SoCalBronco
07-27-2008, 02:04 AM
sports
Restoring the crush
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/26/2008 09:03:46 PM MDT
There was a time last season when Tim Crowder appeared ready to cradle the rest of his 2007 draft class into his strong arms and run with it.
That's what the Broncos' rookie defensive end did with a Ben Roethlisberger fumble before a "Monday Night Football" audience in late October. Crowder picked up the ball at midfield and raced untouched to the end zone, the key score in the Broncos' 31-28 victory.
In games 9-11, Crowder had at least one sack in each, the first time a Bronco defender put together a three-game sack streak since 2004. With first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss out because of season-ending ankle surgery, third-round offensive tackle Ryan Harris playing sparingly after preseason back surgery, and fourth-round defensive tackle Marcus Thomas gradually easing into playing time, Crowder was becoming the pride of the class of 2007.
He was making plays, getting sacks, and — poof! — Crowder seemingly disappeared. He made just one sack in the final five games, and didn't make the tackle chart in two of the final three.
"Of the three (rookie defensive linemen), I thought Tim really flashed in the early part of the season," Broncos defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. "He really flashed and consequently, he was the first one to run into a wall."
An amiable sort, Crowder chuckled in agreement at his coach's assessment.
"I came on pretty quick," he said. "Making some plays. Next thing you know, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn't recover from it. I didn't know what was wrong. I was meeting with coaches: 'What's the matter?' "
Face it, the Broncos' defensive line was abysmal last season. This was evident whenever the opposing quarterback handed off the ball. For much of the 2007 season, the defense ranked last in the NFL against the run, and although it improved in the second half, it finished 30th.
If the Broncos are to improve their defense this year, they will need considerably better play from their defensive line. And while the addition of free-agent veteran Dewayne Robertson and a return to health for Ebenezer Ekuban should help, the key to the Broncos' defensive line of 2008 is the continued development from the draft class of 2007.
"That's fair. Go ahead and put that on us," Moss said. "It's a brand new year. We've all grown and matured in the past year. I believe in my heart we are ready to take that next step."
Ready to go in 2008
Looking back, 2007 wasn't a great year for the class of 2007. Moss, a pass-rushing force for the national champion Florida Gators, made just one sack. His terrific speed was negated by a 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame that struggled to penetrate those 300-pound, twinkle-toed left tackles.
"It was more their technique," Moss said of NFL blockers. "They're always in the right spot."
The broken ankle ended Moss' season before fatigue could set in, but Crowder and Thomas were not spared the rookie wall. Thomas had missed most of his senior season at Florida for disciplinary reasons, so he was far from being in NFL shape when he arrived at Dove Valley.
He started the final five games as the Broncos made the decision to play for the future, but by then, Thomas didn't have his legs.
"I remember after Game 6 thinking, we've played 10 games already counting preseason," Thomas said. "I was like, 'Man, we've got 10 more games to go.' But this year is better than last year so I'm prepared. I feel a lot better coming into camp."
Adjusting to pro game
All NFL rookies struggle with the volume of preparation. In college, there's one practice, one meeting and games until Thanksgiving. In the NFL, there's a meeting, followed by a walk-through, another meeting, practice, another meeting and games until Thanksgiving — which are followed by five more games and five more weeks of practices and meetings.
It takes a year for a player to condition himself not only physically, but mentally for the drudgery. The Broncos believe Moss' injury could turn into a long-term benefit because extended rehab gave him time to gain much needed strength. He said he recently bench-pressed 325 pounds three times after not being able to hoist 300 last year.
Thomas went from doing virtually no conditioning entering the draft last year to recording 100 percent attendance at the Broncos' offseason strength and conditioning program this year.
Crowder is much more relaxed, comforted in knowing the rookie wall is behind him and not feeling overwhelmed by the workday ahead.
"I think all three of them have made the necessary adjustments," Johnson said. "First of all, let's be honest: It's not easy playing three rookies. You have to, and you have to survive. But the fact all three played as rookies, that's a big advantage for us as we go forward.
"I don't know where we're at on the defensive line. I do know this: I feel so much more comfortable this year."
