Even when teams put on pads for a training camp practice, coaches don’t want to see players hit the ground.
There’s a fine line between building toughness and putting players at a higher risk for injuries.
In order to work on tackling, Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio wanted to get as close to that line as possible without taking players to the turf.
“You can’t play good defense if you don’t tackle, so that will be an emphasis point, and we do drill it, almost going live,” Del Rio said. “I actually contemplated it; half the staff thought I was crazy, so we left it out, but you have to be able to tackle. You have to work at it to be good at it, and I think we’ve made strides there.”
As a former linebacker in the NFL, Del Rio knows how important tackling is in the game of football.
It’s something that he wants his defense to take to heart.
“We’re tackling just about every day,” he said. “We’ll continue to tackle (in practice), we’ll tackle all year, and we’ll tackle during the season.”
Del Rio hopes that getting more reps where the defense works on its tackling technique as much as possible without raising the risk of injury helps when it comes game time.
“You’re wrapping up, but you’re not actually taking them to the ground,” he said. “As close as we can simulate live tackling without hurting each other and going to the ground, that’s what we’re doing.”
One player that made an impression with his tackling in Denver’s preseason-opening victory at Chicago was second-year linebacker Nate Irving.
Irving led the team with five tackles, including one tackle for a loss, in the 31-3 win over the Bears.
“He’s grown a lot,” fellow linebacker Wesley Woodyard said of Irving. “He’s one of those players that continues to get better every day and shows us what he can do. Last preseason game, he made some huge plays. He just continues to get better every day and that’s what we all need to do.”
While Irving’s performance may have jumped out at fans during the game at Chicago, it was something that Woodyard saw coming.
“He’s in the study room all the time,” Woodyard said. “He’s in the classroom and he’s continuing to watch more and more film on what he did last year to get better.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Nate Irving, Training Camp 2012
Bowe just signed his tender!
repost from last blog:
killerkod says:
August 17, 2012 at 11:53 am
thanks guys………yup my name got drawn and I’m extremely excited about it! Just got an email today to get my address so it should be on the way soon. Can’t wait to see what it actually is. I didn’t even ask cause I want it to be a complete surprise!
Yup OT………everything happens for a reason……..and the key is that the organization took the necessary steps to start making things right………..starting with Elway and then drafting Von. I think when we look back at this organization in another 20 years or so, we’ll say that Von Miller was the key draft pick that turned our team around……like he’s really that special.
Welcome Calgary! Always nice to see a fellow Canadian here on the blog……….I’m representing Newfoundland!
The Von Miller pick will forever be one of the “best moments” of Bronco history. I know that not everyone agreed with that pick, but he has already proven to be amazing and he was just a rookie last year. Last week he showed that he’s still that aggressive… so I can’t want to see what he does tomorrow!
I’m so glad we picked him over Dereus……………it’s funny that he still feels like he was slighted by the Broncos for picking Von………….lol
Lone–That’s AWESOME! Will be thinkin of you while I’m there tomorrow. I really think it’s a verizon issue because my sister is complaining of having the same issues. But it is tough for me to not have my phone when I’m driving long distances, as I see that is really a true blessing we’ve received from having cell phones.
I agree about the cuts and all I hear on twitter is Bronco fans mad that we didn’t go after Demps… well, 1. No one is sure he’d make a team 2. I like the people we have and I’d rather not take chances on unknown guys this close to the beginning of the seasm. Just my two cents.
And cat, I mean no disrespect to Peyton Manning by that comment, as I’m ecstatic to have him. But Von Miller is the catalyst in restoring the once proud ORANGE CRUSH!!!
Dereus is NOT near as good as Von. And with Dumervil (who we already loved) and Wolfe now, we’re stacked. QBs should be terrified.
I don’t see keeping Hillman and Moreno. Same type of back. I would rather Hillman and Omon. I know it is early…..
OT, no. I agree 100%. I didn’t take it that way because as far as I’m concerned, Peyton Manning signing with Denver is one of the best moments in Bronco history for me, but I still get goosebumps when I watch the video of us drafting Von Miller. It is ONE OF THE BEST moments in Bronco history for the franchise, not just me.
Good point kod – Dareus had a really good game vs. Broncos last December.
