Robertson trying to rid himself of Jets' habits

[RunSilentRunDeep]

Robertson hopes to anchor Broncos' defensive line

By Pat Graham, AP Sports Writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Broncos defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson frequently finds himself falling into old habits.
AP Photos

He's trying to delete years of playing in the New York Jets' 3-4 system from his head, but the knowledge is firmly imbedded.

Still, the 6-foot-1, 310-pound Robertson thinks he's going to flourish in the Broncos' 4-3 format with four down linemen and three linebackers, once he gets the hang of it again.

"I'm trying to get all the 3-4 stuff out of my system," Robertson said Monday. "But I believe this is made (for me)."

So do the Broncos. That's why they traded for Robertson, giving up only a 2009 conditional draft pick for him.

So far, they like what they see.

"He's a top talent," defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "We've just got to get him healthy and get him accustomed to the scheme. He's not only got the size, but he's got the quick twitch. He's powerful, he's explosive, he's been very effective since he's been in the league."

However, the knock on him is his balky left knee. He strained the meniscus at the University of Kentucky and has had four operations on it since, including one after the '07 season in which he set career highs in sacks (four) and total tackles (74).

His knee trouble was one of the reasons a deal the Jets were trying to orchestrate with Cincinnati fell through after it was reported that Robertson failed the Bengals' physical.

He said he figured the knee could be a problem because most teams didn't have the background on the injury.

"The Jets knew about my knee and what I could and couldn't do," Robertson said. "Whenever you go to a new place, they're going to be a little skeptical."

In his view, there's no reason to be wary.

"I've been fine the last two years," said Robertson, who was selected by the Jets with the fourth overall pick in 2003.

The numbers back up his claim. Even with a gimpy knee, he took 75.4 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps in 2007, playing in all 16 games. The year before, he started every game and was on the field for 82.5 percent of the defensive plays.

"It's something I have to deal with," he said of his knee. "It's nothing I can hide. People know about it. But when I line up on Sundays, I want to show it's not an issue."

Robertson likes the makeup of Denver's defensive front. He thinks Elvis Dumervil is primed for another stellar season, Ebenezer Ekuban has returned to the form he showed before he tore his Achilles' tendon last season and the youngsters _ Tim Crowder, Jarvis Moss and Marcus Thomas _ are making steady progress.

Now, they just have to mold it all together.

"We're trying to learn the system and put ourselves in the best position possible," Robertson said. "We have a lot of talent up front."

The Broncos are banking that he can be the anchor of the line, causing disruption in the backfield.

That's his aim, as well.

"I want to come in and show that I can still play in a 4-3 defense and show that my knee is not a (concern)," he said. "People were scared to trade for me. My biggest goal is to play my (expletive) off and help my team win."

While at Kentucky, Robertson frequently stuck in video of stalwart defensive tackles like Warren Sapp and John Randle, trying to pick up little things that they did to blow by an offensive lineman.

"You watch how they play and see their intensity," said Robertson, who had 10{ sacks in three seasons with the Wildcats. "Both of those guys are very talented."

The Broncos' four-linemen front could be a benefit for Robertson. He won't have to worry about holding off two offensive guards anymore, like he did with the Jets.

Yet it's been a big adjustment. He's used to waiting for a tailback to come his way, instead of charging after a back like the Broncos require.

He's been reminded of that a time or two already.

"I've got some old habits I've got to get rid of," Robertson said with a grin.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Its impressive that he has been that prolific with a knee injury.

He is certainly the best lineman that's been here since Trevor Pryce. Lets see if he can show up.

Its a shame that the Bates experiment cost us Gerard Warren, because we would be looking at a wicked DL right now had he been kept.

[DenverBrit]

Its impressive that he has been that prolific with a knee injury.

He is certainly the best lineman that's been here since Trevor Pryce. Lets see if he can show up.

Its a shame that the Bates experiment cost us Gerard Warren, because we would be looking at a wicked DL right now had he been kept.

That was exactly my thought as I read the article. :thumbsup:

[dekers]

Its impressive that he has been that prolific with a knee injury.

He is certainly the best lineman that's been here since Trevor Pryce. Lets see if he can show up.

Its a shame that the Bates experiment cost us Gerard Warren, because we would be looking at a wicked DL right now had he been kept.

You can count me in too. Man If we still had warren are DT spot would be set.

[Man-Goblin]

At least he knows he has to play his expletive off.

[Natedogg]

Its impressive that he has been that prolific with a knee injury.

