On DenverBroncos.com, Broncos TV took a look back at the top five plays on defense from the team’s 2010 season.
They are as follows:
5) Brian Dawkins’ interception of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. The veteran safety said he let the tight end gain a little space, hoping to bait a throw by Hasselbeck. The quarterback obliged, and Dawkins leaped to make the interception.
“I didn’t think he could get there, but he got there,” Hasselbeck said.
4) Jason Hunter’s interception of Mark Sanchez in a close loss against the New York Jets. It’s not the last time Hunter is featured in the top five.
3) A goal-line stand by the defense against the Baltimore Ravens, the final play of which was a fourth-down sack of Joe Flacco.
2) Syd’Quan Thompson’s interception on a pass tipped by Brian Dawkins and Justin Bannan. It effectively sealed a Broncos win against the Houston Texans.
1) Mario Haggan’s takedown of Matt Cassel — he had three sacks on the day — which resulted in a forced fumble. Hunter picked up the ball and raced down the sideline for the defense’s sole touchdown of the year.
Let us know what you think of the selections. Agree with the rankings? Did we miss any? As always, leave your comments below.
Tags: Broncos TV
ooops. In my knower. lol
I looked up all the Safetys in the draft. Interesting to see. Robert Sands at 221 LBS. Thick. I hear he`s a hitter. We`ll see in a few months.
At 6’5/220, Sands fits the profile. With the size and athleticism to be a starter at the next level, he leaves college as one of NCAA’s most feared open-field hitters.
The only hitch for the Broncos is that there’s a good chance that he will impresses enough at the combine to become a second-round pick. So unfortunately he’ll probably get snatched up before we get a shot at him. It would be nice though. He played several defensive back positions at West Virginia but is projected to play the Free Safety position in the NFL.
Staying with the Safety issue… Going the UFA route there is FS O.J. Atogwe whom was released by the Rams any thoughts on him?
BTW the info I got on sands was a quote out of Rotoworld, with some thoughts of my own splashed in regarding the Broncos; Gotta give props for the info from Roto.
Atogwe is a really good player. I’d be fine with signing him because he’s still pretty young so it wouldn’t be like the McD regime where we were spending big money on old washed up players. Plus that would save us having to draft a safety early. But either way I think we need to draft a safety at some point whether it’s early or late in the draft. We need some young blood back there. I’m tired of seeing old safeties take bad angles and then not have the speed to make up for it. So many big plays against us because of bad safety play the last few years… it makes me sick.
If Sands is a Heavy hitter like they say and has a nose for the ball then draft him. Also how old is Atogwe?
Hey Strand…what was that Broncos DVD set you got not too long ago??
@strandoftds:
He turns 30 this summer here’s an article on why he’s even available:
Rams released FS O.J. Atogwe.
Atogwe was due an $8M roster bonus on the 21st, and the Rams clearly had no plans to pay it. Though Atogwe had expressed desire to stay in St. Louis, he’d be smart to shop his wares on the market. Unlike most unrestricted free agents, Atogwe doesn’t have to wait for a new CBA to sign elsewhere. He also turns 30 this summer, and won’t have many more chances like this to hit it big.
Source: Jim Thomas on Twitter
So he’s 29 turning 30 this summer which may mean he is only a short term answer, makes me kinda iffy on him. I would much rather have Sands back there so we can start to look towards a brighter future and not just ‘quick fixes’ but what other options do we have?
The Bailey rally:
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey wants his most devoted fans to know he appreciates the thought.
Fans organized a “Champ Bailey Rally” at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday. The turnout was light — about 40, according to organizer Cris Flores — on a windy, brisk afternoon. Then again, this may have been an unprecedented event. Has there ever been a fan rally asking a Denver sports team to re-sign an athlete who is about to become a free agent?
“Maybe this will help,” Bailey said Sunday by text after the rally that was organized through Facebook. “Maybe we can get something done.”
Not many folks there, kind of like on this blog now, but it’s the thought that counts, thanks to you Bronco fans in Denver who are committed enough to your team and to Bailey to have gone there. Much appreciated from here in Austin where all we got is this blog:
SIGN CHAMP, THERE ARE NO OTHER VIABLE OPTION, PERIOD.
