NFL.com claims DJ's going back to Will...?

[Killericon]

Maybe I missed a post in another thread, but I was looking at NFL.com, and stumbled across this blurb.

Boss Bailey will play strong side linebacker in Denver, and D.J. Williams will move back to the weak side after a year in the middle.

Does anyone have any idea where they got that, or is it just speculation on their part?

If true, then this kind of warps my preconceptions of where we're going in the offseason. The only MLBs we have on roster are Beck, Webster and Niko...Maybe we will go with an MLB on day one. Thoughts?

[Drek]

I'm betting we go best LB available on day one, assuming we can trade back from #12, and then we'll have Winborn, Niko, and the rook compete to see who gets to start, DJ fills the gap.

[JCMElway]

I doubt the validity of this article, and I doubt we go LB day one. It'll probably be Winborn at WILL, DJ at MIKE, and BOSS at SAM.

That being said, it will be an open competition, and if Niko or Webster impresses they may have a shot to start.

[Ray Finkle]

wasn't is said in the Niko article that he would be the Mike and DJ would move to the Will?

[Man-Goblin]

Maybe I missed the announcement too, but this article talks about it like common knowledge. It also talks as if Niko has already been anointed starting middle linebaker.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_8483244

[Broncoman13]

I wonder how DJ feels about all this? I've been concerned for a couple years now that DJ would be upset with organization for moving him around so much. I hope next year we put him on the weak side, he performs outstanding, and we reward him for the **** he's put up with for the past 4 years! 5 years 25m just for getting pushed all over the place. He should actually jump up and put his hand in the dirt a couple times this year just to add a 5th position to his resume!!!

[cabronco]

Its on the Denver Post too ....

Size matters as Broncos revamp defense
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 03/07/2008 03:00:36 AM MST


SEATTLE - 2007: Niko Koutouvides of the Seattle Seahawks poses for his 2007 NFL headshot at photo day in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images North America | Getty Images)This should fill the gaps.

How many times during their downtrodden 2007 season did the Broncos blame their porous run defense on failed gap assignments?

With the signing of Boss Bailey on Thursday to a five-year contract at an average of at least $3.5 million per, the Broncos' new three-man linebacker unit should be able to fill gaps merely by physical presence.

Bailey, at 6-feet-3, 235 pounds, has always been one of the NFL's tallest linebackers. D.J. Williams, at 6-1, 242 pounds, goes from an average-sized middle linebacker to an imposing weakside linebacker, and unquestionably larger than "Will" predecessor Ian Gold. Niko Koutouvides, at 6-2, 238 pounds, is as big as he sounds at middle linebacker.

Big is in for Broncos

DENVER - 2007: D.J. Williams of the Denver Broncos poses for his 2007 NFL headshot at photo day in Denver, Colorado. (Getty Images North America | Getty Images)'backers. Will big be beautiful, too?
"That's a good group," Seattle linebackers coach Zerick Rollins said. "They've got big guys, but another thing about them is all those guys are pretty athletic."

Williams ran his 40-yard dash at his scouting combine in 4.54 seconds. Boss Bailey was clocked at 4.58 seconds. The 4.71 turned in by Koutouvides was well above average for inside linebackers.

Speed, though, has always been a trademark of Broncos linebackers during the Mike Shanahan era. It's the size of these linebackers that jumps off the team's revised roster page. It also logically follows the Broncos' stated No. 1 priority in the offseason: Improve a run defense that finished 30th in the 32-team NFL last season.

Not surprisingly, Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist kept the NFL guessing as to how they would address their weakness. Many figured their priority needs would be, in order, defensive linemen, safety, linebacker.

Instead, the Broncos' offseason actions leave no doubt they believed their biggest problem was at linebacker. For 2008, each of the three linebacker positions will have a new starter. Each of those starters will be big.

Big 'backers are built for plugging gaps.

"The No.

DETROIT - 2007: Boss Bailey of the Detroit Lions poses for his 2007 NFL headshot at photo day in Detroit, Michigan. (Getty Images North America | Getty Images)1 thing for any defense is making the other team one-dimensional, and in that regard, stopping the run is the most important thing," Koutouvides said. "I don't know if size really matters, other than you do have to be a bigger, stronger player in order to play linebacker."
Stopping the run is not just vital to the defense. As the Broncos became so painfully aware last season, when a defense can't stop the run, the offense suffers. Jay Cutler can't maintain rhythm when he has to sit on the bench through seven-minute opponent drives.

