Wesley Woodyard talked a little after Friday’s practice about all the change the defense is going through this offseason. In the mean time, he’s going through a few changes of his own.
“Last year we were really trained on strictly speed, getting ready for the Combine, but now it’s more about power and explosiveness, and that’s something we’ve been able to focus on in the offseason workouts,” Woodyard said.
He explained that one way he plans on being explosive is by adding weight to his lower body, which he has done this offseason. He said he’s up to 230 pounds, up from his 218-pound playing weight last season. But no worries, the extra weight won’t prevent him from “flying around” the same way he did last season.
Woodyard’s spot on the field is yet to be determined, as the team isn’t even finished with passing camp, let alone training camp, but he knows he’ll find ways to get on the field and make plays no matter what.
“Right now we’re just going through some different schemes on the defense,” he said. “Where I’m going to be on the field is still up in the air. Right now I’m just contributing on special teams like I did last year, and out there basically just having fun.”
Working on the different schemes is all part of a transition toward a 3-4 defense, headed up by Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan. Woodyard said he has been a big fan of Nolan for a couple years, and he had a chance to work under the coach before both of them joined the Broncos.
“To me he’s a great coach,” Woodyard said. “I actually had a chance to play for him at the Senior Bowl. He has a lot of knowledge about the game — different schemes, what will work and what won’t work. He’s a players’ coach, and he knows how to relate to us.”
Ronald Fields agreed, calling Nolan a “stand-up guy.” The 315-pound defensive lineman said he is penciled in as a starting nose tackle at this point, a position he occasionally filled under Nolan when both were with the San Francisco 49ers.
He was asked about his feelings on the sometimes less-than-glamourous job of a nose tackle in the 3-4, and he said he relishes the opportunity.
“It’s not difficult at all to me — I like being in the midst of it and being in the middle,” he said. “In the 3-4, the key point is having a good nose tackle, so if you don’t have anybody that can hold the nose, your 3-4 is not going to be real sturdy and not be real good. I like being in the middle. I like the contact and being able to be in there.”
So the defense is transitioning to a new scheme and putting the pieces together along the way. But Woodyard said that in the end, it all comes down to discipline and heart — and not letting down your teammates.
“The scheme is different, but I have to say that we’ve got guys in the backfield, great leaders, and you don’t want to disappoint those guys,” he said. “Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey’s back there — you want to give it your all every time you’re on the field. So I think we have a lot more leaders that are able to play this year.”
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
I wonder if Ronnie Fields can actually be a decent starting Nose Tackle for us…I hope he can.
If Nolan had him play at Nose from time to time last year, I’m sure he liked what he saw to start him this year. I’m sure he’s not the best, but I’m also pretty sure he’s decent and will fulfill the shoes for the time being. He could get better and fulfill those shoes perminatly. Who knows!?
We are going to have a crazily versatile team this year!!!!
I wouldn’t be suprised to see us pull a Quarterback-by-committee type a deal… Wouldn’t that throw EVERYONE’s defense off!? 1st and second down, Simms, then bring in the KO for the KO!!
Yeah right, but it would be highly unexpected (I guess Kyle might be kinda accustomed to that – trading so dang much with Grossman in his tenure there @ Chicago…) – Wesley, along with a large amount of our Defensive players are going to have ‘breakout’ seasons!!! Things are looking good! Thanks for the update Mr. Woodyard/ Mr. C!
getlynched47, he was a NT with Nolan. He was slated to start but broke his arm. He then (as he stated) went into a rotation. Nolan knows he knows the system and he is ahead of everyone on the D as far as producing. Nolan thought enough of him to bring him with him from San Fran. He will do well, I feel.
PJBroncofanFunk, ha, ha. Yeah, and we can snap the punt to Kerns and he can bootleg and pass to Larsens who will bull his way for the 1st down. Hey, it could happen, ha, ha.
Alright, now we are starting to get some pieces of the puzzle together. I love that everyone is developing a team spirit and a unity on defense to make last year look like a fluke. We will have a young strong line that is for certain. I hope the coaches have reached them and can get the right system in place for the players we have.
More rubbing Phillip Rivers smug grin off, in the turf!!!!!
Orange Crush!!!
I think our D will be fine really. I mean you look at who we drafted and who we signed. To the dismay of most the fans we didn’t go as much on Defense as we thought we should have. But if you look at who we picked up, we are preparing to do as monodono says each time!
TIME OF POSESSION!!!
I think our offense will eat up clock while putting some points on the board, and our defense will be aggressive at the point of attack from the start! No more jumping out to an early lead and just trying to protect it by doing a hybrid 3-4 defense with everyone but 1 or 2 guys dropping into coverage!
