Linebackers' strengths paramount to new format

[TheManeMan]

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
May 24, 2005

Instead of pigeonholing D.J. Williams as a strong-side linebacker now that Ian Gold has returned to the starting lineup, one should consider Williams' new role with the Denver Broncos as playing to his strengths.

"The way we're going to scheme guys, it's not going to be that the 'Sam' linebacker's taking on a lot of the brunt of the lead blockers or anything like that," Williams explained Monday after the Broncos' fifth quarterback camp practice. "It's all about technique and what (Gold is) good at and what I'm good at."

Coach Mike Shanahan labeled Gold's position as the "reduction-side" linebacker, which places him at the strong or weak side based on an opponent's offensive front. Shanahan compared Gold's new responsibilities with that of Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But, regardless, Williams is not expected to have the same kind of freedom he experienced as a true weak-side linebacker when he finished second last season in voting for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The switch has been an adjustment for Williams the past couple of weeks during the Broncos' first organized team practices of the off-season.

"I'd probably like to be doing a lot better than I'm doing, but that's just the difficulty of having new defenses and moving side to side," he said.

Williams' goal as the regular season approaches is to get quicker with his first step, regardless of where he lines up and "maybe lead more, not as much vocal, but let the guys know that they don't have to baby me and that I know what I'm doing."

Middle linebacker Al Wilson said recently the Broncos could have the league's top set of linebackers once Williams' new position becomes second nature. Williams finished with 114 tackles last season, tops on the team and 10 more than Wilson.

"Every time I look to the side, sometimes it's D.J., sometimes it's Ian," Wilson noted of recent practices. "I don't know how we're going to do it. But as long as I have both of them on the field with me, it doesn't matter where they play."

WAITING GAME: The agent for free-agent receiver Jerry Rice spoke again Monday with Shanahan. The Broncos coach reiterated, "so there's no misunderstanding where Jerry fits in our system," to Jim Steiner that Rice will need to earn a roster spot without guarantees.

Rice was traveling from Mississippi to San Francisco and was expected to discuss further his future with his wife.

Steiner said Rice "probably will have an answer" today.

LEARNING MODE: Broncos defensive backs are experiencing new assistant Bob Slowik's football philosophies for the first time during the team's passing camp. And a couple of changes are quite noticeable.

The first is the team's safeties are involved in one- on-one cover drills with the receivers, not just tight ends and running backs, something that has not been done recently.

"Obviously, we ran into a situation last year - and it seems like we run into the situation every time with the (Indianapolis) Colts - where you have guys who are injured and don't have enough corners to cover," safety Nick Ferguson said. " If you teach a safety to cover early on, once you get into that situation, you'll be OK."

Slowik, the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator last season, also has implemented a video system that allows him to drag around individual defensive backs on the screen to highlight coverage responsibilities. He also has been busy tweaking some on-field technical aspects, such as body positioning in coverage.

"Last year was a unique situation, losing a coach in the middle of the season," safety John Lynch said, alluding to the firing of David Gibbs. "It gives us some stability back there, and I think we're going to really benefit from that. Along with him coming in, there's been some subtle changes, so we've all been in a bit of a learning mode and that's why these days are so valuable to us."

[SoCalBronco]

Very good article, thanks CB. I am encouraged about what was written about the LBs duties. I liked this part the best:
"The way we're going to scheme guys, it's not going to be that the 'Sam' linebacker's taking on a lot of the brunt of the lead blockers or anything like that," Williams explained Monday after the Broncos' fifth quarterback camp practice. "It's all about technique and what (Gold is) good at and what I'm good at."

Mediator was right, i gotta give him his due.

[TheManeMan]

Slowik, the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator last season, also has implemented a video system that allows him to drag around individual defensive backs on the screen to highlight coverage responsibilities. He also has been busy tweaking some on-field technical aspects, such as body positioning in coverage.

Thats insane...I wish I could see it...

[Cito Pelon]

Good thread. I was waiting to hear what kind of impact Slowik would have. It was a pretty important change, hiring a former D-coordinator as an assistant coach. Gonna be interesting to see how this new crop of coaches work together.

All this swithching around to cover Gold's weaknesses, I hope it works out . . . . . The D-line is going to have to be dominant to cover all those antics. The good OC's and QB's will be all over LB's switching around from side to side trying to read formations in 2 seconds then swap sides. Come on . . . . .

[delany]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

All this swithching around to cover Gold's weaknesses, I hope it works out . . . . . The D-line is going to have to be dominant to cover all those antics. The good OC's and QB's will be all over LB's switching around from side to side trying to read formations in 2 seconds then swap sides. Come on . . . . .

