DE article

[DBroncos4life]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10021898

Good year for deep DE class
Feb. 25, 2007
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!





INDIANAPOLIS -- They are the wanted ones. As they come to meet with the media here at the NFL combine, they come with the knowledge that the skill they have is something each and every team craves and wants.


Jamaal Anderson is closing in on being the first DE taken in the draft. (Getty Images)
That's a good thing -- especially for the dollars it can add to the signing bonus.

They are the pass rushers, the defensive ends who can change a game in an instant with a sack-fumble play or make a quarterback's eye level drop a tad as he tries to catch a glance at that blur coming at him, causing a pick to go the other way.

In an NFL that has moved to more spread formations on offense and more pass-first teams, countering with a pass rusher is imperative for a successful defense.

The Indianapolis Colts won a Super Bowl with two speed rushers on the edge, neither weighing more than 255 pounds. One, Dwight Freeney, is an elite rusher who can change the dynamics of a game.

Freeney is one of four defensive ends who were given franchise tags last week, proof of their value. Those players rarely hit the market, and when they do, they are scooped up as the free-agency period begins.

"I pay attention to that," University of Texas defensive end Tim Crowder said. "I definitely know the value there."

Crowder is one of this year's wanted ones, one of a deep class loaded with top-notch pass rushers.

"If you need a pass rusher, they are in this draft," said one NFC personnel director. "This is six or seven deep."

It starts with the Big Two. They are Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas and Gaines Adams of Clemson.

Anderson is bigger at almost 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds. Adams is just under 6-5 and weighed in at 258 pounds. Both have the speed to come off the corner.

Anderson is the player who has really moved up a lot of team's boards. He is a junior who still has not played his best football. Here's how athletic he is: In high school he played receiver and defensive end and was ranked as a top 50 receiver by one recruiting service.

"His natural ability is amazing," said the NFC personnel director. "He has a chance to be better than the guy who went No. 1 last year."

[DBroncos4life]

That guy was Mario Williams, the first pick of the 2006 draft by the Houston Texans. After a slow start, Williams flashed his big-play ability as the season moved along. He will be a Pro Bowl player in time. That's high praise for Anderson.

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Adams is also a bit of a late bloomer. He played eight-man football in high school in South Carolina and was barely recruited. Adams dreamed of playing at North Carolina, where his idol Julius Peppers played.

But Carolina pulled its scholarship offer late in the process, and Clemson was it for Adams.

"The only schools I had were Clemson and North Carolina, and when North Carolina pulled out, it was Clemson," Adams said.

He developed into a fierce pass rusher, getting 12½ sacks as a senior in 2006, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

"This is like a dream come true," Adams said. "Coming from a school that played eight-man football to this? It shows how hard work pays off."

Those two may be the top of the deep class, but there are more. Florida's Jarvis Moss might be the fastest edge rusher of all the ends. At 6-6, 245 pounds, he is a little light, but he has the frame to add weight.

His play in the national championship against Ohio State really opened a lot of eyes to his speed.

"The way he rushes the passer and uses his speed and the way he glides reminds me of Julius Peppers," said one AFC coach.

After Moss comes more speed with Purdue's Anthony Spencer, Georgia's Charles Johnson and Crowder, who compared himself to Michael Strahan of the Giants. Nebraska's Adam Carriker -- who is more of a 3-4 end -- and Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri are also enticing ends.

"It's a great class," Crowder said.

With Freeney and the three other top ends off the free-agent market because of their franchise tags, this class couldn't come at a better time for those teams in need.

The young ends know what that means, too.

"It gives me goose bumps," Adams said. "I hope to be in their shoes."

Four years from now, if they can dump the quarterback 10 times in a 16-game season, they will all be.

They are the wanted ones. It must be nice.

[mhgaffney]

Thanks for the post.

We will get at least one of these guys. Great for us!

[Clockwork Orange]

Any of Moss, Carriker or Johnson will work for me.