"Putting myself in their shoes, you don't feel the same as an offense," said Bob Slowik, recently promoted from defensive assistant to defensive boss. "You get out there and think, 'Oh, my God, we better do something or we're not going to get another opportunity for a while.' "

Among these big Broncos 'backers, the biggest question hovers over the most important position — the middle. It was a concern last year, too, when Williams was asked to fill the popular Al Wilson's job as middle linebacker and in-game captain of the defense. This year, Williams will be moving to his natural weakside linebacker position.

Koutouvides is a natural middle linebacker, but the question is whether he can make the leap to starter after four seasons as a backup in Seattle.

"I wouldn't expect anything else," Koutouvides said. "The perception is he's a backup and special-teams player. I'm not going to talk about how I'm going to be a great player in this league. We'll have to wait until training camp comes and the NFL season begins, and that's where you've got to prove yourself that the Broncos made a great move."

Rollins doesn't have to wait to have an opinion. He already believes the Broncos did well to sign Koutouvides, who would have been playing earlier had he not been stuck behind one of the league's best, Lofa Tatupu.

"Niko was a guy who was ready to be a starter. That's why I hated to lose him," Rollins said. "Niko's a razor-sharp guy. He can command the middle. For the 'Mike' position, that's more than half the battle. You need someone who has some authority, has some command, who can get people lined up. He pays attention to formations and splits.

"Niko is also a very aggressive player. He'll come downhill and attack people. I'm telling you, you guys have got a good 'Mike' linebacker."

Which would be huge.

BOSS BAILEY

Strongside: 6-3, 235

NIKO KOUTOUVIDES

Middle: 6-2, 238

D.J. WILLIAMS

Weakside: 6-1, 242

[broncogary]

That's funny. When you look at the pictures, Koutouvides looks more like Champ than Boss does.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by cabronco

Bailey, at 6-feet-3, 235 pounds, has always been one of the NFL's tallest linebackers. D.J. Williams, at 6-1, 242 pounds, goes from an average-sized middle linebacker to an imposing weakside linebacker, and unquestionably larger than "Will" predecessor Ian Gold. Niko Koutouvides, at 6-2, 238 pounds, is as big as he sounds at middle linebacker.

So DJ was average sized for the spot, but Niko (who's a touch smaller) is big for it. Well done!

Originally Posted by cabronco

Instead, the Broncos' offseason actions leave no doubt they believed their biggest problem was at linebacker. For 2008, each of the three linebacker positions will have a new starter. Each of those starters will be big. .

Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Originally Posted by cabronco

Among these big Broncos 'backers, the biggest question hovers over the most important position — the middle. It was a concern last year, too, when Williams was asked to fill the popular Al Wilson's job as middle linebacker and in-game captain of the defense. This year, Williams will be moving to his natural weakside linebacker position.

Koutouvides is a natural middle linebacker, but the question is whether he can make the leap to starter after four seasons as a backup in Seattle.

A four year back-up is supposed to fill Al Wilson's shoes... color me skeptical.

[montrose]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

I wonder how DJ feels about all this? I've been concerned for a couple years now that DJ would be upset with organization for moving him around so much. I hope next year we put him on the weak side, he performs outstanding, and we reward him for the **** he's put up with for the past 4 years! 5 years 25m just for getting pushed all over the place. He should actually jump up and put his hand in the dirt a couple times this year just to add a 5th position to his resume!!!

DJ said during the season he'd prefer a move back to WILL but would be cool playing MIKE as well, he just didn't want to play SAM again. I'll try to locate the article.

As per the officialness of DJ moving back, it's been relatively well known based on several comments including Shanahan's (at his year end presser) that DJ's position was going to depend on who they picked up in free agency. Niko was quoted in one of the articles after he was signed that the coaches told him they'd like to move DJ back outside which factored into his signing here. Obviously a lot will depend on what happens in the draft but if things stood the way they are today, DJ would play WILL, Niko the MIKE and Boss the SAM. If the coaches don't like what they see from Niko at MIKE, they can always keep DJ at MIKE and start Winborn at WILL or give Webster a try at MIKE as that's his natural position.

[oubronco]

Oh Shiit The Sky Is Falling....the Sky Is Falling

[cmhargrove]

Originally Posted by montrose

DJ said during the season he'd prefer a move back to WILL but would be cool playing MIKE as well, he just didn't want to play SAM again. I'll try to locate the article.

