Can Elvis play linebacker?

[footstepsfrom#27]

One way or another we have to bet bigger and stronger on defense and increase our pressue on the QB. This linebacking corp is contributing next to nothing in sacks, and part of that might be due to scheme but let's face it, none of these guys are big sack artists. I'm wondering what would happen if we moved Elvis to DJ's spot at LB and then moved DJ to Ian Gold's spot where I think he'd be better. We could then try Gold at safety. We could at least experiment with it in preseason. Gold's got enough speed to play there...whether he can cover or not I'm not sure. But I'm interested to see if Elvis could play that left outisde backer spot. They couldn't do much to double team him if we had him over there instead of playing DE. I seem to recall he ran in the 4.6 range and his size certainly isn't an issue at LB.

Discuss...

[BroncoBuff]

Now THIS is a creative idea, footsteps.

I don't know the answer, but Merriman and Adelius Thomas are 240 at least - so why not?








I don't care if we waive Gold. It's all up to Bates of course, and what he has in mind, though.

[2KBack]

IF I remember correctly, Elvis himself was adamant about playing D-line. He mentioned that he didn't want to switch to Linebacker.

[Killericon]

He played well in his role, so I see no reason to change what his role is.

[footstepsfrom#27]

He played well in his role, so I see no reason to change what his role is.
Once teams discovered his pass rushing capabilities, they started doubling him and his sacks dropped off. Plus, some people seem to think he's not big enough to be an every down player, so a move to LB would probably let himi stay on the field as a starter and also avoid the double teams.

[WABronco]

His ability to play as a 3-4 OLB was very much in question, pre-draft. I don't see how he could adapt...

[Dukes]

I'm not to sure about Elvis at LB but the thought of Gold at S is tempting, if he could play well

[crowebomber]

I remember him having to drop back in coverage once this year and it was a completion to the tight end. I wondered what he was doing back there. Although he is quick at getting to the qb, I don't think he has the speed to cover.

However, coming out of college, scouts were seeing him as a OLB, and they put him in that category at the combine.

[footstepsfrom#27]

His ability to play as a 3-4 OLB was very much in question, pre-draft. I don't see how he could adapt...
As I recall his ability at the next level PERIOD was much in doubt...so I'd say the pre-draft info might not be a great source of information on what he can or can't do.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I remember him having to drop back in coverage once this year and it was a completion to the tight end. I wondered what he was doing back there. Although he is quick at getting to the qb, I don't think he has the speed to cover.

However, coming out of college, scouts were seeing him as a OLB, and they put him in that category at the combine.
I wonder what he'd look like as a Mecklenburg type player moving all over the field to take advantages of mismatches.

[rovolution]

Once teams discovered his pass rushing capabilities, they started doubling him and his sacks dropped off. Plus, some people seem to think he's not big enough to be an every down player, so a move to LB would probably let himi stay on the field as a starter and also avoid the double teams.

Or mabye we should get better DT's instead of Warren and Myerswho can command consistent double teams and free up the ends.


I tell you, Amobi Okoye could solve soo many problems for the Broncos, but Shanahan wont draft him even if he falls (which i highly doubt he will) Shanahan, trade up for Amobi!!!!!!!

[youcandoit1687]

I think his arms would be too long to shed run blockers. He is able to rip through in pass rush but that wouldn't work in run blocking from the LB position and he's not fast enough to get to the hole on pure speed.

In short, no, for now, he is just a pass rusher, maybe he can grow into more but that is hard to see.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Or mabye we should get better DT's instead of Warren and Myerswho can command consistent double teams and free up the ends.


I tell you, Amobi Okoye could solve soo many problems for the Broncos, but Shanahan wont draft him even if he falls (which i highly doubt he will) Shanahan, trade up for Amobi!!!!!!!
When's the last time Shanahan paid any attention to D-line guys high in the draft?

[rovolution]

When's the last time Shanahan paid any attention to D-line guys high in the draft?

Hey, i can still dream right?

[cutthemdown]

dumerville probably wouldn't do well at linebacker. He probably doesn't turn his hips very well to get into pass coverage, or have much experience in a drop backpeddle. Who knows if he even has the instincts to plug holes etc. Probably not a credible idea that has a chance of occurring.

[WABronco]

As I recall his ability at the next level PERIOD was much in doubt...so I'd say the pre-draft info might not be a great source of information on what he can or can't do.

But I would say the athleticism concerns are still somewhat valid. He's quick, but I can't imagine him playing in space with regularity.

[TheDave]

Footsteps, have you been knocking back some of Mock's cough syrup?

Ian Gold is not going to switch to safety in his 8th year in the league... Not even sure if he could physically play the position.

Dumerville is not nearly a good enough athlete to play Linebacker, especially in a 4-3 defense...

[elsid13]

Let Dumerville focus on learning DE position. He not going to change position and fits a nice role on this team.

Sometimes the best move you can do is not changing anything.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Footsteps, have you been knocking back some of Mock's cough syrup?

Ian Gold is not going to switch to safety in his 8th year in the league... Not even sure if he could physically play the position.

Dumerville is not nearly a good enough athlete to play Linebacker, especially in a 4-3 defense...
I didn't say either one could do it. I asked you to discuss whether you thought they could or not.

[TheDave]

I didn't say either one could do it. I asked you to discuss whether you thought they could or not.

ok...No they can't ROFL!

[Rock Chalk]

This board tossed around the Ian to safety idea the first time around while Homonowski was still here. It was a bad idea then, its even worse now.

Besides the fact that I dont think he is great in coverage, there is also that nagging little problem that he would whine like Minnie Mouse (pun fully intended) about being switched from WLB which normally stands for Wil Linebacker but in Ian's case stands for Wussy Linebacker.

As many mentioned, I dont think Elvis has the frame for a LB. Not fast enough and does not appear to be agile enough to get twist his body as quickly as a natural LB. Getting real DTs and dropping the fat pieces of **** we got including Warren would help out Dumervil's status as a legitimate threat on the outside, but until that happens I dont see him being anything more than a pass rush specialist - which btw, he excels at. Even double teamed he got good pressure on opposing QBs.

DJ moving back to WLB would almost certainly mean the end of the Minnie Mouse era but much to our chagrin I think Bates will stick with what we got on the LB corps.

[eddie mac]

Gold to safety. Never in a million years. His pass coverage is pure crap. He cant even cover a TE that's why he was moved in the first place and Brandon comes in against the better ones. Can you imagine what QB's would do to us with Lynch and Gold at safety???

[TheDave]

Gold to safety. Never in a million years. His pass coverage is pure crap. He cant even cover a TE that's why he was moved in the first place and Brandon comes in against the better ones. Can you imagine what QB's would do to us with Lynch and Gold at safety???

Just the thought of that is going to give me nightmares... Add to that elvis trying to cover the tight end on the strong side.

Question: Assuming a game against the colts does the league enact the mercy rule?

Discuss...

[shakenbake]

No he can't make the switch.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Why don't we draft/sign players that can play the positions of weakness rather than trying to pound square pegs into round holes?

[footstepsfrom#27]

Why don't we draft/sign players that can play the positions of weakness rather than trying to pound square pegs into round holes?
That's a great idea...to bad we won't do it.

As for pounding the square pegs into round holes, I noted in the opening post that it was an idea to experiement with during preseason, because once you get right down to it, nobody really knows whether he could do it or not. One thing is sure...what we're doing now...small linebackers and mediocre D-line guys who can't keep the 300 pounders off them...isn't working. These guys get worn down over the second half of the season.

This draft is heavy in defensive linemen, which means we won't take one till the 4th round in all probability.