With John Browning making his practice debut Wednesday afternoon, the defensive line remained the focal point as the Broncos moved a day closer to what could well be a revealing preseason game against Cleveland on Saturday night.
But how much that game shows about Browning remains to be seen. It has been nearly 20 months since he played in a regular-season game, and after leaving the Chiefs with an injury settlement on Sept. 30 of last year after suffering a back injury, it has been nearly 11 months since he had a team to call his own. Wednesday afternoon represented his first session, and his coaches were pleased with his work, although there’s little that could be gauged from a practice that took place just hours after his signing.
“For what we did today, he looked like he did just fine,” defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. “But it takes time. We’ll get him some game time and see how it goes. It’s hard to tell after one practice when you’re in a game-week situation, but, he did show some striking ability and some firmness in there, and that’s a good start.”
Added assistant head coach Jim Bates: “He looked good. He plays with a lot of power. He’s a strong guy. I’m interested in looking at the tape and seeing where he fits in and giving him an opportunity.”
But for Browning, the day represented the first act of what Johnson termed an “evaluation process.” It’s not only about determining whether Browning is ready and fit to play after being sidelined for a year, but how well he fits and whether he can provide something that was missing from Denver’s defensive front.
And, at the risk of going off on a tangent here, Bates commented upon why the team worked with relatively simple game plans and an emphasis on the base defense in the games. From his perspective, such work is the best way to discern which players are worth keeping.
“We’re not doing a whole lot,” he said. “We’re just seeing who can play base defense, where we have problems and finding out who can play football and who can make this football team. That’s the most important thing to us — who’s going to make that 53; who’s going to be the defensive players who make that squad. Sometimes when you gimmick, you just gamble all the time, hey, you may look good, but the end result is that we may not be able to pick out the right guys. So when we play base-fundamentals football, it’s easier for us to evaluate.”
Now, it’s time to evaluate Browning. While he has played some defensive end in the past, Bates said he sees the 12-year veteran as “more of a tackle” at this point. That leaves the work at defensive end potentially in the hands of a young corps, one which expects to receive a boost next week if Tim Crowder returns from an ankle injury.
“(Crowder) got off to a great start in camp. Hopefully he can pick up where he left off,” Bates said. “For him to be able to do so many things as a rookie was quite surprising to all of us.”
But long-term game experience like Browning’s remains crucial — especially since Gerard Warren and Ebenezer Ekuban were removed from the defenive-line mix. But it’s through playing in actual games that the rookies can find their footing.
“Experience is always valuable, and we have to bring these guys along fast. Losing Ebenezer and losing a guy that’s going to be a three-down player (Warren), a lot of guys have to step up. It’s always a concern, but I like the maturity of the rookies and the way they’ve been working.”
With Crowder and Jarvis Moss, I can’t help but think of a Bible verse:
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
— Luke 12:48
They were the top two picks this year, so much was given. Now, it’s time for the second half of that verse to come to fruition.
What Crowder and Moss can bring — and what a late arrival like Browning can provide in terms of stability and a veteran presence — may likely determine the eventual success or failure of the defensive line over the next four months.
Until next time, vaya con Dios.
Tags: Bill Johnson, Defense, Defensive linemen, Ebenezer Ekuban, Gerard Warren, Jarvis Moss, Jim Bates, John Browning, Tim Crowder
Well since he is considered a descent run stopping DT I’m actually glad they signed him to see if he fits or not. There is nothing wrong with bringing more competition to the table.
HOWEVER, I really think the broncos need to take a look at Tank Johnson still. It would be the best move we’ve made yet. With use signing these guys who are just about over the hill, we are not preparing for the future. We have made this move time and time again and, time and time again we have to spend tons of money repairing out d-line the following year because of cap issues and age. We need some more young talent on the line! I know Gordon is young but why not bring in more competition for him? More looks? He hasn’t been impressive in the least bit for the preseason games and for being one of the starters as of right now, you’d think he’d make a much bigger effort in preseason to keep that position.
He maybe practicing well but he isn’t playing well. He is on the Broncos, so of course he is going to play better against his own team rather than opposing teams.
I think every fan should be forced to read this quote be Jim Bates…..
“We’re not doing a whole lot,” he said. “We’re just seeing who can play base defense, where we have problems and finding out who can play football and who can make this football team. That’s the most important thing to us — who’s going to make that 53; who’s going to be the defensive players who make that squad. Sometimes when you gimmick, you just gamble all the time, hey, you may look good, but the end result is that we may not be able to pick out the right guys. So when we play base-fundamentals football, it’s easier for us to evaluate.”
…..and take a deep breath, sit back, and relax until September 9th.
I don’t see this signing asa longer tern fix. It’s more like a bandaid until our younger guys step up. We got two DE’s and a DT that the coaches are pretty high on right now but they wanted to have more time with them before throwing them into the fire.
i agree completely with orange_crush21.
i read all these comments from you Nervous Nellys and Negative Nancys about how our season is already shot. last year we went 3-1 in the preseason and the colts went 1-3; how significant was that on february 5th? we’ve got a brand new defense run by a guy whose proven he knows how to get it done. i can’t believe people are ready to give this defense its final grade after its second trial run. i’m glad we didn’t give buffalo the same amount of film on our defensive schemes that the giants now have on dallas.
i am surprised warren was traded, but looking at the roster going into training camp, we all knew there would be a few surprises among those who didn’t make the final 53. its sad that we lost ebenezer for the season, but i bet i’m not the only one who was surprised to see his spot on the depth chart was above elvis.
support this team every time they take the field, believe they have the ability to win against any team they play, and focus the negative energy on the teams that don’t wear the orange and blue!
Do you think that Ted S and Mike S are talking to the Vikings about Pat Williams, the all pro NT? He’s at the end of his contract this year and the Vikes cant seem to settle a contract ext with him (currently, 13M/3yrs). Throw the Vikes a couple bones and get this guy. YippeeKyYiiii!
I’m surprised I haven’t heard more about Marcus Thomas lately. When I heard Warren was leaving, I thought maybe this meant Thomas was coming along at a fast pace. But now with the signing of Browning, I’m wondering if Thomas is even in the plan to see the field this fall.
I’m right there with you orange_crush21 and neurospasm. People are ready to throw in the towel on the season before it even starts, and some have had the audacity to rip our coaches and act like they themselves should be coaching this team. Shanny and Bates are where they are for a reason. They are proven, they know what they are doing, and I for one am ready to see this team in REAL action on September 9th. That Bates quote nails it right on. Let’s let the coaches do their job making sure they have the best and the right players for this team while we enjoy the privilege of being fans of the best team in football. GO BRONCOS!!
I Think that the Broncs ought to serioslly look at S. Rice as well as Marcelious Wiley and maybe bring one of them in. Browning is a good player but why not bring one of them guys who’ve Already proven they can be a factor on Defense a 1 yr deal wouldn’t hurt and with the starters we have wouldn’t be a bad Idea. I also have to agree with most when it comes to Gordon i have not seen anything to believe what the coaches are saying, did y’all see the article in the post about him that was real shocking to see how high the staff is on this guy when he hasn’t done anything in a game situation. Quick note : The broncos will be fine and will satisfy us all when the season kicks off.
I am all for bringing someone in who has the possibility of making the team better. It is a consern when your starting defence can not stop the run. I am more conerned with the linebacking situation than the front four. We at least have a combination of youth and experience on the line. There is not much to choose from with the linebackers. Only time will tell. As a fan, right now I’m biting my lip and wondering if I need to go and light a candle.