Broncos Team Report - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 03-19-2007, 06:39 AM

Broncos Team Report

Lee Rasizer
For Sporting News

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS

The switch to Jim Bates at defensive coordinator will necessitate more classroom time this offseason for the players who'll need to get acclimated to his scheme. The coaching staff will keep on-field identifying terms of offensive formations the same, which should smooth the transition some. But the most complicated aspect should come in getting everyone aligned properly and assignment-ready in pass coverage. Some players, such as FS John Lynch, already have done some film work in preparation for spring camps. Bates' offseason tutoring sessions also will stress proper technique up front as part of his gap-control approach to run defense.

The experiment with DE Elvis Dumervil playing inside at tackle in the nickel defense that Denver employed some last season has ended. And while new defensive line coach Bill Johnson admitted he had some questions about whether Dumervil could handle early downs in the NFL, those fears were allayed last season. Dumervil should remain a valuable asset in the pass rush, regardless of what the Broncos add at the position in the draft.

The Broncos are continuing to count upon Dan Wilkinson reporting and playing an integral part of their interior defensive line. But the team also has hedged its bets by continuing to host free agent defensive tackles in case Wilkinson retires or insists on being a no-show at their offseason program.

DRAFT BUZZ

The Broncos extensive work via trades and in the free agent market has shored up the offense to the point that they could focus almost exclusively on the other side of the ball in the draft. The draft is strong on the defensive line, particularly at end, where the team could use the most help. So it wouldn't be surprising to see Nebraska's Adam Carriker, Purdue's Anthony Spencer or Georgia's Charles Johnson taken with the No. 21 overall pick. But with an extra third-rounder to play with, including Washington's high No. 3 obtained in the Ashley Lelie trade, the Broncos could be aggressive in moving up to pick up a top-tier tackle, such as Michigan's Alan Branch or Louisville's Amobi Okoye. Denver likely won't take a first-round safety, but it could take one in the second.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=188835

chrisp · 03-19-2007, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragondawg

The experiment with DE Elvis Dumervil playing inside at tackle in the nickel defense that Denver employed some last season has ended. And while new defensive line coach Bill Johnson admitted he had some questions about whether Dumervil could handle early downs in the NFL, those fears were allayed last season. Dumervil should remain a valuable asset in the pass rush, regardless of what the Broncos add at the position in the draft.

This doesn't make sense. If our NEW d-line coach has any doubts about Dumervil's ability to play early downs, then those fears clearly WEREN'T allayed last season!

Either Raszier has some inside info that he isn't imparting very clearly, or he's imposing his own judgement over johnson's assessment.

Now I don't know how much game film of Dumervil Johnson has had the opportunity to see yet, but the only public statement he has made to date is that he sees Dumervil as helping the team on third down. Now this doesn't mean that Dumervil won't get a chance to prove himself as an every-down guy in camp, and it doesn't mean that johnson won't revise his opinion based either on that or on the opportunity he will get to learn more about the guy in the coming months, but either way I just don't get the feeling that fears about Dumervil are 'allayed'.

Its possibly one of the most intriguing questions this offseason, second only to 'who will we draft?' - will Dumervil breakout of the third-down-specialist straightjacked to establish himself as a premier pass-rishing DE, or will he remain a limited-use specialist, and nothing much more than a role-player.

I'm rooting for the guy but I'm not prepared to anoint him just yet.......

Odysseus · 03-19-2007, 08:14 AM

I like Jim Bates. He making all the right moves. Anoint him!

We have a real special teams coach. The offense is getting boost. The team as a whole got better this off season.

03-19-2007, 06:39 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Broncos Team Report Broncos Team Report Lee Rasizer For Sporting News PERSONNEL ANALYSIS The switch to Jim Bates at defensive coordinator will necessitate more classroom time this offseason for the players who'll need to get acclimated to his scheme. The coaching staff will keep on-field identifying terms of offensive formations the same, which should smooth the transition some. But the most complicated aspect should come in getting everyone aligned properly and assignment-ready in pass coverage. Some players, such as FS John Lynch, already have done some film work in preparation for spring camps. Bates' offseason tutoring sessions also will stress proper technique up front as part of his gap-control approach to run defense. The experiment with DE Elvis Dumervil playing inside at tackle in the nickel defense that Denver employed some last season has ended. And while new defensive line coach Bill Johnson admitted he had some questions about whether Dumervil could handle early downs in the NFL, those fears were allayed last season. Dumervil should remain a valuable asset in the pass rush, regardless of what the Broncos add at the position in the draft. The Broncos are continuing to count upon Dan Wilkinson reporting and playing an integral part of their interior defensive line. But the team also has hedged its bets by continuing to host free agent defensive tackles in case Wilkinson retires or insists on being a no-show at their offseason program. DRAFT BUZZ The Broncos extensive work via trades and in the free agent market has shored up the offense to the point that they could focus almost exclusively on the other side of the ball in the draft. The draft is strong on the defensive line, particularly at end, where the team could use the most help. So it wouldn't be surprising to see Nebraska's Adam Carriker, Purdue's Anthony Spencer or Georgia's Charles Johnson taken with the No. 21 overall pick. But with an extra third-rounder to play with, including Washington's high No. 3 obtained in the Ashley Lelie trade, the Broncos could be aggressive in moving up to pick up a top-tier tackle, such as Michigan's Alan Branch or Louisville's Amobi Okoye. Denver likely won't take a first-round safety, but it could take one in the second. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=188835

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03-19-2007, 08:14 AM	#3
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	I like Jim Bates. He making all the right moves. Anoint him! We have a real special teams coach. The offense is getting boost. The team as a whole got better this off season.