian-cushing?id=80421#profiles-tabs:players-analysis

Analysis
Positives: Physical prototype with a combination of excellent size and overall athleticism for the position. Versatile. Signed with USC as a potential strong safety candidate, but has played defensive end, strong-side linebacker and even middle linebacker. Physical and intense. Big hitter who looks to intimidate opponents with his physicality in every phase of the game. Attacks blocks aggressively and flashes not only explosiveness but ferocity as a tackler. Good straight-line speed. Good flexibility to turn and run with tight ends and backs in coverage. Reads the quarterback well and can break on the ball. Productive pass rusher who is equally effective as an end and blitzing linebacker. Immediate standout performer who started for USC as a freshman.

Orakpo has the best measurables and production and I have him rated higher than Cush but if you really look at height/weight/speed/bench reps/short shuttle/vertical Brian Cushing is the next best 3-4 OLB. Especially on the strong side where coverage is more important, remember we already have Elvis, Crowder and Moss plus Darrell Reid as potential "Joker" rushers on the weakside.

FTR,

Orakpo 6'3 - 265, 4.7 forty dash, 31 reps, 39.5 vertical

Cushing 6'3 - 244, 4.74 forty dash, 30 reps, 35 vertical and a very impressive 4.22 short shuttle

Other OLB candidates have one or two measurables that do not compare well with Orakpo and Cushing.

Maybin only did 22 reps and has gained 25 pounds in a few months, can he maintain it during a season? His scouting report says he has "stiff hips" which will limit his zone drop ability and he has zero experience covering backs and TEs in man coverage.

Brown is a very good prospect with top notch measurables but is better suited for a WOLB, "joker" in Nolan's 34 front, than as a SOLB. He is an elite edge rusher but if you compare his measurables to Elvis you realize that we already have that position filled. Biggest differences between Everette and Dumerville is that Elvis is a lot stronger but shorter and has pro experience. Neither of them has played from a two point stance previously.

We need a SOLB more than we need a WOLB due to the inherent risk of Boss Bailey's injury history.

Therefore, Cushing > Maybin and Brown (at least for the Broncos in Mike Nolan's version of the the 34).

[xzn]

Based on what we have heard from the mini-camp and other quotes I see our pre-draft line backer corps as:

WOLB - Elvis / Crowder / Moss / Reid
WILB - DJ / Woodyard
SILB - Andra Davis / Spencer Larsen / Mario Haggans
SOLB - Boss Bailey / Louis Green

Now, tell me that SOLB isn't the LB type that needs to be addressed if we are getting an OLB! Even if Boss is healthy we need depth.

The best thing about Cushing is that he could also challenge for the SILB spot if Boss can manage to stay healthy and would be a HUGE upgrade over Andra Davis or Spencer Larsen.

[Dirk]

Even if Boss is healthy we need depth.

Even IF Boss is healthy...that's funny. :D


But seriously I agree they need depth. Boss is not the answer to any question. He IMO is overrated big time. And his rating is almost nil, so that tells you what I think of him. But, I hope he makes a believer in him next year!

[Bad Intentions]

That DPO article has a flawed scouting report on Cushing.

Here's a much more informed take from NFL.com/draft

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/brian-cushing?id=80421#profiles-tabs:players-analysis

Analysis
Positives: Physical prototype with a combination of excellent size and overall athleticism for the position. Versatile. Signed with USC as a potential strong safety candidate, but has played defensive end, strong-side linebacker and even middle linebacker. Physical and intense. Big hitter who looks to intimidate opponents with his physicality in every phase of the game. Attacks blocks aggressively and flashes not only explosiveness but ferocity as a tackler. Good straight-line speed. Good flexibility to turn and run with tight ends and backs in coverage. Reads the quarterback well and can break on the ball. Productive pass rusher who is equally effective as an end and blitzing linebacker. Immediate standout performer who started for USC as a freshman.

Orakpo has the best measurables and production and I have him rated higher than Cush but if you really look at height/weight/speed/bench reps/short shuttle/vertical Brian Cushing is the next best 3-4 OLB. Especially on the strong side where coverage is more important, remember we already have Elvis, Crowder and Moss plus Darrell Reid as potential "Joker" rushers on the weakside.

FTR,

Orakpo 6'3 - 265, 4.7 forty dash, 31 reps, 39.5 vertical

Cushing 6'3 - 244, 4.74 forty dash, 30 reps, 35 vertical and a very impressive 4.22 short shuttle

Other OLB candidates have one or two measurables that do not compare well with Orakpo and Cushing.

