As the regular season dawned, Jordan Beck was unemployed and headed for a six-week stint in which he went through eight tryouts.
“It was some kind of world record,” he wanly acknowledged.
But as the season faded, he was one of the Broncos’ leading special teamers, placing himself in position to compete for playing time at linebacker next season.
Beck finished second on the team in total special-teams tackles last season in spite of playing in just 11 games; his 10 stops — eight solo with two assists — placed him just one behind Jamie Winborn.
Like Beck, Winborn was an in-season pickup, and the same kind of opportunity that landed in Winborn’s lap in the final two games of the regular season — a starting slot at weakside linebacker — could be in Beck’s future this coming year.
“(Winborn) and Beck played exceptionally well in the special teams,” Head Coach Mike Shanahan said. “Any time you play great on special teams, we’re always going to look at you in that starting position.”
Most of Beck’s linebacking experience is in the middle, but upon arriving in Denver he said that with time, he could learn all three slots on that line of defense. Grasping them all immediately, however, was an impossibility, leaving him to focus on the special-teams role he effectively performed last season.
“It is realistic to learn the special teams,” Beck said in October, “so I’m hoping to fit right in on special teams, come in and make an impact.”
He certainly did.
“I really believed I still had a lot to offer a team,” Beck said. “I didn’t think I was anywhere near done.”
Tags: Defense, Jordan Beck, Linebackers, Special Teams
Do you like his chances to get a shot at the SAM position next year Mase?
Gotta love perseverence.
Go get em.
To get a shot? Absolutely. He’s hard-nosed, persistent and Shanahan isn’t the only one who speaks highly of him; special-teams coordinator Scott O’Brien expressed similar sentiments, as well. He’s one of my favorite players to watch because of the abandon with which he plays.
i would like to see him compete for more time,,maybe he could answer our need for a starting coverage OLB, start while a rookie prepares to compete for more time.
if he could make tackle in the open field on special teams, imagine what he could do as a starting defender..jst a thought.
Go Broncos, off season changes are coming up,,cant wait for it
I’m glad to hear it then, all too often I see these guys making plays on special teams and for whatever reason they aren’t given an opportunity. I was really hoping Green would prove himself this past season but the injuries seemed to take him out of the running pretty quickly. I know the guy was a playmaker on ST’s though, he seemed to always find the ball. Hamza was noticed at the end of the 2006 season, here’s hoping this guy’s the next Hamza.
this is kinda off the subject,but can anyone tell me why Terrell Davis was npt included in the super bowl XXXII memories? its not like he was the only reason we one the game. pretty sad day in broncoville when we forget about the best running back in denver history. if we didnt have T.D. we have ZERO superbowls. i think its down right $^%*ty that you guys(the broncos organization) didnt say a freakin word about T.D.
The Super Bowl memories series was originally published as a series in the game program, with the articles running towards the middle of the book. Davis was the only member of the ’97 team to be spotlighted on the cover of the game program for the Jacksonville game; therefore, he was not included in the series since he was spotlighted more, with a cover story and Web site articles here and here.
Beck looks a little undersized for what I would like to see at Will, and I really think Winborn has a shot to play the SAM.
Ideally I am hoping we can sign or trade for one of the better available Mikes out there and move DJ back to his pro-bowl caliber spot of Will.
ex: Dansby or Vilma (if healthy) with GJ and Winborn.
Winborn has the speed and athleticism to cover and Blitz.
Id also like to see a 4th rounder go for one of the OLBs that falls in the draft.
If possible, a trade of Ian Gold and one of our 7ths or 5th for a third would make me very happy. Gold would be a nice fit back in TB, Indy, AZ, WA, ATL but its a tough year to trade a smallish Will as theres tons in this years draft class.
my deepest apologies Mr.Mason and to the rest of the Broncos fans players and staff, once again i let my mouth overload my buttocks, i was just upset in the heat of the moment T.D. in my eyes would have retired with all the meanigful records if he wasnt injured. once again sorry i was just fightin for T.D.
I noticed both Winborn and Beck in their Special Teams capabilities. They were a much needed addition to the team. I trust Shannahan and the rest of the organization will put the right players in the right positions for the greater good of the team. If their appears a hole, they’ll find someone to fill that void. They’ve proven that throughout the years. Can’t wait to see what happens.