From sidelines to spotlight

[dragondawg]

No player will benefit more from the change at defensive boss than D.J. Williams.

Although a first-round draft pick who had a fine rookie season in 2004, Williams spent the past two seasons on the sidelines during passing downs. As the NFL passes more than it runs, Williams sat more than he played.

A third-down scrub under Larry Coyer, Williams has a chance to become a Pro Bowler now that he’s been move from the “Sam” linebacker to “Mike” linebacker under new defensive head coach Jim Bates.

When Bates was running the defense in Miami and Green Bay, middle linebackers Zach Thomas and Nick Barnett, respectively, ranked among the NFL’s top six in tackles each season. Compare that to Al Wilson, the Broncos’ former “Mike” who made the Pro Bowl three of his four years under Coyer as his coordinator, even though he never finished among the top 25 in tackles.

D.J. Williams will not only be one of the top stories for the Broncos’ defense this year, but also there’s a good chance his story will be told nationally.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2007/05/02/from-sidelines-to-spotlight/

[Odysseus]

Jim Bates: My adopt a Bronco with Listopencil

My on season defense wish list:
D.J. makes Pro Bowl with Champ Bailey.
(I want to see D.J. get an interception)
Teams are terrified to throw at Bly or Bailey
Shut down the AFCW running attacks. Make them all pass.
Our LB core actually is better than last year
Lynch continues to shine.

One of our defensive rookies be in the top five for DROY.
Rogers make the team and prove himself worthwhile.
Our DL consistently improves all season.
Top eight defense or better
Hang a zero on the Chiefs

My post season defense wish list:
The defense steps up instead of falls down. Win or lose they don't quit.

[Casper Bronco]

Rogers make the team and prove himself worthwhile.

Charles Rogers?

[Barry Ramey]

I'm hoping Moss, Crowder, and Thomas all get playing time and contribute to the defense next year. I'm just happy that Coyer isn't the DC anymore. He drove me nuts.

[Atlas]

No player will benefit more from the change at defensive boss than D.J. Williams.

Although a first-round draft pick who had a fine rookie season in 2004, Williams spent the past two seasons on the sidelines during passing downs. As the NFL passes more than it runs, Williams sat more than he played.

A third-down scrub under Larry Coyer, Williams has a chance to become a Pro Bowler now that he’s been move from the “Sam” linebacker to “Mike” linebacker under new defensive head coach Jim Bates.

When Bates was running the defense in Miami and Green Bay, middle linebackers Zach Thomas and Nick Barnett, respectively, ranked among the NFL’s top six in tackles each season. Compare that to Al Wilson, the Broncos’ former “Mike” who made the Pro Bowl three of his four years under Coyer as his coordinator, even though he never finished among the top 25 in tackles.

D.J. Williams will not only be one of the top stories for the Broncos’ defense this year, but also there’s a good chance his story will be told nationally.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2007/05/02/from-sidelines-to-spotlight/


How does this have anything to do with Bates? Sounds like he is getting his chance because Wilson is no longer on the team.