This is some exerpts from “State of the Denver Broncos” by Charles Rives, whoever he is, but some of his insights are definitely worth a look:
About Fox:
Denver isn’t blessed with an abundance of talent, but John Fox is a Head Coach who will take the workable parts, make the best use of them and jump-start his rebuilding process. The Broncos can’t afford to write off their last two drafts and Fox’s challenge will be to find the best role for each draftee. He will not gut the team, but will rather minimize the Broncos weaknesses and play to the Broncos strengths while building a team that can run the ball and stop the run first and foremost. Fox wants to win with toughness and consistency-”FOXBALL”: gritty play in the trenches, strong run blocking, and 1,000-yard rushers on offense and stout play on the defensive line and field position.
Foxisms:
1) This game is only fun if you win.
2) Your mind is the most important muscle in your body.
3) I think the essence of football is the toughness and physicality it takes to block and tackle.
4) My leadership style is not one of dictatorship. I like people to feel more like they working with me than for me.
5) The camaraderie aspect of football is real critical.
About the O:
While Josh McDaniels ran a pass intensive version of the Patriots-Scheme (Erhardt-Perkins), John Fox runs the scheme with a running emphasis. From 1976-79, the Patriots ran for 500-yards more then their competitors with QB Steve Grogan who was as much of a threat on the ground as through the air. Fox believes the Broncos offense has employed too much finesse and not enough brawn. He makes you grind it out because he wants his players (team) to be mentally tough. It’s all about mindset. Fox recognizes the Broncos strength at wide receiver and quarterback. While he will focus his offense rebuilding around the running game (likely with more zone blocking), WR Brandon Lloyd now will become the Broncos version of WR Steve Smith. OC Mike McCoy provides coaching continuity as well as the offensive nomenclature of the past two seasons. Fox has no trepidations about entrusting his offense to a gutsy quarterback who commands the huddle and plays on the edge. QB Tim Tebow will get pass patterns to take advantage of his mobility (which was done for Elway) while doing his best Steve Grogan imitation on the ground. The trick for Tebow will be to read defenses quicker than other quarterbacks to compensate for his slow release. Denver must have a 1000 rusher to be successful. But the offense will be good for Tebow because he will have two running backs and will throw the screens and short routes he is good at while being the third option as a runner.
About the D:
Fox’s teams have always favored a one-gap, 40 front scheme. Fox likes size and power in the front seven and sound coverage in the back end. CB Champ Bailey says it is easier to transition to the 4-3 because “everyone on defense has played in a 4-3 at some point”. Denver will use a mix of 3-4 and 4-3 defense while transitioning to the cover 2 and cover 3 everyone has played. The key to cover 2 is that all seven coverage men are looking at the quarterback as well as the receivers in their zone. That allows a multitude of players to run to the ball and make tackles when there is a pass completion. The cover 2 is vulnerable to the run. Fox’s defensive arsenal includes cover three which does a better job against the run. He also mixes in the Tampa 2 variation, which gets the middle linebacker deeper for three deep coverage and zone blitz concepts for pressure. The Fox approach to defense is very safe, aiming for a four-man rush and seven men back in mostly zone coverage. The trick is to have the right four men to beat the five offensive linemen. Overall, the defense is simple and easy to implement. The defensive linemen rush the quarterback and tackle running backs on running plays. The linebackers are critical, as they must cover the running backs and tight ends until they leave their zones and move in on running plays and tackle the ball carrier. Fox’s defenses bend but don’t break.
It makes you want to watch our next game, doesn’t it?
It sure does ! Great article.. great read !
I heart-Tebow. It`s called the Greatest Games Bronco`s Box Set. Three DVD`s. 1st is the AFC Championship game Jan 1st Broncos vs Raiders. A Broncos classic. 2nd is Super Bowl 32 against G.B. 3rd is Super Bowl 33 against Atlanta. Got if off of NFL.com then search DVD and it should still be there.
Go to NFLSHOP. See DVD`s. Line up of all NFL teams. It`s made by Warner Brothers.
Thanks 1979.
Yes, I agree. 30 years old is to old I think. We need 28 or younger.
Looking forward to seeing Fox`s 4-3 D. Good Article.
Yea, I say we get either Sands or Black in the second round with one of our picks!!! I looked at some video of Sands and the dude is a BEAST! They call him predator!
In the second round we need two of these guys listed:
Sands, Black, Taylor, Paea, Rudolph, Jones.
If it was up to me, I would pick up a very good pass catching TE in FA and pick up the TE from Tennessee Stocker in the 3rd. The two guys I would want most in the second round would have to be Taylor and Sands/Black/Jones.
