The countdown is on to training camp. Before we get there, we have another in our interview series from the recently completed organized team activities (OTA’s).
In this edition, we feature linebacker Robert Ayers (RA), one of the Broncos’ two first-round draft picks from the 2009 NFL draft. The Broncos selected Ayers 18th overall out of the University of Tennessee.
In his rookie season a year ago, Ayers played in 15 games and made 19 tackles. He also recorded two pass defenses and scored a defensive touchdown.
Ayers is looking to make even more of an impact in 2010.
850 KOA: In general, how have the offseason and OTA’s gone for you?
RA: Going good. I definitely feel a lot more comfortable with the defense and the coaches have had more confidence in me it seems. I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities and make plays when I can.
850 KOA: Coach McDaniels has said you’re one of the more vocal guys on the field. What have you done to encourage the guys?
RA: Just talking and trying to communicate. In college, I was a very vocal player (and) emotional on the field. I’m just trying to carry it over to now. It’s hard to be vocal when you’re trying to figure out what you’re doing. Now I’m feeling more comfortable with the scheme and my responsibilities so I have to be more vocal out there.
850 KOA: How big of a change was the defensive scheme? Coming from Tennessee where you played with your hand down to now standing up a lot, how big of an adjustment is playing an odd man front in the 3-4 defense?
RA: As a defensive end, you’re constantly in attack mode. 99.9 percent of your plays are going forward. When I got here, I was asked to do different things but to much is given, much is required. I feel like this is my chance to take advantage of it and step up to the plate and that’s what I’m trying to do.
850 KOA: There have been some practices the veterans don’t have to take part. Coach calls them “opportunity practices” for the other guys. What are those like?
RA: It’s a chance for a lot of guys like myself, Darcel McBath, Richard Quinn and so on to focus in on what they have to do and try to play at a high level and get an opportunity they probably wouldn’t have if the other guys were here. You also have the rookies and free agent guys who are trying to make an impression and they weren’t getting an opportunity.
850 KOA: You and Knowshon Moreno were the Broncos’ first-round picks in 2009. You played against Knowshon in college. Did you get to know each other at all before you came here?
RA: No we didn’t. He had some good games against us; I had some good games against him. Since I’ve known him, I know he’s a great guy (and) I’m glad to have him on my team.
850 KOA: Where do you see yourself fitting in this year?
RA: I’ve been working hard in the offseason. I definitely want to establish myself as a dominant player. Nobody wants to just be mediocre. Everybody wants to make plays and contribute to the team. The thing I want to do the most is win. I’ve always aimed to win so if I can establish myself as a great player, I feel I can help the team win and those are my goals.
850 KOA: What differences have you already seen with your new defensive coordinator, Don Martindale?
RA: Just the mindset and approach we’re taking: The aggression, the play calling and him trying to let the players play and get after it. I’m not saying Coach Nolan didn’t (do those things) but you can just really see it. It shows a little more with the personality of Wink compared to Coach Nolan. Both are great coaches but Wink’s personality comes out in his play calling, the way he approaches things and what he expects of you.
850 KOA: Did you get a chance to Facebook Lane Kiffin after he left Tennessee? Did you send any messages to him?
RA: (chuckling) (USC) was his dream job so no hard feelings. For the sake of my program, my alma mater, I want them to get things turned around. The coaches there feel like they’re on the right path so I hope we can get things going.
850 KOA: Robert, thanks for the time. Stay healthy and all the best this year.
RA: Thank you.
Feel free to leave your thoughts on how Ayers might do in this year’s Broncos’ defense. I’ll have one more interview before posting a training camp preview at the end of the month.
As always, thanks for reading and posting.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Robert Ayers
Ha first comment! Im really hoping Ayers has a breakout year, cause i was pretty disappointed with his production last year.
The more defensive player comments I hear, the more I look forward to the D really stepping up this year. Wink may not have the experience and inate ability of Nolan, but the things the defensive players have been saying (And not saying) tells me that they are eager to play for Wink. This is something that can’t be taught or learned, as it comes from within.
Yeah, on paper Martindale sounds good, players seem to love him , they all talk about his agressivity and they seem to say that they have the ability to be themselves more with Wink that they did with Nolan, so bottom line it sounds as if they have more fun in a Wink D than a Nolan D. Now let’s just hope it carries onto the field.