Covering Gold's weaknesses? Honestly could you let your bias show any more than you are with this post?

Instead, how about saying that they are playing to the strengths of the LB personnel?

Which incidently is what everybody else is saying in the Broncos org...including DJ in this article.

[BroncoInferno]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

The good OC's and QB's will be all over LB's switching around from side to side trying to read formations in 2 seconds then swap sides. Come on . . . . .

Actually, not knowing where the LBs are going to line up on any given play would seem more likely to confuse the offense than give them some kind of edge.

[SoCalBronco]

Id hate to be Ronnie Brown in week 1.

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by delany

Covering Gold's weaknesses? Honestly could you let your bias show any more than you are with this post?

Instead, how about saying that they are playing to the strengths of the LB personnel?

Which incidently is what everybody else is saying in the Broncos org...including DJ in this article.

Alright, alright, jeez. I'll take it easy on Gold. I don't hate the guy. I don't like the cutesie stuff that it looks like the D is trying to implement. Picki ng on Gold to make that point may have been below the belt, ok. I just don't like trying to get too cute. Having said that, I guess now is the time to indoctrinate if you're going to be a shifty D.

[baja]

I would like to offer a wager opportunity of up to $100 to the detractors that we will be a top 3 defense this year. Any takers?

[baja]

Come on BM what do ya say. Hun against one of your tickets that we are ranked 3 or above by game 8

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by BroncoInferno

Actually, not knowing where the LBs are going to line up on any given play would seem more likely to confuse the offense than give them some kind of edge.

That's fine, but I wouldn't like to see LB's setting one way, then trying to shift halfway through the snap-count. That's the safety's job, to cover O shifts. If the safeties can't handle it, then find safeties that can. Don't ask LB's to do it, that's opening up the wrong can of worms, you're probably going to end up in a circular pattern of failure.

[Sodak]

I don't want to derail this thread, but I don't think i've heard a peep about Terry Pierce since the re-signing of Gold. Maybe he's not living up to his potential. Does he fit anywhere into the equation on the defense? I wonder if he'll ride the pine to the end of his contract...

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by Sodak

I don't want to derail this thread, but I don't think i've heard a peep about Terry Pierce since the re-signing of Gold. Maybe he's not living up to his potential. Does he fit anywhere into the equation on the defense? I wonder if he'll ride the pine to the end of his contract...

The only time i could see him in the game is if we are in the 3-4 package. I highly doubt he will ever see the field in the 4-3 defense unless its a sure fire run down. There is just too much invested in the starting 3 backers in one way or another for Pierce to see the field anyway. Only way he plays a big role is if AW gets hurt then Terry will come in at MLB because he is behind Sykes so far as the top backup for the OLB positions.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

Alright, alright, jeez. I'll take it easy on Gold. I don't hate the guy. I don't like the cutesie stuff that it looks like the D is trying to implement. Picki ng on Gold to make that point may have been below the belt, ok. I just don't like trying to get too cute. Having said that, I guess now is the time to indoctrinate if you're going to be a shifty D.

You might as well have that attitude. I'm already resigned to having smoke blown up my ass about wee Ian, because I've been there before. Anybody who's been following the sport for a number of years understood that article perfectly. Get ready for another finesse defense, ladies and gentlemen. Its not like out linebackers are going to be asked to "take on a lot of the brunt of the lead blockers or anything like that".

Oh, Heaven forbid.......

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Sodak

I don't want to derail this thread, but I don't think i've heard a peep about Terry Pierce since the re-signing of Gold. Maybe he's not living up to his potential. Does he fit anywhere into the equation on the defense? I wonder if he'll ride the pine to the end of his contract...

Some guys can play OLB or MLB and some guys are one or the other. Pierce is strictly an MLB. This applies to better players than Pierce, too. Urlacher was a terrible OLB, for example.

[watermock]

Slowik, the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator last season, also has implemented a video system that allows him to drag around individual defensive backs on the screen to highlight coverage responsibilities. He also has been busy tweaking some on-field technical aspects, such as body positioning in coverage.

Why do I see Kubiak and Slowik playing nintendo in front of an HDTV and smoking a blunt?

Slowik:

See Kubiak, when you move your TE or RB outside, I just click my mouse and move my fast linebacker.

Kubiak:

You haven't seen my 7 wide formation yet.

[DB-Freak]

Originally Posted by watermock

Why do I see Kubiak and Slowik playing nintendo in front of an HDTV and smoking a blunt?

Slowik:

See Kubiak, when you move your TE or RB outside, I just click my mouse and move my fast linebacker.

Kubiak:

You haven't seen my 7 wide formation yet.

Ok I'll admit that that was pretty funny.