Also in FA, we need to pick up D Williams from Carolina and try to get Johnson from Carolina as well! Apparently Carolina has said that they are not going to sign Williams back as they are set at that position which means we will not have to give up any picks or compensation for Williams and will just have to sign him and give him the money!
Positions:
QB: Tebow should be the starter and hopefully the new CBA will sign and we can get a 2-3 round pick for Orton
RB: If we sign Williams then we would be set at RB with him and Moreno. Release Buck, I hate to say it, with his age and keep Ball as a back up. So we’d be set here now!
FB: Either pick up one in FA like Karney who was released by Rams or sign one in 4th-5th round!
WR: Were great here and honestly I really think we should keep all of them and not trade any especially since Bay Bay got injured
TE: Draft Stocker and pick up one maybe in FA. I believe Daniels with the Texans is going to be a FA and is only 28.
OL: I think were fine here but should keep all the guys we have here and sign Harris back! The guys should do great in the new running scheme that we put into place with Fox!
DL: Draft Fairley or Dareus in 1st and try to draft Taylor in 2nd. I really believe with moving Ayers and Doom to DE that we’ll be great at that position and just need some play makers in the middle.
LB: I really believe that we are better than we all think at this position because all of our LB’s fit the 4-3 better than the 3-4 and should thrive better and produce more, especially DJ. Still we should draft one LB in the draft with maybe Jones/Matthews.
S: Draft Sands/Black and I think we’ll be good here. I believe we’ll keep Dawk for Fox’s system at least one year and bring him in on special downs. Bruton and McBath should step up this year and improve.
CB: I believe that if we re-sign Bailey, which we should, and if Cox is proven innocent then we should be fine at this position for this year! Cox improved drastically through last season and Goody is great when he’s healthy. Also we have Vaughn and Thompson who should be really good as well!
That is my look on our current roster and needs for this off season and upcoming draft!! Hopefully if the new CBA is signed before the draft then we can sign Williams and Johnson from the Panthers and it would put the Panthers in desperate need for a DE with us taking Johnson from them. They would most then likely pick Bowers and would leave Fairley ALL to us!! I have heard reports that we are very interested in Bowers though!
I heart Tebow. Meant to say AFC Championship game against the Raiders (Jan 1st 1987). goofed.
Oh yea, and also:
P: Colquitt is really good and should be great!
K: We need to re-sign Prater and we’ll be set here as well!
goofed agian. 1978!!! LOL (1978)!!
Ya Sign Prater. He`s clutch.
Broncosfreak30, I`d like Casey Mattews at MLB. Great bloodlines.
My birthday is on Thursday and I am hoping that the they reach a new agreement on the CBA and re-sign Bailey back!!
Hey, its my birthday, I can wish!!
Yea, I really want to see Matthews and Jones in the combine and that would give my overall opinion on both of them. Apparently we have already talked to and been looking at Matthews though!!
We are in dire need at DT. I hope we draft Fairley or Dareus.
I heard that also. Was that at the SR Bowl, when we talk to Casey?
And for Kickoff return I think we need Vaughn to start that position and Thompson for Punt Return! I really think Thompson can be like a Hester type of return man!
Yea strand, it was, when Elway was there!!
I like Vaugnn. He`s a really close friend of Michael Oher. They grew up down the street from each other as kids. Kind cool.
Ok. Thats what I thought but was too sure. I think Casey is going to be a stud like his brother Clay. Time will tell.
Thanks for the info Strand…appreciate it!
Your welcome, Tebow-Lover. LOL. If you get it You`ll never regret it. Also I got the info from Baylinocrush just before Christmas. A chain reaction thing going.
Glad to Hear talks with Bailey are on the way and that there was a rally. If I lived in Denver, I woulda been there. The way many fans want bailey to remain, I just think the Rally wasn’t communicated well or maybe only in a short circle. Cuz im sure at least 100 would have showed up. Never seen a rally for a player. I am impressed by my Bronco bros/sis. Just like it was a Bronco fan who got in touch with Godell about a Fan Commitee and got a response. We care, and im glad our efforts are making history in a sense. I’ve been removed from the Blogs but thats only because we talk about the same things that everyone knows my stance on. Still drop by and read.