As for Ayers, main thing I like to hear is that his understanding of the system now is allowing him to be more vocal, which is his personality trait, so that is a real good sign there, we need leaders at LB’s like Al Wilson used to be, and when we got Ayers, being from the same University of Tennessee than Al, I was hoping he could become one of those leaders. It seems as he may be going in the right direction and I still count on him big time since he is the only player I predicted we would pick in the draft last year with #18 pick.
I also like what I’m hearing from the defensive side of the ball. I’m really hoping we have a great defense this year and not allow the late season slides we’ve been seeing. I think that the aggressive style will hopefully help us in the turnover differential.
I agree with you guys, we do need a vocal leader on the defense. I know we have Champ and Dakwins, but within the entired defense we have the seperate positions. Sometimes you need one of you “guys” to step up and be a vocal leader. From there you step up and turn into an entire defensive vocal leader.
I am excited to see the defense this year. All I can think of is the 2nd coming of the Orange Crush.
Go Broncos!!!!!
Defense is definitely not a worry of mine for this year at all, I am totally confident they will be much improved over last year.
The Offense is what is going to give me all my white hair I’m afraid, very concerned on that side of the ball. Hurt and inexperienced O line which could make the protection for Orton difficult and as he no longer has a security outlet in the air it could make us predictable having to run the ball so it could be easy for teams to stuff it. Ok, I’m getting white hair just talking about it, if that O line doesn’t find a way to overcome it’s injuries and inexperience we are in for one heck of a long season. If they do gel quickly and overcome the injuries, we could go into the playoffs. Problem is I think the O line will fall somewhere between these scenarios so that’s why I see 9-7 at best but no playoffs, just my analysis.
I believe the defence is gonna be solid this year. It sounds like the players really like Wink. I`d sure like to see more sacks and hurrie`s this year. We`ve got a great secondary on the field. We just need to pressure the QB more and we will get those turnovers. As for Robert, It sounds like he`s stepping up to the plate as a vocal leader as well as his play. So Robert, go out there and prove the critics wrong each and every week and KICK SOME MAJOR AYERS. I believe he`s gonna have a great second season.
When I said that If Orton doesn’t get the protection for the long game it would make us having to run the ball, I should of said we would have to rely on the short game so other teams will put 8 men in the box and easily stuff both the run and the short passing game is what I meant. Orton does not have a quick release or a fast decision making ability, so for him to find the open man for the long ball he has to have more time than the average QB, and without Marshall to throw prayers at, everything will get that much harder in that long ball department was the point I was trying to make, hence O line protection will be key, Clady and Harris we need you more than ever this year, please heal.
Hope Ayers does well. Personally wanted Cushings but it is what it is. I expect a break out year from Him and Moreno as well.
Defense is the only thing Im excited about this year. I see our offense lagging. The Beast made alot out of nothing alot of times and was a safety blanket for Orton. I know he is just one man gone but I think it will affect us alot. Also at TE, Graham is awesome, but Sheff was a ace recieving TE. Was hoping we would draft someone to replace him. Hopefully Quinn steps up. He reminds me of Vernon Davis who did alot of blocking in his first couple of years and then broke out as the TE we all knew he could be. Heres hoping our Run game is amazing cuz while I pray the rook recievers will be great and I already know what royal, Gaff and stokely can do. None of them command double coverage…yet!
All in all, Im really excited about the D. Go Broncos. TRB out.
Its almost like wink is the missing Ryan triplet…….
Its Lane Kiffin not Lane Griffin
The addition of the three J’s (Justin, Jarvis, & Jamal) up front is going to really open things up for our linebackers, Elvis, DJ, Mario and Ayers. Ronald Fields, Ryan McBean, Marcus Thomas, LeKevin Smith will also contribute on the D-line. Jarvis Moss, Akin Ayodele and Darrell Reid, will sub at LB. Wesley Woodyard will be in the mix. Rookie LB Jamie Kirlew most likely will earn his spurs on ST. We’re definitely deeper in all areas including the Secondary.
It’s going to be fun watching these guys bring it this year!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Lino ~ “they seem to say that they have the ability to be themselves more with Wink that they did with Nolan”
I believe that playing to your rosters strengths is a quick, easy and effective way of getting the best out of your team. Was Nolan way of the beaten track last year? What was wrong with Nolans D-Scheme in Weeks 1-6? From what I have read on on here the answer is ‘very little if anything’. What went wrong in weeks 8-17? Also from what I read read there was a clashing of personalities with HC and DCo.