He is certainly the best lineman that's been here since Trevor Pryce. Lets see if he can show up.

Its a shame that the Bates experiment cost us Gerard Warren, because we would be looking at a wicked DL right now had he been kept.

I bet he wants out of the ****hole. kiss and make up?

[broncofan2438]

Im excited for him, lets get the season going!

[Atlas]

Its impressive that he has been that prolific with a knee injury.

He is certainly the best lineman that's been here since Trevor Pryce. Lets see if he can show up.

Its a shame that the Bates experiment cost us Gerard Warren, because we would be looking at a wicked DL right now had he been kept.

Warren was better than Robertson. Well, he was in 2005 and the Raiders seem very happy with him. My hope if Thomas develops into an elite player. They would make a great tandum.

[worm]

Warren was better than Robertson. Well, he was in 2005 and the Raiders seem very happy with him. My hope if Thomas develops into an elite player. They would make a great tandum.

At least one of them MUST demand a consistent double-team in the middle.

[Ian BDB]

I'm looking forward to Robertson this season, couple him with Ekuban and/or Mallard and there's literally going to havoc in the middle.

In all reality though, I just hope that someone in Denver manages to snap Philip Rivers ACL. I don't want him to die or anything, just like snap his knee backwards. A season ending injury, let him know we're not ****ing around in Denver this season.

Don't hurt LT though, I've got him on my fantasy team :~ohyah!:

Seriously though, I was actually excited when Robertson failed the Bengals physical, because I knew that meant that we would get him.

[FireFly]

I'm looking forward to Robertson this season, couple him with Ekuban and/or Mallard and there's literally going to havoc in the middle.

In all reality though, I just hope that someone in Denver manages to snap Philip Rivers ACL. I don't want him to die or anything, just like snap his knee backwards. A season ending injury, let him know we're not ****ing around in Denver this season.

Don't hurt LT though, I've got him on my fantasy team :~ohyah!:

Seriously though, I was actually excited when Robertson failed the Bengals physical, because I knew that meant that we would get him.

Really? I don't like Rivers that much...

Re: Robertson, he imo is the biggest swing factor on our team this year. It could go either way. Either he could play his butt off and we could be fielding a good defence, our he could get washed away and we're looking as bad if not worse than ever. My point is, I think alot of our defensive performance hinges on him imo

[dekers]

I'm looking forward to Robertson this season, couple him with Ekuban and/or Mallard and there's literally going to havoc in the middle.

In all reality though, I just hope that someone in Denver manages to snap Philip Rivers ACL. I don't want him to die or anything, just like snap his knee backwards. A season ending injury, let him know we're not ****ing around in Denver this season.

Don't hurt LT though, I've got him on my fantasy team :~ohyah!:

Seriously though, I was actually excited when Robertson failed the Bengals physical, because I knew that meant that we would get him.

Wow , i must say i don't like Rivers either but i don't want to see any player get hurt. Let alone something like Taylor did to theisman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i_bJv_0z-k

[Borks147]

In all reality though, I just hope that someone in Denver manages to snap Philip Rivers ACL. I don't want him to die or anything, just like snap his knee backwards. A season ending injury, let him know we're not ****ing around in Denver this season.

Don't hurt LT though, I've got him on my fantasy team :~ohyah!:



boooo, bad bad mojo.

[Mediator12]

What is up with the man Crush on Warren? You all realize he did NOTHING for the Raiders last year and did not even start for the majority of the year, 5 starts, and missed 4 games as well? Warren is an average player who consistently plays beneath his talent level. I swear it has been so long that DEN had a real DT that people think Warren was GOOD :welcome:

[epicSocialism4tw]

What is up with the man Crush on Warren? You all realize he did NOTHING for the Raiders last year and did not even start for the majority of the year, 5 starts, and missed 4 games as well? Warren is an average player who consistently plays beneath his talent level. I swear it has been so long that DEN had a real DT that people think Warren was GOOD :welcome:

Warren was the only player on the line who could MAKE plays happen. He was an above-average DT in the pass game and held his own in the run game.


Denver hasnt had a top level DT since Pryce packed it in and started putting minimum effort into the position.

[colonelbeef]

What is up with the man Crush on Warren? You all realize he did NOTHING for the Raiders last year and did not even start for the majority of the year, 5 starts, and missed 4 games as well? Warren is an average player who consistently plays beneath his talent level. I swear it has been so long that DEN had a real DT that people think Warren was GOOD :welcome:


Robertson is harder working, better motivated, slightly more talented version of Warren. He will do his job in the middle. If he manages to get the occasional double team, watch out for the speed off the end, Moss and Dumervil will thrive.