As per the officialness of DJ moving back, it's been relatively well known based on several comments including Shanahan's (at his year end presser) that DJ's position was going to depend on who they picked up in free agency. Niko was quoted in one of the articles after he was signed that the coaches told him they'd like to move DJ back outside which factored into his signing here. Obviously a lot will depend on what happens in the draft but if things stood the way they are today, DJ would play WILL, Niko the MIKE and Boss the SAM. If the coaches don't like what they see from Niko at MIKE, they can always keep DJ at MIKE and start Winborn at WILL or give Webster a try at MIKE as that's his natural position.

This suddenly gives us lots of combinations for speed and power. I am anxious to see how Niko performs. If he can shed blocks and pound in the middle, this could be huge for us.

Also, I really like Winborn at the end of last season. I thought he played with tremendous speed, and was in the right position. I wonder is we could also use him in our old "big nickel" package that we used to use with Brandon? I know Brandon was a safety, but he and Winborn have similar size / strength characteristics. We were at our best against Gates and Gonzales when we used that package. Ever since then, we have been getting burned by opposing teams athletic TE's.

[LonghornBronco]

I feel a whole lot better after hearing the Sea-hags coach talk about Niko as an effective mike, he should know he has Lofa "freaking" Tatupu to use as a gauge.

[Rohirrim]

All we need now is a dominating DT. Looks to me like Shanahan and Sundquist are poised to trade up after somebody. Maybe we should prepare to get used to seeing this move:

[epicSocialism4tw]

DJ was a poor MLB. It's time to move on from that experiment, no matter how he feels about it.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

All we need now is a dominating DT. Looks to me like Shanahan and Sundquist are poised to trade up after somebody. Maybe we should prepare to get used to seeing this move:

Do we have any ammo to trade up?

The missing 3rd hurts.

I think they slide back and try to get a late 1st and 3rd and maybe 2nd day slot.

[montrose]

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

This suddenly gives us lots of combinations for speed and power. I am anxious to see how Niko performs. If he can shed blocks and pound in the middle, this could be huge for us.

Also, I really like Winborn at the end of last season. I thought he played with tremendous speed, and was in the right position. I wonder is we could also use him in our old "big nickel" package that we used to use with Brandon? I know Brandon was a safety, but he and Winborn have similar size / strength characteristics. We were at our best against Gates and Gonzales when we used that package. Ever since then, we have been getting burned by opposing teams athletic TE's.

I yearn for the old big nickel package with Sam Brandon. I had a near man crush on the package, and I believe you can see a significant drop in the defense following Brandon's injury. As further illustration, lets look at the ppg the Broncos gave up since they began using the big nickel package with Brandon in Week 3 of 2005 through early 2006 until is injury. In parentheses is how the team fared against TE's:

KC - 10 (Gonzalez 5 rec, 29 yards)
Jax - 7 (Wrighster 1 rec, 6 yards)
Was - 19 (Cooley 8 rec, 82 yards *Note* Cooley plays an H-Back position and was not covered by Brandon throughout a majority of the game)
NE - 20 (Watson 1 rec, 6 yards)
NYG - 24 (Shockey 3 rec, 44 yards - Brandon left this game injured before Shockey caught a deep pass)
Phi - 21 (Smith 1 rec, 1 yard)
Oak - 17 (Anderson 1 rec, 18 yards)
NYJ - 0 (Jolley 1 rec, 4 yards)
Dal - 21 (Whitten 9 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD)
KC - 31 (Gonzalez 1 rec, 25 yards, 1 TD)
Bal - 10 (Heap 5 rec, 65 yards)
Buf - (No TE receptions)
Oak - 3 (Williams 2 rec, 22 yards)
SD - 7 (Gates 3 rec, 23 yards)
STL - 28 (No TE receptions)
KC - 6 (Gonzalez 2 rec, 7 yards)
NE - 7 (Watson 5 rec, 54 yards)
Bal - 3 (Heap 3 rec, 21 yards)
Oak - 3 (No TE receptions)
Cle -7 (Heiden 2 rec, 10 yards)

Now let’s look at the difference in 2006 after Brandon’s injury and 2007 when he wasn’t on the team and the big nickel package was not used:

