Bates: We need "more power"

[Kaylore]

This is from Mason's blog. I like the part about Bates' philosophy on defense. For those bemoaning our finesse defense, this will make you happy:

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/mason

When Jim Bates first addressed Denver-area media after becoming assistant head coach/defense, he sounded a little like Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor when discussing his plans for the defensive line.

“More power,” Bates said.

“There won’t be as much movement up and down the line of scrimmage. We will play with much more power up front, taking on blocks and being much squarer than in the past.”

And he wanted that power — and bulk to go with it — up the middle.

“We were able to manage with 290, 285-pound defensive tackles, but it makes the defense work a lot better if we have big guys up the middle,” he said at the time.
So in the last four days, the Broncos have signed Sam Adams and traded for Jimmy Kennedy. Adams arrived in Denver weighing 345 pounds; Kennedy checked in at 325 last year for the St. Louis Rams, when he started all 16 games at nose tackle — marking the first time in an injury-hindered career that he has started an entire season. Size-wise, Gerard Warren fits nicely alongside Kennedy and Adams; the seventh-year player is listed at 325 pounds.

Now, if you try and fit each of the Broncos’ defensive tackles into a large box, you’ll have room to spare in some instances. Returning tackle Demetrin Veal is 288 pounds, while fourth-round draft pick Marcus Thomas is 296 pounds and free-agent pickup Alvin McKinley is 294.

But the trend of this week is unmistakable. The Broncos haven’t been averse to having such massive tackles over the years — just not necessarily two of them on the field at the same time, as you can see with the season-opening, starting defensive-tackle couplings of recent years:


2006: Gerard Warren 325 lbs., Michael Myers 300 lbs.

Average: 312.5 lbs.

2005: Gerard Warren 325 lbs., Michael Myers 300 lbs.

Average: 312.5 lbs.

2004: Mario Fatafehi 300 lbs., Trevor Pryce 295 lbs.

Average: 297.5 lbs.

2003: Darius Holland 330 lbs., Monsanto Pope 300 lbs.

Average: 315.0 lbs.

2002: Chester McGlockton 334 lbs., Lional Dalton 309 lbs.

Average: 321.5 lbs.

If the Broncos start some combination of Kennedy, Warren and Adams, it would give them their heaviest defensive-tackle combination in recent memory, and what
Bates surely hopes would be an effective one.
“It always starts up the middle,” Bates said. “and if you’re good in the run defense up the middle, it makes your whole team better.”

AND ONE MORE THING … There’s a few number changes on the roster today. Adams now has No. 95, which had belonged to Jarvis Moss, who moves to No. 94, his number at the University of Florida. Amon Gordon, who previously donned No. 94, will now take the No. 63 jersey that Adams so snugly wore in the last three days of OTAs.

[broncsyanks]

have no problem on the idea but according to the other article i read it stated that kennedy was not a run stuffer but more of a pass rusher. that sounds great on passing downs but i hope he can stop the run. it should be a very interesting rotation. cant wait to see it in buffalo

[OrangeShadow]

great, so tim allen is our defensive coordinator
I KEED I KEED

[MechanicalBull]

With Walker, Smith, Marshall, Graham, and Scheff pretty much getting the bulk of the passes why not put the all mighty Hixon on the line. You put Hixon as a defensive end and you are guaranteed at least 35 sacks from him.

On a more serious note of course I want to see what happens on the field but I am loving reading all these articles of what Bates is doing.

[TheChamp247]

so now my recently signed football of jarvis moss is outdated lol, now does that make it worth more or less?

[Inkana7]

With Walker, Smith, Marshall, Graham, and Scheff pretty much getting the bulk of the passes why not put the all mighty Hixon on the line. You put Hixon as a defensive end and you are guaranteed at least 35 sacks from him a game

On a more serious note of course I want to see what happens on the field but I am loving reading all these articles of what Bates is doing.

Fixed it for ya.

[Los Broncos]

Need more power? drink those boost drinks, thats all the power we need baby!

[Bob's your Information Minister]

It's too bad you guys dumped Al Wilson. He would have excelled in this kind of scheme.

[(Jae)]

You mean too bad he got hurt and cant play anymore

[KipCorrington25]

It's too bad you guys dumped Al Wilson. He would have excelled in this kind of scheme.

Too bad you're a fat ****ing low life troll with acne.

[Los Broncos]

Too bad you're a fat ****ing low life troll with acne.

Ha!

[cutthemdown]

DJ Williams is going to finally shine and show his true ability. DJ IMO is a playmaker not a grinder so being out on 3rd downs really hurt his productivity.
With all these big DT now Broncos will have the size the need to give DJ the extra space he needs to make big plays. I do think he will also give some up by over running plays(he needs to work on that) but I also think he will really disrupt the short passing game on 3rd downs with his athletic ability and speed dropping into zones. I also think he will make up for some missed tackles by making quite a few stop in the hole and in the backfield. It's going to be an exciting year I think to watch the Broncos play football.