Maybin only did 22 reps and has gained 25 pounds in a few months, can he maintain it during a season? His scouting report says he has "stiff hips" which will limit his zone drop ability and he has zero experience covering backs and TEs in man coverage.

Brown is a very good prospect with top notch measurables but is better suited for a WOLB, "joker" in Nolan's 34 front, than as a SOLB. He is an elite edge rusher but if you compare his measurables to Elvis you realize that we already have that position filled. Biggest differences between Everette and Dumerville is that Elvis is a lot stronger but shorter and has pro experience. Neither of them has played from a two point stance previously.

We need a SOLB more than we need a WOLB due to the inherent risk of Boss Bailey's injury history.

Therefore, Cushing > Maybin and Brown (at least for the Broncos in Mike Nolan's version of the the 34).

Good analysis. I like Cushing. I like Mathews and Maualuga as well! But, I think my favorite OLB in this draft is Connor Barwin. 6'3 255 and a 4.47 40. His floor isn't as high as the USC guys or even Maybin, Brown, or English... but his ceiling is so much higher and he is a team guy. To transition from your natural position to something completely new just before your final year in college tells a lot.

I'd be interested in your take on Connor Barwin.

[broncfn90]

they better be. . . . :coffee:

I second that

[bcbronc]

Based on what we have heard from the mini-camp and other quotes I see our pre-draft line backer corps as:

WOLB - Elvis / Crowder / Moss / Reid
WILB - DJ / Woodyard
SILB - Andra Davis / Spencer Larsen / Mario Haggans
SOLB - Boss Bailey / Louis Green

Now, tell me that SOLB isn't the LB type that needs to be addressed if we are getting an OLB! Even if Boss is healthy we need depth.

The best thing about Cushing is that he could also challenge for the SILB spot if Boss can manage to stay healthy and would be a HUGE upgrade over Andra Davis or Spencer Larsen.

Crowder and Reid aren't playing weak side. in the mini-camps they were SOLB, Reid first string, Crowder second (for what that's worth). Reid is listed at 288lbs on NFL.com and is a converted DT. He's not being considered as a weakside pass rush specialist.

still, a week ago I agreed with you 100% that SOLB was the bigger need. but then mini camp reports had Crowder and Reid looking good, and Moss off the map. So it becomes tough to speculate when its just a guess if any of the players on the roster are going to be able to make the transition, and if they can, which will excel and which will just be passable. so with that in mind, I'd say we can justify taking any LB, no matter what role they'll have, as long as they are the best player on the board.

[Nomad]

they better be. . . . :coffee:

Exactly! It's like beating a dead horse....if they BRONCOS can't fix the defense with pressuring the QB and stopping the run, it'll be deja vu from the last few years. I don't know who the best player that is for the BRONCOS (because there are potentials in this draft), but I hope the coaches and scouts do pick the right guys for the job!

[xzn]

Good analysis. I like Cushing. I like Mathews and Maualuga as well! But, I think my favorite OLB in this draft is Connor Barwin. 6'3 255 and a 4.47 40. His floor isn't as high as the USC guys or even Maybin, Brown, or English... but his ceiling is so much higher and he is a team guy. To transition from your natural position to something completely new just before your final year in college tells a lot.

I'd be interested in your take on Connor Barwin.

I've seen the USC guys play literally dozens of times so feel pretty confident in my takes on them, backed by scouting reports and what guys like Mayok have stated.

Connor Barwin is interesting, I agree, but I have ZERO first hand knowledge of him. He had a great workout at the combine except for his bench press which was only 20 or so, if I remember accurately.

What I really like about him is that while he is a project with some real upside as a stand up defender he would certainly contribute immediately on kicking teams and could probably be used as a goal line or jumbo set third TE like Mike Vrabel was in N.E.

I would be fine with taking him in the second round but he is in no way a top half of the first round pick, imo.

[xzn]

Crowder and Reid aren't playing weak side. in the mini-camps they were SOLB, Reid first string, Crowder second (for what that's worth). Reid is listed at 288lbs on NFL.com and is a converted DT. He's not being considered as a weakside pass rush specialist.

still, a week ago I agreed with you 100% that SOLB was the bigger need. but then mini camp reports had Crowder and Reid looking good, and Moss off the map. So it becomes tough to speculate when its just a guess if any of the players on the roster are going to be able to make the transition, and if they can, which will excel and which will just be passable. so with that in mind, I'd say we can justify taking any LB, no matter what role they'll have, as long as they are the best player on the board.