Ind – 34 (Clark 6 rec, 68 yards)
Pit – 20 (Miller 5 rec, 34 yards)
Oak - 13 (5 rec, 61 yards)
SD – 35 (Gates 5 rec, 48 yards)
KC – 19 (Gonzales 4 rec, 35 yards)
Sea – 23 (Stevens 2 rec, 12 yards)
SD – 48 (Gates, 7 rec, 104 yards, 2 TD’s)
Arz – 20 (Pope 2 rec, 11 yards)
Cin – 23 (Kelly 2 rec, 23 yards)
SF – 26 (Davis 3 rec, 16 yards)
Buf – 14 (Royal 1 rec, 12 yards)
Oak – 20 (Miller 3 rec, 18 yards)
Jax – 23 (Estandia 1 rec, 23 yards)
Ind – 38 (Clark 6 rec, 76 yards, 2 TD’s)
SD – 41 (Gates 7 rec, 113 yards, 1 TD)
Pit – 28 (Miller 5 rec, 50 yards, 2 TD’s)
GB – 19 (Lee 3 rec, 34 yards)
Det – 44 (McHugh 1 rec, 46 yards)
KC – 11 (Gonzalez 3 rec, 29 yards)
Ten – 20 (Scaife 4 rec, 49 yards)
Chi – 37 (Clark 2 rec, 61 yards)
Oak – 34 (Miller 3 rec, 58 yards, 1 TD)
KC – 7 (Gonzalez 7 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD)
Hou – 31 (Daniels 3 rec, 53 yards)
SD – 23 (Gates 1 rec, 24 yards)
Min – 19 (Mills 2 rec, 26 yards)

What made the big nickel so effective was Brandon's ability to cover TE's while we had flexibility to run a 6 man front or 7 man front with Lynch up in the box. Winborn is an athletic LB, but has nowhere near the TE-coverage ability Brandon had (and actually Middlebrooks funny enough). Since's Brandon's injury the Broncos have struggled to find a guy who could cover TE's, they've tried Foxworth, Ferguson and Webster - and all failed. I would speculate Boss was largely brought in to be given a shot at it, he was known as a good coverage LB early in his career and clearly has the size and speed that the afore mentioned candidates do not. With that, if the Broncos can trade down to pick up some extra picks - they would be wise to try to find their next big nickel safety. Oh I miss Sam Brandon...

[c_lazy_r]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

I wonder how DJ feels about all this? I've been concerned for a couple years now that DJ would be upset with organization for moving him around so much. I hope next year we put him on the weak side, he performs outstanding, and we reward him for the **** he's put up with for the past 4 years! 5 years 25m just for getting pushed all over the place. He should actually jump up and put his hand in the dirt a couple times this year just to add a 5th position to his resume!!!

Remember Mecklenburg, I think he played 7 different positions and was a Pro Bowler.

[Beantown Bronco]

Originally Posted by montrose

I had a near man crush on the package

Quote of the Year potential right there.

[ScottXray]

Looks like we have addressed our needs at LB...we have a good combination of backs there now. and we didn't spend a lot of cap space to address that.
It allows us to concentrate on our other needs in the draft ...OT DT and SS.

so far I like what the team is doing in the off season

[oubronco]

Originally Posted by montrose

I yearn for the old big nickel package with Sam Brandon. I had a near man crush on the package, and I believe you can see a significant drop in the defense following Brandon's injury. As further illustration, lets look at the ppg the Broncos gave up since they began using the big nickel package with Brandon in Week 3 of 2005 through early 2006 until is injury. In parentheses is how the team fared against TE's:

KC - 10 (Gonzalez 5 rec, 29 yards)
Jax - 7 (Wrighster 1 rec, 6 yards)
Was - 19 (Cooley 8 rec, 82 yards *Note* Cooley plays an H-Back position and was not covered by Brandon throughout a majority of the game)
NE - 20 (Watson 1 rec, 6 yards)
NYG - 24 (Shockey 3 rec, 44 yards - Brandon left this game injured before Shockey caught a deep pass)
Phi - 21 (Smith 1 rec, 1 yard)
Oak - 17 (Anderson 1 rec, 18 yards)
NYJ - 0 (Jolley 1 rec, 4 yards)
Dal - 21 (Whitten 9 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD)
KC - 31 (Gonzalez 1 rec, 25 yards, 1 TD)
Bal - 10 (Heap 5 rec, 65 yards)
Buf - (No TE receptions)
Oak - 3 (Williams 2 rec, 22 yards)
SD - 7 (Gates 3 rec, 23 yards)
STL - 28 (No TE receptions)
KC - 6 (Gonzalez 2 rec, 7 yards)
NE - 7 (Watson 5 rec, 54 yards)
Bal - 3 (Heap 3 rec, 21 yards)
Oak - 3 (No TE receptions)
Cle -7 (Heiden 2 rec, 10 yards)