[Los Broncos]

DJ Williams is going to finally shine and show his true ability. DJ IMO is a playmaker not a grinder so being out on 3rd downs really hurt his productivity.
With all these big DT now Broncos will have the size the need to give DJ the extra space he needs to make big plays. I do think he will also give some up by over running plays(he needs to work on that) but I also think he will really disrupt the short passing game on 3rd downs with his athletic ability and speed dropping into zones. I also think he will make up for some missed tackles by making quite a few stop in the hole and in the backfield. It's going to be an exciting year I think to watch the Broncos play football.

I really hope DJ can adjust to his new role. But i think he'll do fine in extra space. Its gonna be a fun year for us.

[cutthemdown]

for sure we have lots of new players to watch and that is always interesting. I'm excited to see Walker after a year in system. Cutler of course. Henry, Graham etc. I wonder if Marshall will step up or maybe Hixon or Stokely end up stealing his thunder. Will Rod Smith play? Will he be good? Will Saurbrun behave? How will DJ do, will Brandon and Ferguson come back, will Bly be any good in Denver? How will the rookies play? how well the vet DT play. Man there are so many questions I feel it's prob not going to all come together this yr. But it will be really exciting to see Broncos grow into what I think they will be very soon, and that's a very powerful football club.

[Los Broncos]

for sure we have lots of new players to watch and that is always interesting. I'm excited to see Walker after a year in system. Cutler of course. Henry, Graham etc. I wonder if Marshall will step up or maybe Hixon or Stokely end up stealing his thunder. Will Rod Smith play? Will he be good? Will Saurbrun behave? How will DJ do, will Brandon and Ferguson come back, will Bly be any good in Denver? How will the rookies play? how well the vet DT play. Man there are so many questions I feel it's prob not going to all come together this yr. But it will be really exciting to see Broncos grow into what I think they will be very soon, and that's a very powerful football club.

Lots of questions for sure. We will find out in about two months in preseaon.

[maher_tyler]

for sure we have lots of new players to watch and that is always interesting. I'm excited to see Walker after a year in system. Cutler of course. Henry, Graham etc. I wonder if Marshall will step up or maybe Hixon or Stokely end up stealing his thunder. Will Rod Smith play? Will he be good? Will Saurbrun behave? How will DJ do, will Brandon and Ferguson come back, will Bly be any good in Denver? How will the rookies play? how well the vet DT play. Man there are so many questions I feel it's prob not going to all come together this yr. But it will be really exciting to see Broncos grow into what I think they will be very soon, and that's a very powerful football club.

True but if your a fan of another team you gotta be thinking..Damn Denver is looking good right about now!!!

[Cool Breeze]

http://www.socalpundit.com/blog/images/Scotty1.jpg

I see a resemblance...
Git er done!

[azbroncfan]

DJ Williams is going to finally shine and show his true ability. DJ IMO is a playmaker not a grinder so being out on 3rd downs really hurt his productivity.

When has DJ ever shown he is a playmaker?

[Play2win]

With Walker, Smith, Marshall, Graham, and Scheff pretty much getting the bulk of the passes why not put the all mighty Hixon on the line. You put Hixon as a defensive end and you are guaranteed at least 35 sacks from him.

Why don't you just Food-Jack the thread, it would be a little less painful...

[Bob's your Information Minister]

When has DJ ever shown he is a playmaker?

DJ Williams shakes the foundations of the universe with every tackle he makes.

[telluride]

DJ is going to have a monster year.

[Requiem]

What "power" stays or goes though? I posted this in another thread, me from Broncomania. . .

Just some posts of mine from Broncomania regarding the line situation now. . . for anyone who cares. . .

I wouldn't be surprised for the Broncos to keep five defensive tackles around this year. Adams and Kennedy, as of now - are one year players for the Broncos - with no current extensions beyond this season. Looking at Bates' past defenses in the past at least five defensive tackles have rotated in and played part of the season, if not most in his past stints in Miami and Green Bay.

I'm guessing that Veal right now is the odd man out.

I don't think Denver will trade for Kennedy, give up the sixth and get rid of him. He'll stay on the roster - if not, that was a waste. The Broncos are going to get rid of McKinley, who signed a four-year, 8 million dollar contract. Perhaps McKinley can be a hybrid and move between DE/DT. I'm assuming Adams will make the team, just because of the size and experience he brings. Marcus Thomas cannot be a PS guy, but I don't think he'll be a phantom IR guy, he'll make the team. Then it comes down to Warren, who I've been stating for a while would be cut after this year.

I see Ekuban, Lang, Crowder, Moss and Dumervil being the five defensive ends on this team. Keeping McKinley gives us the versatility of another DE/DT. That's ten defensive lineman. That's my guess for now.