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10003209
Restoring the crush
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/26/2008 09:03:46 PM MDT
There was a time last season when Tim Crowder appeared ready to cradle the rest of his 2007 draft class into his strong arms and run with it.
That's what the Broncos' rookie defensive end did with a Ben Roethlisberger fumble before a "Monday Night Football" audience in late October. Crowder picked up the ball at midfield and raced untouched to the end zone, the key score in the Broncos' 31-28 victory.
In games 9-11, Crowder had at least one sack in each, the first time a Bronco defender put together a three-game sack streak since 2004. With first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss out because of season-ending ankle surgery, third-round offensive tackle Ryan Harris playing sparingly after preseason back surgery, and fourth-round defensive tackle Marcus Thomas gradually easing into playing time, Crowder was becoming the pride of the class of 2007.
He was making plays, getting sacks, and — poof! — Crowder seemingly disappeared. He made just one sack in the final five games, and didn't make the tackle chart in two of the final three.
"Of the three (rookie defensive linemen), I thought Tim really flashed in the early part of the season," Broncos defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. "He really flashed and consequently, he was the first one to run into a wall."
An amiable sort, Crowder chuckled in agreement at his coach's assessment.
"I came on pretty quick," he said. "Making some plays. Next thing you know, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn't recover from it. I didn't know what was wrong. I was meeting with coaches: 'What's the matter?' "
Face it, the Broncos' defensive line was abysmal last season. This was evident whenever the opposing quarterback handed off the ball. For much of the 2007 season, the defense ranked last in the NFL against the run, and although it improved in the second half, it finished 30th.
If the Broncos are to improve their defense this year, they will need considerably better play from their defensive line. And while the addition of free-agent veteran Dewayne Robertson and a return to health for Ebenezer Ekuban should help, the key to the Broncos' defensive line of 2008 is the continued development from the draft class of 2007.
"That's fair. Go ahead and put that on us," Moss said. "It's a brand new year. We've all grown and matured in the past year. I believe in my heart we are ready to take that next step."
Ready to go in 2008
Looking back, 2007 wasn't a great year for the class of 2007. Moss, a pass-rushing force for the national champion Florida Gators, made just one sack. His terrific speed was negated by a 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame that struggled to penetrate those 300-pound, twinkle-toed left tackles.
"It was more their technique," Moss said of NFL blockers. "They're always in the right spot."
The broken ankle ended Moss' season before fatigue could set in, but Crowder and Thomas were not spared the rookie wall. Thomas had missed most of his senior season at Florida for disciplinary reasons, so he was far from being in NFL shape when he arrived at Dove Valley.
He started the final five games as the Broncos made the decision to play for the future, but by then, Thomas didn't have his legs.
"I remember after Game 6 thinking, we've played 10 games already counting preseason," Thomas said. "I was like, 'Man, we've got 10 more games to go.' But this year is better than last year so I'm prepared. I feel a lot better coming into camp."
Adjusting to pro game
All NFL rookies struggle with the volume of preparation. In college, there's one practice, one meeting and games until Thanksgiving. In the NFL, there's a meeting, followed by a walk-through, another meeting, practice, another meeting and games until Thanksgiving — which are followed by five more games and five more weeks of practices and meetings.
It takes a year for a player to condition himself not only physically, but mentally for the drudgery. The Broncos believe Moss' injury could turn into a long-term benefit because extended rehab gave him time to gain much needed strength. He said he recently bench-pressed 325 pounds three times after not being able to hoist 300 last year.
Thomas went from doing virtually no conditioning entering the draft last year to recording 100 percent attendance at the Broncos' offseason strength and conditioning program this year.
Crowder is much more relaxed, comforted in knowing the rookie wall is behind him and not feeling overwhelmed by the workday ahead.
"I think all three of them have made the necessary adjustments," Johnson said. "First of all, let's be honest: It's not easy playing three rookies. You have to, and you have to survive. But the fact all three played as rookies, that's a big advantage for us as we go forward.
"I don't know where we're at on the defensive line. I do know this: I feel so much more comfortable this year."
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10003209