Now let’s look at the difference in 2006 after Brandon’s injury and 2007 when he wasn’t on the team and the big nickel package was not used:

Ind – 34 (Clark 6 rec, 68 yards)
Pit – 20 (Miller 5 rec, 34 yards)
Oak - 13 (5 rec, 61 yards)
SD – 35 (Gates 5 rec, 48 yards)
KC – 19 (Gonzales 4 rec, 35 yards)
Sea – 23 (Stevens 2 rec, 12 yards)
SD – 48 (Gates, 7 rec, 104 yards, 2 TD’s)
Arz – 20 (Pope 2 rec, 11 yards)
Cin – 23 (Kelly 2 rec, 23 yards)
SF – 26 (Davis 3 rec, 16 yards)
Buf – 14 (Royal 1 rec, 12 yards)
Oak – 20 (Miller 3 rec, 18 yards)
Jax – 23 (Estandia 1 rec, 23 yards)
Ind – 38 (Clark 6 rec, 76 yards, 2 TD’s)
SD – 41 (Gates 7 rec, 113 yards, 1 TD)
Pit – 28 (Miller 5 rec, 50 yards, 2 TD’s)
GB – 19 (Lee 3 rec, 34 yards)
Det – 44 (McHugh 1 rec, 46 yards)
KC – 11 (Gonzalez 3 rec, 29 yards)
Ten – 20 (Scaife 4 rec, 49 yards)
Chi – 37 (Clark 2 rec, 61 yards)
Oak – 34 (Miller 3 rec, 58 yards, 1 TD)
KC – 7 (Gonzalez 7 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD)
Hou – 31 (Daniels 3 rec, 53 yards)
SD – 23 (Gates 1 rec, 24 yards)
Min – 19 (Mills 2 rec, 26 yards)

What made the big nickel so effective was Brandon's ability to cover TE's while we had flexibility to run a 6 man front or 7 man front with Lynch up in the box. Winborn is an athletic LB, but has nowhere near the TE-coverage ability Brandon had (and actually Middlebrooks funny enough). Since's Brandon's injury the Broncos have struggled to find a guy who could cover TE's, they've tried Foxworth, Ferguson and Webster - and all failed. I would speculate Boss was largely brought in to be given a shot at it, he was known as a good coverage LB early in his career and clearly has the size and speed that the afore mentioned candidates do not. With that, if the Broncos can trade down to pick up some extra picks - they would be wise to try to find their next big nickel safety. Oh I miss Sam Brandon...

nice work dude we have sooooooooooooo missed brandon and I thought they might try Browner but didn't see it, by the way what happened to Browner ?

[Atwater His Ass]

Niko is a question mark, but not as big as your typical backup-to-starter type player may have. He was playing behind one of the top MLB in the league in Lofa Tatupu.

Still a risk, but no more than play DJ at MLB last season imo. If Niko and Boss can at least be servicalbe players coupled with getting one of our best play-makers in the front 7 in DJ at his natural spot and we get a decent DT to pair with Thomas, our defense will be light years ahead of last season.

[TheChamp24]

I would love to see the Broncos draft Curtis Lofton, although he is a bit undersized, he is very instinctive could be similar to Al Wilson.
I'm thinking though that maybe the team is coveting Dan Connor, or DT in the 1st now.
All likely though, they are looking at Desean Jackson at 12.

[Inkana7]

Originally Posted by jth1331

I would love to see the Broncos draft Curtis Lofton, although he is a bit undersized, he is very instinctive could be similar to Al Wilson.
I'm thinking though that maybe the team is coveting Dan Connor, or DT in the 1st now.
All likely though, they are looking at Desean Jackson at 12.

Uh, no?

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

All we need now is a dominating DT. Looks to me like Shanahan and Sundquist are poised to trade up after somebody. Maybe we should prepare to get used to seeing this move:

Dude, the arms on that guy are like tree trunks.