Optimistic about our D? - Good DJ Interview

[cmhargrove]

There are many of us here who feel our big problems on D last year came from guys playing out of position and not responding to our new scheme / coach. In other words, I think things should significantly improve just by returning our players to their old scheme. Much less getting a few anchors back like Ekuban.

This is a very good interview with DJ where he speaks about these issues. It leaves you feeling much more optimistic about how our defense could rebound this year.

He also directly points out the weakness at D-tackle, so I hope the Broncos FO is right on track there. I would love to see us pick up two D-tackles in this draft.

Anyway, here is the link:

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...V&year=&month=

[montrose]

Good interview. In an era where there don't seem to be too many team-first guys, DJ appears to have that mentality. He openly admits he hated playing Sam, but played it for two seasons to accommodate the team and at the end of the interview when he was asked about the radio communication in the helmet, he took the stance that no positions are set when we all know that he and Champ aren't coming off the field this year.

If any player would have a right to be ticked it's this guy, but he's just quietly done whatever the coaching staff asked him. I'm excited to see how he does back at Will this year.

[brncs_fan]

Did anyone else see his eyes light up right at the end when he mentioned how Winborn came in and played well?

Could he be our Mike instead of Niko?

[worm]

DJ is a quality guy. I am excited to see him back at Will.

His comfort level, the maturation of the young guys up front, a healthy Boss and a scheme that is understood from Day 1 will go a long way to improving this D.

[TheChamp24]

Optimistic about the D? We added a backup LB to start at MLB, and signed another LB who all I've seen talked about is about as bad as Ian Gold was.

And we really need a veteran STARTER DT(not some scrub) and draft a rookie DT.

[Smiling Assassin27]

this is the time when hope springs eternal. when we see marion barber being stopped behind the line of scrimmage consistently in the preseason, then i'll get a bit geeked.

[Broncojef]

I still think we should have drafted Steven Jackson, Our LB corp went from one of the best in the league to one of the worst in the league and not just because we had no DT studs upfront. Sorry not a DJ fan.

[rovolution]

Originally Posted by Broncojef

I still think we should have drafted Steven Jackson, Our LB corp went from one of the best in the league to one of the worst in the league and not just because we had no DT studs upfront. Sorry not a DJ fan.

Shanny liked Chris Perry more than Stephen Jackson

[Kaylore]

I think it's interesting that DJ said no position is set.

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by brncs_fan

Did anyone else see his eyes light up right at the end when he mentioned how Winborn came in and played well?

Could he be our Mike instead of Niko?

my prediction is that winborn will push Boss Bailey for reps at SAM...

i also predict Maners will be calling for the benching of Boss Bailey for Winborn...

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by rovolution

Shanny liked Chris Perry more than Stephen Jackson

really?

where did u hear that?...

i thought for sure i remembered shanny liking steven jackson best out of all the available RBs in 04...

[rovolution]

Originally Posted by gcver2ver3

really?

where did u hear that?...

i thought for sure i remembered shanny liking steven jackson best out of all the available RBs in 04...

heard it here on the Mane many moons ago

[Killericon]

Originally Posted by gcver2ver3

my prediction is that winborn will push Boss Bailey for reps at SAM...

i also predict Maners will be calling for the benching of Boss Bailey for Winborn...

Probably starting with me. I like Boss a lot, but Winborn is my guy.

In all honesty, I think that the best LB corps we could field at this moment would be Boss at Sam, DJ at Mike and Winborn at Will, but I'm hoping we get an ILB in the draft. Having said that, Winborn is a natural Will, so he's going to have a hard time seeing the field.

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by rovolution

heard it here on the Mane many moons ago

oh well then it must be true...

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by jth1331

Optimistic about the D? We added a backup LB to start at MLB, and signed another LB who all I've seen talked about is about as bad as Ian Gold was.

And we really need a veteran STARTER DT(not some scrub) and draft a rookie DT.

A backup to the best MLB in the league. I think Niko will be a bright spot for Denver this season. The Seattle fans rave about him.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I think it's interesting that DJ said no position is set.

Really? With how fluid DJ's entire career has been in regards of putting the best LB's on the field, I figured it was a pretty natural assumption that if Winborn outperformed Niko DJ would be the Mike again... but I'm also figuring Niko to be a special teams guy regardless. Day one the Broncos WILL draft Connor/Mayo, and I'd be shocked if they're not the Mike at the Black Hole.

All in all, a great interview with a genuinely nice guy. I still feel it'd be in Den's best interest if Shanahan gives him a new goldfish every week and then kills it on gameday.

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

All in all, a great interview with a genuinely nice guy. I still feel it'd be in Den's best interest if Shanahan gives him a new goldfish every week and then kills it on gameday.

No, no, no images like that will just give telluride and wolf4life more material in the bedroom. They already have a full script to roll play from why give them more.

[2KBack]

Optimistic about the D? **** that, I'm optimistic about the whole damn team. I'll have plenty of time to b****, moan, and throw things during the season. I'm not going to spend the whole offseason in an emotional roller coaster too.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Really? With how fluid DJ's entire career has been in regards of putting the best LB's on the field, I figured it was a pretty natural assumption that if Winborn outperformed Niko DJ would be the Mike again

Best player should play but I really don't expect to see DJ play anything but weakside this year.