[broncs2bowl]

I dont want Moss because he is just way to incomplete...I dont see him being any better than what we already have in Elvis Dumerville.

I want Charles Johnson or Adam Carriker. Carriker probs wont fall to us so Charles Johnson is who I want. He is the kind of guy that can be a complete player however be more of a pass rusher. He will definately be a very good pass rusher but he will also be a complete player. Kinda like Jared Allen or Jason Taylor. Moss is just another Dumerville.

[Paladin]

Moss showed up for an interview in less than......"sober" shape. He seemed immature and undisciplined, spoke like a junior high dropout. I would rather the Broncos steered clear of Moss, particularly since there are others who want to play......

[Dudeskey]

Moss showed up for an interview in less than......"sober" shape. He seemed immature and undisciplined, spoke like a junior high dropout. I would rather the Broncos steered clear of Moss, particularly since there are others who want to play......

I think this is the same guy I heard on Sirius NFL radio doing an interview w/ Tim Ryan & Pat Kirwan and he had some sort of ****in' party going on in the background and he wasn't even really paying attention in the interview. They ended up cutting it short after a couple minutes it was so bad.

[Paladin]

That be him. A real arse, IMHO. Just say no to Moss.

[Killericon]

That be him. A real arse, IMHO. Just say no to Moss.

There must be something about that name...

[Dudeskey]

That be him. A real arse, IMHO. Just say no to Moss.

If he isn't going to take anything as elementary as an interview seriously, I'd be pretty wary of giving him any significant bonus if I was aGM.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

With all of the Okies we have on the Mane, I am shocked we have not heard more discussion about Ryan McBean

[Elway777]

I want Carriker but most likely woun't last to 21. My next choose would be Charle Johnson .The Broncos might be able to trade down in the first round to get him because only ran a 4.84 at combine and is only 6-2 . Johnson would be a complete de who could replace Pryce at LDE.I also read that Johnson had 19 tackles for loss plus 27 qb Hurries. That seems like a insane amount of qb hurries which could be a mistake. Johnson also has long arms which makes up for his lack of height.Johnson also did 30 reps at the combine and is strong enough be be a force against the run. I really don't want Moss. Spencer would be o.k if the broncos move Ekuban to LDE. If the Broncos can trade down and still get Johnson then that would be my first choose. I really like Jason Hill and hope the broncos pick him in the second. Mebane and Sabby Piscitelli in the third.

[bendog]

yeah, Moss is a disappointment. Anderson and Adams go in the top 10, but after that there's a big drop off. Carriker's interesting. He doesn't have the speed rush, but he could drop 10-15 lbs and still play bigDE, and that might speed him up a bit. Moses had a less than spectacular year, and he didn't shine at the combine.

Charles Johnson, Moses, Woodley .... you're looking at 4.8 40's. I'd rather move up to try for Nelson or maybe Carriker or move down. Better up than down (-:

Crowder of Tex had a nice 40 time, but I don't see a full set of stats on him, but again, not at 21. Basically, these guys all look like big DEs to rotate with Eukabana. Not a diss, but not at 21.

[Requiem]

What you're looking at for defensive ends that would by prototypical for Bates' system are Tim Crowder, Jarvis Moss, Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses and Victor Abiamiri.

Adams is almost out of the question unless we trade up into the top seven selections.

I know Med has his qualms about Crowder, but he blew the others out of the water at the combine doing better in benching (way, way better) scoring top five in the 20 yard shuttle (really important for lateral movement and change of direction) and did excellent and in the top five for three cone drills as well. I don't think he's a "Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" player, because his game this year was fundamentally sound. He'd be a nice threat off of the left side in Bates defense - he's bigger and is strong but still has all that explosion. 6'4 - 272 pounds and he's working out awesome.

He's more of a complete end than the other three mentioned, and he could be there in round two for us, but I doubt it. I think after his performances, and when people look at how he has improved at Texas, especially over his senior year, he's a top 50 selection.