[Cito Pelon]

Slowik: Where did you get that mouse? I don't have a four-fingered mouse like that!

Kubiak: You better not tell Dad!

Dadahan: Did you two do your chores before you started playing?

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

Slowik: Where did you get that mouse? I don't have a four-fingered mouse like that!

Kubiak: You better not tell Dad!

Dadahan: Did you two do your chores before you started playing?

[Odysseus]

The good news is news is they know Ian Gold is a little feller. The bad news is Ian Gold is a little feller. -Slap- is right. If smells like a duck, and quacks like a duck looking for a chicken is kind of dumb. It's a finess defense but....

They are doing something different. They are staying focusd on meat and potatoes defense while adding the finesse touches. It is the details work that will allow them to get to the next level.

I think that....EVERYBODY covers.

They are not getting enough shots at the ball, at the QB and some of their best players are getting stuffed when they don't have to be. They are not trading in the core of their defense from what I am hearing but they are getting the guys focused on specific attack patterns to create more chances to smother hot defenses.

[GoHAM]

Just an observation for discussion amongst yourselves:

Wouldn't you consider the Patriots a "finesse defense" with lots of cute coverage schemes and personnel packages?

They seemed to have ok success with a finesse defense.

[DB-Freak]

Originally Posted by GoWYO

Just an observation for discussion amongst yourselves:

Wouldn't you consider the Patriots a "finesse defense" with lots of cute coverage schemes and personnel packages?

They seemed to have ok success with a finesse defense.

The pats are a finesse D?

hardly dude. Check out the roster again.

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

You might as well have that attitude. I'm already resigned to having smoke blown up my ass about wee Ian, because I've been there before. Anybody who's been following the sport for a number of years understood that article perfectly. Get ready for another finesse defense, ladies and gentlemen. Its not like out linebackers are going to be asked to "take on a lot of the brunt of the lead blockers or anything like that".

Oh, Heaven forbid.......

The finesse defense is the one that has 285 lb DT's and 265 lb DE's like Indy Slap. All of their LB's are in the Ian Gold range as well. That is a finesse defense.

This defense is a strict Hybrid that does not have static DT's (read space eaters) but bigger than finesse (Warren is 325 and Fatefahi is 310) and faster DT's at its heart. The DE's this year are going to be bigger than in the past as well.

The LB's are not all undersized, just your favorite Ian. This has weaknesses for sure, but it also has Strengths that were not there the last two years (Ian left after game 6 two years ago). Teams have not run the ball well against Denver consistently for years. The addition of a bigger DT should increase the weakness there at running between the tackles though.

Plus, the reasoning behind watching the 3-4 of NE is the flexibility in bringing LB's. Anyone remember the viscious sacks Spragan had last year NO. Oh yeah, he never blitzed did he? Say what you will about Ian he had 6.5 sacks in 2002 for Denver. He can get pressure on the QB. DJ should improve this year in that same area and Wilson can do it too, but has had to be held in coverage too much in the past. Sure this works better when there are four LB's, but three capable blitzer's are better than zero from a year ago!

Wabbit has said before that Coyer has some cutting edge stuff in mind if he could just get the right toys. IMHO, he has what he needs. No this is not the Ravens circa 2001, but he finally has some better talent in the right places to do some more unpredictable things from game to game.

Slowik may be a Shanny guy, but he can coach pretty well too and Coyer is working pretty well with him right now. A fresh approach is needed to get this secondary into the twenty-first century TO battles. Champ needs to be able to listen to somebody and do his correct JOB! NO more SOGibbs BS!!!

And then maybe, just maybe, this defense can take this team to the next level. All I know is that talk is cheap and the pads and reps need to get going before I take someone else out.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by GoWYO

Just an observation for discussion amongst yourselves:

Wouldn't you consider the Patriots a "finesse defense" with lots of cute coverage schemes and personnel packages?

They seemed to have ok success with a finesse defense.

All those 255-265 pound former defensive linemen playing linebacker, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Ty Law. Bunch of wussies alright. They just hug people to death.

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Originally Posted by CB-Champ24

Coach Mike Shanahan labeled Gold's position as the "reduction-side" linebacker, which places him at the strong or weak side based on an opponent's offensive front.

I like this statment here. For the sake of argument we'll call this new position as the "Rudy" linebacker. Most teams have a "Will" LB and "Sam" LB were the "Sam" plays over the TE. With the "Rudy" position I think they won't switch posistions meaning it won't matter were the TE lines up. He telling teams are you going to run on Gold's side were he had 71 tackles for Tampa Bay and was 4th in tackles playing less than the majority of defensive snaps. Or are you going to pass on Williams side were he is one of the fastest LBers in the NFL.