[Ratboy]

I love how laid back he is. DJ is a good person with great talent, I'm glad he is going back to his natural position.

[alkemical]

One thing that's a bonus for him. He should really understand the mental side of the game much more playing all the different positions. Versatility is never a bad thing.

[Drek]

Koutouvides is an underrated player. He was a solid starter in only his rookie season in Seattle who then got beat out by a guy who is one of the best MLBs in the NFL.

Seattle took two guys with very similar game coming out of college it Koutouvides and Tatupu. Just because Koutouvides wasn't a starter isn't a bad sign, he played behind one of the best and was an absolute beast on special teams.

I think we'll all be impressed with his run stopping capabilities.

I also think we'll be in a much better situation in regards to our nickel down pair with Boss and DJ, Boss is a very good cover linebacker.

I don't see us drafting LB early this year. If Niko doesn't work out at MLB we'll address it early next year in a much better class, not reach on someone this year in a weak class, unless we get stupid lucky and a guy like Mayo falls in our lap in round 2.

As a whole I think the defense will be better, but we'll always be middle of the pack at best until we fix our problems at DT. Until then our DEs get doubled and our linebackers need to play defensively watching for the run. We let opposing QBs sit back and pick us apart because no matter how talented Bailey and Bly are they can't cover someone for 10 seconds without giving up an openning.

I think we'll be back to the middle of the pack again this year though, probably in the 13-17 range in total yardage against. Not good enough to make us an elite team though, unless the offense suddenly becomes top 3.

[cmhargrove]

Originally Posted by Drek

Koutouvides is an underrated player. He was a solid starter in only his rookie season in Seattle who then got beat out by a guy who is one of the best MLBs in the NFL.

Seattle took two guys with very similar game coming out of college it Koutouvides and Tatupu. Just because Koutouvides wasn't a starter isn't a bad sign, he played behind one of the best and was an absolute beast on special teams.

I think we'll all be impressed with his run stopping capabilities.

I also think we'll be in a much better situation in regards to our nickel down pair with Boss and DJ, Boss is a very good cover linebacker.

I don't see us drafting LB early this year. If Niko doesn't work out at MLB we'll address it early next year in a much better class, not reach on someone this year in a weak class, unless we get stupid lucky and a guy like Mayo falls in our lap in round 2.

As a whole I think the defense will be better, but we'll always be middle of the pack at best until we fix our problems at DT. Until then our DEs get doubled and our linebackers need to play defensively watching for the run. We let opposing QBs sit back and pick us apart because no matter how talented Bailey and Bly are they can't cover someone for 10 seconds without giving up an openning.

I think we'll be back to the middle of the pack again this year though, probably in the 13-17 range in total yardage against. Not good enough to make us an elite team though, unless the offense suddenly becomes top 3.

Good analysis. I think Niko will be a better player than people think. I also really like our depth / backups in Winborn and Webster. So, if someone does go down we have some depth at LB. I even think we could try Winborn at pseudo-safety in our old "Big Nickel" package and let him stick on the TE's like Brandon used to. Winborn is fast, plays hard, and deserves to see the field.

Also, about the "statistical" side of the defense. I think if our offense figures out how to score the ball more regularly, it will really help our defense (no crap). Our defense has always been designed to hold a lead, not to just keep other teams completely off the board. It will make our corners shine, and help us use our speed on the outside more effectively (creative blitzing).

I expect the defense to improve, my question mark is really hinging more on the offense and Cutler a little more lately. It's not enough to move the ball, we have to be able to pound it in.

[TheChamp24]

Spew whatever you want, but still, Niko was a backup and special teamer. I don't care what the Seattle fans say, but really, we have no idea if he can be the starter at MLB for a full season.

and Boss Bailey, in putting this lightly from Detroit Lion and other NFL fans, completely sucks. Where are people getting he is a good cover LB? Everything I hear about him says he sucks. If anything, he is a marginal upgrade at best of Ian Gold.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by jth1331

Spew whatever you want, but still, Niko was a backup and special teamer. I don't care what the Seattle fans say, but really, we have no idea if he can be the starter at MLB for a full season.

and Boss Bailey, in putting this lightly from Detroit Lion and other NFL fans, completely sucks. Where are people getting he is a good cover LB? Everything I hear about him says he sucks. If anything, he is a marginal upgrade at best of Ian Gold.

So Seattle fans, people who've watched one of the better MLBs in the world and one of the better teams in the entire NFC, can't be trusted to give a worthwhile opinion on an MLB.

But Detroit fans, who've seen nothing but suck because their entire team is ran horribly, those guys have good takes!

Before Seattle's defense really came together Niko played every game, as a rookie, and was a solid contributor. Boss Bailey was a highly regarded talent coming out of college, most professional scouts still like his athleticism and coverage abilities, but he played on a horrible team in multiple defensive systems.

Before you bash Boss consider that he was actually a sought after FA by other teams. We got first visit and locked him up before he left thanks to having Champ on the team. When a team that has been as successful in FA acquisitions of late as Green Bay has been is pursuing the same guy you are as their #1 target for an OLB need you should feel good about getting him.

Be a hater all you want, just remember it when our defense is suddenly solidly average and Niko and Boss are a significant part of it.