Jarvis Moss has a lot to be desired from me, but he's the type of player we'd want. Moses would be too, and Abiamiri, like Crowder - would be a nice rusher off the left side in Bates' defense.

Moses and Moss on the right. It's possible we could get one of each to play either spot in this draft.

[cutthemdown]

That guy was Mario Williams, the first pick of the 2006 draft by the Houston Texans. After a slow start, Williams flashed his big-play ability as the season moved along. He will be a Pro Bowl player in time. That's high praise for Anderson.

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Adams is also a bit of a late bloomer. He played eight-man football in high school in South Carolina and was barely recruited. Adams dreamed of playing at North Carolina, where his idol Julius Peppers played.

But Carolina pulled its scholarship offer late in the process, and Clemson was it for Adams.

"The only schools I had were Clemson and North Carolina, and when North Carolina pulled out, it was Clemson," Adams said.

He developed into a fierce pass rusher, getting 12½ sacks as a senior in 2006, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

"This is like a dream come true," Adams said. "Coming from a school that played eight-man football to this? It shows how hard work pays off."

Those two may be the top of the deep class, but there are more. Florida's Jarvis Moss might be the fastest edge rusher of all the ends. At 6-6, 245 pounds, he is a little light, but he has the frame to add weight.

His play in the national championship against Ohio State really opened a lot of eyes to his speed.

"The way he rushes the passer and uses his speed and the way he glides reminds me of Julius Peppers," said one AFC coach.

After Moss comes more speed with Purdue's Anthony Spencer, Georgia's Charles Johnson and Crowder, who compared himself to Michael Strahan of the Giants. Nebraska's Adam Carriker -- who is more of a 3-4 end -- and Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri are also enticing ends.

"It's a great class," Crowder said.

With Freeney and the three other top ends off the free-agent market because of their franchise tags, this class couldn't come at a better time for those teams in need.

The young ends know what that means, too.

"It gives me goose bumps," Adams said. "I hope to be in their shoes."

Four years from now, if they can dump the quarterback 10 times in a 16-game season, they will all be.

They are the wanted ones. It must be nice.



I really think this guy fits what Bates likes to do.

[cutthemdown]

Jarvis Moss is being dissed alot but he is just the type of end Bates likes.

[Elway777]

Moss would be a good pick if the Broncos needed a speed rushing RDE. I think they need a LDE in the mold of Tevor Pryce.I would love to get either Carriker or Johnson with the 21 pick.

[Rascal]

Moss would be a good pick if the Broncos needed a speed rushing RDE. I think they need a LDE in the mold of Tevor Pryce.I would love to get either Carriker or Johnson with the 21 pick.

I'd be content with Ekuban at LDE.

[bendog]

Moss sounds like ..... well, Moss. Besides, is there anything about him that makes someone think he'd be stouter against the run that Elvis at RDE? Moss doesn't have the build to play the other side.

IF, IF Carriker has the ability to pass rush, then making a play for him would make sense, because we do need a LDE. Eukabana isn't terrible, but I think even Lang took some snaps over there. I see they signed Alvin McKinley who might be in a rotation, but I don't know anything about him.

[Mediator12]

What you're looking at for defensive ends that would by prototypical for Bates' system are Tim Crowder, Jarvis Moss, Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses and Victor Abiamiri.

Adams is almost out of the question unless we trade up into the top seven selections.

I know Med has his qualms about Crowder, but he blew the others out of the water at the combine doing better in benching (way, way better) scoring top five in the 20 yard shuttle (really important for lateral movement and change of direction) and did excellent and in the top five for three cone drills as well. I don't think he's a "Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" player, because his game this year was fundamentally sound. He'd be a nice threat off of the left side in Bates defense - he's bigger and is strong but still has all that explosion. 6'4 - 272 pounds and he's working out awesome.

He's more of a complete end than the other three mentioned, and he could be there in round two for us, but I doubt it. I think after his performances, and when people look at how he has improved at Texas, especially over his senior year, he's a top 50 selection.