__________________________________________________ _____________

I brought this up in the draft thread, sort of. I think it'd be stupid for the Broncos to spend a sixth-rounder on a guy and not have him make the team.

My guess is that Warren, Adams, McKinley, Thomas and Kennedy will be the defensive tackles. Bates has had at least five defensive tackles play games for the past defenses in Miami and Green Bay, so I expect that trend to continue. Keeping Ekuban, Lang, Crowder, Moss and Dumervil at defensive end. McKinley offers versatility as a defensive end as well.

Veal looks to be the odd man out, but I figure Denver will have to keep guys on the line who are more than one-year rentals. Essentially, that's what Kennedy and Adams are for now.

McKinley signed a 4 year, 8 million dollar contract - he has to stay. Thomas would get picked up if he was PS'd and I don't see a phantom IR thing happening. If the Broncos brought in Adams, I'd expect him to fill some sort of role. It sounds like they feel he can already be a half a game guy on defense.

You and I have had a feeling for a while that Warren might be the big question mark here. I think he'll stay this year, but beyond this season, I think he'll have a new home. It'll be really surprising though, to see how this pans out.

Even though Veal didn't get a big extension, he was extended. So if they get rid of him, obviously extending him was a "magoo" move. If the Broncos get rid of Warren, obviously the fat contract as a bad choice. If the Broncos get rid of McKinley, obviously that was a dumb signing. If the Broncos get rid of Kennedy, they wasted a sixth-rounder.

So who knows, there's a lot of doubt here. We've had over 25 lineman be overturned here in Denver the past few seasons and that's pathetic. Where I'm not thrilled about Kennedy, I'm glad to see Denver taking a pro-active approach to getting things done.

Warren, Adams, Thomas, McKinley, Kennedy at defensive tackle.

Lang, Ekuban, Dumervil, Moss and Crowder at defensive end.

Maybe we'll keep eleven lineman, say Veal at DT if McKinley switches to end; which I doubt.

[GonzoLays]

What "power" stays or goes though? I posted this in another thread, me from Broncomania. . .

Just some posts of mine from Broncomania regarding the line situation now. . . for anyone who cares. . .

I wouldn't be surprised for the Broncos to keep five defensive tackles around this year. Adams and Kennedy, as of now - are one year players for the Broncos - with no current extensions beyond this season. Looking at Bates' past defenses in the past at least five defensive tackles have rotated in and played part of the season, if not most in his past stints in Miami and Green Bay.

I'm guessing that Veal right now is the odd man out.

I don't think Denver will trade for Kennedy, give up the sixth and get rid of him. He'll stay on the roster - if not, that was a waste. The Broncos are going to get rid of McKinley, who signed a four-year, 8 million dollar contract. Perhaps McKinley can be a hybrid and move between DE/DT. I'm assuming Adams will make the team, just because of the size and experience he brings. Marcus Thomas cannot be a PS guy, but I don't think he'll be a phantom IR guy, he'll make the team. Then it comes down to Warren, who I've been stating for a while would be cut after this year.

I see Ekuban, Lang, Crowder, Moss and Dumervil being the five defensive ends on this team. Keeping McKinley gives us the versatility of another DE/DT. That's ten defensive lineman. That's my guess for now.

__________________________________________________ _____________

I brought this up in the draft thread, sort of. I think it'd be stupid for the Broncos to spend a sixth-rounder on a guy and not have him make the team.

My guess is that Warren, Adams, McKinley, Thomas and Kennedy will be the defensive tackles. Bates has had at least five defensive tackles play games for the past defenses in Miami and Green Bay, so I expect that trend to continue. Keeping Ekuban, Lang, Crowder, Moss and Dumervil at defensive end. McKinley offers versatility as a defensive end as well.

Veal looks to be the odd man out, but I figure Denver will have to keep guys on the line who are more than one-year rentals. Essentially, that's what Kennedy and Adams are for now.

McKinley signed a 4 year, 8 million dollar contract - he has to stay. Thomas would get picked up if he was PS'd and I don't see a phantom IR thing happening. If the Broncos brought in Adams, I'd expect him to fill some sort of role. It sounds like they feel he can already be a half a game guy on defense.

You and I have had a feeling for a while that Warren might be the big question mark here. I think he'll stay this year, but beyond this season, I think he'll have a new home. It'll be really surprising though, to see how this pans out.

Even though Veal didn't get a big extension, he was extended. So if they get rid of him, obviously extending him was a "magoo" move. If the Broncos get rid of Warren, obviously the fat contract as a bad choice. If the Broncos get rid of McKinley, obviously that was a dumb signing. If the Broncos get rid of Kennedy, they wasted a sixth-rounder.

