Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Brian Xanders have been organized, fast and effective in addressing the defensive line so far in free agency.
For anyone watching or keeping tabs, no National Football League team has added as many potential – we say potential because everything has to be earned on the field – new starters on its defensive line as the Broncos with the their three new linemen.
Indeed, Denver has signed four players in free agency so far, all on defense. Cornerback/safety/special teams standout Nathan Jones is the only one who does not play the D-line, and he has earned excellent reviews for his versatility and style of play of both defense and on kicking teams.
Coming to Denver’s 3-4 defensive line are defensive end Jarvis Green (from New England as a free agent), nose tackle Jamal Williams (from San Diego, and very familiar to Bronco fans as a longtime adversary), and Justin Bannan (from the Baltimore Ravens).
Each is a 3-4 veteran, each is a longtime NFL starter on an outstanding defense, and each has size.
Green weighs 285 and can play end, Bannan is an end who weighs in at 310, and of course Williams is an imposing 348 pounds.
Each has a measure of familiarity with the area or the people here.
Green comes from New England, where he certainly became very familiar with Josh McDaniels.
Williams comes from the Chargers where, until last year, his only defensive line coach as a professional had been Wayne Nunnely. Wayne came to the Broncos last year and no one is football is more familiar with Jamal Williams than is our D-line coach.
And finally, it is a real homecoming for Bannan, who played his college football right up the road at the University of Colorado before his fine pro career began.
These are very exciting signings for the Broncos and our fans, and you can be sure that Josh and X are not taking the foot off the accelerator in terms of player evaluation. Building a roster is not a sometimes thing, it is an all the time thing. It continues because other players become available, get released, and so forth, so the evaluation process is an ongoing one.
To top it off, draft preparations are continuing on a parallel track at this time.
It is a very exciting and interesting time to be a Bronco fan. The defense was changed over to a 3-4 alignment and made major strides in 2009, and now we are watching as more talent and experience is being added to the mix.
What will happen on offense? What will happen in the draft?
No one knows, and I will not pretend to, but I do know and trust the people down the hall.
Planning and preparation are paramount to success in this area, and there is no question about the time and effort being invested into being prepared to make the right moves at the right time.
It has already been a very successful offseason for the Broncos, and there is a lot remaining to be played out before that first minicamp the weekend following the draft.
Tags: Brian Xanders, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Jamal Williams, Jarvis Green, Justin Bannan, Nathan Jones, Wayne Nunnely
Of course I’m totally kidding, I know florios mom is a young man.
Baylin youre funny LMFAO
and if he is your son why have you not beat the stupid out of him yet??? lol
Mike Florio is an Idiot.
That’s what you think baylin. Maybe it’s true Mooohahahahahahah!!!!!!
All kidding aside Mike has some pretty good stuff. He will just put something really stupid there some times.
Heck, even Coop copied and pasted his article last week.
hehehe good times..
No go, I saw your pic on your buddies blog, ha! You would be an ugly woman with that mug, LOL.
That actually is mike florio in that pic bay. not me. lol but nice try. hahaha
I give up, the blogosphere is a world of deception, LOL.
LOL i cant believe you thought that was me!!!! Mike Florio isn’t the prettiest flower in the garden if ya catch my drift.
lol oh this is too much.
So I hope this is our starting Defense next season:
Green DE
Williams NT
Bannon DE
with rotation of course.
Doom OLB
DJ ILB
Larsen ILB or draft one
Ayers OLB replacing Haggan
Champ CB
Goodman CB
Dawk FS
Hill SS
The Broncos have agreed to terms with DL Le Kevin Smith.
Not a fan of this…dont know what he did last year…but apparently he did something….
And i didnt even bring up the fact that he is a ex patriot lmao…but at least he is 27 so he can come in to give our veterans a breather lol
wow, never knew we traded our 5th round pick this year to the patriots for le kevin smith last year…
TRB, you must of caught my 7:30 am post, LOL.
Not a fan of Woody Paige but he says “I hope Denver drafts Dan Lefevour in the 2nd round and train him to take over for Orton in 2011″ for once I hope he’s right.
