Our series of offseason interviews continues with new Broncos defensive lineman Justin Bannan (JB), who signed with Denver after playing for the Baltimore Ravens for the past four seasons. Bannan is 6’3″ tall and weighs 310 pounds. He spent his first four years in the league with the Buffalo Bills.
850 KOA had the chance to speak with the former Colorado Buffalo.
850 KOA: You’ve played with Buffalo for four years and Baltmore for four seasons. How great is it to be back home?
JB: You have no idea. I have freedom for once. I’m glad to be back out here away from the East Coast. I couldn’t be happier.
850 KOA: The Ravens have been a pretty good team and tough on defense. What sold you on the opportunity to play for the Broncos?
JB: I think what sold me was defensive coordinator Don Martindale and my D-line coach, Wayne Nunnely. Looking at the approach they’re going to take, the type of defense they’re going to have and what they’re looking for, I just felt like it was a perfect fit. Coach Martindale is a Rex Ryan guy (in) his attitude and what he’s all about, and so am I. We’re going to have that same type of philosophy and same type of defense. I’m really excited.
850 KOA: The Broncos really went after you and wanted you here, even though you seemed to have a good time playing with the Ravens.
JB: I had a great experience playing in Baltimore. (They’re) a lot of great people and great friends there. But it’s really nice to come here to a team that really did put the full-court press on me and they really did want me. It’s nice to feel appreciated like that.
850 KOA: With Jamal Williams, a true nose tackle, on the roster, the Broncos can slide you out to an end position if they want to. Does it matter to you where the Broncos will start you when training camp begins, at nose tackle or defensive end?
JB: It doesn’t matter to me. Now that he’s here (Williams), I probably won’t be playing the majority of time at the nose. I really don’t know how it’s all going to shake out. Wherever they want to put me is fine with me. I’m happy to do whatever it takes and be a guy who plays outside or inside.
850 KOA: What has made the Ravens’ defense so special for so long?
JB: We took a lot of pride in our craft. You had a group of guys that were just tough. That’s the only way I can put it. (They’re) guys that wouldn’t back down from any kind of challenge, any adverse situation. We almost thrived in them. That’s the attitude you gotta have to have a great defense. Anything that’s going on, you have to just love it. That’s the kind of attitude the Ravens had. You look at the last ten years and they rank number one in almost every category. It’s a special place and there is a whole lot of pride over there, starting with Ray Lewis. (It’s a) very unselfish group. The d-line was a very close-knit group. Everyone was good friends and everybody played for one another.
850 KOA: A lot of people are glad you’re in town. Thanks for your time.
JB: Thank you very much.
Next time, we’ll feature another one of the Broncos’ new defensive linemen. Thanks for reading and feel free to share your thoughts on the Broncos moves along the defensive front this offseason. I always enjoy your posts.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Don Martindale, Jamal Williams, Justin Bannan, Mike Rice, Wayne Nunnely
Definitely some much needed help with our achilles heel the last few years. But we still have some unfinished business. A DE/LB, that is a sacking machine, needs to be signed!
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
thanks mike,
I see that JB woulb be really dedicated to whatever position he is in..
I can see us being the best defense this year, I hope i’m right!
I want to see my team go for the playoffs at least!
DENVER BRONCOS ALL THE WAY!!
Wow… Martindale = Rex Ryan? Really?
Wow.
SIGN DOOM!
I hope the D can stop the run consistantly this year and years to come because if there was one common denominater to missing the playoffs the last 4 years, it was the D’s lack of run stopping. GO BRONCOS!!!
Great attitude hope that equates to his success in whatever position he takes up.
Other than Doom, are we waiting on any important players to resign?
Sorry guys for taking off on a tangent, but this is directed at KOA. Mike can you tell me why KOA no longer allows international fans to listen to game day coverage on KOA?
I know US Armed forces around the world can login and listen but I can’t get in anymore.
If you perfer to email me a response Mike you can do so at champbailey76@gmail.com cheers.
GET IT DONE IN THE TRENCHES IN 2010!!!
Unfortunately I like our chances in that department better on the defensive side than the offensive one, the O line could be this year’s achilles heel, definitely a worrysome area for me, hope I’m wrong…
Tomorrow marks the start of another 3 day voluntary mini camp, hope they keep us updated on the blog.
I don’t see why you’re that worried, baylin. Both Ryans are supposed to be ready to go come gametime. The only position we’re really missing is center.