There is no way on earth that a converted defensive TACKLE and Crowder will be able to handle drop and coverage responsibilities.

You have to remember that DJ and Boss were not participating....

I don't have a link but I read on this site not long ago Coach Mc Daniels stating that Boss was an ideal outside cover LB for the new system.

If he wasn't in the plans he would have been taken out with the rest of the trash (Webster, Kootie, 'berger etc.)

That said, he does have an undeniable injury proclivity and it would be wise to have a backup plan.

[xzn]

Exactly! It's like beating a dead horse....if they BRONCOS can't fix the defense with pressuring the QB and stopping the run, it'll be deja vu from the last few years. I don't know who the best player that is for the BRONCOS (because there are potentials in this draft), but I hope the coaches and scouts do pick the right guys for the job!

That's why Cushing is the best pick, unless Orakpo slips to us somehow, because he has the ability and EXPERIENCE to play ANY of the four LB positions.

His best fit though would be at our weakest position, SOLB.

[bcbronc]

There is no way on earth that a converted defensive TACKLE and Crowder will be able to handle drop and coverage responsibilities.

You have to remember that DJ and Boss were not participating....

I don't have a link but I read on this site not long ago Coach Mc Daniels stating that Boss was an ideal outside cover LB for the new system.

If he wasn't in the plans he would have been taken out with the rest of the trash (Webster, Kootie, 'berger etc.)

That said, he does have an undeniable injury proclivity and it would be wise to have a backup plan.

no way on Earth? come on now, that's a bit of a stretch. that DT has been Indy's top ST tackler for the past 2-3 years. he's athletic enough to get down the field and make a tackle, so it's at least possible he'll be able to handle dropping into zones and some limited man coverage. I don't expect he'll be able to stick with Gonzo down the seam, but a good DC knows his players limitations and game plans accordingly. But they signed him to a pretty hefty deal--with the intentions from day 1 of playing him at OLB. We'll see what happens, but imo its a pretty safe bet they are looking at him to be a stout POA SOLB, not a WOLB pass rusher.

Crowder put up some of the best combine numbers at his position. considering your using combine numbers as a foundation of your argument (nothing wrong with that), I'd expect you to give Crowder more than "no way on Earth".

as for Boss, I can see him as a good coverage SOLB in this system. but that's it. I don't think he's an every down LB in a 3-4. But he could be a nice compliment to what Reid brings for obvious passing downs. anyways, I'm not entirely convinced he missed the butcher because of his playing ability. wasn't there some injury/cap issues that made cutting him a bit more difficult? can't remember for sure, but I thought so.

and DJ doesn't factor into this discusion. Woodyard took DJ's reps at WILB. DJ will not be an OLB in a 34 unless every possible scenerio turns out 'worst case'.

[TXBRONC]

I guy really starting to like is Matthews. I was listening to Colin Cowherd on Espin the other day and said something that I thought was very interesting. He said that players like Matthews are really guys to watch for because many times they make good pro plaryers. His reasoning was that guys like Matthews who was walk on at USC scraping players that don't give up.

[LoyalSoldier]

Wait there is such a thing as outside pressure? Who knew?

[dogfish]

Wait there is such a thing as outside pressure? Who knew?

not bob slowick, that's for damn sure. . . . :tsk:

[Lonestar]

not boob slowick, that's for damn sure. . . . :tsk:

edited for accuracy..

[Bad Intentions]

I've seen the USC guys play literally dozens of times so feel pretty confident in my takes on them, backed by scouting reports and what guys like Mayok have stated.

Connor Barwin is interesting, I agree, but I have ZERO first hand knowledge of him. He had a great workout at the combine except for his bench press which was only 20 or so, if I remember accurately.

What I really like about him is that while he is a project with some real upside as a stand up defender he would certainly contribute immediately on kicking teams and could probably be used as a goal line or jumbo set third TE like Mike Vrabel was in N.E.

I would be fine with taking him in the second round but he is in no way a top half of the first round pick, imo.

http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=493&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=5815141 Dude has some nice sized arms and he is a long athlete to boot. Barwin will be a player, when is the question. I would take him at #48 and be extremely pleased. In fact, that is my ideal pick for #48.