So who knows, there's a lot of doubt here. We've had over 25 lineman be overturned here in Denver the past few seasons and that's pathetic. Where I'm not thrilled about Kennedy, I'm glad to see Denver taking a pro-active approach to getting things done.

Warren, Adams, Thomas, McKinley, Kennedy at defensive tackle.

Lang, Ekuban, Dumervil, Moss and Crowder at defensive end.

Maybe we'll keep eleven lineman, say Veal at DT if McKinley switches to end; which I doubt.

Can a brother get a -no ****- smilie in the house?

[Bob]

Lots of questions for sure. We will find out in about two months in preseaon.

This seems like the first year in the past decade where the LB core is aurguably the weakest unit in our defence, but they may not need to be quite as talented, if they have room to roam....

[Bob]

Has there been a time in recent memory when our DT situation looked better? People here dont seem to like Michael Dean Perry, but when he first came here, along sife of Jumpy Geathers for one year -- I think 97, we were pretty strong at DT...

[HEAV]

DJ is going to have a monster year.


:~ohyah!:


The Denver defense,as a whole, will have a great year.

I was a fan of Bates system for years. His big body DT and speed DE and LB's cuased havoc for many teams when they played the Dolphins.

He's not about gimmicks or smoke an mirrors. Not like the previous D-Cords that Denver has had in the past few years.

The Fat guys glog the Guards and Center, the DE's press the Tackles with rush speed and the LB's are free to run to the ball.

With Champ and Bly on the corners, any pass rush pressure will cause an forced throw.

Only concern is the Safety responsiblities that Lynch must now meet. Hitting is good, coverage is better. Not to mention if Fergy is ready, or will a younger guy fit better in coverage.

[Odysseus]

DJ Williams is going to finally shine and show his true ability. DJ IMO is a playmaker not a grinder so being out on 3rd downs really hurt his productivity.
With all these big DT now Broncos will have the size the need to give DJ the extra space he needs to make big plays. I do think he will also give some up by over running plays(he needs to work on that) but I also think he will really disrupt the short passing game on 3rd downs with his athletic ability and speed dropping into zones. I also think he will make up for some missed tackles by making quite a few stop in the hole and in the backfield. It's going to be an exciting year I think to watch the Broncos play football.

I think DJ has lots of support to succeed in his new role.

I am very excited for this defense. Coyer focused on speed. Bates is focused on power. We still have a very fast defense so adding power to our plays could be the edge. I wonder about stamina and staying power. The competition should increase the odds of getting the best guys on the DL out there. If you look at where the Broncos were before the draft and where they are now you have to be amazed a little by there willingness to fix this DL.

This defense will be smothering teams right off the bat because if the offense gets the jump on ANYBODY they are not going to let teams back in like they have in the past. Broncos are going to have a pass rush this year. They are going to have pressure up the middle. The Broncos went from having one of the worst front four in the AFCW to one of the best front four. Teams are going to have to make some really hard choices this year.

[BroncoBuff]

Warren, Adams, Thomas, McKinley, Kennedy at defensive tackle.

Lang, Ekuban, Dumervil, Moss and Crowder at defensive end.

Maybe we'll keep eleven lineman, say Veal at DT if McKinley switches to end; which I doubt.

I dunno ... 11 is a stretch. If they keep even 10, they'd be down to 6 LB and 9 DB. Keeping 11 would mean 8 DBs only. I agree with all your names except McKinley. He's a 3-4 DE actually ... and at 290, he's doubtful to beat out Kennedy or any of the other top 4 DTs.

He'll be the odd man out if they keep a traditional 9 D-Linemen.

As far as McKinley at DE, the problem is I think we gotta get Dumervil on the field more. And while it's fine to have the two vets Lang and Ekuban starting, you don't need a third mediocre, journeyman vet taking downs away from Elvis. Besides, McKinley has been overrated on this board I think. Next to Corey Jackson, he is the least of all Brown-cos. Imo, he'll have to beat out Lang or Ekuban to make the team.

[cutthemdown]

I dunno ... 11 is a stretch. If they keep even 10, they'd be down to 6 LB and 9 DB. Keeping 11 would mean 8 DBs only. I agree with all your names except McKinley. He's a 3-4 DE actually ... and at 290, he's doubtful to beat out Kennedy or any of the other top 4 DTs.

He'll be the odd man out if they keep a traditional 9 D-Linemen.

As far as McKinley at DE, the problem is I think we gotta get Dumervil on the field more. And while it's fine to have the two vets Lang and Ekuban starting, you don't need a third mediocre, journeyman vet taking downs away from Elvis. Besides, McKinley has been overrated on this board I think. Next to Corey Jackson, he is the least of all Brown-cos. Imo, he'll have to beat out Lang or Ekuban to make the team.


Don't be surprised to see either Crowder/Moss/Thomas develop a phantom injury and then be stashed on IR for the whole yr.