DJ and gold fighting for the nickel spot

[BroncoFiend]

I didn;t see this article posted here yet and I had a question I wanted to discuss about it.

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http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4133218

The defense was closing in, with linebacker D.J. Williams leading the charge. He raced in and knocked the ball away. The intended receiver slowly shuffled back to the huddle.

"That a way, D.J.," yelled Broncos linebacker Ian Gold. "That a boy, D.J."

For every good play executed by Williams, Gold's playing time could be in peril. But Gold knows the Broncos benefit from having Williams on the field as much as possible. He makes things happen. Just as Gold does.

It's a "thank goodness we have this" dilemma. Williams and Gold are at the center of a classic "what do you do?"

Last year, because of the return of a healthy and productive Gold, Williams - a 2004 NFL defensive rookie of the year candidate - didn't play as much as the Broncos had hoped. The goal is to get Williams, a former first- round pick, on the field more. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer estimates Williams played about 700 of Denver's 1,100 defensive plays last season. At issue most is the nickel defense, when Gold plays while Williams sits.

"I got what D.J. wants and he's going to work hard to get it," Gold said. "It helps the team to have this type of talent."

To help get more from Williams, the Broncos are planning to use him strictly at strongside linebacker in the base defense. The strongside linebacker typically lines up on the same side as the tight end. Williams was a weakside linebacker as a rookie. He and Gold switched back and forth often last season.

However, because the basis of the nickel defensive package is to have only two linebackers but five defensive backs, the Williams-Gold rub will come into play often. NFL defenses are in the nickel package a majority of the time. Gold and middle linebacker Al Wilson - anchors of one of most respected linebacking corps in the NFL - are the nickel players. That leaves Williams on the sideline if Gold and Wilson aren't brought out for an occasional breather.

"That's all stuff we have to figure out," Coyer said. "It's a great problem to have. We have a great young player who needs to be on the field more, but we also have great players like Ian and Al who we have to keep on the field. The issue is, we have to keep those guys on the field and get D.J. on it more. That's the job." Denver coach Mike Shanahan concurs.

"D.J. will play more," said Shanahan, who has made a point of saying how valuable Williams is on the field.

The Broncos could stay in their base defense longer or occasionally use 3-4 alignments.

"There's things you can do," Denver safety John Lynch said. "I think the lesson learned last year was that we have to find a way for D.J. to get more time."

Coyer said he was impressed by the work ethic shown by Williams in offseason workouts. He said Williams came to work with the mission of getting on the field more. Williams said he wasn't discouraged by the lack of playing time last season because he sees the big picture.

"I do want to help the team as much as I can," Coyer said. "It's a unique situation here. Whoever we have out there, the team is going to be better and that's a situation I can be satisfied with."

Because of the presence of Gold and Wilson, Coyer may have to keep that sunny disposition.

"Here's the bottom line: We need to get D.J. out here more; we all know that," Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said. "But when you do that, everybody would be asking, 'Where's Ian?' or, 'Where's Al?' I guess having three great linebackers can be a problem, but I'll take that type of problem."

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So DJ and Gold are both so good in the nickle package, and Lynch's one weakness is pass coverage. Is there some iron clad rule that says you can't put a younger more athletic LB on the field instead of an aging safety in nickel packages?

I like Lynch don't get me wrong, but Gold is at least as fast as him, and probably better in coverage, DJ too I would guess.

I may be missing the boat here, but I was just curious of everyone's thoughts.

[Jason in LA]

When I first read the title my first thought was of them having a real fight. I'm glad that's not the case.

I wouldn't be shocked to see all three LBs in on passing downs. The Broncos have done that a lot in the past.

[BroncoFiend]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

When I first read the title my first thought was of them having a real fight. I'm glad that's not the case.

I wouldn't be shocked to see all three LBs in on passing downs. The Broncos have done that a lot in the past.

Is that so? I didn't realize that. From everything I've heard and saw, DJ was out of nearly every nickle situation last year. And this article sure makes it sound like the nickle will use only two LBs.

[Orange_Beard]

If they could split time late in the game in nickle situation it would be great, keep the refesh guy on the field. Also it kills me to DJ come off the field..............

[Steve Sewell]

No offense to AWils, but don't you think it would be better to sit him during nickel? I think Gold and DJ would provide better coverage than Gold and Al.