Maniac, the O line is the unit that takes the longest to gel in football, with experienced players hurt and lots of of rookies in the mix, I think it’s legitimate for me to worry about it. When Ryan Harris went out last year, so did our offense, and that was only missing one guy on the line. If we start Orton we need a line that can give him time to stand in the pocket because that’s all he is physically able to do and to be able to achieve that we have to keep defensive on their toes by having an efficient running game, which without a big solid experienced center and average guards so far and rookies, it’s easier said than done. If we start any of the other three QB, the running game and QB protection will be just as critical for their success since they have way less experience, maybe Quinn would be best equipped to deal with a less than stellar O line, I don’t know but the fact remains I’m worried about the O line. Glad to see you don’t, maybe your crystal ball is better than mine… doubt it though.
But if both Ryans are back like they are supposed to be, there shouldn’t be many worries. And you forget that last year we also had the Hochstein/Hamilton thing going on. It was pretty late in the season when McDaniels finally benched Hamilton.
“PAY DOOM”
Did the man say Wink, Ryan and himself in the same sentence? AND that wink was alot like Ryan AND that our “D” will be alot like the Ravens D AND how i’m so happy to read thats how at the very least a player who played under Ryan feels for our DC. Excited AND more excited to hear. Nice article.
GET MORE QUESTIONS: On how they feel playing under Wink is gonna be, for us the readers. Thanks
Go Broncos!!!
Maniac, rather than a nobody like me arguing the O line being an area of concern for me with you, I thought I would post what Klis said about it on May 5th:
I think by far the greatest concern confronting the 2010 Broncos is their offensive line. There is either too many blockers coming off surgically-repaired injuries (left tackle Ryan Clady, center Russ Hochstein, right tackle Ryan Harris), or there is considerable inexperience (left guard Seth Olsen, center J.D. Walton, tackle Zane Beadles). Right guard Chris Kuper is the only blocker without a major issue, and he has a contract matter. Not only are there injuries and youth upfront, the Broncos are switching their blocking system. Instead of the five-man-all-move-as-one zone system that was the Broncos’ trademark the previous 15 seasons, they are going to more of a power-pulling system. And not only are there injuries, youth and a new blocking system, but long-time offensive line coach Rick Dennison has been replaced by Clancy Barone. Regarding the Broncos’ offensive line, put its question mark in bold type.
It’s pretty clear that I’m not alone on an island thinking the O line is a huge question mark for 2010, but hey, opinions are what keeps us talking, I just don’t think your rational thinking we will be fine with the O line adds up, it’s more of a fan reaction I’m hearing, which is cool but probably unrealistic, just saying.
samoanbronco…thanks for your question. I apologize but I really don’t have an answer. I am not familiar with how the Armed Forces radio network chooses its games or makes its programming available to its listeners.
I am pretty sure that http://www.nfl.com offers an audio package that allows subscribers to hear all games from all teams for the entire season. I’m not sure how much it costs but I don’t think it is overly expensive.
I’m also not sure exactly what you’re referring to when you mention that KOA no longer allows international listeners to hear its programming. Feel free to offer some details on that and I’ll follow up with you.
Finally, I gather from your post that you are a member of the armed services. Assuming that is correct, thank you, thank you, thank you for your service.
weareamr…thanks for the post. I like your idea about asking the guys about what the defense might be like under Coach Martindale. At the same time, I have found that most of the guys really aren’t sure yet. Other than referring to an attacking style that is fun to play, I’m not sure anyone, players included, know exacctly what to expect yet. I think we’ll get a better idea once training camp starts.
But your comment is noted and I’ll try to get some more info. along those lines in the future.
baylinorcrush…I’m fairly certain you’ll be getting mini-camp updates here on denverbroncos.com. Those guys do a great job posting the very latest info.
Thanks to all,
Mike
Wow! I can’t wait to see these guys play together. Doom got 17 sacks last year without the added beef. Can you imagine how many he will have this year with the 3 new additions to the line.
I bet you Doom is just chomping at the bone! He is going to have a better season than last year.
I agree with Bay, we did get some beef this year. Now they need to get healthy, stay healthy and get some experience. Hopefully they blend as a unit quickly. I also think the players and front office are on the same page with contracts. Just a mater of getting the words right to satisfy both sides. Doom will sign soon, and someone else signed just lately. Man, I think we have already done some real good things this year.
Go Broncos