Jarvis Moss has a lot to be desired from me, but he's the type of player we'd want. Moses would be too, and Abiamiri, like Crowder - would be a nice rusher off the left side in Bates' defense.

Moses and Moss on the right. It's possible we could get one of each to play either spot in this draft.

That's about right Req.

The thing with Crowder is his mental game sucks. I have said before he has all the physical tools and is a phenomenal triangle guy. WhatI can not for the life of me understand is just how average that type of talent was @ texas. That defense has all kinds of talent and he should not have been isolated to make plays. He just never made plays in college.

Now, can he better in the pros? Sure, if someone wakes him up. However, NFL coaches spend more time away from development of young players than ever before. In an era where FA and the draft shake things up, teams are attempting to get NFL ready players rather than draft a project develop them and watch them bolt in FA when they do develop.

[Rascal]

If we can get two of those four guys Requiem mentioned I'd be happy with our DE position, but that DT still scares me. As does safety frankly.

[Mediator12]

If we can get two of those four guys Requiem mentioned I'd be happy with our DE position, but that DT still scares me. As does safety frankly.

Come on, we signed someBODY from CLE yesterday and there are a ton of talented BIG DT's in this draft. Wait, that is not very assuring is it ;D

[Rascal]

Sarcasm aside, this draft does not have very many big DT's available. I think are what 4 or 5 draft worthy DT's that are 315+.

This draft is deep at DE, but weak at DT.

[bendog]

Crowder Moses or Ab...abari (is a muslim (-:) can all prolly play LDE. I'm not sure they're slotted for the 21 spot though.

Not to steal the thread, but assuming they are looking safeties, does anyone have strong thoughts on Merriweather or Griffin

[Requiem]

Come on, we signed someBODY from CLE yesterday and there are a ton of talented BIG DT's in this draft. Wait, that is not very assuring is it ;D

McKinnley has the frame to get up in the 310 range or so, which would be fine. He's played in the 3-4 and understands two-gap assigments so I think it's actually a decent signing. I think that there's a certain connotation with Browns lineman when they come here, (that they suck) but I don't feel that's the case with Alvin. I think he could be a better starter than Myers - and I'm guessing this was designed in case Wilkinson does not come here. I still think we could take a prospect at DT sometime in the draft.

[Requiem]

Med, the more I hear about Spencer, the more I'm starting to come around to him as a possible selection for the Broncos.

It's not like he's that undersized, he's 6'3 (okay, 1/8 of an inch off from it) and he actually has had success defending against the run and can rush the passer, and I'd wager that he's way better than everyone else (maybe besides Crowder) of the possible guys we'd be looking at around the time we select. Do you have anymore information on him? From the several times I saw the Boilermakers this year, he just seems to always be making plays - even crucial ones in stopping the run. Sounds like the high motor player, who could be an instant starter on the outside. :)

[bendog]

I thought the word was Spencer may be a bit of a slacker? I don't recall where I got that notion, but I thought he was sliding at some pt. He did seem to do well at the combine. But he isn't projected for the first round, is he?


btw, do I take it that the new Brownko is really a DT and not a LDE?

[Requiem]

Never heard that Spencer was a slacker. Alvin will play DT next to Warren (if he starts) in our defense. Not DE.

I think Spencer's grade varies on what teams are looking at him. But I think he's a top fifty player (I'm throwing that around a lot, but it's just easier) in this draft, and a logical selection if we move down in round one, I'd be comfortable at #21. Value is okay, not superb - but Denver can't wait forever. . .

[bendog]

Well, I'm not down on him at all. Actually, I've hypothesized that either the team has someone, and more likely 2-3 guys, they'd like around 15, and are prepared to move up. Honestly, the only two I see are Carriker and Nelson, but maybe there's somebody else. But, if that doesn't work, moving back out of 21, is also very likely. We might get a decent 2nd round plus enough to move up with our own. Getting two high twos would probably net us something like a Spencer, or Crowder, or CJohnson, or whomever they have rated, and a running back.