The scheme was not at fault in essence and weeks 1-6 proved that. It was more a difference of opinions that lead to slide.
“Wink” appears to have the support of his players which is a great thing, whether Nolan had it to the same/greater/lesser degree is debatable. The Defense can only learn from the mistakes of a last year and build on it. The proof will be in the pudding as the saying is goes. Like all of you Im fired up to see the boys rip it up this year!
Ayres ~ Just pull finger and work hard. Dude if you need inspiration then check out highlights of the 3 headed monster we once had… Gold-Wilson-Williams. I hope that helps in some way. Now with Dumervil/Williams/Ayodele/Haggan, Ayres should have plenty of onfield help.
Cdud ~ I’m sure thats Peters younger brother lol
Samoan, reports I have read have it that last year the discord between McD and Nolan started during the Colts game when McD didn’t like how Nolan handled the D on that day and it never was right after that, hence the split. Considering it was the 13th game of the season, things had gotten bad way before that, so the clash of personality probably wasn’t the key to the decline, it might of had nothing to do with the scheme either, but I’m pretty sure it had a lot to do with the execution. I remember Bailey and Dawkins talking that players weren’t respecting their assignments when explaining the slide. Bottom line in the end McD grew up not to like the scheme, the players grew up impatient in the scheme and started free-lancing, and here we are, new DC, players liking that they can be themselves more in this scheme and McD must be ok with it, so end result I hope it’s all good now.
The D came up with three Int’s that day on Manning. We had a tough time converting on Offense against the Colts.
Our d made alot of great plays, but they made ALOT of terribad ones also.
I was preeching nolan 100% when the season went away, and when i was drinking the koolaid…But i started falling off the wagon when i noticed the gaping holes, and the constant lucky breaks we got. So im not too mad bout nolan leaving this off season. I am also worried bout the offense though, thats why i really want to have a new QB…Orton will get blitzed and the defense will sit.Same story and we will fail horribly unless Orton can pull out the big guns this year.
Looking back I’m sure McD realizes it was a mistake to get Nolan, a man who had been a Head Coach for some time and it naturally turned out that Nolan could not take the authority of a much younger man like McD, so regardless of how McD thought things should go on D, no way Nolan was going to give into the young and inexperienced HC. Wink was never a HC, in fact this is his first DC job, so his goal is to do whatever to climb the ladder meaning he is the perfect guy for McD to be able to work with and not bonk heads over authority with. McD is the boss and Wink has no issue whatsoever with that, it was way different with Nolan and they just had to part ways for McD to regain his authority over the entire team including the D, that’s my take on it.
I was pretty confident that Ayers would have a breakout year this year until I heard he was in McD’s doghouse and will now be competing with Jarvis Moss. Not that I’ve given up all hope, but for McDaniels to put him in the doghouse and then announce that he’ll be competing with a total bust who hasn’t won a starting job in what, 3 or 4 years? And I think we all know how hard it is to truly get out of McD’s doghouse. Just look at poor Hillis. And Marshall, who seemed to have reformed only to be benched at the first opportunity! Not saying that what Marshall was doing was okay, but it just goes to show you that you never know if you’re truly out of McD’s doghouse.
Marshall is having a wedding party in South Beach, this is is Broncos, Ex-Broncos players list of invitees:
Jay Cutler, Tony Scheffler, Elvis Dumervil, DJ Williams, Eddie Royal and Ryan Clady.
Jay/gone, Tony/gone, Elvis/unsigned, DJ/no show to most of the early OTA’S, Eddie/basically forgotten last year, that leaves Clady who McD seems to have no problem with (on the surface), mmmm… Coincidences? or maybe it would be better to re-think your friends if you don’t want to get in the doghouse Maniac just talked about. BTW, McD wasn’t on the guest list.
Nothing deep here guys (let’s hope), just killing time, LOL.
Meant Elvis/unsigned long term.
I got enough white hair, hope the new people do it right. I also need better than 8-8. I am getting old, dont need the big one to get me yet. I tend to get a little excited during games.
Go Broncos
Why isn’t Joey Porter on that list?
If you are referring to the guest list for the wedding, only current or ex Broncos were included, Porter is none of that.
Ha ha, thankfully
I really like the additions up front(3Js) and the O line,we would all like to see Kyle hit those deep routes now and then.But it’s the D line additions that really have me excited I predict 10-6.