dragondawg
08-25-2007, 03:30 AM
By FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE
This week the Denver Broncos’ defensive line experiment took two more hits.
Tackle Gerard Warren was traded to Oakland for a conditional 2008 fifth-round pick and end Ebenezer Ekuban was put on injured reserve with a torn Achilles’ tendon. Of the seven Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Denver acquired, only three remain on the active roster and two were backups for all of training camp. None of the original four who was acquired in 2005 will play for the Broncos.
“It’s a tough game,” said defensive tackle Amon Gordon, a former Brown. “That’s a great depiction of that.”
The Broncos play the Browns in a preseason game tonight.
Courtney Brown — end
Brown was a free agent addition after he was released in 2005. Brown played 14 games in 2005, which is surprising considering how often he was hurt during his career. Brown missed all of 2006 with a knee injury, had microfracture surgery and was released on March 19. He is out of football.
Kenard Lang — end
Lang signed with the Broncos last year, replaced injured Brown in the starting lineup and had six sacks. But Lang fell down the depth chart this offseason, to the third team. He might get a chance to play more because of an injury to another former Brown, Ekuban.
“When they call my name to put me in there, I’ll be ready,” Lang said.
Warren — tackle
Warren played two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade. He was supposed to be featured in the defense last year after signing a six-year contract extension. He was slowed by two toe injuries and had two-and-a-half sacks. He didn’t fit new assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates’ scheme and the Broncos liked their depth at tackle, so he was traded.
“We were fully aware of Gerard’s value and weren’t in any hurry to let him go, but the interest there prompted us to look at the defensive tackle position as we head into the season,” general manager Ted Sundquist said.
Ekuban — end
The Broncos were planning on using Ekuban in many different roles this season, at starting end, at tackle in passing situations, and having him roam the line in an upright stance like a linebacker. But Ekuban’s season-ending injury finished those plans. Ekuban, acquired with defensive tackle Michael Myers in a 2005 trade for running back Reuben Droughns, had 11 sacks in 31 games for the Broncos.
Gordon — tackle
Of all the former Browns, the biggest surprise is that Gordon will probably play the most for the Broncos this year. He was picked up off waivers last year, but had knee problems and spent last year on the practice squad. Healthy this year, he took Warren’s spot in the starting lineup.
“There is an opportunity,” Gordon said. “It’s kind of my responsibility to seize that.”
Alvin McKinley — tackle
McKinley signed with the Broncos this offseason. He is one of many experienced tackles on the Broncos, and if he makes the final roster he will be a backup.
Myers — tackle
The quietest member of the former Browns, Myers might have been the best. He led the Broncos’ defensive linemen in tackles in 2005 and 2006. But he was a free agent, wasn’t a great fit for the new scheme, and signed with Cincinnati.
Andre Patterson – assistant coach
Patterson helped start the avalanche of Browns to Denver. He coached the defensive line in Cleveland, and he recommended the Browns linemen once he joined Denver’s staff as an assistant. Patterson was let go after last season.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/broncos_26484___article.html/tackle_defensive.html
THE GAZETTE
This week the Denver Broncos’ defensive line experiment took two more hits.
Tackle Gerard Warren was traded to Oakland for a conditional 2008 fifth-round pick and end Ebenezer Ekuban was put on injured reserve with a torn Achilles’ tendon. Of the seven Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Denver acquired, only three remain on the active roster and two were backups for all of training camp. None of the original four who was acquired in 2005 will play for the Broncos.
“It’s a tough game,” said defensive tackle Amon Gordon, a former Brown. “That’s a great depiction of that.”
The Broncos play the Browns in a preseason game tonight.
Courtney Brown — end
Brown was a free agent addition after he was released in 2005. Brown played 14 games in 2005, which is surprising considering how often he was hurt during his career. Brown missed all of 2006 with a knee injury, had microfracture surgery and was released on March 19. He is out of football.
Kenard Lang — end
Lang signed with the Broncos last year, replaced injured Brown in the starting lineup and had six sacks. But Lang fell down the depth chart this offseason, to the third team. He might get a chance to play more because of an injury to another former Brown, Ekuban.
“When they call my name to put me in there, I’ll be ready,” Lang said.
Warren — tackle
Warren played two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade. He was supposed to be featured in the defense last year after signing a six-year contract extension. He was slowed by two toe injuries and had two-and-a-half sacks. He didn’t fit new assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates’ scheme and the Broncos liked their depth at tackle, so he was traded.
“We were fully aware of Gerard’s value and weren’t in any hurry to let him go, but the interest there prompted us to look at the defensive tackle position as we head into the season,” general manager Ted Sundquist said.
Ekuban — end
The Broncos were planning on using Ekuban in many different roles this season, at starting end, at tackle in passing situations, and having him roam the line in an upright stance like a linebacker. But Ekuban’s season-ending injury finished those plans. Ekuban, acquired with defensive tackle Michael Myers in a 2005 trade for running back Reuben Droughns, had 11 sacks in 31 games for the Broncos.
Gordon — tackle
Of all the former Browns, the biggest surprise is that Gordon will probably play the most for the Broncos this year. He was picked up off waivers last year, but had knee problems and spent last year on the practice squad. Healthy this year, he took Warren’s spot in the starting lineup.
“There is an opportunity,” Gordon said. “It’s kind of my responsibility to seize that.”
Alvin McKinley — tackle
McKinley signed with the Broncos this offseason. He is one of many experienced tackles on the Broncos, and if he makes the final roster he will be a backup.
Myers — tackle
The quietest member of the former Browns, Myers might have been the best. He led the Broncos’ defensive linemen in tackles in 2005 and 2006. But he was a free agent, wasn’t a great fit for the new scheme, and signed with Cincinnati.
Andre Patterson – assistant coach
Patterson helped start the avalanche of Browns to Denver. He coached the defensive line in Cleveland, and he recommended the Browns linemen once he joined Denver’s staff as an assistant. Patterson was let go after last season.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/broncos_26484___article.html/tackle_defensive.html