[Requiem]

Any direction Denver goes in this draft, they should be able to select a good player. It may not be at the defensive line position, but there is good value at multiple positions with players who can help us win. Whether it's a safety, receiver, lineman, etc. They're there. I want defensive line bad, but I also want quality players.

If we came up with a safety, kickass. If we came out with a great receiver, awesome. If we come out of round one with another great prospect, awesome.

I just want the line (defensive) to be addressed somewhere.

It's the belief here that if we don't completely address it this year we fail, we don't.

This is a two-year project in the making. You can't completely revamp everything on one year. Denver has other needs, maybe some just as pressing. I'd rather see a balance of addressments than a lopsided draft in one particular area of needs favor.

[bendog]

I agree. But I don't like the depth in the draft at WR, but .... who knows what they're thinking. Antonio Pittman might be nice insurance in case Henry goes down for awhile, which he prolly will. But only an early third, I'd think. Just a solid draft, I think. I'm not sure there's much difference between 21 and 26, that's my only point. But, if Bates really likes Spencer, gambling that he'd be there at 26 or 27 is prolly stupid.

There's really good dline value outside the first. There are a few fatty two gap DT's later on (though I'll bet they're busts) and some good LDE types too.

The signing of the bwonco is a good sign. I dont' think we can address the depth at DT via the draft. We may get a project guy who can get some rotation.

Elvis and Lang had about 14 sacks between them. Unfortunately, I think there was not a lot of pressure, and some were coverage, but there's some talent there. If Moss' character issues are OK, he and Elvis would be an even better rotation. Lang can take some snaps in a rotation with Eukanaba.

[Mediator12]

I thought long and hard about Spencer v. Moss for my TB #2 pick. I like both of them as RDE one gap rushers. Both are very adept at getting their hips around the outside of the LT and turning the corner. The only one in the same class with them there is Adams. None of the other DE's, despite their being some awesome depth in the pass rushers there, are that capable of taking the edge every down IMHO.

There are more complete DE's, better technique DE's, and bigger DE's. Those three are perfect RDE's in Bates or any one gap RDE scheme and will be drafted that way IMHO. The things Adams and Moss have over Spencer is upside. Spencer is still growing, but Moss and Adams will be able to put 20-25 more lbs on and not bother their frame. Plus, Both are prototype height. Moss needs more reps, but as a one gap DE he does not have a steep learning curve versus other scheme's. He would be able to contribute right away on the main weakness of the defense, pass rush pressure.

[worm]

Fun thread to revisit.

[Odysseus]

What you're looking at for defensive ends that would by prototypical for Bates' system are Tim Crowder, Jarvis Moss, Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses and Victor Abiamiri.

Adams is almost out of the question unless we trade up into the top seven selections.

I know Med has his qualms about Crowder, but he blew the others out of the water at the combine doing better in benching (way, way better) scoring top five in the 20 yard shuttle (really important for lateral movement and change of direction) and did excellent and in the top five for three cone drills as well. I don't think he's a "Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" player, because his game this year was fundamentally sound. He'd be a nice threat off of the left side in Bates defense - he's bigger and is strong but still has all that explosion. 6'4 - 272 pounds and he's working out awesome.

He's more of a complete end than the other three mentioned, and he could be there in round two for us, but I doubt it. I think after his performances, and when people look at how he has improved at Texas, especially over his senior year, he's a top 50 selection.

Jarvis Moss has a lot to be desired from me, but he's the type of player we'd want. Moses would be too, and Abiamiri, like Crowder - would be a nice rusher off the left side in Bates' defense.

Moses and Moss on the right. It's possible we could get one of each to play either spot in this draft.

REP!

[Rascal]

If we can get two of those four guys Requiem mentioned (Tim Crowder, Jarvis Moss, Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses and Victor Abiamiri) I'd be happy with our DE position, but that DT still scares me. As does safety frankly.

BOW DOWN BITCHES!!!