Nice list BFE- If I may make just a couple of tweaks-
Dwan Edwards- Williams-Bannon (Mean Green McBean to rotate)
Doom-Larsen-DJ-Haggen (Moss;Ayers;Davis and Reid as 2nd line)
Champ-McBath-Dawk-Goody (Carter in the Nickle)
I was under the impression NE wanted him back.Go figure…
Yeah, and we got their 7th round pick in the trade also.
The jury has reached a verdict in the Darrent case
sndvl you think McBath will take over for Hill????
you don’t think Ayers can be a starter???
you think Dwan Edwards will come back and sign???
I think I like your list better than mine.LOL
Other than I’m for starting Ayers.
I think with all the beef up front Ayers will be free to wreak havoc.
I hope Edwards signs. He has the potential to be the steal of the FA market. McBath showed great progression, until he got hurt. With Dawk out there, Hill can be the insurance. As for Ayers, he plays on the same side as Doom and if its between him and Doom, well Im all for #92!
Crapola- if we resigned LeKevin, it doesnt look good for my Edwards wish…grrrrrrr
Didn’t Ayers play on opposite side of Doom some last year???
And I was wishing we could get Edwards too,but oh well.
For ones outside of Colorado, you can go on Lindsay Jones twitter page, she is at the courthouse updating the verdict.
Dont get me wrong, Im all for Ayers to be let loose. If he is ready! But Haggen was a playmker in his own right! I believe he led the team in forced fumbles!
Come to think of it Ayers did start at DE in college on the right side,maybe that’s why he’s taking a while to adjust to the left side…
Its also being updated on the DP via twitter. Counts 1 and 2 will be read first. Premeditated and extreme prejudice
Baylin,
Just read the post…i was surprised to see him cut peterson…but im glad u know McD sucks at handling his players and the media lol
Sndvl, BFE
I liek spencer larsen but i dont think he has “it”..he is a versatile guy and as a result i cant see him just starting at the ILB position. More of a special teamer to me. I do however believe McBath will take over for Hill soon enough…McBath is awesome. He is quick, lays good hits, and even pick off peyton manning lmao.
I would like the LBs starters to be Doom, DJ, Andra/Mclain, Ayers
Either way we should be much improved on D next year,maybe we won’t fall apart at mid season.
I dont use twitter so could someone just tell me the verdict please
marshisboss, just go to the denver post website and click on the article. Its being updated right from the courthouse!
TRB, I beg to differ about Larsen. Check out the tape from the Atlanta game two years ago. You can find clips on you tube….He can lay some wood!
thanks sndvl
Wadda you guys think about Brady Quinn,I know a lot of Bronco fans was interested in him last year.Maybe we get him for a 3rd or 4th round pick???
Correction, extreme indifference
You’re welcome! Its big news, everbody deserves to have some closure!
Heck no. Not Quinn. The only ND QB i want is clausen.
I second that Florio!
while i like larsen as well, im not sure our special teams can afford to have him be a full time LB. not too mention our FB situation! lol
GUILTY ON FIRST DEGREE MURDER.
like i said earlier… physically i like what quinn offers but im not sure he can be trusted to make the smart throw! can you say “left handed shuffle pass to… who?? aka the plummer bummer lol
There are many players who start and play special teams. As for the FB, how many times did McD use a fullback in the first place????
being a good ILB isnt all about tackling as am sure you know sndvl….just dunno if he is a complete ILB is what i am saying….but he is equally as useful in terms of his hard hitting, on special teams….Its not outside the realm of possibility but there has to be a reason he is not starting at ILB i would imagine…
Glad he was convicted….its a shame they didnt get ponytail harris cuz we all know he was the second gunner
It’s a lot harder to find an ILB than a ST player,I think he has the potential to be a good LB.IMO
@sndvl…
good point! lol
Attempted murder, GUILTY. That should about do it for this guy, too bad they couldn’t get the Harris guy who did the shooting also but caught a plea. It’s finally over, almost, just the penalty phase, at least life in prison looks like.
If not I think we need to think about getting a young talened ILB to compliment DJ.