We will try and develope that early lead, and stay aggressive on defense having the other team play into our hands! Aggressive defensees create turnovers, that’s just what we’re trying to do here!
Think about it honestly guys! We draft Alphonso Smith, heralded ball hawk, we sign Goodman, aggressive to the ball, bring in Dawkins, to keep defenses honest dropping him in the box or blowing up crossing paterns, and Hill to drop back and keep the deep play. No need to bring up Champ, he does it game in and game out against everyone!
The offensive side we get some smash mouth runners, and some to catch out of the backfield for 3rd downs and screens! Let’s face it screens aren’t always for WR’s! And we get one of the better QB’s at just taking what the defense gives him, and protecting the ball to make the defense’s job that much easier!
Make the other team beat your strengths, DON’T beat yourself with avoidable mistakes!
PJ- That would actually be pretty funny. Running backs last year, quarterbacks this year! It would be interesting to see if it actually worked though…
Brandon Marshall is “unofficially holding out”! Great! He picked the most perfect time to do this too, with all the controversy we’ve already had this offseason and a possibly pending suspension for him. He’s a great player, but sometimes I don’t think he gets the whole team first, stay out of trouble thing. He keeps getting in trouble, and I really don’t want him to go the way of Pacman Jones, but he seems headed in that direction if he doesn’t snap out of it.
A second-year defensive end who tied for fifth among NFL rookies with four sacks while adding 22 tackles and two fumble recoveries in 13 games (1 start) for the Broncos in 2007.
name this bronco. he could surprise this yr
Registered a sack in three consecutive games (Gms. 9-11) for Denver in 2007, becoming the first Bronco to accomplish that feat since 2004 (DE Reggie Hayward).
Tim Crowder?
I don’t know if he (crowder) is nearly big enough for DE and how many hybrid linebacker/defensive ends are we going to keep?(Ayers,Reid,Dumervile,crowder,moss) He has shown more promise than that joke of draft pick moss.
I for one think that ronnie fields is going to be a SPECIAL KEY to this defense…believe or not, but out of everyone on our team he has to know the most about the defensive scheme (being that he was a 49er last year)….and about the whole b marsh thing…i think it will blow past sooner than later. Also i dont think it can get much bigger than the cutler saga so with that being said B-MARSH AND THE BRONCOS WILL BE OK…
it is crowder.
If he were to bulk up he could be a good five tech with Marcus Thomas.
Carlton powell also has potential.
During his last season at VT 126 runs were ran at him for -13 yards.
Sad to say but I don’t think Moss or Crowder make the 53 man roster. Marcus and Carlton will make it.
There’s a reason Nolan signed Ronnie Fields… and Mike Baker… NT anyone.
As I said earlier about Fields. He will start. He knows Nolans system having played for him in San Fran. He was slated to start there but broke his arm and ended up in a rotation afterwards. They picked up this hot young NT while he was healing and paid him a lot of $$. That’s why he was in rotation.
I don’t think Moss will stick Powell will be awesome, IMO. He was slated to start last year but got injured in camp. He might play DE, I think. I believe that’s what Shanahan planned for him last year. We’ll see though.
If CHRIS baker (not Mike) plays as nasty and mean as they say then i think we got a gem that could turn into a solit NT for us for years to come. His build is ideal and has experience at NT. If he plays with a mean streak and the demeanor to match he will be a beast!!!!
I’m really pulling for you Wesley!! I thought you were great last year and hope you can be even better this year! Really pulling for Rulon Davis, too! I hope he can make a great impression and make the team and have a great year. I have a feeling we just might be better than all the talking heads are predicting! Let’s go Broncos!!!
yeah it was tim crowder, it seems too me shanny wanted to stop the run thats y crowder did not play. but he can create pressure. but i also beliewve he might not make the team, but if he does he could surprise
2champ4pickSIX, I love the way you think. Ball control = TIME OF POSSESSION. This will only help the D.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Moss and Crowder will both make the team. Moss was a First Round pick and needed a little time to adjust, and was also bothered by injuries the past two seasons. He can be a great Hybrid OLB so dont underestimate him. He belongs at olb and will thrive in the 3-4 thats what he was built for.Shanny said when he drafted him, that another year in college would have made him a to 5 pick. Crowder will also make the team, he is well sized and has a good combo of strength and speed. He should bulk up in my opinion which would help him extremely. Griesen, Askew, Clemons, Green, McChesney. Plenty of room for two very young guys with unlimited potential.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan. IS THE KEY I’M LOOKING FOR GOOD THINGS FROM HIM AND HIS DEFENSIVE
L.T. BRONCO FAN GO BIG D