He is going to be a force to be reckoned with for year to come for the Bills.
I am glad the Broncos drafted Von Miller as well !! : -)
And I LOVED the Oweiler pick. By taking him then, with our young OL, and WR’s, together with drafting Hillman, we can go right back to the defensive well next draft!!!
*Osweiler
What I love about Von is that he’s confident but so quiet and humble. He knows he needs to get better and work his butt off…………and you can just tell he wants to be the best.
OT, did you see Os audible last week? He is going to be good stuff. I know that he’s Elway’s pet project and all, but he wants to be in Denver and he wants to learn from Peyton Manning and I just think it’s a good situation for us all around.
Yes, welcome Calgary! We Broncos fans are the best in the world!! No doubt about it!!
I wasn’t sure about the Os pick at first cause I didn’t know much about him. But after learning more and seeing him play, I think it was an awesome pick. The guy is only like 22 years old…….and now can learn from the best. What better situation could you ask for. Seems like a Rodgers/Favre type thing……..but I’m sure things will end more smoothly between the Broncos and Peyton! hahaha
Cat, when we first drafted Osweiler I hated the pick. Its not that I didn`t like Os, I just wanted another great player on our Defensive side of the ball. Now I love the pick on Brock. Its a good sound pick in my eyes.
EXCEPT it’s different than Rodgers/Favre. Rodgers did all the work there, Brett did not teach him anything. We’ve got Os out there taking notes, but we also have Peyton saying “No, do this” or “When the defense shifts like this, call this play” etc. I watched a ESPN special on Aaron and he was very humble when they asked him questions, but Favre did not help him much at all and now won’t even talk to him. So, I like that we’re going to have a different situation there.
LOL, Kod and I said practically the same thing almost. Funny!
Thanks Strand and kod!
Anybody have any comments about the QB2 and QB3?
I have it as
1) PM – of course
2) BO
3) AW
Caleb can go play for someone else…..
I’m actually a little behind on the BTV videos, will get caught up soon. I’ll be the first to admit that I was a bit disappointed we took Osweiler over a Vinny Curry or another edge rusher, but it was clearly a good idea to get it over with now, so he can benefit from learning from Manning.
Guess I should have said I love the pick now.. Lol
Calgary, I’m with you there. That’s how I want the QB’s to be, but I’m hearing more and more that it’s going to be this:
1) PFM
2) CH
3) Os (I can’t write his initials without laughing)
OT, I think a lot of it “remains to be seen” because if Os doesn’t become what we want him to be (although I think he will), we’re stuck.
But hey, Os is serious about getting better, working out with Rivers before he even got drafted. Smart guy I think.
Heck… PFM talks to Andrew Luck. He’s good stuff… different than self-centered Favre.
cat – hopefully not. The other problem is that they would have to have AW pas through waivers to get him on the practice squad. I don’t think he would make it. Someone will claim him.
Agreed cat,we don’t know how any of these guys will turn out. But I think it was smart considering he would have been a 1st round pick next year if he went back to school, so it was a value pick IMO. Plus the idea of being by the side of Manning all year long..
Calgary–I know. Aaron Rodgers needs a back up! LOL!
OT– I bet it’s a dream come true for him, learning behind Peyton. Of course, Andrew didn’t want to, but we’ve seen from what Aaron has accomplished, it’s okay to wait for your chance to shine. I really do hope that GB wins another Super Bowl with Rodgers.
Calgary, I`m thinking the same thing, your QB line up. Weber looks sound, he had a slight Doug Flutie thing to him. Rolling out of the pocket with confidence.
I wonder if the Broncos will have only 2 QB`s on the roster like in the old Broncos days with Elway. I can see Weber on the PR if he clears waivers, but I doubt it. A team would swoop Weber up real quick I bet.
Strand, I doubt it–No one will admit to it in the organization, but if Peyton gets hurt they’re going to have to have a back up. I think we’ll have 3 OBs
That would be wise now that you mention it.
Not that I’m worried or anything
I`m not either. LOL
new blog
I’m happy to see that coach Del Rio is putting a big emphasis of tackling. It has been a problem with the Broncos for a few years. Way to go coach Del Rio.