Case in point, How about DJ on that Last Stand? People want him gone, I want him here, He has NEVER underperformed even in all our crappy D schemes with him and 2 others being the only real talent. He has played out of position in the 4-3 and out of scheme in the 3-4. He does it all. Never complains. He would be a model citizen if it wasn’t for the recent DUI. He may not be the most vocal (captain wise) but he does his Job which I can’t say for many people. Look at his numbers since he has been with us. Constant contributor. If he is traded I wouldn’t mind. I would just think its a mistake. But we are finally going back to his scheme and with any luck, back to his weak olb position. We need to overhaul the D but it all can’t be done at once or we will suffer, If DJ has to go like a few fans believe, then let it be after we are sure we have a good replacement, or it will be an all rookie defense learning through trial and error which isn’t good either. For now he still makes plays so he shouldn’t be traded. Draft LB this year, and then a LB next year and then u can consider trading him after one of them has 1 year experience and if you like what you see. But I think DJ is about to be even more productive back in the 4-3 with a D minded coach. My takes, since its been a while, TRB out…
DJ will probably last one more year with this new CBA stuff going on. Besides, it`s going to take a year or two to get a good start on our drafts and free agents. It`s all gonna take some time, so if DJ is here another year probably aint gonna kill us. Know what I mean. I think we should draft 2 LB`s this year.
Good to see you TRB. About DJ or trading anyone on our team for that matter, not to worry, without a CBA, every team will be forced to hold onto their players, only draftees will be newbies this year and even if a new cba is worked out in the off season, it will be done so late that every team will be hard pressed to let anyone go, I mean how is anyone expected to step into a new team and perform without any off season, even Orton maybe a difficult trade to make. This will go down as the season when the least amount of players ever were traded. We will just have to do better with who we got now plus six draftees is all, like putting DJ at his natural weakside position like you say in the 43 is a start. I bet you this season we will not see first place teams finish last and vice versa like we have, instead it will be like the old times when teams pretty much kept their positions on the ladder, no player changes for every team equals stability in the standings, not a good omen for our team I’m afraid, maybe passing the Raiders? That’s about all I would expect.
I agree with you on that Bay. The one thing that will help us is our new defensive scheme. That and Tim Tebow pulling out a few more wins with his God giving intangibles.
Man oh man…this site is hilarious…nothing to say really, still in a “wait and see” kinda mode. The defense is horrible…8 of 11 should probably not start any more. Champ and DJ are mainstays. Dawkins should go. He’s finished….great guy, but career is through. We shall see what the future holds with Fox. pretty good coach…..still not a Tebow fan…just not…maybe he can turn me around….intangibles don’t win football games….skill and talent wins…
I wish Dawk had a few more years left in him but he is done. He`s lost more than a step. That`s bad for a aging star no matter who it is.
Yeah it was painful to watch Dawk last year because I respect him a lot. But he definitely is getting up there. There were many times where I was expecting him to take a good angle and tackle a ball carrier in the open field but he consistently whiffed and gave up too many big plays. He use to have the speed to chase guys down even if they did get past him, but not any more. I wish him the best he’s been a great player for a long time. But he’s a liability on the field now. It reminds me of how John Lynch’s career ended. No one felt right telling him he had lost a step, but it was obvious to everyone and he eventually had to come to terms with it. I hope no matter what happens though that Dawk gets to ride off into the sunset with some class and doesn’t just get cut or something like that.
I thought it was really interesting what Mike Mayock had to say about Fairley, Bowers, and Dareus, which I just read in a DP article:
“You mentioned two incredibly talented guys that each have boom-or-bust potential,” said Mike Mayock, a draft analyst for the NFL Network. “Da’Quan Bowers is a one-year wonder. It was a wonderful one year, but you better make sure because he didn’t have production prior to that.”
Then he said:
“As far as Nick Fairley is concerned, you might want to throw Marcell Dareus’ name in there,” Mayock said, referring to Alabama’s nose tackle. “I think Fairley might have a tiny more upside than Dareus, but I think you know what you’re getting in Dareus.”
I thought it was really interesting because that’s basically what I have been saying all along about these guys. All three have great talent but Bowers was a one year wonder, Fairley is questionable because of work ethic/attitude issues, and while Dareus isn’t the flashiest player, you know he’s going to be a consistent starter from day one and will be so for many years. I’m glad Mayock agrees with me, LOL. Dareus would fill a huge need and I think he’s the safest pick in the entire draft. And it may just be me but I think safe is the best thing for this franchise at the moment.
