Broncosfreak_56
03-09-2008, 10:20 PM
This should fill the gaps.
How many times during their downtrodden 2007 season did the Broncos blame their porous run defense on failed gap assignments?
With the signing of Boss Bailey on Thursday to a five-year contract at an average of at least $3.5 million per, the Broncos' new three-man linebacker unit should be able to fill gaps merely by physical presence.
Bailey, at 6-feet-3, 235 pounds, has always been one of the NFL's tallest linebackers. D.J. Williams, at 6-1, 242 pounds, goes from an average-sized middle linebacker to an imposing weakside linebacker, and unquestionably larger than "Will" predecessor Ian Gold. Niko Koutouvides, at 6-2, 238 pounds, is as big as he sounds at middle linebacker.
Big is in for Broncos 'backers. Will big be beautiful, too?
"That's a good group," Seattle linebackers coach Zerick Rollins said. "They've got big guys, but another thing about them is all those guys are pretty athletic."
Williams ran his 40-yard dash at his scouting combine in 4.54 seconds. Boss Bailey was clocked at 4.58 seconds. The 4.71 turned in by Koutouvides was well above average for inside linebackers.
Speed, though, has always been a trademark of Broncos linebackers during the Mike Shanahan era. It's the size of these linebackers that jumps off the team's revised roster page. It also logically follows the Broncos' stated No. 1 priority in the offseason: Improve a run defense that finished 30th in the 32-team NFL last season.
Not surprisingly, Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist kept the NFL guessing as to how they would address their weakness. Many figured their priority needs would be, in order, defensive linemen, safety, linebacker.
Instead, the Broncos' offseason actions leave no doubt they believed their biggest problem was at linebacker. For 2008, each of the three linebacker positions will have a new starter. Each of those starters will be big.
Big 'backers are built for plugging gaps.
"The No.1 thing for any defense is making the other team one-dimensional, and in that regard, stopping the run is the most important thing," Koutouvides said. "I don't know if size really matters, other than you do have to be a bigger, stronger player in order to play linebacker."
Stopping the run is not just vital to the defense. As the Broncos became so painfully aware last season, when a defense can't stop the run, the offense suffers. Jay Cutler can't maintain rhythm when he has to sit on the bench through seven-minute opponent drives.
"Putting myself in their shoes, you don't feel the same as an offense," said Bob Slowik, recently promoted from defensive assistant to defensive boss. "You get out there and think, 'Oh, my God, we better do something or we're not going to get another opportunity for a while.' "
Among these big Broncos 'backers, the biggest question hovers over the most important position — the middle. It was a concern last year, too, when Williams was asked to fill the popular Al Wilson's job as middle linebacker and in-game captain of the defense. This year, Williams will be moving to his natural weakside linebacker position.
Koutouvides is a natural middle linebacker, but the question is whether he can make the leap to starter after four seasons as a backup in Seattle.
"I wouldn't expect anything else," Koutouvides said. "The perception is he's a backup and special-teams player. I'm not going to talk about how I'm going to be a great player in this league. We'll have to wait until training camp comes and the NFL season begins, and that's where you've got to prove yourself that the Broncos made a great move."
Rollins doesn't have to wait to have an opinion. He already believes the Broncos did well to sign Koutouvides, who would have been playing earlier had he not been stuck behind one of the league's best, Lofa Tatupu.
"Niko was a guy who was ready to be a starter. That's why I hated to lose him," Rollins said. "Niko's a razor-sharp guy. He can command the middle. For the 'Mike' position, that's more than half the battle. You need someone who has some authority, has some command, who can get people lined up. He pays attention to formations and splits.
"Niko is also a very aggressive player. He'll come downhill and attack people. I'm telling you, you guys have got a good 'Mike' linebacker."
Which would be huge.
BOSS BAILEY
Strongside: 6-3, 235
NIKO KOUTOUVIDES
Middle: 6-2, 238
D.J. WILLIAMS
Weakside: 6-1, 242
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_8483244
How many times during their downtrodden 2007 season did the Broncos blame their porous run defense on failed gap assignments?