Thoughts?

[Steve Sewell]

Also, I don't think I've seen a quote from DJ this entire year. It's always other people talking about thim. Is he disgruntled, focused on football, shy, or all of the above?

[Orange_Beard]

Originally Posted by Steve Sewell

No offense to AWils, but don't you think it would be better to sit him during nickel? I think Gold and DJ would provide better coverage than Gold and Al.

Thoughts?

In the last game last year, DJ seemed to fill in pretty well at MLB. Swap AL out once and awhile (Late in games) and play DJ........

[SportinOne]

"I think the lesson learned last year was that we have to find a way for D.J. to get more time."

If you take this out of context, this looks pretty funny. Yeah, that's what we learned last year in the Pittsburgh game, NOT the fact that we shouldn't blitz 9 guys. If we would have blitzed 10 and just gotten DJ out there to roam the secondary everything would have been fine. Lesson learned!

This is a great set of LB's, and a great set of backups. I can't wait to see these guys work.

[Man-Goblin]

Yep, and for all of the people who think DJ is pissed about his 'demotion' to the strong side, THIS is the real biggie to him. The guy just wants to be on the field and playing, regardless of position.

[BroncoFiend]

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

Yep, and for all of the people who think DJ is pissed about his 'demotion' to the strong side, THIS is the real biggie to him. The guy just wants to be on the field and playing, regardless of position.

That's my feeling as well, we have a potential star defensive player on our hands and I would hate to lose him after his rookie contract because he's unhappy about how he's being used.

I'd never expect him to pull a Lelie, but if he is only in on 70% of plays hre and he knows he can get more playing time elsewhere why wouldn't he go when he got the chance?

[Kaylore]

Lynch's one weakness is pass coverage.

That's actually not true.

[Orange_Beard]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

That's my feeling as well, we have a potential star defensive player on our hands and I would hate to lose him after his rookie contract because he's unhappy about how he's being used.

I'd never expect him to pull a Lelie, but if he is only in on 70% of plays hre and he knows he can get more playing time elsewhere why wouldn't he go when he got the chance?

I also think we are not getting "Max" use out of him. If he could swap late in the game with both Gold and AL he could give us a late bost at both spots.

[Mile High Shack]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

That's actually not true.

you think he's good in pass coverage?

[BroncoFiend]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

That's actually not true.

I think I'm glad to hear you say that but it can be taken two ways.

Does he have multiple weaknesses?

Or is pass coverage a strength of his?

Basically is he better for the nickle than the younger more athletic LBs who seem to be darn good at coverage?

[denver5459]

To me it sounds like both the players and coaches are trying to say the right things so as to try to keep everyone happy. I hope it does not backfire. They should really figure out a way to get DJ on the field more. I think the 3-4 might work. The coaches know what's best. I am sure they will figure something out.

[azbroncfan]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

So DJ and Gold are both so good in the nickle package, and Lynch's one weakness is pass coverage. Is there some iron clad rule that says you can't put a younger more athletic LB on the field instead of an aging safety in nickel packages?
I like Lynch don't get me wrong, but Gold is at least as fast as him, and probably better in coverage, DJ too I would guess.

I may be missing the boat here, but I was just curious of everyone's thoughts.

Lynch might be old and slow but he has a knack that only Bailey has on the D and that is making plays. There is no way to measure that stat but lynch is a better blitzer than any of the LB's and usually makes some big sacks and forced fumbles at some point during the year.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

I think I'm glad to hear you say that but it can be taken two ways.

Does he have multiple weaknesses?

Or is pass coverage a strength of his?

Basically is he better for the nickle than the younger more athletic LBs who seem to be darn good at coverage?

He's the best defender in zone coverage. He's not so hot in man coverage. So saying that he sucks in pass coverage isn't really true becuase it depends and what you're asking him to do. Would I match him up against Steve Smith? Absolutely not. A tight end? Sure.

[Man-Goblin]

Originally Posted by BroncoFiend

That's my feeling as well, we have a potential star defensive player on our hands and I would hate to lose him after his rookie contract because he's unhappy about how he's being used.

I'd never expect him to pull a Lelie, but if he is only in on 70% of plays hre and he knows he can get more playing time elsewhere why wouldn't he go when he got the chance?