Well I just looked back through some recent posts and I see some people have already brought up Mayock’s opinion of Dareus so I apologize for repeating some of it. But I’m going to ride this bandwagon all the way to draft day. I seriously wish we were picking at #3 so the first two teams would pick Fairley and Bowers so Dareus would be an easy choice to make.
thanks for all the info bay and strand!!!!
Carnage… what qb do you think on our team has skill and talent? I KNOW TT has some skill and talent he also has heart.
I want a QB who will get hit hard and still stand up and fight, a QB that throws a int and comes back ready for a war, one that doesnt just fold under pressure and make jay cut faces on the sidelines…. ORTON HEARS A BOOO!!!!
SIGN CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
88, Don`t be surprised if the Bronco`s pull the trigger on Dareus. It may come down to maturity. Both players are beasts and can get the job done, but who is a harder worker and better character.
It was Dareus who a year ago distroyed Texas and knocked out McCoy
SIGN CHAMP!
Hey guys, I have been thinking recently that our defense is going to automatically improve whenever we switch back to the 4-3 and with having John Fox as our new HC! Our LB’s fit the 4-3 better than the 3-4 and most of them should have instant success in that system, especially Williams which is his main/best scheme to play in!
I was just thinking and reading a few things and it might actually be best for us to pick Peterson in the draft! I think everyone will agree that he is probably the best player in the draft and our DL is going to get automatically better with Doom and Ayers as DE!
There are going to be guys like Phil Taylor, Drake Nevis, Marvin Austin, Stephen Paea.
Just think about having Bailey and Peterson as our two starting CB! So many QB’s already throw the opposite way of Bailey but what happens whenever we put Peterson at that other side? That automatically slows down the QB’s passing and this draft is just so defensive line heavy I really believe that this is the best move!
I really think that Fairley will be picked by the Panthers and a guy like Peterson really hasn’t ever came out of the draft and really resembles Sanders and Woodson!
I am going to post this mock draft that this guy posted that I really like and agree with! Also, it has been said that we have been mostly looking at Peterson with our second overall pick!! I will post both the mock draft and also where it said that we were really high on Peterson!!!
Mock Draft- http://predominantlyorange.com/2011/02/21/ultimate-denver-broncos-pre-combine-mock-draft/
Peterson and Broncos- http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=4627
I am pretty sure if Fairley is there that we will take him! Most likely he will not be and it has been said that we are both high on Peterson and Bowers! This combine will be EXTREMELY interesting! I honestly do not believe that much into Bowers as I have seen that he gets ate up by single blocks lots of times! Fairley seems to dominate single blocks and even double blocks which is why Carolina will probably choose him! Peterson has great experience in returning the ball as well which would make him our guy in the return game as well!
Also the guys I mentioned in my statement about Taylor, Paea, Davis, and Austin…I meant to put that they will/should be available in the second and third rounds!!
2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will The Bills Target Blaine Gabbert To Fill Quarterback Need?
Feb 21 9:19a by Russ Oates
Read More: Brett Favre (QB – MIN), Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB – BUF), Jake Locker (QB – Washington), Patrick Peterson (CB – LSU), Andrew Luck (QB – Stanford), Nick Fairley (DL – Auburn), Cameron Newton (QB – Auburn), Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks
For NFL mock drafts, having Nick Fairley go No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers and Patrick Peterson selected No. 2 by the Denver Broncos has become commonplace. That’s exactly what SB Nation’s latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft forecasts in this pre-Combine list. Not that there is anything wrong with that. That very well could be what happens come April. But after the combine things will start to change.
Back to this current scenario. With Fairley and Peterson off the board, the Bills are on the clock. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a long-term answer for the team at the quarterback position, and he’s not really the immediate solution there either. After Andrew Luck returned to Stanford for another year of college football, no quarterback stood out. Auburn’s Cam Newton and Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert have emerged as the top two quarterbacks in this draft. Brian Galliford projects Gabbert to the Bills here, mostly because he believes Gabbert “has the tools to be the better pro.”
If the Broncos decide that they should trade the No. 2 pick, might a scenario emerge where teams get into a bidding war to move up that high to select a quarterback? It would be a remote possibility. Tennessee at No. 8 could use a quarterback. The Minnesota Vikings also need a quarterback with Brett Favre finally retiring, though indications are they will look elsewhere in the draft. And farther down at No. 25, the Seattle Seahawks could use a young quarterback.
Gabbert, Newton and Jake Locker are the three quarterbacks likely to go in the first round, but without clearly having the talent of an Andrew Luck a team moving up to No. 3 remains on the back burner.