[Inkana7]

What is up with the man Crush on Warren? You all realize he did NOTHING for the Raiders last year and did not even start for the majority of the year, 5 starts, and missed 4 games as well? Warren is an average player who consistently plays beneath his talent level. I swear it has been so long that DEN had a real DT that people think Warren was GOOD :welcome:

But ZOMG! He had teh s4f3ty ag4inst uss!!!!11

[Kaylore]

But ZOMG! He had teh s4f3ty ag4inst uss!!!!11

:rofl:

[sisterhellfyre]

In all reality though, I just hope that someone in Denver manages to snap Philip Rivers ACL. I don't want him to die or anything, just like snap his knee backwards. A season ending injury, let him know we're not ****ing around in Denver this season.

You came up from your room in the basement for this?

Go back, and don't come up again until you learn some sportsmanship.

Regards,
m.

[alkemical]

I also think it's nice that Robertson has had exp. in the 3-4. If anything it's just learning different techniques and understanding deepens on what's going on and what you see.

Warren had better overall ability, but robertson is a football player IMO.

[mellow mood]

this is from the memphis local paper today. Made me smile so i thought i would pass it on.


http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/31/Rumors-bother-former-melrose-star-dewayne-robertso/

Rumors bother former Melrose star Dewayne Robertson of Broncos
Pain-free Robertson starts fresh in Denver

DENVER -- Former Melrose High star Dewayne Robertson wants to clear something up. His left knee is just fine, thanks for asking, and he doesn't understand why everyone seems to care so much.
"It really kind of blew me away this offseason, because my whole career, I only missed two games, and that wasn't because of my knee, it was because of a high thigh bruise," said Robertson, a veteran defensive tackle the Denver Broncos acquired in a trade with the New York Jets in April. "This offseason, it just got blown out of proportion. Everyone is making a big deal about the knee, but I've been fine."

The fuss may have come from the fact that Broncos coach Mike Shanahan told reporters shortly after the trade that Robertson's knee didn't pass the physical performed by team doctors. Or that Robertson was held out from several days of a passing camp in May and a mini-camp in June and has been restricted to one practice a day during training camp.
Robertson bristles at questions about the knee, though those questions will go away if he transitions into Denver's defense as well as coaches are hoping. The knee pain, a chronic problem since he was in college at Kentucky, didn't keep him off the field with the New York Jets. He started all but five games -- and played in all but three -- since the Jets drafted him No. 4 overall in 2003.
Still, Robertson never met the lofty expectations set for him in New York, especially not after he was converted into a nose tackle in Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense for the past two seasons. At 6-1 and 308 pounds, Robertson wasn't bulky enough to fill the middle of the line, and he wasn't surprised when the Jets looked to trade him.
Figuring he would no longer be a Jet, he looked for a team running a 4-3 defense, as Denver does.
"When I took the visit here to Denver, they told me the scheme, how they do things and how they run the defense, and they made it clear I would fit perfectly in that scheme," Robertson said.
Robertson is projected as a starter for the Broncos, though they likely will rotate other tackles in as well, including Kenny Peterson, Marcus Thomas and Alvin McKinley. That rotation could keep the Broncos from owing the Jets anything in the trade. Only if Robertson plays more than 65 percent of the time will Denver have to give the Jets an undisclosed draft pick next year.
For now, Denver coaches aren't concerned with how many snaps Robertson plays, but how he can help fix a run defense that ranked 30th in the NFL in 2007.
In Denver, Robertson will be a "one-gap" tackle -- his natural position, defensive line coach Bill Johnson said, because of his combination of speed and strength. He was clocked at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in 2003, despite weighing about 16 more pounds than he does now.
"This is much better for him, because I can go back to when he was in college (at Kentucky) and I studied him," Johnson said. "When you play him in a head-up position, you negate some of that quickness and power."
Safety Marlon McCree, also in his first year with the Broncos, played with Robertson for two years at Kentucky and said it isn't just Robertson's physical abilities that should help the Denver defense.
McCree said Robertson, normally mild-mannered and polite, has a nasty side that emerges only on the field. McCree noticed that attitude as soon as Robertson arrived in Lexington, Ky., as a heralded freshman.
"He was man amongst boys," McCree said. "He was a gentle giant, because he could be so respectful off the field, but man, when he got on the field, he rag-dolled people, just tore people to pieces."