Thread: DT Kevin Vickerson On The Bubble, Looking Forward To 5th Season With Broncos

DENVER (CBS4)- Defensive Tackle Kevin Vickerson is on the bubble with the Denver Broncos but hopes to spend his fifth season with the team.

After eight years in the NFL, the veteran players knows the job comes with no guarantees.

“Every year it’s the same feeling. I got to go out and make the team so really nothing is set in stone. Never,” said Vickerson.

rest - http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/08/2...-with-broncos/

I thought he was pretty good??

Originally Posted by sneakers

I thought he was pretty good??

He was pretty good last year as a space eater. There was a bit of a drop off in our run D after he went out.

Originally Posted by sneakers

I thought he was pretty good??

Sadly, the key word is the fourth, not the sixth:

Vickerson is coming off a hip injury. With a salary of more than $2 million a season, he appears to many to be a man squarely beyond the bubble.He also faces some stiff competition from fellow DT’s Marvin Austin, who has had a very good camp, and another veteran Mitch Unrein.

They call him Big Vick for a reason; he weighs fully twice as much as some players, so an injury to one of the hips supporting all that bulk is huge, especially a dislocation, since that loosens ligaments to make future dislocations more likely. Any other year we'd be so desperate for decent DTs it wouldn't matter, but Del Rio built a solid DT rotation the moment he arrived; Vickerson was a big part of that before the injury, but Williams barely missed a beat replacing him, and Austin's had a great camp, so he may be fighting for the #4 spot.

Except the article speculates we'll only keep THREE, which frankly scared the crap out of me. I'm not sure I buy that; we kept 4 last year, and sined Fua when Vickerson went to IR, precisely the reason I want 4: Fatigue happens fast with huge DTs, so we need a rotation, and if we only keep 3 that becomes impossible after even just ONE injury. Maybe they're looking at Wolfe/Jackson as backups since they play inside a lot in nickel, but I'm hoping we keep 4 DTs, and that Vickerson's healthy enough to make the cut.

The weird thing is I never liked Unrein as an unremarkable starter, but like him a lot as a versatile backup with a nose for the ball. I just can't see keeping 5.

I'm not seeing how Vick could be behind Unrein and Fua on the depth chart? Injury related possibly?

Originally Posted by LTC Pain

I'm not seeing how Vick could be behind Unrein and Fua on the depth chart? Injury related possibly?

That's my guess; just saw MHR has a final 53 projection: Vickerson's the #2 NT (or 4th DT, depending how one views it,) which is exactly where I'd put him. I really like their whole projection.

Originally Posted by Joel

That's my guess; just saw MHR has a final 53 projection: Vickerson's the #2 NT (or 4th DT, depending how one views it,) which is exactly where I'd put him. I really like their whole projection.

Yeah, it's hard for me to see the 2 other guys on the bubble beating Vickerson out, unless there's been a serious decline in his play. It's not like he's making a fortune this year. I think his salary is $2million.

Yeah, I think the article cites that number as a reason Vickerson's on the bubble—but Rotoworld has Unrein at just over $1.4, and, while more versatile than Vickerson, Unrein will NEVER be the same caliber run stuffer in the middle, so I'd think he's more on the bubble, especially if Vickerson's near 100%. Maybe if we weren't loaded with great UTs, and great DEs who can play UT also, Unrein's ability to do both combined with his nose for the ball would make the difference, but as it stands I'd be more likely to let him go market that valuable flexiblity to someone in need.

My only concern with Vick this preseason has been injury, but I thought he looked good in the game on Saturday. There were multiple times that I thought he was off sides, considering how fast he was off the snap. Just last year, he was a major part of why our run defense was so stout. I'm happy Sly has stepped up to be the starter, but unless they're really concerned about future injury, I don't really want Vick cut.

Originally Posted by VonDoom

My only concern with Vick this preseason has been injury, but I thought he looked good in the game on Saturday. There were multiple times that I thought he was off sides, considering how fast he was off the snap. Just last year, he was a major part of why our run defense was so stout. I'm happy Sly has stepped up to be the starter, but unless they're really concerned about future injury, I don't really want Vick cut.

That's exactly how I feel. It's not like he's making 5-6 mil per year.

2013

Unrein- 16 games 20 tackles 0 sacks
Vickerson- 11 games 22 tackles 1 sack

Vickerson also took on a lot of double teams in the middle.

Originally Posted by Al Wilson 4 Mayor

2013

Unrein- 16 games 20 tackles 0 sacks
Vickerson- 11 games 22 tackles 1 sack

Vickerson also took on a lot of double teams in the middle.

I've seen the argument for keeping Unrein over Vickerson boil down to, "He's younger." And while I get that, I don't see Unrein having the upside that Vick has.

Funny how things change so quickly in the NFL, though. Could you imagine having this argument last year at this time? Vick was slotted in as a starter, Sly was an unknown rookie and Knighton was looked at as a reclamation project that had the potential to fail.

Originally Posted by VonDoom

I've seen the argument for keeping Unrein over Vickerson boil down to, "He's younger." And while I get that, I don't see Unrein having the upside that Vick has.

Funny how things change so quickly in the NFL, though. Could you imagine having this argument last year at this time? Vick was slotted in as a starter, Sly was an unknown rookie and Knighton was looked at as a reclamation project that had the potential to fail.

It's not the years, it's the mileage; Vickerson's hip will always be a little looser now, and that's a big deal on a guy his size. In terms of backups, Unreins ability to play NT, UT and DE gives him an edge because Vickerson wouldn't be much more than a slow run stuffer at DE. As a NT though, he's way better than Unrein IF healthy. A lot hangs on that "if"....

Originally Posted by Joel

It's not the years, it's the mileage; Vickerson's hip will always be a little loser now, and that's a big deal on a guy his size. In terms of backups, Unreins ability to play NT, UT and DE gives him an edge because Vickerson wouldn't be much more than a slow run stuffer at DE. As a NT though, he's way better than Unrein IF healthy. A lot hangs on that "if"....

loser or looser ...

Originally Posted by broncosinindy

loser or looser ...

The latter; sorry.