I would bet that there were many games last year he wasn't even on the field for 70% of the plays.

I went to the Jacksonville game last year and with the Broncos well ahead they ran the nickel out for most of the game. DJ was on the field for something like 10 plays total. That's pretty ridiculous and you could tell he wasn't happy by his body language on the sideline. But I'm sure he was happy they won.

I don't really see him leaving the team out of spite, though. He seems like a really loyal guy that likes Denver and Shanny. Maybe if there was a contract dispute over the extension and he got a chance to go play with Vilma for similar money or something, but I think that's pretty unlikely.

The Broncos should know what they have and I assume they would be fair in negotiations. They usually are.

[BroncoFiend]

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

I would bet that there were many games last year he wasn't even on the field for 70% of the plays.

I went to the Jacksonville game last year and with the Broncos well ahead they ran the nickel out for most of the game. DJ was on the field for something like 10 plays total. That's pretty ridiculous and you could tell he wasn't happy by his body language on the sideline. But I'm sure he was happy they won.

I don't really see him leaving the team out of spite, though. He seems like a really loyal guy that likes Denver and Shanny. Maybe if there was a contract dispute over the extension and he got a chance to go play with Vilma for similar money or something, but I think that's pretty unlikely.

The Broncos should know what they have and I assume they would be fair in negotiations. They usually are.

DJ is a player though, he wants to be on the field, if it comes down to money I'm not worried, but DJ sees how the Bears D is form fit for Ulracher to make plays, as is the Jets with Vilma and the Ravens with lewis. I think DJ will want something like that someday, and I'm not sure we can give it to him.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by Steve Sewell

No offense to AWils, but don't you think it would be better to sit him during nickel? I think Gold and DJ would provide better coverage than Gold and Al.

Thoughts?

Al Wilson can cover Randy Moss down the seam 40 yards downfield.

NEVER take him off the field.

[jonny1]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

He's the best defender in zone coverage. He's not so hot in man coverage. So saying that he sucks in pass coverage isn't really true becuase it depends and what you're asking him to do. Would I match him up against Steve Smith? Absolutely not. A tight end? Sure.

Someone awhile back posted a look at the whole season of Lynch's coverage last year that showed he was one of the best in coverage. If any one else remembers that and can find it, it would be informative (again).

[bcbronc]

perhaps coyer will install some 3-3-5 this season. it would seem to be the perfect solution if they are serious about getting DJ on the field more. it plays to our strenghts (linebackers, blitzing) and away from our weaknesses (defensive line).

as for lynch, his blitzing is too valuable to take him off in passing downs. he's definately not the rangiest of safeties, but his pass coverage last season was definately improved over the season previous. at any rate, the threat that he may be coming on any given play (and the fact he makes plays when he does come), more than makes up for the extra step or two we'd gain by having lynch come off the field.

[Man-Goblin]

Originally Posted by bcbronc

perhaps coyer will install some 3-3-5 this season. it would seem to be the perfect solution if they are serious about getting DJ on the field more. it plays to our strenghts (linebackers, blitzing) and away from our weaknesses (defensive line).

as for lynch, his blitzing is too valuable to take him off in passing downs. he's definately not the rangiest of safeties, but his pass coverage last season was definately improved over the season previous. at any rate, the threat that he may be coming on any given play (and the fact he makes plays when he does come), more than makes up for the extra step or two we'd gain by having lynch come off the field.

But the whole reason you're in the nickle is because it's a passing situation. Personally, I'd rather have another corner or a safety than another linebacker.

[bcbronc]

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

But the whole reason you're in the nickle is because it's a passing situation. Personally, I'd rather have another corner or a safety than another linebacker.

huh? if you add another corner or safety instead of a LB, you'd be in a dime defense. we're talking about the nickle. sorry, but i'm not following your point.

[Man-Goblin]

Originally Posted by bcbronc

huh? if you add another corner or safety instead of a LB, you'd be in a dime defense. we're talking about the nickle. sorry, but i'm not following your point.

Sorry. My point is: Why have another linebacker on the field in a passing situation when you can just put another DB on the field? The 3-3-5 doesn't make much sense in the pro-game unless you have that have the right personel on the d-line to make it work (Big ends, Bigger nose tackle). And even then, 3-3-5 makes more sense in the college game against shotgun style offenses you're looking to contain.