With the signing of Boss Bailey on Thursday to a five-year contract at an average of at least $3.5 million per, the Broncos' new three-man linebacker unit should be able to fill gaps merely by physical presence.
Bailey, at 6-feet-3, 235 pounds, has always been one of the NFL's tallest linebackers. D.J. Williams, at 6-1, 242 pounds, goes from an average-sized middle linebacker to an imposing weakside linebacker, and unquestionably larger than "Will" predecessor Ian Gold. Niko Koutouvides, at 6-2, 238 pounds, is as big as he sounds at middle linebacker.
Big is in for Broncos 'backers. Will big be beautiful, too?
"That's a good group," Seattle linebackers coach Zerick Rollins said. "They've got big guys, but another thing about them is all those guys are pretty athletic."
Williams ran his 40-yard dash at his scouting combine in 4.54 seconds. Boss Bailey was clocked at 4.58 seconds. The 4.71 turned in by Koutouvides was well above average for inside linebackers.
Speed, though, has always been a trademark of Broncos linebackers during the Mike Shanahan era. It's the size of these linebackers that jumps off the team's revised roster page. It also logically follows the Broncos' stated No. 1 priority in the offseason: Improve a run defense that finished 30th in the 32-team NFL last season.
Not surprisingly, Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist kept the NFL guessing as to how they would address their weakness. Many figured their priority needs would be, in order, defensive linemen, safety, linebacker.
Instead, the Broncos' offseason actions leave no doubt they believed their biggest problem was at linebacker. For 2008, each of the three linebacker positions will have a new starter. Each of those starters will be big.
Big 'backers are built for plugging gaps.
"The No.1 thing for any defense is making the other team one-dimensional, and in that regard, stopping the run is the most important thing," Koutouvides said. "I don't know if size really matters, other than you do have to be a bigger, stronger player in order to play linebacker."
Stopping the run is not just vital to the defense. As the Broncos became so painfully aware last season, when a defense can't stop the run, the offense suffers. Jay Cutler can't maintain rhythm when he has to sit on the bench through seven-minute opponent drives.
"Putting myself in their shoes, you don't feel the same as an offense," said Bob Slowik, recently promoted from defensive assistant to defensive boss. "You get out there and think, 'Oh, my God, we better do something or we're not going to get another opportunity for a while.' "
Among these big Broncos 'backers, the biggest question hovers over the most important position — the middle. It was a concern last year, too, when Williams was asked to fill the popular Al Wilson's job as middle linebacker and in-game captain of the defense. This year, Williams will be moving to his natural weakside linebacker position.
Koutouvides is a natural middle linebacker, but the question is whether he can make the leap to starter after four seasons as a backup in Seattle.
"I wouldn't expect anything else," Koutouvides said. "The perception is he's a backup and special-teams player. I'm not going to talk about how I'm going to be a great player in this league. We'll have to wait until training camp comes and the NFL season begins, and that's where you've got to prove yourself that the Broncos made a great move."
Rollins doesn't have to wait to have an opinion. He already believes the Broncos did well to sign Koutouvides, who would have been playing earlier had he not been stuck behind one of the league's best, Lofa Tatupu.
"Niko was a guy who was ready to be a starter. That's why I hated to lose him," Rollins said. "Niko's a razor-sharp guy. He can command the middle. For the 'Mike' position, that's more than half the battle. You need someone who has some authority, has some command, who can get people lined up. He pays attention to formations and splits.
"Niko is also a very aggressive player. He'll come downhill and attack people. I'm telling you, you guys have got a good 'Mike' linebacker."
Which would be huge.
BOSS BAILEY
Strongside: 6-3, 235
NIKO KOUTOUVIDES
Middle: 6-2, 238
D.J. WILLIAMS
Weakside: 6-1, 242
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_8483244